Take Some Time to Explore More of Denmark
EXTEND YOUR DANISH EXPERIENCE
You don’t have to go far beyond the Danish capital to see what else this country has on offer. See a different side of Denmark choosing one of these five easy day trips just outside Copenhagen. There is something here for all interests and inclinations. Time to take your pick.
#1 | IMMERSE YOUR SELF IN DANISH HISTORY IN ROSKILDE
As the oldest monarchy in the world, Denmark has a storied and vibrant history that started with the Vikings. Step back in time and aboard a traditional Viking ship of your own. You can at the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, famous for restoring several vessels found at the bottom of the nearby fjord. A short twenty-five-minute train ride from Copenhagen Central Station drops you in this darling Danish town which is worthy of a walkabout on its own. But make your way to the harbor to experience Denmark like a Viking at sea. Voyages happen daily between May and October for visitors aged four and older. Entrance to the world-class Museum shouldn’t be missed and is included in your sailing ticket.
FOR MORE INFO: Vikingeskibsmuseet.dk
READ MORE: SO YOU WANT TO BE A VIKING
#2 | SOAK UP DANISH SCENERY AT UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE, STEVNS KLINT
An hour south by car brings you to one of the prettiest places in Denmark. Stevns Klint is one of Denmark’s ten UNESCO World Heritage sites, valued for the layers of ancient history preserved here in the dramatic and beautiful white limestone cliffs. Take in the clear blue Baltic waters from above before you step down the steep stairs to the rocky beach below. Look for fossils and evidence of the dinosaurs that once swam in this sea. Hiking paths along the clifftop and through idyllic farmland take you to a lovely lighthouse and lookout. Picnic tables, a playground and a cafe nearby make it a delightful way to spend a day out in Denmark.
FOR MORE INFO: Explore the Historic White Cliffs at Stevns Klint
#3 | STEP INSIDE A REAL ROYAL RESIDENCE AT FREDENSBORG PALACE
While you may not be able to really rub elbows with Danish royalty, you can get a glimpse inside one of their residences for a month each summer. Make your way to Fredensborg Slot (Palace), north of Copenhagen between July 1 to August 4 and take a guided tour to see the living rooms of current Queen Margrethe II. Lovely intimate details and stories about the reigning Royal Family come alive from inside their home. Included with your tour is a look around the private palace gardens outside. Plan ninety minutes for the tour, but take your time exploring the rest of the park’s paths through a sculpture garden and down to Esrum Lake. A lovely cafe sits lakeside for refreshments. Boat rides and canoe rental nearby.
GET TICKETS HERE: Tickets for Guided Tours
READ MORE: Tour the Danish Royal Residence at Fredensborg Palace
#4 | TAKE THE KIDS HUNTING FOR GIANTS
This tip is for kids of all ages and takes you to lovely public green spaces outside the city. The “giants” are huge wooden sculptures placed in forests and fields for you to track down. A project by Danish artist Thomas Dambo, there are six Forgotten Giants, all made from recycled wood. Charming and cheeky, the friendly giants are a great reward for your kids to find. Reachable by train and bicycle (or via car), this is a sustainable day out in Denmark that will surely delight your littles.
FOR MORE INFO: Day Out in Denmark Finding Giants
#5 | WALK IN A SCULPTURE GARDEN BESIDE THE SEA AT LOUISIANA MUSEUM OF MODERN ART
One of the best art museums in the world sits north of Copenhagen on the coast near Humlebaek. Easily reachable by regional train from Central Station, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art has an impeccable permanent collection as well as exceptional rotating exhibitions. But come summertime, you can still explore the art and stay outside. Stroll through the sculpture garden at Louisiana with views to the sea. Stay for the delicious Danish lunch on offer at the cafe with tables al fresco in front of the art. Soak up the salt air while you admire the works of Calder, Moore, Miro, Giacometti and more.
FOR MORE INFO: Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
Gl Strandvej 13, 3050 Humlebæk
Closed Mondays, extended weekday hours in the summer
READ MORE: WORLD CLASS ART BY THE SEA AT LOUISIANA MUSEUM OF MODERN ART
This article originally published in July, 2019 for The International, an English language newspaper for people living in and visiting Denmark. Check out the latest issue online now or pick up a copy locally all around the country.
Interested in exploring more of this lovely Scandinavian country?
Click here for more posts about Denmark. And here for all my Copenhagen content.
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I am ashamed to say that in all my visits to. Copenhagen I have hardly left the city – I blame the fact that the city is so wonderful! I have only ever taken the train to Helsingor and that was only so I could carry on to Sweden. I particularly like the sound of Roskilde having visited the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo last year. Next time! Wilbur #farawayfiles
Yes! The Roskilde Viking Museum is a good compliment to the Oslo one – especially with the opportunity to get in one of the reconstructed boats. Cheers from here.
I am ashamed to say that I have hardly left Copenhagen on all my visits – I blame the fact that the city is so wonderful! I have only ever got a train to Helsingor and that was only so I could continue to Sweden. I particularly like the sound of Roskilde having visited the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo last year. Next time! Wilbur #farawayfiles
These all appeal but I think I like the sound of the Louisiana Museum most, I love a good sculpture park. Beside the sea, even better. #farawayfiles
It’s an amazing museum / great permanent collection as well as fantastisk visiting exhibitions. Plus a lovely café with views of the art and the sea. It’s a winner for sure.
When I visited Copenhagen I took a day trip to Malmö… I know, Sweden!! What was I thinking 😉 (I liked it though). Next time, when my little one’s a bit bigger, we’ll definitely visit one of your suggestions, they look amazing.
#FarawayFiles
Yes Malmö is great and I understand why people pop over the bridge to see a little Sweden while here. But so many people don’t give Denmark it’s due – so much more than the capital. Time to come back! Cheers from here.
I love all these suggestions, I have never visited Copenhagen but it getting higher and higher on my ‘must see’ list.
I like the idea of finding out a bit more about the Vikings and Danish history and if a visit to Rosklide includes a trip on a boat, I’m sold. #farawayfiles
Then Roskilde is made for you – the beautiful Roskilde Cathedral is the final resting place of Danish royalty and the town is cute too!
I have never ventured outside of Copenhagen, which clearly I need to do on my next trip over. Those giants! And I would love to visit Fredensborg. #Farawayfiles
So many great day trips, you’d want to fit them all in! I think my favourites would be to Stevns Klint for the hiking and the views, and the other would be to the palace (I love them in every country!). Great roundup! #FarawayFiles
Louisiana Museum of Modern Art I would like to do. I actually visited the sculpture garden at New Orleans Museum of Art 🙂 #farawayfiles
Looks like you’re spoilt for choice with interesting things to do outside Copenhagen. I’m always up for a tour of royal palaces and Fredensborg sounds lovely. It’s nice your royal family open their home up to visitors each summer!
palace, nature, giants, interesting day trips for sure! and well done for getting published in a magazine!
We’d planned to take some daytrips ‘beyond Copenhagen’ during our visit earlier this year but there was so much great stuff to see and do in the city we never made it any further out! Lots of these places look appealing, I’ll definitely aim to check one or two out when we head back next… #FarawayFiles
You made it to Malmö though – didn’t you?
Denmark has so much to offer. I’d love to take a ride aboard a Viking ship although the sight of Hilltop Trine (one of the Forgotten Giants installation) has me wanting to see all of them.
A well crafted and informative article..!! Thank you so much for sharing.. 🙂
I went to the Viking Ship Museum and Roskilde Cathedral. The Cathedral is also a UNESCO World Heritage site..
The streets of Roskilde are so lovely and yet they preserve the classical touch of the Medieval times.
Thank you once again for sharing..!!