It’s no secret that the people of Denmark love to be outside. Along with their Nordic neighbours, they even have a name for it – friluftsliv. Literally translating as “living in the open air”, the term encapsulates a long-held Scandinavian way of life that embraces being amidst nature – in all weathers. With more than 400 islands surrounded by thousands of miles of coastline, the sheer variety of natural landscapes is breathtaking. You’ll want to lace up a pair of hiking boots or jump on a bike to see as much of it as you can.
For visitors to Denmark, it can be an exhilarating shift to head outside, whatever the season, and revel in the big outdoors. In summer, the beaches and wild-swimming spots obviously come into their own, while a warm sweater and waterproof jacket are always a good idea when trekking and cycling in spring or autumn. But there’s no need to go without the comforts of the city either. With so many natural environments close to Denmark’s urban areas, it’s easy to combine days out in nature with a return to chic hotels in Copenhagen, great restaurants in Odense or a little bit of hygge in Aalborg.
