Denmark

Denmark is clean, organized, and crazy expensive but it’s also one of the happiest countries on earth and you can feel it. Everyone bikes everywhere, the design is beautiful, and the food scene is way better than you’d expect. Just bring a big budget.

Copenhagen is the main draw and it’s lovely. Nyhavn with the colorful houses is touristy but still pretty. The canals, the bikes, the coffee shops. Tivoli Gardens is an old amusement park right in the city center and it’s charming even if you don’t do rides. Christiania is the autonomous neighborhood with different rules and vibes. Interesting to walk through.

The food scene is serious here. Noma put Copenhagen on the map but you need to book months ahead and drop serious cash. Street food at Reffen or Torvehallerne is more affordable and really good. Smørrebrød is the open sandwich thing and it’s everywhere. Danish pastries obviously. Hot dogs from stands are surprisingly good and cheap by Danish standards.

Beyond Copenhagen, the castles are worth seeing. Kronborg Castle in Helsingør is Hamlet’s castle and impressive. Frederiksborg is beautiful too. The beaches up north are nice in summer. Skagen at the very top where two seas meet is cool if you have time.

Getting around is easy. Trains connect everything and bikes rule in cities. Rent a bike in Copenhagen because that’s how you actually see it. The metro is clean and efficient. Driving works but parking is expensive and honestly bikes are better.

Money is painful. Coffee is six dollars. Meals start at twenty euros. Beer is expensive even by European standards. Hotels cost a fortune. Cards work everywhere and Denmark is basically cashless now.

Best time is May to September when weather is decent and days are long. Winter is dark and cold.