With an interesting and diverse coastline made up of miles of unspoilt sandy beaches, fjords and small coves to the lake districts, rolling hills dotted with windmills and gentle valleys of the countryside, Denmark offers many unique sightseeing opportunities.

Popular options include cycling in the countryside, a day out in the Tivoli Gardens amusement park in Copenhagen, visiting the sleepy Medieval villages, or jumping aboard a ferry to explore the islands.

"With such a huge coastline and emphasis on fishing, sampling some of the freshest fish in the country is a must, as well as a visit to the Viking Ship Museum that is devoted to honouring Denmark's bold ancient mariners."

Other options include taking in the numerous art galleries including the popular Museum of Decorative; a trip down the Nyhavn Canal, known as the 'longest bar in Scandinavia' because of the picturesque pastel-painted old townhouses that line the canal; a visit to the attractive Dutch Renaissance style Rosenborg Castle, which is today an important cultural institution, acting as a public museum detailing the history of Denmark's royal family; and a tour around Freetown Christiania, a partially self-governing neighbourhood in the borough of Christianshavn, which is dominated largely by a freethinking 'hippy' culture.

The Little Mermaid sculpture is one of the country's biggest tourist attractions, which sits on a rock at the Langelinie Harbour. The sculpture was put up in 1913, and more than a million people visit the mermaid every year. Legoland Billund, the original Legoland Park, is also a popular choice, particularly for families.

 

Events & Festivals

A celebration of Copenhagen nightlife, Copenhagen Distortion is the largest annual clubbing and nightlife event of the year lasting five days and nights. It starts on the Wednesday before the first Sunday in June.

One of the city's largest and most popular festivals is the Copenhagen Jazz Festival that takes place each year in July, featuring top international artists and local talent.

After a successful debut in 2007, Copenhagen's electronic music festival STRØM has become an annual event with concerts, open air events, DJs and music throughout the city.

Other notable festivals and events include Copenhagen Fashion Weekend in February;

Summer at Bakken – amusement park and activities for families and children from March through to August; Tivoli amusement park hosts theatre, dance, opera and classical music from April until September; CPH:PIX - Copenhagen's international film festival in April; Copenhagen Marathon in May; Copenhagen Carnival in May;

 Viking Pageant in Frederikssund in June; Sankt Hans Eve - bonfires along the coast, in parks and open spaces in and around Copenhagen in June; Knights tournament at Esrum Abbey – a medieval market in North Sealand in June; Bakken's Grand Beer Festival in June;

Copenhagen Jazz Festival in July; Roskilde Music Festival in July; World Congress of Santa Clauses in July;

Strøm, an electronic music festival in August; Copenhagen Fashion Weekend in August; Copenhagen Cooking – a Nordic food festival in August; Hamlet Summer - Shakespeare theatre festival at Kronborg Castle in Elsinore in August; Crafts market in August; The Little Mermaid's birthday in August; Copenhagen Pride – a week of gay events in august; Copenhagen Historic Grand Prix in August; Kulturhavn - Cultural Harbour – with free family activities on the waterfront in August;

 Copenhagen Blues Festival in September; Golden Days - Copenhagen's historical festival which takes place every second year in September; Danish Beer Enthusiasts' Beer Festival in September and a Night of Culture – 500 cultural events in one night in October.