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Backpacking Denmark in 2025

A complete guide for backpacking in Denmark with best places to go, best time to visit, what to bring and safety advice.

Visit Denmark

Welcome to Denmark, a compact blend of modernity, history, and scenic beauty that offers a unique backpacking experience. Pros? Immerse yourself in the charm of Copenhagen, cycle through picturesque landscapes, and enjoy the high standard of safety and cleanliness. However, Denmark is relatively more expensive, and budget options can be limited. For the backpacker seeking a seamless blend of cultural exploration and natural wonders, Denmark's efficiency, friendly atmosphere, and rich history make it an attractive destination, where the journey unfolds against the backdrop of fairy-tale castles and Nordic hospitality.
Best known for:Known for: safety
Best time to visit: April - October

💡 Highlights
Top-5 things to do in Denmark

  1. Visit the Tivoli Gardens: This iconic amusement park in Copenhagen offers a blend of thrilling rides, beautiful gardens, and live entertainment, making it a must-visit attraction for all ages.
  2. Explore the Nyhavn Harbor: Take a stroll along the picturesque waterfront of Nyhavn, lined with colorful 17th-century townhouses, charming cafes, and restaurants. It’s a perfect spot to enjoy a Danish beer and soak in the vibrant atmosphere.
  3. Discover the Viking Ship Museum: Located in Roskilde, this museum showcases five original Viking ships, offering a fascinating insight into Denmark’s rich maritime history. Visitors can even try their hand at sailing a reconstructed Viking ship.
  4. Visit the Legoland Billund Resort: Lego enthusiasts shouldn’t miss the chance to explore the original Legoland park in Billund. With its impressive Lego sculptures, thrilling rides, and interactive exhibits, it’s a paradise for both kids and adults.
  5. Experience the charm of Aarhus: Denmark’s second-largest city, Aarhus, is known for its vibrant cultural scene, including the ARoS Aarhus Art Museum and the open-air museum Den Gamle By. Stroll through the charming streets, visit trendy shops, and dine at the city’s renowned restaurants.

🌤️ When to go?
Best time to go backpacking Denmark

The best time to visit Denmark for backpacking is during the summer months, from June to August. During this time, the weather is generally mild and pleasant, with average temperatures ranging from 15-25 °C (59-77 °F).

The long daylight hours also allow for more exploration and outdoor activities. Denmark's beautiful countryside, coastal areas, and charming cities can be best enjoyed during this time, with opportunities for hiking, cycling, camping, and exploring the cultural attractions.

However, it is worth noting that summer is also the peak tourist season in Denmark, so popular destinations may be more crowded, and prices for accommodation and flights may be higher. If you prefer a quieter and more budget-friendly experience, consider visiting in the shoulder seasons of spring (April to May) or autumn (September to October), when the weather is still pleasant, and there are fewer tourists.JANFEBMAR
APRWhy visit in April?
MAYWhy visit in May?
JUNWhy visit in June?
JULWhy visit in July?
AUGWhy visit in August?
SEPWhy visit in September?
OCTWhy visit in October?
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when-to-go

Risk level: medium (50%)
Safety advice for Denmark


  • Denmark's terror threat level is 'significant'. 

  • There's a risk of terrorist attacks in Denmark. Terrorist attacks can occur at any time. Maintain high vigilance in public spaces and take official warnings seriously. Avoid crowds and be aware of your surroundings.

  • Pickpockets often target people in tourist areas. Take care of your belongings, especially on public transport, at national landmarks, museums, railway stations and restaurants.

  • Gang-related crime and civil unrest can happen in Copenhagen, especially in Christiania. There's a 'no photography' policy in Christiania. Travellers have been assaulted and robbed for taking photographs. Don't take photos in Christiania.

Denmark
My tips to get you on the way!
Does Denmark sound like your next backpacking destination? Use these steps to get you on the way.

Get inspiration 📚
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
Prepare your trip ✅
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for Denmark. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. Denmark may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Book your flight ✈️
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into Denmark, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
Book your first night(s) 🛌
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
My personal packing list 🎒
authorOver the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.


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last page update: 29 September 2024

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