Nicknamed “the Land of Every Wonder”, Denmark has a much to offer its visitors: art of living, quality of life, design, landscapes, and much more. We often picture this country as idyllic, but is that image accurate?
Here we have compiled the essential information you need to know about Denmark. We talk about customs, road traffic, specialties, rules, and more. In short, the essentials for discovering this country.
Denmark is a country where life is good, and most importantly, where people love living!
For several years, this country has ranked 2nd in the “World Happiness Report”, just behind Finland (which we discuss here if you are interested in knowing more about this country).
Thus, the Danes consider themselves to be one of the happiest people in the world. This is due to various factors, such as: meeting fundamental needs, a good work-life balance, hight-quality education, the fact of taking the time for simple pleasures (spending time in nature, listening to music, enjoying activities, etc.), a good health, the environmental quality, the social trust, etc. (Source: World Happiness Report 2024).
Denmark is a small country. With its 42,925 km2, it is roughly the size of Switzerland (41,291 km2) or the Netherlands (41 543 km2). But it’s far from insignificant!
The country is home to more than 400 islands (444 to be exact), most of which are uninhabited (only 76 islands are inhabited). That leaves a huge potential for exploring untouched nature.
Denmark is also a very flat country, with an average elevation of 31 meters above sea level. Its highest point, the Møllehøj summit stands at just 170.86 meters (yes, at this heught, we can agree it is more a hill than mountain).
Also, you might not know it, but the Faroe Islands and Greenland are part of Denmark. They are autonomous regions grouped under the Kingdom of Denmark. So, even though Denmark alone is a small country that ranks 30th out of the 53 European countries by size, it jumps to the 3rd place (behind Russia and Belarus), when including these territories.
With its 12,000 km of bike paths across the country (400 km in Copenhagen alone), Denmark is renowned for its cycling culture.
75% of residents use bicycles as transportation (even in winter), and the country even has a “Bicycle Embassy.”
Cycling is such an integral part of life in Denmark that only 4 in 10 Danes own a car, whereas 9 in 10 own a bicycle.
Like Germany (which we detailed in the article The 10 Things to Know Before Traveling to Germany), highways in Denmark are free. That’s always a welcome bonus!
There are only two tolls in the country, both for crossing large bridges:
However, the tolls are quite steep:
We recommend carefully planning your itinerary to avoid unnecessary trips across these bridges!
Important note: bicycles are not allowed on these bridges. If you need to cross, you must take the train, which can transport your bike.
In addition, bicycles are also not allowed on sidewalks. If cyclists want to use crosswalks, they must dismount and walk their bike across.
Other important information: pedestrians have priority over bicycles at crosswalks, even though bicycles are ubiquitous in Denmark.
Traffic Rules:
In Denmark, road rules and signals are strictly followed, whether you’re a driver, cyclist, or pedestrian. Unlike in France, you’ll rarely find people ignoring traffic lights. Following the rules will keep you safe and prevent accidents.
Car Rentals:
If you plan to rent a vehicle in Denmark, we recommend using the platform DiscoverCars. It compares hundreds of rental sites and offers the best prices and conditions (unlimited mileage, partial coverage, theft protection) with no hidden fees.
The Danish invented LEGO®, the small construction brick adored by children. Specifically, it was Ole Kirk Christiansen who created it in the town of Billund in 1949.
Today, Billund is home to LEGOLAND®, an amusement park dedicated to the brand and its various themes.
You can book your tickets here:
And we also show you some other activities that you might like in Denmark:
Fun fact: the name “LEGO” comes from the Danish phrase “Leg Godt!”, which means “Play well!”
Again, like in Germany and many neighboring countries, containers (glass bottles, plastic bottles, and aluminum cans) are returnable in Denmark.
This system, called Dansk ReturSystem or PANT, promotes better recycling and waste sorting.
Returnable products are usually marked with a “PANT” label, divided into three categories:
It’s also possible to get refunds for unmarked containers (like glass or plastic bottles). So, don’t hesitate to return all containers purchased in stores.
How It Works:
If You Don’t Return Your Bottles:
No worries—someone else will! Just like in Germany, Denmark’s homeless community collects bottles and cans from trash bins to earn money.
Convenience:
You don’t have to return bottles to the store where you purchased them. This is especially handy if you’re traveling.
Denmark has been a member of the European Union since 1973 and part of the Schengen Area since 2001. This means that as a French citizen (or more broadly, as a citizen of the European Union), your ID card is sufficient to enter the country.
However, Denmark is not part of the Eurozone and uses the Danish Krone as its currency. In Danish, the “danske kroner” is abbreviated as “DKK,” with an exchange rate of €1 = 7.50 DKK (as of November 2024).
While cash is generally accepted, more and more establishments in Denmark only accept card payments.
To avoid fees when making payments, we recommend checking your bank’s policies beforehand. If your bank applies fees (for payments, withdrawals, or currency conversion), you can always sign up for BoursoBank, a free online bank.
For us, we’ve been using BoursoBank’s Visa Ultim card since 2021 and are very satisfied with it. It’s free, with no fees regardless of the country or currency. Plus, if you open an account using our code SILE2464 or the link below, you can receive a bonus of €80 to €220 (depending on the current offer and conditions met).
Danish is a rather complex language with unique pronunciation and intonation. This is reflected in their alphabet, which has three additional letters compared to ours: Æ, Ø, and Å (also found in other Scandinavian languages).
Luckily for us, Danes are fluent in English and often speak German as well. Occasionally, they even speak French. With all this, you should have no trouble getting by!
In Danish, “Hygge” (pronounced “hoo-gah”) is a word that’s difficult to translate. It describes a state of being, a way of life, and a cozy, intimate atmosphere. It’s a warm concept that Danes incorporate into their daily lives to forget the stresses of life.
This mindset encourages people to enjoy and appreciate simple things with loved ones.
Hygge can be found in many things and moments. For example, the warmth and glow of a candle can be hygge, as can snuggling under a blanket or sipping hot chocolate. Furniture design can be hygge, as well as a family gathering where you talk about everything and nothing.
This elusive hygge is probably the key to the Danes’ happiness and one of the reasons they are among the happiest people in the world, as we mentioned at the beginning of this article.
During your stay in Denmark, observe and learn from the masters of hygge to bring a little of it back with you to France.
This right is truly a hallmark of Nordic countries! Every Nordic country has its own version of this right, with different names and slightly varying rules, but the main idea is the same: freedom to access nature.
In Denmark, this right is called “Allemandsretten.” It allows everyone to enjoy nature freely, as long as they follow the rules.
Here’s an overview:
All the rules are listed on the Danish Nature Agency’s website.
These are our 10 key things to know about Denmark. We hope you’ve learned something useful to help you prepare for your trip and enjoy your time there 😊.
If you’re ready to book your flight to explore Denmark, you can do so here:
Enjoy your trip and don’t forget to share your experiences and tips for other travelers in the comments!
1. Tap Water is Safe to Drink: It’s very pure, so there’s no need to buy bottled water at the supermarket.
2. Plenty of Free Campsites: If you’re traveling by car, van or camper, you’ll find many free campsites and opportunities for wild camping.
Freecamps are listed on Park4Night, and details about wild camping are available on the websites of VisitDenmark1 and the Danish Nature Agency1.
Many campsites are equipped with running water and toilets, and some even have shelters where you can stay for free.
3. Authentic Dinners with Locals: For a unique experience, you can book a dinner with locals for 682 DKK (about €90). While it’s a bit pricey, it offers an authentic Danish evening. For more information or to book, visit the Meet the Danes website2.
1 Links to: Park4Night, VisitDenmark and Danish Nature Agency.
2 Site : Meet the Danes.
How about we chat?