A Family-Friendly 5-Day Itinerary for Norway and Denmark

  • Day 1: Oslo, Norway
    Estimated Time from Airport: 50 minutes (30 km)

    Begin your day exploring the Vigeland Sculpture Park, one of Oslo’s most popular attractions. The park has over 200 sculptures created by Gustav Vigeland. Afterward, visit the Oslo Opera House, where you can enjoy a show or tour the building. Finish the day at the Akershus Castle and Fortress, which has served as a royal palace, a military base, and a prison.

  • Day 2: Oslo, Norway to Copenhagen, Denmark
    Estimated Travel Time: 5 hours (by car)

    Take a scenic drive from Oslo to Copenhagen, and stop at the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde along the way. The museum has five original Viking ships that were used between 800 and 1000 AD. After arriving in Copenhagen, visit Tivoli Gardens, an amusement park that includes roller coasters, gardens, and live music. End the day at Nyhavn, a picturesque canal with brightly colored buildings and cafes.

  • Day 3: Copenhagen, Denmark
    Distance from Tivoli Gardens to The Little Mermaid: 3.5 km

    Start the day at the Amalienborg Palace, the home of the Danish royal family. Next, visit The Little Mermaid, a bronze statue inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's fairytale. Afterward, head to Rosenborg Castle, which has a collection of artifacts from the Danish crown jewels. End the day at the National Museum of Denmark, which has exhibits on Danish culture and history.

  • Day 4: Aarhus, Denmark
    Estimated Travel Time: 3 hours (by car)

    Take a day trip to Aarhus, a city on the east coast of Jutland. Start your visit at the ARoS Aarhus Art Museum, which has modern and contemporary art exhibits. Next, visit Den Gamle By, an open-air museum with 75 historic buildings from different periods in Danish history. End the day at the Marselisborg Palace, the summer residence of the Danish royal family.

  • Day 5: Copenhagen, Denmark
    Distance from The Round Tower to Christiansborg Palace: 1.3 km

    Begin your final day in Copenhagen at The Round Tower, a 17th-century observatory with panoramic views of the city. Next, visit Christiansborg Palace, which was built in the 18th century and is now home to the Danish Parliament, Supreme Court, and Ministry of State. End your trip at the Nyhavn harbor, where you can take a picturesque boat ride and enjoy the colorful buildings and cafes.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Vigeland Sculpture Park (2 hours, free)
  • Oslo Opera House (1-2 hours, tours start at 120kr)
  • Akershus Castle and Fortress (1-2 hours, free)
  • Viking Ship Museum (2-3 hours, 130kr for adults)
  • Tivoli Gardens (3-4 hours, 130kr for entrance and additional fees for rides)
  • The Little Mermaid (1 hour, free)
  • Rosenborg Castle (2 hours, 140kr for adults)
  • National Museum of Denmark (2-3 hours, free)
  • ARoS Aarhus Art Museum (2-3 hours, 145kr for adults)
  • Den Gamle By (3-4 hours, 145kr for adults)
  • Marselisborg Palace (2 hours, free)
  • The Round Tower (1-2 hours, 25kr for adults)
  • Christiansborg Palace (2-3 hours, 80kr for adults)
  • Boat ride in Nyhavn (1 hour, 80kr for adults)
  • Total Estimated Costs: 1050kr per adult

Transportation

Traveling by car is a great option for this trip, but trains and buses are also available. It is recommended to book transportation in advance to ensure availability and to save money. The cost of a rental car or train tickets varies depending on the time of year and availability. It is also important to factor in the cost of gas, tolls, and parking.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider visiting other parts of Norway and Denmark, such as Bergen, Stavanger, and Aalborg. If you have less time, you can cut some of the attractions to fit your schedule. However, make sure to visit at least one palace or castle to learn about the history of the Danish monarchy.

Airports

The main airports in Norway and Denmark are Oslo Airport Gardermoen (OSL) and Copenhagen Airport Kastrup (CPH). Oslo Airport is located 50 minutes from Oslo City Center by car, while Copenhagen Airport is located 15 minutes from Copenhagen City Center by metro or train.

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