Denmark is a Scandinavian country located on the Jutland Peninsula and nearby islands. A constitutional monarchy, it has been a member of the European Union since 1973, but is not part of the Eurozone. The capital of Denmark is Copenhagen.
Why go?
No matter where you are in Denmark, you are no more than 50 km from the sea. Picturesque coastlines and excellent beaches will appeal to lovers of sea recreation. West Jutland, famous for its winds, attracts surfers.
Lovers of natural beauty will love Denmark’s protected natural areas. Majestic stone palaces and castles will be appreciated by history buffs, museums and exhibitions dedicated to Hans Christian Andersen will appeal to lovers of fairy-tale wonders, and trips across numerous bridges will appeal to those who prefer unusual experiences.
Denmark also hosts some of the best Scandinavian music, fashion and food festivals.
The main thing about the country
- Denmark is one of the most expensive countries in the world, so bring plenty of money.
- The official language is Danish, but almost all adult residents are fluent in English, and many speak German as well.
- Denmark uses Central European Time (UTC+01:00). Daylight saving time begins on the last Sunday in March, when the clocks are moved forward one hour. It ends on the last Sunday in October.
- About 85% of local residents are Lutherans and members of the Danish People’s Church. Freedom of religion is guaranteed by law.
- The Danes are famous for their hospitality, honor their history, and are very zealous in protecting human rights. They adhere to a unique philosophy called Hygge. This word denotes the art of coziness in and outside the home, in relationships with other people, and in the worldview. According to the World Happiness Report, Denmark is home to the happiest people in the world. The Danes have received this title several times in a row due to their high satisfaction with their own lives.
- The western part of Denmark is a sandy lowland, cut by fjords and bays. The eastern part is hilly, with many flowing lakes. The main biome along the sea coasts is marshes – low-lying, rarely flooded strips.
- The climate is moderately maritime. The coldest months are January and February with an average temperature of 0 C, the warmest is August with an average temperature of +15.7 C. Strong winds are common.
Visa and entry
Citizens of the Russian Federation need a visa to enter Denmark. The country is part of the Schengen zone, so you can use a Schengen permit from another member state of the agreement.
A visa to enter Denmark does not entitle you to visit Greenland or the Faroe Islands.
Weather
The high season is from May to the end of August. It is suitable for trips to the seaside, long bike rides and surfing. Prices rise at this time.
Low season lasts from September to April. At this time there is a lot of precipitation, the weather becomes cold and windy. But the prices are much lower.
In any case, do not forget that Denmark is a northern country. Take warm clothes with you.
Currency
The national currency is the Danish krone, which consists of 100 øre. Money can be exchanged at bank branches, post offices and specialized points. In Copenhagen, there are machines that work 24 hours a day.
Prices
Prices in Copenhagen are significantly higher than in Moscow.
As of January 2022, a hostel costs €35-€45 per night for a bed in a shared room, a hotel costs €65-€150 per night for a double room, and an Airbnb apartment starts at €80 per night.
You can get a snack of street food for 3-12 euros, the average bill for two in a restaurant is 30-70 euros, and dinner in a Michelin-starred establishment, of which there are 28 in Denmark, can cost 350-500 euros per person, even without drinks.
How to get there
Denmark has four international airports. Most tourists choose the capital’s Kastrup Airport, the largest in all of Scandinavia. There are direct flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg. A direct flight takes 2.5 hours.
You can get to Denmark by train via Poland, Germany or the Czech Republic, but this method will be long and expensive. There are no direct trains from Russia, so you will have to make several transfers along the way.
Hotels
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Beaches
Of Denmark’s seven hundred beaches, four hundred have received the European Blue Flag, which indicates their cleanliness and convenience.
Amager Park near Copenhagen has a large beach that is easily accessible by bike or public transport.
For a holiday with children, it is better to choose the beaches of the islands of Funen, Falster and Halsa, a suburb of Aalborg.
Fans of active sports will enjoy the beaches in West Zealand and on the island of Rømø.
Resorts
Sightseeing cities in Denmark, where there are many historical sights and simply unique places: Copenhagen, Elsinore, Hillerød, Roskilde, Odense, Aarhus, Svendborg.
Beach resorts in Denmark include the islands of Funen, Bornholm, Lolland, Rømø, the cities of Esbjerg, Aalborg, Skagen, Grenen and many others.
Ski resorts are deservedly popular with tourists, even though Denmark is a flat country. For training, choose Silkeborg, Ranum and Rodovr.
Denmark is famous for its spa hotels. Most of them are located in Copenhagen, Maribo, Aalborg, Aarhus and on the island of Funen.
Attractions
There are so many interesting places in Denmark that it is difficult to choose the best ones. We recommend visiting the ancient harbor of Nyhavn, which is called the heart of Copenhagen, Cape Grenen, where the Baltic and North Seas meet, and the Øresund Bridge, which connects Denmark with Sweden. Choose other attractions based on your interests.
Entertainment
Be sure to visit Legoland with your children, as it takes almost 50 million Lego pieces to create the design.
Little travelers will not be left indifferent by the great-grandfather of Disneyland – the Tivoli amusement park in the center of Copenhagen. The tropical park in Randers will amaze you with its flora and fauna. It is hard to believe that the tropical atmosphere was so naturally recreated in the north of the continent.
Nightlife is represented by a rich selection of clubs, discos and bars. The choice is especially wide in Copenhagen.
Active holidaymakers can go sailing, yachting or boating, visit a ski resort, play golf or learn windsurfing.
In the cities, tourists will find picturesque parks, architectural monuments and works of modern art. Many interesting things can be found in small villages, which are easily accessible by bike.
Denmark is famous for its festivals. The most popular ones are:
- film festival in March;
- Aalborg Carnival and Masquerade in May-early June;
- open air music festival Roskilde (late June – early July);
- Copenhagen Jazz Festival in early July;
- Skanderborg Rock Festival in August;
- Viking festival on June 1st in the city of Frederikssund.
Kitchen
The Danes love potato and fish dishes. As for meat, they prefer pork. You will find fried meat with red cabbage in almost any Danish restaurant. Be sure to try the famous smørrebrød sandwiches, which include many components.
Seafood is an important part of the diet. There are interesting ways to cook salmon, shrimp, lobster and other fish.
For dessert, order the apple pie with currant jelly and cream.
Souvenirs
A popular souvenir is all kinds of items depicting the Little Mermaid and other characters from the works of Hans Christian Andersen. You can bring a symbol of well-being from Scandinavian folklore, the brownie Nisse, as a gift to your loved ones. Many tourists buy dishes and decor. Local porcelain is known for its quality.
An unusual gift would be original licorice desserts, such as Lakrids dragees. Cheeses, local beer and the alcoholic drink aquavit are also brought from Denmark.
Transportation
Copenhagen has a well-developed public transport system. The price of a ticket depends on the distance. A travel card for a trip within two zones, including the entire historical center, costs 4.9 euros. Tickets for the metro and buses are the same.
The approximate cost of a taxi ride for 1 km as of January 2022 ranges from 12.5 CZK during working hours on weekdays to 17 CZK at weekends at night. Taxis can be hailed on the street, hired at a taxi rank or called by phone. The latter method is slightly more expensive.
The railway connects the capital of Denmark with most European cities. Trains leave from the central station from 6:00 to 22:00.
Tourists in Denmark can rent bicycles for free. All cities are connected by bicycle paths, so if you want, you can cycle around the entire country.
Save money with the Copenhagen CityPass. The pass includes entry to attractions, unlimited travel on buses, trains and metro, and airport transfers. Prices in January 2022:
- 24 hours — 50€,
- 48 hours – 70€,
- 72 hours — 87€,
- 120 hours – 115€
Safety
The terrorist threat in the country is low. The following areas of Copenhagen should be avoided at night: Nørrebro, Christiania, Brønshoj-Husum and Bispebjerg. In popular tourist areas, be vigilant to avoid becoming a victim of pickpockets.
The police phone number is 114.
Medicine
Emergency medical care is provided free of charge. But only until the patient can be transported home. The patient pays for the transportation.
A prescription is required to purchase most medications. The emergency number is 112.
Traditions
In Denmark, smoking is prohibited in public places – there are special rooms for this purpose. The Danes are very punctual. When meeting, they shake hands firmly – both men and women. When talking to locals, you should avoid topics such as personal life, income level, work and religion.
Internet
In Denmark, the most favorable tariffs are from the provider Telenor. To purchase a starter package, you will need a foreign passport.
You can take advantage of a universal offer, such as Mundo from Orange, which is valid in 41 EU countries.
Useful facts
- The traffic rules are almost the same as in Russia. You need to be careful with cyclists, of whom there are many. The main highways are free, except for the bridges over the Oresund and the Great Belt. When visiting Denmark for a short time, Russian citizens can use the license they received at home.
- The voltage in the network is 220 V. Plugs of electrical appliances purchased in the Russian Federation can be used without additional adapters.
- Restaurant and taxi bills usually include service charges, so tipping is not necessary. If you are happy with the service, you can round up the bill. In Denmark, bargaining is not common when shopping.