What’s so special about Denmark? Isn’t it just some cold place in Northern Europe somewhere close to Sweden? I mean, what exactly is Denmark famous and known for? …Is Denmark even a country?
This is where I enter this article. I’m here to tell you that Denmark is indeed a country (apparently a lot of people aren’t sure about this according to Google Search) AND it’s a country known for so many great things.
That’s why I’ve decided to make this huge list of “what is Denmark famous for”. Because even though I’m clearly biased (being Danish myself), I do believe that Denmark is one of the greatest countries in the world to both live in and to visit as a tourist.
Did you for example know that Denmark has free universities, Denmark is one of the happiest countries in the world, and Denmark has 400 islands and sooo many great beaches? Sounds pretty good, am I right?!
So hopefully when I’m done writing this, you’ll know exactly what to answer when people ask, “What’s so special about Denmark?”
All right. Let’s get started on this monster of a blog post. Here are 37 GREAT things that Denmark is famous and known for.
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1. Denmark is famous for the “Hygge”-concept
The “Hygge”-concept is about feeling comfortable, cozy, and generally good. There is no exact translation from Danish to English, so this is as close as we get to a definition.
So let me paint you a picture of hygge.
Imagine being inside of a café on a cold, rainy, winter day. You’re sitting in a comfortable, soft chair next to your good friend and drinking a cup of delicious cappuccino. Some candles are placed on your little coffee table, and there is calm music playing in the background. You feel good in this moment because you’re finding yourself in a great environment with the company of your best friend. This is Hygge.
But Hygge is not just about creating a cozy and comfortable environment. It can also be about enjoying. For example, when you’ve been hanging out with some nice people, then you leave and say, “Det var hyggeligt” – meaning, “It was a great time”
Hygge is about enjoying the small things in life and having a good time with the people you love. It’s that simple! And Denmark is known for being world-class-good at hygge. Check out this Hygge and Happiness Culture Tour and learn more about this great concept.
2. Denmark is known for its big welfare state
A couple of years ago, a news anchor at Fox News compared Denmark to Venezuela. She basically said Denmark is a “rotten” socialist place where people don’t have opportunities and don’t want to work. This is so NOT true at all.
Denmark is known for its massive welfare state, which basically means we work, pay high taxes, and take care of each other. So yes, Denmark is pretty socialist in that way. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Most Danish people like to work and because of our big welfare state, we give each other tons of opportunities.
For example, it’s free to study in the Danish universities (you can actually “get paid” to study because you receive a social benefit for it), it’s free to get treated in the hospital whenever something bad happens to your health, and if you lose your job you can get financial help while searching for a new one.
These are just some examples of how big and scary socialist Denmark is. The standard of life is terribly good in Denmark.
3. Is Denmark the happiest country in the world?
No.
But Denmark is known for always being in the top 3 of happiest countries in the world.
Every year, Denmark ranks very high in UN’s World Happiness Report, which is measured by standard of life according to the citizens themselves.
Whether people in Denmark are happy because the big welfare state provides a good quality of life or because they all love to hygge, we can’t really be sure of. The happiness could also originate from our divine bake goods (more about that later).
Either way, many Danish citizens are generally satisfied with their life.
4. H.C. Andersen was Denmark’s most famous author
Have you ever heard about “The Little Mermaid”, “The Ugly Duckling”, “The Nightingale”, “The Emperor’s New Clothes”, or “The Steadfast Tin Soldier”?
These fairytales were all part of my childhood, and they were created in the 19th century by no other than our dear Hans Christian Andersen.
H. C. Andersen is without a doubt the most famous author and poet from Denmark, and his fairytales still live on today.
5. Søren Kierkegaard was a famous philosopher
Denmark is also famous for Søren Aabye Kierkegaard who was a Danish philosopher from the 19th century.
Søren Kierkegaard is considered to be the first person to write and talk about existentialism. His philosophical focus was on the “single individual”, and how we are individually responsible to give our own life meaning.
“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.”
“The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.”
“Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.”
Søren Kierkegaard
You can visit both H.C. Andersen’s and Søren Kierkegaard’s grave at the Assistens Cemetery in Copenhagen – two of Denmark’s most famous people from the 19th century.
6. Denmark is famous for its Christmas traditions
December is one of the best times to visit Denmark because Christmas in Denmark is absolutely magical.
During the whole month of December, you’ll be able to find many Christmas markets scattered all over the country. Private homes, shopping malls, and streets are covered in Christmas lights and decorations. And most restaurants, cafés and bars will serve a typical type of mulled wine called “Gløgg” with the typical Danish Christmas treat called “Æbleskiver”
In Denmark, we actually celebrate Christmas on the 24th of December. So on Christmas Eve, families gather to eat a traditional Danish Christmas dinner, then they walk around the decorated and candle-lit Christmas tree in the living room while holding hands and singing (yup, exactly how it sounds!), and end the evening with opening presents.
It’s all very magical and typical Danish. Christmas in Denmark is absolutely brilliant, and it’s the most famous holiday that the country is known for.
7. Dannebrog is the oldest flag in the world
The Danish flag is red with a white cross in the middle, and it’s called “Dannebrog”
Dannebrog was adopted as the National Flag of Denmark in 1219, which makes it the oldest flag in the world. The legend says that it fell from the sky during the Battle of Lindanisse.
The flag is still widely used in Denmark today.
Every time it’s someone’s birthday, Danish people decorate with Danish flags, and if you go to the Arrival Hall in Copenhagen Airport, then you’ll see many people waving with the Danish flag. Plus every time it’s the Queen’s Birthday or a National Holiday, you’ll see the buses driving around with the Danish flag.
Some people aren’t big fans of the flag because they deem it too nationalistic since it’s been widely used by the nationalistic right-winged parties in Denmark. But I completely disagree, I love that we use the flag on so many special occasions, and I think it’s a cool thing that Denmark is known for!
8. Denmark has more than 400 islands
Did you know that Denmark actually has more than 400 islands? I didn’t, and I’m Danish…
I knew that there were a lot of islands in Denmark, but I didn’t know that it was just above 400. However, less than 100 islands are actually populated, so it’s not as crazy as it sounds.
The most famous island in Denmark is probably Sjælland, also known as Zealand, which is where Copenhagen is located. There are also several popular vacation islands in Denmark such as Bornholm, Anholt, Samsø, Ærø, and Læsø. Denmark is actually a great place to spend your holiday – as long as the weather is with you. Good luck!
9. Denmark is known for its great beaches
Because there are so many islands and so much coastline in Denmark, you can find some really great beaches around the country.
All beaches in Denmark are public, which means you can basically go swim wherever you want. There are even beaches in Copenhagen, which you can use as you please.
The only problem with going to the beach in Denmark is that it’s only comfortable to swim during the summer months, or else the water is just freezing! Although winter bathing is a popular activity in Denmark, it’s a solid NO THANKS for me.
10. There are 3 extra letters in the Danish alphabet
Æ. Ø. Å.
Those are the 3 extra letters that the Danish alphabet consists of. They’re all vocals, and they’re widely used in the Danish language.
Here are some Danish words that starts with the Æ, Ø, Å letters:
| Danish word | English translation |
|---|---|
| Æsel | Donkey |
| Æble | Apple |
| Ændre | Change |
| Ø | Island |
| Øre | Ear |
| Økse | Axe |
| Å | Creek |
| Åben | Open |
| Åndssvag | Ridiculous |
11. Carlsberg is the most famous beer of Denmark
Danish people love beer!
Carlsberg is without a doubt Denmark’s most famous brewery and beer. The brewery was founded in 1847 by J.C. Jacobsen and has its headquarter in Copenhagen. Also, Carlsberg is in the top 5 of largest brewery companies in the world.
So make sure to enjoy a cold Carlsberg during your visit to Denmark, it’s really a must!
I mean, it’s probably the best beer in the world?.. – According to their own slogan. Spoiler alert: It’s not. It’s a good beer, but it’s far from being the best in the world.
12. Danish bacon is the absolute best
Seriously. It’s the best! If you’re visiting Denmark, then make sure to fry some bacon with your eggs.
Denmark is known for being one of the biggest pork meat exports in the world. In fact, right now, there are more pigs in Denmark than there are people. My point being, if you eat meat and you’re visiting Denmark, then make sure to try some pork.
Here are some classic Danish pork dishes to try during your visit:
- Frikadeller (Small meatballs often served with potatoes and a gravy)
- Flæskestegssandwich (Roasted pork in a burger with mayonnaise and red cabbage)
- Stegt flæsk med persillesovs (Fried pork belly served with potatoes and parsley sauce)
13. Copenhagen is the most known city in Denmark
Copenhagen, also known as “København”, is the most populated and known city in Denmark. Plus, it’s also the capital of the country.
It’s a beautiful city full of old historical buildings, canals, cobblestone streets, romantic squares and… bicycles! There are so many great things to see in Copenhagen such as the Little Mermaid, the Palace where the Danish Queen lives, and the Round Tower.
I absolutely love Copenhagen. While there are many other great cities in Denmark, my heart will always belong to Copenhagen. So make sure to spend some time exploring the capital if you’re heading to Denmark.
14. The Little Mermaid is Denmark’s most famous statue
One of the most popular things to see in Copenhagen (and Denmark!) is the Little Mermaid statue, also known as, “Den lille havfrue”.
Some people love it, and some people call it the most underwhelming statue in the world. I think I find myself somewhere in the middle of those two opinions.
The Little Mermaid is a bronze statue of a mermaid sitting on a rock in the ocean slowly becoming human. It refers to the popular fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen, “The Little Mermaid”, and it’s the most famous attraction in Copenhagen.
Whether you like statues or not, it’s a MUST VISIT on any sightseeing tour to Copenhagen!
15. Dyrehavsbakken is the World’s oldest amusement park
One of the greatest things that Denmark is famous for is the oldest functioning amusement park in the world!
Only a short train ride from Copenhagen, you’ll find the amusement park Dyrehavsbakken, also commonly known as “Bakken”.
The amusement park was founded in 1583 and is situated in a forest. And it’s as cool as it sounds.
Because the amusement park is located in a forest, you can freely enter the amusement park as you please! You just need to pay for the rides you wish to go on. After your visit to Bakken, you can go deeper into the forest and see if you can spot some of the many deer that live in the area.
16. Roskilde is the largest festival in Northern Europe
Denmark is famous for hosting one of the largest music festivals in Europe – it’s actually the largest one in Northern Europe. And TRUST ME, it’s a great festival! I’ve been there are couple of times myself…
It’s an annual week-long festival full of weird activities such as the naked run, several camp parties, and daily events on the small stages. And so many legends such as Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Metallica and Nirvana have played at Roskilde – just to name a few…
17. Denmark is famous for its viking history
Another thing that Denmark is famous for are the vikings!
The vikings were a seafaring people who went around Europe to raid and trade between the 8th and 11th century. The vikings spoke Old Norse, believed in gods such as Thor and Odin, and wrote the alphabet in runes.
There are several legends about the vikings that shape so much of Danish history today. You can learn tons about the vikings in the National Museum of Denmark or at some of the viking museums scattered around the country.
18. Denmark is the oldest kingdom in Europe
The Danish Royal Family is famous because its heritage can be traced back to more than a thousand years ago, thus making Denmark one of the oldest kingdoms in the world, and the oldest one in all of Europe.
The Royal Family in Denmark has a marvelous history dating back to the first kings of Denmark in the 900’s named Gorm den Gamle and Harald Blåtand (Gorm the Old and Harald Bluetooth).
King Frederik 10 is the current monarch of Denmark, and he is very much liked by the Danes. Although some Danes don’t really care much for the Royal Family, it’s still a big part of Denmark and its cultural heritage.
You can easily stroll past Amalienborg Palace, during your trip to Copenhagen, if you want to see the current residence of the King.
19. Smørrebrød is the most Danish thing you can eat
Every country has its “weird” dish that not many tourists fancy… In my opinion, Smørrebrød is one of the lesser-loved things that Denmark is famous for. Not that it’s bad, it’s just not the main reason why people visit Denmark.
Some people call Smørrebrød open sandwiches, but it really has nothing to do with a sandwich.
It’s a dish that consists of one piece of sliced ryebread (dark, grainy bread that most tourists have difficulty swallowing), and then topped with different cold cuts or fish.
Being Danish myself, I absolutely love it! It’s healthy and delicious, so make sure to try it on your trip to Denmark because it’s REALLY a classic Danish thing to eat. You can join this Culinary Experience Food Tour where you also get to try different types of Smørrebrød.
20. Greenland is actually part of Denmark
Greenland is the World’s biggest island!
And it has actually been part of the Kingdom of Denmark since in 1814. This means that the citizens of Greenland have Danish Passports.
However, Greenland has gained more independence over time, and it’s now seen as an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. This means that Greenland has its own Greenlandic government and rule as an independent country.
21. Denmark is known for beautiful fairytale castles
Since Denmark is one of the oldest Kingdoms in the world, you’ll find many incredible castles and palaces around the country.
Most of these castles are even open for public visits, even Christiansborg Palace, which is the palace where the Danish Parliament is situated.
Check out this full day tour from Copenhagen where you get to visit both Kronborg Castle and Frederiksborg Castle in one day!
22. Danish design & architecture is world-famous
Denmark has given the world many great designers within furniture, fashion, and architecture.
Danish design is known for simplicity, sustainability, and sophistication. So basically something with straight, smooth lines inspired by nature.
The most famous designer is probably the architect Arne Jacobsen (1902-1971), who created furniture and is mostly known for his impressive chairs. It was also a Dane, the architect Jørn Utzon, who designed the world-famous Opera House in Sydney.
23. Tivoli is the most popular amusement park
Back to the amusement parks! Because you simply cannot write a blog post on what Denmark is most famous and known for without mentioning the Tivoli Gardens.
It’s the third oldest functioning amusement park in the world, and it has been open since 1843.
BUT Tivoli Gardens is much more than just an amusement park. It’s an experience.
The park is full of beautiful buildings inspired by the Orient – and some of them are even created by famous Danish architects.
You cannot visit Copenhagen without seeing the Tivoli Gardens. The park is especially magical during Halloween and Christmas when it’s fully decorated! You can book your entrance ticket here.
24. Denmark is known for flat green landscapes
Even though there are a some hills and slopes in Jylland, Denmark is basically known for being a flat country.
Denmark is definitely NOT the place to go if you’re looking to go hiking in the mountains. The highest mountain in Denmark is named, “Himmelbjerget” or “The Sky Mountain”. However, it’s only 147 meters tall. So it’s not really classified as a mountain…
But on the positive side, a lot of the landscapes in Denmark are green from the many flat plains, and you’re always close to the ocean where you’re guaranteed a lovely scenery.
25. LEGO is the most famous Danish toy company
LEGO was created in 1932 by Danish Ole Kirk Kristiansen. The word “LEGO” is an abbreviation from, “Leg Godt”, which basically means “Play Well”.
If you didn’t play with LEGO in your childhood, then I’ll shed a little tear for you… BUT it’s never too late! LEGO also produce toys for adults. For example, you can built Empire State Building, Taj Mahal, or the Colosseum. It’s honestly pretty cool.
26. The New Nordic Cuisine was invented in Copenhagen
Denmark (and the rest of Scandinavia) is famous for its New Nordic Cuisine. Back in 2004, famous Danish chef Claus Meyer and 11 other popular chefs from Scandinavia came up with the New Nordic Food Manifesto.
It’s basically a modern approach to the Nordic cuisine. New Nordic is about getting back to the roots of cooking in the North. It’s about serving fresh, local, and organic dishes depending on the season. And combining the seasonal ingredients with a modern approach to the Nordic culinary traditions.
There are several popular (and super expensive) quality restaurants in Denmark who serve Nordic food, most of which have 1 or several Michelin stars. Here are some popular ones you can check out: Noma, Geranium, and Kadeau. Good luck getting a table.
For those who just wants a taste of Denmark, why don’t you stick to this Culinary Experience Food Tour.
27. Denmark is famous for its many hot dog stands
Yea. This is a bit of a weird one.
But there are so many hot dog stands in Denmark! In the 1970’s there used to be 700 hot dog stands scattered around the country, but today there are only about 100 left – most of which are situated in Copenhagen.
Since we now know that Denmark is famous for producing pork, I can assure you that you can get a really good hot dog on your visit!
There are several types of hot dogs with different sausages and sauces – depending on what you want. They all range between 30-45 DKK, which makes it an affordable meal in expensive Denmark.
28. The Faroe Islands are part of Denmark
The Faroe Islands are a North Atlantic group of islands located between Scotland and Iceland with just over 50.000 inhabitants.
Even though I’ve never visited the islands myself, I hear that the islands are so special and beautiful. I really hope to go some day!
Just like Greenland, the Faroe Islands are also known for being part of the Kingdom of Denmark. The Faroe Islands have been self-governed since 1948.
29. Denmark is known for developing green energy
Another great thing that Denmark is famous for is green energy. Denmark is a frontrunner when it comes to creating climate friendly solutions.
50% of Denmark’s electricity is provided by wind and solar power. Isn’t that great?! The goal is of course to completely drop fossil fuels, although that may take a couple more years.
Now we just need to tackle the next problem to save our planet, which is that Denmark is also known for being one of the world’s biggest consumers. But more about that some other time… Let’s instead try to stay positive in what has been accomplished by Denmark so far.
30. There are so many funny Danish sayings
Denmark is known for many funny sayings! Since I’m Danish, I’ve decided to give you some examples:
| Danish saying | English translation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Der er ingen ko på isen | There is no cow on the ice | There are no problems ahead |
| Rosinen i pølseenden | The raisin in the sausage end | The last (and best) one/thing/person in a sequence |
| Som sild i en tønde | Like herrings in a barrel | Being physically close together |
31. Famous actors that Denmark is known for
Denmark has so many great actors, and a couple of them actually made it into the international film scene. Here are some famous actors, who you might not know to be Danish:
- Mads Mikkelsen: Bond villain, Hannibal Lecter, and featured actor from the Oscar-winning Danish film Another Round
- Connie Nielsen: Gladiator, Queen Hippolyta in Wonder Woman, and played in Devil’s Advocate
- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau: Jamie Lannister from Game of Thrones.
There are also several famous directors in Denmark such as Lars Von Trier, Susanne Bier, and Thomas Vinterberg – just to name a few.
32. Famous musicians that Denmark is known for
There are also a few Danish musicians who made it to the international music scene.
Here are a couple of musicians, who you might know: MØ, Lukas Graham and Volbeat. Even one Dane made it into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Lars Ulrich, the drummer and co-founder of Metallica.
33. Danish pastries and baked goods are like heaven
One of the best things that Denmark is known for, is the bakeries!
Seriously. I’ve been around the world, and I still haven’t found any country that beats the bakeries in Denmark.
There are so many different types of bread to choose from in Denmark, and they’re much more filling and delicious than just a white baguette. However, the best thing about the Danish bakeries are the pastries!
The “Danish pastry” in Denmark is different than in other countries. In Denmark we actually call this type of pastry “Wienerbrød”, which translates into “Bread from Vienna”.
Here are a couple of classic Danish Wienerbrød to try on your visit to Denmark, just ask the bakery for the following: “kanelsnegl”, “Frøsnapper”, “Rosenbrød”, and “Spandauer”. And have yourself a little Danish breakfast buffet on your trip to Denmark… yum! Or why not do a Danish pastry baking class?
34. Denmark is part of Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a subregion in Northern Europe consisting of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Sometimes Iceland and Finland are also included under the term, “Scandinavia”.
The reason why Denmark, Norway and Sweden are the heart of what’s called Scandinavia is because of their geographical and cultural shared heritage. This is seen in the traditions, languages, design, food, politics, and history, which the countries share.
Even though all the Scandinavian countries are very different, they are also very alike when compared to the rest of Europe.
35. Denmark is known to be an expensive country
One of the not-so-great things about Denmark is that it’s an expensive country.
Unfortunately, it’s one of the most expensive countries in the world to live in. But the standard of life is also high, and so are the pay checks. But as a tourist, it can be difficult to visit Denmark (and especially Copenhagen) on a budget.
However, this doesn’t mean you should skip Denmark altogether because it still has so many great things to offer!
Plus there are several ways to save money while traveling in Denmark such as visiting the many free attractions around the country, eating at the cheap hot dog stands, and booking your hotel stay ahead of time.
36. The Mute Swan is Denmark’s national bird
The Mute Swan is known as the National Bird of Denmark. It’s a big white bird, with an orange beak, and a black knob on top of the beak.
There are thousands of mute swans in Denmark, so they’re common to spot in lakes and around the coastlines. It’s a beautiful bird, but it can be really aggressive, so PLEASE don’t get close to it. Just watch it from afar.
37. The national currency is the Danish Krone
Even though Denmark is part of the European Union, it’s known for having its own currency.
The “Danish krone” have existed since the 17th century. Although the worth and looks have changed a lot over the years, everyone in Denmark still pays with kroner today. The currency code is known as DKK.
If you’re heading to Denmark then it can be a bit confusing, so I made the following currency table with converts to help you on your trip:
| DKK | EURO | USD (JAN 2024) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 DKK | 1,3 EURO | 1,47 USD |
| 50 DKK | 6,5 EURO | 7,34 USD |
| 75 DKK | 10 EURO | 11 USD |
| 100 DKK | 13 EURO | 14,7 USD |
Thanks for reading this looong blog post about what Denmark is famous and known for. I hope you learned a thing or two, and that you get the chance to visit my incredible home country some day!
Did I miss something on this list? Then please leave a comment below with something noteworthy that you think Denmark is famous for.
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Hej Cecilie og Glenn
Jeg faldt over jeres side da jeg søgte på Namur i Belgien. Vi skal til Frankrig og tilbage gennem Belgien og fandt et hotel i Namur. Byen har meget mere at byde på end jeg troede takket være jeres beskrivelser.
I er fantastisk gode til at beskrive stederne I har været og i et meget nemt og enkelt engelsk.
Din danske side er både sjov og godt skrevet med mange gode billeder, man bliver helt stolt over at være dansker:-).
Jeg synes den er så god, at jeg gerne vil tilføje et link på vores side på Home-link. Home-link er en hjemmeside hvor man bytter boliger i hele verden. Så det er smart at præsenterer sig selv og sit land så godt som muligt.
Mange hilsner Gitte
Hej Gitte,
Sikke en dejlig besked at få! Beklager vi ikke er vendt tilbage med et svar før nu – det er for dårligt.
Hvordan var jeres tur til Frankrig og hvad synes I om Namur? Vi ankom til Namur uden forventninger og blev ret overvældede af hvor meget byen alligevel havde at byde på 😊 Tusind tak for din søde besked. Kh Cecilie