Hello! My husband has a business trip in Kiel Germany and our kids (10 and 12) and I are going to tag along. When the trip is over we would like to spend a week in Scandanavia. My question is: do we just focus on Denmark in that week or do we try and do Denmark and Sweden. We will be traveling mid October. One son is a viking enthusiast, all like cycling. I want to go to the Lousiana Modern Art Museum. We are from a small town and get overwhelmed by large cities but it perhaps that's what we need to do. Thoughts? Suggestions on an itinerary are welcomed. Like I said we will be leaving from Kiel Germany and most likely flying back home from Hamburg.
Posted by
Denmark
245 posts
My question is: do we just focus on Denmark in that week or do we try and do Denmark and Sweden. We will be traveling mid October.
The question is do you want more time to explore Denmark, or do you want to “rush through” both countries to see them both? Denmark and Sweden are quite similar in many aspects such as history, culture and society, but there are differences. Denmark alone can cater to the viking, art and cycling interests.
October is a bit off-season, which may limit options in some rural areas. However, Danish schools are on break in week 42 (10th - 18th October 2026), bringing more activity to the touristy rural areas.
October weather can be rainy, windy and grey. Embrace the saying ‘no bad weather, only bad clothing’.
Will you be getting around by car or by trains and buses?
One son is a viking enthusiast, all like cycling. I want to go to the Lousiana Modern Art Museum.
There is viking-related stuff in most parts of the country. Notable ones being Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, rune stones (and museum) in Jelling and the viking ring fortresses e.g. Trelleborg (located near Slagelse / not Trelleborg in Sweden). Moesgaard in Aarhus is a good pre-history museum and Sagnlandet Lejre may also be fun for the kids/family.
Cycling infrastructure is generally quite good, also between towns. Familiarize yourself with the hand signals and how to do a left turn. Copenhagen’s paths can be hectic, so they’re only recommendable if you’re comfortable in that sort of environment.
Louisiana is great, highly recommendable. Arken south of Copenhagen is another option, but Louisiana should be your priority.
Different activities for the family could be: H. C. Andersen’s Hus in Odense or Tivoli in Copenhagen which I assume (but can’t yet guarantee) will be open with halloween decorations up at that time.
We are from a small town and get overwhelmed by large cities but it perhaps that's what we need to do.
I don’t know your reference point, but on an international scale, Scandinavian cities are modest in size. Copenhagen is manageable compared to cities like London or Paris. Aarhus (DK’s 2nd largest) feels less busy than Copenhagen.
Like I said we will be leaving from Kiel Germany and most likely flying back home from Hamburg.
If you can, it might be easier for you if you fly home from a Scandinavian airport to avoid long backtracking. Copenhagen Airport is well connected.
Posted by
Bellingham, WA
1470 posts
With just a week, I think you can easily occupy yourselves in Denmark. I agree with the advice to fly home from Copenhagen rather than backtrack to Hamburg. Kids that age might like to visit Legoland and the Lego House in Billund. Aarhus is a great city (love the rainbow bridge at the modern art museum) but may be a bit out of the way if you're wanting to focus on countryside.
Posted by
Gothenburg, Scandinavia
228 posts
Having just last week returned from a late October 5-night trip to Malmö/Lund, which is right next door to Copenhagen, i think you will have a rewarding stay that time of year. Only a few cities in Scandinavia, among them Copenhagen, have populations as large as around 1 million people. You could stay in compact charming Copenhagen and day-trip to Malmö and/or Lund in sweden using commuter trains (39 min) (frequent departures). Malmö is bigger than Lund (although much smaller than Copenhagen), very spacious, and has parks and a lovely coastline, while Lund is a quaint landlocked medieval university town. Be aware that autumn storms can at times result in closure of the bridge used by these trains.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
8560 posts
If your kids like amusement parks, look into Liseberg Park, as well as Tivoli. Liseberg is as much a Family Day Out as a roller-coaster place. In that respect it is nicer than Knott's Berry Farm or Cedar Point, totally unlike Disneyland. It is unlikey to cost more to fly into Hamburg and out of Copenhagen or Stockholm.
Despite easy train connections, you are close to doing too much in one week. This will not be your children's last time in Europe. Dress for cool, cloudy days with chance of rain.
Google example:
https://weatherspark.com/d/74001/10/15/Average-Weather-on-October-15-in-Copenhagen-Denmark