Lighthouse on the west coast of Denmark
Denmark is the smallest Scandinavian country to visit on a European rail adventure. Use an InterRail Denmark Pass to venture around one of Europe's happiest countries and find out what makes the locals tick.
Copenhagen: Free stuff
Feel warmly welcomed into Copenhagen – Denmark's highly accessible and safe capital. It's up there with London and Amsterdam in terms of costly capitals, but don't let that put you off. Across the city are various free attractions and activities to relieve you of heavy spending. Check out the popular National Museum set within the walls of an eighteenth-century mansion. Another notable freebie is the Statens Museum for Kunst (National Gallery). Copenhagen is extremely easy to get around – either on foot or with a free city bike. More things to do in Copenhagen
The National Museum is a 5-minute walk from the main train station and the National Gallery is a 10-minute walk from Nørreport train station.
Viking voyage
A trip to Denmark isn’t complete without a stop at Roskilde on the island of Zealand and a visit to its famous Viking Ship Museum. Lay your eyes on five Viking ships excavated from the nearby Roskilde fjord. These ships were purposefully sunk in order to block and protect Denmark’s important waterway from possible enemies. Weather permitting, you can become a Viking crew member and venture through the waves aboard a replica ship.
The Viking Ship Museum is a 15-minute walk from Roskilde’s main train station.
Danish monarch
Visit Denmark’s very own castle treasure, in the form of the elegant and grande Frederiksborg castle. The fortress was built across three islands within the glistening Palace Lake in Hillerød. This splendid Renaissance castle and well-kept Baroque gardens detail the legacy of Denmark’s monarch. Also housed within the castle is the National History Museum, displaying the most important Danish collection of paintings.
Frederiksborg castle is situated 10 minutes by foot from Hillerød’s main train station.
Dance with the Danes
Denmark’s second largest city is Århus, which has a dynamic music and entertainment scene to rival that of the capital. The city attracts party revellers from across Scandinavia for its young and student vibe and not to mention its varied assortment of cultural going-ons. Train is a party animal’s dream, attracting top DJs and international musicians. As it’s a student town there are also bars aplenty offering student nights and special offers on entrance and drinks.
Train is a 10-minute walk from the main train station in Århus.
Picture-perfect coastline
Although Denmark cannot compete with is Scandinavian neighbours on natural splendours it does have a couple of its own treats to discover. Bornholm island in the Baltic sea has some of Denmark’s most dramatic coastline with waves crashing at the foot of rugged cliffs. Alternatively travel up to Skagen, perched atop Denmark’s mainland for stretches of sand dunes and fresh see air. Dine at one of the friendly restaurants offering locally caught fish.
Bornholm can be reached by boat from Germany and Sweden. Skagen can be reached by the private railway company, Nordjyske Jernbaner from nearby Frederikshavn.
Roskilde Festival
One of Europe’s favourite and largest summer festivals. Expect a huge line-up of international bands. The campsite opens on the Sunday prior to the festival officially starting. Every year there is a Nude Run around the campsite with the winning male and female getting a free ticket for the following year’s festival!
Roskilde can be reached by train from either Copenhagen Central Station or Copenhagen airport. There’s a direct bus connection between Roskilde Central station and the festival site.
Vikingespil
Throughout Denmark, the annual Viking Plays (complete with period music and Danish mead [mjød]) take place. If you have the chance, visit the plays in Frederikssund.
Frederikssund can be reached by train. The festivities in Frederikssund are within walking distance of the station.
Around Sealand Boat Race
The boats depart from the harbour at Helsingør, and the route around the island depends upon the winds.
Helsingør’s Harbor is in walking distance of the main train station
Copenhagen Jazz festivals
Copenhagen hosts a summer, autumn and winter version of this jazz festival. The summer edition turns Copenhagen into a Jazz stronghold. Concerts are held all over the city centre and most of them are free.
The jazz festival takes place at venues all over Copenhagen, which all can be reached easily with the capital’s extended public transport network.
Night of Culture in Århus
This culturally varied and unique evening features performances and displays in unusual settings – those normally not open to the public or not usually used for artistic purposes. All local arts organisations get involved, and performances run from 18:00 to midnight.
Take the train to Århus. All locations are within walking distance from the train station.
