Currently in Hamburg and have a week to explore here and nearby towns like Lùbeck and Flensburg. It would be great to get a little taste of Denmark. But the train from Hamburg to Copenhagen is 5+ hours each way. Are there some good places to go north of Sylt or Flensburg (southern Jutland)? Or is there a short ferry trip (< 3 hours)? Its possible to spend a night there too in a 2-day trip. But the long train ride is too much for a short visit
Posted by
Missoula, Montana
508 posts
A ferry runs between Rostok and Nykobing Falster, Denmark, taking just under three hours. The town has a number of accommodations and a few historic sites.
Posted by
Sweden
6347 posts
The train to Copenhagen stops in Kolding on the way, that is not a bad option for a day trip. A bit closer to the border you can consider Tønder, Ribe, Åbenrå or Sønderborg.
Posted by
Columbus, OH, USA
2026 posts
Near Hamburg is the small town of Lüneburg, under an hour by train as I recall. We thought it was one of the most beautiful towns we’ve seen anywhere. Safe travels.
Posted by
OP
Los Angeles, CA
515 posts
Ribe looks ideal but the train from Hamburg is almost same time as to Copenhagen. I was hoping for some sights, architecture, and food different from German possibly with some Viking museums.
I am thinking about these too :
Lübeck, Lüneburg, Bremen, Schwerin, Eutin/Holstein
Posted by
Sweden
6347 posts
Unfortunately the trains between Hamburg and Copenhagen are not the fastest in the world, they have been rerouted via Fyn and Jutland since the former direct route has been closed for upgrading, the ferry will be replaced by a tunnel. But you will not get a very different feel just by crossing the border since it is a very gradual change, the border has moved a lot in the last centuries, and you can get a decent Danish feel in Flensburg. Lübeck is not bad choice though, can highly recommend a trip there. But if you a willing to spend a night in Denmark, my recommendation is a trip to Odense, 3.5 hours from Hamburg by train.
Posted by
7643 posts
I would not recommend taking a day trip to Denmark from Hamburg, the travel would eat up so much of your time. Plan on visiting this wonderful country for several days.
Posted by
UK
131 posts
It may be worth staying in Flensburg or Sonderborg. If you are based in Flensburg, you'd have the Danish feel while still paying for the German price. Sondeborg has the battlefield and visitor centre for the 1864 wars. It was a very decisive war which shaped Denmark.
Posted by
Irving
2943 posts
Denmark is too far. Consider Lübeck instead (45-minutes by direct train).
Posted by
OP
Los Angeles, CA
515 posts
Yeah, we ended up making day trips to
Lubeck - somewhat different building style plus the famous Hostenator tower/gate
Luneberg - a little smaller but classier place
Bremen - nice Christmas market(s)
Hamburg itself is ok but dreary in some ways. The Beatlesplatz is not really worth the effort. The Miniature Wonderland is pretty interesting. The Brahms museum is completely closed.