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Island of Zealand
Copenhagen
There are many things to see and do whether it is summer or winter while visting this capital city. It is the most populated city and this is evident once a person arrives by airplane, car, or train. There are many new sights and sounds one will experience while visting here. Listed below are among my favorites.
1. Walk down Strøget (the cobble stone pedestrian street lined with tourist shops, restaurants, and clothing stores) in the heart of Copenhagen. Some things one would see for example would be people licking their ice creams, hearing all the tourists talking in their own language, people enjoying a few beers at one of the many cafes, the "bottle people" asking for your empty plastic bottle (since you can return them and get money back), the people shopping and the god for saken the pløser man selling their hot dogs. Oh my gosh, I almost forget the sights and sounds of all the people riding their bikes through and around the city. Crazy Danes ringing their bells on their bikes to singal for you to get out of the way. The city busses horns honking at mainly tourists to step out of the cross walks when it is the red man. Danes are known not to cross when it is red. Even on an empty road with no cars they still wait for the red man to turn green.
2. Visit Christiansborg Palace (Christiansborg Slot), now the seat of the Danish Parliament (Folketinget). See the royal reception rooms and Parliament areas, as well as, the ruins of Bishop Absalon’s castle, built in 1167 underground.
3. Amalienborg Palace, the current residence of Denmark’s Royal Family. Arrive by noon to watch the Changing of the Guard. That is really neat. Near the palace is a huge fountain that can't be missed for a photo opportunity.
4. Nyhavn. Copenhagen’s revitalized canal district, once was home to Hans Christian Andersen. Today it’s lined with casual cafés where you can enjoy lunch and outstanding Danish beer. This place is nice to people watch and is next to another tourist attraction, which is to take a canal tour. This is a must to do.
5. Rosenborg Palace. In this 17th-century royal residence, you’ll find the Danish Crown Jewels and other treasures of the Danish Royal Family dating back to the year 1500. Outside of the palace is a picturesque garden filled with flowers to stroll through.
6. The Little Mermaid. Following the Langelinie pedestrian zone along the canal until you reach this most beloved landmark in Denmark. It is hard to get a picture of this tiny staute because there are always tourists there taking their pictures of it.
7. The Round Tower. It was built in 1642, featuring a wide, circular path that climbs to an observatory platform overlooking the old city.
8. Carlsberg Brewery Museum. Remember to walk the perimeter of the buidling to get a glimpse of the elephants. After touring the museum don't forget to have the two free samples of beer before you leave.
9. Tivoli Gardens. An amusement park, as well as, restaurants for dinner and snacks. During the summer and fall on a certain day of the week don't miss the fireworks display at midnight. It's a blast.
10. Church of our Savior (Vor Frelsers Kirke) on Christianshavn, also visit Christiana. This place is small section within Copenhagen where soft drugs are legal to use. There is a small street called "pusher street", which is lined with pot. This section of the city causes much controversy but it is interesting to visit even if you aren't going to smoke pot.
Other noteable mentions, which are a little further away from Copenhagen, but are manageable to see in a half day. Even though I do not like art that much I still have included some that I liked.
1. Roskilde. Cathedral of St Luke, the inside and Tomb of Frederik IX and the Viking Ship Museum. If you like to see viking history at it's finest, this museum is a muse see. There are around 5 viking ships on display, which were excavated from the surrounding fjord. It is very interesting.
2. Helsingør - Kronborg Castle. This castle is believed to be Hamlets castle from Shakespere's play. You can visit tombs underneath the castle and see a huge statue of the god Thor before entering. On a clear day you can see over to Sweden.
3. Hillerød - Frederiksborg Castle. It is located on three islets of the castle's lake. The exterior architecture is breathe taking, as well as, the interior with a significant collection of portraits and historical paintings as well as modern art. The palace gardens and chapel are also other noteable features to see.
4. Humlebæk - Louisiana Museum for Modern Art (Museum for moderne Kunst). Louisiana is not merely an experience in modern and contemporary art, but a congenial reflection of the interplay between art, architecture and landscape. The park serves as an ideal setting for displaying the museum’s collection of modern sculptures.
Island of Fyn
Odense
This is the third most populated city in Denmark. It is located on the island of Fyn. Visit the charming pedestrian streets, shops, and small cafes and restaurants. There are many more sights in Odense but I have only walked the streets and visit H.C. Andersen's house.
Hans Christian Andersen Museum (H.C. Andersen Hus). This is the home of the Fairy Tale writer.
Fåborg
Egeskov - Manor House (Slotspark). The best-preserved Renaissance moat castle in Europe. The surrounding gardens are beautiful, peaceful, and idyllic.
Island of Jutland
Århus
It is the second largest town in Denmark. It is a lively town with many cultural attractions to offer travellers.
The Old Town( Den Gamle By). It is a living and breathing experience of what it was like to live and work in a Danish market town, as it was in the old days.
Århus Cathedral (Århus Domkirke). Was built in Romanesque style in 1201. It was enlarged into its present form as a Gothic cathedral.
Church of Our Lady (Vor Frue Kirke). A church filled with much historical singificance.
Prehistoric Museum at Moesgård (Forhistorisk Museum Moesgård). Danish ancient history, from the Stone Age to the time of the Vikings. One of the main attractions is the Grauballe man; the only peat bog corpse from the Iron Age completely preserved. That was really neat to see. A wooden church has been rebuilt near the Viking houses in the surrounding woods/fields.
Jelling
Two Viking Runic Stones. This town is considered to be the birthplace of Denmark because of those Runic Stones. There are two runic stones, which stand in a Romanesque church yard in Jelling, an old Viking royal site. Also visit the new viking museum that was recently built.
Silkeborg
The Sky Mountain (Himmelbjerget). One of the most popular tourist attractions in Denmark. Himmelbjerget is one of the highest points in Denmark, 143 m. From the top of the tiny mountain/hill there is a magnificent view of the lake district.
Silkeborg Museum of Art (Silkeborg Kunstmuseum). Many arts of work by Asger Jorn and others.
Billund
Legoland. Everything is made of Lego bricks. It's an impressive sight for visitors of any age, with its Lego models of the Taj Mahal, Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen, the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore, and other monuments displayed in a garden setting.
Skagen
The sand dune "Råbjerg Mile" is the largest migrating dune in Denmark and the church buried in the sand,"Den Tilsandede Kirke", the tower of which rises from the sand.
Northernmost tip of Denmark A Popular place to see the calm Kattegat come together with the rougher North Sea. The result are waves at where they meet. It's pretty cool.
The harbour area has a remarkable marina, surrounded by fish restaurants where you can eat out of the doors.
Ribe
The oldest town in Denmark offering a chance to walk on old cobblestone streets, viewing beautifully decorated doors and facades, medieval half-timbered buildings, and ols street lamps.
Ribe Cathedral. Climbing the 248 steps to the top of the tower is recommended, the view is very impressive.
The Vikings of Ribe. Museum of the Viking Period and Middle Ages.
The Town Square (Torvet).
Sønderborg
Sønderborg is a well-preserved example of a medieval seaside town. The town is also significant for its defense against the German invasion in 1864.
Dybbol Mølle. A windmill in a field where danish soldiers stopped the German forces from taking all of Denmark in 1864. A sign of Danish National Identify.
Sønderborg Castle (Sønderborg slot). A 12th-centruy medieval castle fortress, dominates the town from its waterfront location.
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