Many of us long for the countryside when we are on holiday. To feel the sun, experience new things and relax far from home. But, 'far from home' certainly doesn't mean having to travel thousands of miles south to experience new things. Even though it might not be the first thing that springs to everyone's mind, Denmark is actually home to a varied landscape with diverse nature. So why not spend your holiday by going on a road trip in Denmark? Here are nine good reasons to pack your car, grab the wheel and head off down the Danish country roads.

  • 1

    The Marguerite Route

    See more than 200 Danish landmarks on one route

    The Marguerite Route
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    The Marguerite Route (Margueritruten) is a route spanning over 2,500 miles, which circles the whole of Denmark – from the tip of Jutland to the bottom of Lolland Falster. The route was established in 1991 by Queen Margrethe II, and it is named after her favourite flower, the Marguerite. Many people choose to bike part of the route, but if time is a concern, you can certainly cover all or some of the route by car. You can always decide to pull over when you reach important milestones. The route passes by more than 200 of Denmark's best-known landmarks and tourist attractions, such as Thy Nationalpark and Stevns Klint.

    photo by bjaglin (CC BY 2.0) modified

  • 2

    Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse

    Visit the world-famous lighthouse in Northern Jutland – while you still can

    Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse
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    Go on a road trip to Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse (Rubjerg Knude Fyr) – a lighthouse that is dangerously close to a steep cliff which borders the wild and turbulent North Sea! Or at least it used to until it was moved further inland via a fascinating process in 2019. The sad future for the lighthouse is that the massive sand drift in the area will force the structure over the cliff and into the sea in 15-20 years. So, jump in the car and take a drive to the world-famous lighthouse while you still can. The trip there is an experience in itself, and it will take you through enchanting natural areas with flat fields of heather, tall pine trees and steep dunes.

    Location: Fyrvejen 30, 9480 Løkken, Denmark

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  • 3

    The West Coast of Jutland

    Splash around in the big waves or take a tour of Denmark's history

    The West Coast of Jutland
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    It is not without reason that around 1.5 million Germans travel to the Danish west coast every year. In particular, it is the miles and miles of sandy beaches and the unique nature that attract the tourists and make a road trip to the west coast of Jutland a truly special experience. After splashing about in the waves, you can admire the bunkers on the beach, which are a remnant from World War II. If you don't get beach weather, which is hardly a guarantee in Denmark, there are lots of other activities that are worth driving to. For instance, visit the North Sea Oceanarium, where you can see the legendary sunfish, or take a trip through Denmark's history at one of the many bunker museums.

  • 4

    Egeskov Castle

    Visit Funen's biggest tourist attraction

    Egeskov Castle
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    On Funen, you will find an enchanting castle surrounded by green parks, blooming gardens and mystical labyrinths. Egeskov Castle is Europe's best-preserved island castle, which is in the middle of a moat with an impressive depth of five metres. Drive through the beautiful countryside to Funen's biggest tourist attraction, where you can admire the castle and its surroundings with your own eyes. Believe it or not, if you are into action and adventure, you can also find that at Egeskov Castle. Here, you can climb the old beech trees that surround the castle and which are more than 100 years old.

    Location: Egeskov Gade 18, 5772 Kværndrup, Denmark

    Open: Daily from 10 am to 5 pm

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  • 5

    Skagen

    The gathering point for some of Denmark's most popular landmarks

    Skagen
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    Take a road trip to the northernmost place in Denmark! At Skagen, you will find fantastic seafood restaurants, inspiring museums and some of Denmark's most visited tourist attractions all within reach. For instance, experience Grenen, where the seas of Skagerrak and Kattegat meet at the end of the world's longest headland, or drive to the sand-covered church, which has been buried deeper and deeper since the Middle Ages. Skagen is particularly known for the Skagen Painters, with their realistic and colourful paintings, as well as Skagen's yellow houses, which brighten up the town. The area around Skagen also offers wild nature, which you can't find in many other places in Denmark. Råbjerg Mile, Denmark's largest migrating dune is a good example of this.

    Location: 9990 Skagen, Denmark

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    Møns Klint

    Drive to Møn for a unique experience in nature

    Møns Klint
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    Pack the car and head for Møn. Here, you will find Denmark's most spectacular stretch of coast, Møns Klint. The chalk-white cliff stretches 422 feet above the turquoise-blue sea. Møns Klint is an impressive sight, thanks to the unique contrast between the blue sea and the white walls. Nonetheless, the trip there could be a goal in itself. Your road trip to Møns Klint is a unique experience since it passes through some of the most beautiful nature in Denmark. Make sure to set some time aside so you can stop on your way and take a walk through some of the magical forests on Møn and admire the ancient trees. You can also find observation posts, from where you can see the impressive cliff.

    Location: 4791 Borre, Denmark

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  • 7

    Svanninge Hills

    Instead of the Austrian Alps, try those on Southern Funen

    Svanninge Hills
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    In Faaborg Municipality on Funen, you can find a true gem consisting of enchanting forests, impressive observation posts and charming hills. This gem is called Svanninge Hills (Svanninge Bakker) – or Svanninge Mountains (Svanninge Bjerge) – but it is most often referred to as 'the Alps of Funen'. The area is green and lush, but it hasn't always been so. Around 100 years ago, the hills consisted of nothing more than sand, but to limit the massive sand drift, trees were planted across large areas. The result was a wonderful paradise, which is visited yearly by some 300,000 nature enthusiasts.

    Location: 5600 Faaborg, Denmark

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  • 8

    Rold Forest

    Trolls, robbers and ancient grave mounds – let your imagination run free

    Rold Forest
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    Have you ever been in a real troll forest? Take a road trip to Rold Forest, which has been named The Troll Forest (Troldeskoven) thanks to its tangled beech trees. Rold Forest is haunted by shadows of the past. For instance, did you hear the story of the infamous robbers from Rold, who used the forest and its ancient beech trees as their hiding place in the 1800s? Or of the ancient graveyard where you can find 50 grave mounds of different sizes all in one place. Let your imagination run free, and explore the forest with all its history and intrigue.

    Location: 9520 Skørping, Denmark

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  • 9

    Råbjerg Mile

    Plan a hike to Denmark's largest sandbox

    Råbjerg Mile
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    In the most northern part of Denmark, you'll find Råbjerg Mile, the country's largest migrating dune, which moves over 50 feet every year with the wind. The migrating dune is a unique natural phenomenon, which you won't find elsewhere in Denmark. If you haven't visited Råbjerg Mile yet, it is worth the trip – a trip that will certainly lead to sand in your shoes. When you walk over the large sand dunes, you might even start to doubt if you are still in Denmark. Everything here seems like it is taken straight from the Sahara desert. Even though Råbjerg Mile could be confused with a giant sandbox, you need to look out for quicksand.

    Location: Råbjerg Mile Vej, 9990 Skagen, Denmark

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