100% customisable travel idea

Essential Denmark A road trip in the sea air by electric car

Denmark - Copenhagen - Roskilde - Odense - Ribe - Fanø - Aarhus

Getting back to nature

From $2500 to $3400 per person for 9 days Price depends on departure city, season, accomodation types and selected activities

Itinerary highlights

  • From Copenhagen to Horsens via the island of Fanø, nine days to embrace the Danish lifestyle.
  • Universal tales, contemporary art and Viking legends: Denmark, past and present
  • Copenhagen with a local, tickets for the Andersen Museum and ARoS: it’s already planned.
  • Train or plane journey, electric rental car, Concierge service, our personalised recommendations: the extra Voyageurs du Monde touch.
The Scandinavian countries have that certain something that draws you back to the essentials: understated designs, a comforting minimalism. This does not mean that they lack warmth - quite the opposite. From a candle placed on the windowsill to a dish both steaming and comforting, the concept of hyggechampions well-being at home and beyond. In the capital, Copenhagen, you are introduced to Danish customs by a local resident. Then, to experience the essentials of the country in a limited time while immersing yourself in the local way of life, this journey focuses on ecomobility - set course for Jutland at the wheel of an electric vehicle. On the way, Roskilde is home to a Viking museum with magnificent longships that you won't want to miss. All the more so as you can’t understand present-day Denmark without taking an interest in this significant chapter of the nation’s history. Continue your journey to Odense,on Funen, the birthplace and childhood home of Europe’s number one literary magician: Hans Christian Andersen. The Little Mermaid, installed in the capital’s harbour, long heralded this great encounter. The following day, explore Ribe, the oldest town in the kingdom (8th century), as it is on the way to Fanø. Located in the North Sea, the island offers a chance to slow down between dunes and lanes lined by thatched houses. Back on the mainland, head for Horsens to explore central Jutland at your leisure. Aarhus,in particular, lends itself well to a day trip before beginning the journey home, bringing back with you a few secrets of the Danish way of life.

Your journey

Copenhagen, Roskilde, Odense, Ribe, Fanø, Horsens, Aarhus: the distances between your stop-offs are the kind that can easily be covered in one go by electric car. Turning your road trip into an eco road trip is therefore a wise idea - one that would be applauded by the Danes. Concerned about ecology and sustainable economy, they are not reckless drivers, and driving among them is not difficult. Among the freedoms your vehicle offers: the freedom to choose your city for the night based on the hotel, rather than the other way around. So, you head to Horsens to settle into a splendid 18th-century residence, content to travel to Aarhus for a day. Your other accommodations have been selected with the same care. With regard to your itinerary, your pre-booked activities ensure you miss nothing essential: an introduction to the capital and the country in Copenhagen, tickets for the new Andersen Museum in Odense, and access to the ARoS Aarhus Art Museum. For the rest, you’re free to explore independently, with our suggested visits for each stop to guide you if needed and, as always, the contact details for our on-site Concierge. In collaboration with your travel specialist they can even thoroughly revise your journey once you’ve arrived. A flexibility that pairs well with the freedom that a road trip implies.
Copenhague - Danemark © Olivier Chatel / Unsplash.com
Copenhague - Danemark © Olivier Chatel / Unsplash.com
Copenhague- Danemark © Droits réservés
Copenhague- Danemark © Droits réservés
Christiania - Copenhague - Danemark © Kim Wyon/VisitDenmark
Christiania - Copenhague - Danemark © Kim Wyon/VisitDenmark
Musée des navires vikings de Roskilde - Ile de Seeland - Danemark © David Chaboisson
Musée des navires vikings de Roskilde - Ile de Seeland - Danemark © David Chaboisson
Odense - Danemark © Ditte Isager/VisitDenmark
Odense - Danemark © Ditte Isager/VisitDenmark
Danemark © Marie Champenois
Danemark © Marie Champenois
Maison de Hans Christian Andersen - Odense - Danemark © Daniel Jensen / VisitOdense
Maison de Hans Christian Andersen - Odense - Danemark © Daniel Jensen / VisitOdense
Fano - Danemark © Droits réservés
Fano - Danemark © Droits réservés
Danemark © Boris Bincoletto
Danemark © Boris Bincoletto
Fano - Danemark © Droits réservés
Fano - Danemark © Droits réservés
Fano - Danemark © Droits réservés
Fano - Danemark © Droits réservés
Fano - Danemark © Droits réservés
Fano - Danemark © Droits réservés
Jutland - Danemark © Jakob Vingtoft / Visit Denmark
Jutland - Danemark © Jakob Vingtoft / Visit Denmark
Horsens - Danemark © Frankix / Adobe Stock
Horsens - Danemark © Frankix / Adobe Stock
ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum - Aarhus - Danemark © Ditte Isager / VisitDenmark
ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum - Aarhus - Danemark © Ditte Isager / VisitDenmark
Aarhus - Danemark © VisitAarhus
Aarhus - Danemark © VisitAarhus
Copenhague - Danemark © Febiyan / Unsplash
Copenhague - Danemark © Febiyan / Unsplash

Itinerary

100% customisable for you

Travel to Copenhagen by train or plane. Stay two nights in the heart of the Danish capital, between the Rundetaarn (Round Tower) and the pedestrian shopping street Købmagergade. The 19th-century walls of your accommodation have housed a porcelain factory, then a university, before embracing this hotel with bold aesthetics. Quirky patterns and vibrant colours add a playful touch to your nights. The restaurant serves eclectic, oriental cuisine enriched with regional influences. The cafe-bar also covers a few bases, offering hot drinks, snacks or a little glass of something depending on the time of day.

Already included - Copenhagen with a Local Guide. To get a real sense of the place and pick up some useful tips, there's nothing like exploring the capital with a local. There’s no set itinerary, as your guide will adapt the route to suit your interests and what’s on in the city during your visit. The lakes and botanical garden district stands out for its splendid greenhouses and spectacular collections. The Daemonen roller coaster at Tivoli Gardens calls out to the inner child in every visitor. Christiansborg is the seat of the Danish parliament and royal family, while the Statens Museum for Kunst is the national art gallery, with a dazzling wealth of artwork. What about the indomitable Freetown Christiania? Then there are the Nyhavn quays, Vor Frelsers Kirke spire with its external staircase, the vibrant Vesterbro district, interior design shops, and so much more!

Get acquainted with your electric vehicle, then set off for Odense. Before leaving the island of Zealand, stop in Roskilde, the country’s medieval capital. Here, you’ll find a famous cathedral and royal necropolis, dedicated to the Holy Trinity. Built of red brick in the 12th and 13th centuries, it is a model of Baltic Gothic architecture and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also in Roskilde, the Viking Ship Museum is a must-see. Behind the concrete façade, the main hall holds a true treasure: five 11th-century longships excavated from the nearby fjord in the 1960s. Located just a few metres from the lake, the shipyard continues to build these traditional boats for private orders. In season, you can channel your inner Viking by taking a trip on a replica ship.
Arrive in Odense and stay for two nights in your city centre hotel. The red brick entrance extends a typically Danish welcome. The restaurant serves delicious seasonal produce, while the comfortable rooms offer a good night’s sleep.

Included - Hans Christian Andersen Museum. The author’s hometown wanted to create a museum that would live up to the popularity of his fairytales, such as The Little Mermaid, The Ugly Duckling, and The Little Match Girl. Opened in 2021, this very special venue was designed by top architect Kengo Kuma. He took his inspiration from none other than Andersen himself. Like entering one of the writer’s fairytales, visitors discover a hidden world, with spaces hidden underground and other surprises beneath the water. There are no right angles, only curves that invite you to follow the storyline back through history. The psychedelic galleries display the Princess and the Pea’s mattresses, the Emperor’s New Clothes and much more in a magical setting!
Optional - Andersen’s Odense with a private guide.

New day, new Danish island. Today, we start by crossing Jutland, the mainland part of the country. First stop: Ribe. Founded by the Vikings at the beginning of the 8th century, the town was an important North Sea port through the Middle Ages and Renaissance period. The relative obscurity that followed has preserved some charming, peaceful streets lined with low timber-framed houses, brick buildings, and pretty façades with coloured rendering, for today’s visitors to enjoy. Culture lovers can choose between the art museum, Viking museum, or Wadden Sea Center - another architectural gem that is purely Danish, from the architect to the materials used in its construction.
Then carry on towards Fanø. Disembark the island by ferry and check in for two nights right next to the port, with the Wadden Sea on the horizon and seals as your neighbours. This accommodation reinvents the concept of the traditional Danish inn with every modern comfort. In the restaurant, a selection of traditional dishes made with local ingredients are served on a terrace overlooking the sea. 

Promising vast, fine sandy beaches, pine forests and heather-clad dunes, Fanø is the northernmost Wadden Sea island, 3 km (2 miles) wide and 20 km (12 miles) long. After taking in the region’s exceptional geography, head to the villages of Nordby and Sønderho, which are among the most beautiful in Denmark with their thatched-roof houses. Somewhere between museums, restaurants and art galleries, a salty sea breeze drifts and the echo of captivating maritime stories lingers. 


Back on the mainland, head to Horsens in the north-east. Along the banks of the fjord that shares its name, Horsens flourishes away from the bustle of the city. Also rooted in the Viking era, the town’s history has been shaped by the tides and the winds blowing over the fjord. In the heart of its peaceful streets you’ll find a museum and several merchants’ houses dating from the 18th century. Your hotel for two nights is in one of these elegant residences. From its noble past, the property has retained its high ceilings, silky fabrics and attentive service. For the rest, it has fully entered the 21st century with thoroughly modern furnishings and amenities throughout. To top it all off, the quality of the restaurant makes you look forward to dinner time, and the hotel’s highly sought-after location - a pedestrian street in the city centre - makes it easy to get out and about.

Pop over to Aarhus for a few hours - it’s just 45 minutes away. The second largest city in the Danish kingdom is also the capital of Jutland. Founded by the Vikings in the 8th century, it became a major port that grew steadily and flourished.
Already included - your tickets for the ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum. Housed since 2004 in a 10-storey building, covering 20,000 square metres (215,000 square feet), ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum is one of the largest art museums in northern Europe. The roof is topped with the “Rainbow Panorama”, an astonishing multi-coloured walkway. Inside, the galleries feature Danish artists, though many renowned international names have found their place too. Admire the famous “Boy” by Australian sculptor Ron Mueck (if you’re not familiar, we’ll let you discover it for yourself).
What to see and do - Learn about Danish architecture by visiting the city hall designed by Arne Jacobsen; soak up the city’s student energy; try out one or two acclaimed restaurants; relive your childhood at Tivoli Friheden amusement park: step quietly into the cathedral, or stop by the Danish National Opera.

Head towards the capital to catch the train, or Billund airport for your flight. Hand back the electric vehicle and return journey.

À la carte

This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.

Denmark by train

Reluctant to take the wheel and prefer to be driven? Rest assured that this itinerary can easily be completed by train. Freed from any driving-related responsibility, you enjoy your journeys all the more, especially as, just like everywhere in Scandinavia, Danish trains are exceptionally punctual and reliable. Have you fully embraced train travel? To ensure your journey is green from start to finish, you can swap the plane for the train when it comes time to travel to and from Denmark. As Copenhagen is connected by a direct line to Hamburg (they do not call it the “gateway to the world” for nothing), you simply need to get to this German city via Cologne, Essen or Mannheim, before continuing with the rest of your journey.

Why visit Denmark with Voyageurs du monde?

Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)

Let us create your trip

A few of the advantages of travelling with us to Denmark

  • Gourmet Voyageurs
  • Adjust your trip while travelling
  • 24-hour assistance
  • CO2 absorption

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Estimated budget

Price depends on departure city, season, accomodation types and selected activities

The estimated budget for this trip is $2,500 to $3,400 per person.

A fixed price is rarely applicable to a bespoke journey. The final cost depends on various factors, such as the level of service, travel dates, and booking lead times. The only definitive price will be the one provided in your personalized proposal.

The average price for this trip is $2,800 per person

Included in this suggestion

  • The journey to Copenhagen, by train or plane, return from Billund.
  • If applicable, flight service taxes and fuel surcharge
  • Carbon absorption contribution for your trip's CO2 emissions through reforestation projects (via our Philippe Romero Insolite Bâtisseur Foundation)
  • If applicable, access to the airport lounge (on departure).
  • Electric car rental for 7 days 
  • Two nights in Copenhagen, in a double room with breakfast
  • Two nights in Odense, in a double room with breakfast
  • Two nights in Fanø, in a double room with breakfast
  • Two nights in Horsens, in a double room with breakfast
  • Private tour of Copenhagen accompanied by a local.
  • Tickets for the Hans Christian Andersen Museum in Odense
  • Tickets for the ARoS Aarhus Art Museum
  • Our on-site Concierge service
  • A travel booklet with useful information (your day-by-day itinerary, hotel contact details, a personalized selection of our recommendations, etc.)
  • Our recommendations and reservations at selected restaurants
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