Denmark: Ten Things To Do

Nearest universities: University of Southern Denmark; University of Odense

Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales such as ‘The Little Mermaid’, ‘Thumbelina’, ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’ and ‘The Ugly Duckling’ have been part of the popular imagination for generations and have spawned countless modern-day tributes.

The Hans Christian Andersen Museum in Odense makes the author’s life sound rather like one of the fairy tales that made him so famous. As the museum’s website says, “The museum exhibitions tell of the writer's life, from his childhood years as the son of a poor shoemaker in Odense via the hard times he spent on his way towards realizing his dreams in Copenhagen, his schooling, debut as a writer and career as an author, old age and death. You can follow the writer's acquaintances, love life, artistic career and his many journeys.”

So, swap your course books for some fairy tales at least once while studying abroad in Denmark. 

Nearest universities: University of Copenhagen; Technical University of Denmark; Copenhagen Business School; IT-University of Copenhagen 

Kronborg Castle at Helsingør, eastern Denmark, provides the eerie setting for one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays, Hamlet, as the model for the fictional castle of Elsinore. It’s not hard to see why it was deemed an appropriate backdrop for the existential pangs of The Dane – built on an outcrop projecting into the Baltic Sea, it cuts a lonely, spectral profile against the coastal skyline. 

Numerous performances of Hamlet have been staged at the castle, with famous thespians from Lawrence Olivier to Jude Law taking on what is widely regarded as one of the most challenging roles in theatre.

Regardless of its literary associations, Kronborg Castle is an architectural and historical attraction in its own right. One of the most important Renaissance castles in Northern Europe, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a 600-year history including stints as both an important royal castle and a prison.

The Danish ‘fjords’ at Limfjord, Ringkøbing and along the Baltic Sea Coast, are among the most famous in the world, which is ironic, given that they’re not technically fjords. They are, however, tranquil, secluded and above all beautiful – and an important feature of Denmark’s traditional maritime and fishing culture.

If you’re really taken by the fjords in Denmark, there are many more across the Skagerrak in Norway that offer access to the age-old glacial beauty of the Scandinavian landscape. In particular, Geirangerfjord is famed for its spectacular alpine views and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site – taking a boat tour offers some serious photo opportunities!

Nearest universities: Aalborg University; University of Odense

At the beginning of the 19th Century, Danish artists, writers and bohemians flocked to the picturesque sandy shores of Skagen and the surrounding coastline to inspire the creative muse and escape the trappings of urban life. It isn’t hard to see why they were drawn to the area – situated on Denmark’s northernmost tip and now a popular resort, the Skagen coastline features rolling sand dunes and stunning views across the bay where two parts of the North Sea meet.

A great place to hit the beach during the summer, or to take an atmospheric, blustery coastal walking tour in the fall or spring, Skagen is a perfect place to work on your sketchbook or brush up your photography skills. For those who prefer looking at art to producing it, Skagens Museum is a must-see - featuring hundreds of works by the early 19th Century artistic collective who made the area famous. The museum also houses an important collection of Naturalist paintings depicting the local coastline. 

Image credit: Kieran Lynam, Flickr

Nearest universities: University of Copenhagen; Technical University of Denmark; Copenhagen Business School; IT-University of Copenhagen

Freetown Christiania, or ‘fristaden’ (the Freetown) has had a checkered history since it was first established in 1971. What was initially a cheeky attempt by squatters to use unoccupied military land in Copenhagen as a playground for children has since developed into the world’s largest commune, with around 850 permanent residents crammed into a 0.34 sq. km space. It even has its own flag.

Though Christiania’s residents may stand for peace and love, their relationship with the authorities hasn’t always been so harmonious. The government stopped turning a blind eye to the free trade of cannabis in the commune in 2004, leading to various protests and conflicts. However, the commune is generally welcoming to visitors and you are free to sample the quirky and unique atmosphere by taking a walking tour. 

Nearest universities: University of Copenhagen; Technical University of Denmark; Copenhagen Business School; IT-University of Copenhagen

Exemplifying the cool, elegant and functional style of modern Copenhagen, the ‘Black Diamond’ extension to the Royal Danish Library is the centerpiece of an ambitious cultural and architectural regeneration project along the city’s famous waterfront. Copenhagen’s answer to London’s British Library, the Black Diamond features a 600-seat auditorium, hosting concerts, theatrical performances, literary events and conferences. It also houses the National Museum of Photography.

If you’re looking for a place to study in style, the Royal Danish Library is the place for you.  Home to the most extensive catalogue in Scandinavia, it features original manuscripts by major Danish literary figures such as Hans Christian Andersen and Søren Kierkegaard. Equally, if you’re in tourist mode it is an architectural gem that deserves a visit regardless of whether you actually have any intention of picking up a book.

Nearest universities: Aarhus University

Denmark’s second largest city, Aarhus is both a heritage site teeming with historical and cultural treasures, and a bustling modern city with one of the largest ports in Northern Europe.

The old town features many important and fascinating museums and cultural attractions, including Den Gamle By - an open-air museum providing a window to the city’s medieval past.

For those who prefer to look forward, wait until the sun goes down and head out to sample the happening Aarhus nightlife – you’ll see a very different side to the city.  A student city with a lively cultural scene, every year Aarhus hosts Aarhus Festuge, or ‘Aarhus Partyweek’, the largest cultural festival in Scandinavia.

This article was first published in May 2010. It was most recently updated in June 2020.