Directory A–Z

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Accommodation

High standards are the norm. It's good to book ahead; in peak summer (late June to mid-August), bookings are essential in popular holiday areas.

Hostels High-quality budget options, country-wide.

B&Bs and private rooms Often quite affordable; from home-style rooms to larger hotel-like guesthouses.

Hotels Budget chains, business-minded options, castles or designer digs – there are plenty of options and price points.

Camping grounds Plenty of full-service, family-focused options. Many are located by the water and offer in-demand cabins and cottages. In high demand in summer.

Self-catering apartments and summer houses Appealing and cost-effective alternatives, especially for families and groups. May have a minimum stay.

The Basics

ALocal tourist offices (and their websites) can provide lists of local accommodation and may help arrange bookings for a small fee.

AAccommodation prices listed are for peak summer (late June to mid-August), when Danish schools are on vacation and most locals take holidays. Prices at holiday hotspots peak in summer, while business-oriented hotels in cities may drop summer rates to attract guests. Websites list up-to-date prices.

AMany hotels, hostels and restaurants are members of the Green Key eco accreditation scheme (www.greenkey.global).

AThere is no hard-and-fast rule about the inclusion of breakfast in prices – many hotels include it in their rates, but for others it is an optional extra. It is never included in the price of hostels and budget hotels (but is usually available for around 75kr). Ironically, breakfast is usually not included in B&B rates.

Opening Hours & Self-Service

ANot all hotels and guesthouses have staffed reception desks. At some places you need to prearrange arrival times. Alternatively, you might be asked to phone an hour before arriving. Or there might simply be a phone number stuck to the door to call when you arrive.

A'Self-service' (selvbetjening) hotels like the BB Hotels chain (www.bbhotels.dk) are essentially unstaffed apart from cleaners. Guests book online and receive a security code that accesses the building and/or room. There may be a 'help-yourself' breakfast from a fridge.

AHostels are generally unstaffed for much of the day. Check-in is generally 4pm to 6pm (or to 8pm in summer) and for late arrivals you'll need to be in touch with the hostel manager.

Bed & Breakfasts

Some B&Bs are traditional homestays but an ever-increasing number are private rooms in small guesthouses, where you may share a bathroom and kitchen with other guests, or have a studio-style apartment to yourself. From 350/600kr for a single/double, they're often cheaper than a private room at a hostel and rates generally include linen. Breakfast is usually optional (around 70kr to 90kr extra).

ASome B&Bs cannot process credit card payments.

ATourist offices maintain B&B listings for their areas.

AMany are bookable on the usual accommodation booking sites.

AUseful online resource: www.bedandbreakfastguide.dk.

Camping

ADenmark is very well set up for campers, with nearly 600 camping grounds, Some are open only in the summer months, while others operate from spring to autumn. About 200 stay open year-round (and have low-season rates).

AYou need a camping card (called Camping Key Europe) for stays at all camping grounds. You can buy a card at the first camping ground you arrive at, at local tourist offices or from the Danish Camping Board (see www.danishcampsites.com). The cost for an annual pass for couples is 110kr; it covers all accompanied children aged under 18.

AThe per-night charge to pitch a tent or park a caravan is typically around 80kr for an adult, and about half that for each child. In summer, some places also tack on a site charge of 50kr to 80kr per tent/caravan; some also have a small eco tax.

AMany camping grounds rent cabins (a few offer on-site caravans) sleeping four to six people. Cabins range from simple huts with bunk beds to full cottages with kitchen and bathroom. You generally BYO linen or pay to hire it. In the summer peak (late June to mid-August), many cabins can only be hired by the week (around 3500kr, but it very much depends on the cabin's size and facilities).

AThe Danish Nature Agency (http://eng.naturstyrelsen.dk) oversees some primitive camping areas and shelters in forested areas. See its website for more details and the rules on wild camping.

ABackpackers and cyclists, note: even if a camping ground is signposted as fully booked, there may be sites for light-travelling campers.

AIf you're touring around, look for camping grounds offering 'QuickStop', a cheaper rate whereby you arrive after 8pm and leave again by 10am.

ACheck www.smaapladser.dk for a list of 34 camping grounds that are smaller and more intimate, with a maximum of 145 camping pitches.

ABest online resources: www.danishcampsites.com and www.dk-camp.dk.

Farm Stays

AA great way to get a feel for rural Denmark is on a farm stay, which can simply mean bed and breakfast accommodation or actually helping out with farm activities.

AThe website of Landsforeningen for Landboturisme (www.visitfarmen.dk) links to 60 farms throughout Denmark that offer accommodation (from farmhouse rooms to family-sized self-contained flats and small rural houses). You book directly with the farm owner.

AAlthough it’s best to plan in advance, if you’re cycling or driving around Denmark you may well come across farmhouses displaying værelse (room) signs.

Hostels

ASome 68 hostels make up the Danhostel association (%33 31 36 12; www.danhostel.dk), which is affiliated with Hostelling International (HI). Some are dedicated hostels in holiday areas, while others are attached to sports centres (and hence may be busy with travelling sports teams, etc).

AIf you hold a valid HI card, you receive a 10% discount on Danhostel rates (these can be purchased from hostels and cost 160kr for non-Danes). We list prices for noncardholders.

ANote that there are a growing number of private hostels not affiliated with the Danhostel association.

ADanish hostels appeal to all ages and are oriented as much towards families and groups as to budget travellers. Hiring a private room is the norm. Outside Copenhagen, only some hostels offer dorm beds in shared rooms (some may only offer these in the summer, from July to mid-September).

ATypical costs are 200kr to 300kr for a dorm bed. For private rooms, expect to pay 400kr to 600kr per single, 450kr to 750kr per double, and up to 100kr for each additional person in larger rooms. All hostels offer family rooms; many rooms come with private bathrooms.

ADuvets and pillows are provided, but you’ll have to bring or hire your own sheets and towel (typically between 50kr and 80kr per stay).

AAlmost all hostels provide an all-you-can-eat breakfast costing around 75kr, and some also provide dinner. Most hostels have guest kitchens with pots and pans.

AAdvance reservations are advised, particularly in summer. In a few places, reception closes as early as 6pm. In most hostels the reception office is closed, and the phone not answered, between noon and 4pm.

ABetween May and September, hostels can get crowded with children on school excursions, or sports groups travelling for tournaments.

AA number of Danish hostels close for part of the low season.

AA note on costs: if you need to hire linen, the price of a double room plus sheets and towels may become more expensive than a room at a budget hotel. Consider what you're after (kitchen access, for example, which hostels offer but hotels don't) and book accordingly.

SLEEPING PRICE RANGES

The following price ranges refer to a double room in high season. Unless otherwise noted, rooms have private bathrooms.

€ less than 700kr

€€ 700kr–1500kr

€€€ more than 1500kr

Hotels

AA few brands tend to dominate in the hotel business. For budget hotels, look for CabInn (www.cabinn.dk), Zleep (www.zleephotels.com) and self-service BB Hotels (www.bbhotels.dk) across the country, and Wake Up (www.wakeupcopenhagen.com) in Copenhagen and Aarhus.

ABusiness-standard hotel chains include Scandic (www.scandichotels.com), Radisson (www.radisson.com), Comwell (www.comwell.dk) and First Hotels (www.firsthotels.com).

AThere's a good range of boutique hotels in larger cities and popular upmarket destinations (Bornholm, for example, and Skagen), but true luxury or design hotels are not especially common outside Copenhagen and Aarhus. If you’re looking for something more memorable than a chain hotel, consider staying in a castle, historic manor house or rural property. Also look out for a badehotel or strandhotel (an old seaside 'bathing inn') – many of these are now restored. Great resources for something a little special: www.guldsmedenhotels.com, www.slotte-herregaarde.dk and www.smalldanishhotels.com.

ABe careful: the inclusion of kro in a name usually implies a country inn, but it is also (less commonly) the Danish version of a motel, found along major motorways near the outskirts of town.

ASome hotels have set rates published on their websites; others have dynamic rates that fluctuate according to season and demand. Most hotel websites offer good deals and packages, as do the usual booking engines.

AMany business hotels offer cheaper rates on Friday and Saturday nights year-round, and during the summer peak (from late June until the start of the school year in early/mid-August), when business folk aren't travelling.

AThere is no hard-and-fast rule about the inclusion of breakfast in prices – many hotels include it in their price, but for others it is optional. It is never included in the price of budget hotels (you can purchase it for around 75kr to 100kr). Hotel breakfasts are usually pretty decent all-you-can-eat buffets.

Manor Houses

ADenmark is stuffed with castles and manor houses, some of them offering atmospheric accommodation in beautiful grounds. The website of the Danske Slotte & Herregaarde association (www.slotte-herregaarde.dk) has links to around 15 such places that offer accommodation.

Rental Accommodation

AMany seaside resort areas are filled with cottages and apartments. These are generally let out by the week and require reservations. Rates vary greatly, depending on the type of accommodation and the season, but generally they’re cheaper than hotels.

ADanCenter (www.dancenter.com) handles holiday-cottage bookings nationwide. Many tourist offices can also help make reservations. Alternatively, try Novasol (www.novasol.dk), which organises self-catering options in cottages and summer houses.

AHundreds of places (summer cottages, inner-city apartments, family-friendly houses) can be rented direct from the owner via the usual online booking engines.

Electricity

Denmark uses the two-pin continental plug like most other European countries – it has two round pins and operates on 230V (volts) and 50Hz (cycles) AC.

Embassies & Consulates

The following embassies and consulates are in and around Copenhagen:

Australian Embassy ( GOOGLE MAP ; %70 26 36 76; www.denmark.embassy.gov.au; Dampfærgevej 26; g26, 27)

Canadian Embassy ( GOOGLE MAP ; %33 48 32 00; www.denmark.gc.ca; Kristen Bernikows Gade 1; g1A, 26, mKongens Nytorv)

French Embassy ( GOOGLE MAP ; %33 67 01 00; www.ambafrance-dk.org; Kongens Nytorv 4; g1A, 26, 350S, mKongens Nytorv)

German Embassy ( GOOGLE MAP ; %35 45 99 00; www.kopenhagen.diplo.de; Stockholmsgade 57; g1A, bØsterport)

Irish Embassy ( GOOGLE MAP ; %35 47 32 00; www.embassyofireland.dk; Østbanegade 21; bØsterport)

Netherlands Embassy ( GOOGLE MAP ; %33 70 72 00; www.nederlandwereldwijd.nl/landen/denemarken; Toldbodgade 33; g1A, 66, mKongens Nytorv)

New Zealand Consulate ( GOOGLE MAP ; %33 37 77 00; www.nzconsulate.dk; Store Strandstræde 21; g1A, 66, mKongens Nytorv)

UK Embassy ( GOOGLE MAP ; %35 44 52 00; http://ukindenmark.fco.gov.uk; Kastelsvej 36-40; g37)

US Embassy ( GOOGLE MAP ; %33 41 71 00; https://dk.usembassy.gov; Dag Hammarskjölds Allé 24; g1A, bØsterport)

EATING PRICE RANGES

The following price ranges refer to a standard main course.

€ less than 125kr

€€ 125kr–250kr

€€€ more than 250kr

Etiquette

ARoad Rules If you’ll be driving or cycling, brush up on the rules of the road. Cyclists often have the right of way, and for drivers it’s particularly important to check cycle lanes before turning right.

APunctuality Trains and tours run on time and aren’t a minute late. Danes operate similarly in social situations.

AQueuing When you go to a Danish bakery, pharmacy or tourist office – just about any place there can be a queue – there’s invariably a machine dispensing numbered tickets. Grab a ticket as you enter.

AToasts As you raise your glass and say ‘skål’ (cheers!), make eye contact with everyone.

Gay & Lesbian Travellers

Denmark has a high degree of tolerance for alternative lifestyles of all sorts.

ACopenhagen in particular has an active, open gay community with a healthy number of venues, but you’ll find LGBT venues in other cities too, as well as mainstream venues that are welcoming to all.

AUseful websites: for general info www.lgbt.dk, for traveller listings www.rainbowbusinessdenmark.dk, for events www.oaonline.dk.

AThe main LGBTQ events of the year is August's week-long Copenhagen Pride (www.copenhagenpride.dk), plus October's film festival Mix Copenhagen (www.mixcopenhagen.dk).

Health

Denmark is a relatively healthy place and travellers shouldn’t need to take any unusual health precautions.

AYou can get medical treatment anywhere in the country by contacting a doctor during consultation hours.

AIf you're in urgent need of medical care outside office hours (evenings and weekends), you can contact an emergency doctor (Lægevagten). Visit the website www.laegevagten.dk/kontakt-laegevagten and click where you are on the map of Denmark to find the telephone number of the emergency doctor in your area.

AThe Danish National Health Service provides free healthcare to residents but does not cover visitors to Denmark. A doctor's appointment may cost around 350kr to 500kr.

AFor minor ailments, pharmacists can give advice and sell over-the-counter medication. They can also advise when more specialised help is required and point you in the right direction. Look for the sign apotek (pharmacy).

PRACTICALITIES

ADiscount cards Seniors and students qualify for discounts on some transport fares and most museum entry fees, but you'll need to show proof of student status or age. Some student discounts have upper age limits.

AMedia Danish news in English is available at www.cphpost.dk (print version available) and www.thelocal.dk. When Danish TV broadcasts international programs they are usually in the original language with Danish subtitles.

ANumbering A comma indicates a decimal point; points indicate thousands. So 12,345.67 in English would be written 12.345,67 in Danish.

ASmoking Danes are surprisingly heavy smokers, but smoking in restaurants, bars and clubs is banned (it is also banned on train platforms). Some hospitality venues have separate smoking rooms. Hotels determine their own smoking rules but most are nonsmoking.

AWeights and measures Denmark uses the metric system. Fruit is often sold by the piece (stykke or ‘stk’).

Insurance

AAlthough Denmark is a very safe place to travel, theft does occasionally happen, and illness and accidents are always a possibility. A travel insurance policy to cover theft, loss and medical problems is strongly recommended.

AWorldwide travel insurance is available at www.lonelyplanet.com/travel-insurance. You can buy, extend and claim online anytime – even if you’re already on the road.

AIf you’re an EU citizen, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) covers you for most medical care, but not for nonemergencies or for emergency repatriation home. Apply online via your government's health department website.

ACitizens from other countries should find out if there is a reciprocal arrangement for free medical access in Denmark. Make sure your health insurance covers you for the worst possible scenario, such as an accident requiring an emergency flight home.

Internet Access

AWith the proliferation of wi-fi, and most locals and travellers carrying tablets and/or smartphones, the old-fashioned internet cafe is a dying breed in Denmark. There may be a couple catering to gamers and laptop-less travellers in the major cities, but public libraries are your best bet in mid-sized and small towns for free use of computers with internet access.

ALibraries also have free wi-fi (you will generally need a code), as do many cafes and bars, and trains and buses. Wi-fi is ubiquitous in hotels and hostels and is usually free. Some hostels and hotels will offer a computer for guests to use, free or for a small charge.

Legal Matters

AAuthorities are strict about drink driving, and even a couple of drinks can put you over the legal limit of 0.05% blood-alcohol level. Drivers detected under the influence of alcohol are liable to receive stiff penalties and a possible prison sentence.

AAlways treat drugs with a great deal of caution. In Denmark all forms of cannabis are officially illegal.

Money

AAlthough Denmark is an EU member nation, Denmark’s citizens rejected adopting the euro in a referendum in 2000.

ADenmark’s currency, the krone, is most often written with the symbol DKK in international money markets, and kr within Denmark.

AOne krone is divided into 100 øre. There are 50 øre, 1kr, 2kr, 5kr, 10kr and 20kr coins. Notes come in denominations of 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 kroner.

ARelatively few banks exchange money, and some businesses are entirely non-cash.

ATMS

AMost banks in Denmark have 24-hour ATMs that give cash advances on Visa and MasterCard credit cards as well as Cirrus and Plus bank cards.

ATypically, you’ll get a good rate when withdrawing money directly from a Danish ATM, but keep in mind that your home bank may charge you a fee for international transactions or for using another bank’s ATM – check before you leave.

AA few banks, especially in Copenhagen, have 24-hour cash machines that change major foreign currencies into Danish kroner.

Credit Cards

ACredit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted in Denmark (American Express and Diners Club less so).

AIn many places (hotels, petrol stations, restaurants, shops) a surcharge may be imposed on foreign cards (up to 3.75%). If there is a surcharge, it must be advertised (eg on the menu, at reception).

Tipping

AHotel and restaurant bills and taxi fares include service charges in the quoted prices.

AFurther tipping is unnecessary, although rounding up the bill is not uncommon when service has been especially good.

VAT REFUNDS

AThe value-added tax (VAT; called MOMS in Danish) on all goods and services in Denmark is 25%.

ACitizens from countries outside the EU can claim a VAT refund on goods as they leave the EU (as long as they spend a minimum of 300kr per shop, and the shop participates in one of the refund schemes).

AGet the shop to fill in a refund form, then present it, together with your passport, receipts and purchases, at the airport upon departure.

Opening Hours

Opening hours vary throughout the year, especially for sights and activities.

Banks 10am–4pm Monday to Friday

Bars & Clubs 4pm–midnight, to 2am or later Friday and Saturday (on weekends clubs may open until 5am)

Cafes 8am–5pm or midnight

Restaurants noon–10pm (maybe earlier on weekends for brunch)

Shops 10am–6pm Monday to Friday, to 4pm Saturday, some larger stores may open Sunday

Supermarkets 8am–9pm (many with in-store bakeries opening around 7am)

Seasonal Variations

Family-friendly attractions (museums, zoos, funparks) in holiday hotspots will generally open from June to August (possibly May to September), and for the spring and autumn school holidays.

The Danish summer vacation, which generally runs from the final week of June through the first week of August, is a six-week period when opening hours of attractions are longest. Hours generally decrease in the shoulder and low seasons.

Websites are the best place to find comprehensive, current information on opening times.

Post

AThe Danish postal service (www.postnord.dk) is reliable and efficient, and rates are comparable to other western European countries.

AThere are fewer post offices these days – many have moved to counters within large supermarkets.

AFull list of rates, branches and opening hours are available online.

Public Holidays

Many Danes take their main work holiday during the first three weeks of July, but there are numerous other holidays as well.

Banks and most businesses close on public holidays and transport schedules are usually reduced.

New Year’s Day (Nytårsdag) 1 January

Maundy Thursday (Skærtorsdag) Thursday before Easter

Good Friday (Langfredag) Friday before Easter

Easter Day (Påskedag) Sunday in March or April

Easter Monday (2. påskedag) Day after Easter

Great Prayer Day (Store Bededag) Fourth Friday after Easter

Ascension Day (Kristi Himmelfartsdag) Sixth Thursday after Easter

Whitsunday (Pinsedag) Seventh Sunday after Easter

Whitmonday (2. pinsedag) Seventh Monday after Easter

Constitution Day (Grundlovsdag) 5 June

Christmas Eve (Juleaften) 24 December (from noon)

Christmas Day (Juledag) 25 December

Boxing Day (2. juledag) 26 December

New Year's Eve (Nytårsaften) 31 December (from noon)

Safe Travel

Denmark is a very safe country and travelling here presents no unusual dangers. Travellers should nevertheless be careful with their belongings, particularly in busy places such as Copenhagen's central station.

In cities, you'll need to quickly become accustomed to the busy bike lanes that run beside roads (between the vehicle lanes and the pedestrian pavements). These cycle lanes (and fast-moving cyclists) are easy to wander into accidentally.

Telephone

Phone Codes

AAll telephone numbers in Denmark have eight digits; there are no area codes. This means that all eight digits must be dialled, even when making calls in the same city.

AFor local directory assistance dial %118. For overseas enquiries, including for rates and reverse charge (collect) calls, dial %113.

AThe country code for Denmark is %45. To call Denmark from another country, dial the international access code for the country you’re in followed by %45 and the local eight-digit number.

AThe international access code in Denmark is %00. To make direct international calls from Denmark, dial %00 followed by the country code for the country you’re calling, the area code, then the local number.

Mobile Phones

AAs of June 2017, the EU has ended roaming surcharges for people who travel periodically within the EU. EU residents can use mobile devices when travelling in the EU, paying the same prices as at home.

AFor non-EU folks, the cheapest and most practical way to make calls at local rates is to purchase a European SIM card and pop it into your own mobile phone (tip: bring an old phone from home for that purpose). Before leaving home, make sure that your phone isn't blocked from doing this by your home network.

AIf you're coming from outside Europe, also check that your phone will work in Europe's GSM 900/1800 network (US phones work on a different frequency).

AYou can buy and top-up a prepaid Danish SIM card at supermarkets, kiosks and petrol stations. Lebara (www.lebara.dk) and Lycamobile (www.lycamobile.dk) are common. The latter can be obtained for free (see the website) and you can top up online.

Payphones

APublic phones are elusive in Denmark. There may be a payphone outside the local train or bus station and some bigger attractions, but few others.

AYou pay by the minute. Phones accept coins, credit cards or prepaid phonecards (available from kiosks and post offices).

Time

AAs in neighbouring European countries, Denmark is one hour ahead of GMT/UTC in winter, or two hours ahead during daylight saving time (from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October).

ADuring the northern hemisphere summer, Denmark is one hour ahead of London, six hours ahead of New York, and eight hours behind Sydney.

AThe 24-hour clock system is used for all timetables and business hours.

AKlokken, which means o’clock, is abbreviated as kl (kl 19.30 is 7.30pm).

AThe Danes number the weeks of the year – eg schools break for winter holidays in week 7 or 8; many businesses are closed for summer holidays in weeks 29 and 30. See www.ugenr.dk.

Toilets

In towns and cities, public toilets are generally easy to find. There may be a small fee to use the facilities at shopping centres or large train stations.

Tourist Information

Denmark is generally well served by helpful tourist offices and multilingual staff. Each town and region publishes a glossy annual brochure that covers most of the things travellers need to know, and has a website full of sights, accommodation options and practical info. Many now offer a downloadable app and have installed touchscreens around town (at train and bus stations, for example).

The trend in recent times is for information to be obtained online, with shorter staffed hours at tourist offices (though these offices may be open for self-service pick-up of brochures or use of a touchscreen). A few larger towns have done away with physical tourist offices.

Important websites for visitors to Denmark include www.denmark.dk and www.visitdenmark.com. Other official websites covering local areas include the following:

Bornholm (www.bornholm.info)

Copenhagen (www.visitcopenhagen.com)

Funen (www.visitfyn.com)

East Jutland (www.visitaarhus.com, www.visitdjursland.com)

North Jutland (www.visitnordjylland.com, www.toppenafdanmark.com)

West Jutland (www.sydvestjylland.com, www.visitnordvestjylland.com)

Zealand (www.visitnorthsealand.com, www.cphcoastandcountryside.com)

Travellers with Disabilities

ADenmark is improving access to buildings, transport and even forestry areas and beaches all the time, although accessibility is still not ubiquitous.

AThe official www.visitdenmark.com website has a few links for travellers with disabilities – see www.visitdenmark.com/a-z/6244.

AA useful resource is God Adgang (Good Access; www.godadgang.dk), which lists service providers who have had their facilities registered and labelled for accessibility.

Visas

Generally not required for stays of up to 90 days. Not required for members of EU or Schengen countries.

Volunteering

ADenmark has a very strong tradition of volunteer organisations and a high percentage of Danes do volunteer work.

AThere is less opportunity for people without knowledge of Danish, but a good place to check is www.volunteering.dk, which tries to bring organisations and volunteers with an international background together.

Work

AFor EU nationals and EEA citizens, it's relatively easy to relocate to Denmark for work. For non-EU nationals, things aren't so easy. Full details are outlined on www.nyidanmark.dk.

AAn extremely helpful website is www.workindenmark.dk.