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Denmark Information

Overview

Jutland and its 400 surrounding islands form one of Europe’s smallest countries. Denmark has an abundance of picturesque villages and towns, historic castles and monuments, and a coastline that varies from broad sandy beaches to small coves and gentle fjords.

Throughout the country, low rolling hills provide a constant succession of attractive views; there are cool and shady forests of beech trees, extensive areas of heathland, a beautiful lake district, sand dunes and white cliffs resembling those of Dover; nor should one forget the Danish islands, each of which has its own unique attractions.

The Danes have taken strong measures to keep their coastline clean and tidy, keen for visitors to sample the many unspoilt beaches. Inland from the 4,800km (3,000 miles) of beaches and unspoiled islands, you’ll find a landscape eminently suitable for cycling. Ferries ply between the mainland and the islands, competing with awesome bridges like the 16km (10 miles) Øresund link to Sweden. Ranks of huge white wind turbines are a feature of the modern Danish landscape.

Amidst such tranquillity, it now seems almost surreal to consider that this country once spawned a notoriously violent seafaring race of people, the Vikings, feared throughout northwest Europe. Today, visitors to Denmark find a country that is peaceful, introspective, neutral and egalitarian. Its hallmarks are world-class design and uniformly high standards that apply equally to its accommodation and transport. Cuisine is excellent, especially in the realm of dairy products and scrumptious pastries. Add to this a people both amiable and helpful, with a facility for languages, and the result is an overwhelming sense of welcome.

Copenhagen is a wonderful cobblestoned city with many quaint medieval streets and buildings, but there is more to Denmark than its capital, and any visitor to the country is strongly advised to explore elsewhere too.

Author

Terry Marsh

Top Things To See

Don’t miss the Little Mermaid statue by Copenhagen’s harbour entrance. It often surprises first-time visitors with its small size, but the commemoration of one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most popular fairytale characters is widely known as the city’s symbol.

Retrace Denmark’s Viking heritage at the Viking Ship Museum at Roskilde (website: www.vikingeskibsmuseet.dk), around 30km (19 miles) from Copenhagen, featuring five ancient vessels rescued from the waters of the harbour.

Pay homage to one of the world’s best-known beers at the famous Carlsberg Brewery ( website: www.carlsberggroup.com/Experience/VisitCarlsberg), which is a short train ride from Copenhagen’s central station, and has an extensive visitor centre telling the story of the company and its products.

Take in the pomp at Amalienborg Palace (website: http://kongehuset.dk), the royal winter residence in the centre of Copenhagen. It is worth being there at 1200, when the daily changing of the ceremonial guard takes place.

Follow in the fictional footsteps of Hamlet to Elsinore (Helsingør in Danish), where the mighty 16th-century Kronborg Castle (website: www.kronborgcastle.com) watches over the waters of Øresund and the nearby Swedish coast.

Take a walk around Christiania, Copenhagen’s ‘independent’ hippy community founded in 1971 to provide a home for those seeking an alternative lifestyle. As ever, it is a thorn in authority’s side, but enduring as a tradition.

Explore the largest-remaining Viking burial site at the city of Ålborg, which also counts a castle, a cathedral and a monastery among its attractions, and is the home of a well-known variety of akkevit spirit (a spiced schnapps-type drink). 

In summer, do as the Danish royal family does and take a trip to Århus. Their summer residence is the Marselisborg Castle (website: www.kongehuset.dk), whose grounds are open to the public when the Queen is not in residence.

Also when in Århus, take a stroll around the Old Town open-air museum, a collection of buildings dating from the Renaissance to WWI, and brought to the site from all over Denmark (website: www.visitaarhus.com).

Relive childhood with a visit to the birthplace of the great fairytale writer Hans Christian Andersen in Odense. Visitors can also have a look around the Hans Christian Andersen Museum (website: www.museum.odense.dk) and his childhood home.

Top Things To Do

 Get pedalling. Denmark offers excellent cycling terrain. For details, contact the Danish Cyclists’ Association, Dansk Cyklist Forbund (website: www.dcf.dk).

 Go horse riding: this is easily arranged in Denmark, which has horses to hire from riding schools and centres almost everywhere. Many riding schools offer riding holidays with half or full board.

 Stop at a pølsevogn (sausage stall) to savour the nation’s favourite snack, the hot dog. These can be found almost anywhere there are people, and at any time of day or night.

 Spoil yourself with a relaxing treatment from a health resort, which are widespread throughout the country. Some offer medical and physiotherapeutic treatment, others simply offer recreation in beautiful quiet surroundings.

 Go fishing - Denmark has excellent facilities for both freshwater and saltwater angling. Sea-fishing tours can be arranged with local fishermen at many Danish harbours.

 Be daring, and go nude bathing. This is quite common at Danish seaside resorts. The only beaches where it is actually prohibited are Henne Strand and Holmsland Klit (both on Jutland’s western coast).

 Take to the water - facilities for sailing are excellent: over 500 yachting harbours can be found along the coast, and anchorage is allowed at a further 500 islands.

 Take the kids to Legoland at Billund (website: www.legoland.dk), which is open from April to October. Among many attractions to the park is the popular ‘Dive to Atlantis’ themed area.

 Escape from reality: also appealing to the young (and young at heart), Copenhagen’s historic Tivoli Gardens fairground (website: www.tivoli.dk) in the city centre is open from late April until September, and is another must-see attraction in the Danish capital.

 Spend a night at the opera in Copenhagen’s smart, harbourside Opera House, which opened in 2005. It stages quality international productions throughout the year.

 Trace Denmark’s geological history at the Geocenter Møns Klint, which opened in 2007 on Sjælland island (website: www.moensklint.dk). The centre illustrates how the modern land and seascape of the country were formed.

 Play a round of golf. Denmark (whose Thomas Bjørn is one of Europe’s best-known golfers) has numerous courses, many of championship standard, among them Holstebro (website: www.holstebro-golfklub.dk), in the northwest, and Simon’s (website: www.simonsgolf.dk), a new club north of the capital.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.

Going Out

Food and Drink

Given its geographical position, it is not surprising that fish forms an important part of Danish cuisine. Around a dozen restaurants in Denmark, the majority in the capital, boast Michelin star or ‘rising star’ status. Most towns have fast food outlets, and sausage (pølser) stalls also offering soft drinks and beer are popular. There are no licensing hours.

Things to know: The Danish Hotel and Restaurant Association displays signs indicating restaurants where the needs of diabetics are given special attention. It consists of the words ’Diabetes mad - sund mad for alle’ (’Food for Diabetics - healthy food for everyone’) encircling a chef’s head.

National specialities:
• Smørrebrød is a traditional lunchtime Danish dish consisting of a slice of dark bread with butter, topped with sliced meat, fish or cheese.
• Buffet-style lunch (the koldt bord) is also popular with a variety of fish, meats, hot dishes, cheese and sweets, usually on a self-service basis.
• A normal Danish breakfast, or morgen-complet, consists of an assortment of breads, rolls, jam and cheese, often also sliced meats, boiled eggs and warm Danish pastries.

National drinks:
• Scandinavian coffee is usually drunk strong and black.
• Denmark also has many varieties of beer, famous breweries being Carlsberg and Tuborg. Most popular is pilsner (lager) but there are also specialist beers, notably those produced by Jakobsen, whose brewery is located at the original Carlsberg installation.
• Akvavit, popularly known as snaps, is meant to be drunk with cold food or at Christmas, preferably with a beer chaser. It is served ice cold.

Legal drinking age: 18.

Tipping: Hotels and restaurants quote fully inclusive prices and tipping is not necessary.

Nightlife

There is a wide selection of nightlife, particularly in Copenhagen, where the first morning restaurants open to coincide with closing time at 0500. Århus and Ålborg are also lively in the evenings. Jazz and dance clubs in the capital city are top quality and world-famous performers appear regularly. There are numerous cafes, beer gardens and speciality beer bars. Entertainment available includes opera at the recently opened opera house in Copenhagen, ballet and theatre at a number of venues in the larger cities, and live music of all kinds.

Shopping

Copenhagen has excellent shopping facilities. Special purchases include Bing & Grøndal and Royal Copenhagen porcelain, Holmegård glass, Bornholm ceramics, handmade woollens from the Faroe Islands and Lego toys. Visitors from outside the EU can often claim back some of the MOMS (VAT) on goods purchased that are sent straight to their home country from the shop in Denmark.

Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0900/1000-1730/1800, Sat 0900-1700. Supermarkets are often open Mon-Fri 0900-2000. Opening hours vary from town to town. At some holiday resorts, bakers, florists and souvenir shops are open Sunday and public holidays.

Climate

Summer extends from June to August. Winter is from December to March, wet with long periods of frost. February is the coldest month. Spring and autumn are generally mild.

The Faroe Islands are under the influence of the warm current of the Gulf Stream, and they enjoy a very mild climate for the latitude. Winters are warm, but the islands are cloudy, windy and wet throughout the year. Summers are cool, but with little sunshine.

Required Clothing

Lightweight for summer and heavyweight for winter snows.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2008-December 2009 period.

2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day. 
20 Mar Maundy Thursday.
21-24 Mar Easter. 
18 Apr Common Prayer Day. 
1 May Ascension.
12 May Whit Monday.
5 Jun Constitution Day.
24-26 Dec Christmas.

2009
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
9 Apr Maundy Thursday.
10-13 Apr Easter.
8 May Common Prayer Day.
21 May Ascension.
1 Jun Whit Monday.
5 Jun Constitution Day.
24-26 Dec Christmas.

Health

Diphtheria

Special Precaution: No

Hepatitis A

Special Precaution: No

Malaria

Special Precaution: No

Rabies

Special Precaution: No

Tetanus

Special Precaution: Yes

Typhoid

Special Precaution: No

Yellow Fever

Special Precaution: No

Health Care

If suddenly taken ill or involved in an accident during a visit to an EEA country or Switzerland, free or reduced-cost necessary treatment is available for European travellers - in most cases on production of a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Comprehensive insurance is advised for all other nationals.

Further Health Information

We advise you to check health requirements for the country you are traveling to with your GP, practice nurse or travel health clinic as health requirements and vaccinations can change at short notice.

Money

Currency

Danish Krone (DKK; symbol kr) = 100 øre. Notes are in denominations of kr1,000, 500, 200, 100 and 50. Coins are in denominations of kr20, 10, 5, 2 and 1, and 50 and 25 øre.

Currency Exchange

Personal cheques cannot be used by visitors to Denmark. Some banks may refuse to exchange large foreign bank notes.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. There are plenty of ATMs.

Traveller's Cheques

Can be cashed by banks and hotels, and can be used at most restaurants and shops. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in Euros, Pounds Sterling or US Dollars.

Banking Hours

Mon to Wed and Fri 0930-1700, Thurs 0930-1800. Some banks in Copenhagen are open Mon-Fri 0930-1700. Some bureaux de change are open until 2400.

Passport/Visa

British

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No/3
Return Ticket Required: No

Australian

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No/2
Return Ticket Required: Yes

Canadian

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No/2
Return Ticket Required: Yes

USA

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No/2
Return Ticket Required: Yes

Other EU

Passport Required: 1
Visa Required: No/3
Return Ticket Required: No

Passport Note

Denmark is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.

Passports

Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except:
(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.

Visas

Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for the following durations:
(a) nationals of EU countries who may stay for an unlimited period;
(b) 2. nationals of Australia, Canada and the USA for stays of up to three months (no paid or self-employed work allowed).

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Visa Note

3. EU and British nationals, who do not require a visa, will need to apply for a residence permit if staying longer than 90 days.

Contact Addresses

Royal Danish Embassy in the UK

55 Sloane Street, London SW1X 9SR, UK
Tel: (020) 7333 0200.
Website: www.denmark.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 0900-1630 and Fri 0900-1600; consular enquiries Mon-Fri 1500-1600 (telephone).

VisitDenmark in the UK

55 Sloane Street, London SW1X 9SY, UK
Tel: (020) 7259 5958 (Mon - Fri 0900-1700).
Website: www.visitdenmark.com
Not open to the public

Royal Danish Embassy in the USA

3200 Whitehaven Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 234 4300.
Website: www.denmarkemb.org

Royal Danish Consulate General in the USA

One Dag Hammerskjold Plaza, 885 Second Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10017-2201, USA
Tel: (212) 223 4545.
Website: www.denmark.org

655 Third Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10017, USA
Tel: (212) 885 9700.
Website: www.visitdenmark.com/usa
Not open to the public.

Travel Advice

Warning

Most visits to Denmark are trouble-free but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate international terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organisations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel

• Denmark Overview
• Denmark Things to See
• Denmark Things to Do
• Denmark Events
• Denmark Climate
• Denmark Public Holidays
• Denmark Health
• Denmark Currency
• Denmark Passport & Visas
• Denmark Contact Addresses
• Denmark Travel Advice