A Winter Wonderland: 2 Nights and 3 Days in Denmark
Denmark in December is pure magic, and when we spotted some cheap flights, we couldn’t resist ticking off another country from our travel bucket list. Here’s how we made the most of a short but unforgettable winter escape!
Day 1: Exploring Copenhagen
We landed in Copenhagen bright and early, ready to make the most of the day. With comfy shoes on and curiosity high, we walked over 15 miles to soak in the city’s sights. Highlights included:
• Nyhavn: The iconic colorful harbor, notable for his its historic and colourful 17th century buildings, was the perfect spot to enjoy an open sandwich lunch while people-watching.
• The Little Mermaid: a bronze sculpture by Edvard Eriksen, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s 1837 fairy tale about a mermaid who sacrifices everything for love. Unveiled in 1913, the statue is a beloved symbol of Denmark, due to Hans Christian Andersen’s deep connections to Copenhagen.
• Changing of the Guards: A regal display at Amalienborg Palace.
• Rosenborg Castle: A stunning slice of Danish Renaissance royal history, home to the Crown Jewels.
• The Round Tower: Climbing this 17th Century historic tower via the famous spiral walkway rewarded us with panoramic views of the city.
As evening fell, we headed to Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen’s historic amusement park, transformed into a festive wonderland. Twinkling lights, a dazzling light show, street food, and beers—it was magical! Lydia particularly loved the roast pork bap, which was a perfect mix of comfort and flavour, not to mention a nod to Denmark’s national dish.
After spending time at Tivoli, we took once more to the streets of Copenhagen for a last look around the city Xmas lights and Xmas markets. The Xmas lights were lovely however Copenhagen’s Xmas markets seem to shut very early (7-8pm) unlike Germany.
Day 2: Train to Aarhus
The next morning, we hopped on a train bound for Aarhus, enjoying the scenic journey across the Great Belt Bridge—a marvel of Danish engineering that connects Zealand and Funen.
Once in Aarhus, we spent an hour at Den Gamle By (The Old Town), an open-air museum that brings Denmark’s history to life. With a return ticket valid for the next day, we sampled wild boar sausages and festive brew beer before heading out to explore Aarhus town.
The evening was relaxed and cozy:
• Rooftop drinks at Salling’s Department Store, where we admired the view of the city.
• A quirky underground bar that had a fun, laid-back vibe.
• Delicious pizza to end the night on a tasty note.
While there were no Christmas markets, Aarhus still had a wonderful festive atmosphere.
Day 3: A Day Immersed in History
Our final day was spent entirely at Den Gamle By, and it was absolutely exceptional.
This open-air museum recreates Danish life from the 1700s to the 1970s, with immersive exhibits that feel like stepping back in time. Highlights of the day included:
• Wandering the streets lined with historic homes, shops, and workshops.
• Visiting the candlelit underground tavern, where a brass quartet played carols alongside carol singers—a magical experience.
• Learning about Danish Christmas traditions in beautifully curated exhibits.
• Sampling the phenomenal duck roll and beers at the on-site brewery.
Every corner of Den Gamle By felt alive with history, culture, and festive cheer. It was undoubtedly the highlight of our trip!
The Journey Home
After a phenomenal day, we caught a late-night flight back to Stansted, hearts full and feet a little tired.
Final Thoughts
Denmark in December is enchanting—Copenhagen dazzles with its historic charm and festive lights, and Aarhus offers a perfect blend of cozy vibes and cultural immersion. Whether it’s enjoying Tivoli’s lights or stepping into history at Den Gamle By, Denmark is a winter destination that truly delivers.
Trip notes:
Prior to leaving Stansted we stayed at Radisson Blu which is on site and just 5 mins walk to the terminal
We parked in Blue Zone parking which accommodated our VW T5 van (no height barrier) and was 7 mins walk from terminal
In Copenhagen we stayed at Hotel Alexander which was a great base and only 5 mins walk from the station and Tivoli. It was 20 mins from here to Nyhvn.
We booked our train tickets 1 month in advance here.
We didn’t pre book tickets for Tivoli and didn’t have to queue too badly on the day to get in. it was approx £20 pp to get in.
We stocked up for a train picnic from the supermarket next door to Tivoli entrance. Food and drink including beer is allowed on Danish trains.
In Aarhus we stayed at Radisson Blu which was about 15 mins walk to the living museum and also to the station and town centre.
In Aarhus we ate excellent pizza here. It’s also a tap room so if you love beer it’s a great place to go.
We travelled by bus back to the airport at Aarhus- there is a special service that runs in collaboration with air traffic control when a flight is due to leave as it’s such a small airport. It was £13 pp and the website to see the timetable is here. For our 22:45 flight the bus left the train station at 20:15 and arrived at the airport at 21:05. No need to pre book this.
In Denmark VAT is 25%. This rolls onto prices for beers and food and makes Denmark rather expensive to wine and dine in. It was costing us approx £16 for two beers and these beer were generally just under a pint. (0.4)
