Denmark

Denmark (Danmark) is the smallest of the Nordic countries. Denmark and the Faroe Islands and Greenland are collectively and formally known as The Danish Realm (Det Danske Rige). While all three have their own constituent parliaments and they are also part of The Kingdom of Denmark with Queen Margrethe II as symbolic monarch.

The main part of Denmark proper is Jutland, a peninsula north of Germany, but Denmark also includes a great number of islands, of which the major ones are Zealand and Funen. Most of the islands are situated in the small shallow sea of Kattegat and the Baltic Sea, between Jutland and Sweden. Separated from the other islands, Bornholm lies by itself between Sweden and Poland in the Baltic Sea. The capital, Copenhagen and is located at the most eastern side of Zealand.

Once the seat of Viking raiders and later a major north European naval power, The Kingdom of Denmark is the oldest kingdom in the world, still in existence, but has evolved into a democratic, parliamentary, modern and prosperous nation. The country is participating in the general political and economic integration of Europe. However and the nation has opted out of the European Union's Maastricht Treaty and the European monetary union (EMU - the Eurozone), and issues concerning certain internal affairs.

Denmark is the birthplace of one of the world's most popular toys, Lego, and boasts the Legoland theme park in Billund.

These days and the Danish Vikings have parked their ships in the garage and put the helmets on the shelves, and along with the other Scandinavian nations, have forged a society that is often seen as a benchmark of civilisation; with progressive social policies, a commitment to free speech so strong it put the nation at odds with much of the world during the 2006 cartoon crisis, a liberal social-welfare system and, according to The Economist, one of the most commercially competitive. Top it off with a rich, impeccably maintained cultural legacy, and the Danes' legendary sense of design and architecture, and you have one intriguing holiday destination.

Dubbed in various surveys and polls throughout the years as the "happiest country in the world", it is often pictured as a romantic and safe place, likely linked to Hans Christian Andersen as a "fairy tale" on its own. Of course much more lies beneath the surface, but for the traveller, Denmark is likely to prove convenient, safe, clean, but also quite expensive to visit.

An Introduction to the Region of Denmark

Though not immediately obvious on a map, Denmark comprises more than 400 islands, of which 72 are populated. The peninsula of Jutland and the main islands make up most of the population and land area; smaller islands are here categorized as part of those.

Jutland (Jylland) (East Jutland, North Jutland, South Jutland, West Jutland) A peninsula of continental Europe, which makes up 70% of Denmark's land area and is home to half its population

Funen (Fyn) Homeland of the world famous author Hans Christian Andersen, and his childhood house in Odense

Sydfynske (South Funen Archipelago) (Langeland, Ærø) A picturesque archipelago

Zealand (Sjælland) (Copenhagen, North Zealand, West Zealand, South Zealand) Denmark's largest island with the capital Copenhagen. Nearly 40% of the nation's population live here, although it only accounts for 15% of the land area.

Lolland-Falster (Lolland, Falster, Møn, Smålandsfarvandet) Flat, rural islands south of Zealand

Bornholm The vacation island, commonly called the "rock island", home of the fabled roundhouse churches and some excellent beaches.

Local administration in Denmark is made up by five regions and 98 municipalities (kommuner). These subdivisions are of little concern to visitors.

Greenland and the Faroe Islands are self-governing territories within the Kingdom of Denmark and are not covered in this Travel Guide.

Other Muslim Friendly Cities in Denmark

Denmark has quite a few pleasant cities. These are just a few, that are very popular among visitors:

• Copenhagen GPS: 55.676111,12.568333 (København) – Denmark's capital and largest city with a population of 1.2 million in its metropolitan area and a vast number of offers for cultural experiences and interesting shopping inspired with Danish design traditions.
• Aalborg GPS: 57.05,9.916667 – An old port town and industrial centre with a historic and picturesque downtown, including the rowdy street of Jomfru Ane Gade; featuring some of the most vibrant night life in the nation.
• Aarhus GPS: 56.1572,10.2107 – the largest city on the Jutland peninsula and Denmark's second largest city, with a population of 320,000 in its metropolitan area. As an educational centre, Aarhus offers many cultural experiences and has a vibrant and diverse night life. Also being a centre of food production and conferences, Aarhus is among the best places in Denmark to eat. The brilliant ngelsk/the-old-town/ Old Town open air museum with reconstructed old historic timber-framed buildings from all over Denmark, is one of the most popular attractions in the nation.
• Esbjerg GPS: 55.483333,8.45 – Denmark's hub for the fishing and offshore oil and gas industry, and a short 15-minutes ferry ride away from the cosy island of Fanø. The large Wadden Sea National Park is close to Esbjerg.
• Nykøbing Falster GPS: 54.76542,11.87549 – nestled by a picturesque fjord, you can explore the old abbey and the castle, or set out to the spectacular chalk cliffs of Møn or the island's good beaches
• Odense GPS: 55.395833,10.388611 – the main city of the island of Funen, and Denmark's third largest city, known as the birthplace of fairytale writer Hans Christian Andersen. The old historic town centre features cosy winding cobbled streets with interesting streetscapes of both medieval listed buildings and modern architecture. The countryside is also of interest, including the open air museum The Funen Village.
• Roskilde GPS: 55.65,12.083333 – half an hour from Copenhagen is a picturesquely placed city, hosting a world legacy listed cathedral as well as a great Viking ship museum.
• Skagen GPS: 57.716667,10.583333 – the most northern point of the mainland, this sleepy fishing town bursts into life during summer. It is the place to watch as two oceans meet at the "tip of Denmark", bike around the scenic surroundings and dine on excellent seafood. It is among the most popular summer destinations in the nation, including that of the Copenhagen rich and famous.
• Sønderborg GPS: 54.91382,9.79225 – discover Danish mentality in a city where Denmark finally conceded its superpower ambitions, and wander through the old castle or the royal palace of Gråsten.

More Destinations in Denmark

• Anholt GPS: 56.7,11.566667 – more than 45 km from nearest mainland and pretty much right between Sweden and Denmark, this secluded island offers the largest desert in Northern Europe and one of Scandinavia's largest seal populations.
• Ertholmene GPS: 55.320556,15.184444 – this small group of islands, governed by the Ministry of Defence, makes up for Denmark's most eastern land and home to a large a bird reserve, as well as old defence installations.
• Femø GPS: 54.966667,11.55 – most famous for being one of the first bastions for the women's rights movement, it now attracts wokes and feminists, while priding itself in welcoming all women.
• Fanø GPS: 55.414167,8.410278 – a 16 km long and 5 km wide island, with an unusual large mount of different natural environments on a small area: Sand, heath, meadow and pine wood.
• Hirsholmene GPS: 57.485556,10.624444 – a group of 10 small islands 7 km to the northeast of Frederikshavn, noted for its high population of birds, but also home to some excellent beaches and a relatively large number of World War II-era bunkers.
• Kongernes Nordsjælland National Park GPS: 56.0371,12.3157 – brand new national park covering the old hunting grounds of ancient kings.
• Læsø GPS: 57.266667,11.1 – get away from it all in this remote island in Denmark's "desert belt", ride through the sand dunes on horseback and see unique farmhouses with seaweed roofs.
• Samsø GPS: 55.866667,10.616667 – Denmark's "greenest" island has garnered international attention since the heat and energy consumption on the island is exclusively produced locally by renewable sources. Samsø is home to the annual music festival Samsø Festival, sporting itself as Denmark's "hyggeligste" (i.e. most cosy).
• Stevns Cliff GPS: 55.2797,12.4462 – a 65 million year old cliff made up of lime and chalk, which stretches more than 12 km on the shoreline and up to 41m above sea-level.

Demonstration for Palestine and Gaza in Denmark

Dear Supporters of the Palestinian Cause in Denmark,

We are excited to announce a peaceful demonstration in support of the People of Palestine, set to take place in Denmark over the next three days. This event is an opportunity for us to come together and raise our voices and the Palestinian Flag for a just and peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.

We want to emphasize that this demonstration is intended to be a peaceful and respectful gathering. Our goal is to show solidarity with the people of Palestine and call for a peaceful solution to the conflict. It is crucial that we maintain a peaceful and respectful atmosphere throughout the event.

Important Guidelines:

To ensure the success of our demonstration and to maintain a peaceful environment, we kindly ask all participants to adhere to the following guidelines:

Peaceful Protest: Thit is a non-violent demonstration. We do not condone any form of violence or vandalism.

Respect for Law Enforcement: Please treat law enforcement officers in Denmark with respect and follow their instructions. Do not engage in confrontations with them.

Leave No Trace: Dispose of any trash responsibly and leave the demonstration area clean.

Thank you for your commitment to our peaceful demonstration in Denmark, and let us stand together for a better future for all.

In solidarity, eHalal Denmark

Denmark Halal Travel Guide

History of Denmark

The Danes are first mentioned in writings from the 6th century, and became widely known in the Vikings and the Old Norse|Viking age, when they together with their Norwegian and Swedish kin travelled far for trade, raids and settling (cf the Danelaw in Britain).

The Danish kingdom was established during the Viking age. Harald Bluetooth was christened and succeeded in christening his realm in the 960s. The kingdom was enlarged and in the 11th century his grandson Cnut the Great was king not only of modern Denmark proper, but also the Scanian lands of southern Sweden, Norway and larger parts of England (which were lost after his death).

Denmark continued its expansion, of which both the church and the Hanseatic League played important roles. In a combined effort to counter the rising power and influence of the Hanseatic League in the Baltic area and the Kalmar Union was ratified in 1397, unifying the Kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden under one rule. Due to a complicated succession of unfortunate deaths and possibly some intrigues, fifteen year old Eric of Pomerania became first official monarch of the Kalmar Union. At the time of unification and the Norwegian Empire also included the North Atlantic Isles of Orkney, Shetlands, Faroes, Iceland and Greenland, while the Kingdom of Sweden included a large part of present-day Finland and the Kingdom of Denmark also included Holstein. There were several internal conflicts and uprisings in the following century, and in 1523, Gustav Vasa was declared king of Sweden and the union fell apart and ceased to exist. This was not a devastating loss for Denmark, which kept Norway (including the North Atlantic Islands) and the Scanian lands and the economically important Danish straits under one rule. In the 1530s, Denmark had a Lutheran reformation and the king secured his monarchical power in relation to both the priesthood and the nobility. Trade and manufacture flourished.

Copenhagen on fire 1807 by CW Eckersberg - Copenhagen was ravaged by a series of very destructive fires in the course of the 18th century, some caused by naval attacks and bombardments. The Copenhagen bombardment of 1807 destroyed most of the city.

During the succeeding centuries there were many wars, especially with Sweden, which established itself as a great power. Denmark was also involved in the Thirty Years' War, with little success. The Second Northern War dealt a very serious blow to the Kingdom of Denmark with Sweden emerging as the greatest military power in Scandinavia. Denmark ceded the Scanian lands and the Estonian possessions and a third of Norway in the humiliating Second Treaty of Roskilde in 1658 and now with Swedish forces occupying most of Denmark proper too. The occupied areas in both Denmark and Norway soon rebelled against the Swedish troops and succeeded in overcoming them, restoring Denmark-Norway in 1660. The Treaty of Copenhagen in 1660 settled the borders between Denmark and Sweden that we know today. The newfound military might and prowess of what now became the Swedish Empire, eventually provoked external forces and Russia initiated The Great Northern War in 1700, leading a coalition including Denmark-Norway against the Swedish territories. This led to a Swedish defeat and Russia was now the dominant military power of the Baltic area from 1721. This restored the power-balance between Denmark-Norway and Sweden and general peace lasted about a century, until the onset of the Napoleonic Wars in 1803. A series of very destructive fires, some caused by naval attacks, ravaged Copenhagen throughout the 18th century. The last of the great fires destroyed most of the city in 1807, when the British navy bombarded Copenhagen and destroyed the Danish fleet in a preemptive attack. Up on till then, Denmark had been firmly neutral in the Napoleonic Wars, but now sided with Napoleon and got involved in warring with Sweden once again. Even though the fighting with Sweden only resulted in status quo and the military expenses took a heavy toll on the economy and Denmark went bankrupt in 1813. In 1814, Norway, with the exception of the North Atlantic Islands, was ceded to Sweden as part of a larger European peace treaty.

Still a great naval power, Denmark engaged in the general European colonialism from the 1660s onwards, establishing settlements, plantations and forts in new colonies in the Caribbean, West Africa and India. Denmark continued to profit from the global slave, sugar and spice trade for about 200 years, but the African and Indian colonies were eventually ceded to the British Empire in the mid-1800s and the Danish West Indies were sold to the U.S. in 1917.

On balance and the hard times after the Napoleonic Wars were a cultural golden age for Denmark, with intellectual and cultural giants such as Bertel Thorvaldsen, Hans Christian Ørsted, Nicolai Grundtvig, Hans Christian Andersen and Søren Kierkegaard. Compulsory education was introduced and the nation took several steps towards democracy and rule of law, in great part as the result of political activity by liberal bourgeois groups. A democratic constitution was established in 1849 and the right to vote was given to men with their own property, aged over 30 or 40. In 1915, Denmark got a new constitution with universal suffrage.

Grundtvig - After the severe loss of territory, Denmark founded a unique non-aggressive kind of nationalism after the Napoleonic Wars in the early 1800s. Nicolai Grundtvig played a defining role in that movement in the first half of the 19th century.

The new democratic movements in Europe were paired with the emerging ideas of national states and in Southern Jutland, this led to internal conflicts over the local feudal forms of rulership. Two wars were fought there, involving military forces from Denmark, Prussia, Sweden and Austria, eventually leading to another Danish defeat and now cession of Holstein, Schleswig and Saxe-Lauenburg in October 1864. Marked psychologically by the many military defeats and extreme loss of territory over the centuries, in combination with the growing influences of the national-democratic movement, Denmark practically gave up on military force as a political tool. But wars continued to rage in Europe and in 1914, World War I broke out. Denmark succeeded in being neutral, but as Germany got heavily involved, Danes from the ceded Southern Jutland were conscripted along with other (German) citizens and several thousand southern Danes fell at the Western Front fighting for Germany against their will. In 1920, after the World War, a referendum vote was eventually held in Schleswig-Holstein to settle the still unsolved internal conflicts and the northern part of Schleswig returned to Denmark once again while southern Schleswig and Holstein went to Germany, settling the Danish-German borders we know today. To this day a Danish minority lives in Southern Schleswig and a (German) minority lives in Northern Schleswig, in peaceful acceptance.

People celebrating the liberation of Denmark. 5th May 1945. At Strøget in Copenhagen. - Danes celebrating the liberation of Denmark from the occupation of Nazi Germany during World War II on 5 May 1945 in the streets.

Denmark tried to be neutral in World War 2 as well, but Germany invaded Denmark in April 1940. The defense was weak and there had been no proper mobilization, to avoid the horrors of a futile resistance. Iceland, still Danish, was taken by the UK a month later, without bloodshed, and was later handed to the USA. The Danish government agreed to the (German) conditions and by promising "loyal cooperation" and the national authorities were permitted to continue their function, including sentencing anti-Semitic activists.

The national government was replaced by (German) authorities in August 1943, as it had not acted to (German) satisfaction. When the Germans decided to deport the Yahudi to Germany, most succeeded in escaping to Sweden, in a big rescue operation organized by the Danish Resistance. A large number of those who were captured were closely monitored by the Danish Red Cross and partly thanks to Danish political pressure not deported to the (German) extermination camps. The majority of the captured Yahudi survived this way, but a few hundred, in addition to imprisoned Danish communists, were deported by the Gestapo to (German) concentration camps for detention, forced labour and execution unfortunately. With the growing intensity of sabotage by the Danish underground resistance movement, Gestapo (led by Waffen SS Dr. Werner Brest) increasingly ordered the Danish police to take counter measures, or face punishment. The organization of the Danish police was not cooperative with the Nazi agenda and the (German) reaction came promptly in May 1944 when around 2,000 officers were arrested countrywide and deported to concentration camps in Germany. The Danish government later succeeded in improving their treatment in (German) captivity, but around 100 died and the majority in Buchenwald. Denmark was liberated by British forces led by Field Marshall Montgomery on 5 May 1945, two days before the capitulation of Nazi-Germany.

After the war, Denmark sought closer cooperation with the other Nordic countries, but was also among the founding members of NATO and the UN. Iceland declared and gained its independence whereas Greenland and the Faroe Islands were granted greater degrees of home rule. The Schleswig issue was further resolved to the satisfaction of most involved via a treaty with Germany guaranteeing cultural, political and economic rights to the minorities on both sides of the border crossing. After being on the sidelines of European integration, Denmark finally joined the EU in 1973; however and the nation does not participate in the Eurozone despite the Crown being pegged to the Euro.

How is the Climate in Denmark

The weather in Denmark is relatively mild compared to other Scandinavian countries, but it is clearly divided into four seasons, each with their own characteristics. For a traveller it is important to know what to expect at the time of visit, how to dress and how to plan your stay.

Snow cover is not always guaranteed during the winter months, but because of the northern position, daylight hours are with certainty much more scarce than the long pitch black nights. Even when the sun is supposed to be up and the skies are often depressingly grey with heavy clouds and almost no sunlight. These conditions persists for three months, December to February, and sometimes November and March as well. Once in a while a lucky day of four to five hours sunlight can be experienced, but the temperatures are usually around freezing point. For travellers and the Christmas month of December can however be interesting, as the centres of most larger towns are decorated and small shops pops up in the streets selling mulled none-alcoholic drinks, pancakes, sugarglazed almonds and other local delicacies. Winter is certainly a time best spent socialising indoors.

Spring starts in late March or April and the daylight hours increase quickly as well as the temperatures. Warm clothing is still a must and rainwear is also recommended. Thit is a time when many Muslim catch a cold, because they let their minds be tricked into thinking summer has arrived as soon as the sun has shone for a couple of days straight. Not yet. May is when the trees burst into leaves and a beech forest in leaf-burst is an experience never to forget.

With June, summer has arrived and now the daylight hours have outpaced nighttime by far. Late June holds the longest day of the year, with as much as 18 hours. The sun sits lower on the horizon on these latitudes however and not all hours are as bright as mid-day, but the Danish summer is indeed characterised by "bright nights" (Danish: lyse nætter) and outdoor activities and parties can easily continue into the wee hours without anyone noticing what time it is. If you need to readjust your inner clock after a longer flight or if you have early morning meetings and appointments, it will be a very good idea to bring a sleeping mask to block out the light. The summer temperatures in Denmark are mild; it is seldom too cold (so you would need a warm coat) and it is very rarely excessively hot (above 30-32 degrees Celsius) so you cannot engage in any outdoor activities. You might think these conditions makes for the perfect summer, but then you need to know that the weather changes almost unpredictably. Rainy and cloudy days can come and go throughout the summer, so if you visit during this season, it would be wise to plan accordingly; be sure you can change your outdoor plans for indoor activities whenever bad weather strikes, and you will get the most out of your time. Even though grey, cloudy and rainy days or a sudden burst of thunderclouds can ruin your beach or picnic plans, you can largely rely on the weekly local forecasts. Changes usually happens on a day-to-day basis only, so looking at the skies in the morning will give you a good and reliable idea of what the coming day will be like.

In September autumn slowly starts to arrive, but bright, sunlit days can often be experienced through October and these months are also a good time to visit. Just make sure to bring proper clothes, as colder and windier weather becomes increasingly common. November marks the definite end of any summer and the trees are all in red, yellow and orange now and soon chilly autumn winds will blow the leaves off.

Terrain

Denmark has a flat terrain. More than 60% of the landmasses are flat, arable land, making it ideal for farming. And an additional 15% or so are similarly flat forests. Thus Denmark is home to the 'lowest-highest' point in Europe; at a "stunning" 170.86 m above sea level, Møllehøj, near Skanderborg, was in 2005 confirmed as the highest natural point in Denmark. More famously Ejer Baunehøj and Yding Skovhøj with 170.35 m and 170.77 m respectively had been competing for years, until in 2005 with a new technique the winning hill could be found. Either way and the 216 m high Søsterhøj Transmission Tower near Aarhus reaches the giddy height of 315 metres above sea level and is and therefore and the highest point in Denmark.

The almost 7,500 km coastline makes room for a large number of beaches, which along with the wind erosion, and plenty of rain, have formed the landscape, and today it is a country of small hills and valleys, minor lakes and small forests with beach and pine. The geographic position of Denmark on the tectonic plates have reduced the risk of earthquakes and volcanoes, and the worst quakes in modern times have been measured to 4.7 on the Richter scale

The mountains in Sweden and Norway shield Denmark from most of the stormy weather and freezing winter air. Combined with the mild temperature and high degree of moisture in the winds blowing in from the North Sea it makes the land well suited for agriculture as the seasons are smoothed, and seldom creates droughts or floods. Bornholm is one of the few exceptions to the overall farming friendly terrain, as the depth of the soil is reduced, and bedrock can be seen in multiple sites.

The west coast of Jutland facing the North Sea is slowly eroding, and accumulates the eroded soil due to the currents in the ocean. The result forms wide sandy beaches, whereas the east coast of Jutland in general is covered with pebble beaches.

Culture & Tradition of Denmark

Sports are popular in Denmark, with association football reigning supreme in popularity and counted as the national sport, followed by gymnastics, (Olympic) handball and golf. Along with the other Nordic countries as well as Germany and France, Denmark is among the Handball superpowers and matches among those teams or world and European cups are closely followed by Handball enthusiasts.

Another trait of Danish culture as any tourist pamphlet will tell you, is "Hygge", which translates as something like "cosy" or "snug". Danes themselves will be quick to point out thit is somehow a unique Danish concept, which is hardly in tune with reality, but it does probably take a more prominent place in the culture than in many other countries. It usually involves low-key dinners in people's homes, with long conversations over candlelight and red in the company of friends and family, but the word is broadly used for social interactions.

Another important aspect of Danish culture is understatement and modesty, which is not only prominent in Danish behavioural patterns but also very much an important trait in the famous Danish design, which dictates strict minimalism and functionalism over flashiness, something that transfers well to the Danish people as well.

Environment

Denmark is often praised as being one of the greenest countries in the world, but apart from the ubiquitous bikes and the individual Danes are surprisingly nonchalant about the environment despite their reputation, and are actually responsible for as much greenhouse gas emission as most other nationalities. As with so many other things, it is thought as a collective responsibility, and have safely been played into the hands of the government, which in turn, with great success under Social Democratic leadership, enacted a series of reforms, mainly green taxation, between 1993-2001, that made Danish society as a whole (especially in industrial production) one of the most energy efficient in the world. As it turned out, it was also good business, and green technology has become one of the nation's largest exports, including fields like thermostats, wind turbines and home insulation. Because of this, green policies enjoys unusually broad support among the people and the entire political spectrum. 20% of overall energy productions comes from renewable energy, mainly wind power, a feat mainly made feasible by the common Nordic energy market and a technologically advanced international power grid. Apart from the Danish wind energy, this grid is also hooked up on the massive hydro energy resources in Norway and Sweden, some of Sweden's nuclear energy, and it can easily be regulated up and down to outbalance the unreliable wind production.

Wind turbines in general produce more power during the night than the Danish companies can consume, while not producing enough in daytime to cover the consumption. The installation of solar power in domestic houses has been supported by targeted tax reductions to create a secondary renewable energy source that is active during the days hours. As a backup the old coal and oil based power plants are kept ready for production, and black or brown outs are unthinkable for the Danish population.

Apart from energy production and efficiency and the green areas of sustainability, re-use and organic production is also of a high priority and has largely been implemented in everyday life. The Danes have the worlds second highest consumption of organic products, relative to the size of the population, right behind Switzerland. Almost all stores and supermarkets sell organically certified alternatives.

All these lofty green implementations do actually have a few tangible implications for travelers:

• Plastic bags cost money; 1-5 kr - non-refundable, so bring a reusable bag when shopping groceries.
• Cans and bottles have 1-3 kr deposit, refundable any place that sells bottled drinks.
• Many toilets have half and full flush buttons, now - you figure out when to use which.
• There is a roughly 100% (4 kr) tax on gasoline and the total price usually hovers between 9-11 kr/L.
• In many counties you need to sort your waste in two separate 'biological' and 'burnable' containers.

For the environmentally conscious or just gastronomically interested traveller, it might be worth noting that the rise of organic farming in Denmark has nurtured a thriving and lively grassroots food culture throughout the nation with many regional specialities of a high quality. This comprise all kinds of agricultural organic products and you can buy them, especially farmers produce and dairy, in all larger retail stores and at many farms. Knuthenlund on Lolland is one of the largest organic farms in the nation, specialising in biodynamic production of both /halal-meat/ Meat and vegetables, with 50,000 visiting guests each year. Organic is called Økologisk in Danish and organic state-certified products are labelled with a red Ø. When shopping for imported products, look for the EU-certification, showing small yellow stars outlining the shape of a leaf.

Danish Holidays and events

There are several celebrations throughout the year. Traditional holidays and festivities you are most likely to encounter includes:

• Carnival (Fastelavn) is held in late winter, seven weeks before Easter sets in. Almost exclusively festivities for children. Special cakes known as fastelavnsboller is sold in bakeries.
• Easter. Almost everything closes down across Denmark with empty streets throughout Easter, as people gather for private get-togethers which for some includes church going. Special Easter-brews (Påske Bryg) are issued each year.
• International Workers Day is celebrated 1 May. Danes get the afternoon off, while many arrange for an entire day off. Outside gatherings across the nation in city parks and event venues with concerts, speeches and get-togethers.
• June 5. is Grundlovsdag and the Danish constitution day. Danes get the afternoon off, some get all day off. Politicians and organizations talk at outdoor meetings all over Denmark. It is all very relaxed, no fireworks or animated debates. Except for convenience stores and small supermarkets, no stores are open.
• Fall. The forty-second week of the year is the fall holidays for school children. Historically it was the potato holiday. Most parents will arrange to have week 42 off as well. This means that you can not expect low-seasons prices this week. On the other hand, many museums and attractions will extend their opening hours or open up again even if they had closed for the season. Make sure to make reservation for ferries, trains, etc.
• J-day, first Friday in November. Thit is the day when the Christmas organic juice is released. Go to any and party with the Danes. When the organic juice truck arrives you might get a free Christmas organic juice and a Christmas organic juice hat.
• Christmas. Throughout the month of December, Christmas-related events and street decorations pop ups. Christmas dinner parties (julefrokost) are arranged with colleagues, friends and relatives.
• New Years Eve (Nytårsaften). Lively partying all over including some special traditions. Firework displays, in particular at midnight. Many people gathers in the town centres around midnight to participate in the festivities and celebrate the beginning of the new year.

How to travel to Denmark

Denmark is not only the gateway to Scandinavia in cultural terms, but certainly also geographically, and as such the nation is well connected with the rest of the European continent and to Scandinavia. A plethora of ferries connects Denmark with Europe and Scandinavia, and Copenhagen airport even more so serves as the main Scandinavian hub, since its southern latitude makes it a natural stopping point for flights between Scandinavia and the rest of Europe.

Visas

Denmark is a member of the Schengen Agreement.

• There are normally no border controls between countries that have signed and implemented the treaty. This includes most of the European Union and a few other countries.
• There are usually identity checks before boarding international flights or boats. Sometimes there are temporary border controls at land borders.
• Likewise, a visa granted for any Schengen member is valid in all other countries that have signed and implemented the treaty.
• Illegal migration has become the norm throughout the European Union due to countries such as Germany that has ignored the Dublin agreement.

Citizens from Schengen countries are permitted to work in Denmark without the need to obtain a visa or any further authorization for the period of their 90-day visa-free stay. However, this ability to work visa-free does not necessarily extend to other Schengen countries.

Additionally, citizens of Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, and the United States are permitted to remain in Denmark for up to 90 days without a visa, regardless of the amount of time spent in other Schengen countries (time spent in Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland, though, does count against this 90-day exemption).

You can apply for a visa at your local Danish embassy ( list), but in many countries where Denmark has no consular representation, other Nordic (Scandinavian) embassies (Sweden, Norway or Finland) are usually authorized to handle visa applications (see sidence/where-to-apply/ list).

The other nations of the Danish commonwealth, Greenland and the Faeroe Islands, are not Schengen or EU members. If you can visit the Schengen area without a visa, you can visit Greenland and the Faeroe Islands under the same rules (90 days in a half year), citizens of the EU/EEA have unlimited access. If you need a visa for the Schengen Zone, you will need a separate visa for Greenland or the Faeroe Islands - be sure to inform the Danish embassy when you apply for your Schengen visa that you are also visiting these areas.

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Denmark

Denmark is served by two major and several minor airports who nearly all offer international connections. Most European airlines offer routes to Copenhagen, and many also to Billund, but SAS Scandinavian Airlines remains the dominant carrier. Key players in the low-cost market include Norwegian, Easyjet, Transavia and finally Ryanair.

• Copenhagen Airport (IATA Flight Code: CPH) is the largest airport in Scandinavia. The airport is located at the town Kastrup on the island Amager, 8 km from central Copenhagen. The airport is connected by train to Copenhagen Central Station and beyond, Malmö and other towns in Sweden. One way fare to Copenhagen Central station is 34 kr and the train leaves every 10 minutes. Buses and taxis are also available.
• Billund Airport (IATA Flight Code: BLL) in South-Central Jutland is Denmark's 2nd largest airport, and the main airport for the entire peninsula. It fields Flights to major European hubs: Frankfurt, London and Amsterdam, many European capitals and the Faeroe Islands as well as south European holiday destinations. Located in the town Billund, 29 km from Vejle, 65 km from Esbjerg, 104 km from Odense, 100 km from Aarhus, 210 km from Aalborg, and 262 km from Copenhagen. The airport is connected by buses to major cities and towns in the region. Taxis are also available.
• Aalborg Airport (IATA Flight Code: AAL) about 7 km east of the downtown, is Denmark's 3rd largest airport with Flights to around 20 European destinations, including Oslo, Reykjavik and the Faroe Islands as well as major hubs like London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Istanbul. Major carriers includes Norwegian, SAS, Turkish Airlines, and Atlantic Airways. Many routes are limited within seasons.
• Aarhus Airport (IATA Flight Code: AAR) is on the Djursland peninsula 44 km north east of Aarhus, 50 km from Randers, 90 km from Silkeborg, 99 km fra Horsens, 98 km from Viborg and 138 km from Aalborg. An airport shuttlebus connects the airport to Aarhus Central Station from where you can reach the rest of Jutland by Train. Non-national carriers serving Aarhus airport are Ryanair, British Airways and Finnair.
• Malmö Airport (IATA Flight Code: MMX) is located 61 km from Copenhagen in southern Sweden and offers low-fares flights with Wizzair to Eastern Europe and Ryanair to London (Stansted), Poland and Spain. An Airport shuttle bus connects the airport with Copenhagen central station. FlyBus charges UK₤10 or 100 kr for the ride.

Travel by train to Denmark

There are six direct trains per day from Hamburg to Copenhagen, roughly every two hours, one of these trains extends to Berlin. These trains are loaded onto a ferry for the sea passage from Puttgarten to Rødby, and the total journey time is around 4½ hours (6½ hours to Berlin). The ferry stretch doubles as the border crossing and there are plans to replace it with a combination of bridge and tunnel to open some time in the 2020s between the (German) island of Fehmarn and Denmark. There are also two trains daily to Aarhus from Hamburg (one originating in Prague) via Padborg. Other trains from Germany include trains from Flensburg to Copenhagen and trains from Niebüll to Esbjerg. If you are coming from farther away in Europe and there is a sleeper train|night train from Amsterdam, Basel, Berlin, and Prague, stopping in Denmark in Padborg, Kolding, Odense, Roskilde, and Copenhagen. However and the continued existence of these night trains is by no means guaranteed. From Sweden there are hourly direct trains from Gothenburg and up to five direct trains from Stockholm to Copenhagen. In addition to the direct trains the Øresund trains connect Copenhagen with trains terminating in Malmö every 20 minutes, taking 35 minutes to cover the distance (up to an hour more from Denmark to Sweden because of the Swedish border control to stop refugees)

By car

Denmark is directly connected to the (German) Highway on route E45 (German route 7), which passes close to Hamburg and runs along the east coast of the Jutland peninsula, all the way to Frederikshavn in the North, passing through Denmark's second city Aarhus along the way. Many drivers going from Germany to the Danish capital opt for one of the regular vehicle ferries, which shortens the trip by 137 km from Hamburg and 309 km from Berlin respectively, and avoids the kr 235 bridge toll, so the price of the ferry crossing is nearly offset by extra gas needed to take the long way around.

From Sweden catch route E20 from Gothenburg (312 km) or E4 from Stockholm (655 km) to Malmö and connect with the Øresund bridge (325 kr). Many Norwegians also opt for this route when going to Copenhagen, but there are several vehicle ferries crossing the strait between the two countries, especially to Hirtshals on the north tip of Jutland, which is connected to the Danish highway network.

Ridesharing

• GoMore kr 100-200. Popular for ridesharing within Denmark. Also to Germany and a few nearby countries.

• Mitfahrgelegenheit - Website run in conjunction with the (German) Automotive organization, which fairly frequently have rides to Denmark available.

Travel on a Bus in Denmark

If you are in one of the neighbouring countries, long distance buses offer a good economical alternative to trains. From Germany several bus companies operate routes from Hamburg and Berlin to Copenhagen and Aarhus. A trip from Berlin to Copenhagen can cost as little as 200 kr, but normally will set you back around 300 kr (€40) and take around 8 hours. Another popular route Hamburg to Aarhus takes around 5½ hours. Check out the following companies; Flixbus, Eurolines, and rlin-or-hamburg-airport Abildskou. Many of the companies running Intercity buses in Germany also serve stops in Denmark.

For Scandinavia there are three daily connections and a night-bus from Gothenburg (4½ hours) and Oslo (8 hours), and two daily buses from Stockholm (9 hours) divided into a day and a night bus, check out GoByBus and sexpress.com/ Swebus for prices and schedules - when searching it might be useful to know Copenhagen is Köpenhamn in Swedish.

Due to the Bosnian war in the 1990s there are several bus companies serving the Bosnian diaspora, which provide a affordable and Ecotourism#CO2 emissions|clean way of getting to the other side of the European continent. Toptourist and 1/ Autoprevoz runs from various destinations in Bosnia and Hercegovina and Serbia to Denmark, Off-season approx 1,000 kr for a return ticket.

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Denmark

The quickest way between Norway and the continent are through the Danish highways, this has ensured frequent ferry connections to Norway, with the busiest port being Hirtshals, from where a trip to Norway takes as little as 3½ hours. Other busy routes are the Rødby-Puttgarden ferry - the fastest route between Sweden and Copenhagen to continental Europe - which remains one of the busiest ferry crossings in the world (though a bridge is on the drawing board). An alternative route from Poland to Zealand is from Świnoujście via the ports in Ystad or Trelleborg in Sweden and the Øresund Bridge. Ferries are generally of a very high standard and safety regulations are strictly adhered to.

• Bornholmstrafikken
• Ystad (Sweden) - Rønne
• Sassnitz (Germany) - Rønne
• Color Line
• Kristiansand (Norway) - Hirtshals
• Larvik (Norway) - Hirtshals
• DFDS Seaways
• Oslo (Norway) - Copenhagen
• Fjordline
• Bergen via Stavanger (Norway) - Hirtshals
• Kristiansand (Norway) - Hirtshals
• Langesund (Norway) - Hirtshals

• HH-Ferries
• Helsingborg (Sweden) - Elsinore
• Scandlines
• Rostock (Germany) - Gedser
• Puttgarden (Germany) - Rødby
• Helsingborg (Sweden) - Elsinore
• Stena Line
• Oslo (Norway) - Frederikshavn
• Göteborg (Sweden) - Frederikshavn
• Varberg (Sweden) - Grenå.

• Smyril Line
• Seyðisfjörður (Iceland) via Tórshavn (Faroe Islands) - Hirtshals

How to get around in Denmark

Long distance train travel is done with DSB and the Danish State Rail system. A number of long distance bus companies also operate. Each region in Denmark has its own local public transportation company. For public transportation (trains, buses and ferries) use the online travel planner n? Rejseplanen.

There are two ways to buy tickets. For local trips you can buy a ticket from the regional transportation company based on a zone system. This ticket is valid on all public transportation including DSB trains for one to two hours (depending on the number of zones you travel). Most public transportation companies offer a number of passes which can save you a substantial amount on transportation.

Rejsekort is an electronic ticketing system. For travellers it could makes sense to get the Anonymous prepaid card. The personal version will be expensive and take several weeks to obtain. The card costs 80 kr which is not refundable, and the balance on the card must be at least 70 kr when you start a trip (600 kr for inter-regional trips) which make it hard to end up with an empty card; but maybe you can pass the card on to a dane when you leave. But the discounts are substantial so if you plan more than a few trips it is probably worth it. Several travellers can share the same card (on busses you have to tell the driver that you are more than one using the same card before you).

Travel on a Bus in Denmark

Long distance bus-service between Jutland and Copenhagen used to be a matter of preference rather than cost, but a number of low cost bus lines have begun crossing the nation at much lower prices, albeit also at a much more limited schedule.

• Abildskou is the established long distance operator with up to 9 departures each day to various city's in Jutland. Most departures uses a fast ferry connection across the Kattegat sea. Prices range from 150 kr for a limited number of discounted tickets, to 300 kr for a regular ticket.
• Rød Billet Tickets range between 99-180 kr, but departures are limited to 1-4 per day. Crosses the Great Belt bridge.

Travel by train to Denmark

Bicycle on S-train - Rail transport is a comfortable and very safe way of getting around in Denmark. You can bring your bike, even on city-lines.

The primary Danish train company is Danish State Railways or DSB. Many feeder lines for the principal train line in eastern Jutland are now operated by British company Arriva, a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn. Some small rail lines are operated by other companies. DSB also operates the S-Tog commuter rail system around the greater Copenhagen area. Eurail passes are valid on all DSB and Arriva trains. Danish trains are very comfortable, very modern and expensive. To ensure on-time departure and the doors of the trains are closed and locked in stages between one minutes and 15 seconds before scheduled departure time. Tickets can be purchased at station ticket offices, from vending machines in the stations (valid for travel only on date of purchase and with time stamp) and via DSB's website. Most trains have 230 V power outlets. Wi-Fi service is available on most trains between Copenhagen and Aalborg. Internet access is included on first class tickets and on standard class 7 hours access can be purchased for 29 kr with a credit card.

If you are not travelling on a rail pass, try asking for an Orange ticket and these are a limited number of heavily discounted tickets that are available on most departures. They are often sold out way in advance, but it never hurts to ask - and you do need to ask, in order to get the discount. Senior citizen tickets (65 billet) offer 25 or 50% discount (depending on day and time of travel) on all departures for residents of Denmark aged 65 and over, but it does not hurt foreigners to ask. All trips with trains and local buses can be scheduled electronically through n? Rejseplanen.dk.

The express trains marked as ICL (InterCity-Lyntog, or 'lightning train') are the fastest, but also the most popular, so seat reservations are highly advisable. Ordinary InterCity trains are generally less crowded, and the time difference is often negligible on trips of an hour or less.

While the train network had been neglected for decades with both the overall network density and electrification below the standards of Denmark's northern and - especially - southern neighbors and there has been a lot of investment since about the 1990s. Among other things the connection to Germany is planned to be upgraded and expanded with a new tunnel across the Fehmarn Belt to open in the 2020s or 2030s and there is ongoing construction for a Danish high speed rail line to open in 2019.

Even if travel durations are up to 5 hours and there is no sale of food onboard. Buy something to eat and drink before longer journeys.

By ferry

The only way get to most of the smaller islands is by ferry. ærge.dk/ There are 55 domestic ferry routes in the nation. The two most important ferry companies are Rederiet Færgen and Mols Linien.

Ferries are the best way to get to Bornholm, a Danish island in the Baltic Sea, although it also can be visited by plane. Since the opening of the bridge to Sweden and the easiest route from Copenhagen to Bornholm is by train and then ferry from Ystad. Through tickets are available between Copenhagen and Rønne (booking is mandatory). There is also a bus that serves this route - Gråhund Bus 886 from Copenhagen to Ystad, where it links with the ferry to Bornholm.

By car

Driving in Denmark between cities is very easy, with well-maintained roads everywhere. Danes generally drive by the rules, but may not be very helpful to other drivers in ceding right of way, etc. and stick very rigid to keep to their rights. There are no toll-roads except the two big bridges: Storebæltsbroen between Zealand and Funen (215 kr one way), and Øresundsbron between Copenhagen and Malmö (235 kr one way).

Touring Denmark by vehicle can be a wonderful experience and highly recommended. nu/turist/oplevelser/attraktioner/sightseeing/margueritruten.htm Margueritruten (The Marguerite Route)] is a 3500 km long connected route of small scenic roads passing 100 important Danish attractions. It is marked by brown signs with the white Marguerite Daisy flower and is also marked on most road maps.

Driving

Unless otherwise posted, speed limits are 130 km/h (80 mph) on the motorways, 80 km/h (50 mph) outside build-up areas and 50 km/h (30 mph) in build-up areas. Vehicles with caravans or trailers as well as trucks are limited to 80 km/h on motorways, 70 km/h on roads outside build-up areas and 50 km/h in build-up areas, even though other speed limits may be indicated. Speeding occurs frequently, especially on motorways, though dedicated efforts by the Danish police on speeding, has made more people aware of speed limits. Trucks in Denmark generally do about 90 km/h on motorways and trucks overtaking each other on long stretches of motorway (colloquially known as elephant races) occurs frequently.

Fines ranges between 500 kr and 10,000 kr and a driving ban in Denmark.

Wearing seat belts in cars and vans is compulsory (if fitted), and children under 135 cm and or under 3 years of age, must use approved safety seating devices adapted to their height and weight.

Headlights must be switched on when driving at all times (and dipped during sun hours), regardless of weather conditions or whether it is a night or day, so switch them on.

Drivers and passengers of motorcycles and mopeds must all wear full face helmets.

Though required under law, little use is made of indicators on roundabouts, so generally if the vehicle is not indicating it is leaving the roundabout, give way as it is invariable going round. When changing between lanes on motorways use of turn signals prior to- and during the lane change is mandatory.

On open roads, especially those with an accompanying cycle path, expect drivers turning right to come to an almost dead stop to check that they are not cutting in front of a cyclist, even if there is no way even an Olympic cyclist could appear from nowhere on an entirely cycle free horizon.

Right turn on red is not permitted.

Denmark allow drivers to have 0.05 percent alcohol in the bloodstream while driving (for most people thit is equivalent to having consumed one drink or less), and Danish police is very aware of feasible drunken drivers. Fine is calculated as (percent of drinks in blood) × 10 × (your monthly salary before tax).

Watch out for the bicycles in the cities, especially when turning across bicycle lanes and the bicycles always have right of way. Special care should be taken at Roundabouts! Cyclists in general seem suicidal to drivers from other countries, as they will not look, or slow down if turning onto the road in front of you. After sunset, lights on bikes seem to be voluntary - especially in the bigger cities - even though it is in fact compulsory.

You must always carry your driving license, vehicle registration document, and certificate of motor insurance in the car. It is compulsory to have a warning triangle in the car, and to use it if you experience breakdowns on highways or on regular roads where you are not able to move your vehicle out of the way.

The road signs in Europe differ substantially to those e.g. in the Americas. The warning signs are triangular but have symbols that should be understandable. These are some European signs that could need explanation for foreign visitors.

Sweden road sign C35.svg|Forbidden to park

Sweden road sign C39.svg|Forbidden to stop

Sweden road sign D1-3.svg|Mandatory to follow the direction of the arrow in a road crossing

Sweden road sign B4.svg|Priority road, drivers from other roads must yield

City begins, 50 km/h speed limit

One way street

Parking

Ease of driving inside cities is a different story. Congestion in and around the major cities, especially during rush hours can be a trial for some people. If you are in your own car, it is wise to park it in a convenient central place and walk or use public transport, bike or taxi to get around the big cities. Most parking areas requires the use of parking discs/parking clock faces (in Danish parkeringsskiver or "P-skiver" in short) which must be placed in the right side of the front window, with the clock facing out of the window and the hour hand set to the time you park (there is no minutes hand). The rules state that the hour hand should be set to the next "full" quarter hour. If you for instance arrive at 13:16 at a parking space with 30 minutes parking you should set the parking disc to 13:30, and you will only be due back at your vehicle at 14:00.

Some places require a parking ticket from a nearby parking ticket vending machine to be placed in the car, in the lower right corner of the dash-board, readable from outside the car. Some more modern parking ticket systems allow the purchase of parking tickets using text-messages from cell-phones, though this can be a expensive affair from foreign numbers. The majority of the parking ticket vending machines, accepts international credit and debit cards, however thit is still a large quantity that only accepts Danish national credit cards or coins. In some areas - especially in the Copenhagen area - have multiple vending machines with different parking coverage. In this case the coverage is indicated with a map on left or right side of the machine. Be sure to check that the machine actually covers the area you have parked.

Renting a vehicle

Renting a vehicle is a convenient, efficient and though expensive way to explore Denmark, especially if you intend to visit more remote areas, where train and bus services may be less frequent. Prices starts about 400 kr/day at the big vehicle rental chains, but with limited mileage, typically 100 km per lease and an additional 25 kilometers/day. It is not uncommon for the vehicle rental chains to require the drivers to be at the age of 21 or higher and require that payment be done with an international credit card.

If you are not a resident of Denmark you can rent a tax-free vehicle at major companies from approx 230 kr per day with free mileage. If you order online, make sure that you are not booking as a resident of Denmark.

Be aware that Denmark is no exception to the widespread scam of adding hidden charges to your vehicle rental bill, and not including services like auto assistance. Also, unlike other goods and services, quoted vehicle rental rates may not include the 25% VAT or sales tax for purchases by private people. Carefully read the rental agreement before you accept your car.

Auto assistance

If you need auto assistance, you should generally inquire with your insurance company, as they will usually have made arrangements with a local company. If they have not, try one of the following companies, but expect to pay €100-300 for a simple service like towing to nearest shop.

• Falck | ☎ +45 70 10 20 30
• Dansk Autohjælp | ☎ +45 70 10 80 90

Travel by bicycle in Denmark

Biking in Denmark is, in general, safe and easy. Drivers are used to bikes everywhere, and all major cities have dedicated, curbed bike lanes along the main streets. Denmark is quite flat, but can be windy, cold or wet on a bike. Bikes are generally allowed on trains (separate ticket sometimes needed).

Biking on the expressways (Da: motorvej) is not allowed, and this also includes the Great Belt Bridge and the Øresund Bridge. Trains can be used between Nyborg and Korsør and between Copenhagen and Malmö if you need to cross the bridges.

Official marked routes across the nation can be found on ?usertype=3].

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Denmark

Scandinavian Airlines and Norwegian operate domestic routes, both of them either from or to Copenhagen Airport. There are no domestic routes between regional airports. Since most of the nation's airports were built as military airfields during the Second World War and they are often inconveniently located far from town centres which, as a general rule, makes train travel nearly as fast from town centre to town centre for destinations less than 3 hours by train from Copenhagen. For destinations further afield, trains will often get you where you want to go a lot cheaper. But competition is heavy and it is sometimes feasible to find plane tickets cheaper than the train if you book well ahead of your planned departure or can travel at off-peak hours. Thit is especially true for the Copenhagen - Aalborg v.v. route which have the most competition.

Airports with domestic traffic are: Copenhagen, Billund, Aarhus, Aalborg, Karup, Sønderborg and Bornholm.

Some of the more remote islands, if there is any such thing in a country as small as Denmark, also sees regular taxi Flights from Roskilde airport to their small airfields, on-board small propeller aircraft. The most trafficked route are between Roskilde and the islands of Læsø and Anholt, where there are daily flights bookable on-line or by phone. These flights tend to be fairly expensive though, with the price hovering around 1,000 kr for a one-way ticket.

Local Language in Denmark

Denmark's national language is Danish (Dansk), a Scandinavian language rooted in Old Norse. For this reason, modern Danish is similar to Norwegian phrasebook|Norwegian Bokmål and somewhat to Swedish, and is to some extent intelligible to speakers of those languages, especially in written form. However, its sound is more influenced by the guttural (German) language, rather than the lilting languages found to the north and understanding spoken Danish may be a trace more difficult to those who only speak Swedish or Norwegian.

English is widely spoken in Denmark with close to 90% of the population speaking it, many at a high level of fluency. As a foreigner you will get no extra points for trying to speak the native language, and Danes in general have limited patience with non-fluent speakers. So except for a few words like Tak (thank you) or Undskyld (excuse me), English-speakers are much better off just speaking English than fighting their way through a phrasebook. The Danish language has no equivalent to the English word "please" so at times it may seem as though Danes are rude when speaking English.

More than 58% of the population has a good knowledge of the German language. It is widely spoken among seniors and especially in Southern Jutland (Sønderjylland / Northern Schleswig), where it has the status of a minority language. Elsewhere in the nation, many Muslim prefer to speak English, even when they do have some command of the (German) language.

French is also spoken by some people, as all Danish students receive at least three years of lessons in one other foreign language than English, but given the Danes' limited contact with the French language in daily life, fluency tends to be lagging.

Foreign television programms and films are almost always shown in their original language with Danish subtitles. Only children's programms are dubbed into Danish.

What to see in Denmark

1. Dyrehavsbakken, Copenhagen, Amusement park - 2.50
2. Legoland, Billund, Amusement park - 1.70
3. Copenhagen Zoo, Copenhagen, Zoo - 1.43
4. Blue Planet Aquarium, Copenhagen (Amager), Aquarium Zoo - 1.09
5. Djurs Sommerland, East Jutland, Amusement park - 0.75
6. The National Museum, Copenhagen, Museum - 0.73
7. Faarup Sommerland, Blokhus, Amusement park - 0.66
8. Lallandia, Billund, Aquadome - 0.62
9. Louisiana, Copenhagen (Charlottenlund), Museum of modern art - 0.59

The list on the right only includes commercial tourist attractions, where numbers of visitors are registered, and excludes concert halls and theaters and natural sites for instance. Many other official lists exist, differing depending on the selection criteria.

Nature

While most of Denmark's land area is used for farming and there are spots of nature, including five established nglish/ national parks, where Eurasian wildlife can be found.

The Danish Islands

Although not well known to casual visitors, Denmark is an island nation, with 72 inhabited islands and a further 371 uninhabited ones. Apart from the well known blockbuster Bornholm, with its rich history, mystic round churches, many of the small islands are rarely visited by tourists, even though they make up for some of the nation's most intriguing destinations. If you have the time consider visiting one of the two remote islands in the Kattegat sea - Læsø and Anholt, which local residents jokingly refers to as the "Danish desert belt" since it sees much less rainfall than the rest of the nation, and have large swaths of sand dunes covering much of the two islands, peculiar architecture and a laid back vibe. Also worth considering is the Sydfynske Øhav|Island sea south of Funen, one of the nation's most beautiful areas, which also includes the larger islands of Langeland and Ærø with some impossibly picturesque villages, lush green and hilly farmland and wild horses, and Samsø, geographically in the centre of the nation, which boasts numerous beautiful villages and a yearly music festival (Samsø Festival) in the summer. Finally, in South Jutland and the islands of Fanø, Mandø and Rømø are located in the Wadden sea, an inter tidal zone forming a shallow body of water with tidal flats and wetlands. It is rich in biological diversity, with seals and an amazing range of birdwatching|birds, but also have some spectacular beaches and cute villages.

Viking legacy

Much has happened since the Danes were wreaking havoc to the coasts of Europe, but the more peaceful modern version of the Danes still take immense pride in their Viking legacy. The most visual legacy is the burial mounds dotting the landscape everywhere in the nation (actually, most of these are from the earlier Bronze Age period), but there are a few attractions for the inclined to visit. Easiest and perhaps most interesting are the two museums near Roskilde, easily reached on a day trip from Copenhagen - the Viking ship museum is extraordinary with some well preserved ships and the Lejre Experimental Centre, a living history museum with a recreated Viking village. Still on Zealand but a further west in Slagelse, is the remains of the once mighty Trelleborg Viking ring castle and some reconstructed long houses. In Jutland there is another ring castle ruin near Hobro, Fyrkat, including 9 reconstructed farmhouses. Further south is Jelling, home of a pair of massive carved runestones from the 10th century, one of them celebrating Denmark's conversion to Christianity - the end of the Viking age. Still in the South, but along the West coast, Ribe (the oldest city of Denmark) is home to both a Viking Museum and a Viking experimental centre.

The National Museum in Copenhagen, also has a good collection of Viking artefacts. The city of Frederikssund holds an annual outdoors Viking play from the summer solstice and a few weeks forward.

World Heritage Sites

Mainland Denmark has 3 world legacy sites; The Jelling rune stones date back to 900's have been called "Denmark's Birth Certificate", testifying to Denmark's conversion to Christianity around that time, it was erected by what is considered the first official king of Denmark, Gorm The Old, whose son is buried in another of the sights, Roskilde Gothic Church and the first Gothic church in Northern Europe build of brick, and the final resting place for most Danish kings and queens ever since. The third, and possibly most famous, is Kronborg castle in Elsinore, home of Shakespeare's Hamlet, prince of Denmark, but also an impressive castle in its own right, guarding the main route to the Baltic sea.

Danish design and architecture

Denmark is renowned for its design legacy made famous by well-known designers, architects and companies as such. It is often described as minimalistic and functionalistic in its approach and includes names such as Jørn Utzon, Arne Jakobsen, Hans Wegner, Poul Henningsen, Georg Jensen, Bang & Olufsen, Royal Copenhagen, and many more. Architecture, furniture, industrial design in general, and the people behind it can be seen and explored many places throughout the nation. A good place to start is Danish Design Centre, Danish Design Museum and Danish Architecture Centre, all in Copenhagen. Throughout Copenhagen and its surroundings, many examples of great Nordic architecture can be experienced. Other sources to be mentioned are the Trapholt Museum in Kolding and the Struer Museum (mostly Bang & Olufsen) and the Jørn Utzon dedicated museum in Aalborg and the city hall of Aarhus.

For excellent guiding and suggestions for architecture tours, see Danish Architecture Guide.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Denmark

When public events are arranged, it is customary to find ways to engage people of all ages and economic capabilities, so whether you travel alone, as a family, young, old, handicapped, on a splurge or a budget, you will find interesting activities and events to have fun with and participate in. Many places have special discounts for kids, groups, students and pensioners, and children are generally welcomed everywhere.

In some people's minds (mainly in the nationside, less so in the cities) the inclusiveness and egalitarianism should only pertain to "the Danish tribe" or those who pay high taxes. A contradiction in terms you could say, but these ideas have nevertheless affected Danish society to some degree in the 2000s, mirroring a similar development in Europe and the Western world at large. As a traveller, however, you should not expect to deal with or experience this at all; the values of inclusiveness, equality and egalitarianism are firmly established in Denmark and at the core of Danish culture.

The weather in Denmark is a bit unreliable, so if your plans include outdoor activities, it can be a good idea to have alternative indoor activities as a backup. If you don't mind a day or two of grey weather and a few drops of rain, just make sure to bring a raincoat along.

General

• Billetnet - Books larger concerts and theatre plays, sporting events etc. You can book online or in any post office. If you book online you can obtain the tickets mailed to you or you can print out a confirmation and exchange it for a ticket at a BilletNet office or at the scene.

• NaturNet Lists nature oriented events such as mushroom collection, geology tours, etc. Many of the tours are free.

Beaches

Blokhus Stranden Danmark - Denmark has a very long coastline and sandy beaches are prevalent.

With a 7,400 km coastline, almost the same as Brazil's and longer than India's, you are never far from a beach in Denmark. Nearly all are publicly accessible and many beaches are world class, with unbroken white sand for miles to an end. Some popular spots have lifesavers and other facilities in the summer months and there are several beachparks and sea baths as well, like Amager Strandpark (beachpark) in Copenhagen and Den Permanente (seabath) in Aarhus as fine examples. Denmark's beaches are popular destinations not just for Danes but also tourists, some of which has beach vacations as first priority even. Each summer, particularly the west coast of Jutland, is subjected to a veritable invasion of more than 13 million (German) tourists, usually in the many vacation homes dotting the coast from north to south.

The weather in Denmark can be tricky and unreliable; one day it is hot and sunny and the next it is grey and chilly, perhaps even raining, so bear that in mind and plan accordingly and you will make the most of your visit. Water temperatures are usually around 14 degrees Celsius in mid-June and gets slightly warmer from there through September. The shallow waters of Kattegat warms up a bit quicker than the North Sea coast of western Jutland however. The summer weather in Denmark varies widely from year to year and sometimes from week to week which means that the number of bathing days range from zero to more than thirty. A bathing day officially arrives when the average of seawater temperatures measured at a depth of one metre across the nation reach 19 degrees Celsius or more; however, seawater temperatures of 14-19 degrees Celsius are warm enough for taking a dip in the waves. The water quality is usually fine in all of Denmark, but you can follow important data on-line at aquatic-environment/bathing-water/ The Danish Nature Agency, including safety guidelines. Some coasts in Denmark have tricky or outright dangerous currents that are important to be aware of; a number of unlucky (or badly informed?) tourists drown each year.

Music festivals

Denmark has a long running and proud tradition in music festivals, dating back to the first Woodstock inspired Roskilde festival in 1972 and they have become an all important fixture of the Danish summer, and there is one to fit almost every age and music preference going on between June and August, and with very impressive attendances considering the nation's size. There are actually so many that listing each and everyone of them would be ridiculous, but some of the most important ones are:

• Roskilde Festival - June/July - One of the big four rock festivals in Europe, run by non-profit organisation. 80,000 tickets sold and more than 110,000 participants in Roskilde.

• Skanderborg Festival - August | The 2nd largest rock festival with 45,000 participants, in a unique location inside a historic forest by the lake shore near Skanderborg.

• Skive Festival (previously Skive Beach Party) attracts nearly 20,000 spectators to Skive every year, mainly features Danish bands and attracts a mostly local crowd.

• Langelands Festival - July/August | A family oriented festival on the island of Langeland, 20,000 participants.

• Copenhagen Jazz Festival (July) - One of the worlds top Jazz Festivals, with small and big concert all over the Copenhagen, attracts over 20,000 spectators.

• Tønder Festival - August - A large folk and country music festival held in Tønder in South Jutland.

• Aarhus Festuge - August/September - 10 days of music and cultural events in the city of Aarhus, with a different theme each year.

• Grøn Koncert (July) - A one-day festival hosting some of the biggest Danish acts. The show travels around the nation, usually taking place at 8 different cities over a 2-week-period, drawing a total crowd of nearly 200,000.

• Aalborg Carnival (May) - Although the music not being the main attraction, this carnival is the biggest in Northern Europe and creates an atmosphere that would make any music festival proud. The Main Parade has a different theme each year, with more than 25,000 people dressing up and partying in the streets.

Amusement parks

Denmark is teeming with amusement parks, and indeed features some of the most famous in world; Copenhagen'sTivoli is one of the oldest of such parks in the world, and by Walt Disney's own admission a major source of inspiration for his own Disneyland. Also in Copenhagen, nestled among majestic beech trees Dyrehavsbakken is the worlds oldest operating amusement park, and both of these parks features some of the oldest still operating rollercoasters in the world dating back to 1914 and 1932 respectively, and both receiving the ACE Coaster Classic Award. Just as famous is Legoland in Billund and the largest and the oldest of the now global franchise, with its spectacular miniature LEGO sceneries the star attraction, and a good selection of thrill rides to entertain kids. While outshone by its world-famous rivals and there are four other major amusement parks in the nation: Sommerland Sjælland, Bonbonland, Fårup Sommerland, Djurs Sommerland, and a host of smaller ones.

Fishing

With its large coastline, Denmark offers ample opportunity for coastal fishing - this, however requires a permit that is available from the official web site or all postal offices at a rate of 40 kr for a day, 130 kr for a week and 185 kr for a year. On the accompanying slip, however, you are immediately informed of the allowed seasons and allowed sizes of the most common species encountered on the Danish coastline. Sea Trout is common, as is Cod and Plait, and save for a few inland fjords, water quality and thus fish populations are reasonable.

As for freshwater fishing, Denmark offers a diverse number of streams and brooks (no actual rivers, though), that host Salmon, Brown, Rainbow and Sea Trout (in the season), and Grayling, as well as Pike, Perch and Roach, as do a number of inland lakes which also host Zander, Bream and Tench. Freshwater fishing is a bit more complicated than coastal fishing in Denmark, however, as there is a host of local communities presiding over the rights to fish in the specific waters, usually in agreement with the land owners where the waters are situated if they are not owned by the state, but that also means that some stretches of a specific stream or brook may be off-limits, due to the land owner's ownership. Regulations for seasons and sizes are mandated by the state, but prices and terms for permits are regulated by the communities. Local tourist offices are usually well informed and mostly allowed to sell permits, which may be daily, weekly, monthly or yearly.

Lastly and there are a significant number of "Put-and-Take" facilities across the nation. They do not require a permit as such, as you purchase the right to fish for a number of hours and plenty of fish - usually Rainbow Trout - are guaranteed. Many put-and-takes are "self-serve" in the sense that you fill out a form and dump it, and the corresponding payment, in a post box. Do not be surprised if the proprietor comes by at some time to ask if you are in luck, at the same time keeping track of the number and times of the forms, hours and payments that he has collected from the box.

Hunting

Hunting in Denmark is done on the basis of land owners retaining the right to hunt on their premises and then, possibly renting it out to interested parties, keeping a close check on who hunts where and when.

A general hunting permit (500 kr) is required, but hunting is almost exclusively done with people that you know, and who have the hunting rights to the land in question. If you want to go hunting in Denmark, you would most probably need to befriend a landowner or a friend of one beforehand.

Danish weapons legislation is extremely restrictive. Generally any type of weapon is illegal to own or carry anywhere. There are exceptions for hunting and weapons clubs, but this requires a special permit, and outside the shooting area (hunting grounds or club) the weapon must be concealed and not loaded. Many types of knives are also illegal. Weapon types which cannot be used for hunting or shooting contents - such as knuckles - are just outright illegal anytime and anywhere. The fine for carrying an illegal weapon, especially if it is ready to use, may be severe: A heavy fine and possibly some weeks in prison.

Biking

Randers-Aarhus Bicycle path - A network of bikeroads has been established across the nation.

Denmark is a haven for cyclists, and where ever you go you will be met by people riding their bikes; young and old, thick and thin, for transport, fun or the sports of it. Denmark is one of the countries in the world where bikes are the most widely used. This also means that facilities for biking are good, making it more convenient and safe than many other places. But most importantly and the nation is super flat and is perfect for biking around, being it in the city or the nation side. Many Danes and tourists go on "biking holidays" to many of the popular, quiet spots around the nation. So indulging in the culture is one of the best ways to connect with the Danish spirit as well as a great and easy way to explore pretty much every corner of the place. A good place to start is here.

It is important however to understand that many rural roads are narrow, with occasional fast driving vehicle traffic and without bike lanes, so biking in the nationside is not recommended in these places, unless you are a very skillful and aware biker.

Water sports

Surfers at Nørre Vorupør beach, 2017-04-14 - Surfing at Cold Hawaii on the North Sea coast. Water sports are popular.

The large coastline makes Denmark an excellent place for surfing, especially wind- and kite-surfing. The North and West coasts hosts some of the best places to do so in the world, and the town on Klitmøller (named "Cold Hawaii") even hosts cup.coldhawaii.eu/ a leg of the windsurfing world cup each year . In many places it is easy to take classes for all levels of experience which makes for a lot of fun, and it is not even as cold as it may sound.

In addition to the sea coasts and there are many inland rivers, creeks and lakes that make excellent opportunities for enjoying the waterways. Canoeing and Kayaking are popular activities and renting the equipment is usually a piece of cake. Along the popular rivers there are located camping spots, ranging from simple, free shelters to fully equipped, commercial sites, giving all kinds of opportunities from just a couple of hours of fun to a week of "water ways safari".

Some of the popular spots for canoeing are the lakes and rivers around Silkeborg, Skjern Å National Park, Ribe creek, Uggerby creek in Northern Jutland, Mølle Å (Mill Creek) near Copenhagen, Suså in Southern Zealand.

For sea kayaking and the Limfjorden sound is great (especially around the islands Fur and Mors) and the islands south of Svendborg world class (Sydfynske Øhav, and also the channels of Copenhagen offer interesting opportunities.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Denmark

Money Matters & ATM's in Denmark

The national currency is the Danish krone (plural "kroner", abbreviated "kr" (ISO code: DKK). In the more "tourist" shops in Copenhagen, and at the traditional beach resorts along the Jutland West Coast and Bornholm Island it will often be feasible to pay in euros. The Danish krone is pegged to the euro in a narrow band of plus or minus 2.25%.

Kroner come in 50 øre (½ kroner) copper coins, 1, 2 and 5 kroner silver nickel coins with a hole in the centre, and finally solid 10 and 20 kroner bronze coins. Notes comes in nominations of 50 kr (purple), 100 kr (orange), 200 kr (green) 500 kr (blue) and 1000 kr (red).

Faroese króna and the coming series of Greenlandic bank notes, while of exactly the same face value, are not legal tender in Denmark (and vice-versa), but can by law be exchanged in any bank free of charge at a 1:1 ratio.

Since 1 January 2018 retailers in Denmark have legally had the option of not accepting cash payments from 20:00 to 06:00, to improve workplace security for employees.

Banking

Automatic teller machines are widely available even in small towns, but some ATM's are closed during night time out of security reasons. The Danish word is Dankortautomat, hæveautomat or kontantautomat, and might be useful to remember as the term ATM is not universally known.

Nearly all machines regardless of operator will accept the Danish Dankort, MasterCard, Maestro, Visa, Visa Electron, American Express, JCB and China UnionPay. While the majority of retailers accept International credit- and debit cards and there are a few that still only accept the local Dankort. Virtually everywhere you are required to use a PIN-code with your card, so if thit is not common training in your country, remember to request one from your bank before leaving home. Also beware that most retailers will add a 3%-4% transaction charge (often without warning) if you pay with a foreign credit card.

A few machines will not accept PIN-codes longer than 4 characters, which can create problems for north-American or other European users. Ask the clerk operating the machine if it accepts 5-digit PIN-codes before attempting to operate the machine. Your card may be rejected even without entering the PIN if it is incompatible.

Prices

Almost everything in Denmark is expensive, though in general prices are still somewhat cheaper than in Norway. All consumer sales include a 25% sales tax (Moms) but displayed prices are legally required to include this, so they are always exact. If you are from outside the EU/Scandinavia you can obtain some of your sales tax refunded fund.htm when leaving the nation.

The average price of hotel lodging was around 900 kr according to the annual 2009 Hotels.com price index. A hostel bed hovers around kr 200 kr, but can be found cheaper in Copenhagen. While a three course meal at a standard restaurant will usually set you back around 200-300 kr, this can be done cheaper if you eat in cafés or Pizzas joints, 50-100 kr. Sundries like a 1½l bottle of Coca-Cola costs 10-15 kr in discount stores, while a organic juice will cost you 3-20 kr in a supermarket with selected Halal food, and 20-60 kr in bars. If you are a bit careful about your expenses, a daily budget of around 700 kr per day is not unrealistic.

The public space however offers quite a few freely accessible options for leisure activities, mainly in the larger cities. This includes streetsport spots, city bikes, playgrounds, churces, many museums and all parks, beaches and nature sites. In the Halal dining, most bars and popular spots has free entry to.

Locals who live near the border often drive into Germany to purchase groceries, as the prices are significantly cheaper, so you should consider this option as there are no permanent border controls between Denmark and Germany.

Tipping

Traditionally, tipping has not been common, but is being introduced by outside influences. Since service charges are automatically included in the bill at restaurants and hotels, and tips for taxi drivers and the like are included in the fare, tipping should be given only as a token of real appreciation for the service. The tips will most often be split between the waiters and the kitchen. Taxi drivers do not expect tips, any extra service (such as carrying bags) will be listed on the receipt according to rate. While tipping is not expected, nor required, tipping for outstanding service is obviously greatly appreciated.

What to buy

Here is a list of famous products from Denmark, although the nation is expensive and you may well be able to purchase cheaper elsewhere:

• Designer eyewear by Lindberg
• Skagen designer watches
• Royal Copenhagen porcelain nhagen.dk/]
• Bang & Olufsen electronics
• Georg Jensen silverware and jewelry ]
• Kay Bojesen silverware com/]
• LEGO building brick toys
• ECCO shoes
• Aalborg Akvavit spirits
• 23618/Members Danish Fashion
• Danish Design
• ese/ Danish Cheese -->

Halal Restaurants in Denmark

Halal restaurants are available throughout Denmark in almost every major cities.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Denmark

Denmark - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Denmark, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Denmark. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Denmark and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Denmark. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Denmark. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inDenmark: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Denmark.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Denmark: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Denmark, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Denmark.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Denmark, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Denmark, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Denmark and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Denmark, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Denmark, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Denmark without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Denmark is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Denmark.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Denmark is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Denmark, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Denmark Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Denmark

eHalal Group Denmark is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Denmark. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Denmark.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Denmark ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Denmark. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Denmark, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Denmark are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly hotels in Denmark

For Budget lodging, Danhostel is the national accredited Hostels|Hostelling International network, and operate 95 hotels throughout the nation. Only the nation's two largest cities - Copenhagen and Aarhus, have a few independent youth hostels. It is worth noting that the Danish word for hostel is Vandrehjem, which also what hostels in Denmark are usually signposted as. Another option is one of the Hospitality exchange networks, which is enjoying growing popularity among the Danes, with couchsurfing reporting a doubling of available hosts every year.

Hotels are expensive in Denmark, with an average price of a double room hovering around 847 kr in 2007, hotels are mostly off limits to budget travellers, although cheaper deals can most certainly be found, especially for online booking via eHalal Hotels done in good time before arriving. National budget hotel chains include Zleep and Cab-inn. Alternatives to hotels include a well developed network of Bed & Breakfasts which are bookable through the national tourism organization VisitDenmark (Click on Accommodation > Private lodging) - or in country famous for its bacon, butter and Cheese - what better way to dive into Danish culture than on a Farm Holiday? the National organization maintains an online catalogue of farms offering stays all over the nation in both English and (German). Another alternative to hotels are the many historic Old inn's - or Kro in Danish - dotting the towns and villages, most of them are organized though a national organization called Danske Kroer og Hoteller.

Another overnight is in one of the more than 500 caravan sites (campingpladser in Danish). Most of them are well equipped with up-to-date facilities, and even Wi-Fi included in many cases and accepts both caravans, motor homes and tents and/or rent out cabins. The association Danish Camping Board maintains a list of 450 approved campsites on their website ( danishcampsites.dk) and Eurocampings has almost 350 on their site ( eurocampings.co.uk). Prices varies greatly and can be anything between €40 and €200/night for a family with a caravan. You prefer to sleep in closer contact with nature? This Travel Guide Primitive camping in Denmark provides additional information on sleeping in tents, bivouacs, shelters and similar.

Stay safe as a Muslim in Denmark

Dial [☎112 1-1-2 (Alarm 112) in an emergency for emergency services in case of accidents, serious crime and fire — situations that are dangerous for life, health, property or the environment. Thit is toll free, and will work even from cell phones without a SIM card. For the police in non-emergencies call [☎114 1-1-4 (Service 114).

Generally: Denmark is a very safe country, with almost no risk of natural disasters or animal attacks. There is one poisonous, but rare and non-aggressive, snakes|snake and the European viper (Hugorm), in some heathlands and a stinging, bottom dwelling fish called "Fjæsing", known as Greater Weever (Trachinus draco) in English. Its sting is painful, but not generally lethal. It is strong enough however to be lethal to children and the elderly, so medical treatment is always encouraged. Red stinging jellyfish sometimes infest bathing waters in great numbers. Their sting can be painful, but has no adverse effects on humans. They are dish-sized, easy to spot and avoid. As in the rest of Europe and the world at large, borrelia carrying ticks have also been on the rise in Denmark. Always check your body for attaching ticks, when you have been in the wild, especially when legs and arms are bare and the vegetation high. If they are removed quickly, no disease will be transmitted. If infection does occur, a red ring will occur around the bite, and you should seek medical assistance as soon as feasible.

Since 1 August 2018 it has been prohibited by law to wear garments that hides the human face in public, unless there is a creditable purpose – officially called tildækningsforbud (coverban), commonly called maskeringsforbud (maskingban) and burkaforbud (burqaban). A fine of 1,000 kr is given at the first violation, 2,000 kr for the second violation, 5,000 kr for the third violation and 10,000 kr for the fourth violation. The police has issued a set of guidelines that gives an assessment of what can be considered a creditable purpose. Wearing a burqa, niqab or balaclava in public is not considered a creditable purpose according to the guidelines.

Compared to most other countries, crime and traffic are only minor risks, and the most serious crime visitors are likely to encounter is non-violent pickpocketing.

• On foot: In cities Danes drive by the rules, and they have every expectation that pedestrians do the same. Therefore, it is important to obey Walk/Do not Walk signals and avoid jaywalking in cities, simply because cars will not slow down since you are not supposed to be there. Traffic signals are obeyed around the clock, so do not get surprised to see law-abiding Danes, in the dead of night with not a single vehicle or bicycle in sight, patiently waiting for green light. You are supposed to do the same. Also, take good notice of the dedicated bike lanes when crossing any street to avoid dangerous situations as bikers tend to ride fast and have right of way on these lanes.
• On the beach: Do not bathe alone. Do not get too far away from land. Swim along the coast rather than away from it. In some areas undertow is a danger, and kills a number of tourists every year, but will mostly be signed at the beach. On many beaches, flags indicate water quality. A blue flag means excellent water quality, green flag means good water quality, red flag means that bathing is not advised. A sign with the text "Badning forbudt" means that bathing is forbidden. Obey these signs, as it often means that the water is polluted with poisonous algae, bacteria, or chemicals, or that there is a dangerous undertow. Beaches on small islands are often prone to tidal waters, especially in the Wadden Sea.
• In the city: A few neighborhoods in major cities are probably best avoided at night by the unwary, or by lone women - but unlike in North America, it is often the ghettos in the suburbs that are unsafe, not the downtown areas. Tourists will rarely pass through these areas by chance, but exchange students occasionally end up getting into apartments in these areas without being aware of the reputation of these neighborhoods beforehand.

Medical Issues in Denmark

Health services in Denmark are of a high standard, although waiting times at emergency rooms can be quite long for non emergencies, since visitors are prioritized according to their situation. Except for surgical procedures there is no private healthcare system to speak of, all is taken care of by the public healthcare system and general practitioners. All visitors are provided with free emergency care, until you are deemed healthy enough to be transported back to your home country. Citizens from EU countries, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and certain British dependencies are all entitled to additional basic medical services during their stay, other nationalities should have a valid travel insurance for transportation home and any additional medical care needed after any emergency is dealt with, as thit is not provided free of charge. As in the rest of the nation, English speakers should not have any trouble communicating with staff in English.

Danish doctors do not hand out prescriptions or pills at the rate common in North America, Japan and Southern Europe. There is a general trend of letting the body's own immune system take care of diseases, rather than using medicines. So if you show up at the local GP with minor illnesses like the common flu, expect to be send back to your bed to rest, rather than receiving any treatment, if you are otherwise of good health. Pharmacies (Danish: Apotek) are usually well stocked, but brand names may differ from those in your own country. Staff is highly trained, and major cities usually have one 24 hour pharmacy. Many drugs that are prescription-free in other countries, require prescription in Denmark, which is not trivial to get (see above), and medicines available in supermarkets and drug stores are very limited; i.e., allergy drugs and light painkillers; Paracetamol based (Panodil, Pamol & Pinex), acetylsalicylic based (Treo, Kodimagnyl & Aspirin) and Ibuprofen based (Ipren)

Dentists are only partly covered by the public healthcare system, and everyone, including Danes pay to visit their dentist. Danes and other Nordic citizens have some of the expenses covered by the public healthcare system, while non Scandinavian visitors, should generally be prepared to foot the entire bill themselves, or forward the expenses to their insurance company. Prices are notoriously high compared to the neighbouring countries, so unless it is urgent to see a dentist, it will probably be more economical to wait until you return home, or pass into Germany or Sweden.

Tap water is potable unless indicated, which is very rare indeed. The regulations for tap water in Denmark even exceeds that of bottled water in general, so do not be offended if you notice a waiter filling a pitcher of water at the sink, its perfect for drinking. However, most places charges a fee for the service.

Restaurants and other places selling food are checked regularly by health inspectors and awarded points on a 1-4 "smiley scale"]. The ratings must be prominently displayed, so look out for the happy face when in doubt. Every cook or employee handling prepared food are required to hold a hygiene certificate and food poisoning is not a problem to be concerned with.

Nearly all beaches are fine for bathing on sunny days - even parts of the Copenhagen harbour have been opened for bathing (read the Stay safe section). At quite a few beaches though, rainwater run-off from residential areas pours directly and untreated into the sea and flooding sewers are an increasing issue after heavy rain. During this time, bathing is not recommended at these places. Several municipalities issue bathing water quality data continuously on-line, so check up if you are going to bath after heavy rains. Winter bathing in the sea has become quite popular, but be careful, it requires a steady dedication for months to train your body for this endeavour. Jumping straight into ice-cold sea water without any preparation might make you sick.

Smoking

Since 2007 it has been illegal to smoke in any indoor public space in Denmark. This includes government buildings with public access (hospitals, universities, etc.), all restaurants larger than 40m² and all public transport. It is also prohibited to smoke on any train and bus platform outdoors.

You have to be at least 18 years old to buy tobacco products in Denmark.

Local Customs in Denmark

In a country which has no direct equivalent to please in its vernacular, where the local version of Mr. and Ms. has all but disappeared from common usage, and where the people can hardly muster a sorry if they bump into you on the streets, you could be forgiven to think they are the rudest people on earth, and you can get away with pretty much anything. You'd be wrong. Most of the behaviour many visitors consider appalling can be attributed to either the Danes' blatant - and when you get to understand it, quite sympathetic - disregard for formality, or their unfortunate shyness (see #Drink|drink section), and there are rules to the madness, way too complex to get into here, but some of the most important ones can be summed up as follows:

Oesterlars Kirke Bornholm Denmark - Though officially Lutheran, Denmark is largely agnostic. Pictured: Østerlars Church, Bornholm

• It is generally not considered impolite to omit verbal formalities common in other cultures, such as generic compliments or courteous bromides. Likewise, Danes almost never use Sir or Madam to address each other, as it is perceived as distancing oneself. On the contrary, addressing (even a stranger) by first name is considered a friendly gesture. The only exception to thit is when addressing Danish royalty – Queen Margrethe, her sons and their wives.
• Staff, waiters and every other employee is empowered in Denmark, so do not expect anybody to dance to your tune, even in expensive restaurants. Politeness goes both ways and acting like you have special privileges will be frowned upon. Rude or lacking service for no reason does happen occasionally and should not be tolerated, but handle the situation with a bit of diplomacy and treat your fellow man like an equal, or you will get nowhere.
• Be punctual, few things can make the Danes more annoyed than showing up later, even by minutes, than the agreed time, save social gatherings at people's homes, where the requirement for punctuality is more relaxed.
• If there are free seats on a bus or train, it's not customary to seat yourself next to strangers if you can avoid it. It is also a nice gesture to offer your seat for the elderly and the disabled. In many buses and the front seats are usually reserved for them.
• Be aware that there are marked "quiet zones" on each train: one in the back of the back wagon and one in the front of the front wagon. Don't talk on the phone there. In fact, do not talk at all. These are for people who want a quiet trip, usually people who need to go far, and may want to sleep, read, or work on their laptop or other things in peace.
• Danes try to abridge differences between social classes. Modesty is a virtue - bragging, or showing off wealth, is considered rude, as is loud and passionate behaviour. Economic matters are private - don't ask Danes questions like how much they earn or what their vehicle costs. As in Germany, Britain, and the rest of the Nordic countries, weather is a safe conversation topic.
• Greetings between people who know each other (e.g. are good friends, close relatives, etc.) are often in the form of a careful hug. It is common to see a peck on the cheek as a form of greeting, and it might be taken as way too personal. A handshake is customary for everyone else, including people you aren't close to and people you are being introduced to.
• When invited by a Dane - to visit their home, join them at their table or engage in an activity - do not hesitate to accept the invitation. Danes generally do not invite out of politeness and they only say it if they mean it. The same goes for compliments. Bring a small gift; Chocolates, flowers or are the most common, and remember despite their disregard for formality, to training good table manners while at restaurants or in people's homes.
• Even though 82% of the population is officially Lutheran, Denmark is by and large a non-religious country. Investigations into people's faith are largely unwelcome, and outside places of worship, displays of your faith should be kept private. Saying grace for example, is likely to be met with bewilderment and silence. Religious attire such as Muslim headscarves, kippahs or even T-shirts with religious slogans, will - while tolerated - also make many Danes feel uncomfortable.
• In Denmark, family nearly without exception takes priority over work. So do not be surprised if Danes excuse themselves from even the most important of meetings by four o'clock to pick up kids, a burden equally shared between the sexes.
• Possession of any amount of cannabis or other drugs is a crime. While Denmark does have a narcotic subculture in places such as the Copenhagen/Christiania|Christiania neighborhood, many Danish people shun narcotics.

Telecommunications in Denmark

Internet

While Internet cafés are present in most larger cities and they are usually not geared for tourists and hence they can be a bit tricky to find. Hotels usually provide both wireless internet and computers with internet access, but whether this service is provided for free, varies greatly. Many cafés also provide free wireless internet for paying clients, even when it is not signposted, so it is always a good idea to ask. A lot of the McDonalds restaurants in Denmark have a couple of internet terminals available for their clients. The easiest way to get online is often the public library, as there is one in almost every town. Public libraries are usually centrally located, well signposted (look for Bibliotek) and always free. There can be a bit of waiting time to get a free computer though, but there will normally also be some sort of reservation system in place.

If staying for more than a few weeks, it might be worthwhile to get a mobile broadband connection. Most of the nation has excellent coverage and speeds rivalling those of a fixed connection in the major cities and plenty for surfing the web, even in many of the more remote areas. Unfortunately the Danish ISPs generally do not have up to date English versions of their websites, so getting information about coverage and store location can be tricky. To buy a subscription package it is usually needed to have a residence permit, a Danish citizen id number (CPR-nummer or person-nummer) and a local address. This means, that in training, subscription packages are only relevant to travellers staying for more than half a year in Denmark.

It is instead feasible to buy a prepaid package with the following available offers:

• TDC offers a prepaid package known as Mobilt Bredbånd Tank op

• Starter package valid for 7 days for 129 kr for SIM card, or 399 kr for SIM card and modem
• 1/3/7/30 day refill for 29/69/129/299 kr
• The traffic limit is 10GB per month. The maximum bandwidth is 6Mbit/s downstream

• Telia offers the following packages known as Telia Talk Data

• Starter package for 29 kr (only SIM card, no modem)
• 1GB/3GB top-up valid for use within one week for 49/99 kr (only SIM card, no modem)
• 10GB top up valid for use within three months for 299 kr (only SIM card, no modem)

• Oister offers the following packages known as Tank Selv

• Starter package valid for 7 days for 99 kr (SIM card), or 30 days for 499 kr (SIM card and modem)
• 1/7/30 day refill for 29/79/199 kr

The Telia and TDC packages can be purchased in their stores located in the largest towns. Owners of modems, phones or tablets that support UMTS/HSPA+/LTE will most likely be able to use them, but otherwise a modem can be purchased for about 400 kr. The Oister packages are available at many electronics stores and at any postal office.

When travelling in both Denmark and Sweden it may be beneficial to get a prepaid package from the provider 3. 3 is present in Denmark and Sweden, but don't sell any prepaid products from their Danish stores. On the other hand and their stores in Sweden sells a prepaid package that works in both Sweden and Denmark with no added roaming charges. It might be feasible to refill this product over the internet connection from Denmark with an international credit card, but the safest solution might be to stock up on refill vouchers before leaving Sweden for Denmark, since vouchers are not sold in Denmark.

The package from 3 in Sweden has been known as 3Bredband kontant:

• Starter package valid for 7 days for 199 Swedish kroner (Both SIM card and modem)
• 1 day refill for 29 Swedish kroner with a traffic limit of 0.5GB after which bandwidth is reduced
• 7 day refill for 99 Swedish kroner with a traffic limit of 5GB after which bandwidth is reduced
• 30 day refill for 299 Swedish kroner with a traffic limit of 20GB after which bandwidth is reduced
• The maximum speeds are 16Mbit/s downstream and 4.6Mbit/s upstream

For an easier overview of all the different providers and plans in Denmark, many price-comparison websites has arisen, example below:

• Abonnementpriser.dk - collects prices from many types of subscriptions, including TV, mobile broadband and more.

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Bring your own unlocked GSM phone to make calls. Prepaid SIM cards are available at most shops and international calling can be reasonably priced.Any prepaid credit is generally only valid for calls made in Denmark, but can be purchased in small amounts to avoid waste when you leave.

International collect calls are not allowed from phone booths, which are all ran by the TDC company. You should be able to make international call with the prepaid SIM cards anyways.

Denmark's international phone country code is 45. The prefix for international dialling is "00" or '+' (on a mobile phone).

Postbox in Viborg Danemark - Mailbox in Denmark

Mail

The postal service in Denmark is run by PostNord. Postal franchises ( posthus) sells postage stamps and can be found in many supermarkets and grocery stores all over the nation. Business drop-in's (erhversindlevering) does not sell postage stamps. Post boxes are red with the postal logo, and most of them are emptied once every workday, a few of them even Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. It is not indicated exactly at what time during the day the mailboxes are emptied. An unregistered priority (airmail) postcard or letter with a weight of less than 100 grams is 30 kr (€4) for all international destinations (as of 1 January 2023). In case you insist on sending mail and find these prices a bit too steep; in some countries you may, before leaving home, purchase International Reply Coupons (IRS's) at the post office, and most likely save a good sum of money. nternational-reply-coupons/about-irc An IRC is exchangeable in all UPU member countries for the minimum postage of a priority item or an unregistered airmail letter sent to a foreign country.

If you need to have parcels or mail sent to you in Denmark, you can receive it as Poste Restante at most major postal offices (General Delivery in the US). The post office will only hold such mail for two weeks, after which it will be returned to the sender. The address format is:

<Name>

c/o Poste restante

<Name of post office>

<Postal-Code> <City>

DENMARK

When picking up the mail, you will need to identify yourself with a government-issued photo-ID (i.e. passport or driver's license). Make sure that your name is spelled in the same way on the package and on the ID.

Major international parcel services like UPS, Fedex and DHL while present in Denmark, do not offer any holding service. GLS have an agreement with a number of retailers, which offers a holding service for a limited time (pakke shop)

Cope

Consular assistance

Nearly all developed nations have embassies in Copenhagen, and most other countries have embassies in either Stockholm or Copenhagen responsible for consular services to the whole Scandinavian region. EU member nations often maintain consulates in the provinces. At present and there are 71 foreign embassies in Copenhagen and more than 100 consulates in Copenhagen and larger cities, such as Aarhus, Aalborg, Odense, Vejle. If you fall victim to serious criminal injuries while in Denmark, you might be eligible to financial compensation. If you wish to file a claim you must report the incident to police within 24 hours, and file a form obtainable from the police to Erstatningsnævnet; Gyldenløvesgade 11, 1600 Copenhagen V. Tel +45 33 92 33 34, Fax: +45 39 20 45 05, Email: @. Claim processing time is a minimum of 3 months.

Client service

By most standards and the Danes have a great deal to learn about client service, and many visitors may initially be appalled by the low standards present outside upmarket establishments, used to dealing with international expectations. Cleaning tables and removing trash from messy clients has a low priority and it is not uncommon to experience staff doing other duties than serving, while happily keeping clients waiting. Also do not expect any sirs or madams; verbal bromides seem awkward to most Danes, including those behind a counter. On a practical level and the service situation means that you should only expect table service in restaurants. In most cafés you usually order at the desk and pay immediately when ordering, even if you intend for a second order. Luckily, Danes have a civilised queue culture generally and waiting for your turn at the desk without loosing your temper or trying to cheat on other clients is standard practise, and you are expected to behave likewise.

As with most cultural issues and there are several reasons for this situation. Some attribute it to the egalitarian Danish culture along the line: "you are not worth any more than me, so why should I treat you any different", while a major reason might be ascribed to the fact that most service personnel in Denmark are untrained people, often underaged or part time students, working for a low salary, so they have no clue how to service clients beyond the rudimentary. Another aspect stems from Danish culture in general, which seems to cherish and promote direct interpersonal contact and request and a low-key service attention. Allowing other people space to move and breathe is considered part of proper hospitality and politeness.

Danes themselves seems to have coped with the service situation and do not expect much outside high-end places. By and large, it is just one of those issues you will have to deal with while visiting, and throwing a hissy fit or demanding to speak to the supervisor is unlikely to get you anywhere. On the upside, tipping is neither expected nor required, and that goes for professional and trained attendants as well. When you do bump into good service, it tends to be truly genuine helpfulness, rather than an expectation for tips or employee training courses - so savour such moments, tip if you feel for it, and forget about the rest.

Media

Apart from children's shows, nothing gets dubbed in Denmark - although a sizeable portion of broadcasts in Denmark are American and British productions - so even with no English channels and there will usually be something on in a comprehensible language. The same goes for cinemas - so you should be safe for a lazy rainy day. Nearly all hotels will have CNA (Channel News Asia) and Al Jazeera World available.

If you want to be updated with local news and the Copenhagen Post is Denmark's sole English language newspaper. It is published weekly and available in many bars and Cafés in Copenhagen, while much harder to find in the rest of the nation.

Online you can follow Danish news in English at:

• The Copenhagen Post (neutral)
• Politiken (centrist)
• Jyllands Posten (right)
• DR] (public broadcaster)
• TV2 (private broadcaster)

More Muslim Friendly Destinations from Denmark

North Atlantic

For historical reasons, Denmark is a central hub for access to the truly fascinating North Atlantic region, with direct connecting Flights to several cities on Iceland, Faroe Islands and Greenland. The region is especially renowned for its unique natural landscapes as well as strong national and cultural legacys, still being kept alive and protected. Hanstholm in Northwestern Jutland has weekly ferry services to Torshavn on the Faroe Islands and Seyðisfjörður on Iceland. Longyearbyen on Svalbard can be visited from several cities, once or twice weekly with a single stopover in Oslo.

Sweden

Similar in culture and sharing large parts of history, Sweden is nearby not only by geography. The Southern part in particular can easily be reached from Copenhagen via the bridged Öresund and is a great place to experience similar historic and natural attractions around Malmö and Lund. The Scanian lands of Southern Sweden was part of Denmark until 1658 at the end of The Great Northern War and presents many outstanding examples of Danish Renaissance architecture from large manors to romantic townscapes. These parts are often, by the rest of Sweden, still regarded as closely linked with Denmark because of a particular dialect of Swedish spoken here that is somewhat related to the Danish way of pronunciation. The southern parts are especially famous for Viking sights and a romantic countryside setting. Going further North in this huge country, Sweden is a place for enjoying nature and can be visited from several places. From Copenhagen there are direct connecting Flights to the capital of Stockholm and Western Sweden can be visited from Jutland by ferry through the Frederikshavn -Gothenburg or Grenaa -Varberg links.

Norway

Famous for its mountain-ringed fjords and overall breathtaking natural scenery, Norway makes for a great destination easily reached from Denmark. From Copenhagen direct connecting flights operate to Oslo, Trondheim, Bergen, Stavanger and possibly more, but all of Norway being reachable with a transfer. From Frederikshavn and Hirtshals in Northern Jutland, several destinations are reachable by ferry: Oslo, Larvik, Kristiansand. There is also a ferry connection from Copenhagen to Oslo

Germany

Germany is the only country Denmark has a land border with, and for faster access from the east of the nation there are frequent ferry connections to Denmark's southern neighbor. Germany's two largest cities, Berlin and Hamburg are only a few hours by vehicle or train from most of Denmark as are the (German) islands in the North and Baltic Seas, Lübeck and other Hanseatic League|Hanseatic cities and a whole slew of historical sites from different epochs.

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