Denmark | ZHO Travel & Tourism

Denmark is small in distance and rich in detail: in one day you can see a royal palace, a painted harbour and Hamlet's castle.

The destination

About Denmark

Denmark is the gateway to Scandinavia, pairing a long royal history with modern design and hygge, the Danish idea of warmth and comfort in everyday life. It suits families and lovers of culture and leisure alike.

In Copenhagen you will find Tivoli Gardens, opened in 1843 and the world's second-oldest operating amusement park, the painted harbour of Nyhavn, and the Amalienborg and Rosenborg palaces. A few hours away are Aarhus and its museums, Odense, birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, Billund, home of LEGO and LEGOLAND, and Helsingør with Kronborg Castle, a UNESCO site.

Distances are short and the trains comfortable and punctual, so you can stay in Copenhagen and see most sights on day trips. We arrange hotels close to the sights, private cars for families and halal restaurants in the capital.

The best time to visit is May to September, when the amusement parks are open and the days are long; December adds winter lights at Tivoli.

Best timeMay to September; December for winter lights

FlightNo direct flights from Saudi Arabia; about 8 to 9 h with one connection

VisaSaudi citizens need a Schengen visa, which can be issued for multiple entries and up to 5 years

CurrencyDanish krone (DKK)

LanguageDanish; English is widely spoken

Time1 h behind Saudi Arabia in summer, 2 h in winter

Ideal stay5 to 7 nights

Ideal for

Family travel Honeymoons Travel with friends

Regions

Where to go

Christiansborg Palace tower seen through the Marble Bridge gates at dusk

01 · City

Copenhagen

The Danish capital of Tivoli Gardens, the painted Nyhavn harbour and royal palaces, easy to explore on foot and by boat.

02 · City

Aarhus

Denmark's second city, with the ARoS museum and its rainbow walkway, and its open-air Old Town.

03 · City

Odense

Birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, with painted historic houses and a mood drawn from his tales.

04 · City

Billund

LEGO's home town, with the world's first LEGOLAND and the LEGO House, the first stop for families.

05 · City

Helsingør

A coastal town with Kronborg Castle, a UNESCO site and the setting of Shakespeare's Hamlet.

Experiences

What to do

The fountains and flower beds of Tivoli Gardens on a summer day

Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen Copenhagen The world's second-oldest operating amusement park, opened in 1843 in the heart of Copenhagen. Gardens, rides and restaurants for every age.Discover

The Temple ride entrance in LEGOLAND Billund's Adventure Land

LEGOLAND and the LEGO House, Billund Billund The world's first LEGOLAND and the interactive LEGO House, in the town where the brick was born. Two days of play and building for children.Discover

Aerial view of Kronborg Castle on its headland over the Øresund

Culture and heritage Kronborg, Hamlet's castle A Renaissance castle on the Øresund, a UNESCO site and the setting of Hamlet. A fine coastal day from Copenhagen. Discover

Canal boats and colourful houses along Nyhavn in Copenhagen

City and shopping A canal tour from Nyhavn An open boat from the painted Nyhavn harbour past palaces, the opera house and the Little Mermaid. The easiest way to see Copenhagen in an hour. Read more

The Mintmaster's Mansion in the Old Town open-air museum, Aarhus

Culture and heritage The Old Town, Aarhus An open-air museum of historic houses moved from across Denmark. You walk through a Danish town across the centuries. Read more

The small yellow house where Hans Christian Andersen was born, in Odense's old quarter

Culture and heritage H.C. Andersen's House, Odense A museum opened in 2021 to a design by Kengo Kuma, taking you into Andersen's tales. Beside it, the house where he was born. Read more

The sculpture lawn of the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art at Humlebæk

Culture and heritage Louisiana Museum of Modern Art An art museum set in gardens on the Øresund shore at Humlebæk. A quiet stop on the way to Kronborg. Read more

Frederiksborg Castle rising from its lake in Hillerød

Culture and heritage Frederiksborg Castle, Hillerød A Renaissance palace on three islands in a lake, home to the Museum of National History, with baroque gardens on the water. Read more

Where to stay

Hotels and resorts we recommend

View all 3 stays

The white façade of Hotel d'Angleterre on Kongens Nytorv

Copenhagen Hotel d'Angleterre, Copenhagen Historic palace Explore

The Moorish-style Nimb palace in Tivoli Gardens

Copenhagen Nimb Hotel, Copenhagen Historic palace Explore

Billund Hotel LEGOLAND, Billund City Explore

Taste and addresses

Flavours and places to know

Danish food is simple and careful: open rye sandwiches, smørrebrød, topped with fish, egg and vegetables, the famous Danish pastries and fried fish. Pork appears in many traditional dishes, so we point you to the seafood and vegetarian choices and to the halal restaurants of Copenhagen's Nørrebro district.

Vegetable smørrebrød on rye bread served in Copenhagen

To tasteSmørrebrødSmørrebrød

Trays of stjerneskud, plaice and prawns on bread, in a deli counter

To tasteStjerneskudStjerneskud

To tasteDanish pastryWienerbrød

A plate of æbleskiver dusted with icing sugar

To tasteÆbleskiverÆbleskiver

To tasteRødgrød med flødeRødgrød med fløde

The octagonal square of Amalienborg with the equestrian statue and the Marble Church dome

Landmark · Copenhagen Amalienborg Palace Home of the Danish royal family: four palaces around an octagonal square where the guard changes at noon. Read more

Rosenborg Castle among the trees of the King's Garden

Landmark · Copenhagen Rosenborg Castle A Renaissance castle in the King's Garden, home of the Danish crown jewels. Read more

Shops along the pedestrian street of Strøget in Copenhagen

Shopping · Copenhagen Strøget One of Europe's longest pedestrian streets, from City Hall Square to Kongens Nytorv. Read more

The white Hamad Bin Khalifa Civilisation Center, Copenhagen's grand mosque, in Nørrebro

Landmark · Copenhagen The Grand Mosque of Copenhagen Denmark's largest mosque and the first with a minaret, opened in 2014 in Nørrebro. Read more

Questions

Before you go

Do Saudi citizens need a visa for Denmark?

Yes, you need a Schengen visa, which can be issued to Saudi citizens for multiple entries and up to 5 years. We prepare your file and book your fingerprint appointment; the final decision rests with the embassy.

When is the best time to visit Denmark?

May to September, when Tivoli and LEGOLAND are open, the weather mild and the days long. December is lovely for winter markets and Tivoli's lights, though cold and short of daylight.

Is halal food available in Denmark?

Yes, especially in Copenhagen's Nørrebro and around the central station, and to a lesser degree in Aarhus and Odense. As pork is common in local cooking, we suggest asking about ingredients and choosing seafood.

Where can I pray in Copenhagen?

The Grand Mosque of Copenhagen (Hamad Bin Khalifa Civilisation Center) in Nørrebro, along with other mosques and prayer rooms in the city. We point you to the nearest to your hotel.

How do I get around Denmark?

Trains are comfortable and punctual: Copenhagen to Odense about an hour and a half, to Aarhus about 3 hours, to Helsingør about 45 minutes. For families we arrange a private car and driver, especially to Billund.

Can I combine Denmark with Sweden?

Yes, easily: the Øresund Bridge links Copenhagen with Malmö in Sweden, about 35 minutes by train. Both are in the Schengen Area, so no extra visa is needed.

Is Denmark good for families?

It is one of Europe's best family destinations: safe and clean, with Tivoli, LEGOLAND and the LEGO House, and short distances. Cards are accepted almost everywhere.

Denmark: royal palaces and Andersen's tales