Retire in Paradise

Denmark is most known for being the birthplace of the popular children’s toy, Lego, and master storyteller Hans Christian Andersen. However, Denmark has much more to offer like the following, which are all great reasons to visit Denmark.

1. The Happiest Place on Earth

Among its many accolades and awards, Denmark has earned the distinction for being the happiest plcae on earth, and you’ll find this easy to understand once you visit Denmark. In its capital city, Copenhagen, alone, you will find Danes smiling while shopping along Europe’s longest pedestrian streets, having a family picnic in the Tivoli Gardens or simply enjoying a carefree stroll in the gardens of the Amalienborg Palace, particularly during the country’s seemingly endless summer days. Even in winter when the sun rarely shines, recreational activities abound, while there are festivals scattered throughout the year, like the three-day Carnival of Copenhagen, the equally colorful Aalborg Carnival, the Odense International Days of Blues and the Holmsboe Festival in Horsens. Indeed, if you were a Dane, you would be happy, too.

2. Freetown Christiana

One of the most interesting places in Denmark is Freetown Christiana, a neighborhood in Copenhagen infamous for its own liberated set of rules. Here, you will find anarchism rampant, the hippie movement more alive than ever, yoga as the most popular pastime, a limited number of private cars allowed, a thriving Gay House and both academics and jobless people taking sanctuary - which makes it a completely different world of its own. You can even find hash and skunk weed openly sold in many shops along Pusher Street, although this is something Denmark is trying to ratify.

3. Danish Design

Danes are also known for being excellent designers in almost every field. The Royal Danish Library and the Copenhagen Opera, for example, are just some of the architectural gems of Denmark while museums such as the Danish Design Centre, Danish Museum of Art and Design, Museum for International Ceramic Art and Museum for International Contemporary showcase the Danes’ expertise in creating furniture, glassware and ceramics which are all functional yet seemingly effortless works of art. Denmark is also home to the SAS Royal Hotel, the world’s first designer hotel with trendy creations by Arne Jacobsen while stylish clothes by Danish fashion designers like Bang & Ofulsen are easy to find almost everywhere in the country.

4. Danish Cuisine

For its cuisine, Denmark has various regional specialties like pan-fried plaice with wild berries in Skagen, pramdragergryde (lumps of pork with bacon and coarsely chopped vegetables) in Gudena, cabbage sausage in southern Jutland and bidesild (herring soaked in brine) in Mon, while open sandwiches or Smorrebrod can be found almost everywhere. For tasty Danish gourmet dishes, try eating out at one of the Michelin-starred restaurants in the country, like Formel B, Restaurant Ensemble, Restaurant Herman and Noma.

For drinks, you will find Mead, the drink of the Vikings, in Danish pubs, as well as champagne and fruit wines served in Danish restaurants, although Denmark remains a beer country, with nearly a hundred micro breweries. Famous breweries include those in Herslev, Refsvindinge and Bogedal, where beer brewing is considered an art and done the traditional way - with human hands or old-fashioned technology - which make them worthy attractions when you visit Denmark. You will also find Glogg or hot punch all around during Christmas, which is best enjoyed with the roast goose or special rice porridge that comes with the Julefrokost or Christmas feast.

5. Fun for Children

Denmark is also a great place to bring your children, with renowned zoos such as Copenhagen Zoo, Odense Zoo and Aalborg Zoo, and museums such as the Viking Ship Museum, the Hans Christian Andersen Museum and the J.F. Willumsen’s Junior Museum, which will help them learn more about the history and culture of Denmark. The Skuldelev Museum is a must-see attraction for kids who visit Denmark, too, with its collection of dolls and different toys from various decades.

There are also many parks where you can take your children when you visit Denmark - both fun amusement parks like Bon Bon Land and the original Legoland in Billund - where all the exciting rides and everything else is made out of Lego blocks - and children’s parks and playgrounds like Remiseparken, Valbyparken and Faelledparken. You can let your children participate in the treasure hunt at Selso Castle, too. In fact, there are endless options for fun for entire families in Denmark.