Denmark Roadtrip

Egescov Castle
By Krowster - Flickr Commons

Visit the peaceful towns and excellent beaches of Denmark. Take a road trip through the country in a Campervan, stopping at beautiful spots whenever you feel like it. Denmark holds many prestigious "Blue Beach" awards and the beaches are equal to any Mediterranean destination.

Denmark itself is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, located southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark's shores extend to both the Baltic and North Seas. The country consists of a large peninsula, Jutland (Jylland) and many islands, most notably Zealand and Funen.

Sandcoast Northsea
By Magnetismus - Flickr Commons

Visit the northern most point of Jutland and see the Baltic and North seas merge.

Experience the unique atmosphere, historic streets and many museums and attractions in Ribe. Embrace the art and architecture in Arhus along with the Tivoli Friheden. An amusement park for the whole family.
Drive over to Funen with it's Castle's (or Slots) becoming a more frequent occurrence and the towns of Faaborg and Svendborg are well worth a visit.

Faaborg
By M.Prinke - Flickr Commons

Cruise around Denmark on a roadtrip that will be well worth your time. Find a Campervan for your travels at Motorhome Scandinavia.

Enjoy the trip and let us know how it goes or of any attractions that were fantastic!

Thy National Park

Thy National Park located in southwestern Jutland, is Denmark’s first national park. It is also the largest spanning from Agger Tange in the south and the Hanstholm lighthouse in the north covering an area of 244 sq. km. Thy National Park was shaped by hundreds of years of sand migration which is evident in its sand heaths, sand plantations, dunes, coastline and lakes. Thy National Park could well be one of Denmark’s “last wilderness”.



The park is best enjoyed by nature lovers who prefer the quiet solitude and peace and quiet of a natural park. Though the park has comfortable inns and campsites for campervans, there is also a patch of primitive campsites for the more adventurous. This is a great place for a Denmark motorhome rental holiday. Note that Danish national parks are not amusement centres or museums. There are Danes who live and work in these national parks and that some of the areas in the parks are owned by private individuals.

The dune heaths at Thy National Park are unique not only in Denmark but globally. The heath land along the coast alternates with dune plantations. To the north of the park is the Hanstholm Game Reserve where you can find two of Denmark’s cleanest and unspoiled lakes, Nors Lake and Vandet Lake. Nors Lake’s beach is child-friendly. Red deer, roe and some of Denmark’s rare birds like the wood sandpiper and golden plover call this area home. There are more than 30 varied species of birds in the area. Otters have found homes along the protected areas of the lakes too.



Isthmus of Agger Tange’s salt meadows on the other hand is the habitat for water birds native to Thy. Agger Tange has been named as an international bird protection sanctuary. The bird tower in Tved Dune plantation is best seen in the months of March and April when it is possible to view dancing cranes. The dunes along the coastline present great beaches for swimming. Isbjerget provides barbecue and bonfire facilities. The area is actually the highest point in the Hanstholm Wildlife Reservation at 56 meters. A fishing platform for disabled is accessible here too.

Thy National Park covers some evidence of remnants from the Bronze Age. The German bunkers along the coast are a reminder of Denmark’s WW II history. The long-ago farmlands have been replaced by dune heaths and dune plantations all due to the harsh wind and sand drift to the land.

The park is not without some attractions. The small fishing villages of Stenbjerg Landingsplads and Nørre Vorupør are still active and offer a view of the fishermen’s daily work. The North Sea Aquarium in Nørre Vorupør has some rare species of North Sea fish caught by these fishermen. Klitmøller and Stenbjerg Landing Place are places to visit for a great view.



The park can be toured by feet, bikes, horses and cars. There are several sign-posted paths for trekkers, cyclists and mountainbikers. You can rent an Icelandic horse should you wish to tour the park by horse. However there are designated areas as to where you can walk, bike, drive or ride. For those who are into surfing, Klitmøller is the place to be.

No matter where you are at the Park, it is possible to “feel” the grandeur of nature.

Kayaking in Denmark

Kayaking is a very popular water sports in Denmark for after all the country is completely surrounded by water. The east coast of Denmark offers more approachable and softer water while the west coast is more imposing and can sometimes be coarse and rough. Denmark’s interior has numerous creeks and fjords too for those who prefer to kayak in waterways and not into the sea.

The best locations to kayak are found in fjords at the eastern coast of Jutland. The islands of Rømø and Fanø of western Jutland also offers great kayaking adventure. Other localities such as the South Funen Island, Limfjorden inlet, the Smålandshavet archipelago, Øresund and Roskilde Fjord and along Copenhagen’s harbour afford excellent opportunity for kayaking. Gudenåen and Susåen areas account for 70% of kayaking activities.



Denmark is truly endowed with the beauty of nature as found in its waterways and seas. It has more than 40 navigable rivers, canals and lakes for kayaking where you can experience an exhilarating experience as you paddle your way in its waterways. More often than not, the areas open for kayaking and canoeing are preserved areas where it is possible to watch at close range Denmark’s wildlife. Kayaking opportunities into the fjords are possible as long as you or your guide is familiar with the current and wind conditions along the shore.

Should you choose kayaking in the open seas around Denmark, there is nothing to worry about big ships et al since it is the “law” of the sea that big water craft s give way to kayaks and canoes. There are day-trip canoe and kayak charters all over Denmark but if you prefer to go on a kayaking package tour there are plenty of exclusive packages available for every type and shape of “kayaker”. If you are touring Denmark in a campervan, it is best to hook-up in a motorhome park that has access to a body of water for ease.



The Fyn Archipelago offers excellent sea kayaking tours. The Round Thurø is a short (15 km) day trip that will take you to see the town and countryside. This is a fairly easy ride unless a strong wind from the east decides to blow.

For a longer trip of 2 days, the Helnæs Bay has a 35 km run. The water here is calm and tranquil as the bay is sheltered from the wind in all directions. This trip is highly recommended for newcomers in kayaking.

For experienced kayakers a 5-6 day kayak tour of the major islands in the South Fyn Archipelago is a great idea. In this trip you will come in close contact with the island communities. You will also be expected to show consideration to the protected areas en route. Canoeing and kayaking are regulated activities in Denmark.

There are seven general rules that you should be observed when transversing the waterways of Denmark. The first one is that you should always assume that you are generally not permitted to go ashore.
use only waterways that are at least at least 0.50m deep and 1.5m wide
Always travel with the current 

• Do not navigate up narrow streams and tributaries 
• Never navigate before 8am and after 6pm. 
• Never navigate near or into reed beds 
• Do not run the prow into riverbanks 

Keep these rules in mind to enjoy a glitch-free kayaking in Denmark.

Bornholm Island

Known as the Island of the Burgundians, Bornholm is a Danish Island in the Baltic Sea near the southernmost tip of Sweden, east of Denmark and north of Poland. Denmark is mostly plain fields and seas but the island of Bornholm is beautiful with its granite hills and steep cliffs overlooking the Baltic Sea. The interior part is lush with green wooded areas speckled with shrubby uncultivated land. The middle of the island is mostly farmland and the southern part, sandy beaches.

The island has a population of 45,000 and an area of 588 square kilometres. The main industries in the islands are fishing, dairy farming and arts and crafts such as pottery and glass-making. Tourism is a thriving industry in the islands too for more than half a million tourists visit Bornholm Island each year. The seasons are milder in Bornholm than the rest of Denmark and other Scandinavian countries. For the most part of the year, the island is warm and sunny.

Østerlars Kirke on Bornholm

Photo by Per Trangbæk, Wikimedia Commons

Bornholm has been a part of the Viking trade route in the 10th century. The island was under German and Swedish rules but after the Germans lost in World War II, Bornholm was returned to Denmark in 1946 as part of its Hovenstaden Region. Part of Bornholm to the north are the islands of Christianso which is part of the Ertholomene Archipelago. The island has castles and ruins that date back to the Middle Ages. Bronholm is quite easy to reach from Copenhagen, Sweden and Germany by ferry. There are also trains and buses that go to southern Sweden then on to Rønne, Bornholm by hydrofoil boat.

More than two centuries ago, there were several painters that came to the islands to paint the scenes of and views of Bornholm. Most of these painters stayed permanently and founded the Bornholm School. Swedish painter Karl Isaksson was one of the first impressionists who took residence in the island. Other famous painters who went and stayed in Bornholm were Olaf Rude, Edward Weye, Niels Leergaard and a Bornholm native painter Oluf Høst.

Hammershus Ruin

Photo by Darkone, Wikimedia Commons

The Bornholm Museum presents a wonderful collection of the island’s cultural history including a ceramic’s museum. A visit to the Erichsens Gård botanical garden is highly recommended. The garden and building date back to the 19th century. The Bornholms Middelaldercenter is located in Gudhjem which is a representation of authentic life led during the Middle Ages.



Today, tourists troop to the beaches of Bornholm especially those located in between Rønne and Hasle in the western coast and Dueodde in the southern coast. Biking around the island is also a great way to explore it. The bike paths were former railroad tracks. The villages in the islands are picture perfect.

If you prefer to camp in the islands, there are beautiful campsites in Bornholm too. Travelling by motorhome? No worries. There are several motorhome parks in Bornholm such as the one in Sandvig which offers a great view of the sea.

Odense Attractions

Odense is located in the island of Funen and is the third largest city in Denmark and is more than a thousand years old. The lively and beautiful city has a more relaxed and laid-back ambiance than Copenhagen with its pedestrian-only streets, numerous paths, alleys and squares leading to museums, cafés, shops and a host of cultural and musical attractions. There are bike-only paths too for the locals and tourists to get around Odense. However, to really enjoy a leisurely tour of Odense, a walking tour is recommended.

What are there to see in Odense? The top tourist attractions in the city are the Odense Zoo, Han Christian Andersen’s House, Danish Railway Museum and the Funen Village. Other attractions in the city are:

• Cathedral of King Canute the Holy (Saint Knuds Kirke)
• Odense Golf Club
• Odense Palace
• Hans Christian Andersen Museum
• Carl Nielsen Museum
• Danish Museum of Printing
• Museum of Photographic Art
• Local History Museum
• DSB Railroad Museum
• St. Knud Church
• Peace Church
• University of Southern Denmark

These are just some of the attractions you can enjoy in Odense.

Church of Saint Knud in Odense

Photo by Lars Bo Wassini, Wikimedia Commons

Located in 206 Sondre Boulevard, the Odense Zoo is the second largest zoo in Denmark. The zoo is a favourite destination for a jaunt. There are giraffes, lions, zebras, chimps, tigers and animals from different parts of the world. The oceanium has manatees (sea cows) and penguins too. The zoo is open the whole year round.

In Munkemøllestræde is the childhood home of the famous writer Hans Christian Andersen. He lived in this half-timbered house from 1807 to 1819 with his parents. In 1930 the house was converted into a museum and is currently a part of the main Andersen Museum in Hans Jensens Strðde. The HC Andersen Gardens is behind St. Knuds Kirke and is a sight to behold at the height of summer.

Danish Railway Museum, Odense

Photo by Matthew Ross, Wikimedia Commons

The Danish Railway Museum is near the Odense Railway Station. It houses quite extensive models of original locomotives and carriages including sleepers, royal carriages and dining cars. There are model railway layouts, computer games and simulations for everyone to enjoy. For small children are designated play areas.

Funen Village or Fyn is an open-air museum with some 30 traditional buildings dating back to the 17th to 19th centuries. The antique buildings were relocated from various sites in the island. A village-like environment was created with the half-timbered houses complete with streets and a village pond, enclosures for livestock and beautiful gardens. The Funen Village looks authentic and presents a picturesque view of “old” Funen.

Odense Palace

Photo by Kåre Thor Olsen, Wikimedia Commons

The Cathedral of King Canute the Holy or Saint Knuds Kirke is located south of the Odense Town Hall. It is a commemorative to Danish Saint Knud IV who begun the construction in 1100. The church was burned sometime in the 12th century and then was revamped to a three-aisled church in the 13th century. The construction took more than 200 years to complete. The current interior of the brick church is Gothic style.

Odense in Funen Island is accessible by ferry, road and rail.

Langeland Festival

Langelandsfestivalen is Denmark’s largest garden party for the whole family. The venue is on the outskirts of Rue Mark near Langeland and Rudkonbin, near the beach. The festival started in 1991 and its popularity to both local and international tourists has grown since then. The affair is usually held in the last week of July usually lasting for four days. In 2010, the Langelandsfestivalen became a full-pledge week-long festival.

What is there to see at the festival? There is a whole range of activities to do at the festival. There are plenty of activities for the young and old. There are multiple stages for music programs that are varied to cater to different age groups and music tastes. Concerts are held in tents or at open-air venues. There have been an extensive number of Danish musicians and artists who have performed at the Langelandsfestivalen. A long list of international artist have performed at the festival too and some of them are Toto, Santana, Gloria Gaynor, Earth Wind and Fire, The Corrs, Alana Myles, Simple Minds and more.

Danish band "Zididada" at the Langeland Festival

Photo by Lhademmor, Wikimedia Commons

Tickets for the Langeland Festival in July 21-28, 2011 will be on sale starting November 1, 2011 at designated outlets. Online ticket sale will be available in selected websites. Once you purchase tickets you are automatically given a free campsite. There are various spots for tent and you can take your pick. If you are planning to take a motorhome tour of Copenhagen summer next year, best book a campervan way in advance so you can enjoy the facilities at the Langeland Festival. In case you are going to the festival in a motorhome, you need to purchase a caravan ticket. Electricity is included in the price of the ticket. Check out the Lanelandsfestivalen website for the requirements.

There is Children’s World for kids of all ages. The area is the size of 4 football fields. There are playgrounds, bike lanes, bouncy castles and other form of activities and entertainment for the kids. More than 300 volunteers man the Children’s World that kids are quite safe in the area. Entrance is free. Parents have to check in their children for security purposes. It is also best for parents to write down their mobile phone numbers on their children’s arm just in case they get separated.



On the Festival grounds are a separate Toilet and Baths including several pools. A bath cost £25. Cars and all modes of transportation have their own designated parking space. There are fire trucks and firemen, policemen, nurses, paramedics on duty for security.

The “feet” are the mode of transportation within the festival grounds. Special dispensation is given for the disabled as long as they have blue card on their car. They can also opt to stay in camp designated for them. If you need to use a barbecue grill, there are designated areas for this.

Volunteers are being recruited. You can apply online should you want to experience Langelandsfestivalen as an organizer.

Aalborg Carnival

A Mardi Gras-like atmosphere happens in Aalborg, Denmark on the fourth Saturday of May yearly since 1983. The Aalborg Carnival is Scandinavia’s largest Spring Celebration Festival with more than 100,000 people from all over Scandinavia and the rest of the world coming together to enjoy dancing in the streets of Aalborg. What is unique with this festival is that everyone can just don on their costumes and join the Grand Parade.

In 1982, four natives put their heads together and envisioned, planned and actually executed the first Aalborg Carnival a year later. More than 10,000 joined the very first parade and from then on the number multiplied as the popularity of the event magnified. Today the Aalborg Carnival is a weeklong celebration with three main carnival events - the Grand Parade, Battle of the Carnival Bands and the Children’s Carnival. In the week-long celebrations participants both non-pro and professional groups and children of all ages don their themed-costumes and dance their way in the parade.

Battle of Carnival - Poco Loco

Photo by Aalborg Carnival - Photographers, Flickr

The Children’s Carnival or Børnekarneval is held in the week leading to the Grand Parade which is always held on a Saturday. Children take centre stage as they dance and enjoy the parade with their parents. They dance and walk through the city streets of Aalborg with the parade culminating with entertainment and games at the Kildeparken or Kilde Park. No one is exempted from this parade. Every child can join the fun.

On the Friday of carnival week, the Battle of the Carnival Band takes place. Professional carnival groups from Europe and the rest of the world troop to Aalborg to compete in the yearly competition. A panel of judges grade the participants based on their costumes and group performance. The selected group earns the title of Best Carnival Group.

Battle of Carnival - Aquerela de Paris

Photo by Aalborg Carnival - Photographers, Flickr

The main event is on Saturday. The Grand Parade is open for everyone. The Parade is divided into 4 groups that start off from different streets in Aalborg and proceeds in a star formation to the city harbour. The King of the Carnival takes the lead in this parade of “carnivalists” and international carnival groups as they continue as one into Kildeparken. The Grand Parade is the highlight of the week-long activity. At the park, four stages are set up to provide a variety of entertainment from the locals and international groups. The winner of the Battle of the Carnival Bands is also announced at this event.

Battle of Carnival - Mandinga Arts

Photo by Aalborg Carnival - Photographers, Flickr

Though you can wear basically anything you want in joining the Grand Parade, note that each year, a theme is provided as a guideline. This year, 2011, the theme is Sexzoological Zoo which was interpreted in a variety of ways. In 2010, the theme was Mars and Venus while 2009’s theme was La Dolce Vita.

If you are gearing up for Aalborg Carnival in 2012, start preparing your costume as the theme is “The World Upside Down”. Accommodations are slowly being filled right now. If you are touring Aalborg in a campervan the campsites in and around Aalborg are great places to stay as carnival ambiance is evident there too.