- Destinations
- Europe
- Denmark
Denmark
Best known for its large dogs and Viking warriors, Denmark is a
small, prosperous and highly functional kingdom in northern Europe
that is often overlooked by travellers on their 'grand tour',
although it has one of the highest standards of living in the world
and plenty of charming experiences to offer visitors.
It is almost totally surrounded by water, consisting as it does
of the Jutland Peninsula and 482 islands. Its only land border is
with Germany. The country's capital city, lovely and lively
Copenhagen, occupies the biggest of the offshore islands. With all
the water it is not surprising that Denmark is very reliant on
shipping and fishing; the country also has an important
agricultural sector, though, and is famed in particular for its
dairy products. Lovers of butter and cheese will enjoy a taste of
Denmark!
Denmark boasts small green farms, blue lakes and white coastal
beaches, the rural areas sprinkled with thatched cottages, castles
and windmills across a gentle landscape which lends itself well to
cycle touring. The cities are modern and bustling, but an air of
medieval charm has been preserved in old sections of colourful
buildings and cobblestone streets. The country boasts 280 museums,
most of the important ones in Copenhagen, as well as the Viking
Ship Museum in Roskilde that is devoted to honouring Denmark's bold
ancient mariners.
Other special attractions include the annual summer music
festival in Roskilde, which is one of the largest in Europe; the
Tivoli Gardens amusement park which has entertained crowds in
Copenhagen since 1843; and one of the world's longest bridges,
which spans 10 miles (16km), joining Denmark to Sweden.
The country is compact with an excellent road and rail transport
system, and numerous ferry connections to the myriad offshore
islands. It all adds up to a very civilised destination, as sweet
and tempting as the rich, flaky pastry treats that the world has
come to know as the 'Danish'.
Information & Facts
Attraction Overview
With such an interesting and diverse coastline made up of miles
of unspoilt sandy beaches, fjords and small coves to the lake
districts, rolling hills dotted with windmills and gentle valleys
of the countryside, Denmark offers so many wonderfully unique
sightseeing opportunities. Gazing upon the many captivating moated
castles, picturesque cobblestoned villages and towns and rickety
buildings, there's no guessing where Hans Christian Andersen got
his inspiration for his world famous fairy tales.
Take a week to cycle through the beech woods in the countryside,
a day out in the Tivoli Gardens amusement park in Copenhagen,
explore the sleepy Medieval villages, or jump aboard a ferry to
explore the islands and marvel at the awesome bridges, such as the
16km (10 miles) oresund link to Sweden. With such a huge coastline
and emphasis on fishing, sampling some of the freshest fish in the
country is also an absolute must as well as a visit to the Viking
Ship Museum that is devoted to honouring Denmark's bold ancient
mariners.
The country is small and boasts an excellent road and rail
transport system, and numerous ferry connections to the myriad
offshore islands. Another great way to see the country and get a
real feel for it is by bicycle.
From Vikings and large dogs to pastries and dairy, the charming
and hospitable kingdom of Denmark is definitely diverse and offers
visitors an exciting and unforgettable experience.
Business
Business in Denmark tends to be conducted in a straightforward
manner, though somewhat less formally than in other parts of
Europe. Greetings are with a handshake (greet women first) and
introductions are usually made using one's first name. Business
cards are exchanged before or after the meeting. Punctuality is
vital and if running even five minutes late be sure to call and
apologise. Danes tend to be open-minded and friendly and one can
expect some small talk at the start of a meeting on a range of
topics. Dress should be smart and neat, without being ostentatious,
and can be more casual than in most countries. English is widely
spoken and understood. Business hours are usually 9am to 5pm Monday
to Friday. In the summer months (mid June to mid August) many Danes
are on vacation, so check before arranging a business trip.
Climate
Denmark has a mild climate with no extremes of heat or cold. In
the light summer months of June to August, the average daytime
temperature is 66ºF (19ºC) and in the coldest month of February the
average is 34ºF (1ºC). Being a coastal country Denmark can be
rather wet and windy.
Communications
The international country code for Denmark is +45. The outgoing
code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the
United Kingdom). There are no city codes and all local phone
numbers are eight digits. There are several GSM mobile telephone
networks, which have roaming agreements with most international
mobile phone companies. Public phones are widely available for both
local and international calls and accept coins and prepaid cards.
Internet cafes are available in most urban areas.
Customs
Denmark is an egalitarian society. Women and men are treated
equally.
Duty Free
Travellers arriving from an EU country with duty-paid goods
purchased in an EU country are allowed 300 cigarettes, 150
cigarillos, 75 cigars or 400 grams of tobacco, and 1.5 litres of
spirits or 20 litres of sparkling wine. Residents of non-EU
countries entering from outside the EU with goods purchased in
non-EU countries, duty-free in EU countries or on the airplane,
ferry or in the airport are allowed 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos,
50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco, as well as 1 litre of spirits or
2 litres of sparkling wine.
Electricity
Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. Round
European-style, two-pin plugs are standard.
Health
There are no specific health risks in Denmark, and medical
facilities are first class. There is a small risk of tick-borne
encephalitis in forested or rural areas during summer, and insect
protection is advised. Outbreaks of bird flu have been confirmed in
wild birds, but the risk to travellers is very low. Precautions
such as avoiding close contact with live birds, and ensuring that
all poultry and egg dishes are well cooked should be taken. Free
emergency treatment is available to all foreign visitors at public
hospitals, and due to a reciprocal health agreement UK passport
holders receive free medical and hospital treatment. To make use of
this service, UK national should carry a European Health Insurance
Card (EHIC).
Language
Danish is the official language, but English is
understood and widely used.
Money
Danish currency is the Krone (DKK), made up of 100 ore. ATMs are
liberally sprinkled throughout the country, and all major credit
cards are widely accepted, expecially Visa. Travellers cheques are
welcome at banks and hotels. Most banks are not open at weekends,
however Copenhagen has several bureaux de change which stay open
late at night, seven days a week.
Passport Visa
The borderless region known as the Schengen Area includes the
following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark,
Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy,
Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and
Switzerland. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa
that has a multiple entry option, and which allows the holder to
travel freely within the borders of all the aforementioned
countries. Additionally, travellers to Denmark must hold proof of
the following: (i) return or onward tickets, with confirmed
reservations; (ii) the required documentation for the next
destination; (iii) visible means of support (at least USD 30 or DKK
300) per day of stay in Denmark. NOTE: It is highly recommended
that your passport has at least six months validity remaining after
your intended date of departure from your travel destination.
Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated
by travel agents and official sources.
Safety
Most visits to Denmark are trouble-free, and crime levels are
low. During the tourist season, however, muggers, pickpockets and
bag-snatchers become active especially in crowded areas and on the
train station in Copenhagen. Visitors should take precautions to
keep personal belongings safe.
Time
GMT +1 (GMT +2 from last Sunday in March to the last Sunday
in October).
Tipping
Restaurant and hotel bills are inclusive of service charges, as
are taxi fares. Porters usually expect a tip of about kr5 per item
of baggage. Tipping bathroom attendants is customary, usually
around kr1 or 2.