Denmark Travel

Denmark tours and sightseeing

Due to its close geographic proximity, Denmark also shares a very close cultural and historical relationship with Sweden and Norway as well as with the other Nordic countries; Finland, Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. As a matter of fact, Scandinavia is often used interchangeably for the Nordic countries among speakers of the English language.

Denmark is the smallest and most southern nation among the Nordic countries and is nestled between the Baltic Sea off its east coast and the North Sea off its west coast. Sweden is northeast of Denmark , Norway is north, while Germany is at its southern border. The entire Kingdom of Denmark consists of a large peninsula called Jutland and hundreds of islands. The overall number of islands whose area is one hundred square meters or greater totals 1,419 and they are usually referred to as the Danish Archipelago. 443 islands of the Danish Archipelago have been named but only seventy six are currently inhabited. The largest and most significant of the Danish islands are Zealand, Funen, Vendsyssel-Thy, Lolland, Falster and Bornholm.

With an average elevation of thirty one meters or one hundred and two feet above sea level, Denmark is topographically flat and has but a few hills worth mentioning. At 170.86 meters or 560.56 feet above sea level, Mollehoj is Denmark 's highest natural feature. The total length of the Danish coastline is 7,314 kilometers or 4,544 miles and no location in Denmark is further than 52 kilometers or 32.3 miles from any of its coasts. Due to the fact that the seas constantly erode from and deposit to the Danish coastlines and, further, due to land reclamation projects, it is virtually impossible to determine its exact area of Denmark.

Climatically, Denmark enjoys a temperate zone. Therefore its winters are not, for the most part, very harsh nor cold. And the summers are likewise mild. Denmark has an average of 170 rainy days per year and the major rainfalls are in November. Because of Denmark 's northern location, daylight varies greatly: In the summer the sun rises at 3:30 a.m. and sets at 10:00 p.m. while in the winter the sun does not rise until 9:30 a.m. and sets as early as 4:30 p.m.

Based on standards of their health, welfare and education, Denmark has been rated as “the happiest place in the world” by an international survey taken in 2006 and again in 2007. Denmark 's national capital and its largest city located on its largest island, Zealand, is Copenhagen and in 2007 it was ranked as the third most livable city in the world by Monocle magazine.

Now that you are armed with some basic facts about Denmark , allow me to present you with a list of places to see in this beautiful country.

Denmark is often by-passed by tourists who opt for the more well known European countries. However, the country has a charm and appeal all of its own and is a mix of forests, ancient castles, busy cities and sprawling countryside.

Denmark is the smallest of the Scandinavian countries and is bordered by the North Sea, and the Baltic Sea. Germany is its only connection to mainland Europe. It also consists of 400 named islands, 82 of which are inhabited. And do check out the best Denmark hotels we have been able to find.

Sights

The country's capital is Copenhagen that in the dim and distant past was a small Viking village. It's now a lively major metropolis with so much to see and do. There are numerous museums, art galleries and monuments. One of the most famous being the statue of the Little Mermaid. If your money's burning a hole in your pocket head to the Strøget, a pedestrian only shopping area. Also check out the Tivoli Gardens and the beautiful 17 th century Rosenborg Castle.

In Århus, the country's second largest city and cultural capital, you'll find a hive of activity centred around its many clubs, museums and galleries. There are many attractive museums including Denmark's National Open Air Museum of Urban History and Culture. It recreates a Danish Market town from the time of Hans Christian Anderson.

For lovers of the great outdoors Billund has some quant countryside with beautiful lakes and forests.

Bornholm is an interesting island to visit. It lies about 150 km southeast of Copenhagen and can be reached by ferry. Many Danish and Scandinavians holiday here for its peaceful, relaxed atmosphere, and it's a haven for cyclists, hikers and anglers.

Transport

Most of the international flights arrive at Copenhagen. There are daily bus and rail services between Germany and Denmark's Jutland peninsula. Inside the country there's a reasonable rail system and a good network of regional buses.

Climate

Demark has a temperate climate.