Visiting Denmark — the unwritten rules nobody tells you
No tipping. No cash. Shops close on Sundays. Bikes have right of way. Denmark is wonderfully easy to visit — once you know the quirks that trip everyone up. Here is everything you need to know, from the airport to your last smørrebrød.
Money & paying for things
Denmark uses the Danish krone (DKK), not the euro. 1 EUR ≈ 7.46 DKK, 1 USD ≈ 6.8 DKK. You almost never need cash — Denmark is one of the most cashless societies in the world. Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are accepted everywhere, including street food stalls, public toilets, and church collection boxes. Some smaller shops do not even accept cash at all.
A Visa or Mastercard debit card with no foreign transaction fees (Wise, Revolut, or similar) is the best way to pay in Denmark. Contactless payments are universal. Apple Pay and Google Pay work everywhere. You do not need to exchange currency before arriving.
ATMs are available but increasingly rare. If you do need cash for any reason, withdraw from a Danske Bank or Nordea ATM — they charge lower fees than airport exchange counters, which should be avoided entirely.
Prices are high. A coffee costs DKK 40–55 (~€5.50–7.50), a restaurant main DKK 150–250 (~€20–33), and a pint of beer DKK 55–80 (~€7.50–11). Budget accordingly — Denmark is one of the most expensive countries in Europe.
Getting around
Denmark has excellent public transport — but it is designed around a zone system that can confuse visitors. Trains, metro, buses, and harbour ferries in Copenhagen all use the same ticket and zone system. The easiest way to pay is with a Rejsekort (travel card) or contactless credit card directly on the readers.
Copenhagen transport
The metro runs 24/7 (driverless, very clean) and connects the airport to the city centre in 15 minutes. S-tog (suburban trains) cover greater Copenhagen. Buses fill the gaps. All use the same zones — a single journey within 2 zones costs around DKK 24.
Between cities
DSB operates intercity trains. Copenhagen to Aarhus takes about 3 hours, Copenhagen to Odense about 1.5 hours. Book early online for the cheapest Orange tickets — they can be 50–70% cheaper than walk-up fares.
Cycling
Copenhagen has more bikes than people. If you rent a bike (widely available), learn the rules: signal with your hand before turning, stay in the bike lane, and never, ever walk in the bike lane — cyclists travel at 20–30 km/h and will not slow down for you. This is the #1 way tourists get yelled at in Copenhagen.
Language
Almost everyone in Denmark speaks English — fluently. You will have zero language problems in shops, restaurants, hotels, transport, or even government offices. Denmark consistently ranks among the top 3 countries in the world for English proficiency.
That said, a few words of Danish will earn you goodwill and smiles:
Undskyld (oon-skyld) = Excuse me / Sorry
Hej (hi) = Hello
Hej hej (hi hi) = Bye
Regningen, tak = The bill, please
Jeg vil gerne have… = I would like…
Hvor er toilettet? = Where is the toilet?
Tipping
Tipping is not expected in Denmark. Service charges are included in all restaurant prices by law. Waiters are paid a living wage. Nobody will chase you out of a restaurant for not tipping, and nobody will think you are rude.
If you received exceptional service and want to show appreciation, rounding up the bill or leaving 5–10% is a kind gesture — but it is never expected, never calculated in advance, and never required. Taxi drivers, hotel staff, and bartenders do not expect tips either.
Danes consider tipping culture (as practised in the US) to be a failure of the employer to pay fair wages. In Denmark, service workers earn DKK 130–160/hour (~€17–21) including pension contributions. The price on the menu is the price you pay. This is one of the things visitors from the US find most refreshing.
Culture & etiquette
Danish culture has a few quirks that surprise visitors. Danes are friendly but reserved — they will not strike up conversation with strangers on public transport, and that is not rudeness, it is respect for personal space. But ask for help and they will go out of their way.
Queue in an orderly line
Say “tak” constantly — Danes do
Remove shoes when entering a home
Expect flat hierarchies — first names everywhere
Haggle — prices are fixed
Cut in line — this is a mortal sin
Boast or show off — Janteloven is real
Expect small talk from strangers
Hygge (hoo-guh) is not just a marketing term — it is the Danish concept of cosy, convivial togetherness. Candles in every window, warm lighting, coffee with friends, blankets on the sofa. You will feel it in cafés, restaurants, and homes. It is especially powerful in winter when Denmark has only 7 hours of daylight.
Food & drink
Danish food has evolved enormously in the past two decades. Copenhagen alone has 15 Michelin-starred restaurants. But you do not need to spend Noma prices to eat well — the everyday food culture is excellent.
What to try
- Smørrebrød — open-faced rye bread sandwiches. The national lunch. Try pickled herring, leverpostej (liver pâté), or roast beef with remoulade.
- Wienerbrød — what the world calls a “Danish pastry.” Best fresh from a bakery, not a supermarket.
- Pølser — hot dogs from a red pølsevogn (sausage cart). The classic is a rød pølse with remoulade, raw onions, and pickled cucumber.
- Flæskesteg — roast pork with crackling. The national dish.
- New Nordic — seasonal, foraged, local. Even mid-range restaurants embrace this philosophy now.
Supermarkets
For budget eating: Netto and Lidl are cheapest, Føtex is mid-range, and Irma (if you find one) is premium. All sell excellent ready-made meals. Grocery stores are open on Sundays even when other shops are closed.
Alcohol
Denmark has a strong beer and craft brewing culture. Carlsberg and Tuborg are the classics, but the craft scene (Mikkeller, To Øl, Nørrebro Bryghus) is outstanding. Wine is widely available but expensive. The legal drinking age for buying in shops is 16 for under-16.5% ABV and 18 for spirits.
Weather & what to pack
Danish weather is unpredictable and changes fast. The locals say “there is no bad weather, only bad clothing” — and they mean it. Pack layers regardless of season.
| Season | Months | Temperature | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | Dec–Feb | -2°C to 4°C | Dark, cold, wet. Sunset at 3:30pm. Pack thermals, wool, waterproof jacket. But Christmas markets and hygge are peak. |
| Spring | Mar–May | 4°C to 16°C | Improving. April can be beautiful. May is lovely. Pack layers — mornings are cold, afternoons warm. |
| Summer | Jun–Aug | 15°C to 25°C | Best time to visit. Long days (sunset 10pm in June). Outdoor dining, festivals, Tivoli. Still bring a rain jacket. |
| Autumn | Sep–Nov | 5°C to 15°C | Beautiful foliage in October. November is grey and wet. Pack waterproofs and warm layers. |
It can rain in Denmark any day of the year, including midsummer. A packable waterproof jacket is the single most useful item you can bring. Umbrella optional — the wind often makes them useless.
Safety & emergencies
Denmark is one of the safest countries in the world. Violent crime is extremely rare, and most of Copenhagen is perfectly safe to walk at night. Pickpocketing exists in tourist areas (Strøget, Tivoli, Nyhavn) but is not widespread.
Emergency numbers:
- 112 — Fire, police, ambulance. Free from any phone. English always available.
- 1813 — Medical helpline (Region Hovedstaden / Copenhagen). Non-emergency medical advice. English available.
- 114 — Police (non-emergency).
The nearest pharmacy (apotek) can be found at apoteket.dk. Many over-the-counter drugs (like ibuprofen) are only available at pharmacies, not supermarkets. Some pharmacies are open 24 hours in Copenhagen.
Copenhagen
Most visitors spend their time in Copenhagen — and for good reason. The city is compact, walkable, and packed with things to do. Most major attractions are within cycling distance of each other.
Neighbourhoods to know
- Indre By (city centre) — Strøget shopping street, Nyhavn, Rosenborg, Round Tower. Tourist central.
- Nørrebro — diverse, edgy, best food scene. Jægersborggade, Superkilen park, street food.
- Vesterbro — former red-light district turned hipster hub. Meatpacking District (Kødbyen), craft beer, vintage shops.
- Frederiksberg — leafy, upscale. Frederiksberg Have gardens, zoo, excellent restaurants.
- Østerbro — quiet, residential, beautiful parks. Fælledparken, waterfront walks.
- Christianshavn — canals, houseboats, Christiania (the freetown). Church of Our Saviour’s spiral tower for views.
Getting from the airport
Copenhagen Airport (Kastrup) is connected to the city centre by metro (15 mins, DKK 36) and train (13 mins to Hovedbanegården central station). Both run from the airport terminal. A taxi to the city centre costs DKK 250–350. Uber operates in Copenhagen.
Beyond Copenhagen — day trips & other cities
Denmark is small — you can reach almost anywhere in the country within 4 hours by train. If you have more than a long weekend, get out of Copenhagen.
- Helsingør (45 mins by train) — Kronborg Castle (Hamlet’s castle), waterfront, quick ferry to Sweden.
- Roskilde (25 mins by train) — Viking Ship Museum, Roskilde Cathedral (UNESCO), and the massive Roskilde Festival in summer.
- Dragør (30 mins by bus) — perfectly preserved fishing village with cobblestone streets and yellow houses.
- Møns Klint (2 hrs by car) — dramatic white chalk cliffs, hiking, Denmark’s most stunning natural scenery.
- Aarhus (3 hrs by train) — Denmark’s second city. ARoS art museum, Old Town (Den Gamle By), vibrant food scene.
- Odense (1.5 hrs by train) — Hans Christian Andersen’s birthplace. Charming, walkable, excellent museums.
- Skagen (5 hrs by train) — the very tip of Denmark where two seas meet. Stunning light, beaches, seafood.
Phone & internet
EU citizens: your home SIM card works in Denmark at no extra charge under EU roaming rules. Data, calls, and texts are included in your normal plan.
Non-EU visitors: pick up a prepaid SIM card at the airport or any 7-Eleven/Narvesen kiosk. Lebara and Lycamobile offer cheap data plans. Denmark has excellent 4G/5G coverage — you will have fast internet everywhere, including trains.
Free Wi-Fi is widely available in cafés, hotels, libraries, trains, and most public spaces. You can survive without a SIM card if needed.
Driving in Denmark
You do not need a car to visit Copenhagen — public transport and cycling are better. But for exploring the countryside, a car is useful. Denmark drives on the right. Speed limits are strictly enforced (automatic cameras everywhere), and fines are steep.
- EU licences — valid without restriction.
- Non-EU licences — valid for tourist stays (up to 90 days). An International Driving Permit is recommended but not always required.
- Speed limits — 50 km/h in town, 80 km/h outside, 130 km/h on motorways.
- Alcohol limit — 0.05% BAC. Strictly enforced with random checks.
- Headlights — must be on at all times, even in daylight.
Public holidays 2026
Denmark has 11 public holidays. On these days, most shops, banks, and offices are closed. Restaurants, cafés, museums, and tourist attractions generally stay open (sometimes with reduced hours). Public transport runs on a Sunday schedule.
The most impactful holidays for visitors are Easter (Thursday to Monday — almost everything closes), Christmas (Dec 24–26), and Store Bededag (Great Prayer Day, abolished as of 2024 — no longer a holiday). Check the full list before planning your trip.
Thinking of staying longer?
If Denmark starts to feel like home, we have comprehensive guides for that too — from residence permits to CPR numbers to finding an apartment. The path depends on whether you are an EU or non-EU citizen.
Planning to move, not just visit?
We have 79+ guides covering every part of life in Denmark.