If you venture up the coast north of Copenhagen, you’ll discover some of Denmark’s most affluent areas, featuring stunning coastal stretches and sandy beaches adorned with magnificent villas overlooking the strait to Sweden. Known as the “Danish Riviera,” this region boasts popular beaches, top-notch inns, and a vibrant nightlife.

Rungstedlund, located along the Øresund coast, is the childhood home of the renowned author Karen Blixen. Open to the public, the house retains the decor and arrangement chosen by Blixen herself, offering a vivid glimpse into her daily life. The property spans 40 acres, featuring gardens, meadows, and groves, preserved as a bird sanctuary in accordance with her wishes.

Further along the coast, you’ll find the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, which offers panoramic views of Øresund. Celebrated as one of the world’s finest museums, it uniquely showcases the interplay between art, nature, and architecture.

As you head inland, explore the fertile landscapes of North Zealand, where idyllic scenery meets impressive forests and expansive lakes. This region has long been favored by Danish monarchs as a hunting ground and retreat. In fact, no other area in Denmark boasts such a concentration of royal castles and palaces.

Frederiksborg Castle, constructed by King Christian IV around 1600, is a stunning blend of manor and hunting lodge, complete with a towering spire and secret trapdoor entrances. Built on three islands connected by bridges, it now serves as a national historical museum, housing treasures of painting, tapestry, porcelain, silver, and furniture.

Located within a picturesque park by the serene Esrum Lake, Fredensborg Palace serves as the royal family’s vacation residence.

Kronborg Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is famously known as the setting for Shakespeare's "Hamlet." This magnificent Renaissance castle overlooks the water in the charming town of Helsingør and is just a short 20-minute ferry ride from Sweden.