Know Before you go : Denmark Edition

In this article, I’ll make an overview of everything useful to know before going to Denmark, including some travel tips.

You’ll find : 

Denmark is located in Northern Europe, south if Norway and Sweden. It shares a land border with Germany to the south, and is surrounded by the Baltic Sea to the east, the North Sea too the west, the Kattegat to the north and the Øresund Strait to the south, separating Denmark from Sweden.

The capital is Copenhagen, and the largest city in Denmark as well. The city is located in the eastern part of Denmark, alongside the Øresund Strait to the east which separates Denmark from Sweden, and the Kattegat to the north.

As of 2024, Denmark covers about 42,933 km² and has a population of approximately 5.9 million people.

The best time to visit Denmark is during the shoulder seasons of May-June or September-October. During these months, the weather is generally mild and pleasant, and you can avoid the peak tourist crowds of summer and the chill of winter (between -1°C and 4°C).

In addition of being more crowded in August, Denmark experiences the most rainfall during this month (temperature max in August : 22°C).

I went in June and I would say it is a nice month to come, the weather is not too cold, and you can experience the long daylight hours.

In Denmark, the currency is the Danish Krone (DKK). The cost of living is pretty expensive, Denmark is often at the top three most expensive European countries. On average, a meal at a local café or affordable restaurant might cost around 20€ per person, while dining at mid-range or tourist-oriented restaurants can exceed 40€ per person.

Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, and if you are looking for ATMs without fees in the city, look for Danske Bank, Nordea, Jyske Bank or Sydbank.

Regarding accommodation, options are varied : budget hotels and hostels typically start at around 600-800 DKK per night, while mid-range hotels generally range from 1,000-1,500 DKK per night for two people. To save up a bit on accommodations, we chose to book an Airbnb a little outside of the city center, and we paid 80€ per night for two people, in a wonderful neighbourhood and a nice apartment. If you are interested to book it, here’s the link.

Clothing: Pack layers for Denmark as temperatures are chilly, even in summer. Even if you come in August, make sure to bring sweaters. Good walking shoes are essential, as Denmark is best explored on foot or by bike.

Rain gear : Take an umbrella and rainjacket in case of rainfall, which usually happen in summer.

Adapter: Denmark uses Type C and K power outlets. If you’re coming from outside Europe, you may need a plug adapter. A power bank can also be handy for keeping your devices charged while exploring.

Denmark offers a variety of unique souvenirs to bring back home!

Traditional Items: Look for traditional Danish souvenirs such as handcrafted ceramics, Jensen jewellery or Danish design items.

Food: Consider bringing back Danish specialties like high-quality Danish cheese, licorice, or local Carlsberg beer. Danish pastries, marzipan or butter cookies make delightful treats.

Design Goods: Denmark is famous for its design, so consider bringing back items like sleek, minimalist home décor, or Danish design furniture pieces. You can also bring back legos, as Lego is a Danish company.

In Denmark, Danish is the official language, but many people, especially in tourist areas, speak English.

Here are a few Danish phrases that might come in handy:

Hello: Hej [hi]

Thank you: Tak [tahk]

You’re welcome: Selv tak [selv tahk]

I (don’t) understand: Jeg (forstår ikke) [yai (for-STOR Ik-keh)]

Sorry: Undskyld [UN-skyld]

My name is…: Mit navn er… [meet nawn air]

Yes / No: Ja / Nej [yah / nai]

As we came from Europe, our mobile plan included internet and calls in Denmark, but if you plan on buying one on arrival, you can find Telia or Lycamobile SIM cards at the airport for less than 10€.

Public transportation in Copenhagen is excellent, Copenhagen Metro operates 24/7 and serves all around the city. For more flexibility or to explore beyond the city, renting a bike is a popular option in Denmark.

If you need to rent a car to visit the country, I would recommend checking on Kayak, Skyscanner or other comparative platform to find the best deals, but always verify the terms and conditions, because most of them only accept credit cards and not debit nowadays.

Copenhagen offers a wealth of attractions and sightseeing. Here are some of the best things to do in the city:

That’s it for my Denmark travel tips! To get more detailed information and pictures about these places, be sure to check out my two days itinerary in Copenhagen and this article about the food specialties to try out in Copenhagen.