- Explore Denmark's historic and iconic castles
- Discover Aarhus, Denmark's second largest city
- Stay in the oldest town in Denmark - Ribe
- Pay a visit to the Little Mermaid sitting at the water's edge in Copenhagen
Viking Legends & Historic Castles of Denmark
Denmark's compact size and excellent road system makes it an ideal destination for those wishing to self-drive.This trip promises to offer a perfect blend of history, culture and natural beauty. At your own pace, explore medieval castles and Viking heritage along scenic routes. Drive through picturesque countryside, quant villages and along stunning coastlines with the freedom to stop whenever something catches your eye. Each castle has a story, from the opulence of Frederiksborg to the rugged charm of Kronborg, the setting of Shakespeare's Hamlet.
Tour Itinerary
Arrive at Copenhagen airport and collect your hire car. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a first discovery of the city. Start with the charming canal district, the Town Hall Square, Christiansborg Castle, seat of government, Kongens Nytorv Square where the Royal Theatre is located, the picturesque Nyhavn district, canal which penetrates to the heart from the chic district of the city (on the quays, there are still old colourful merchants' houses and Andersen lived there at number 67), the Amalienborg castle, residence of the Royal Family...
Overnight at the Scandic Copenhagen hotel or similar.
Join the activity “Classic Canal tour” around Copenhagen’s harbour and the idyllic canals.
Today begins the discovery of the castles of Sjælland! Departure for Hillerod, where you can admire Frederiksborg Castle and its chapel (entrance included). Then take the road to Fredensborg and stop at Fredensborg Castle (not included), summer residence of the Royal Family and its park. Continue towards Helsingør via the Strandvejen coastal road. Walk in Helsingør (Elsinore) to the Renaissance castle of Kronborg (not included), whose construction dates back to 1500 and which Shakespeare made the setting for the drama of Hamlet. (B)
Overnight at the Scandic Copenhagen hotel or similar.
Depart for Roskilde, which celebrated its 1000th anniversary in 1998. You can visit its cathedral, listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO. Then, follow in the footsteps of the Vikings, from 793 to 1069, by visiting the Viking Museum (entrance included), located on the edge of the fjord, which notably exhibits a warship 31m long, the longest ever found. At the end of your discoveries, get back on the road and cross the Storebælt bridge which connects Sjælland to Funen. (B)
Overnight at Hvedholm Castle or similar.
Today, visit the Renaissance-style Egeskov Castle (entrance included). The Egeskov Fortress owes its name to the thousands of oak stilts on which it was built, in the middle of a lake surrounded by a superb park made up of different gardens and a bamboo labyrinth. Depart for the city of the Danish storyteller HC Andersen, Odense and the HC Andersen Museum (not included). Continue your journey to Ribe, the oldest town in the kingdom. (B)
Overnight at the Ribe Byferie Resort or similar.
Road to Jelling and its Jelling runestones site a few kilometers west of Vejle. Near Jelling Church is one of the most important monuments from the Viking era. Depart for Viborg, and admire the largest granite church in northern Europe. Continue to Aalborg and its Lindholm Høje necropolis with 700 sculptures, amongst the most famous and important archaeological sites of the Viking era.(B)
Overnight at Hotel Scheelsminde or similar.
Departure for North Jutland and Jammer Bay. Passage by the Rubjerg Knude lighthouse, perched on an impressive 90m cliff from where you can enjoy a magnificent landscape. Then continue your journey to Skagen, a picturesque little town which inspired 19th century Danish painters. Visit Grenen, Denmark's northernmost spectacular site, where the North Sea and the Baltic meet. (B)
Overnight at Hotel Scheelsminde or similar.
Departure to Hobro and the Viking centre of Fyrkat, one of the four most important Viking fortresses in the country. Continue to Aarhus, which is the second largest city in Denmark. With more than 40,000 students, Aarhus is a young and dynamic city and it is also a centre of art and culture.
Discover the ARoS art museum (not included), with its spectacular building, has a very important collection and organises events for all ages. Continue your visit with the cathedral.(B)
Overnight at the Comwell Aarhus Hotel or similar.
You will board the ferry to reach the island of Sjælland. Upon arrival in Odden, continue your journey to Copenhagen. Rest of the day at leisure. (B)
Overnight at the Scandic Copenhagen hotel or similar.
Enjoy some last minute shopping for the Viking souvenirs. Drive to the airport and return the rental car.(B)
Pricing Information
Price Includes
- Return international flights from the UK to Denmark
- All airport taxes & security charges
- 8 nights accommodation as per the itinerary
- Meals as specified by B,L,D (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
- 9 day car hire (Group B) including unlimited mileage, CDW, & TP
- Ferry crossing Århus to Odden including car
- Entrance to Frederiksborg Castle
- Entrance to Viking ship museum in Roskilde
- Entrance to Egeskov Castle
- Classic canal tour in Copenhagen
Price Excludes
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Any meals not specified in the itinerary
- Car hire one way drop off fee - approximately 10500 NOK payable locally
- Car hire additional driver, GPS, fuel, road/bridge tolls, ferry crossings, SDCW
- Optional excursions
Price Includes
Price Excludes
Price Notes
- Price is based on two people sharing
- International flights from the UK are based out of London in economy class. Regional flights are available (supplements may apply)
Tour Route Map
- Denmark, Copenhagen
- Denmark, Helsingor
- Denmark, Faborg
- Denmark, Ribe
- Denmark, Aalborg
- Denmark, Aarhus
- Denmark, Copenhagen
Tour Accommodation
Image Gallery
