Discover Denmark: Seafood, science and a rich maritime heritage

If stereotypes and platitudes are to be believed, Sweden is the straight and serious equality enthusiast in the Nordics, Denmark is the fun foodie, and Norway is the sporty nature fanatic. Finland is a place to sit by a lake and eat healthy berries after a sauna. But, as it happens, one of the wonderful things about Scandinavia is this variety, and the fact that – while similar in so many ways – the Nordic countries all do everything their own way. Look at Denmark through the lens of natural beauty, then, and you will discover its culture in a whole new way.

LEFT: RIBE, PHOTO: KIM WYON | RIGHT: THE M/S MARITIME MUSEUM OF DENMARK, PHOTO: THIJS WOLZAK

With a significant maritime heritage, Denmark can tell fascinating stories with the help of old seamen, vessels and fisheries. Still today, this industry is important to the Danish economy, and tourists get the added benefit of enjoying fresh-by-the-minute seafood with great beverages to boot.

The long, sandy beaches, meanwhile, may not be as immediately breathtaking as some of Norway’s fjords, but few places are quite as peace-inducing, inspiring visitors to take things down a notch, kick back and fully relax. Whether you choose to explore the sand dunes freely and on your own or learn from one of many local experts at destination hubs and museums, you are sure to get used to a little bit of sand between your toes – in a good way.

NYHAVN, PHOTO © KIM WYON

Alongside these gifts from nature, Denmark offers well-designed, high-quality museums and art galleries that fit right into the natural scenery and keep visitors entertained regardless of age. That includes the only science centre in the world to have been included on the TIME Magazine list of World’s 100 Greatest Places last year.

Why not forget about the platitudes and make this the year for discovering Danish culture the genuine way, from the inside and out, letting nature lead the way?

Web: www.visitdenmark.com

TOP-IMAGE © ROBIN SKJOLDBORG