Denmark is one of the most pleasant places to visit in Europe.
Aside from the landmarks, the weather, and the culture, what you’ll love about this country are its people. Last year, Denmark was hailed as the happiest country in the world through the World Happiness Report sponsored by the United Nations Conference of Happiness (who knew there was such a thing?). The report, which was released in April 2012, used political freedom, government corruption, health, family and job security as the main criteria. If you choose this Scandinavian country for your next trip, you are making the right choice because you’ll get nothing but smiles and celebrations.
Its small size makes Denmark the perfect European destination to visit if you only have a week to spare.
Things to do in Denmark in under a week:
1.) Visit the Funen Village
Funen Island is an island off the eastern coast of Denmark with a population of just under a half a million. The Funan Village is an open-air museum dedicated to preserving Funan culture and traditions dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. This village will transport you through time and give you a taste of traditional Danish life.
2.) Legoland Billund
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This is probably one of the coolest attractions in Denmark. Opened in 1968, this Legoland park welcomes nearly 2 million Lego-enthusiast visitors each year, making it Denmark’s most popular tourist attraction outside of the city of Copenhagen. The park is divided into nine different themed “Lego Lands” where entire villages or scenes are depicted using Legos. Some of the “lands” include Pirate Land, Polar Land, Adventure Land, and Mini Land, which depicts famous scenes throughout Copenhagen and the rest of Denmark. This is a fascinating attraction for children and adults alike.
3.) Check out the professional poker scene
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Professional poker is quite popular throughout Europe, and Denmark is no exception. If you want to know why most Danish are happy, travel to the country before FIFA World Cup. During the 2006 FIFA event, the Danish National Football team failed to qualify for the football tournament. In poker, however, they were still able to give their fans something to cheer for. They proved Denmark’s competitive spirit through the Partypoker Football & Poker Legends Cup. This tournament, which was joined by two poker professionals and one former or current professional football player from each country, was staged as a lead-up to the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Denmark was represented by Gus Hansen, Theo Jorgensen, and Kim Christofte. Hansen and company bagged the highest prize to become the world champion. So if you’re serious about poker, Denmark is the destination for you!
4.) Rosenborg Castle
This 17th Century Renaissance castle, located in Copenhagen, is one of the most popular attractions in all of Denmark. It was originally constructed in 1606 as a summer house for Christian IV, but was expanded and improved for nearly twenty years after its construction. Some of the more impressive features of the castle include the Long Hall, which was originally to be used as a ballroom, but evolved into use as a reception and banquet hall. The castle also houses the “Rosenborg Collections,” containing a plethora of Danish cultural and historical artifacts, including pieces that belonged to the nobility. The Royal Garden also is worth spending some time taking a relaxing stroll through.
5.) Aarhus Old Town
Similar to the Funen Village, the Aarhus Old Town is an open-air museum that seeks to preserve and share Danish history and culture. This museum, however, is dedicated to showcasing Danish town life, rather than village life. It contains 75 historic buildings from more than 20 townships throughout Denmark. Most buildings and rooms are open to the public and are set up to reflect the way of life for the Danish people during the late 19th Century and early 20th Century. With over 3.5 million visitors each year, it is one of the most popular attractions in Denmark.
6.) Kronborg Castle
Located in Helsingor on the tip of the northern island of Zealand, this iconic castle and fortress served as the setting for Elsinore in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most treasured Renaissance-style castles in Europe. It was built in the 1420s and served as a major strategic defense structure controlling the entrance of the Baltic Sea.
7.) Øresund Bridge
Although it may look similar to other modern bridges throughout the world, the Øresund Bridge is actually quite impressive. It’s a double-track dual railway and roadway, the longest of its kind in Europe, that spans for 5 miles connecting Denmark with Sweden. It serves as a major commercial artery linking Central and Western Europe with the rest of Scandinavia.
8.) Island of Bornholm
With its stunning, but unforgiving, rocky coastline, the Island of Bronholm serves as Denmark’s easternmost island, lying to the south of Sweden in the Baltic Sea. This rural island is known for its fishing industry, as well as for its quality arts and crafts, including glasswork and ceramics. Inland, the island boasts stunning landscapes of sprawling green farmland, as well as dense forests. Many tourists come to enjoy the island’s beaches, located on its southern end.
When to travel to Denmark:
If you’re planning a trip to Denmark, the best weather is usually between June and September when it is warmer and drier. If you’re looking to avoid the crowds and find cheaper prices on accommodations, then you should travel between September and May.
If you’re looking for a place to visit in Europe where the crowds can be avoided and much can be seen over the course of one week, then consider making Denmark your next stop in Europe!
Have you visited Denmark? Share your recommendations below!
This post was supported by PartyPoker.
