Denmark Full Circle, Self-Drive

Transfer independently to your hotel. Start using your Copenhagen Card to explore Denmark’s capital at your own pace. Your card offers free and reduced entry to many museums and attractions, free public transit, and more. Copenhagen is a very active city with much of the population traveling by bicycle daily. As a visitor, one of the best ways to explore is by bicycle or the convenient public transit. You can visit classic historic sites like the Little Mermaid statue and Amalienborg Palace, or newer spots like the many renowned and Michelin-starred restaurants Copenhagen plays host to. Overnight in Copenhagen

Continue exploring the capital city of Denmark using your Copenhagen Card. Overnight in Copenhagen

Pick up your rental car to begin your journey north. Your first stop might be Klampenborg to see Dyrehaven, the “Deer Park,” where hundreds of deer reside amidst beautifully-preserved wooded forests, and the popular Bakken amusement park. Don’t miss the splendor of Kronborg Castle, otherwise known as Elsinore in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. It is located in Helsingør, Denmark’s closest point to Sweden. Overnight in Helsingør

Continue southwest through Sealand Island. Try a swim at Hornbæk beach, view the summer royal residence Fredensborg Palace, or visit the Frederiksborg Slot, a magnificent castle and gardens. Built in the Italian baroque style, the castle resides next to a charming lake in Hillerød, and has been home to the Royal Danish Military Academy since 1869. Continue to the town of Roskilde, dating back to the Viking Age. Overnight in Roskilde

Explore historic Roskilde today – the original capital of Denmark. You might like to visit the Viking Ship Museum, which contains 5 original Viking vessels from the 11th-century, and much more! A stay in Roskilde would not be complete without visiting the stunning Roskilde Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is the final resting place of Vikings and Danish Royalty alike. Continue your drive westward and across the Storebælt, or the “Great Belt” to Funen, then north along the coast to Kerteminde and your accommodations. Overnight in Kerteminde

This morning you have a short drive to Odense, the main city on the island of Funen. This city was Hans Christian Andersen’s childhood home. Continue your drive onto Jutland, Denmark’s main peninsula, and up to Aarhus, the country’s second largest city and the European Capital of Culture in 2017. Perhaps stroll around the Old Town (Den Gamle By), an open air museum, or check out ARoS Aarhus Art Museum with its distinctive colorful top. You can also wander through the city’s Latin Quarter or relax at waterside cafes. Overnight in Aarhus

You may wish to detour slightly to visit the lovely nearby coastal village of Ebeltoft, known as “the Nose of Denmark.” Afterwards, continue northward through Jutland, where you could visit Fregatten Jylland, one of the world’s largest wooden warships (which has been converted to a museum). Another option is a stop in Aalborg, the 4th largest city in Denmark, which features many museums and activities, and is known for its aquavit. Overnight in Nibe

If you didn’t visit it yesterday, you may like to spend some time in Aalborg. Drive north to Skagen, the very tip of Denmark. Here you can see the North Sea and the Baltic Sea come together. Stop by the Sanded Church or the Skagen Art Museum. Skagen is a special area popular with artists for its light. Continue west to the town of Thisted and its beautiful marina. Overnight in Thisted

Today you could take a brief drive north, visit the largest World War II fortification site at the Museum Center Hanstholm, then travel south through Jutland along the coast. Or, you could take the interior route and spend some time at Legoland. Either way will lead you down to Ribe, Denmark’s oldest town. Visit the Ribe Cathedral, which features the best preserved Romanesque style in Denmark, as well as multiple other architectural styles and traditions. There are also Viking sites in and around Ribe to explore, such as the rune stone and burial mounds at Jelling. Overnight in Ribe

Travel back to Funen island today. You can make an optional stop in Kolding, a seaport city with a rich history and museums. Once on Funen, drive down to Egeskov Castle and gardens, which is Europe’s best preserved Renaissance water castle, and home to the Veteran Car Museum and Titania’s Palace. Overnight in Faaborg, southwest Funen

Cross back onto Sealand island by one of two routes: via Storebælt bridge and the town of Slagelse, where you will find Trelleborg Viking ring fortress, or drive along the southern part of Funen, through Taasinge and the island Langeland – take the ferry east to Lolland region and on to the the island of Falster. For fun, visit the 1950’s style, living museum in the Old Grocer’s Shop. The area also holds an open air Middle Ages museum, a castle, and even a crocodile zoo! Overnight in Falster

You will have one more day to continue exploring Denmark as you make your way at leisure up towards Copenhagen. You will certainly want to visit the island of Mon, where you will find Mons Klint, the impressive white chalk cliffs, which stretch 6 km and more than 120 meters into the ocean. Return your rental car at the airport, then overnight near Copenhagen Kastrup Airport. Overnight in Copenhagen

Departure on your return flight to the US – or extend your stay in Scandinavia!