One of my daughter’s earliest city breaks was in Copenhagen, but with Vikings, fairytales and Lego (among other family attractions), there’s a huge amount to tempt you to Denmark with kids.
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From historic Ribe, the oldest town in Denmark, to the unspoiled coast, the capital’s museums, Tivoli Gardens and canals (not forgetting the Little Mermaid), Legoland Billund, castles, fearsome Norse raiders and peaceful islands, there’s a family holiday for all ages.
So this guide to Denmark with kids is designed to help plan your next trip, with inspiration on where to go, as well as tips on when to go, where to stay and more.
Practical info
Getting to Denmark
Denmark has over 20 regional and international airports spread across the country.
Most international flights arrive at Copenhagen Kastrup Airport (CPH), the largest and busiest airport in the country. Other major airports are found in Billund (BLL), Aalborg (AAL), and Aarhus (AAR). Regional airlines such as Danish Air Transport and Air Alsie run regular domestic flights around the country.
It’s also possible to reach Denmark by train. From the UK, you can jump on the Eurostar to Brussels, Cologne, or Hamburg, then catch a connecting train up to Copenhagen.
You can also drive to Denmark via Germany if you’re planning a European road trip, while Copenhagen is a regular stop for cruise ships.
When to go
The best time to visit Denmark is between the months of May and September. During these summer months, the days are longer and you’ll have a much better chance of warm weather.
Average temperatures range from 15C to 22C during peak summer, making it the best time to head outside and explore some of the country’s beautiful scenery.
Winter in Denmark sees temperatures drop below freezing, with strong winds and frost making it feel even colder. You can expect regular rain and snow in many parts of the country, plus there can be as little as 6-7 hours of daylight during the winter months.
If you embrace the feeling of being wrapped up and sipping hot chocolate in a cosy cafe while it snows outside, winter can be a magical time to visit Denmark, but you might prefer to avoid exploring in the coldest months with young children.
What to see
The land of Vikings and Hans Christian Andersen, Denmark is an exciting and diverse country with so much to offer. From modern cities and thrilling theme parks to historic palaces and beautiful scenery, there’s something to see and do in Denmark for every type of traveller.
| Island | Highlights |
| Copenhagen | Capital City, Tivoli Gardens, The Blue Planet Aquarium, The Little Mermaid Statue, Nyhavn Harbour, Canal Tours, Christiansborg Palace |
| Billund | The Original Legoland, The Lego House, Lalandia Holiday Park & Aquadome Waterpark, Living Museum of Karensminde, Skulpturpark |
| Aarhus | Den Gamle By Open-Air Museum, Viking Museum, ARoS Art Museum, Tivoli Friheden Theme Park, Marselisborg Deer Park |
| Aalborg | Aalborg Zoo, The North Sea Oceanarium, Fårup Sommerland Theme Park, Egholm Island, Family Farm Fun Park |
| Odense | Hans Christian Andersen Museum, Egeskov Castle, Odense Zoo, Danish Railway Museum, Funen Open-Air Village |
| Roskilde | Viking Ship Museum, Roskilde Cathedral, Roskilde Museum, Gundsømagle Lake Bird Sanctuary, Roskilde Fjord |
| Ribe | Oldest Town in Denmark, Ribe Cathedral, Ribe VikingeCenter, Viking Museum, Wadden Sea Centre |
| The Danish Riviera | Golden Sand Beaches, Beach Resorts, Gilleleje, Helsingor, Hillerod, Kronborg Castle, Frederiksborg Palace |
| Thy National Park | Forests, Dunes, Lakes, Wild Beaches, Hiking, Cycling, Fishing, Camping, Surfing |
Detailed articles
For more tips on visiting Denmark with kids, check out some of my posts:
Copenhagen
The best things to do in Copenhagen with kids
Copenhagen Metro with kids
Review: Is the Copenhagen Card worth it
Copenhagen: visiting the Little Mermaid
Copenhagen: sharks and Vikings – the National Museum and Blue Planet aquarium with a toddler
Copenhagen: the dark side of the fairytales – finding Hans Christian Anderson
Copenhagen canals: Havnebadet and a canal tour
Six places to eat in Copenhagen with kids
Copenhagen: Torvehallerne market
My guide to Copenhagen with kids
Jutland and Billund
Itinerary for one week in Jutland with kids – including Billund and Ribe
Things to do near Legoland Billund with kids – including the Lego House, Lalandia, and Legoland itself
Legoland Castle Hotel Billund: review
Lalandia Billund review: where to stay near Legoland
Travelling within Denmark
Denmark is an extremely accessible country to travel around, with very good public transport links.
In Copenhagen, most people get around by foot or bike. But if it’s too cold outside or you have little tired legs to contend with, the city also has a modern, clean, and reliable metro system. Copenhagen metro is very family-friendly, with easy navigation, plenty of lifts, and free travel for under 12s.
For getting between different cities and regions in Denmark, you can either drive or use public transport.
There’s an excellent road network connecting all major cities, towns, and attractions in Denmark. It’s easy to hire a car in the larger cities or at the airport. UK citizens do not need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive here for periods up to 90 days.
The country’s rail network – Danish National Railways – also connects the capital with almost all other cities and regions. There are faster express trains (lyntog) and smaller local trains (regionaltog) to choose from. For some of the more remote outer islands, you may need to jump on a ferry boat for part of the journey.
Flight resources
Skyscanner is the website I tend to start with to compare rates for my flights.
Money-saving tip: Don’t input any dates to scan the best available times to go OR simply input ‘Denmark’ instead of a specific airport – you may get a much cheaper flight!
For more ways to save on a city break with kids, check out my top tips
Accommodation resources
When I plan a city break in Denmark with kids, I often prefer my own apartment – and along with as well-known favourites such as AirBNB, I’m a big fan of Plumguide which has a range of accommodation that’s been individually vetted and there’s a good choice of family-friendly apartments in Copenhagen.
If you’re heading to Billund and Legoland, you can find self-catering accommodation there too – we stayed at Lalandia Billund for part of our trip to the area, although it’s hard to beat at least one night in the Legoland Castle Hotel for the full Lego experience (and early access to Legoland).
You’ll find more self-catering accommodation around the coast too, as well as family-friendly hotels. Booking.com usually offers the best deals, including free cancellation.
Safety tips
Denmark is statistically one of the safest countries in the world, so there’s very little to worry about when visiting the country.
Use common sense and look after your personal belongings in busy tourist areas. And be careful when cycling with little ones in the big cities. Cycling is a popular form of transport, but you may find yourself getting overwhelmed by a large sea of bikes on the roads.
Money-saving tips
As with the entire Scandinavian region, Denmark is one of the more expensive countries in Europe. However, if you are visiting on a budget, there are some easy ways to save money in Denmark.
- Eat the street food – hot dog stands are popular in Denmark – rather than going to expensive restaurants.
- Grab food from the supermarket and pack yourself a picnic to enjoy in a park or by a canal.
- Find a free walking tour – but do leave a small tip if you can.
- Where possible, walk, cycle, or take public transport rather than jumping in taxis.
- Book your flights, accommodation, public transport tickets, and/or car hire in advance for bigger discounts.
- Purchase city cards such as the Copenhagen City Card to get discounts on museums, attractions, and transport.
- Find free activities to do, such as wandering around a city admiring the architecture or hiking in a national park.
For more tips on ways to save on a city break with kids, including city passes and finding cheap (or free) tours, check out this post.
Packing for Denmark
What to pack for a family holiday in Denmark will vary hugely depending when and where you’re visiting – I’ve experienced unexpected 30C temperatures in Billund in August, as well as much chillier summer evenings, and cold rainy October city breaks.
No matter when you visit Denmark, it’s best to pack plenty of layers and a waterproof jacket or umbrella: even during the summer, evenings can get cool and there’s a good chance of rain.
Weather in Denmark can change quite rapidly, so you need to be prepared at all times. If you’re visiting during the winter months, the temperature often drops close to zero or below, so you’ll need to wrap up warm.
Don’t forget to pack sensible footwear for the many cobbled streets in Copenhagen and historic spots such as Ribe too, as well as if you’re walking in rain, frost and snow.
Book list
Lonely Planet guides are always my favourite starting point – as well as the Lonely Planet Guide to Denmark, there is also a smaller Pocket guide for the capital, Pocket Copenhagen
And whether you love fairytales or Vikings, there are plenty of stories for kids to enjoy before a family holiday in Denmark.
My daughter loves this beautiful hardback version of The Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen as well as So you want to be a Viking but there’s plenty more for different ages: I’ve rounded up some of the best kids books about Denmark here.
Covid resources
Before making any travel reservations, be sure to check the COVID restrictions currently in place in Denmark.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission
Images: main image, beach path, Copenhagen skyline courtesy of Depositphotos, all others copyright MummyTravels
