Danmark and Malmö Sightseeing

This article is about our experiences in Danmark for five days and Malmö Sweden for one day. It begins with a photo of the Nyhaven area:

Photo of anchor at the beginning of Nyhaven neighborhood.

Copenhagen is a city that beautifully blends the old with the new, where history meets a hip and modern vibe. This Danish capital, with its colorful waterfronts and historical architecture, offers a rich tapestry of experiences. Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie, or just someone looking to soak in Scandinavian culture, Copenhagen’s got something for everyone. It even has Christianhavn neighborhood which is pretty much a hippy enclave. It has a maritime character as it was built on man made islands so it has a couple of canals we enjoyed walking along. Renovated warehouses, cafes, and street food include meals that represent many parts of the world so I highly recommend a visit here.

Start your adventure with a stop at the iconic Little Mermaid Statue, perched gracefully on a rock by the waterside. It has been on display since August of 1913. At Langelinie Pier, you will find The Little Mermaid sculpture as well as other sculptures such as that on Gefion Fountain ( goddess Gefjon driving a plow pulled by oxen) that can be found at the park which is a long coastal area made for strolling. Although petite in size, this sculpture’s filled with immense cultural significance, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved tale. The statue draws a very eclectic crowd. When we visited it, there was a mariachi band playing to the crowd. From there, a stroll over to Nyhavn is a must. This 17th-century waterfront, with its brightly hued houses lining the canal, invites you to relax over a cup of coffee or a cold beer, enjoying the lively surrounding atmosphere. This is a neighborhood of many restaurants and cafes.as well as a few shops dedicated to amber. Amber is a big thing in Copenhagen. 

In 1994, The shop called House of Amber opened at Kongens Nytorv 2 which is one of the oldest buildings of Copenhagen (Kanneworffs House 1606). Right next to the shop, an amber museum was opened in the same year and in the same building. Many of the largest Baltic amber antiques and artifacts are on display here. 

Now, for us food lovers, Copenhagen’s culinary scene’s got creativity and passion in every dish. Tuck into Danish classics like smørrebrød at the charming local cafés or explore New Nordic cuisine at high-end restaurants like Noma. These dining spots offer meals that are not just food but a sensory experience mixing traditional and modern flavors. Now Noma is very expensive. Its name comes from Nordisk (No) and mad (ma). Nordisk means Nordic and mad means food. This is a three Michelin star restaurant. It has been voted the best restaurant in the world. There are, of course, many wonderful places to eat traditional food that somebody like me can afford:

Den Vandrette in the Nyhaven area. Starters are around 100 DKK and mains are between 155 DKK and 165 DKK. This is very affordable for someone like me (around USA $25 a person). This is a very good restaurant that serves food from locally grown sources.

Broens Street Food at Strandgade 95 which is between Christianhaven and Nyhaven. Here, you will get fantastic traditional food with beautiful views of the harbor. Bars open at 1100 and food stalls open at 1130.

Dyrehaven in the Dyrehaven Deer Park area. This is a very pleasant half hour drive north of Copenhagen and I highly recommend it. All the ingredients are locally sourced. The C train line will take you there and the station where you get off is a very lovely 10 minute walk to the restaurant. The price level will be around 300 DKK which is about USA $48 each person. So this is a bit of a splurge dinner for somebody like me but absolutely worth it for the great value to be had here. And it is a great get away too.

Tivoli Gardens, one of the world’s oldest amusement parks, brings an afternoon filled with delight. There’s something magical about this spot, where vintage rides and lush gardens create a fairytale-like ambiance. Catch a concert or enjoy the evening lights if you visit later in the day. This attraction has been around since 1843. That alone warrants a visit for an evening. There are only two other amusement parks in the world that are older than Tivoli. In fact, you can even go to the second oldest amusement park in the world without leaving Danmark (Dyrehavsbakken which is about six miles north of Copenhagen at Lyngby-Taarbæk.) Children under three years of age enter free. Those older than seven years old pay 170 DKK and those from three to seven pay 85 DKK. Really, I suggest visiting Tivoli Gardens from lunch to dinner because not only is this place totally iconic, but there are places to eat enough for somebody to eat every day here and try something new for every meal. I do not dare venture to create a list of places because the list would be huge but you would find everything from homemade desserts to three course dinners with wine pairings.

I certainly cannot leave out Strøget, one of Europe’s longest pedestrian-only shopping streets. It’s a shopper’s paradise, boasting everything from upscale brands to cozy local boutiques. Walking down Strøget gives a slice of the city’s vibrant urban life, offering something for every budget. Strøget is a wonderful place. Boutique shops, quaint cafes, great restaurants, artworks on the cobblestone walkway, and shopping for everybody. There is Hermes and Prada for the wealthy and Zara for my wife. Even my favorite clothing store is here (H&M). There are street entertainers and lovely flower beds to admire. It runs for almost one mile between City Hall Square and Kongens Nytorv Square. Guinness World Records Museum is also here. Another one of Copenhagens’ oldest houses is here (Renaissance House) and it hosts Royal Copenhagen which is a hand painted porcelain store along with The Royal Cafe which serves traditonal Danish meals.

Here is a photo of The Little Mermaid sculpture. There is a mariachi band at the right of the small crowd. This small sculpture does draw an amazingly diverse crowd.

Historical Encounters in Roskilde: Where Past Meets Present

Roskilde is 1,000 year old city where history wraps around you like a cozy, well-worn blanket. This charming town, just a short ride from Copenhagen, is a perfect blend of the ancient and the contemporary, offering a fascinating glimpse into Danmark’s storied past. We took a bus from Copenhagen to Roskilde.

There are several types of bus passes. We used the City Travel Passes which are for those who are in Danmark for only a short while like we were. For those who are there longer, the Rejsekort Travel Card would be used. Just make sure to tap the card both in AND out if you are using the train and metro. If you plan on traveling for a few days between several cities, use the Rejsekort Anonymous with about 400 DKK loaded on it. There is a rejseplanen app for planning routes. Anyway, lets get on with it:

Begin your Roskilde exploration at the stunning Roskilde Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site that’s been the burial place for Danish monarchs since the 15th century. Its architectural beauty is breathtaking, and it’s a marvel to wander through its age-old corridors, feeling the whispers of history at every turn. The cathedral is Scandinavian Gothic built with bricks as are many of the notable buildings here. The hours that it is open vary. Many days it is open all day and other days it closes in the afternoon then reopens in the evening. It usually opens in the morning at 1000.

Don’t miss the Viking Ship Museum (Vikingeskibsmuseet), a national treasure for those enthralled by the tales of the sea. The museum is home to five original Viking ships that were excavated from the Roskilde Fjord. The ships had been built around 1050. You get to see firsthand how these legendary sea warriors navigated the world, their relics a reminder of the Viking Age’s reach and power. You can even get on board a viking ship. I believe it is a replica. There are also sailing tours on Roskilde Fjord in traditional Nordic boats. Viking ship replicas are built here and we were able to watch some of the process because the ship building tools, materials and work is out in the open for everyone to see. It is open from 1000-1600 (winter) or 1000-1700 (summer). Adult tickets are 160 DKK in summer and 125 DKK in winter. There are family tickets for 300 DKK in summer and 125 DKK in winter.

The Roskilde Festival grounds, famous for hosting one of Europe’s largest music festivals, are worth a visit just to roam the grounds which are quite lovely but during the festival, (all profits go to charity), you would see great performers, pop up food vendors, and of course beer, lots of beer. Many vendors do take plastic for payment. Oh, and the festival occurs at the end of June and the beginning of July.

A visit to Roskilde isn’t complete without strolling through the town’s delightful streets. Small shops, charming cafés, and friendly locals give Roskilde a warm, welcoming vibe. Take a moment to relax at a local café, maybe try some traditional Danish pastries, and savor the slower pace of life here. There are a couple of pedestrian streets with lovely cafes and boutique shops. There is even a walking tour of Copenhagen which is dedicated to Hans Christian Anderson.

After we got off the bus from Copenhagen to Roskilde, we came across these beautiful vases which were in the first area of Roskilde we visited. The vases are really tall, much taller than we are. These are The Roskilde Jars”. They stand near the railway station. They stand 16 feet tall which is about 5 meters tall. They were created by Peter Brandes and presented to Roskilde in 1998 for the 1,000 year anniversary of Roskildes’ founding.

Shakespearean Adventures and Great Art at Kronborg Castle:

Kronborg Castle stands proudly at the tip of Danmark, its walls rich in history and drama. Known to many as Elsinore, the setting for Shakespeare’s Hamlet, this Renaissance masterpiece is well worth the visit. This is a day trip so I suggest staying at least three hours here. You can enjoy the castle, the castle grounds, and the downtown area of Helsingoer which is a lovely town. On Öresund sound, it was built on the location of King Eric VIIs’ Kronborg Fortress which was built around 1425. Around 1575, it was King Frederick II who reconstructed it as the Renaissance masterpiece it is today.

Start your journey in the grand halls of the castle. Wandering through these rooms is like stepping into the pages of history. Guides here are great storytellers, painting vivid pictures of the past, from royal banquets to everyday life within these stone walls. Its interior displays painted ceilings, walls covered with exquisite tapestries, and enough artworks to keep any connoisseur busy for hours.

Kronborg isn’t just about Hamlet, though the connection definitely adds a layer of enchantment. The castle holds a significant spot in Danish history, once a strategic fortress controlling the entrance to the Baltic Sea. You will find some mighty imposing cannons with some mighty big balls stacked up in piles next to the cannons. Exploring it helps you understand Danmark’s military past and its role in European politics.

Time your visit right, and you might catch a live performance of Hamlet right on the castle grounds. These are engaging experiences, bringing Shakespeare’s words to life in a way that feels incredibly authentic. We did catch such a performance of Hamlet. Although we arrived after it started, there was still plenty of room to watch the witty conversations and sword play because the performance is in a huge red and white tiled floor audience room.

The castle’s location offers sweeping views of the sea, proving the perfect backdrop for some serene reflection. The surrounding green landscapes invite you for a leisurely walk where the air is fresh and the stories of yore whisper through the breeze. We did spend quite a bit of time overlooking Öresund strait taking some very lovely photos if I should say so myself.

Across the Bridge to Malmö: A Swedish Sojourn; And Then There Were Three:

In Scandinavia, it is really easy to visit castles. We visited more castles here than anywhere else we have traveled to (although it is EXTREMELY easy to visit castles in countries like France.)

Crossing from Danmark to Sweden over the mighty Öresund Bridge is a thrilling drive. It’s an iconic journey that gives you spectacular views of both the sea and sky, creating a sense of stepping into a different world as you arrive in Malmö. We drove that amazing bridge across the Öresund sound which takes travelers through a below water tunnel and above the surface bridge. It really IS a thrilling drive. It is 16 kilometers which is about 10 miles. It opened in the year 2000. It leads through the man made island called Peberholmen. There is a toll booth on the Sweden side. The toll is a little expensive (510 or more DKK for each vehicle. Large vehicles and cars with trailers cost more.)

Once in Malmö, set your sights on the formidable Malmö Castle. This grand old fortress, with its moats and red bricks, offers a peek into the region’s history. The castle’s museum presents an interesting mix of art, history, and Swedish natural history exhibits. Walking through its halls is like flipping through the pages of a well-loved storybook brimming with tales of yesteryear.

Malmöhus Castle was originally commissioned to be built as a citadel by King Eric of Pomerania around 1435 when he ruled a large kingdom that included Danmark, southern Sweden and Norway. Around 1540, King Christian III replaced the damaged citadel with a new one. Around 1608, King Christian IV expanded it. Then, in the 1930s the Renaissance castle we see today was built.

Art lovers should make a beeline for Moderna Museet and Malmö Konstmuseum. Both spots are gems for contemporary and traditional art. The exhibits here push boundaries, and inspire creativity. Moderna Museet was founded in 1841. It is located at Skeppsholmen which is right next to Kastellholmen ( with a very beautiful citadel that is very much worth visiting also.) It has more than 130,000 artworks. (I quote); …”its photography collection is unparalleled.” Well represented there are Swedish / Nordic art, French modernism, and American artworks from the 1950s to the 1960s. Einar Malm is well represented there. It opens at 1000 and costs 150 SEK. if under 18 years old, then there is no charge. 150 SEK are about US $16.

Malmö Konstmuseum is located within Malmöhus Slott. There are some 40,000 Nordic artworks from around 1550 until the present. Carl Fredrik Hill is well represented there. It opens at 1000 and ticket prices are 40 SEK. Anybody younger than 19 years old will get in free. 40 SEK are about USA $ 4.50 so I would deem them both quite worth the prices.

Foodies won’t want to miss Lilla Torg, the heartbeat of Malmö’s dining scene. This lively square is where locals and visitors come together to enjoy everything from traditional Swedish dishes to global cuisines. The buzzing energy is infectious, and the food really is delightful. This is a historical market square with natural stones for its pavement. This square was created in 1590. This is a lovely place surrounded with old houses, boutique shops and cafes, and bars.

Wrap up your Malmö adventure with a stroll through its medieval streets and luxuriant parks. These peaceful spots offer a moment to relax and soak up the slow pace of this charming city. The cobblestones and cozy corners add a touch of magic, providing the perfect end to an insightful journey across the Öresund Strait. You will especially want to walk around the Gamla Staden neighborhood with Strortorget next to it. There are a few very Instagrammable buildings in the area. Do not miss Adelsgatan Tunneln and Thottska Huset. The former is the oldest surviving building in Malmö and the latter is the oldest half timbered house in the city.

Jamie Lyn Beatty said:

“Jobs fill your pocket. Adventures fill your soul.”

Copenhagen, Roskilde, and Malmö each have several sites that are widely recognized for traditional and cultural importance, especially around royal history, religion, and the Viking and Renaissance periods. Below is a compact FAQ section for anyone who want to read more:

General questions

Q: Why are Copenhagen, Roskilde, and Malmö often grouped together for cultural sightseeing?
A: The three cities are closely connected by short train rides across the Øresund region and share intertwined Danish–Swedish history, from medieval churches and royal power to Viking and maritime heritage

Q: What types of traditional and cultural sites can visitors expect?
A: Visitors will find royal castles, cathedrals, historic old towns, museums of national history, and preserved Viking and Renaissance sites that illustrate how the region developed from the Middle Ages to modern Scandinavia.

Copenhagen: key cultural sites

Q: Which historic castles in Copenhagen are especially important?
A: Rosenborg Castle is a 17th‑century Renaissance royal residence that houses the Danish Crown Jewels and royal regalia, making it central to Denmark’s monarchical tradition. Christiansborg Palace on Slotsholmen reflects around 800 years of royal and political history and today hosts the Danish Parliament, Supreme Court, and Royal Reception rooms.

Q: Are there culturally important churches or religious buildings in Copenhagen?
A: Frederik’s Church, often called the Marble Church, is noted for its large dome and Rococo architecture and is a landmark in the Frederiksstaden district. Copenhagen is also ringed by historic churches, with Roskilde Cathedral just outside the city considered the area’s oldest major landmark and the royal burial church.

Q: Which museums in Copenhagen best explain Danish cultural history?
A: The National Museum of Denmark in central Copenhagen is the country’s largest museum of cultural history, with collections from the Stone Age through the Viking era and into modern times, including important Bronze Age and Viking artifacts. The wider Copenhagen Cultural District brings together numerous archives, palaces, and museums within walking distance in the historic center.​

Roskilde: cathedral and Vikings

Q: Why is Roskilde Cathedral so culturally significant?
A: Roskilde Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the official royal burial church of Danish monarchs, reflecting over 800 years of European architectural styles in its brick Gothic design. It is one of the earliest major Gothic brick cathedrals in Scandinavia and influenced church architecture around the Baltic Sea.

Q: What makes the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde important?
A: The Viking Ship Museum preserves five original 11th‑century Viking ships and presents experimental archaeology, traditional boatbuilding, and interactive workshops that bring Viking seafaring culture to life. It is a primary site for understanding how Viking maritime technology enabled voyages from Greenland to the Mediterranean and North America. It would be excellent if we could stay in Roskilde for about three months to visit this museum every day and watch the process of ancient ship building. The use the same tools and use the same methods to build ship replicas. Some of these built ships are used to take people out on Roskilde Fjord.

Q: Is Roskilde an easy cultural day trip from Copenhagen?
A: Roskilde lies about 30 minutes NNE from Copenhagen by train, which makes it a popular day‑trip destination for visitors wanting to combine city sightseeing with UNESCO heritage and Viking history.​

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Malmö: Swedish–Danish heritage

Q: What is Malmö Castle and why is it historically important?
A: Malmö Castle (Malmöhus) is the oldest surviving Renaissance fortress in the Nordic region and historically shifted between Danish and Swedish control, symbolizing the contested history of the Øresund region. Today it houses Malmö Museer, which include historical, art, and natural history collections that trace regional culture from the Renaissance to contemporary times

Q: Beyond the castle, what traditional areas in Malmö show its cultural character?
A: Malmö’s old town features historic streets, squares, and parks with a mix of older buildings and later architectural styles that reflect the city’s development as a port and trading hub. Smaller historical attractions, such as Ebba’s House and other local museums, preserve everyday urban life and domestic traditions.​

Q: How does Malmö connect culturally to Copenhagen and Roskilde?
A: Linked by the Øresund Bridge, Malmö shares medieval, Reformation‑era, and royal history with Copenhagen and Roskilde and often appears in regional tours that cover castles, cathedrals, and old towns on both sides of the strait.​

Planning a traditional-culture itinerary

Q: What would a classic “tradition and culture” day look like in each city?
A: In Copenhagen, a classic day might combine Rosenborg Castle, Christiansborg Palace, and the National Museum of Denmark for a sweep of royal and national history. In Roskilde, most visitors pair the UNESCO‑listed cathedral with the Viking Ship Museum for a deep dive into medieval religion and Viking seafaring traditions. In Malmö, time at Malmö Castle and its museums, followed by a walk through the old town, gives a strong sense of the city’s Renaissance fortress heritage and later urban culture.​

Q: Are these sites suitable for visitors interested in traditional culture rather than thrill‑type attractions?
A: Yes, the focus at these locations is on historical architecture, religious and royal traditions, and curated museum collections rather than rides or nightlife, making them ideal for culturally oriented travelers. Interactive elements such as Viking workshops in Roskilde and museum exhibits in Copenhagen and Malmö add context without losing the emphasis on heritage.