20.07.2026 Denmark
(Canon EOS R6 Mark II with Canon RF 24-240mm F4-6.3 IS USM)
After spending last year’s summer vacation in the south, it was now time to conquer the north. Although I had already visited Norway and Sweden several times, Denmark had always been left out.Unfairly, as it turned out.
The first stop was Scherrebeck, from where the journey continued to the island of Rømø. A beautiful island shaped by heathland and an incredibly wide beach comparable to Sankt Peter‑Ording, that you can even drive onto with your car. On the way toward Aarhus, I made a short stop in Esbjerg to see the gigantic white statues silently gazing out over the sea. In Aarhus, the first destination was the open‑air museum Den Gamle By. This fascinating museum presents different eras of Aarhus life across several reconstructed streets. Right at the entrance, everything revolves around the years around 2014, then gradually moves back through 1974, 1927, and finally into the period between 1600 and 1900. All areas feature original buildings from their respective eras, complete with authentic interiors, giving visitors a vivid impression of each time period. This is further enhanced by numerous museum staff dressed in historical clothing, either demonstrating period‑specific activities or happily engaging in conversations about the different eras. All in all, absolutely worthwhile, just like Aarhus itself, which I explored more thoroughly the following day.
The journey then continued to Odense, the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen. A visit to his childhood home and the adjoining museum is definitely recommended. The museum presents the author’s life in a wonderfully fairy‑tale manner, blending his stories with other artistic pursuits in imaginative settings. The final section is especially enjoyable for children, where they can dress up and playfully immerse themselves in fairy‑tale worlds. Above this area, there is also a large studio where visitors can express their creativity through ink drawings, paper cuttings, or collages. One of the most impressive museums I’ve ever visited. Apart from the area around the birthplace with its beautiful old buildings, however, Odense didn’t have much more to offer in my eyes.
So the next day, the trip continued directly to Roskilde. The picturesque town on the fjord just outside Copenhagen is well worth a visit, and the cathedral with its countless royal tombs offers plenty to discover. From there, it’s only a short hop to the capital Copenhagen. With its beautiful parks and striking architecture, there is much to see plus countless museums, which I skipped entirely on this visit. Since the third day was quite hot, I headed out to the Baltic Sea coast to spend a relaxing day at the beach.
Slowly, the journey turned back toward home. First only southward, to make a stop on Møn and admire the impressive chalk cliffs. Compared to them, even the cliffs on Rügen seem small. To keep the return trip from becoming too long, I spontaneously added Schleswig with its Viking Museum Haithabu as the final stop. This museum is especially worthwhile for families: the exhibition explains the lifestyle of the Vikings, and afterward, in the museum village, many volunteers demonstrate and explain everyday Viking life in person. All in all, a truly rewarding journey across our northern neighbour.
Weblinks:
Map:
Pictures:
