Where in the world is Denmark? It's the smallest Scandinavian country, about one third the size of Pennsylvania and about the same size as the Netherlands or Switzerland. It is home to about six million people.
Denmark has a large peninsula, two large islands beside it, and about 444 other (smaller) islands scattered along its roughly 1,000 mile / 1,700 km main coastline. The peninsula, called Jutland, has the largest land mass and "juts" north from Germany. The island east of Jutland is called Funen, and east of Funen is the island called Zealand. Copenhagen is on the far east side of Zealand; Odense is the largest city in Funen, and Esbjerg is a largish city on the western side of Jutland. I visited all three of these cities while I was in Denmark.
COPENHAGEN: Capital of Denmark, greater metro area is home to about 2 million Danes. It is densely populated, efficiently organized, comfortable to visit, and easy to get around in on foot, by bike or via public transportation.
As the capital of a former world superpower back in its golden age (1500 - 1650s), the city holds a lot of history in its castles, monuments, public buildings and spaces, and even in its streets. You can practically feel 800+ years of history under your feet as you stroll along. But today it is a vital part of Scandinavia and the European Union more generally. It is also famously modern in culture, style, and architecture
The Central Station, in the core of downtown Copenhagen, where bus and rail traffic meet.
Nyhavn, a scenic and old part of Copenhagen. Took a tour boat through the downtown canals
Canal boat near the Christiansborg Palace
Copenhagen Opera House
The Royal (Public) Library; a popular riverside hangout in town
The Little Mermaid Statue
Copenhagen City Hall: Lots of history here; the place is like a museum!
Christiansborg Palace, home of the Danish Parliament
Rosenberg Castle, home to the Danish Crown Jewels and other regalia associated with royalty. About 500 years old.
Kaktus Towers, an interesting residential complex in Copenhaven. Check it out; it's brand new!
ODENSE, the largest city in Funen, is the childhood home of Hans Christian Andersen. Apparently Odense is more fond of Andersen than Andersen was of his boyhood home 😉😆
Statue of Hans Christian Andersen, in a museum dedicated to him and his legacy
This is a new and imaginative museum featuring the life and stories of H.C., the Hans Christian Andersen Haven, in Odense. Definitely worth a visit if you like his stories
ESBJERG is on the West Coast of Jutland, about 300 km / 200 miles due West of Copenhagen. A former fishing town, it is now a gas and oil distribution center. It is also a gateway city to the Wadden Sea National Park
Quiet and pedestrian-friendly downtown Esbjerg
The Wadden Sea is famous for its extensive tidal mud flats. It is an important area for migrating birds. Two neighboring countries (Netherlands and Germany) share a UNESCO designation for protecting this valuable ecosystem:
https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1314/
Denmark developed its part of the Wadden Sea into a National Park in 2010
Wadden Sea National Park and World Heritage Site: https://photos.app.goo.gl/2zukiPn4P5v8rKMN9
HELSINGOR, home of Kronborg (another UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the M/S Maritime Museum of Denmark. This small city is north of Copenhagen and is undergoing a renaissance of sorts. It was a former shipbuilding center and is now becoming a significant center for shipping and tourism
Helsingor: https://photos.app.goo.gl/xapW1G6uxdHB22GFA
Kronborg, aka Elsinor, is a castle built by King Frederick II in the late 1500s. It was the setting for "Hamlet, Prince of Denmark" by William Shakespeare and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site
The M/S Maritime Museum in Helsingor is a wonderful piece of architecture, built within and between the walls of a former dry dock (Helsingor was an important ship building center in the past.) The museum contents are pretty great too
A wonderful visit to delightful, cosy Denmark Special thanks to the hosts, guides, and new friends I met along the way. Now on to Sweden!
Nordic Blogs:
Nordic Overview:
https://lotsofamazingplaces.blogspot.com/2024/10/amazing-places-in-nordics.html
Iceland:
https://lotsofamazingplaces.blogspot.com/2024/10/amazing-places-in-iceland-2024.html
Norway:
https://lotsofamazingplaces.blogspot.com/2024/10/amazing-places-in-norway-2024.html
Sweden:
https://lotsofamazingplaces.blogspot.com/2024/10/amazing-places-in-sweden-2024.html
Denmark:
https://lotsofamazingplaces.blogspot.com/2024/10/amazing-places-in-denmark-2024.html
Finland:
https://lotsofamazingplaces.blogspot.com/2024/10/amazing-places-in-finland.html
Estonia:
https://lotsofamazingplaces.blogspot.com/2024/10/amazing-
places-in-estonia-2024.html
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