Denmark is a Nordic nation in Northern Europe, known for its rich history (Viking heritage), high quality of life (sustainability and cycling culture), modern design, strong welfare state, and being consistently ranked among the happiest countries in the world. It consists of the Jutland Peninsula and an archipelago of over 400 islands, with Zealand, Funen, and Bornholm being some of the most significant. The country is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, which also includes Greenland and the Faroe Islands.
Denmark is camper-friendly, with well-maintained roads and compact travel distances (perfect for multi-week road trips). You can explore scenic routes like Jutland, charming towns, forests, and coastal stops with excellent infrastructure. And unlike Nordic 'right to roam' countries, Denmark offers legally free overnight stays through bondegårdscamping (farm camping) and Park & Sleep arrangements.
Copenhagen is Denmark's capital; the largest city in the country, located on the eastern coast of the island of Zealand that stretches onto the island of Amager. It is famous for the Little Mermaid statue, the colourful Nyhavn harbour, Tivoli Gardens (one of the world's oldest amusement parks), the Copenhagen Opera House and the Royal Danish Theatre, and praised for its quality of life, sustainability initiatives, and clean design. It is also a major centre for business, culture, and education in Scandinavia.
UTC+1 daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October.
Floods, droughts, and landslides.
For traffic (and related) violations;
Tourists (especially in rental cars) might be required to pay on the spot; otherwise the vehicle can be impounded. If not caught immediately, fines are often sent via rental companies or to your home address, with payment options like bank transfer or online portals. Denmark may issue “klip” (penalty points) for traffic violations. Accumulating three can lead to suspension and require retesting.
Other offences include:
The official language of Denmark is Danish, but German and English are also spoken.
In Denmark, driving is on the right, with headlights must be on at all times, even in daylight. The minimum driving age is 18, while the renting age typically 20, but some companies may require drivers to be 21 or 23, held a licence for at least 1 year, and for drivers under 25, pay a 'Young Driver Surcharge'. UK drivers don't need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in Denmark if they have a valid UK licence, unless they have a paper license or if you are staying for more than 90 days.
Drivers must give way to cyclists and buses, especially when turning right. Bicycles are everywhere, particularly in cities like Copenhagen. Also, Denmark uses a “zipper merge” system where drivers on merging lanes share responsibility and adjust speeds to merge smoothly together (no dotted lines), and Low Emission Zones (LEZs) have been enforced in cities like Copenhagen, Odense, Aarhus, and Aalborg, where Diesel vehicles must have particulate filters or meet Euro 5 standards. Foreign vehicles built before 2011 must register or face an administrative fee (~1,000kr/£115).
Parking is only allowed in designated areas. You cannot park within 5 m of crosswalks, 10 m of intersections, nor near bus stops with yellow curbs. Parking discs must be used in timed zones: set them to show your arrival time. Violations can result in on-the-spot fines or towing.
Gasoline (Octane‑95/Petrol) and Diesel are common, but there's been an increased adoption of biofuels and sustainable aviation fuels, as well as a growing focus on hydrogen and electric charging.
Vehicles with trailers are restricted to 80 km/h (~50 mph) on motorways and 70 km/h (~43 mph) on other roads.
The legal limit is 0.05%.
Seat belts are mandatory for all occupants.
Children under 135cm must use approved child seats or booster cushions.