From UAE to Denmark: Must-see destinations beyond Copenhagen

Once known as the Land of the Vikings, the Nordic country of Denmark is one of the most progressive countries today and ranks among the top in terms of innovation, quality of life, sustainability and inclusivity. While the capital city of Copenhagen is a bustling metropolis known for its uber cool vibe, royalty, cutting edge design, modern architecture, picturesque canals and a vibrant gastronomic scene, there are several places beyond the capital that are equally charming. At the risk of sounding cliched, Denmark offers a medley of sights that offer unique experiences in terms of history, art, architecture and culture. Here are some of the places you can visit on your next trip to Denmark:

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Odense: located on the island of Funen, Odense is the third largest city of Denmark after Copenhagen and Aarhus and is just over 160km from the capital.  Easily accessible by train, this city offers a multitude of interesting attractions.  One of them is the Funen village which is an open-air museum centred around the pillars of sustainability and community. It focuses on the life of the past and its relevance in today’s times.  With over 25 buildings including schools, farmhouses, residences, hospitals, barns and granaries from the yesteryears, this museum shares invaluable lessons from the days of the yore.  The display serves as an inspiration and shows the benefits of a circular lifestyle that is eco-friendly.

Odense is incidentally the birth place of literary genius Hans Christian Andersen and is a haven for all you fairy tale lovers.  While here you can visit the original house in which he was born; a simple structure that has been preserved impeccably. The Hans Christian Andersen Museum, which was opened in 2021 is one of the most popular places to visit in Odense.  Designed by renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, this interactive museum houses several unique and rare artefacts from the life of Andersen including his travel souvenirs, personal letters, original manuscripts, awards and even his waste paper basket! There are displays related to his famous fairy tales, including The Princess and the Pea, Thumbelina and The Ugly Duckling, which are sure to evoke reflection and conjure new perspectives.

Apart from the Odense Cathedral in the city centre, the city has several engaging museums including the Art Museum Brandts and TIME museum for Odense.  Before you leave make sure you visit Storms Pakhus which is the city’s largest street food market. This erstwhile industrial warehouse has been creatively converted into a food court and sports a vibe that is distinctively quirky and eclectic.  Think colourful, kitschy décor, chairs crafted from used drums, tables from soft drink crates and containers repurposed into planters.

Roskilde:  The former capital of Denmark, Roskilde is located about 30km from Copenhagen and is again easily accessible by road and train. With scenic fjords scattered all over, Roskilde has a number of compelling sights including the Roskilde Cathedral and the renowned Viking Ship Museum.  The Roskilde cathedral, which is a Unesco World Heritage Site, was the first Gothic cathedral to be built of brick in Denmark and has been the burial place of the Danish royal family members since the 15th century.  While in the cathedral admire its unique architecture, witness the tombs of over 40 queens and kings and the numerous chalk paintings on the walls.  It is interesting to note that a model of the tombstone where Queen Margrethe II will be potentially buried is also ready and open for visitors to see.

Explore the world of the Vikings including ships, Nordic boats, maritime trades, weapons and warships at the Viking Ship Museum. The museum has a permanent exhibition of five original Skuldelev ships that have been painstakingly and perfectly restored. It highlights the process of restoration including the materials used, trials and tests undertaken. You can also climb onto one of the ships to get a real feel of how the ships of the yesteryears were built. Also on display are objects used by the Vikings like weapons, armours, jewellery and even board games.  There is also a section dedicated to the different kinds of ropes used by the Vikings in their ships.

Helsingør: Also known as Elsinore, Helsingør is a port city in eastern Denmark and is synonymous with the 15th-century Kronborg Castle. This castle is the setting for one of the most famous plays of Shakespeare, Hamlet and has been immortalised as Elsinore in the play.  It is an important historical and cultural sight and has also been accorded the Unesco World Heritage status. Dating back to 1420, the Kronborg castle was a site of strategic importance and all ships passing through the Baltic Sea paid tolls at the castle. Apart from the royal apartments that are located in the first floor, the castle houses richly decorated halls, a chapel and a ball room. The furniture, tapestry and chandeliers are grandiose and so are the sandstone ornaments that have been crafted in exquisite designs.  Further, take a tour of the enigmatic crypts and catacombs in the castle.  Do not forget to meet the stone statue of Ogier the Dane (Holger Danske) who is a legendary figure in Danish culture. It is believed that Ogier the Dane will wake up from his rock throne whenever Denmark is in trouble and will defend her!

While in Elsinore, you can also visit the M/S Maritime Museum of Denmark, which is a time travel of 600 years taking you on a voyage of Danish seafaring history.

Frederiksborg Castle: Another important landmark and historical site in Denmark, the Frederiksborg Castle is located in Hillerød and dates back to the 17th century.  This stunning castle is nestled amidst three islands and breathtakingly beautiful baroque gardens. This castle built by King Christian IV is incidentally the largest Renaissance castle in Scandinavia and is the epitome of Renaissance architecture and superior craftsmanship. It was destroyed by a fire in 1859 but rebuilt and restored to its original glory by the founder of the brewery, Carlsberg, J. C. Jacobsen. Since 1878, the castle is home to the Museum of National History and traces the history of Denmark right from the Middle Ages to the present times. From scores of sculptures, paintings, artefacts and pieces of art, the museum has objects that have shaped the country’s history. You can also visit the castle’s state rooms and the chapel. The latter incidentally survived the fire and stands tall since the times of Christian IV.  It is key to note that even today the Danish kings and queens are anointed in this very chapel.