DESTINATIONS IN DENMARK

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Vacation in "Hygge" style

WELCOME TO H REWARDS IN DENMARK

Travel to the beautiful country on the North Sea coast and experience for yourself the Danish philosophy of happiness "Hygge". You will encounter this uniquely cozy and warm atmosphere while exploring Denmark. Enjoy your vacation and enjoy life with warm people in charming towns or in great nature, with good food and trendy drinks. In absolute premium location - directly at the water - we welcome you furthermore in Sonderborg at our stylish Steigenberger Alsik Hotel & Spa!

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SONDERBORG

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UNESCO sites in Denmark

7 amazing destinations

Denmark, renowned as the happiest nation worldwide, has captivated global interest with its fascinating history. This has led to a growing influx of international tourists eager to explore its exceptional attractions. Meanwhile, Danish locals are increasingly venturing within their own country to immerse themselves in the richness of their national culture. Spanning the Jutland peninsula and 443 islands, Denmark encompasses a compact 42,931 square kilometers. Despite its small size, Denmark offers an abundance of charming attractions, breathtaking natural landscapes, and enthralling cultural experiences that leave visitors spellbound. Discover Denmark's treasures today!

What is UNESCO?

UNESCO, the United Nations' organization for education, science, and culture, plays a vital role in identifying, protecting, and preserving cultural and natural heritages worldwide. These heritages, enlisted by UNESCO, hold immense value for the global community and are considered to be the shared treasures of humanity, regardless of their physical location. Gaining recognition by UNESCO is a tremendous honor for monuments, attractions, and areas. In the words of UNESCO, "Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration." Explore the rich tapestry of UNESCO's legacy, connecting generations and inspiring humanity.

World heritage in Denmark

In Denmark, we count a total of seven attractions on UNESCO’s world heritage list. If you want to experience impressive nature, learn more about the Danish history, or just be sure that your destination is a magnificent cultural experience, then this list is a great start. You will surely love your trip to these places as they have been sanctioned as worthy of preservation and as unique cultural monuments by UNESCO. Read more about the following attractions in Denmark that have been enlisted on the world heritage site below.

1. Christiansfeld
2. Jelling Mounds
3. Kronborg Castle
4. Par force hunting landscape in North Zealand
5. Roskilde Cathedral
6. Stevns Klint
7. Wadden Sea

1. Christiansfeld

Christiansfeld, founded in 1773 by German Moravian Brethren under King Christian VII's orders, is Denmark's first fully planned city. Its uniform architecture features yellow brick buildings with red roofs. Designed as an evangelical-lutheran community, Christiansfeld aimed to create a close-knit society where residents lived in accordance with Christian principles. The city's division by gender, with a central church, symbolized its spiritual focus. Notably progressive, Christiansfeld had women participating in the managing council.

UNESCO recognizes Christiansfeld as a World Cultural Heritage site for two reasons. Firstly, it embodies a unique cultural tradition, with well-preserved buildings still serving their original purposes. Secondly, Christiansfeld's architectural design showcases an idealistic Protestant colony, providing insights into a particular group's vision for society. Careful renovations allow visitors to experience its intriguing history firsthand.

2. Jelling Mounds

During Denmark's conversion from Asa faith to Christianity in 965, King Harald Bluetooth played a pivotal role. His inscription on the Jelling stone, which includes the oldest representation of Christ in Scandinavia, marks a significant turning point in Danish history. The Jelling stone is regarded as Denmark's birth certificate and features prominently in Danish passports. In addition to the stone, the Jelling Church and burial mounds are also UNESCO World Heritage sites. The presence of both pagan burial mounds and the Christianized church and rune stone at the site creates a captivating contrast. The burial mounds offer a scenic view of the monument area, while the Jelling Monuments as a whole stand as some of Europe's most beautiful and memorable Viking age heritages. Their inclusion on UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage list is well-deserved.

3. Kronborg Castle

Kronborg Castle holds immense symbolic value for Denmark due to its strategic location, serving as a military defense and symbolizing power and wealth. Today, it stands as one of Denmark's most significant cultural and historical landmarks. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Kronborg Castle is a well-preserved representation of the Renaissance era. Although its history dates back to 1420, the castle, as we know it today, was constructed between 1574 and 1585 and has undergone renovations over time. Its architectural beauty and formidable fortress have garnered admiration and awe.

Kronborg Castle gained additional fame as the setting for Shakespeare's renowned play, Hamlet. While it is uncertain whether Shakespeare personally visited the castle, he was certainly aware of its reputation. Each summer, theater performances and festivals are held at the castle, revitalizing the history and story of Hamlet at its original location. Denmark also boasts a legend about Holger Danske, a warrior and knight in Charlemagne's army. According to the legend, Holger Danske sleeps in the basement of Kronborg Castle and will awaken to save the country if Denmark ever faces danger. In 1907, a statue of Holger Danske was erected in the castle's basement.

4. Par force hunting landscape in North Zealand

North Zealand is home to two UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites: Kronborg Castle and the par force hunting landscape. The hunting landscape encompasses Gribskov, Store Dyrehave, Jægersborg Hegn, and Dyrehaven, covering a total area of 4,543 hectares. Within this landscape, you'll find notable attractions like Fredensborg Castle and the Hermitage Castle. King Christian V transformed these hunting grounds into a par force hunting system in the 1680s. Par force hunting was a popular activity during the peak of the royal monarchy in the 17th and 18th centuries. It served as a demonstration of the king's power, even over nature itself. This type of hunting involved pursuing animals on horseback with the assistance of dogs. The landscape was meticulously designed with straight roads forming star patterns and squares, ensuring easy access to all parts of the forest. Par force hunting was abolished in Denmark in 1777. Today, the par force hunting landscape in North Zealand is recognized as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. UNESCO acknowledges its exceptional representation of how Baroque values influenced European landscape designs during the 17th and 18th centuries.

5. Roskilde Cathedral

In the heart of Zealand lies Roskilde, Denmark's first capital. Its strategic harbor, providing easy access to Kattegat, earned the city its status as the country's capital. Over a millennium, churches have stood where Roskilde Cathedral now proudly resides. The Trinity Church, constructed by Harald Bluetooth, marked the beginning, but it wasn't until the 1170s that the current cathedral took shape. As Scandinavia's inaugural gothic cathedral, it has undergone expansions, including verandas and side chapels, until the 19th century. Roskilde Cathedral stands as a testament to the architectural evolution of religion in Europe and holds the esteemed title of a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. This grand structure is a prominent symbol and a cherished world heritage site, overseeing Roskilde Bay from its elevated position.

For centuries, starting from the 15th century, Roskilde Cathedral has served as the final resting place for Danish royalty. Its vaults and mysterious crypts house the remains of 39 Danish kings and queens, establishing it as the largest royal burial site globally. Even Harald Bluetooth and Sweyn Forkbeard found their eternal repose on this site during the era of the Trinity Church in the 10th and 11th centuries. Situated in the heart of Roskilde, the cathedral is a must-visit for those seeking cultural and historical experiences. Notably, the Viking Ship Museum, one of the city's most captivating attractions, entices numerous visitors.

6. Stevns Klint

Experience the exhilarating sensation of standing 41 meters above the ocean, with the wind in your hair and the invigorating aroma of the sea, at Stevns Klint. This awe-inspiring cliff bears witness to the Earth's largest mass extinction event, which occurred 65 million years ago. The evidence lies in the 5-20 cm thick layer of fish clay, a geological record spanning the Cretaceous and Paleogene Periods. This unique clay formation marks the aftermath of a meteor impact in Chicxulub, Mexico, believed to have led to the demise of the dinosaurs.

Stevns Klint's remarkable natural beauty holds immense scientific significance as the world's best research source for specific phenomena. However, it offers more than just an explanation for the dinosaurs' extinction. The area also showcases fossils and traces from the Cold War era. When visiting this UNESCO-listed world heritage site, be sure to explore four noteworthy museums in Stevns: Stevns Museum, the Cold War Museum, Geomuseum Faxe, and Haslev Museum. Of particular interest is the Cold War Museum, where you can venture into an underground fort that once stood at the frontlines, prepared for potential conflicts between the East and the West. For further information on Stevns Klint and the fascinating attractions in the Limestone Landscape, visit kalklandet.dk/english.

7. Wadden Sea

The Wadden Sea, the world's largest uninterrupted expanse of intertidal sand and mud flats, extends from Den Helder in the western Netherlands to Esbjerg in northern Denmark. This remarkable natural wonder is inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage list and encompasses Denmark's largest national park. Serving as one of the few remaining vast tidal water ecosystems, the Wadden Sea showcases the undisturbed course of nature, ebbing and flowing twice daily. The sight of kilometers of exposed mud flats being engulfed by powerful waves is truly spectacular. Within the Wadden Sea, a unique ecosystem thrives, supporting a rich diversity of plant and animal life. The seabed teems with creatures, serving as a plentiful food source for humans and birds for centuries. Today, the Wadden Sea is renowned for its staggering number of migratory birds that grace its shores. Up to 6.1 million birds can be accommodated at once, particularly during the approach of winter when they either embark on their southward journey or accumulate fat reserves to endure the cold season. Each year, approximately 10-12 million birds pass through the Wadden Sea, making it a crucial stopover for migratory avian species. Recognizing its significance in Earth's geographical evolution and the continuous biological development of ecosystems, UNESCO designated the Wadden Sea as a world heritage site. For an immersive experience of the Wadden Sea from a bird's perspective, the Wadden Sea Center in Ribe is a must-visit. It serves as an ideal starting point for exploring the national park and gaining insights into this extraordinary natural phenomenon.

Inspired to experience Denmark?

Discover the fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Denmark with Steigenberger Hotels. We offer you comfortable and luxurious accommodation so that you can enjoy your cultural experiences to the fullest. Our hotel offers you an ideal base for your trip. Once you have chosen your destination, we are ready to welcome you with amazing activities and sights close to our hotel. Enjoy an unforgettable stay and discover the diversity that Denmark has to offer.