10 Best Places to Visit in Denmark Denmark is the country where Scandinavia begins. It’s changed a lot over the centuries. Once known for its fierce warriors, the Vikings, it’s now a peaceful modern country where innovative architecture shares space with medieval buildings. You’ll see picturesque fishing villages that trace their heritage back to the Vikings, so you’ll want to sample their most famous fish, the herring, perhaps at a smørrebrød. Denmark is the land of Hans Christian Andersen, so you’ll find palaces and castles where maybe fairy tales did come true. An overview of the best places to visit in Denmark: 10. Ribe “You’re not getting old, you’re getting better” is a phrase that is aptly applied to Ribe, Denmark’s oldest town. Located in Jutland, Ribe was founded in 700 as a Viking marketplace; its town hall is the oldest in the country. It was built in 1496, though it didn’t see duty as a town hall until 1709. There is much to see in Ribe, from its quaint half-timbered medieval buildings to Ribe Cathedral, the first Christian church in Denmark. 9. Gilleleje You wouldn’t think a country as far north as Denmark would have a Riviera, but it does. The Danish Riviera is anchored by Gilleleje, a picturesque fishing town on the North Sea at the top of Zealand. Fishermen put their boats to good use in World War II when they end-runned German occupiers and smuggled Danish Jews into Sweden, just 25 km (15 miles) away. You can learn more about these efforts at the local museum. 8. Elsinore Elsinore, also known as Helsingør, is home to one of the famous castles in the world: Kronborg, the setting for Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The play has been performed here annually for 80 years. The former medieval fishing village was founded in the 15th century, though a fortress and a church surrounded by convents were established a century earlier. It’s now a bustling port city. 7. Aalborg Aalborg is another ancient Danish city that, over the centuries, has transformed itself into an industrial and cultural (emphasis on cultural) center. It’s known for theatre, symphony and opera, as well as the Aalborg Carnival, the largest festival in Scandinavia that centers around carnivals. 6. Roskilde Located 30 km (20 miles) west of Denmark’s current capital, Copenhagen, is one of the country’s early capitals, Roskilde. One of Denmark’s oldest cities, it is where many monarchs are buried. Their royal tombs can be found at the 12th century Roskilde Cathedral, the first brick Gothic cathedral in Scandinavia. Another key attraction is the Viking Ship Museum. 5. Skagen Denmark’s northernmost city, Skagen, is also the country’s main fishing port as well as one of the most popular places to visit in Denmark, attracting two million visitors annually. This charming village, with its scenic seascapes, long sandy beaches and fishermen, was popular with 19th century impressionist painters. 4. Bornholm Bornholm, an island in the Baltic Sea closer to the shores of Poland and Sweden than Denmark, is known for its arts and crafts items, especially glass and pottery. The island is home to several towns with picturesque windmills and several medieval churches, four of which are round. The island, occupied by the Germans in World War II and later by the Soviets, is noted for its outstanding scenery from craggy sea cliffs and forests to verdant valleys and beaches. It’s reachable by ferry from Denmark and Sweden 3. Odense Odense translates as “Odin’s sanctuary,” but it’s more famous for other things than a safe haven for worshippers of this Norse god. It is the birthplace and childhood home of the famous story teller Hans Christian Andersen, so you can expect to see many statues and sculptures of his characters around town. 2. Aarhus With 330,000 people, Aarhus is the second largest city in Denmark. Dating back to the eighth century, it started life as a fortified Viking settlement. Aarhus has been a trade center for centuries and is known for its vibrant music scene. The city annually hosts an eight-day international jazz festival. Aarhus is a European Capital of Culture for 2017. 1. Copenhagen Most travelers will begin their visit to Denmark in Copenhagen, the country’s largest city and capital. As well they should as Copenhagen is a vibrant city with much to offer. The former Viking fishing village is now the cultural and financial center of the country. Feelin Good by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100475 Artist: http://incompetech.com/ Photo Crtedite by http://www.touropia.com/best-places-to-visit-in-denmark/