Sightseeing

Denmark's eco-credentials are obvious throughout the land. In Copenhagen, the bicycle takes precedence over the car and is arguably the best way to explore this compact, picturesque city. On top of all this, the food is legendary – Danish fine dining paves the way for the best of Scandinavian cuisine. Find your next favorite place to visit with our list of the top attractions in Denmark.

1. Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen
Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen
Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen
When visiting Copenhagen, many visitors make a beeline for this iconic recreation space. Dating from 1843, Tivoli is the inspiration behind the world-famous Disney theme parks, and here, you'll find a huge range of attractions including a roller coaster, roundabouts, puppet theaters, restaurants, cafés, gardens, food pavilions, and even a Moorish-styled concert hall.

Known across the world, Tivoli has appeared in numerous movies and is a true symbol of the city. At night, firework displays illuminate the sky, and in winter, the gardens are adorned with lights for the Christmas season. During the summer, you can catch free rock concerts on Friday nights.

2. Christiansborg Palace, Copenhagen
Christiansborg Palace, Copenhagen
Christiansborg Palace, Copenhagen
On the tiny island of Slotsholmen in the center of Copenhagen, you'll find the Danish seat of government. Boasting more than 800 years of history, Christiansborg is the power base of the kingdom of Denmark and now home to the Parliament, the Prime Minister's Office, and the Supreme Court.

Fans of the TV series Borgen will be familiar with the setting. Several wings are still used by the Royal household, and much of this is open to the public. Bishop Absalon built fortifications of the city here in 1167, and visitors can see ruins of the bishop's castle, which was destroyed in the 14th century, as well as the medieval fortress.

3. National Museum of Denmark (Nationalmuseet), Copenhagen
National Museum of Denmark (Nationalmuseet), Copenhagen
National Museum of Denmark (Nationalmuseet), Copenhagen
A 10-minute stroll from Tivoli Gardens leads to the National Museum (Nationalmuseet), which delves into Danish history and culture. The museum displays an impressive collection of Danish artifacts, including a 2,000-year-old sun chariot, Danish porcelain and silver, and Romanesque and Gothic church trimmings. Other collections highlight clothing from the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as antique furniture.

Supplementing this journey back through Danish history is an excellent ethnographic exhibition with items from Greenland, Asia, and Africa, among others. At the Children's Museum, kids will find plenty of things to do. They can dress up in period costume, climb aboard a Viking ship, and visit a 1920s-style classroom.

4. The Open-Air Museum (Frilandsmuseet), Lyngby
Old house at Frilandsmuseet
Old house at Frilandsmuseet
Just over 15 kilometers outside Copenhagen, you'll find the Open-Air Museum, part of the Danish National Museum, and a must-see for many visitors to Denmark. Occupying 35 hectares, there are authentic farmhouses, agricultural buildings, dwellings, and mills from across the country in this "living museum."

There are also ancient breeds of domestic animals, magnificent historic gardens to wander through, atmospheric old houses from Schleswig-Holstein and Sweden, as well as numerous picnic sites. You can even take a horse-drawn carriage around the grounds.

5. The National Gallery of Denmark (Statens Museum for Kunst), Copenhagen

The National Gallery of Denmark (Statens Museum for Kunst), Copenhagen
The National Gallery of Denmark houses the country's largest collection of Danish art. The original exhibits were once housed at Christiansborg but moved to the current location in the late 19th century. A gigantic extension has not only significantly extended the space but allows natural light to flood into the interior of the museum.

Covering more than 700 years of European and Scandinavian art, the museum displays paintings by the Dutch Masters, Picasso, and Edvard Munch among others. Not surprisingly, fine collections of Danish art are also on display. The café is particularly pleasant and a great place to unwind and soak up the surroundings.

6. LEGO House, Billund

The Lego House in Billund, Denmark | ricochet64 / Shutterstock.com
The LEGO House in Billund, the birthplace of the iconic LEGO brick, is a family attraction that all ages will enjoy. Those on a budget or just quickly passing through will appreciate the admission-free areas, which include nine themed playgrounds; three outdoor squares; and the Tree of Life, a 15-meter LEGO tree filled with details.

Tourists can also choose to buy admission to explore the Experience Zones, each representing the classic brick's colors: Red for creativity, Green for role playing, Blue for cognitive challenges, and Yellow for emotions. Visitors also have a chance to learn all about the history of LEGO and its founders.

7. Nyhavn, Copenhagen
Nyhavn, Copenhagen
Nyhavn, Copenhagen
The star of countless images and postcards of the city, Nyhavn (New Harbor) is a great place to stroll or grab a slice of Copenhagen café culture. Located to the rear of Amalienborg Palace, this was once a disreputable stretch of dockland but has been given a new lease of life with its multi-colored houses, restaurants, and tall ships (some of which are museums) dotting the quayside.

Nyhavn is now a particularly charming quarter and consequently a major draw for tourists and locals alike. If you're feeling adventurous, you can catch a hydrofoil to Sweden from here or grab a pleasant harbor cruise to see the sights.

8. Kronborg Slot (Kronborg Castle), Helsingør
Kronborg Slot, Helsingør
Kronborg Slot, Helsingør
Kronborg Castle is not only the setting of Shakespeare's Hamlet, but also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Consequently, it scores top billing on Helsingor's list of must-see sights. Even those with just a passing interest in the bard will surely want to visit. The imposing structure is clearly visible as you approach, so you can't really miss it.

The present incarnation dates from 1640, although several other fortresses preceded it. Serving as a garrison for a century or more, the castle was renovated in 1924. In the South Wing, you'll find the Castle Chapel, which survived a fire in 1629 and has a magnificent Renaissance interior with German wood carvings. The North Wing contains the great Ballroom or Knights' Hall, while exquisite tapestries are displayed in the West Wing.

9. Egeskov Castle, Kvarnstrup
Egeskov Castle, Kvarnstrup
Egeskov Castle, Kvarnstrup
Fairy-tale Egeskov Castle lies in a beautiful setting less than 30 minutes' drive from Odense and is the best preserved moat-castle in Europe. The superb Renaissance structure as seen today was completed in 1554 and originally built for defense purposes.

Over the centuries, the castle has changed hands many times and later became a model farm. In 1959, the grounds opened to the public, and much renovation and development has taken place since. A Vintage Car Museum opened in 1967, and other attractions include a treetop walk and Segway tours. The Banqueting Hall is simply magnificent.

10. Viking Ship Museum (Vikingeskibsmuseet), Roskilde
Viking ships at the Viking Ship Museum
Viking ships at the Viking Ship Museum
The Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde gives tourists the unique opportunity to see firsthand how the Vikings constructed their boats and how modern shipbuilders are restoring and repairing the vessels that have been unearthed. The boatyard, which is located next to the museum, uses traditional methods to create reproductions and bring old boats back to life. Inside the museum, visitors will learn about the Viking Age and the central role that maritime life played in the culture and survival of the people.

The central exhibit, Viking Ship Hall, features five ships once used by the Vikings to form a barrier on Roskilde Fjord. After extensive and painstaking underwater excavations, the ships were restored and are now on display.

One of the museum's newest additions is the high-tech "Climb Aboard" experience, where tourists are fully immersed in life aboard a Viking ship. This interactive experience is complete with costumes for those who want to really dive in, as well as the opportunity to explore the ship's rooms and supplies and even experience sensory changes as the journey takes you through day and night, rough seas and calm, and all sorts of weather.