PRACTICAL INFO

Denmark

Currency: Krone (DKK)

• US $1= 5.4 Krone
• GBP £1= 9 Krone
• EUR €1= 7.5 Krone

Exchange rate at time of writing. For up to date currency information, check xe.com.

Languages: The national language is Danish. Other minority languages spoken include German, Faroese, and Greenlandic.

Population: 5.6 million

Don’t Forget to Pack:

• February is the coldest month of the year with temperatures generally below 32°F (0°C) so be prepared in the winter months for cold weather.
• The warmest month of the year is July with temperatures averaging 63°F (17°C).
• An umbrella for the unpredictable rainy weather.
• Comfortable shoes
• Bike friendly attire

Sweden

Currency: Krona (SEK)

• US $1= 7 Krona
• GBP £1= 11 Krona
• EUR €1= 9 Krona

Exchange rate at time of writing. For up to date currency information, check xe.com.

Languages: Swedish is the official language. Other officially recognized languages include: Finnish, Meänkieli, Romani, Sami, and Yiddish. Still there are other languages spoken in Sweden, but most of these are local native languages and dialects.

Population: 9.5 million

MUST SEE & DO

Copenhagen:

• The Little Mermaid
• Nyhavn Harbor
• Strøget Shopping area
• Christiana- freetown of Copenhagen
• Tivoli Gardens
• The National Museum
• Rosenborg Castle
• Grave site of Hans Christian Anderson
• Botanical Garden
• Carlsberg Brewery

Outskirts of Copenhagen:

• The Viking Ship Museum
• The Blue Planet Aquarium- Northern Europe’s largest
• Frederiksborg Palace
• Kronborg Castle
• Open Air Museum- one of the oldest and biggest
• Dyrehavsbakken- the world’s oldest amusement park

Other attractions:

• Ride a bicycle
• Eat at one of Denmark’s 13 Michelin- starred restaurants
• Visit many of the castles, manor houses, and gardens still used by the royal family of the Kingdom of Denmark

WHEN TO GO

The best season to visit Denmark is during late spring and early summer. The days are the longest and the warmer weather is good for most outdoor activities. During the heat of the summer, July-August, is when most tourist visit so to enjoy Denmark with less visitors around book your travel outside of those months. The off-peak season is from October- April. The weather is significantly cooler and rainier. The harshest winter month is February so unless you enjoy dull skies, cold temperatures, and the closing of most attractions then plan on travelling to Denmark in other months.

FOOD & DRINK

In recent years, Danish cuisine has been revitalized and is now known worldwide. Classic Danish cuisine includes potatoes and meat from porridge to open sandwiches.

There are three main meals throughout the day in Denmark. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Breakfast and Dinner are generally enjoyed in the comfort of the home whereas Lunch is usually packed.

Traditional Danish foods to try include:

• Ollebrod– a porridge made of rye bread, beer, and sugar
• Rodgrod– a sweet stewed fruit
• Open sandwiches
• Roast pork
• Pastries- Wienerbrod
• Liquorice
• Beer

TRAVEL

Trains: Probably the best and most efficient way to travel Denmark.

Cars: One of the best ways to travel around Denmark is by car. However, it is very expensive to hire/rent a car in Denmark (Travel tip: rent a car across the border in Germany for much cheaper and drive into Demark). The road ways are easy to navigate and traffic is generally easy going. There is also a network of ferries to travel from island to island by car.

Bikes: The best way to get around a city is by bike. Bikes are also easy to move from city to city on ferries and trains for a fee. Copenhagen, the capital,  is a city built for bikes and has made accommodations for cars.

Boats: Because Denmark consists of a peninsula and hundred of islands, there is a very extensive boat network.

Buses: It is not the most efficient way to travel Denmark, but the bus system is occasionally cheaper than trains.

DRESS

Casual dress, jeans, is acceptable dress etiquette in Denmark. Overall, the country is very laid back.

VISAS

Visas are required to enter Denmark for specific countries. However, members of the EU do not need a visa to travel to Denmark under the EU regulations on free movement.

For up to date information on visas, check The Official Portal For Foreigners.

By Casey Thompson