Visiting

The regions of Denmark, how it all fits

Updated July 2026Reviewed July 2026
The short versionDenmark has three main land areas, Zealand (with Copenhagen), Funen (Hans Christian Andersen's island) and Jutland (the peninsula joined to Germany), plus hundreds of islands. Here is how they fit together and what each is known for.

The three big pieces

Zealand (Sjaelland) in the east holds Copenhagen, most of the population and jobs, plus Mon's cliffs and North Zealand's castles. Funen (Fyn) in the middle is the "garden island", home to Odense and a ring of smaller islands like Aeroe. Jutland (Jylland) is the large peninsula attached to Germany, running from Legoland and Aarhus up to Skagen's northern tip.

Then the islands

Beyond the big three, Denmark has hundreds of islands. The standouts for visitors: Bornholm out in the Baltic, Mon for its white cliffs, and Aeroe in the south. Greenland and the Faroe Islands are self-governing parts of the Danish Realm but are geographically and culturally distinct.

Which region suits you

For work and city life, Zealand (Copenhagen) and eastern Jutland (Aarhus, Aalborg) dominate. For lower costs and space, western and northern Jutland. For nature and slow travel, the islands. See Copenhagen vs Aarhus and the cost of living guide when weighing where to settle.

Common questions

What are the main regions of Denmark?

Three land areas, Zealand (Copenhagen), Funen (Odense) and Jutland (the peninsula), plus hundreds of islands like Bornholm, Mon and Aeroe.

Where is Copenhagen?

On the island of Zealand (Sjaelland) in eastern Denmark, near the Swedish coast.

Are Greenland and the Faroe Islands part of Denmark?

They are self-governing parts of the Danish Realm, but geographically and culturally distinct from Denmark itself.