Denmark

This Scandinavian country, much like its neighbours, enjoys a very high standard of living regularly making the top three on the list of world’s happiest countries. Rich cultural heritage, sustainability and modern architecture are some of the trademarks of Denmark. With dedicated cycling lanes, Denmark is one of the best and safest countries in the world to explore on a bicycle.

The capital Copenhagen is a Mecca of fine dining and with over 15 Michelin-starred restaurants, you can guess how serious the Danes are when it comes to food. Nyhavn harbour – a 17th-century waterfront lined with colourful buildings – is a vibrant place in the city, best explored  on a canal boat tour. Copenhagen is quite accessible – just hire a bicycle and explore one of the world’s cleanest, greenest and safest cities. Some of Copenhagen’s highlights are the second-oldest running amusement park in the world – Tivoli Gardens, the National Museum of Denmark, Rosenborg Castle (also known as Rosenborg Slot) – a renaissance castle with gorgeous architecture, Christiansborg Palace – another Renaissance marvel that also serves as the Danish parliament.

About 40km away from the capital lies Roskilde – a city known for organizing one of Europe’s biggest music festivals. Apart from the festival, Roskilde has historic and cultural appeal with UNESCO world heritage sites like the Roskilde Cathedral. The 16th-century Kronborg Castle in Helsingor, is another UNESCO listed site.

Aarhus and Odense are Denmark’s second- and third-largest city after Copenhagen. While Odense is dotted with historic houses, palaces and great museums, Aarhus is best-known for its architectural landmarks like the ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum – a vivid art museum with a stunning rooftop walkway. Other notable museums in the city are the open-air Den Gamle By and the underground Viking Museum. 

Billund, a town in central Denmark is the birthplace of Lego toys. The highlight of this town – Legoland is a popular amusement park for families and children of all ages. If all the urban beauty fails to satisfy, head out to the port town of Skagen, located on the edge of Jutland Peninsula. This scenic town offers pristine beaches, great seafood and has a handful of excellent museums and art galleries. The island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea is closer to Sweden and Poland than to the Danish mainland, and offers some amazing sights including rocky cliffs, castle ruins, lush forests and white-sand beaches. Often considered the sunniest part of Denmark, Bornholm is home to a few picturesque fishing villages and harbour towns.

If all these sites and highlights weren’t enough to convince you to book a trip to Denmark, just remember, it produces some of the best beers in the world!