For such a small country, Denmark has a rich history. Landmarks in Denmark are varied and plentiful; while you’ll find many in and around Copenhagen, that is not exclusively the case.
Visitors flock to Denmark each year for several reasons. While many are pulled in by the good life in Copenhagen, you can find yourself in acres of nature if you only head a few hours out of town.
South of the capital, you’ll find imposing cliffs — and throughout the country, you will also find plenty of beaches.
You will also find several monuments in Denmark. Not that this is too surprising; we are in the birthplace of the Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, after all. And beyond the historical landmarks, you will also find more cutting-edge modern architecture that has won several awards.
Of course, you’ve also got those that have been featured in famous TV series on Netflix and other streaming services. If all of this sounds interesting, feel free to join us on an adventure where we reveal some of the most famous landmarks in Denmark.
Man-made landmarks: Famous buildings in Denmark
We’ll discuss the natural landmarks in Denmark toward the end of this article, but it’s first worth looking at the country’s several man-made wonders. Below are some of the most famous spots in both Copenhagen and further afield.
The Little Mermaid
The most famous landmark in Denmark has got to be the Little Mermaid. And believe us when we say that it is little. The monument is located in Copenhagen, and it’s just north of the city center. If you visit the Danish capital, the walk up the waterfront is particularly picturesque.
The Little Mermaid statue was originally unveiled in 1913 and is a tribute to Hans Christian Andersen. It’s based on his world-famous fairy tale that goes by the same name.
Over the years, the Little Mermaid has been vandalized multiple times. But despite that, you can still go right up to it and touch it. You will probably notice it by the crowds surrounding the statue rather than the monument itself.
The Little Mermaid is one of the city of Copenhagen’s symbols, and it features in the logo of the city’s tourist board.
Nyhavn
When you visit Copenhagen, Nyhavn should be the first place you come to visit. Yes, it’s touristy — but this row of colorful houses is one of the Danish capital’s most beautiful corners. Plus, can you really say that you went to Copenhagen if you don’t post a picture of Nyhavn on your Instagram feed?…
Nyhavn dates back to the 17th century. In the olden days, it was a much seedier area than the tourist hotspot you see today; the neighborhood was a notorious red-light district. Now, however, it’s home to some of Copenhagen’s most expensive bars, restaurants, and hotels.
While living in Copenhagen, Hans Christian Andersen lived in Nyhavn for almost two decades. If you stroll along the waterfront, you will notice that some of the buildings have numbers on them; those signify the dates those particular houses were built.
Nyhavn is close to Kongens Nytorv Metro Station.
Aarhus City Hall
While Copenhagen steals much of the limelight in Denmark, Aarhus is well worth visiting for a weekend. The city is a microcosm of everything that Denmark excels at, including strong social cohesion and friendly locals. And, of course, design and architecture are at the forefront of people’s minds here.
Aarhus City Hall is perhaps the most iconic building in Denmark’s second-largest city. The building was completed in 1941 and is made of Norwegian gray marble. It’s not far from the main train station, so you will easily find it when you visit.
The interior of the city hall is also pretty impressive. Aarhus City Hall was designed in part by the Danish architectural great Arne Jacobsen.
Roskilde Domkirke
Roskilde is a town just 30 minutes from Copenhagen. It’s mainly synonymous with Roskilde Festival, which is the biggest music festival in Northern Europe. You will also find the Viking Ship Museum here; it’s a popular day trip from the Danish capital mainly for that reason.
The most imposing building in Roskilde is its main church, also known as Roskilde Domkirke. The church is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it dates back to around the 12th century.
You will see Roskilde Cathedral from most parts of the town; it dominates the main square and is a short walk from the main train station. What is the most famous building in Denmark? Probably this.
The Lakes, Copenhagen
When you look at Copenhagen on a map, you will notice multiple bodies of water in various cool shapes. Perhaps the best of them all is The Lakes, which separate the inner city from many of Copenhagen’s intriguing neighborhoods.
Originally built to defend Copenhagen from potential invaders, The Lakes have also functioned as a reservoir for the city in the past. Now, however, it’s a popular recreational area; you will find plenty of people running around The Lakes year-round, and it’s also a popular spot to go for a walk.
The Lakes originally formed one stream, but they have now split into three separate lakes. Sortedams Sø borders Østerbro and Nørrebro, with Peblinge Sø bordering the edges of Nørrebro. Meanwhile, Sankt Jørgens Sø stretches along parts of Vesterbro — with Frederiksberg also nearby.
Utzon Center, Aalborg
Aalborg is Denmark’s fourth-largest city, but it’s a place that many tourists leave off their itinerary. However, it has a couple of noteworthy attractions — including one designed by the legendary Jørn Utzon.
Utzon spent a lot of his early years in Aalborg, and the building is in a fitting spot to remember the great man’s legacy.
The Utzon Center is attractively located on the banks of the Limfjord, and today, it has a selection of temporary and permanent exhibitions. The building was built in the same year as Utzon’s death: 2008.
In addition to the exhibitions, you will also find a restaurant at the Utzon Center.
Christiansborg Palace
If none of the buildings already mentioned are the most famous landmark in Denmark, the accolade must surely go to Christiansborg Palace. If you have never been to Copenhagen before, you might have noticed the building feature in the successful TV series Borgen.
Christiansborg Palace might not seem too imposing compared to skyscrapers in New York City or London. But believe it or not, it’s one of the tallest buildings in Denmark. The current building was constructed between 1907 and 1928.
While the new version of Christiansborg Palace is relatively new, previous editions existed in the same spot; fires put pay to those, however. Today, the Danish Prime Minister works from the complex. You can visit the tower and get an excellent view of Copenhagen for free.
Tivoli Gardens
Tivoli Gardens is one of the most famous landmarks in Denmark, and it’s also one of the most adorned. Locals and tourists alike flock to the amusement park, which is one of the oldest still operating anywhere in the world. It first opened in the summer of 1843.
Since it first opened, Tivoli has become an iconic central Copenhagen landmark. The amusement park opens intermittently throughout the year, and it’s one of the most visited theme parks anywhere in Europe.
Inside Tivoli, you will find several roller coasters and other rides. You can also try Danish cuisine at one of the theme park’s restaurants, while there are several other niceties in that respect. Tivoli is right next to Copenhagen Central Station.
Amager Bakke
Amager Bakke is known locally as CopenHill, and it’s one of the more modern symbols of Copenhagen’s approach to sustainability. The waste-to-energy power plant also effectively operates as a large outdoor playground for those with an adventurous side to them.
What’s the best way to compensate for Denmark’s lack of mountains? Simple: Build a ski slope on top of a power plant. And that’s exactly what the Danes did. You can ski on CopenHill year-round, though there isn’t any snow.
At Amager Bakke, you can also participate in climbing. Let’s put it this way: That is not for the faint of heart.
Den Uendelige Bro
One of the most famous landmarks in Denmark is Den Uendelige Bro, which translates in English to the Endless Bridge. It was actually supposed to initially be a temporary attraction but has since become a semi-permanent thing due to its popularity.
Den Uendelige Bro is effectively a circular bridge that you will find in Aarhus during the warmer months of the year. It originally began in 2015; during the summer, it’s a popular spot for locals to enjoy a chat with one another while others lounge in the surrounding recreational areas.
The bridge is located right next to a forest, making it the perfect spot to relax after an afternoon of exploring.
Amalienborg Palace
Did you know that Denmark has one of the oldest kingdoms in the world? And while the UK has Buckingham Palace, the Danes have Amalienborg. And yes, it might not be as famous as the equivalent in London — but it’s arguably a lot more accessible.
Amalienborg Palace remains the home of the Danish Royal Family today. One of the most popular things to do is to visit for the changing of the guards, which takes place each day at midday.
Amalienborg Palace is one of the oldest landmarks in Denmark on our list, and it dates back to the 18th century. It’s right next to Marmorkirken, which we will discuss in a moment.
Marmorkirken
Marmorkirken is one of the most picturesque churches in Copenhagen, and its dome is the largest for a church in Scandinavia. Construction was completed in 1894; the church is also known as Frederik’s Church or the Marble Church.
From the original idea until its construction, Marmorkirken was a project that lasted for over a century. It endured delays for several reasons, including the death of its original architect.
Today, Marmorkirken’s dome is unmissable from many parts of the city. You can visit the rooftop, but only at specific points during the week.
Dronning Louises Bro
Dronning Louises Bro is one of the most popular meeting spots in Copenhagen, especially during the summer months. The bridge, which translates to Queen Louise’s Bridge, connects multicultural Nørrebro with the Indre By district. Dronning Louises Bro was built toward the end of the 19th century.
Today, Dronning Louises Bro is said to be the busiest cycling route in the world. And while hopping on a bike during rush hour can feel daunting for a newcomer, it’s mesmerizing to watch from the sidewalk.
On Dronning Louises Bro, you will also find several benches to enjoy a beer and people-watch on those long summer nights.
Cykelslangen
If we’re being truthful, Cykelslangen looks cooler from above than it does when you’re biking across it. Nonetheless, it’s a pretty impressive engineering feat. The bridge, known in English as The Bicycle Snake, first opened in 2014; today, it’s a busy route for cyclists commuting to and from the city center.
Cykelslangen is right next to the large Fisketorvet shopping mall, which is not far from the Meatpacking District. The bridge connects Vesterbro with Islands Brygge; it’s located roughly in the middle of those two neighborhoods, with the modern part of Sydhavnen a short bike ride away.
If you want to see Cykelslangen, you will need to use a bike; pedestrian traffic is not allowed on the bridge.
Kronborg Slot
Just north of Copenhagen is Helsingør, which is one of Denmark’s most interesting towns. Kronborg Slot is the undisputed main attraction here, with the imposing castle sitting right on the tip of Sjælland and just across the water from Sweden.
Kronborg Slot is perhaps most famous for featuring in Shakespeare’s Hamlet play. You can visit parts of the outside for free, but it’s well worth checking out the interiors.
Kronborg Slot dates back to the 15th century and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.
Isbjerget, Aarhus
Moving a fair few centuries after the construction of Kronborg Castle, you will find Isbjerget — an innovative apartment complex in Aarhus’ up-and-coming Aarhus Ø district.
The name in English translates to The Iceberg, and that is precisely what these high-end residential buildings are supposed to resemble from afar.
Isbjerget took three years to build, with construction concluding in 2013. Since then, it has become a popular spot for Instagram photos and attracted design enthusiasts from across the globe.
Isbjerget has received multiple awards and is one of the most exclusive places to live in Aarhus. You can rent apartments in this part of the city, with owning also a potential option.
Since the construction of Isbjerget, several other modern apartments have been built — or are in the process of being built — in the same area.
ARoS Museum
Sticking with Aarhus for a moment, we’ll head to the ARoS Museum. This contemporary art museum is one of the best places to visit on a rainy day in all of Denmark full-stop, let alone Aarhus. But perhaps the most popular feature is at the top.
Your Rainbow Panorama, designed by the much-celebrated artist Ólafur Ellíasson, provides an excellent view of Aarhus from above.
And as you might have expected from the name, you will see the city through all kinds of colors — though you can step off and get another view of Aarhus from the rooftop instead.
To visit the panorama, you will need to purchase a ticket to the museum. Luckily, there are plenty of other things to do in the museum before you reach the top.
Natural landmarks of Denmark
While you might think of architecture before nature when it comes to the landmarks of Denmark, the country has plenty of natural wonders worth checking out as well. In the sections below, we will cover Denmark’s most appealing natural attractions.
Møns Klint
It’s hard to think of a better natural landmark in Denmark than Møns Klint. If your only perception of the country was farmland and rolling hills, a trip to these scenic cliffs will challenge your perceptions.
Møns Klint looks strikingly similar to the White Cliffs of Dover, and spending a weekend here during the summer is very much recommended. The cliffs look stunning enough from above, but they’re just as scenic if you head down to the pebble beach.
On a clear evening, Møns Klint is one of the best spots for stargazing in Denmark. Møn is around two hours south of Copenhagen by car.
Stevns Klint
As you head back toward Copenhagen, Stevns Klint is well worth a stop. While the cliffs are perhaps not as impressive as Møns Klint, the surrounding area is arguably even more scenic. Stevns Klimt is popular with archaeologists, and the cliffs were added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2014.
Stevns Klint is in the southern part of Sjælland and not far from the cute town of Køge. Højerup Church, which stands precariously over the cliff’s edge, dates back to the 13th century.
The cliff is around an hour and 40 minutes outside of Copenhagen.
Himmelbjerget
Himmelbjerget is perhaps the most famous landmark in Denmark from a nature perspective. For years, it was believed to be the country’s highest point; guess how many meters it is above sea level?
That’s right: 147 meters. Fittingly, then, the hill is known as “The Heaven Mountain” when translated into English.
Himmelbjerget is in the middle of Jutland and close to the town of Silkeborg. The region is popular for canoeing and other outdoor activities; you will find several lakes and hiking routes here. At the top of Himmelbjerget, you can enjoy wonderful views of the surrounding lakes and forests.
Grenen
Right at the tip of Denmark is the beautiful town of Skagen, which is particularly popular with locals during the summer months. Truth be told, though, it’s a pretty destination for year-round travel — though it’s admittedly quite windy in the winter.
Grenen, you can witness one of Denmark’s most wonderful natural phenomena. Here, the Kattegat and Skagerrak seas meet with one another.
At Grenen, you can spot several forms of marine mammals — including seals and porpoises. Note that due to the strong currents, you cannot swim in this area.
Thy National Park
Sticking in the north of Jutland and we’ll next travel to Thy National Park. This national park is arguably the most beautiful in Denmark, and it’s popular with sports lovers and nature enthusiasts alike. It was the country’s first established national park, having received that title in 2007.
At Thy National Park, you can enjoy breathtaking views while wandering along the windy coast. You will also find several forms of wildlife, including the near-threatened black-tailed godwit bird.
Thy National Park is around one hour and 45 minutes from Aalborg by car.
Dyrehaven
To round up our list of major landmarks in Denmark, we’ll head to Dyrehaven. This beautiful green area just north of Copenhagen is a popular spot for the locals to head on the weekend. You will find several deer roaming around the park, and — unlike in many other places — they’re not overly afraid of people.
Dyrehaven is also home to the annual Hubertusjagt horse race, which takes place every November. Here, the park has a festive atmosphere.
At Dyrehaven, you will find a cute restaurant — plus a pleasant café right next to Klampenborg Station. Get the S train from the city center, and you’ll be here in almost no time.
Landmarks in Denmark are plentiful
You will find several famous landmarks in Denmark, even if the country is quite small. And while it’s easy to think that most of them are in Copenhagen, you should venture to other parts of the country. In Denmark, you will find famous monuments — plus acres of beautiful scenery and historical sites.
Of course, we can’t forget Denmark’s wonderful architecture scene. Beautiful older landmarks like Nyhavn and Copenhagen City Hall sit alongside newer powerhouses — such as Aarhus City Hall. We missed a lot of extra places, too, such as the Round Tower, Rosenborg Castle, and Frederiksborg Castle.
The landmarks outside are only one part of the Danish adventure. The country has several excellent museums, especially in the capital. You could easily spend an entire trip looking around Copenhagen’s museum; if you’re not sure where to start, this article will lend you a helping hand.
Scandification: Discovering Scandinavia.
