Tours to Denmark
Planning tours to Denmark from the US? Whether you want to wander Copenhagen's colorful waterfront, explore Viking-age ruins, or stand at the edge of dramatic Atlantic cliffs, a well-crafted itinerary makes all the difference. NordicSaga designs Scandinavian travel packages for American travelers-covering logistics, accommodations, and local experiences so you can focus on the journey itself.
Denmark may be the smallest of the Nordic countries, but it packs in a remarkable range of experiences: royal palaces, award-winning restaurants, ancient burial mounds, fairy-tale manor houses, and wind-swept archipelagos. We walk through each major region and explain what to expect, from the capital's café culture to the remote Faroe Islands.
Faroe Island Tours
Faroe Islands Self-Drive Exploration
The Faroe Islands, an untouched paradise in the North Atlantic, offer breathtaking landscapes, dramatic cliffs, and charming villages perfect for a self-drive adventure.
SEE ROUTE ON THE MAP
Faroe Islands Summer Break
The Faroe Islands offer a breathtaking summer escape, where dramatic cliffs meet the endless North Atlantic and lush green landscapes stretch as far as the eye can see.
SEE ROUTE ON THE MAP
Faroe Islands for Beginners
"Faroe Islands for Beginners" is an introductory guide to the Faroe Islands, a remote archipelago in the North Atlantic known for its dramatic landscapes, rich culture, and unique way of life.
About Denmark at a Glance
Before diving into specific regions, here are the basics that every traveler planning a trip to Denmark should know.
| Detail | Info | Detail | Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capital | Copenhagen | Currency | Danish Krone (DKK) |
| Language | Danish (English widely spoken) | Time Zone | CET / CEST |
| Flight from NYC | ~9 hrs direct | Best Seasons | May–June, Sept |
| Visa for US citizens | No visa required (90 days) | Country Code | +45 |
Denmark Tours by Regions
The country divides naturally into five distinct travel areas, each with its own character and appeal. The table below gives a quick overview before we go into detail on each one.
| Region | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Copenhagen | City breaks, design, history, gastronomy |
| Faroe Islands | Dramatic cliffs, hiking, remote island scenery |
| Zealand & Kronborg | Shakespeare's Elsinore, coastal towns, castles |
| Jutland | National parks, LEGOLAND®, Viking heritage |
| Funen & Odense | H.C. Andersen birthplace, gardens, cycling |
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is a logical starting point for almost any Danish itinerary, and most flights from North America land here. The city combines a compact, walkable historic center with a forward-looking food and design scene.
Top things to include in a Copenhagen visit:
- Nyhavn harbor - 17th-century townhouses, waterfront cafés, and canal boat tours
- Tivoli Gardens - one of the world's oldest amusement parks, especially atmospheric in summer
- Christiansborg Palace - home to the Danish Parliament, the Supreme Court, and royal reception rooms
- The National Museum of Denmark - covers everything from Stone Age finds to Viking artifacts
- Nørrebord and Vesterbro neighborhoods - for local street food, vintage shops, and independent galleries
- Day trip to Roskilde - Viking Ship Museum and the medieval cathedral where Danish monarchs are buried
Copenhagen works well as a standalone city break of 3-4 days, or as a gateway before continuing to other parts of the country.
Faroe Islands
Technically an autonomous territory within the Danish Realm, the Faroe Islands sit halfway between Norway and Iceland in the North Atlantic-and they look like it. Eighteen volcanic islands, sheer sea cliffs, turf-roofed villages, and virtually no crowds make this one of the most photogenic destinations in the North Atlantic.
Key highlights on the Faroe Islands:
- Gásadalur village - waterfall plunging directly into the ocean, accessible by hiking trail or road tunnel
- Saksun - a tidal lagoon surrounded by mountains, one of the most-photographed spots in the archipelago
- Vestmanna sea cliffs - boat tours into narrow sea caves and along towering bird-colony walls
- Tórshavn - the world's smallest capital, with a historic old town (Tinganes), local restaurants, and a lively harbor
- Slættaratindur - the highest peak (880 m), a challenging but rewarding hike on a clear day
The Faroe Islands pair well with Iceland-if you're interested in combining both, take a look at our Iceland tours for itinerary ideas that loop through both destinations.
Zealand & Kronborg Castle
Zealand is the island where Copenhagen sits, but venture an hour north and the character shifts: smaller coastal towns, beech forests, and some of the country's most historically significant sites.
What to see on Zealand beyond Copenhagen:
- Kronborg Castle (Helsingør) - the Renaissance fortress that inspired Shakespeare's Elsinore in Hamlet; a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Louisiana Museum of Modern Art - a striking building in Humlebæk with sculpture gardens running down to the Sound
- Frederiksborg Palace (Hillerød) - a 17th-century royal castle set on a lake, now housing the national portrait museum
- Mons Klint - chalk cliffs on the island of Møn, an easy day trip from Copenhagen by rental car
- Køge and Næstved - smaller historic towns with well-preserved medieval centers off the typical tourist path
Zealand is easy to explore by train or rental car, and most sites are within 90 minutes of the capital.
Jutland
Jutland is the mainland peninsula of Denmark, and it's a different experience from the islands-wider open spaces, heather-covered moorlands, and a distinct regional identity. It's also where most of the country's Viking history is concentrated.
Highlights of a Jutland itinerary:
- Aarhus - Denmark's second city, home to the ARoS Art Museum (with its rainbow panorama walkway) and the open-air museum Den Gamle By
- Jelling - UNESCO-listed Viking burial mounds and the oldest-known depiction of Christ in Scandinavia
- Skagen - the northernmost point of Denmark, where two seas meet; a long-established artists' colony
- Billund & LEGOLAND® - not just for kids; the original LEGOLAND® park is a full day out for most ages
- Wadden Sea National Park - a UNESCO-listed tidal flat area, famous for the starling murmuration (sort murmuration) in autumn
- Rebild Bakker - the only national park in Denmark proper, popular with Danish-Americans given its annual July 4th celebrations
Jutland is best explored by rental car, and a dedicated regional loop of 4-5 days reveals a side of the country many visitors miss entirely.
Funen & Odense
Often called 'the garden island,' Funen sits between Zealand and Jutland and is the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen-a name that carries real weight in a country that exported his fairy tales worldwide. Odense, the island's main city, has built a rich cultural itinerary around this legacy without leaning on it too heavily.
What makes Funen worth adding to your itinerary:
- H.C. Andersen Museum (Odense) - the reopened museum is one of the most architecturally interesting in Denmark
- Egeskov Castle - a Renaissance water castle with elaborate gardens, considered one of the best-preserved in Northern Europe
- The Little Belt bridges - scenic cycling and walking routes across the strait linking Funen to Jutland
- Faaborg and Svendborg - two harbor towns popular for island-hopping by ferry to smaller archipelago islands
- Hindsgavl peninsula - quiet nature walks and views across the Lillebælt with almost no tourist infrastructure
Funen works well as a two-day stop between Copenhagen and Jutland, rounding out a cross-country itinerary naturally.
Why You Should Choose Denmark Package Tour
Denmark doesn't compete on scale-it wins on quality of experience. For American travelers used to larger, more spread-out destinations, the country's compact geography is actually an advantage: you can cover a lot of ground without spending most of your trip in transit.
A few practical reasons this destination works well for first-timers and returning travelers alike:
- Short internal travel times - the entire country is crossable by train in under four hours
- High English proficiency - nearly every Dane speaks English fluently, removing most language barriers
- Safety and infrastructure - consistently ranks among the safest and most organized travel destinations globally
- Year-round appeal - summer for long days and festivals; winter for Christmas markets and the coziness the Danes call hygge
- Culinary scene - Copenhagen alone holds multiple Michelin-starred restaurants, plus a thriving street food and smørrebrød culture
- Logical add-ons - the country connects easily to Norway, Sweden, Germany, and the Faroe Islands within a single trip
Denmark also makes an excellent starting point for a broader Nordic journey. Our Norway tours and to the Baltics countries can be combined into multi-country packages, which we're happy to put together-just request a quote on our website or call us to discuss what would work best for your timeline and interests.
FAQ
What is Denmark known for?
Denmark is known for its Viking heritage, design culture, the concept of hygge (the art of cozy, contented living), Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales, and a gastronomy scene that has reshaped how the world thinks about Nordic food. The country is also consistently ranked among the happiest in the world, a fact locals tend to greet with polite skepticism.
What are the best places to visit in Denmark?
Copenhagen is the obvious starting point, but Aarhus, Odense, Kronborg Castle, the Faroe Islands, and the Viking sites at Jelling all reward the effort of getting there. For travelers with time, a loop that takes in the capital, Zealand, Funen, and Jutland covers the country's main highlights in roughly 10-12 days.
When is the best time to visit Denmark?
May through June offers the most pleasant combination of warm temperatures, long daylight hours, and fewer crowds than July. September is also excellent-fewer tourists, stable weather, and the countryside still green. December works well if Christmas markets are the draw, though daylight is limited.
What is the best way to get around Denmark?
Denmark's train network (DSB) is reliable and connects all major cities. For Jutland and rural Zealand, a rental car gives more flexibility. Copenhagen itself is easily covered on foot or by bike-the city has one of the most developed cycling infrastructures in Europe. Ferries connect the Faroe Islands and outer archipelago islands.
What is the best package tour to Denmark?
The best Denmark package tour depends on your interests and timeline. City-focused trips tend to run 5-7 days centered on Copenhagen with day trips to Zealand. A fuller country loop covering Copenhagen, Funen, Jutland, and back takes 10-14 days. The Faroe Islands add 3-4 days on top. We can build a custom itinerary around your schedule-contact us here to get started.
Can I combine a trip to Denmark with multi-countries tours?
Absolutely. A package tour to denmark pairs naturally with Norway (direct train from Copenhagen via the Øresund Bridge into Sweden), the Faroe Islands (short flight), Iceland, or the Baltic states.