Denmark Weather in January: Travel Tips for First-Timers

Denmark is beautiful in January, with freezing temperatures and many chances of snow. For visitors we recommend Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense and Skagen. Read on to find out more about travel and weather, including temperatures, rainfall, humidity, and tips for January.

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• 1. Weather Overview
• 2. Best Places to Visit
• 3. Crowds and Costs
• 4. What to Wear

Denmark Weather in January: Overview

Averages:

• Temperature range: -2–3°C (29–37°F)
• Rainfall: 5 cm (2 inches)
• Rainy days: 15
• Sunshine hours/day: 2
• Humidity: around 87% (very humid throughout Denmark)

Denmark's winter months bring lots of snow, rain, and very little sunshine during the day (an average of 2 hours). For those looking for a winter's experience, this makes it the perfect winter destination. January sees temperatures around the freezing point, on average.

In January, Denmark is very cold and humid, with around 15 days of snow/rain, averaging 5 cm or 2 inches. Humidity levels are around 87%!

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January Climate Comparison (Averages) for Denmark's Top Tourism Areas

The Best Places to Visit in Denmark in January

January is cold in Denmark, with freezing temperatures bringing in snow as well as rain. If you are looking for somewhere to take in the atmospheric winter landscapes, look no further than Denmark, with plenty to see and do regardless of the weather. In fact, visiting outside of the peak summer season of June, July, and August means you will beat the crowds and see better value for money on accommodation.

For a visitor in January, we would suggest visiting Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense, and Skagen. To find out more about what to see and do at each of these places, keep reading.

If you are looking to visit Denmark in January, reach out to our team of experts to get started on planning your trip. We are able to customize your itinerary so that you have the best possible time in Denmark, without any of the stress of planning. Contact us to start planning your Denmark trip.

1. Stroll Along Copenhagen's Nyhavn

Copenhagen is the capital city of Denmark, and flights into the country from abroad generally will land in this city. To get a feel of the city, we suggest spending the late morning and early afternoon, when the sun is out, walking around Nyhavn. The 'New Harbor', as Nyhavn translates to, is where boats used to come in and leave the city and country.

The houses along the harbor are colorful and you likely will recognize them as they are iconic. You can get a boat tour there, or if you need to head inside to warm up a little, we suggest getting a hot drink at one of the cafés. You will also find some great restaurants there for a bit of lunch or for dinner.

Did you know that this is where famous Danish fairytale author Hans Christian Andersen lived? He lived in number 20, where he actually wrote The Princess and the Pea, amongst other fairytales.

2. Visit Aarhus' Den Gamle By, the Old Town Museum

Aarhus originated as a Viking settlement named Aros, with finds dating the city back to 700 AD. Its important northeastern location means that it has played a vital role in trade both during the times of the Vikings and in the Middle Ages.

Today, Aarhus is a center of culture with some of the country's best museums. We recommend starting at Den Gable By, the Old Town Museum. The museum lays out the history of Danish market towns in the late 1800s, early 1900s, late 1900s, and in 2014. There are permanent exhibits there as well as special temporary exhibits that travel around the country. This museum is also great for families traveling with children with lots of activities for them.

The ARoS Aarhus Art Museum is also worth visiting, being one of Northern Europe's largest art museums and one of the most visited in all of Scandinavia. It's home to the rainbow panorama, a huge rainbow glass panorama platform giving you a colorful view over the city, made by Danish and Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson.

3. Check out Hans Christian Andersen House in Odense

As the third largest city in Denmark, Odense's claim to fame is that it is where Hans Christian Andersen was born, known as the author of The Little Mermaid, The Ugly Duckling, and many other world-famous fairytales.

The city is around 165 km (or 100 miles) from Copenhagen, and is easily visited as a day trip, or you could spend some time overnight.

There, we highly suggest visiting Hans Christian Andersen House, a museum combining old and new architectural styles and buildings bringing the fairytales to life. There are high mysterious hedges, multilevel structures, and whimsical gardens as you would expect in his fairytales. A 360-degree immersive experience is worth the trip to Odense, as this is a museum like no other.

In the evening, head over to Storms Pakhus, a warehouse with food halls filled with stalls selling traditional Danish foods, drinks, and there are even creative workshops if you go over earlier in the day. There is plenty to eat there, or alternatively the town square also has lots of bakeries, restaurants, shops, and cafés to explore.

4. Head to the Tip of Denmark in Skagen

Skagen sits on the very northern tip of Denmark, and if you have the time, it's worth a visit to enjoy some of the rugged landscapes on the way up.

On the beach at Grenen, you'll see the point at which the North and Baltic seas meet. Bear in mind that it can be very cold and a bit wet up there in January, but the temperatures also add to the atmosphere.

Head indoors to warm up at the Skagen's Museum, where you'll see the paintings of the Skagen Painters, as they were known in the late 19th and early 20th century, who used the landscapes you just saw as their artistic inspiration.

Crowds and Costs for Traveling in January

Given that the weather is freezing in Denmark, this is not typically peak tourist season. This means that you likely will be able to find better deals on travel and accommodation, and you won't have to deal with the crowds at the tourist attractions.

The only exception might be New Year's Eve, December 31 into January 1, when Copenhagen is likely to be busier with partygoers.

What to Wear in January

In January, we suggest wearing lots of layers and wrapping up warm. Wool or cashmere jumpers layered over thermals are bound to keep you warm, alongside a proper winter coat. We also suggest bringing thick socks and winter boots to keep out the cold, as your feet are otherwise likely the first thing to get cold on a walk outside.

Bringing a scarf, hat, and gloves are a must. If you forget them, you can always buy some in Copenhagen, but you won't be able to explore the outdoors for long without them, especially if you hit a particularly cold day.