Travelling in Denmark: A Calm, Green, Clever Scandinavian Experience
Esimfly · 8 April 2025
After a few years of trips around classic Europe - France, Italy, Spain - I decided to look for something else. Somewhere with order, quiet, culture, landscapes and that "good life" feeling you can't quite explain.
And that's how I found myself landing in Copenhagen, starting a two-week journey through Denmark, a country that doesn't raise its voice, doesn't try to charm you, and yet wins you over slowly, calmly, with its own style and precision.
Copenhagen: a rare blend of design, history and a sense of freedom
From my very first moment in the city, something felt different. The pace, the people, the air.
Everything moves slowly and surely here, without ever dragging its feet.
On day one I simply rented a bike (no guide needed, you just do it in an app) and started exploring.
From the Nyhavn harbour with its colourful houses and canals, past the royal palace, to markets like Torvehallerne, where I ate fresh fish in a bun with a local beer.
Every corner looks like a postcard. And you get the feeling Denmark isn't trying to impress anyone. She's simply who she is.
When you're travelling in a foreign city and already feel comfortable wandering alone on the first day, without overthinking it, that says a lot.
Getting around: simple and efficient
Copenhagen is one of the easiest cities in the world for a visitor.
The metro and buses run like clockwork, bikes are on every corner, and even on foot you always feel safe, calm and organised.
Every time I needed to work out a route, check a museum's opening hours or book a table, I just pulled out my phone without thinking twice.
I'd installed a digital SIM before leaving home - an eSIM - and it spared me all the hassle of local SIM cards.
Aarhus: the second city that stole my heart
After three days in Copenhagen, I took a train to Aarhus, a coastal city in the northeast that blends Scandinavian history with contemporary architecture perfectly.
The ARoS museum left me open-mouthed, especially the rooftop rainbow walkway.
But what I loved most was the atmosphere in the city: the students, the little cafes, the local markets.
I rented a bike and cycled along the coast towards the new harbour, where I found a small fish restaurant looking out over the open sea.
Without internet I'd never have got there, which is why I always recommend setting off with a good, ready-to-go SIM for abroad.
Odense: the birthplace of Andersen
If there's one place that feels like a children's fairy tale, it's Odense.
Everything here is sweet: cobbled streets, low colourful houses, museums dedicated to Hans Christian Andersen, and enchanting pockets of nature inside the city.
I wandered for hours, mostly on foot, between quiet lanes and neighbourhood cafes.
The Andersen museum, a mix of art, technology and nostalgia, was an almost emotional experience.
Nature and landscape: not just cities
Denmark may be flat, but it has plenty of quiet, green, pastoral corners.
I took two days to drive around southern Jutland, passing villages with windmills, stopping to eat at a family guesthouse by the lake, walking through open fields.
There was something healing about it.
I didn't need much: a connected phone, some music, and a navigation app that worked on the back roads too.
This is exactly where a data plan for abroad was critical, not only to avoid getting lost but to arrange accommodation, check the opening hours of tiny places and read about the region in real time.
Food: surprising, varied and fresh
At first I didn't know what to expect. Herring sandwiches, maybe?
But Denmark surprised me completely.
In the delis, the street restaurants and the markets, I found tasty, healthy dishes made with fresh ingredients.
Dishes I especially loved:
- Smørrebrød - an open sandwich with salmon, boiled egg and dill
- A rich root vegetable soup
- Cinnamon pastry (kanelsnegl) with strong coffee
- And in the evening, a local beer with a cheese plate
Where to stay: Scandinavian design that works
I stayed in hotels, in Airbnbs and in a quiet hostel overlooking the river.
Everything was thoughtfully done, spotless and personal.
Wherever I booked, I used the internet on the move, without waiting for WiFi or fussing with physical SIM cards.
Just a quiet solution, which is precisely what you want when you'd like things to flow.
When is the best time to visit Denmark?
I travelled at the end of summer, in August, and it was simply perfect.
Comfortable temperatures, long days, and a lovely feeling in the air: not too warm, and no crush of tourists.
Spring and early autumn can be wonderful too, depending on whether you prefer crisp cold or gentle sunshine.
Either way, it's worth checking the forecast, especially if you're heading out of the cities.
And of course, when it's all available on your screen, that's easy.
The bottom line: Denmark isn't just another destination
Denmark is a country whose magic is impossible to explain until you're standing in it.
She's quiet, but strong.
She's small, but deep.
She's calm, but alive.
And if you really want to enjoy her, let things flow. Trust yourself. Let yourself wander, stop, taste, ask, understand.
For me personally, this was one of the most relaxed, peaceful and well-judged trips I've ever taken.
And when everything you need - maps, bookings, recommendations - is in your hand without a second thought, you simply get to experience it all.
So from me to you: set off with an eSIM for abroad ready to go, arrive open, and let Denmark do her thing.
She'll surprise you, just like she surprised me.
Planning another trip soon? Take a look at these guides:
Planning the trip? Order your Denmark eSIM before you fly — the QR code arrives by email within minutes.