Under-The-Radar Destinations In Denmark That Are Just As Cool As Copenhagen

Although Denmark was once known for relentless Vikings, the country has managed to rewrite its history, with millions of tourists now visiting each year. For instance, approximately 16 million tourists had a good time in this small, trendy country in 2020 (via World Data). In case you're wondering why a vacation in Denmark is worth every penny, the country features contemporary museums, sand dunes, stunning botanical gardens, gourmet gastronomy, innovative architecture, glorious beaches, a temperate climate, ancient castles, and a lot more. It's a unique destination that blends modern developments with its prehistoric roots.

When it comes to the top places to visit in Denmark, Copenhagen takes the cake. According to World Data, it was one of the most sought-after cities by tourists as it took the 73rd position in 2019. The city continues to draw tourists from all walks of life with an efficient transport system, diverse shopping options, excellent Danish cuisine, historic sites, and revolutionary architecture (per Visit Copenhagen). But the attractions in Copenhagen are just the tip of the iceberg — Denmark brims with a lot that tourists can't exhaust in one trip. Besides the country's capital, here are some other equally exciting destinations to include on your bucket list.

Your kids will be excited to discover where the LEGO brick originated from, so a visit to LEGO House in Billund will be one for the books. You can take family photos at the LEGO Square to remind you of the good times you had in Billund. You also can build creative structures with your kids because there are literally millions of LEGO bricks available to use. When playing with such bricks, kids improve their problem-solving skills, learn to be creative, and appreciate the power of working as a team.

There's a lot to explore if your kids want to satisfy their curiosity. For example, you can marvel at the Tree of Creativity, which is one of the largest LEGO models as it stands at 15 meters. It took a whopping 24,350 hours to build this iconic tree using 6,316,611 LEGO bricks. With its gigantic size, it's not surprising that it weighs 20 tons (per LEGO House). This model, among other LEGO artworks you can find at the Masterpiece Gallery, are mind-blowing to all guests, regardless of their age.

If you want to make a day out of it, you can visit one of the three restaurants found at the LEGO House, like the Mini Chef Restaurant. A reviewer on Trip Advisor said, "If you're visiting LEGO House do not fail to book this in advance. It's amazing! Use Lego pieces to order your food from robot chefs." Another Trip Advisor reviewer who visited the Mini Chef Restaurant noted, "Highly recommendable when you visit LEGO House!"

For an amazing family trip, a day spent at Egeskov Castle is a great treat because there is a lot to explore and learn. This castle is well-conserved to maintain its originality, so it offers a golden opportunity to check out a building that was constructed in the 16th century to serve as a defense center. However, in 1883, renovations were made to include a new gate, which you can use to enter the castle. Other additions included a power plant, a railway, and a dairy farm to ensure the castle generated wealth (per Wanted in Europe).

Like most ancient buildings, how this castle was built is still mind-altering since its foundation lies in a lake that's up to five meters deep. You might wonder how many oak poles it took to make this foundation, and the truth is that the trees that were needed could make an entire forest. The other interesting feature of this castle is that it comprises about 2,000 windows, which most probably served surveillance purposes (via Wanted in Europe).

Although the culture and traditions of the Danish people have significantly changed, Den Gamle By still holds on the past ways of life, giving tourists a chance to understand the history of Denmark. There are recreations of 75 buildings that were originally constructed in about 20 towns from different parts of Denmark. The aim of constructing these buildings in the museum was to create a space that allows visitors to experience the traditions of Danes, just as they were centuries ago. Today, this museum is a highly sought-after attraction in Denmark that attracts approximately three million tourists who are curious to learn more about Danes (per Expedia).

Something that makes this museum stand out is that it hosts other museums, which include The Danish Posters Museum, The Toy Museum, The Jewellery Box, The Aarhus Stories, and The Decorative Arts Gallery. Each museum has something unique to offer, for example, The Jewellery Box features jewelry made between 1900 and 2000. The Toy Museum boasts a collection of about 5,000 toys made between the 17th century and the 20th century. The Decorative Arts Gallery, on the other hand, features unique pieces of art, including watches, silverware, porcelain, and clocks made by the finest Dane artists (via Visit Aarhus).

A Reddit user stated, "Basically the museum demonstrates life in an old Danish market town ... I'd recommend a visit if you're planning to visit the non-Copenhagen parts of Denmark."

Covering a 1,459-kilometer-square area, this natural UNESCO site has a lot for nature lovers to explore. The Wadden Sea National Park has an awe-inspiring landscape that features sand dunes, tidal flats, salt meadows, barrier islands, and marshy grounds. The scenery keeps transforming due to the impact of the strong tidal waves, so you can capture Instagram-worthy photos for unique memories. If you love bird watching, this is the place to be, especially since it serves as a stopover for approximately 12 million migratory birds per year. The shallow waters of the Wadden Sea are excellent breeding grounds for fish, a feeding area for birds, and a home for seals (via Vadehavskysten).

The national park is also a great destination for a vacation with friends or family since it has a diverse landscape suitable for different activities. For example, the nearby Rømo and Fanø islands have stunning beaches where you can relax as you enjoy the breeze. Foodies are not left out since there is a wide range of seafood to try out, including the mouth-watering flavor of sea-meadow grass, oysters, and shrimps (via Visit Nordic). Campsites are also available at the park, so you can get your gear ready for adventure in this unique and charming nature.

Adventurers looking for challenging activities to engage in will enjoy their visit to Camp Adventure. From experienced adrenaline junkies to newbies who would like to try thrilling activities, this locale has high-rope courses for all. If you'd like to try something extreme, you can try a zip line that's a 500 meters long. For kids, there's the mini climbing park with exciting obstacles to tackle that are manageable for kids. If you prefer indoor adventures, there's a climbing wall you can try for more fun, plus it's kid-friendly (per Camp Adventure).

The Forest Tower is another incredible attraction you should add to your list of must-visit attractions. It's a mind-blowing architectural structure that's 45 meters high, so you enjoy splendid views of the surrounding. In addition, you can view Malmö and Copenhagen if you are lucky to visit this spot in bright weather (via Camp Adventure). Once you finish exploring nature, you can relax at the indoor lounge as you sip on drinks. Other interesting spots you can check out at Camp Adventure include the Flower Farm, the farm shop, and a vegetable market.

A Redditor who enjoyed the views from the Forest Tower said, "Been there, done that. Easy walk up, with a stroller and two kids." A reviewer on Trip Advisor noted, "We had a great time at Camp Adventure ... The Forest Tower is a magnificent structure in the middle of the forest and you have an amazing view over forests and fields from the top."