Since the pandemic started in 2020, more and more Danes have chosen to stay in-land for their summer vacation. From 20% staying in Denmark in 2019 to more than 65% in 2021. Although staying in Denmark was rather enforced back in 2020, the number of Danes choosing to stay home is still high. What many Danes realized back then, was that the 43.000 km² of Denmark that meanders through valleys and hills, has attractions and experiences in abundance. We will try and represent this abundance to the best of our abilities in these next sections of the newsletter. Enjoy!

Oh, and by the way. Everything we write about, will of course be free of charge.

Below, we will dive into a selection of things to do, things that aren't limited to a particular place, things that are ubiquitous, things you can find your relative proximity.

The Danish artist, Thomas Dambo, has made a series of sculptures of large trolls and giants. They are all made from recycled materials and are placed throughout the world. Some of them are quite well-hidden despite their size and although they are situated on 5 different continents, many of them are to be found in Denmark. If you want to go hiking but lack a destination, many of the trolls can be found in beautiful areas that are well-worth a visit in their own right. Although Denmark is a small country, going to look for the sculptures without any inclination of where to look, might lead to quite the journey. Luckily Thomas Dambo has made an interactive map, which shows you where to look. You can visit the map by clicking here. Happy hunting!

Along the coasts of Denmark, there are several of the phenomena, the klint. There isn't a direct word for this in the English language, but the klint is defined as a large vertically steep cliff or mass of soil or stone. The klint is formed on coasts by water eroding the lower part of a steep coastline, making it collapse. There are several klints on the coastlines of Denmark and each of them has unique qualities. The common denominator is their remarkable beauty, and they are definitely worth a visit. You may have already heard of Møns and Stevns Klint, but Denmark has klints a plenty. To get an overview of the different klints, check out this list.

A room with a view does not have to be expensive. All over Denmark there are free of charge opportunities to sleep not only with a view, but IN the view. There are hundreds and hundreds of shelters lying out there, waiting for you to drop by and enjoy the Danish sunset and night sky within them. Wherever you are or plan to be in the country, there will surely be a shelter near you. They all present a different view of Danish nature. Some are hidden deep in a forest, and some are placed on the tip of an island. Whatever location is to your liking, you can find it on the website of udinaturen.dk. Here you will find all (or most of) the shelters in Denmark on a map, as well as specific information on each shelter. Many of the shelters aren't available for reservation, but instead operate with the first come, first served principle.

Although Denmark is a Nordic country, the days of summer can be both humid and hot. If you want a break from the baking sun, museums could be the perfect cooling break for you. Although museums in Denmark aren't free in general, many both large and small museums have events with free attendance. Some museums, like The David Collection in Copenhagen are free every day, year-round. And some museums have specific weekdays where entrance is free of charge. Be sure to check out your local museums to see if you can't find an opportunity to experience Denmark's cultural heritage.

Libraries in Denmark are free for everyone to enter, without exception. Some are majestically modern, like The Black Diamond in Copenhagen and some are understatedly interesting like Royal Library in Aarhus. The common denominator is the endless opportunity to enhance your knowledge, no matter the subject. All you have to do, to be allowed entrance to this world, is registering as a loaner. To read more about the libraries of Denmark and about how to register to loan, visit biblioteket.dk by clicking HERE.

The whole map of Denmark has things to offer. Above we described things that you can enjoy wherever you are in the country. This article will be more region specific. It is not possible to summarize all the different things the regions of Denmark have to offer, but below we will show you a small piece of the adventurous Danish puzzle.

Sjælland is much more than the capital of Copenhagen and there are opportunities for excursions in abundance. Below are 2 things you can do both in and outside Copenhagen. But these 2 are but a small and rather insufficient look into the Sjælland's potential. Visit Copenhagen have made a list of free things to do in Copenhagen, check it out HERE. The different parts of Sjælland have their own sites with descriptions of what their region has to offer. However, Destination Zealand, have made a page that tries to summarize what the island has to offer as a whole, check it out HERE.

The middle of Denmark is much more than the connection between Jylland and Sjælland. Below are 2 examples of things you can do this summer on and around Fyn. To receive even more Fyn-inspiration, go to the site of Visit Fyn, by clicking HERE.

If you say Odense, you automatically also say H.C. Andersen. The world-famous poet has become synonymous with the capital of Fyn. You can follow Andersen from a poor child in the slums of Odense, to a renowned and celebrated author through the streets of Odense. Visit Fyn have made a webpage in English, where you can see just where you need to go to continue the story of Denmark's greatest lyrical export. You can visit the page by clicking HERE.

All over Fyn you can find the epitome of Danish "hygge". The petite market towns of Fyn off charm, history, and a unique atmosphere. Whether you have a coastal curiosity or inland interest, there is a market town for you. From sublime second-hand stores to Michelin-worthy coffee shops the cities of Svendborg, Faaborg, Nyborg and many others make for excellent encounters. Visit Fyn have made a list of these market towns. Visit the page by clicking HERE.

This newsletter would be unbearably long if we were to include just half of what is possible these coming months. This is especially true for the peninsula of Jylland. Below will be a short description of what each of Jylland's 3 larger regions has to offer. Almost every area, both large and small, has its own visit-page, that you can access with a quick google-search.

The southern part of Jylland is as unique as it gets, especially when it comes to nature. From the oldest city in Denmark, Ribe to the beautiful and majestic Wadden Sea, South Jylland is both idyllic, atmospheric, and historic. Be wowed by the energetic North Sea and while eating a variety of traditional and local foods available in the many small and cozy towns in the region. You can also take a trip through Viking history by visiting the Jelling-Monuments. If you want to know more or want inspiration for your visit, Visit Denmark have made a list of unique things you can do in South Jylland. Check it out HERE.

The middle of Jylland offers numerous exciting experiences these next couple of months. From the pulsing city of Aarhus to the beautiful nature and coast of West Jylland. The middle of Jylland has something for everyone. Both "Vesterhavet" and the Aarhus Region have a webpage for the curious. Go to the page of Visit Vesterhavet by clicking HERE. Go to the page of Visit Aarhus by clicking HERE.

Northern Jylland has a special atmosphere. From incredible natural phenomena to cities with historic, architectural, and cultural qualities, Northern Jylland is in a league of its own. Visit Grenen to experience to seas collide with each other, and visit Aalborg and/or Skagen to experience top-class when it comes to both the foods and arts. If Skagen has caught your interest, you can join a large amount of Danes in travelling to the city in week 29. If you want to know more, you can check out the website of Enjoy Nordjylland by clicking HERE.

In Denmark, around 70% of the population are registered members of the National Church, folkekirken. However, less than a fifth of the Danish population answer "yes", when asked if they feel religious. Although Denmark is now one of the least religious countries in the world, Christianity has shaped Denmark culturally. Throughout the Danish cities and countryside, churches have been built since the Middle Ages. Thus, visiting these churches offers a look into the cultural and architectural heritage of Denmark and its people. Although the faith in Christianity in Denmark has dwindled through the years, the church building is still popular for marking life events, such as baptisms, weddings, and funerals. In many areas, churches also serve as community centers, hosting an array of different events. Denmark has over 2500 churches, so wherever you are, there is a doorstep to Danish history not far away. Below are some of the more iconic churches in Denmark.

In the middle of Zealand lies a building that tells the story of kings and queens, the national church and Denmark as a whole through the last 1000 years. Roskilde Cathedral is among Denmark's most important not only churches, but also monuments in general. This is by and large because of its unique architecture and the fact that it is essentially a royal tomb - the cathedral is said to be the resting place of the most kings in the world (40). Completed around the start of the 13th century, it is the first gothic building in the Nordics. Since its completion, numerous extensions have been made and because of this, the cathedral houses 800 years of European architecture. In 1995 the importance of the cathedral to Danish and European history was recognized, when it was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If the cathedral isn't enough for you to journey to the center of Zealand, the city of Roskilde is beautiful and historic in its own right.

As people are starting to vacate the workplaces all over the country to enjoy a well-earned summer-break, the amount of events has also started to dwindle. The month of July is not a month of official events, but thankfully the newsletter has given you plenty of inspiration to create your own events, this next month. This section will be back in full force when August comes around. Have a lovely July, all the best from team at Expat in Denmark!