Denmark Travel
Denmark is a charming, unique country, made up of 444 small islands. It’s the land of Vikings, home to myths and legends, and inspiration for some of the best crime stories of all time. Denmark is also full of incredible museums and art galleries, and its beer is legendary. The summers are warm, and there are thousands of kilometres of dramatic coastline to explore. In the colder months, Denmark transforms into a winter wonderland with plenty of snow.
Denmark's capital, Copenhagen, is one of the greenest cities in the world, known for its cutting-edge food, fashion and décor. It’s the ideal base from which to explore this fascinating country and features several iconic tourist attractions, including Tivoli, one of Europe’s top amusement parks and the famous statue of The Little Mermaid, the heroine of the Hans Christian Anderson story of the same name.
Why visit Denmark
- It’s made up of 444 islands, including Funen, home of Hans Christian Anderson.
- The north is home to buried churches, strange mini deserts and other unusual natural wonders.
- Copenhagen is a dream to explore with cafes, shops and Scandinavia’s best restaurants.
- Renaissance palaces rub shoulders with stunning modern architecture.
- You can cycle everywhere.
- Its music festivals are superb.
- Visiting the Christmas markets is a great way to learn all about Danish tradition.
Whether you’re enjoying a romantic dinner when it’s snowing outside, a family lunch before heading to Tivoli for some entertainment, a beach barbecue with friends or dinner for one after a day spent exploring museums; you’ll enjoy an unforgettable holiday in Denmark. Let Thompsons Holidays organise a holiday package especially for you.
Denmark is famous for being one of the top 3 happiest nations in the world. Its capital, Copenhagen, is a charming cobble-stoned city with a wholly pedestrianised centre and an area of canals called Nyhavn, home to a quaint little harbour, a vibrant nightlife and brightly coloured merchants’ houses.
There are plenty of tourist attractions located nearby, including fascinating Roskilde, formerly the country’s Viking capital 1,000 years ago. Other islands worth visiting include Hans Christian Andersen’s birthplace, Odense, on the island of Funen and the Jutland Islands in the north, home to exquisite beaches as well as marshlands and drifting dunes.
Things to do in Denmark
- Visit Hans Christian Andersen’s home in Odense.
- Sail on a Viking boat in Denmark’s fjords.
- Go on a hike to see a buried lighthouse.
- Visit the LEGOLAND® Theme Park in Billund.
- Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kronborg with its underground Maritime Museum.
- Learn about Danish culture and history in Aarhus’ fascinating museums.
- Go shopping for fashion and décor in stylish Copenhagen.
- Go birdwatching in Thy National Park.
- Climb to the top of Northern Europe’s largest moving dune, The Råbjerg Mile.
- Visit one of Europe’s most famous castles, Egeskov Castle in Funen.
This fascinating country is home to some of the world’s most beautiful natural attractions, including majestic cliffs, buried Churches, floating dunes and uninhabited islands. You can also step back in time to the days of the Vikings as well as into the future in cutting edge museums. There’s so much to keep you enthralled in Denmark, whether you’re on a romantic getaway, a family holiday, with friends or alone. Let Thompsons Holidays take you to Denmark on a memorable holiday. Browse through our holiday packages or contact us for more information.
Know before you go...
- There are direct flights from Johannesburg to Copenhagen. Alternatively, you can fly via another European city.
- The flight duration from South Africa with one stopover is 13 hours, 40 minutes.
- South African passport holders require a Schengen visa to enter Denmark.
- Passports should be valid for at least 3 months after travel and have blank pages.
- Denmark is one hour behind South Africa during the winter (November to March) and the same time as South Africa in the summer months (last Sunday in March to last Saturday in October).
- The official currency is the Danish Krone (DKK). This is the best and often the only currency accepted.
- Some hotels, restaurants and shops accept Euro, but they are not legally obliged to do so.
- Major credit cards are accepted in hotels, restaurants and some shops.
- ATMs are found in tourist areas and cities.
- Tipping is an accepted custom. Tip restaurant staff, luggage porters, drivers and guides around 10% in addition to a service charge.
- Food is relatively expensive in Denmark.
- Danish is the official language.
- English is widely spoken in Denmark; about 90% of the population speaks English.
- It is safe to drink tap water in Denmark. In addition, bottled water is readily available.
- Vaccinations are not currently required, but do check with your travel clinic before you go.
- Smoking is not permitted in public areas such as restaurants, bars and indoor work places as well as on public transport. Airports offer designated smoking rooms.
What must I pack?
- Depending on when and where you visit, lightweight clothing for summer, warm clothing for winter, rain gear and beachwear if relevant. Choose items that can be layered.
- Dress modestly when visiting sacred sites – no shorts or tank tops. Legs and shoulders must be covered. Long pants and long-sleeved shirts are best.
- Comfortable walking shoes.
- Sunscreen, lip balm, hat and sunglasses for summer holidays.
- Mini first aid kit and regular prescription medication.
- Hand sanitiser and insect repellent.
- Camera.
- Travel adaptor.
Getting around
- Local transport in Denmark is of a very high standard and includes trains, Metro and buses.
- Towns in outlying areas may have less sophisticated transport infrastructure – it depends where you are going.
What can I do to be a responsible traveller?
- Wherever possible, buy local food and souvenirs and support local artisans.
- Avoid single-use plastic; rather take fabric shopping bags with you and use refillable water bottles (when local drinking water is available).
- Respect each other's cultures and customs and avoid imposing your beliefs.
- Do not support animal encounters and wildlife activities that are harmful or unethical.
Safety tips
- Always have a map (or app) on hand, especially when travelling at night.
- Be safety conscious: don’t display cash or valuables. Leave jewellery and expensive watches at home.
- Keep your belongings safe – use the hotel safe for passports and valuables and watch out for pickpockets and bag snatchers when out and about.
What do I do in an emergency?
- If passports or valuables are stolen, report the theft to the hotel/police immediately.
- Contact the Thompsons Holidays 24-hour care line to assist.
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