Denmark is a Scandinavian country and it is part of the European Union. It is a country that is littered with beautiful scenic views encompassing its lush forests to its serene coastline. Cultural heritage, liberal immigration policies, and a high standard of living are just some of the progressive things that set Denmark truly apart. This Dane-land is a must-visit destination for those who wish to explore Europe in the truest sense.
But before you pack your rucksack for Denmark, there’s some information you need to be aware of. Whether it’s your first time or if you’ve been to Denmark before this comprehensive guide will help you best prepare for your trip.
Also read: How to use Copenhagen card? Is it worth the money?
Things To Know Before Visiting Denmark
- Copenhagen (CPH) is the capital city of Denmark and it is where about a quarter of the Danes live.
- The Danish Kroner, abbreviated as DKK (International) is the official currency. The locals abbreviate their currency as kr. 100 øre makes 1DKK.
- Danish is the official language of Denmark. But fear not, the majority of the Danes speak English.
- The Danish flag, called The Dannebrog, is perceived to be the oldest flag in the world dating back to the 13th century A.D. The Danish flag features a Scandinavian cross that represents Christianity.
- The Danish monarchy is the oldest in the world and the current monarch is Queen Margrethe II.
- According to the annual Global Peace Index Report, Denmark has always remained in the top five spots in the last of the safest countries in the world.
- Denmark is ranked fourth among the flattest country in the world. The highest point, Møllehøj is only 171m above sea level, and the lowest point, Lammefjord is almost 7m below sea level.
- Among the short-list of countries that do not celebrate Independence Day. However, being a democratic-principled nation, they do celebrate Constitution Day on June 5th of every year.
- The Danish Realm encompasses Denmark, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland. There are about 406 islands in Denmark (not including the Faroe Islands and Greenland), but only 70 of them are inhabited. Zealand, North Jutlandic Island, Funen, and Lolland are their four largest islands with an area of more than 1000 Sq. Km.
- The world’s highest underwater waterfall, the Denmark Strait Cataract, is located in the Atlantic Ocean between Iceland & Greenland. The water flows down from a height of almost 3505 m.
- Of the country’s total area, 60% is cultivated with mostly fruits and vegetables. The leading exports are meat, fur, and dairy products.
- You are never more than 52 Km from the sea.
- It is safe to drink tap water in Denmark. The tap water comes from underground and contains varying levels of Calcium.
- The winters (Dec-Feb) are cold and dark, with long nights that start from 4 PM till 9 AM. The summers (June-Aug) are generally pleasantly warm, with long daylight hours between 3 AM and 11 PM. It rains a lot during the Spring (Mar-May), and in Autumn (Sept-Nov), the weather is a bit windy and illustrated with beautiful fall colors. Pack accordingly based on your time of visit. We recommend that the ideal time to visit Denmark is during the Summer, to ensure you soak in the sights comfortably.
- On average, it rains about 170 days per year, and the weather forecast is usually hit-and-miss. So, carry an umbrella or raincoat at all times.
- Denmark, followed by Finland, is the world’s second happiest country. Different metrics that were considered are GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and perceptions of corruption.
- Public displays of affection (PDA) like hugs and kisses are common in the cities.
- Denmark was the first country to grant legal recognition to same-sex unions in the form of registered partnerships in 1989. This was replaced by the Same-Sex marriage law in June 2012. Denmark is one of the world’s most LGBTQ+-friendly destinations.
- The cost of living in Denmark is very high, even by European standards. The tax rate is generally high and varies between a total of 37% and 53%. A Standard Value Added Tax (VAT) of 25% is generally included in the price of the goods you purchase.
- Denmark provides free healthcare and universal treatment to all its residents with valid CPR (Personal identification number).
- Denmark has the world’s healthiest work-life balance. The work culture is characterized as informal, encourages open dialogue, follows no strict dress code, and offers flexible work hours.
- You are entitled to unemployment benefits on certain conditions if you are insured against unemployment while working in the country.
- All children below 16 years have free access to government public schools. Higher education is free for exchange students and students from EU/EEA & Switzerland.
- The weekdays are from Mondays to Fridays. Saturdays and Sundays are considered to be weekends.
- People take equality and punctuality very seriously in Denmark.
- There is no word for “Please” in Danish.
- Buy prepaid SIM cards like Lebara, Lycamobile, or Oister as they are best recommended for tourists. To get a postpaid SIM card, you need CPR.
- You can drive in Denmark with a valid international license.
- Always drive on the right side of the road, and seat belts are mandatory for all occupants in the car.
- The Danes usually dress in black, white, blue, and brown. So dressing in vibrant colors tends to make you stand out.
- Pork is the most consumed meat in Denmark, followed by beef, poultry, and fish. (No wonder there are more pigs than people).
- In Denmark delight your tastebuds by trying Smørrebrød, Æbleskiver, Snaps, wienerbrød (Danish pastry), Frikadeller (Danish meatballs), and the Stegt flæsk (National dish).
- Food can be ordered online using apps like Wolt Delivery, Hungry, HelloFresh, Just Eat Denmark, and Uber Eats.
- Copenhagen is the world’s most bicycle-friendly city. There is about 7000 Km of dedicated bicycle paths and lanes. No doubt, nine out of ten Danes own a bicycle. It is eco-friendly and the most cost-effective way to get around the city. Refer to this guide on how to buy used bicycles in Denmark.
- The Danish alphabet has standard English letters plus three extra vowels, å (aa), æ (ae), and ø (oe), that represent unique sounds in Danish speech.
- There are about 10 UNESCO World Heritage sites in Denmark.
- The telephone number in Denmark has +45 as the country code followed by 8 digits.
- Denmark is divided into five regions, namely Region Hevedstaden (Capital city region), Region Midtjylland (Mid Jutland Region), Region Nordjylland (North Jutland Region), Region Sjælland (Region Zealand), and Region Syddanmark (Region of Southern Denmark).
- The Capital Region of Denmark is divided into 99 zones. All zones are numbered and have names:
- Central Copenhagen – Zone 1
- Lufthavnen (Airport) – Zone 4
- Buses, Trains, and Metro cover most places in the city. The commute by public transport is easy with the Rejsekort (travel card) which can buy from any 7-Eleven that is near the train station. The fines are hefty when you are caught traveling without a ticket.
- Couchsurfing is popular in the country. You can enjoy staying with the Danes and get a truly local experience.
- You can either stay in a very basic budget hostel or a high-end luxury hotel in Denmark, depending on your residential preference and how wallet-friendly you wish your accommodation is.
- There are many campsites across the country. Sleeping in the car is against the law and may result in a fine.
- All the taxis are equipped with meters and needless to say, they are pretty expensive. Taxi services such as Dantaxi, Taxa 4*35, and Taxi 4*27 operate in Denmark, whereas Uber and Lyft don’t.
- Most of the European countries, including Denmark, follow Central European Summer Time (CEST) in Summer and Central European Time (CET) during winter. The clock shift is to maximize the sunlight in the northern hemisphere.
- CET is also called Standard Time – UTC/GMT + 1:00 hour
- CEST is also called Daylight Saving Time – UTC/GMT + 2:00 hours.
- Know the emergency contact numbers
- Call 112 for police, fire, and ambulance in life-threatening situations
- Call 114 for police when it is not an emergency
- Call 1813 for medical assistance in the event of injury or sudden illness
- The power plugs and sockets are of types E and K. The standard voltage is 230 V, and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.
- Toilets are of the western type. There are many public toilets in the city center that are well-maintained and free of cost.
- Denmark is home to the oldest operating amusement park (Bakken) in the world.
- The Danish term, Hygge is pronounced as “hoo-ga.” It is a quality of coziness and comfort that creates a feeling of contentment and well-being. It is regarded as the defining characteristic of Danish culture.
From understanding Danish culture to comprehending the currency and knowing the timings, these are all the important things that you should be aware of before booking your ticket.
Denmark is home to friendly people, open-minded culture, and vibrant communities. Traveling to this country will definitely justify your travel expenses and your precious vacation days. It is suited for every type of traveler – the adventurer, the nomad, the lone traveler, or the fun-packed family tropes. There is always something for everyone, and we can say with certainty that Denmark is a place that one must see, feel, and immerse oneself in at least once.
Was this guide helpful to you? Leave a comment below. We would love to know what you think. If you or someone you know is traveling to Denmark, do share this guide. As always, stick with us, the Wandering Twins, for anything travel.