🗺️ Denmark in 2026: a week-long itinerary, prices and best places

Denmark is compact: from Copenhagen you can reach any point in the country in a matter of hours. At the same time, the country has more in reserve than just Andersen and the LEGO brick.

The capital's metro runs around the clock, and an adult ticket to the aquarium in Grenaa costs 195 DKK (as of 09/2026, aquarium price list). We've put together ten activities for different scenarios: from a family day at a park to a flight to the Faroe Islands.

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Denmark: where to go and what to choose

💡 In short:

For kids and teens: Billund, the aquarium in Grenaa, the Santa Claus congress.
For adults without a car: Copenhagen's metro and museums, Christiania, smørrebrød.
Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, verified on the official LEGOLAND Billund website.

First, decide how much time you have. Denmark looks small on the map, but roads between regions eat up hours, so it's best not to mix Copenhagen and Jutland into a single day.

Scenario	What to put on the plan	How much time
Family with kids	LEGOLAND Billund, Kattegatcentret, Santa Clauses	two to three days
First trip without a car	Copenhagen: metro, Christiania, Home of Carlsberg, smørrebrød	two to three days
Northern Jutland	Aalborg and the Singing Trees park	one day
Nature away from the crowds	Faroe Islands	a separate trip with its own flight
Fairy tales and museums	Odense and H.C. Andersens Hus	one day

Check tickets in advance: some of them have an online discount.

Attraction	What matters for entry	As of
Kattegatcentret	adult 195 DKK, child ages 3 to 11 110 DKK, under 3 free (as of 09/2026, Kattegatcentret)	aquarium tickets and prices
LEGOLAND Billund	day ticket and season pass (as of 09/2026, LEGOLAND Billund)	LEGOLAND tickets and season pass
Home of Carlsberg	tickets are cheaper online, a regular visit takes from an hour to an hour and a half	brewery exhibition tickets
H.C. Andersens Hus	ticket includes Andersen's childhood home and a 50% discount on other Odense museums	tickets and visiting rules

1. Santa Claus Congress in Dyrehavsbakken

Dyrehavsbakken Park sits in a forest north of Copenhagen and is considered the oldest operating amusement park in the world. Once a year, it hosts the World Santa Claus Congress.

In July, Santas from different countries parade between the rides, take photos with guests, and discuss professional details: how much they are allowed to weigh and what a chimney should be like. You can watch the procession for free if you find yourself in Denmark in midsummer.

Dyrehavsbakken park avenue with a wooden slide

The S-tog train runs to the park, to Klampenborg station, and from the platform to the entrance is a couple of minutes on foot. Congress dates are announced in advance on the park's website, so check the calendar before your trip.

How to get there: S-tog to Klampenborg station, then walk along the park.
Cost: park entry is free, rides are paid separately (as of 09/2026, official park website).
Who it's for: families with children and anyone who enjoys city festivals.
The catch: the park is crowded in July, and the exact congress dates change every year.

2. Ride in the front car of the Copenhagen metro

The Copenhagen metro opened in 2002 and is fully automated: there is no driver's cab, so the front car works as an observation deck (as of 09/2026, metro operator).

Trains run around the clock. The airport line ends at Lufthavnen station. From there you go straight into Terminal 3 of Kastrup Airport, bypassing the street and parking lot.

Copenhagen Metro station with a train behind glass doors

How to get there: central stations Nørreport, Kongens Nytorv, and Christianshavn.
Cost: fares are calculated by zone; for the center, a couple of zones is enough (as of 09/2026, tickets and zones).
Who it's for: those arriving in the city by train or plane.
The catch: cars are packed at rush hour, but the interval between trains is short.

3. Try smørrebrød

Smørrebrød translates as "buttered bread": SMØR means butter, BRØD means bread. Danes consider it a dish in its own right and assemble it strictly in order, and they use only rye bread.

Herring, trout, and salmon are considered classics, but menus also feature versions with egg, pâté, and cheese. Smørrebrød is eaten for both lunch and dinner. You can easily find restaurants in the city that serve only this.

Danish smørrebrød with tartare and chicken salad on rye bread

Who it's for: those who want to understand Danish cuisine in a single meal.
Not for: those who don't eat fish: classic versions outnumber meat ones on menus.
The catch: outside Denmark, marinades and sauces for smørrebrød are hard to find, so this simple-looking dish is hard to recreate at home.

4. Spend a day at LEGOLAND Billund

The park in Billund opened in 1968 (as of 09/2026, official LEGOLAND Billund website). Eight themed zones cover different interests: Miniland with city models, DUPLO World for toddlers, Pirate Land, Knight's Kingdom, and a city with a kids' driving school.

In addition to a day ticket, the park sells a 2026 season pass. If you're traveling with children, check out Hotel LEGOLAND: the rooms are decorated in a brick style, so the overnight stay becomes part of the experience.

© MPD01605 from Sterling, Virginia, United States, United States · CC BY-SAPhoto: MPD01605 from Sterling, Virginia, United States, United States, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

The 2026 season highlights on the park's website include the Minifigure Speedway ride. Opening hours depend on the date, and last entry closes earlier than the rides. You can check tickets to Denmark's parks and museums on Tiqets.

Getting there: from Copenhagen by train or bus with a transfer, or by plane to Billund Airport.
Cost: day ticket and 2026 season pass, current prices on the park's website (as of 09/2026, park tickets).
Who it's for: families with kids who love rides and building sets.
The catch: in July the lines for the main rides are long, so get there at opening time.

5. Step into the free town of Christiania

Christiania occupies Copenhagen's old barracks on the island of Christianshavn. The community has lived here since the 1970s under its own rules: no cars inside, hard drugs, weapons, and theft are banned.

You'll find graffiti-covered houses, workshops, a sauna, a medical clinic, a theater stage, and the Christiania Sports Club football team. Local workshops sell their products even outside Denmark.

Colorful murals and fence on Pusher Street in Christiania

The entrance is off Prinsessegade. Keep your camera in your bag.

Getting there: metro to Christianshavn station, then walk along Prinsessegade.
Cost: entry to the area is free.
Who it's for: anyone interested in alternative culture and wooden architecture.
The catch: photo and video are banned on the streets, so you won't bring back any pictures from Christiania.

6. Take a trip to the Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands lie between Scotland and Iceland and are part of the Kingdom of Denmark. However, the archipelago is not part of the Schengen Area, so there is passport control on entry. EU and DACH citizens do not need a visa, just a passport or ID.

There are almost no trees here. Instead, you get houses with grass roofs, seal colonies, and more sheep than people. You won't see that anywhere else.

Houses with grass roofs by the fjord in Saksun

You can get there by air or by sea. The flight from Copenhagen takes about two hours, with several flights a day (as of 09/2026, Atlantic Airways). The ferry from Hirtshals takes about two days (as of 09/2026, Smyril Line).

Visa: EU and DACH citizens do not need one, just a passport or ID (tourist information).
When to go: the short summer is milder than the winter storms, but rain and wind are possible in any month.
Who it's for: those ready for a separate trip for nature without the crowds.
The catch: the weather changes within an hour, so you need a shell jacket even in July.

7. Visit Home of Carlsberg

The Carlsberg brewery was founded in Copenhagen in 1847, and the old campus on Gamle Carlsberg Vej now operates as a museum site (as of 09/2026, Home of Carlsberg). After renovation, it opened a standalone exhibition: brewing kettles, barrels, steam engines, a malting house, and a collection of bottles from around the world.

You explore at your own pace, and a typical visit takes one to one and a half hours (as of 09/2026, Home of Carlsberg ticket page). On the grounds, beer barrels are still hauled by horses, vintage cars are parked nearby, and the bar pours varieties you won't find in stores.

Copper brewing kettles in the Carlsberg hall

Getting there: S-tog train to Carlsberg station, then a few minutes on foot.
Cost: current prices on the ticket page (as of 09/2026, brewery tickets online).
Who it's for: anyone interested in industrial history and beer.
The catch: the visit is self-guided, so without preparation you won't hear details about the beer varieties and brewing process.

8. Walk through the Hans Christian Andersen Museum in Odense

Hans Christian Andersen was born in Odense, on the island of Funen, and his museum stands in his hometown. The new building with gardens opened in 2021 (as of 09/2026, H.C. Andersens Hus).

Inside, you'll find manuscripts, drawings, paintings, and the writer's personal belongings, while the surrounding area has been restored: the cobblestone streets were brought back and the low-rise houses were renovated.

Street with the Hans Christian Andersen museum house in Odense

Getting there: train from Copenhagen to Odense, about an hour and a half.
Cost: the ticket includes Andersen's childhood home and gives a 50% discount at three other Odense museums (as of 09/2026, museum practical information).
Who it's for: families with children and anyone who grew up on fairy tales.
Important: the childhood home must be visited within thirty days of your museum visit.

9. See sharks at Kattegatcentret

Kattegatcentret is located in Grenaa, on the shore of the Kattegat strait. The aquarium is home to more than 250 species of marine animals: sharks, sea lions, seals, jellyfish, and crabs (as of 09/2026, official website of the Grenaa aquarium).

The main hall features a large shark pool, and you can get right up to the glass. Brave visitors can sign up for a shark dive, while everyone else watches the feeding from the hall.

Blue Kattegatcenter building by the harbor with boats

Getting there: by train or bus from Aarhus, by car from Copenhagen.
Cost: adult ticket 195 DKK, children 3 to 11 years 110 DKK, under 3 free (as of 09/2026, Kattegatcentret ticket page).
Who it's for: families with children and anyone who wants to see sharks without diving.
The catch: the ticket is valid for a year, but you can only visit the aquarium once with it.

10. Find the singing trees in Aalborg

Aalborg has a park where the trees sing. The first tree was planted by British musician Cliff Richard, and then stars who came to the city for concerts joined the project: Elton John, Sting, Kylie Minogue, Tom Jones, Beyonce, and others.

Next to each tree there's a button: press it and you'll hear a song by the person who planted it. You can walk through the park in about an hour. Admission is free.

Park with trees and a congress center building

How to get there: central Aalborg, within walking distance from the main street; from Copenhagen, take a train to Aalborg.
Cost: free entry.
Who it's for: those who enjoy music and relaxed walks.
The catch: the park doesn't have trees for musicians who never came to Aalborg, so you won't find every familiar name.

The list varies in pace: some items take a whole day, others need just a couple of hours. If you want to add ready-made tours, check out the Copenhagen selection below.

Tours and tickets in Copenhagen

Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.

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⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Denmark?

The mildest weather is in late summer and September: fewer people, and parks are still running at full capacity. In July you'll hit the Santa Claus congress, but lines at parks will be longer. In winter the days are short and it often rains, but you can explore museums and breweries without crowds. Check the calendar on official websites.

How many days do you need for Denmark?

Allow two or three days for Copenhagen: the metro, Christiania, Home of Carlsberg, and smørrebrød cover a first visit. For Jutland with Billund, Grenaa, and Aalborg you'll need another day or two, especially when traveling with kids. The Faroe Islands require a separate trip, not a stop along the way.

Do you need a separate visa for the Faroe Islands?

EU and DACH citizens don't need a separate visa, a passport or ID is enough. You need a document because passport control on the islands operates outside Schengen. Requirements change, so check them before buying tickets. Flights from Copenhagen depart every day, and it's easy to ruin a trip over paperwork.

How do you get from Copenhagen to LEGOLAND Billund?

Trains with a transfer and buses run from the capital to Billund, and there's also a direct flight to the local airport. A car gives you freedom, but the drive from the capital takes several hours. Buy a day ticket for the park online, and a season pass only makes sense for multiple visits.

What Danish food should you definitely try?

Smørrebrød should be first on your list: rye bread, butter, and fish on top. Look for places that specialize only in smørrebrød: Copenhagen has them.

In short: what to book

Each item on the list covers its own scenario. If you're traveling with kids, put Billund and the aquarium in Grenaa on your itinerary. If it's your first visit and you're without a car, Copenhagen with its metro, Christiania, and the brewery will be enough. For nature, head to the Faroe Islands, and for fairy tales, to Odense.

Book parks and museums in advance. Check out Copenhagen tours on GetYourGuide, find a hotel in Denmark on Trip.com.

10 Experiences in Denmark: LEGO, Santas and the Faroe Islands