These Attractions in Denmark Are Worth Traveling For

1. Amalienborg Palace

Copenhagen’s Amalienborg Palace complex is composed of four identical rococo-style palace buildings surrounding a hexagonal square with a statue of King Frederik V (1771) at its center. The four palaces have been home to different generations of the Danish royal family since 1794 and are still used as official royal residences and sumptuously appointed guesthouses for visiting dignitaries. The Christian VIII Palace houses the fascinating Amalienborg Museum, which is filled with exhibits offering an insight into the lives of both the present and past royals. You can tour both Christian VII’s and Christian VIII’s palaces and watch the impressive changing of the guard ceremony, which takes place at noon each day, come rain or shine.

Amalienborg, 1257 Copenhagen K, Phone: +45-33-12-21-86

2. ARoS Aarhus Art Museum

Art and architecture lovers will need to set aside at least a half-day to explore the ARoS Aarhus Art Museum, located in the heart of Denmark’s second-largest city, Aarhus. The architecture of the 17,700-m² cube-shaped building is quite unique, offering ten levels of exhibition space punctuated by a spiral staircase. You have access to a “free” viewing area, but will have to pay an entrance fee if you would like to see the full collection, which encompasses over 1,000 paintings, 400 installations, and hundreds of art videos, graphics, drawings, and photos. In addition to the permanent collections, the museum has a full calendar of rotating exhibitions and events. When you need a break from the sensory overload you can drop into the Art Café or the ARoS Food Hall.

ARoS, Aros Allé 2, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Phone: +45-8-73-06-60

3. Christiansborg Palace

The imposing Christiansborg Palace is the seat of the Danish Parliament, the Supreme Court, and the Ministry of State, located on the tiny island of Slotsholmen in Copenhagen. The public areas are a must-see attraction for visitors interested in art, architecture, and history, demonstrating three separate architectural styles that came about as the palace was rebuilt following two devastating fires in 1794 and 1884.

A combined entrance ticket includes access to the Great Hall (where you can admire the Queen’s Tapestry Collection), the Royal Reception Rooms, the Royal Stables, the Royal Kitchen, and the underground ruins, which date back to an original castle built on the site in 1167. The various architectural styles showcased include neo-baroque, neo-classical, and baroque.

Christiansborg Palace, Prins Jorgens Gard, 1468 Kobenhaven K, Phone: +45-33-92-64-92

4. Djurs Summer Park

If you are looking for an adrenalin-charged family excursion while in Denmark, the Djurs Summer Park ticks all the boxes. The park opened in 1981 and is constantly adding new rides and attractions, making it one of the largest and most exciting amusement parks in Europe. The park features eight themed areas and more than 60 rides for all ages and levels of bravery. Highlights include Viking Land, the Drage Kongen, (Europe’s fastest and longest suspended family roller coaster), and several water rides to cool you down on a hot summer day. A one or two-day ticket gives you unlimited access to all the rides and with so much fun to be had you may consider booking an overnight package that includes accommodation.

Djurs Sommerland, Randersvej 17, 8581 Nimtofte, Phone: +45-86-39-84-00

5. Dyrehavsbakken

Dyrehavsbakken, or simply Bakken to the locals, is one of Copenhagen’s best-kept secrets and has been a popular family attraction for hundreds of years. This unique and rather nostalgic amusement park is the oldest in the world and was established back in 1583 in a beautiful part of the forest just 10 minutes from Copenhagen. Generations of locals have been coming to the park to enjoy the wide-open spaces, complete lack of glitz, and some thrilling rides which include an 80-year-old vintage wooden rollercoaster. You can enjoy a total of 32 rides and over 70 other typical fairground games and attractions to suit all ages.

A/S Dyrehavsbakken, Dyrehavevej 62, DK 2930 Klampenborg, Phone: +45-39-63-35-44

6. Farup Summer Park

When you consider how long the winter lasts in Denmark it comes as no surprise that the country has some of the best summer amusement parks in Europe. Farup Summer Park (Fårup Sommer Land in Danish) is the second-largest park in Europe and boasts the largest water park in the country.

You can try out all six of the rollercoasters to get your adrenaline pumping and then move on to the Aquapark for yet more speed, thrills, and spills. There are also numerous rides and activities for younger children, including the Kiddies Water Park. One entrance ticket gives you access to all the attractions and you can check into the on-site hotel to extend your excursion.

Fårup Sommerland, Pirupvegen 147, 9492 Blokhus, Denmark, Phone: +45-98-88-16-00

7. Frederiksborg Castle

The stately Frederiksborg Castle north of Copenhagen is a must-see attraction for history buffs, art and architecture enthusiasts, and garden lovers. The original castle was built in the 17th century in the Dutch Renaissance style but was almost completely destroyed by a fire in 1859, leaving only the chapel unscathed. It was painstakingly rebuilt in the original style by 1865. Today you can tour the castle and the romantic baroque gardens, which were re-created in 1996 from original drawings dating back to 1725. The castle is home to the Museum of National History, where you can see original sculptures and decorations that pre-date the fire as well as a significant collection of paintings, portraits, and modern art.

Frederiksborg Castle, Montportvejen 10, 3400 Hillerod, Phone: +45-48-26-04-39

8. Kayak Republic, Copenhagen

You can see all the amazing sights of Copenhagen from an entirely new perspective on a paddling tour through Copenhagen’s pristine waterways with Kayak Republic. The outfitter offers kayaking courses, rentals, and guided tours and is very centrally located. There are several tours to choose from, including the Nordic Food Tour, which will give you the chance to try local specialties like smørrebrød (traditional open sandwiches), fresh fish, and Danish mussels. On the Architecture Tour, you will be guided along the canals to see some of the architectural gems of the city and learn about the links between society, architecture, and history.

Kayak Republic, Borskaj 12, 1221 Copenhagen K, Phone: +45-22-88-49-89

9. Kronborg

Immortalized by William Shakespeare in his well-known tragedy Hamlet, Kronborg Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located on a narrow spit of land between Denmark and Sweden. The original Renaissance castle was built in 1574 as a military stronghold and played an important role in the region’s history for several generations. You can learn all about the strategic importance of Kronborg and see the opulent interior on a guided tour of the castle’s highlights, which include the Frederik II ballroom. Shakespeare fans might prefer the “Walking in Hamlet’s Footsteps” tour, which is led by a costumed Horatio and will truly bring the famous tragedy to life. The castle is located just 40 minutes by train from Copenhagen.

Kronborg 2 C, DK-3000, Helsingor, Phone: +45-49-21-30-78