- Copenhagen is the obvious first trip, under two hours from many UK airports
- Billund airport is right next to Legoland, ideal for families
- Denmark is expensive, so budget carefully and use the excellent public transport
- Cycling is the best way to see the cities
- Airports
- Copenhagen (CPH), Billund (BLL), Aarhus (AAR), Aalborg (AAL)
- Flight time
- about 1h45 from London to Copenhagen
- Best time to go
- May-September; late November-December for Christmas markets
- Currency
- Danish krone (DKK)
Denmark is one of the easiest short-haul trips from the UK and one of the most rewarding. Copenhagen is a bike-friendly capital of canals, colourful harbour houses, world-class restaurants and Scandi design, while Jutland has Legoland, the art-filled city of Aarhus and wild dune beaches up to Skagen, where two seas meet. Add fairytale castles, a gentle landscape and a love of cosiness (hygge), and it suits couples, families and city-breakers alike.
Flights take less than two hours from London, and Denmark is one hour ahead of the UK. Plugs are mostly European two-pin (types C, F and the Danish K), so bring an adapter, and cars drive on the right. English is spoken almost universally. See our Europe guide for more Nordic ideas.
Entry requirements
Denmark is in the EU and the Schengen area. British passport holders can usually visit visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period across Schengen countries. Your passport should have been issued within the last 10 years and be valid for at least three months after you leave. The EU's Entry/Exit System registers your fingerprints and photo on arrival. Rules change, so check GOV.UK foreign travel advice before booking.
Where to go in Denmark
Copenhagen
Most trips start here. Stroll colourful Nyhavn, ride the rides at Tivoli Gardens, see Rosenborg Castle and the Crown Jewels, and visit the free-spirited neighbourhood of Christiania. Harbour baths let you swim in clean water right in the city in summer, and the food scene ranges from street food halls to New Nordic fine dining. The Little Mermaid statue is small but much photographed.
North Zealand
Easy day trips by train from Copenhagen include Kronborg Castle at Helsingør, the setting for Shakespeare's Hamlet, the grand Frederiksborg Castle at Hillerød, and the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, beautifully set by the sea. Roskilde has a UNESCO-listed cathedral and a Viking Ship Museum.
Billund and Legoland
Legoland Billund, the original Legoland, sits beside Billund Airport in Jutland. Next door, Lego House is an interactive experience centre, and Lalandia water park is nearby, making this a top family destination.
Aarhus
Denmark's second city is young and lively, with the ARoS art museum and its rainbow rooftop walkway, the open-air Old Town museum and the Moesgaard museum of prehistory. Beaches and forests are close by.
Odense and Funen
Hans Christian Andersen's home town, Odense, has a museum dedicated to the writer and a pretty old quarter. The island of Funen is known as the garden of Denmark, with manor houses and Egeskov Castle, a moated Renaissance castle.
Skagen and the west coast
At Denmark's northern tip, Skagen has golden light that drew 19th-century painters, yellow houses and the sandbar of Grenen where the North Sea and Kattegat meet. The west coast of Jutland has huge sandy beaches and dunes, popular for summer cottage holidays. Out in the Baltic, the island of Bornholm has cliffs, round churches and smokehouses.
Best time to visit Denmark
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Spring (April-May) | Fresh, bright and blossoming; Tivoli opens; still cool |
| Summer (June-August) | Long light evenings, around 20-22 °C, festivals and beach weather |
| Autumn (September-October) | Cooler, quieter, cosy cafés; autumn half-term opening at Tivoli and Legoland |
| Winter (November-March) | Short, cold days; Christmas markets and Tivoli lights in December |
Copenhagen Card covers public transport and entry to many attractions, which can save a lot in such an expensive city if you plan to sightsee intensively.
Getting to Denmark from the UK
Copenhagen has frequent flights from London on British Airways, SAS, easyJet, Ryanair and Norwegian, plus direct services from Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and other regional airports. Billund and Aarhus have direct flights from London and a few regional airports. Flight times are around 1h30 to 2h. Combine Denmark with Sweden across the Øresund Bridge, or with Norway and Germany.
Getting around
Public transport is excellent. Copenhagen's metro runs around the clock, including to the airport in about 15 minutes, and city bikes and bike lanes are everywhere. Intercity trains link Copenhagen with Odense and Aarhus, and the Rejseplanen app plans journeys nationwide. Car hire is useful for rural Jutland and beach cottages; roads are quiet and well kept, and bridges such as the Great Belt Bridge have tolls.
Money and costs
Denmark uses the krone, not the euro, and cards are accepted almost everywhere, including for small purchases. It is one of Europe's most expensive countries: a mid-range trip typically costs around 1,200-1,800 DKK (roughly £140-210) per person per day including accommodation. Save money with supermarket picnics, street food and lunch menus. Service is included in bills, so tipping is not expected.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Copenhagen?
Three days covers the highlights; four or five lets you add day trips to Louisiana, Kronborg or Roskilde.
Is Legoland Billund worth it from the UK?
For Lego-loving families, yes. Flights land right next to the park, and it is easy to combine with Lego House and Lalandia in a long weekend.
Do I need cash in Denmark?
Rarely. Cards and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere, and some places are card-only.
Is Denmark expensive?
Yes, it is one of the pricier countries in Europe, especially for eating out and alcohol. Self-catering, lunch deals and free attractions help.
Written by
Thomas Ski, mountains & expeditions editor
Thomas is happiest above the tree line or below the Antarctic Circle. He writes our ski, mountain and polar expedition guides.
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