July 29, 2026, 9:35 am | Read time: 5 minutes
Whoever travels to Denmark in the fall expects only rain, gray skies, and unpleasant weather? Not at all! For our author, there’s nothing better than spending autumn in the Scandinavian neighboring country. She reveals why in this article.
Colorful leaves, long walks, pumpkin in all variations, and finally beautiful wool coats again: Autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons–alongside spring, summer, and winter, each with its own charm, but that’s another topic. One thing that is undeniably enchanting about autumn is the many holidays. If you plan wisely, you can enjoy a few long weekends without using too many vacation days. For me, Denmark is a particularly beautiful travel destination in the fall.
Overview
When I tell this to my friends, I often get incredulous looks, so entrenched are they in their prejudices. No, it doesn’t rain nonstop in Denmark in the fall, and contrary to some claims, you won’t be bored here. Instead, you finally have miles of beaches all to yourself, where you can fly kites or hop on a surfboard. Why else is Denmark a highlight in the fall? I’ll gladly explain below.
1. Golden Autumn
Who needs Canadian maple forests when just a few hours from the German border, you can find the wildest color spectacles? Denmark is already about a quarter nature areas; more than 600,000 hectares of the country are covered with forest. Particularly beautiful is the Rold Skov forest, one of Denmark’s largest forests, which glows in all shades from gold to purple in the fall. There are hiking trails here that lead through fairy-tale lakes and hilly landscapes–perfect for an autumn day in nature!
2. Paradise for Dog Owners
…and dogs! While in Germany, you often have to walk long distances to reach a dog beach, in Denmark, no one gives you a dirty look if your four-legged friends run freely on the beach. Especially in the fall, when the high season is over, you can have the beaches almost to yourself. For dog owners still looking for an official dog beach: The dog forest in Blåvand is a real highlight, incredibly long and located right by the forest.
3. Everybody’s Surfing in the USA? Nobody’s Surfing Here
It’s not just quieter on the beach–you also have peace on the water. This is especially pleasing to water sports enthusiasts like my partner. In the summer, he has to weave through crowds of bathers and tourists with his kiteboard, but in the fall, he has free rein. For beginners or experienced kiters, the coast around Klitmøller, also known as “Cold Hawaii,” offers perfect conditions. Here, the Atlantic waves meet the North Sea coast, making the region a hotspot for surfers–but without the summer crowds!
4. Flying Kites
You don’t always have to be pulled by a kite on a surfboard–keeping your feet firmly on the ground while flying kites is also a lot of fun. The beach of Rømø, one of the widest in Denmark, is perfect for this. Every September, a kite festival takes place here, but even in the fall outside the season, there’s enough wind for this childlike leisure activity.
Also interesting: The coziest travel destinations for this fall
5. Ice Bathing in Autumn in Denmark
If you’re tough and like to push your limits, you can still take a quick dip in the icy water in the fall–without a wetsuit, of course! Ice bathing has a long tradition in Denmark, and there’s nothing better than warming up in a barrel sauna afterward. Ice bathing is especially popular in Skagen, where you can swim between two seas at Denmark’s northernmost point. The barrel sauna on the coast makes the experience perfect!
7 Things I Particularly Like About the Danish Island of Rømø
7 European Destinations to Escape the Winter Cold
6. Extending the Ice Cream Season–Soft Serve in Denmark!
Even though summer is over, you don’t have to miss out on Danish soft serve–I’m particularly fond of the version with licorice sprinkles. Many ice cream parlors on the west coast are open year-round, such as the famous Ismageriet in Copenhagen or Ishuset in Nykøbing Mors, where you can enjoy the best soft serve in the country even in the fall.
7. Nowhere Does Bad Weather Feel So Good
If it does rain, the world doesn’t end, because where could you enjoy bad weather more than with the “hygge” experts in Denmark? With a crackling fireplace, fluffy blankets, and a hot cup of cocoa, the autumn weather suddenly doesn’t seem so bad. It’s especially cozy in the typical vacation homes with saunas and wood stoves, which can be found all over Denmark. And if you have a good book in hand, rain and cold can’t really bother you!