Weekend Trips in Denmark & Nearby — Easy Getaways by Train, Ferry & Car | exploringdenmark

Weekend Trips in Denmark & Nearby

Seaside escapes, castle towns, national parks—and easy hops to Sweden or Germany. Use this guide to plan an effortless weekend by train, ferry or car.

Good to know: Denmark’s trains, buses and ferries are frequent and safe—plus easy connections to Sweden and Germany. You can do most trips without a car.

Beaches & islands

🏖️ Bornholm

Dramatic cliffs, white sand and Baltic vibes on Denmark’s “sunshine island.” bornholm.info

🏝️ Fanø & Rømø

Southwest Jutland islands with vast beaches and wildlife. visitdenmark.com

🌊 North Zealand Coast

Seaside towns and beaches 40–60 min from Copenhagen. visitnorthsealand.com

City breaks

🏰 Odense

Hans Christian Andersen’s hometown, cobbled lanes and cafés. visitodense.com

🌉 Aarhus

Museums, Old Town, city beaches and great food. visitaarhus.com

🎭 Aalborg

Street art, waterfront strolls, cosy neighborhoods. visitaalborg.com

Nature & outdoor escapes

🌳 Mols Bjerge National Park

Rolling hills, ancient barrows and excellent hiking. nationalparkmolsbjerge.dk

🦌 Dyrehaven & Bellevue

Deer park, forests and beach just north of Copenhagen—easy by S-train. Dyrehaven

🏜️ Rubjerg Knude & Skagen

Wild dunes, a wandering lighthouse and two seas meeting. visitnordjylland.com

Castles & heritage

🛡️ Kronborg Castle

UNESCO Hamlet castle at Helsingør with sea views. kronborg.dk

🏛️ Frederiksborg Castle

Spectacular palace, gardens and the National History Museum. dnm.dk

🗝️ Egeskov Castle

Moat, maze, playgrounds and seasonal events on Funen. egeskov.dk

Sweden in a weekend

🌉 Malmö

30 min by train from Copenhagen—food halls, parks and shopping. malmotown.com

⛪ Lund

Medieval university town with a stunning cathedral. visitlund.se

🚴 Skanör & Falsterbo

Southern Sweden’s top beaches—great for bike days. skanor-falsterbo.se

Quick trips to Germany

🚆 Hamburg

~2 hrs from Copenhagen—harbor, museums and nightlife. hamburg.com

🛥️ Flensburg

Border town charm, historic harbor and bargain shopping. flensburg-tourismus.de

🌳 Lübeck

UNESCO old town, marzipan and easy rail links. luebeck-tourismus.de

Useful resources

Frequently asked questions

🚂 No car—still possible?

Absolutely. Trains/buses cover almost all destinations and link to Sweden/Germany. Book via DSB.

🪪 ID for Sweden/Germany?

EU citizens: passport or EU ID. Non-EU: passport + valid Danish residence permit.

⛴️ Bring a bike?

Yes—both Denmark and Sweden are bike-friendly. Check bike ticket rules on trains/ferries.

💸 Budget stays?

Hostels, budget hotels and cabins are common. Summer weekends sell out—book ahead.

👨‍👩‍👧 Kid-friendly?

Very—beaches, castles, zoos, museums and nature trails suit families.

📅 When to book?

At least a week ahead for summer or big cities; more for school holidays.

Want a custom weekend plan?

Tell us your city, dates, budget and interests—we’ll suggest a 2-day itinerary with travel times and must-see stops.