10 Unique Things To See And Do In Denmark

If you’ve already visited the city’s museums and strolled in Tivoli Gardens but you feel that something is still missing, check-out this guide and you may discover the activity that will make your trip to Denmark complete. This guide is for real travelers that aren’t afraid to go off the beaten track and always strive to experience a city like a local.

1. Sail with a Viking ship

Museum

In several museums all over the country you’ll find exhibitions that display items and information about the history of Scandinavian warriors. But at the Viking Ship Museum at Roskilde you’ll have the chance not only to see real 1000-year-old Viking ships but also sail with them at Roskilde Fjord. The fully reconstructed ships offer a real experience for those who admire the Scandinavian warriors’ excursions. The sailing trips take place every day from May 1 to September 30, and last approximately one-hour.

Viking Ship Museum, Vindeboder 12, Roskilde, Denmark, +45 46 30 02 00

Viking Ship Museum Roskilde | © Boatbuilder / Wikimedia Commons

Take one-day bike trip

Denmark is an ideal destination for biking day trips, not only because its terrain is largely flat, but also because there are more than 12,000km (7,500 mi.) of cycle routes all over the country—it isn’t called a bicycle-nation for no reason. Especially during summertime, many cycle enthusiasts ride their bikes and travel to nearby regions, spending their days discovering the country’s landscapes and the nights relaxing at camp sites, mingling with locals or other tourists. If you’re feeling super active, you can even ride across the country’s borders. It’s a great way to discover Scandinavia’s surroundings, while escaping the city for a few hours.

Denmark has always been a nation strongly connected with fishing and even nowadays locals often choose to spend a Saturday morning out at sea. There are various operators who organize fishing excursions to different locations and for different fish species. Navigate the waters of Øresund Strait or the Baltic Sea on a boat and practice your angling skills. You don’t have to be an experienced fisherman to join the rest of the team, you just have to be immune to motion sickness and prepare for an early-morning start.

2. ARos Museum

Museum

Enjoy a spectacular view of Aarhus in the colors of a rainbow at ARoS Aarhus Art Museum. The 150-meter-long and three-meter-wide circular walkway (92 x 10 ft.) of Your rainbow panorama was created by the renowned Danish-Icelandic artist, Olafur Eliasson and was inaugurated in 2011. According to the artist, “the space can almost be said to erase the boundary between inside and outside – a place where you become a little uncertain as to whether you have stepped into a work of art or into part of the museum.” With this piece, Eliasson strived to challenge people’s senses and make them think beyond the usual limits.

Rent a boat

Explore Copenhagen’s sights and picturesque canals while driving your own boat. It is easy and fun, and you don’t have to be experienced or have a license. Choose the route you like the most, buy a bottle of wine, prepare some delicacies and enjoy a picnic on board, while sailing at the city’s harbor. You’ll soon realize that the canals are full of boats with locals celebrating their birthday, having a bachelor party or having fun just because it is a nice summer day. If you don’t want to be behind the wheel and just want to sit back and enjoy the route, you can rent a duffy boat with a captain.

Go under the sea by train

Since 2000, millions of people have crossed Øresund Bridge, the 16km (10 mi.) road and rail link between Sweden and Denmark, but the reason wasn’t always to get to the neighboring country. The spectacular road and rail link, which consists of a bridge, an island and an underwater tunnel is considered one of the architectural masterpieces of the 20th century and a great number of visitors in Denmark, take one-day trips to Sweden just to cross Øresund Strait and experience an underwater drive.

Visit the spot where the North and Baltic seas meet

Skagen is located in Jutland and is the northernmost town in Denmark. With various events and festivals taking place year round, the city attracts approximately two million tourists annually. Music enthusiasts never miss a chance to attend Skagen Festival, while hundreds of bird lovers gather at the bird festival in order to watch millions of rare birds migrating to, or from the remote Scandinavian city. However, what has made Skagen so attractive to travelers is Grenen, the headland of Jutland where you can watch the Skagerrak strait and Kattegat Sea meet. The long sandbar hosts millions of tourist every year, who travel to the top of Jutland to watch the natural phenomenon.

Watch a concert in Copenhagen’s main cathedral

God Goes Deep has been organizing music events in Vor Frue Kirke since 2011. Various international and national musicians, as well as DJs fill the room with their ambient tunes, which in combination with the carefully curated decor, create a therapeutic musical experience. The events take place almost every Friday and entrance fee is free.

3. The Cisterns

Museum

If you’ve already explored Denmark’s Golden age, the great collections of sculptures at Glyptoteket and at Thorvaldsens Museum, and are still looking for a cultural fix, or if you prefer offbeat exhibition venues, The Cisterns is the place to head next. The underground reservoir, which was used for Copenhagen’s water supply until 1933, now hosts various events and exhibitions from world-class artists. Its exceptional architecture and diverse stalactites and stalagmites which have formed over the years, offer an experience beyond a simple exhibition.

Cisterns, Søndermarken, Frederiksberg, +45 30 73 80 32

The Cisterns | © Jens Markus Lindhe

4. Bakken amusement park

Amusement Park, Forest, Park

You may be thinking that every country around the world has a big amusement park—what’s so special about Bakken? Besides its special location in the middle of a forest with approximately 2000 deer running around, it was founded in 1538, making it the world’s oldest amusement park. When the sun shines in Copenhagen, the place gets packed with young and old riding the 82-year-old rollercoaster or trying out delicacies from the numerous restaurants and stalls. There are 32 rides for all ages and 78 other types of games, such as shooting stalls, gaming arcades and much more. It is a great day trip if you want to take a break from sightseeing in the city.

Dyrhavsbakke, Dyrehavevej 62, Klampenborg, Denmark, +45 39 63 35 44

Bakken amusement park | © Erkan / Wikimedia Commons

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