Denmark – Zealand and Copenhagen: castles, cliffs and Scandinavian calm

Why Zealand?

Zealand is Denmark’s largest island, combining an elegant capital, Renaissance castles and landscapes that are hard to associate with Scandinavia.

Best time to visit: April–September
Spring brings blooming cherry trees, while summer is perfect for cycling.

Copenhagen – what to see in the city centre?

Nyhavn – colourful townhouses along the canal,
Rådhuspladsen – City Hall Square, the heart of the city,
Strøget – the main shopping street,
Rosenborg Slot – the royal castle with its gardens,
Christiansborg – seat of parliament and a viewpoint over the city.

Tivoli – a historic amusement park

Right in the centre of Copenhagen, just a few minutes’ walk from the main railway station, lies Tivoli Gardens – one of the world’s oldest amusement parks, opened in 1843. Tivoli is not a typical theme park, but a blend of gardens, nostalgic architecture, carousels, concert stages, cafés and restaurants.

Autumn Halloween in Tivoli:

Spring in Copenhagen – cherry blossoms

Best photo spots:

Langelinie Park – a cherry-lined promenade by the harbour,
Bispebjerg Kirkegård – a cemetery-park with tunnels of flowers,
Østre Anlæg – a green park close to the centre.

Gavnø is a little-known island near Næstved, about 1 hour by car from Copenhagen, home to Gavnø Castle and its vast park. In spring, the park features one of the region’s biggest attractions – the longest avenue of Japanese cherry trees in Denmark, forming a spectacular tunnel of pink and white blossoms, a peaceful alternative to the crowded parks in Copenhagen.

Botanisk Have

The botanical garden with huge Victorian greenhouses:

tropical plants,
a 19th-century palm house,
a green oasis in the city centre.

Castles of Zealand

Hillerød – Frederiksborg Slot

Renaissance castle on small islands,
The National Museum of Danish History,
Baroque gardens.

Helsingør – Kronborg Slot

Hamlet’s castle,
Views over the Øresund strait and Sweden,
Fortifications and casemates.

Faxe Kalkbrud

A huge chalk quarry, about 1 hour from Copenhagen.

a white landscape resembling a mini canyon,
fossil hunting,
scenic walking trails.

Camp Adventure – Forest Tower

A forest observation tower near Rønnede, about 1 hour from Copenhagen.

a spiral walkway through the treetops,
45 m high,
one of Denmark’s most original attractions.

Møns Klint – white cliffs over the Baltic Sea

Møns Klint are spectacular chalk cliffs on the island of Møn, rising up to 128 metres above the Baltic Sea. The white walls contrasting with turquoise water create one of Denmark’s most photogenic landscapes.

Access includes:

hiking trails along the cliff edge,
steep stairways down to the beach,
panoramic viewing platforms.

At GeoCenter Møns Klint you can learn about the area’s geology and how the cliffs were formed during the Ice Age.

Møns Klint is also one of Denmark’s best stargazing spots – it has Dark Sky Park status.

Time needed: 2–4 hours
Getting there: best by car from Copenhagen (about 2.5 hours)

Transport

DSB trains connect Copenhagen with Hillerød, Helsingør and Faxe,
the best way to explore the island is by car or regional train.

How much time to plan?

1–2 days – Copenhagen,
3–5 days – castles, Faxe Kalkbrud and Camp Adventure.

Summary

Zealand is where modern Copenhagen meets royal history and surprisingly diverse nature – a perfect destination for a spring or summer Scandinavian trip.