Denmark travel itinerary

Planning a trip to Denmark? Here you'll find our day-by-day itinerary (Copenhagen, Zealand (Roskilde, Helsingor), Odense and Funen, Aarhus, Skagen, Ribe and Billund), plus all the practical info to organise your journey: currency, visa, e-SIM, health, plugs and useful numbers.

When to go to Denmark

The climate is temperate but changeable and windy, tempered by the sea: cold dark winters (few hours of light), cool pleasant summers (around 20 degrees) with very long days. The best time is May to September. Always carry a windproof, waterproof jacket: the weather changes fast. In December, Tivoli and the markets make Copenhagen fairytale-like.

Practical info for travelling in Denmark

Updated: June 2026

Documents and visa

Denmark is in the European Union and the Schengen area: EU citizens only need a valid ID card or passport, no visa, for stays up to 90 days. There are spot checks at the borders with Germany and Sweden (the Oresund Bridge). Citizens of other countries should check their own rules. NB: Greenland and the Faroe Islands are part of the Kingdom but NOT of the EU/Schengen: a passport is needed to visit them.

Currency and payments

Note: Denmark does NOT use the euro. The currency is the Danish krone (DKK), pegged to the euro: about 7.5 kroner to 1 euro. It is one of Europe's most expensive countries but also one of the most cashless in the world: cards and contactless (and phones) are accepted everywhere, even by hot-dog sellers, and cash has almost vanished. A card with no foreign-transaction fees is all you need.

Language

The language is Danish, but practically all Danes speak excellent English: communicating is very easy everywhere, from museums to restaurants to transport.

Health and vaccines

No mandatory vaccines. Healthcare is good; EU citizens with the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) are entitled to necessary public care, but insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation is still recommended. For Greenland and the Faroes coverage differs: take dedicated insurance. Tap water is excellent and drinkable everywhere.

eSIM and connectivity

Mobile coverage is excellent and free WiFi everywhere. As Denmark is in the EU, EU SIMs roam at no extra cost (but EU roaming does NOT apply in Greenland and the Faroes). Travellers from outside the EU can buy a local SIM or eSIM.

Electricity

Power is 230V/50Hz with type C, E, F and K sockets: European two-round-pin plugs fit without trouble. For earthed sockets a small adapter may help, but in practice no adapter is needed for European travellers.

Time zone

Denmark is at UTC+1 (UTC+2 with daylight saving time), the same as Central Europe.

Good to know

Safety and pickpockets — Denmark is among the safest countries in the world, but in Copenhagen pickpocketing and bag-snatching against tourists are on the rise, especially in crowded places, on public transport, in pedestrian streets and at Christiania: keep an eye on bags and valuables. At night use caution in some outlying areas of the capital (Norrebro, Tingbjerg, Husum) and of Odense and Aarhus. Otherwise it is a calm, orderly country.
Driving: lights, alcohol and bridges — An EU driving licence is enough. Headlights must ALWAYS be on, day and night. The blood-alcohol limit is 0.05%: above 0.12% you face a 3-year licence revocation and even confiscation of the car. Motorways are free, but the two great bridges are tolled: the Storebaelt (between Zealand and Funen) and the Oresund (towards Sweden), fairly expensive tolls to budget for.
Bikes and scooters — Copenhagen is one of the most cycle-friendly capitals in the world, with over 390 km of paths: renting a bike is the best (and most Danish) way to get around. But mind the rules: keep right, use hand signals, never walk on the cycle lanes (cyclists whizz by fast) and at night you need lights. Rental e-scooters are common but subject to the same rules, alcohol included.
High prices and tipping — Denmark is expensive: meals, alcohol and attractions cost a lot. To save, make the most of street food (the 'polsevogn' hot-dog stands, markets like Reffen or Torvehallerne), the Copenhagen Card for museums and transport, and the many free things (parks, neighbourhoods, the Little Mermaid). Tipping is not compulsory: service is included, you only round up if very satisfied.
Banned dogs and customs — If you travel with a dog, note that Danish law bans the entry of 13 breeds (including pit bull, Tosa Inu, American Staffordshire, Dogo Argentino): the animal would be seized. Dogs and cats must have an EU pet passport, microchip and rabies vaccination. It is also forbidden to bring in weapons, knives and fireworks.

Useful numbers

112 — Emergencies: police, ambulance, fire brigade
114 — Police (non-urgent)
+45 7010 8090 — Roadside assistance (Dansk Autohjaelp / SOS on motorways)
+45 39 62 68 77 — Italian Embassy in Copenhagen (emergencies: +45 21 80 40 69). For other nationalities, contact your own country's embassy

💡 Rent a bike and live Copenhagen like a Dane: the city is flat, safe and cyclable everywhere. And budget for the prices: bring a no-fee card (here you pay for everything by phone or card, even a coffee), and make the most of street food and the countless free spots.

Denmark