Denmark: 10 Best Places To Live Out A Fairy Tale

Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Europe and is the fairy tale capital of the world. Like most other countries in the region, Denmark is famous for its beautifully intricate architecture. Danish designers have taken their unique talent and eye for detail all over the world, one of the finest examples of Danish architecture is the Sydney Opera House in Australia. I am sure you have heard of ‘The Little Mermaid’ made famous by Disney of course. The creator of ‘The Little Mermaid’ is Hans Christian Anderson, you guessed it, a Danish national. 

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This beautiful country has so much to offer. Its capital Copenhagen is one of the most visually stunning cities in the world. Just take a stroll down the Nyhavn in the city center to really get an appreciation for its architecture and design. Denmark is home to the world’s oldest flag. It was first used in 1219. You will be sure to see their flag propped up in most places across Denmark, 800 years of pride go into that red and white flag.

Denmark has been ranked as the happiest country in the world several times by the UN happiness report and would you believe that the country never says please. Quite literally, there is no translation in Danish for the word please. So if you are ever speaking to someone from Denmark, they aren’t being rude if they don’t say please, it just doesn’t exist. 

Land Of The Flat

There are literally no mountains in Denmark, I mean, there are barely any hills at all. This makes it incredibly easy to cycle around. More than 50% of people in Copenhagen cycle to and from work everyday even in the winter. Denmark is definitely a family friendly destination, it is home to the two oldest theme parks in the world, the Bakken and Tivoli Gardens. Not only that but every child’s favorite toy was invented here as well, Lego. 

Denmark experiences 4 seasons, the coldest month is February with temperatures dipping below 30°F and the hottest month is July with temperatures topping 70°F. The best way to get around is, you guessed it, by hiring a bicycle. Otherwise, Denmark has a pretty good public transport system especially in Copenhagen. The train is very accessible throughout the city. I highly suggest getting a Copenhagen Card while on vacation as this will not only get you reduced fares, it will get you into over 80 attractions for free. If you are staying in more remote parks of Denmark, then hiring a car would be your most convenient bet.

A vast majority of Denmark’s architecture transports you into a fairytale. In today’s top 10, we will explore these magical places that you should definitely travel to on your next vacation.

1. Egeskov Castle, Denmark

Photo by Marina Šurniene on Unsplash

Starting off our top 10 strong is Egeskov Castle, it is an award-winning destination. It is a 16th century castle surrounded by a large moat that has attributed to it attaining the nickname of the ‘Floating Castle’. There is so much to see and do here for the whole family so it is best to allocate a whole day in order to be able to get the most out of your visit.

Egeskov Castle is not just a castle by any means, it is part museum housing artifacts such as Marie-Antoinette’s dress and Hans Christian Anderson’s doll. It is also home to an exhibition of classic cars, motorcycles and emergency vehicles. There is a toy exhibition filled with some of the oldest toys in Europe. Now that’s just inside.

Outside there is a treetop ropes course, garden maze and even count Dracula’s crypt. Wait there’s more, it is also home to Europe’s first outdoor camping museum exhibition. Don’t worry with all this and more, you can take a break at one of the on-site cafes and restaurants or have a look around their plant store. This castle doesn’t just serve as a beautiful structure but an adventure destination as well. Be sure to add this to your custom itinerary on the Tripio app for an unforgettable vacation.

2. Tivoli Gardens, Denmark

Photo by Ethan Hu on Unsplash

Tivoli Gardens is a 19th-century amusement park that is open April through to September. This is much more than just an amusement park, it offers fantastic live performances all through the day and night, food from all over the world from over 30 eateries that are some of the best in Copenhagen and of course more than 20 thrilling rides all with beautiful architecture. The Tivoli gardens are bound to be an adventure that you and your family don’t forget.

3. The Little Mermaid, Denmark

Photo by @vegoutt_gem_winchester on IG

The Little Mermaid is an iconic sculpture of the famous character of the same name who was created by Danish born author, Hans Christian Andersen. She has sat on the banks of the harbor watching over Copenhagen since 1913. 

During this time, she has been decapitated twice. You can walk down to her from the city center which takes about 30 minutes on flat paved ground or you can view her from a canal tour which would cost money. This statue is not just on a Disney fan’s bucket list, she is one of the most visited attractions in Copenhagen. 

4. Den Gamble By Open Air Historical Village

Photo by @meldorado1989 on IG

Den Gamle By is an incredible open-air museum that was established in 1914. It houses old Danish buildings dating back to the 1500s. This open-air museum as it is called is like being transported to the time of Hans Christian Andersen. There are 75 different houses to explore and you can go in all of them. There are shops, cafes, a toy workshop, stalls, live music and villagers dressed in clothing from the 19th century. Spending the day here is like stepping into a time machine and traveling into the past.

5. Viking Museum

The Viking Ship Museum in Denmark was built to house and protect the original Viking ships from Skuldelev. This museum portrays how the Vikings took over parts of the world and created the Viking Age. The key lies in their fleet of ships. Without their ships, the Vikings wouldn’t have been able to conquer as much territory as they did. 

This museum is interactive, allowing you to have a go at building your own ship, weave cloth and even cook some sausages on an open fire. Sounds like an epic Viking adventure, perfect for your next family vacation. Don’t forget to select kid friendly on the Tripio app when creating your custom itinerary and custom top 10 if you are traveling with kids. This takes the stress and hassle out of planning because Tripio has done all the research for you. This means you can enjoy your vacation, worry-free.

6. Hans Christian Anderson Experience, Denmark

Photo by @vegoutt_gem_winchester on IG

The Hans Christian Andersen Experience in Copenhagen is located in the Ripley’s Believe it or not museum. The experience is quite small but impressive as it takes you through Hans life from a child, to successful author and the legacy he has left behind, not only in Copenhagen but the world. The immersive experience plays out his stories with music and literature so there is a fair bit of reading you have to do.

7. Nyhavn Canal Front, Denmark

Photo by Nick Karvounis on Unsplash

Nyhavn is the stunning harbor canal in Copenhagen that is postcard perfect and a bucket list favorite. Colorful historic buildings line the canal and old wooden ships are docked in its harbor. This is a must-see place in Copenhagen, full of culture and live music both day and night. 

Take your time to explore, there are plenty of bars and restaurants located along the canal walk. The canal walk is flat but is made up of cobble stones which can be a bit challenging for wheelchairs or prams with small wheels. This is the place to get that next profile picture. Fairytale lover or not, this has to be on your travel itinerary.

8. Frederiksborg Castle

Photo by Jonas Smith on Unsplash

Frederiksborg Castle is often referred to as the grandest castle in Scandinavia. Developed on 3 islands, this stunning fortress was the royal residence of King Christian IV in the early 17th century. This castle definitely isn’t lacking in luxury with its chandeliers and gold ceilings. Tour round the many suites within the castle residence and explore the pristine gardens and lakes. This castle is so beautiful, you can imagine how H.C Anderson thought up the fairy tales that he did.

9. Rosenborg Castle Gardens

Photo by @vegoutt_gem_winchester on IG

Rosenborg Castle And Gardens is a 400 year old Renaissance era royal residence with gardens. Its gardens are immaculately manicured housing flowers, fountains and statues. The castle itself now acts as a museum housing the Danish crown jewels. There are guided tours where you will learn about the castle’s history and significance in Danish culture today. Don’t forget to get a snap in the throne room.

10. Legoland Castle

Last but not least on our top 10 places to live out a fairytale is the LEGOLAND® Billund Resort in Denmark. It is the original LEGOLAND and opened in 1968, it was constructed right next to the Lego factory. Legoland isn’t just full of Lego’s, there are 50 rides here for you and your family to enjoy. 

There  are huge, intricate Lego sculptures throughout the park that are so detailed and depict Danish cultural landmarks. Conveniently, there are shops where you can of course buy Legos of your own. One of the coolest things about this park is that you can stay in a Lego hotel castle. I hope you have enjoyed our magical top 10 travel to destinations in Denmark. When planning your next epic vacation, use the Tripio app to create your own custom itinerary to suit your individual needs and preference. Been somewhere cool? Why not share your travel pics with us here at Tripio.

Looking for a wacky kind of fairy tale, check out our blog on: Tokyo: Top 10 Weird & Wonderful Attractions

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and Your Guide To The Perfect Summer Weekend In Copenhagen

-Gemma Winchester, Tripio Guru

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