Denmark

From the effortlessly cool capital of Copenhagen—known for its forward-thinking design and yes, ample supply of cardamom buns—to more relaxed and bucolic getaways outside this Nordic country’s city centers, Denmark is a destination sure to delight travelers of all walks of life.

Denmark ranked second in the 2023 World Happiness report.

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Overview

Practical Information

Denmark is a Nordic country bordering Germany and Sweden. Although Danish is the national language, English is spoken widely. Copenhagen is the capital and one of the most popular places to visit in Denmark, though it’s worth getting outside of the city and visiting other areas of the country—such as West Denmark—as well.

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READ BEFORE YOU GO
HOTELS
All of the suites in this palace-turned-hotel have been completely renovated.
This 1918 mansion in the Danish capital’s posh Østerbro neighborhood has been given new life as a private villa with seven bedrooms and bespoke amenities.
RESOURCES TO HELP PLAN YOUR TRIP
The Nordic country would be among the first in the world to have a digital vaccine passport, which would help ease travel restrictions.
Food, Danish design, cycling, jazz and sustainability are just a few of the unique facets that make up Copenhagen culture.
Any visit to Copenhagen will keep you busy and full—the Danish capital boasts 22 Michelin stars in 17 restaurants. Supplement feasting on Nordic cuisine with exploring the city’s modern architecture, like the Black Diamond, which has stunning views of the river. It’s an extension of the Royal Library and named for the black granite cladding and irregular angles. The Copenhagen Opera House is another landmark worth checking it: It’s one of the most modern (and expensive) opera houses in the world. The limestone structure is surrounded by canals, giving the impression that the building is situated on an island.
From food markets selling street food to Michelin-starred restaurants serving innovative Nordic-inspired cuisine, Copenhagen has secured its spot as a global culinary capital.
Denmark is known for its genius designers, including Arne Jacobsen, Finn Juhl, and Jacob Jensen. Much of their work and influence is on display in the capital, Copenhagen. Great design touches everything in the city from the futuristic hotels to the pilgrimage-worthy restaurants and the New Nordic food they turn out. Walk the city and take in the great architecture or pack or hit the shops and take home super cool Scandi souvenirs from a new breed of design talent.
Over the last decade Copenhagen has charged onto the international culinary scene, with New Nordic cuisine becoming famous around the world. Emphasizing simplicity, freshness, and innovation, New Nordic is almost synonymous with Copenhagen’s Noma restaurant, but there are many restaurants around the Danish capital offering their own twists on the New Nordic genre.
Stroll through the city’s historic core, hop aboard a canal tour boat, and visit Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek.
Copenhagen is easy to navigate, incredibly safe, and boasts a multilingual population. Plus, there’s the Danish commitment to hygge (roughly translation: cozy), which means that the city feels warm and companionable—ideal for a solo traveler.
Few meals are more traditionally Danish than smørrebrød. These open-faced sandwiches are made with fresh ingredients, often by masters skilled in the art of preparation, pairing, and presentation. Just as the types and toppings vary widely, so too do the ways in which you can consume it.
Restaurants notable for their delicious food, dedication to service, location, ambience...