Why Denmark should be on your summer holiday bucket list
Getting to Denmark: Easy and affordable from the UK
While Denmark may not be at the top of the summer holiday wish list for most Brits, let this be your sign to give it some serious consideration!
Adventures in Denmark typically start with a budget-friendly flight, and unlike some European destinations, reaching Denmark from the UK is a breeze! Several airlines offer direct flights from major UK airports, and if you have young children, you’ll want Billund Airport to be your destination (it’s the closest to Legoland).
Flight times are short, at under 2 hours, which makes it a great choice for a long weekend or a week-long road trip adventure (as in our case). Billund is served by budget airlines like Ryanair, and special offers, including Legoland access, can bring the cost down - especially if you book in advance or travel during the shoulder seasons (spring and autumn).
🌟 Bonus Tip: Denmark is relatively small, and driving around is super straightforward - consider flying in and out of different airports in Denmark and renting a car for a one-way journey. This can sometimes be cheaper than flying directly into Billund and may be more convenient if you plan on exploring other parts of the country.
Why Denmark? A Land of Diverse Delights
Denmark is widely regarded as one of the safest and happiest countries in the world - and is a treasure trove waiting to be explored, offering something for every type of traveller.
✅ Epic Landscapes: Denmark is home to stunning scenery, dramatic coastlines, rolling green hills and charming villages. The entire country is dotted with castles, Viking settlements, and other historical sites.
✅ Foodie Paradise: Danish cuisine is more than just pastries (although we had plenty of those too!). The culinary scene in Copenhagen is world-renowned, but outside the capital, there's no shortage of fresh, seasonal ingredients and innovative dishes, from open-faced sandwiches (smørrebrød) to local delicacies like Fiskefrikadeller (fish cakes) and Frikadeller (pork meatballs).
✅ Cosy Culture: "hygge" is a famous Danish concept, which translates to a feeling of cosiness, comfort, and togetherness. Experience this first-hand in the welcoming atmosphere of Danish towns and cities.
✅ Sustainability: Denmark is a leader in sustainability, making it a perfect choice for eco-conscious travellers. The country boasts excellent public transport options, making it easy to explore without relying solely on a car.
When to Visit: Denmark Through the Seasons 🌼😎🍂☃️
Similar to the UK and the rest of Northern Europe, Denmark has contrasting seasons, with each offering a unique experience, so choosing the right time for your trip depends on your preference:
Spring (April – May): Spring is a time of renewal in Denmark. Witness the landscapes come alive with vibrant wildflowers and enjoy pleasant temperatures perfect for exploring. The shoulder season also offers the advantage of fewer crowds and potentially lower costs.
Summer (June – August): Summer is the peak season in Denmark; long daylight hours make it the ideal season for road trips, twilight walks in nature and a seemingly never-ending day (or days) at Legoland - the weather is usually warm and sunny.
Autumn (September – October): Autumn paints Denmark in a kaleidoscope of colours as leaves change from green to fiery hues. The weather is mild, making it comfortable for sightseeing and outdoor activities. This is another shoulder season offering a good balance between pleasant weather and manageable crowds.
Winter (November – March): Denmark transforms into a winter wonderland during the colder months, and the Danes know how to enjoy the festive atmosphere! Some outdoor activities may be limited, but winter offers a unique perspective on the Danish landscape.
Our Itinerary - 4th August to 9th August
Day 1 - Arrive, drive to and explore Odense
After a short airport delay, we arrived at Billund Airport in the early evening and swiftly collected our rental car. Billund is a fairly small terminal with many rental offices directly outside the arrival gate. We drove an hour and 20 minutes to Odense and started exploring! Odense is Denmark's third-largest city and the birthplace of fairy-tale writer Hans Christian Andersen. A character-packed, historic centre has great independent shops, cafes and restaurants. We had a delicious club sandwich at Cafe Vivaldi on Vestergade - right by, which is a kid's play park close enough to let the kids play and parents relax with some food and drinks!
Day 2 - Odense - Egeskov Castle - Silkeborg
We opted to stay in Odense for two reasons - firstly, it's a great city, and secondly it's only 30 minutes from Egeskov castle 🏰
First things first, let us address the elephant in the room - this place is relatively expensive, back in the summer of ‘23 we paid 675dkk (approx. £75) to enter as a family of 4, this included access to the castle, its possible to save £10-15 (based on two adults, two children) by skipping the castle. Our kids enjoyed touring the castle - it featured a range of exhibits, including a large toy display in the attic - it was a nice change of pace from the other activities!
Touring the castle takes you on a journey back in time through the centuries, the well-preserved rooms offer a real glimpse into aristocratic life from different eras. The gardens are equal parts extensive and exquisite, and wandering through themed gardens like the rose garden, the dahlia garden, or the scent garden again helps break up the fun and games!
Perfect for kids: what stood out to us before visiting was the range of activities for the kids; although we were visiting Legoland on this trip, Egeskov is totally different but equally fun! From getting lost in the giant Maze to wandering the 100-meter treetop walkway. We started and finished in the Play Forest, which has a ton of climbing structures and equipment - perfect for burning off energy and letting imaginations run wild.
Other things to see and do: There’s a pedal-powered go-kart track - though our kids at 6 and 3 were just too young for this and couldn’t power the karts but had fun trying! There are exhibitions showcasing vintage cars, motorcycles, and aircraft, a Fire and Rescue Museum, and an outdoor museum showcasing vintage campers and caravans.
Special Events: Ours was just a regular visit, but we did notice a packed calendar of special events happening throughout the season. We heard that Egeskov comes alive with themed activities throughout the year - keep an eye out for these.
In summary, despite the relatively high entry fee, Egeskov provided a full day of activities and entertainment for the family and a truly memorable day we still look back fondly on today.
After our day at Egeskov, we drove the 2 hours north to Silkeborg, where we would base ourselves for the next 2 nights. Silkeborg is known as Denmark's outdoor capital - we arrived around golden hour and headed straight out for a walk around Silkeborg Langsø.
Day 3 - Silkeborg - Aarhus - Aalborg - Skagen - Hirtshals (and back)
It has to be said that Silkeborg is among the most peaceful and serene places we have ever been, the lake was still, the air was calm, and there was an overwhelming sense of peace. We had a packed day but took the opportunity to start with a coffee on the balcony at the Airbnb. If you’re ever in the area we’d recommend the place we stayed link here - it was perfect for our small family.
The day wasn’t particularly well planned, but the objective was to visit the northern tip of the country and check out the impressive beach we’d all seen pictures of at Skagen. We knew this would involve a fair bit of driving, but planned stops at key points along the way. The first of those was Aarhus, Denmark’s vibrant second city. A quick stop at the harbour gave us a glimpse of its modern waterfront - where our youngest was incredibly concerned he was going to see a car being driven into the water! After a stroll through the nearby streets, we continued north to Aalborg, where historic half-timbered houses met contemporary street art - we’d wish we had more time in both places but enjoyed the Aalborg vibe in particular.
Arriving in Denmark’s northernmost town, we felt a sense of achievement - I guess it might be like a Brit arriving at John O’Groats! The meeting of the North Sea and the Baltic at Grenen was cool to see - a unique natural phenomenon where two seas collide without mixing. We strolled along and through the windswept dunes, and while we visited in peak season - thus were not the only people there, there was an eerie yet peaceful ambiance.
On the way back, we made a detour to Hirtshals, a charming port town known for its fishing culture and stunning coastline. Having built up an appetite, we made a quick visit to Restaurant Lillehaden in the center of town and had a delicious local fish chowder before heading back to Silkeborg.
Day 3 was a perfect way to experience Denmark’s diversity in just a few hours. If you’re ever in Denmark, don’t miss the chance to follow this route—you won’t regret it! 🚗 🌊 ✨
Day 4: Silkeborg - Legoland - Aabenraa
After the variety of sights and sounds experienced on day 3, day 4 was more about the variety of rides we could experience at Legoland Billund! The journey from Silkeborg was a little under 1 hour, allowing us plenty of time to leave and make our way for a 10 am start. Parking is right outside the main entrance and super convenient.
As we visited during peak summer season, we expected it to be busier than at other times of the year. However, by choosing a mid-week visit, we never felt overwhelmed as we sometimes do in UK theme parks. While it was busy, it never felt overcrowded. The longest wait time we experienced for a ride was only 10-15 minutes—a refreshing contrast to the 60+ minutes at CBeebies Land or the two-hour queues at Disneyland Paris. This made for a far more enjoyable and stress-free day.
Following our day at Legoland, we continued South for our first of two nights in Aabenraa - a location we chose to offer the ability to explore the southern part of Denmark the next day!
Day 5 - Aabenraa - Sonderborg - Nordborg - Flensberg (Germany)
Situated in the heart of South Jutland, the charming town of Aabenraa was our base for exploring Denmark’s southernmost gems. Randomly, our Airbnb introduced a new cue sport to us in the shape of the game, Novuss. This was a pleasant surprise, and while not Danish in origin, it was fun for all to learn a new sport! Aabenraa has a picturesque harbour, quaint streets, and a relaxed coastal atmosphere.
A short drive took us to Sønderborg, a lively town where history meets modern Danish culture. We strolled along the waterfront, visited the impressive Sønderborg Castle, and sampled the delights of the café scene. Further north, Nordborg welcomed us with its tranquil countryside and the fascinating Universe Science Park, a great stop for curious minds.
Our location in the South of Denmark offered us access to the German city of Flensburg, Germany - and its blend of Danish and German influence. We strolled through the charming old town, exploring cobbled streets lined with half-timbered houses, indulged in delicious German pastries, and soaked up the maritime history at the harbor.
Another great ‘trip within a trip’ on day 5!
Day 6 - Aabenraa - Kongsmark - Ribe - Esjberg - Billund
By the time Day 6 arrived, it was clear the only part of Denmark left to explore (broadly speaking of course) was the west coast - which included everything from quaint historic towns to windswept beaches and bustling port cities before finishing in Billund, home of LEGO!
Our first stop was Kongsmark and Havenby on the island of Rømø, a place somewhat otherworldly - defined by its vast sandy landscapes and unspoiled beauty. The island is famous for Europe’s widest sandy beach, stretching as far as the eye can see. The setting felt almost surreal, with endless dunes, shifting sands, and a North Sea breeze.
From there, we traveled to Ribe, Denmark’s oldest town, and easily one of its most charming. Wandering through Ribe felt like stepping back in time—cobbled streets, medieval half-timbered houses, and the striking Ribe Cathedral, which has stood for over 900 years. The town’s Viking history is still very much alive, and it’s easy to see why Ribe was once one of the most important trade hubs in Scandinavia. The gentle flow of the Ribe River and the relaxed pace of life here made it a true highlight of our journey. We enjoyed a great lunch in the centre of town and enjoyed shopping at the food market.
Continuing west, we reached Esbjerg, Denmark’s great North Sea port city. Known for its maritime heritage, Esbjerg is home to the “Men at Sea”—four towering white sculptures facing the sea, symbolising humanity’s relationship with nature. While we did not visit on this trip, the city is also a gateway to the nearby Wadden Sea National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its migrating birdlife and shifting tidal landscapes.
Finally, we arrived in Billund, the hometown of LEGO. While Billund is best known for Legoland and the LEGO House, it appears to be a hub of creativity and innovation, making it a fitting end to a journey that showcased everything Denmark has to offer.
