Tour 1: Europe’s big sandpit along the Danish North Sea coast
Denmark and its North Sea coast is a true paradise for all motorhome drivers. Not only because numerous camping places and pitches are waiting for you, but also due to its indescribably beautiful landscape. Sand, sea, dunes and bays as far as the eyes can reach. If you want to experience a taste of freedom, see dreamy places and explore Denmark in all of its beauty, then this route is the right one for you! Travel the Jutland peninsula from the German-Danish border in the south – Danish Sønderjylland – to Skagen.
Jutland separates the North from the Baltic Sea. Both coasts are worth a visit, but we don’t want to just stay in the west. Here at the North Sea we will find numerous long, fine and white sandy beaches, some of which can even be reached by motorhome. What could be more beautiful than motorhome life right next to the sea? Pay attention though, cause staying overnight is forbidden!
You should also explore the specially developed bicycle paths. Your only companion will then be the pure danish landscape and its dunes. Not only will you enjoy nature, but also work out.
Those who prefer to walk will find amusement at the Vadehavet National Park, located on the coast of South Jutland. Alternatively you can pay a visit to the oldest national park, Thy, which is further in the north. After you have burned enough calories through hiking or biking, you can settle down on one of the kilometre-long wide sandy beaches. Once you enjoyed the sound of the crashing waves and the sunset you can head back to your beloved rolling home.
Of course, Denmark’s North Sea coast offers many other attractions, too. How about visiting the four white giants, a group of sculptures west of Denmark’s seventh largest city? The town of Esbjerg is opposite to the island Fanø, and the nine metre high giants seem to be watching over the city. It will only take about 12 minutes to get to the island and you can take your motorhome with you! With a little luck you will also find amber there. Nevertheless you will definitely get the chance to observe seals and sea birds.
Last but not least, you can stand with one foot in the North Sea and with the other in the Baltic Sea. Go to Skagen or Grenen, the most northern city of the country, where the two seas – Skagerrak and Kattegat, as called in Denmark – have their meeting point at this indescribably beautiful, sandy headland.
Tour 2: Island hopping across the Danish Baltic Sea
This Danish route will show you the beauty of the Danish Baltic Sea. With about 6,600 kilometres of coastline, numerous islands, a lot of nature and impressive places are amongst Denmark’s beauties.
You can enjoy an extraordinary motorhome holiday by exploring some of the Danish islands in the Baltic Sea. The best way to start is by crossing from Sassnitz to the sunny island of Bornholm, Rønne!
Let it take your breath away with more than 100 kilometres of beautiful beaches, rugged rock formations, gorges, but also small ports, farms and round churches. The island itself is impressive due to its unforgettable charm.
The Danish Baltic Sea islands Seeland, Møn and Lolland-Falster can also be reached by a short sea route from Germany.
You can for instance take the boat from Puttgarden at the heart of Fehmarn and explore culture, fun and breathtaking natural sceneries. You can fish on Lolland-Falster, enjoy the view of the chalk cliffs of Møns Klint. Once on the island you can spend some time biking around the wonderful landscape on well-developed bicycle themed parks. You will also find cultural themes in the program. Stroll through the old town of Køge, visit Maribo with its cathedral or take a trip back in time to the old Vallø Castle. Had enough of adventure? Then it is time to either relax in your van or enjoy the sunset at Falster’s most popular seaside resort, Marielyst.
The next suggestion would be Seeland – Danish Sjælland -, the largest island in the Baltic Sea, located northeast of Denmark’s capital. Say hello to the Little Mermaid and see the sparkling Christiansborg Castle. Those who prefer being close to nature should stay in Westseeland. In general, Zealand is an island rich in contrasts. Odsherred, in the north-west, has a lot of hills, while Sejerø Bay in the north has the best sandy beach you’ll ever see. Denmark’s nature has a lot of beautiful places to offer. Such are the Åmosen Nature Park and the breathtaking Fjords. At the same time there is a number of historical places around Sorø, such as the megalithic complexes, dolmens or the passage tomb of Asedysse.
More beaches can be found on the coast of the Great Belt. From there you can cross Storebæltsbroen, the largest bridge in the world, and get on the island of Fyn. Here you can follow the footsteps of the famous author Hans-Christian Andersen, who was born on the island. You can also enjoy the thatched half-timbered houses. Take further trips into the past by visiting the open-air museum “Fynske Landsby”, the Viking Museum or the Egeskov Castle, Europe’s best preserved water castle.
Hammershus Castle Ruins in Allinge
Tour 3: Museum hopping
This route is of interest also when travelling outside of high season, but also for all museum lovers. This danish route is practical because you can park your motorhome directly at the museums parking.
How about a family trip to the Hans Christian Andersen Fairytale House in Copenhagen or to the Ship and Maritime Museum in Nakskov on the island of Lolland? Another famous tourist attraction is the Fynske Landsby open-air museum, on the island Fyn. There you will take a taste of how life was during Hans Christian Andersen’s time.
A special museum is the trading house Bindeballe Købmandsgård in the south of the Jutland peninsula. Here you can shop as it was done 100 years ago. Denmark’s largest merchant museum is also located here.
We continue to Silkeborg and the Art Museum. See the exhibition of Danish artist Asger Jorn and other interesting works of Danish artists. Furthermore take a look at expressionist and modern works from Eastern and Western Europe. If you’re more interested in photography, go a bit further west and visit the Fotomuseum of Herning.
An Iron Age museum village with the unspeakable name Jernalderlandsby is located in Møldrup near Viborg on the Jutland peninsula. Here you can admire archaeological excavations, craftsmen at work and a small sculptured forest.
Continuing north you’ll reach the harbour of Frederikshavn. Wehrmacht, the Nazi armed forces used the district Bangsbo as an important station during the 2nd World War. Today, the former bunker is used as a museum, serving as a reminder of the German occupation.
Moving on to the island Læsøs, where one will find the historical and renovated salt craft. Alternatively, you can drive direction north-west to Hirtshals, where you can enjoy the Nordsøen Oceanarium, the largest marine aquarium in Scandinavia.
Of course you can follow many other routes as well. But honestly, who has that much time?
Tour 4: Size doesn’t matter!
Bornholm, Denmark’s easternmost island, is located south of the Swedish coast, north of the Polish coast and north-east of the German coast of Rügen. In all three cases it is closer to these countries than to the rest of Denmark. Covering 40 kilometres in length and 30 kilometres in width, Bornholm belongs amongst the smallest Baltic Sea islands. Despite its small size, Bornholm is blessed with numerous sightseeing opportunities and a varied landscape.
Start your trip with your van in Mukran, from Sassnitz port on the island of Rügen, and enjoy the three and a half hour crossing. You will then arrive in Rønne. Here you can get a taste of the Store Torv market square, admire yachts or enjoy the sun and the crushing waves on one of the fantastic sandy beaches.
A round trip on the island is definitely a must. Just the view of the numerous roses surrounding half-timbered houses will be enough to get you excited. Hereby it is important to know that most of the areas are close to the sea and inhabited by craftsmen. In Svaneke, in the northeast, for instance, you can watch the production of fine liquorice.
At the southeast of the island, Dueodde, awaits you breathtaking dunes and sandy beach landscapes. In the north you will find granite rocks with individual bathing bays. Heather and forests welcome you to relax.
In the far north is located the oldest castle ruin of Northern Europe, called Hammershus Castle. If you are looking for further sightseeing, you should pay attention to the round churches from the 11th-12th century, in Nylars, Nyker, Olsker and Østerlars.
Those who like cycling will find a true cyclist’s Eldorado on the island.
Finally, you should give your motorhome a day’s rest before the pea islands and start a day’s excursion to the small archipelago Ertholmene northeast of the island. The islets of Christiansø and Frederiksø offer historical sites and impressive nature.
Wildcamping in Denmark will surely give you the feeling of freedom you ve long been looking for!
Tour 5: Castles and other magnificent architecture
On this route around Denmark you will drive to some of the many castles and manor houses of the country. Not only are they beautiful and often turned in museums, but there is legend that some of these are haunted.
Let’s start northeast of Flensburg. First off, southeast of the Sønderjylland peninsula on the small Baltic Sea island Als Schloss Sønderburg. Legend has it that a princess is wandering in the area, waiting to see new faces. The only certain thing is the existence of a museum telling this melodramatic story.
A little further north and specifically on the east coast of Jutland, on the Djursland peninsula, you will find Rosenholm Castle. The castle is mentioned in Shakespeare’s tragedy “Hamlet” and will offer great joy to the lovers of ancient furniture, tapestries and paintings.
Towards the North Sea coast, in the West Jutland fjord landscape near Holstebro lies Nørre Vosborg. The manor house hosted back in the days Hans Christian Andersen. Let’s stay on the west coast and go back to the Middle Ages. In the water castle Spøttrup you will not only admire drawbridges, but also get a feeling of how medieval life looked like.
Next we will visit the island of Morsø in Limfjord. Legend has it that a woman had been walled inside the Castle Højriis. A king was also supposed to have been executed there. To the northeast of the island lays the haunted Renaissance castle Voergaard. Maybe you will meet the ghost of the White Woman?
The somewhat less well-known fairytale of Hans-Christian Andersen’s “The Bishop on Børglum and his Relative” takes place in the former monastery, today’s manor house, Børglum. So let’s head northwest!
If you like, you can visit the Harridslevgaard and Valdemar Castle on the island of Fyn. Or the Liselund Castle near the chalk cliffs on the island of Møn hosting part of the Danish National Museum. Frederiksborg Castle on Zealand with the National History Museum is another option, as well as Gavnø Castle near Næstved. Or how about Kronborg Castle at the gates of Sweden?
A must see, however, is Amalienborg Castle in Copenhagen! Denmark’s royal family still resides there. Of special interest is the changing of the guard in front of the castle when the royal family is present.
Looking for further inspiration? How about visiting Norway or Finland?
- Route 1: Blue
- Route 2: Orange
- Route 3: Green
- Route 4: Yellow
- Route 5: Purple