Once the seat of Viking raiders and later a major north European power, Denmark has evolved into a modern, prosperous nation that is participating in the general political and economic integration of Europe. It joined NATO in 1949 and the EEC (now the EU) in 1973. However, the country has opted out of certain elements of the European Union's Maastricht Treaty, including the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), European defense cooperation, and issues concerning certain justice and home affairs.

Copenhagen (da. København) - Denmark's capital and largest city is a vibrant metropolis with world class attractions.

Entrance to most museums are free once a week, mainly on Wednesdays. While you can always count on the main attractions to be well versed in the English and German languages, and geared towards tourists, a good tip to see if the many, smaller museums, listed throughout this guide caters to non Danish speakers, is to see if the website has an English section - if it does, this usually means the museum has at least some English information throughout it's exhibitions - of course if you have some interest in a particular subject, such museums can be interesting even if you don't understand the sign postings - and as Danes are usually fairly fluent in English - you can always try to ask staff if they could give you a brief tour.

If you are into the arts Copenhagen has a lot to offer, the natural starting point of which, is a visit to the Danish National Gallery (Statens Museum for Kunst), where you can feast the eye on blockbusters like Rembrandt, Picasso and Matisse. There are a number of paintings by Danish artists from the 'Golden Age'. Continuing in the classical arts a visit to Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, the spectacular building houses paintings from masters like Picasso, Leger and Matisse and a large collection of classical statues and sculptures, and the winter garden is a beautiful place to rest your legs on a rainy day. Both of these museums are conveniently located in the Downtown area. If you are hungry for even more classic art exhibitions an excursion north of Copenhagen to the beautiful Ordrupgaard, which offers you a chance to enjoy Monet, Renoir, Degas & Gauguin. There are several other options for classical paintings if you have not yet tired, but if you are ready for a change, head south to the Arken Museum of Modern Art for a world class exhibition of mainly Scandinavian contemporary modern art, as well as hugely popular temporary exhibitions. If you want to enjoy some local colorite on an art tour, The Hirspung collection on Østerbro features the top of the pops of Danish artists, with a special focus on the Skagen painters, and for something quintessentially Danish, breeze through the wonderfully quirky sketches of the much loved local personality, Storm P, at the aptly named Storm P museum on Frederiksberg

If you want your vacation to be educational, or if you want to sneak some knowledge into the kids heads during the vacation, there are several options to consider. The best choice for kids is perhaps the hugely entertaining, and well renowned hands-on science museum, the Experimentarium North of Copenhagen. Another popular and well renowned institution, is the Copenhagen Zoo on Frederiksberg, counting both among of the best, and oldest, Zoo's in Europe. If you are more into stationary animals, the Zoology museum on Østerbro offers a different perspective on the subject, elsewhere on Østerbro, a little known attraction is a display of famous physicist Niels Bohr's study room, along with a setup of his experiments (but as this is not a museum, you should have more than passing interest in the subject to bother them). In Downtown, the University of Copenhagen runs two adjacent science museums, namely the Geological museum where the Dinosaur fossils, moon rock and glow in the dark minerals should sparkle some interest in the subject for even the most school wary kid, while the Botanical gardens on the opposite side of the street, is an excellent place for a stroll in the beautiful park, even if you are not botanically inclined, and the classical palm house is a nice place to relax if it's cold outside. If it is poor weather, Tycho Brahe Planetarium on Vesterbro is another option, part planetarium with an interesting astrology exhibition, part omnimax theatre, where they are usually screening science films.

An excellent start of any visit to Copenhagen, is to climb the unique 7.5-turn helical corridor leading to the observation platform of Rundetårn (the Round tower), one of Copenhagen's most iconic buildings, for an excellent view over the city, as any good starting point, it's smack in the middle of the city. If that's not high enough to get your bearings, head to Christianshavn for a climb up the circular stairs on the outside of the church spire of the Church of our saviour, It has always been regarded as somewhat of a manhood test to climb up and touch the globe on the summit, nearly a 100 meters up in the air. And now that you're in the area, head over the opposite side of the street, to Christiania, a self governing community that has been squatting an old naval area since the seventies, and their inventive, brightly coloured, homebuilt houses are spectacular, as is the relaxed atmosphere, it's truly one of Copenhagen's most unique and best attractions. Due south of Christiania, the districts old, crooked and brightly coloured buildings and soothing canals lined with masted ships, makes it an excellent place to continue a stroll. Other fine examples of classical architecture includes the impressive City hall and the massive dome of the Marmokirken colloquially known as the Marble Church, whose dome with a span of 31 meters, is one of the largest in Northern Europe. Both are in the downtown area.

However for real architecture buffs, the city's main claim to fame is the modernist architecture and its native masters. Jørn Utzon (of Sydney Opera house fame) and son is behind a trio of buildings on Østerbro's northern harbour, known as the Paustian complex, there is a fine - but expensive - restaurant in one of the buildings. You can enjoy Arne Jacobsen's work by either sleeping, or sucking in the atmosphere (and great views) of the top floor lounge bar, in the Royal Hotel, one or the the Inner city's very few tall buildings, or head north to Bellavista, a residential complex and theatre near the beach, where there is even a restaurant featuring both his famous furniture and his name. Lastly Henning Larsen, famous for his iconic buildings in Riyadh, is behind Copenhagen's new Opera house, overlooking the habour on Christianshavn, from where you can also catch a view of Copenhagen's latest iconic contraption, The Royal library known to locals as the black diamond, from it's shiny polished black granite walls.

Visit the Nationalmuseet in downtown for many exhibits relating to Danish history, Viking weapons, Inuit costumes and stone age tools. If you want something more local the Museum of Copenhagen on Vesterbro have exhibitions on the city's development since the middle ages. Another option is Frilandsmuseet in the northern suburbs, a huge and attractive open air museum with old buildings collected from all over the country, or visit the old town of the tiny fishing hamlet of Dragør on the southern tip of Amager, with it's fantastic old yellow buildings and cobblestoned streets, for a live version of old Denmark. And for something different paddle up the small Mølleå river in the northern suburbs through the old charming 18th and 19th century mills

The four identical classicist palaces of Amalienborg, is the main residence of the royal family, the octagonal courtyard in the centre is open to the public, and guarded by the ceremonial Royal Guard. The relief takes place every day at 12 o'clock noon, and is a highlight for any royalist, there is also a small royal museum on the premises. Rosenborg Palace is a small, but pretty, renaissance palace, surrounding by the lovely King's Garden, which is one of the most lively parks of the city. The palace both serves as a museum of Royal history, and as a home for the crown jewels, which is on display in the catacombs beneath the castle. Unusual for a well founded democracy, the palace that houses the parliament, Christiansborg, is also a royal palace. It's usually possible to visit the Royal reception rooms, stables and the old court theatre here. And for entertainment of royal stature, you can try and arrange tickets to watch a play in the beautiful Royal Theatre facing the Kings New Square. All of these sights are in the inner city. If you are hungry for more, head north, where the park around Sorgenfri palace is open to the public, or have a picnic on the huge open plains in front of the Eremitage Palace in the Dyrehaven park, which used to serve as the kings hunting castle.

Denmark is world famous for its design tradition, and while the term Danish design has been victim of inflation over the years, it's still a world recognized brand. The natural starting point is a visit to the Danish Design Center in downtown, with temporary and permanent exhibitions, showrooms and workshops relating to the world of Danish design, in a building designed by famous architect Henning Larsen. Not too far away, Kunstindustrimuseet is home of a nice collection relating to the study of design and it's history in Denmark, Also in the district Royal Copenhagen runs a museum display of it's famous porcelein from the early beginnings at it's flagship store. Meanwhile Cisterne on Frederiksberg is an enticing museum showing modern glass art, in the intriguing catacomb like cisterns under a large park. Meldahls Smedie on Christianshavn is run by the Royal Danish school of architecture, which organizes changing exhibitions including final project's from students of the school here.

Århus (da. Århus) - The main city of the Jutland peninsular and Denmark's second largest city.

Den Gamle By (The Old Town)

Collection of 75 original Danish buildings dating from 1597 to 1909 moved to create an open-air museum village; there are shops and restaurants, some true to the period.

Aarhus Cathedral

The beautiful cathedral is over 800 years old, and the longest in Denmark. Next to it, Aarhus Cathedral School is situated, also over 800 years old and the oldest still existing high-school in the world.

Vor Frue Kirke

Church with an interesting crypt church in the basement, built about 1060. It is one of the oldest still existing stone churches in Scandinavia, maybe the oldest.

ARoS Aarhus Art Museum

One of Denmark’s largest museums, be sure to check out the '9 Spaces', a maze of black-walled galleries.

Concert Hall

Anyone who appreciates seeing European architecture will find many points of interest in the city, not least the Concert Hall ("Musikhuset" from 1982 by Johan Richter), which is located next door to the new art museum ARoS.

The Town Hall

The Town Hall by the famous architect Arne Jacobsen is one of the highlights of Danish architecture. Don't miss the Grisebrønden statue (the well of the pigs) with the drooling and peeing pigs, located in the Town Hall Square.

The University Park

The University Park by C.F.Møller, Kaj Fisker,(buildings) and C. Th. Sørensen (landscape) is another noteworthy piece of architecture. Here you find the State Library, a Natural History Museum [20] and the Steno Museum [21] with collections on science and medicine.

Moesgaard Museum

To study Danish prehistory take bus 6 South to visit this museum. The main attractions are two finds from the Iron Age - the Grauballe Man, the only completely preserved bog body, and the impressive sacrifices of weapons from Illerup Ådal.

Women's Museum

Bymuseet

The town museum of Århus placed in a very nice modern building.

Århus Kunstbygning

Center of contemporary art.

Århus Viking Museum

Small viking museum located in the basement of the Nordea Bank next to the cathedral. Entrance is free.

Odense - The main city of the island of Funen known as birthplace of H.C. Andersen, but The Funen Village Open air museum of 18th Century farm buildings, and the Egeskov Castle, one of the best-preserved Renaissance castles in Europe are also good attractions.

Brandts Klædefabrik

Brandts Torv 1. Tu-Su 10AM-5PM except Th noon-9PM. The art & cultural centre of Odense. Contains two museums; The Danish Museum of Media which focuses on all types of media and their history and the museum of photographic arts museum specializing in photography, there is also a gallery with changing exhibitions in it's 4 large halls. And also specialist shops, a music library, a specialist cinema, bars & a post office.

Carl Nielsen Museum

Claus Bergs Gade 11. A museum which honours the life of the classical music composer, Carl Nielsen, who was born just outside of Odense and is primarily known in Scandinavia and the UK for his 6 symphonies. Carl Nielsen is the portrait featured on the front side of the Danish hundred-kroner note.

Danish Railway Museum

Dannebrogsgade 24, (jbmuseum@dsb.dk. Daily 10-16 (Closed 1 January, 24, 25 and 31 December.). A museum dedicated to the Danish railways. Contains dozens of old trains, carriages & rail road memorabilia over 10.000m2. There is also a large model train landscape and a ride-on miniature railway and playground for the children. On public holidays and during the schools summer vacation the museum also arranges train rides in old vintage steam trains to various destinations on Funen - call ahead for dates and reservations. Admission: Children 5-13 DKK 20, Adults DKK 48, Families DKK 120 (2 adults and 3 children).

Egeskov Castle

Egeskov Gade 3, Kværndrup. Daily 10AM-5PM (or 8PM in June/August). One of Europe's best preserved is Europe's best preserved Renaissance water castles, dating back from 1554, about 30 km south. The current owner, Count Ahlefeldt, has added numerous features, including a maze, walk-among- the treetops and a veteran auto museum, toy museum, kitchen garden, and more, all in a scenic park. 175 DKK.

Hans Christian Andersen Museum

Bangs Boder 29. Daily 10AM-4PM (or 6 PM in July-August). A museum dedicated to the city's most famous son, author and poet Hans Christian Andersen, most famous for his fairy tales and in particular The Ugly Duckling and the Little Mermaid. Part of the museum is located in the house where Andersen was supposedly born (though he would never confirm it). The impressive collection is mainly documents from his life and times, period furniture, and many drawings and paper clippings he is famous for at home. 55 DKK for entrance.

Hans Christian Andersen's Garden

Town Centre, behind Saint Knuds Kirke. A garden commemmorating H.C. Andersen. Large flower arrangements, a river & an ice cream shop make this park an ideal location for a picnic. The small attractions of the park include a pergola, the “Chinese Wall” a statue of Hans Christian Andersen and close by – in the river – there is a sculpture of a paperboat (a prop from one of H.C. Andersens fairy tales). 

Odense Zoo

Sdr. Boulevard 306. 10AM-4PM (or 6PM in summer). One Denmark's biggest tourist attractions is the Odense zoo, covering almost 4 hectares on both sides the Odense River. The Oceanium opened in 2001, is the main show-piece featuring a tour though South America, including a very impressive aviary and indoor rain forest. Children: 55 DKK, Adults: 110 DKK, Family: (2 adults, and 2 children) 300 DKK. 

Saint Knuds Kirke

Klosterbakken 2 (Next to the Town Hall). 9am-4pm. Cathedral of King Canute the Holy, who became a martyr nearby in 1086. His tomb and that of his brother are in the crypt with many other burial stones of dignitaries of the day. Free Entry..

Aalborg - Home of a historic and picturesque city centre and the rowdy Jomfru Ane Gade, which features some of country's most vibrant night life.

Elbjørn

The icebreaker is now a restaurant and culture ship at the Aalborg harbour. It has a restaurant, a bar, glass workshop, and a museum.

Information about events in aalborg(danish only)

Art museum

Jomfru Ane Gade

Ancient Viking graveyard

Aalborg Slot

Budolfi Church

Akvavit (distillery)

Esbjerg - Denmark's centre for the fishing and offshore industry, and a short 15 minute ferry ride away from the cosy island of Fanø.

Man meets the sea

Fisheries and Maritime Museum

The Fisheries and Maritime Museum is the largest institution of its kind in Denmark focusing on Danish fisheries and marine biology, the tidal wetlands (Wadden Sea), west Jutland coastal shipping and the North Sea offshore industries. So the theme of the museum can truly be said to be "people and the sea"

Sønderborg - Discover Danish mentality in a city where Denmark finally conceded it's superpower ambitions, and wander through the old castle or the royal palace of Gråsten.

Dybbøl Mølle

Historical location near Sønderborg.

Sønderborg Slot

Historical castle in Sønderborg. (Travelers should not expect much spectacular experience from it since it is more like a old school arcitecture )

Danfoss Universe

Science and experience park in Nordborg.

Alsion The culture

Education, and science park in Sønderborg.

Herning - This small but ambitious town is an excellent entry point to the spectucular beaches of Jutlands western coast.

Herning Kunstmuseum

The municipial arts collection placed in an very artistic round building from 1965, which inner courtyard is domminated by an 1000 m2 ceramic painting "Fantasiens Leg om Livets Hjul" (The fantacys play with the wheel of life). This building originally was built as the Angli-shirt factory.

The museum area also contains The museum of Carl-Henning Pedersen & Else Alfelts. Two internationally known danish artists.

The Sculpture Park

Originally meant as an recreative area for the employees of the shirt factory.

The geometric Garden

The geometric Garden by C.Th. Sørensen

The Utzon house

An prototype to a scholl house by Jørn Utzon

Elia

The biggest sculpture in the northern part of Europe.

Rønne - Capital and entry point for the intriguing holiday island of Bornholm, with its cozy villages, mystic round churches and the spectacular castle ruin of Hammershus.

Ericssens hus Museum