Which is the best LEGOLAND in the world? A LEGOLAND review

Which is the best LEGOLAND in the world? A LEGOLAND review

by | Asia, Denmark, Germany, Things to do, UK, USA
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure statement.

Which is the best LEGOLAND for you? A worldwide LEGOLAND review

Do your kids absolutely love LEGO and dream of visiting LEGOLAND? With eight LEGOLAND theme parks around the world, the question is, which one is the best LEGOLAND for you?

There are LEGOLAND Resorts in Denmark, Germany, England, Dubai, Malaysia, Japan, and Florida and California in the US, offering interactive family rides, live shows, LEGO building, and incredible attractions like Miniland, the LEGOLAND Driving School and the Dragon roller coaster.

We’ve visited LEGOLAND Billund in Denmark, which was an incredible experience for our boys and they dream of visiting them all. Since that isn’t going to happen any time soon, we’ve enlisted the expertise of some well-known family travel writers to find out what it’s like to visit each of the eight LEGOLAND amusement parks.

To help you out as much as possible, we’ve also given you information on the best LEGOLAND rides at each park, fun facts and accommodation. Take a look at our LEGOLAND review to see which one you want to visit.

What age is LEGOLAND for?

LEGOLAND is designed for children aged between two and twelve, but there are so many things to do at LEGOLAND for kids and adults of any age, that you’re sure to have fun as a family. We think the best age for LEGOLAND is between five and eleven but it all depends on your child, how long they can last at a theme park and how much they are into LEGO.

LEGOLAND Billund, Denmark

Legoland billund driving school legoland review

LEGOLAND Billund is the original LEGOLAND park built in 1968, and to us, is the ultimate LEGOLAND. It may not be the biggest LEGOLAND but there is something really special about being in the birthplace of LEGO (and the happiest country on earth). Billund is a small town in regional Denmark, about 260km west of Copenhagen.

LEGOLAND Billund will keep the kids entertained for a couple of days with more than 50 exciting rides to try out. You can defeat the Great Devourer on Ninjago the Ride, travel the Dragon roller coaster through the King’s Castle, and put out fires in the Falck Fire Brigade race. There are jungle racers, xtreme racers, pirate boats, Duplo planes and LEGO trains to ride on, plus there is Miniland to marvel at. One thing’s for sure, your kids won’t be is bored.

Our boy’s favourite was definitely Ninjago World where they got to see life sized figures of all their favourite characters, plus go on Cole’s Rock Climb, Lloyd’s Lasermaze and the clear winner of the day, Ninjago the Ride. The other favourite was the Driving School for kids aged 7-13, where they got to drive electric cars around a specialised track, complete with petrol station and car wash.

While you are in Billund, spend some time at the new LEGO House, which is an amazing indoor activity and education centre that is separate to LEGOLAND.

By Nicci from Travel with Boys – READ MORE on visiting LEGOLAND Denmark

If you’re looking for accommodation, take a look at our review on where to stay in Billund.

Check latest prices for accommodation at LEGOLAND Billund

LEGOLAND Windsor Resort review

Legoland Windsor review

LEGOLAND Windsor Resort is located about 25 miles west of London. It is the perfect place to visit with LEGO-mad kids. We have visited several times and always had a great time.

There are so many rides and attractions at LEGOLAND Windsor it needs a full day. We would advise getting there early to gain entry at 9.30am, ready for the rides, which open at 10am. Another top tip would be to book online in advance, to get the best prices. Download the map beforehand so you know where you want to go and plan a route around the park.

Our three boys love many of the rides at LEGOLAND Windsor but here are some of their favourites. The LEGO City Driving School where children aged 6-13 (there is a version for younger kids) drive electric cars around a realistic course. At the end they all earn their very own LEGOLAND driving licence. The Fire Academy, which is a race to put out a pretend fire, complete with fire engines and hoses. The Dragon is a thrilling rollercoaster around the Knights Castle. Atlantis Submarine Voyage, a submarine ride through an underwater aquarium.

Don’t miss the Pirates of Skeleton Bay Stunt Show, which is a pirate-themed live action show featuring acrobatics and swashbuckling swordplay. Another must visit on a hot day is the Drench Towers in Duplo Valley, a water park for children of all ages. Remember to pack swimmers and a towel. There’s also Miniland where you’ll find LEGO models from all around the world, with lots of moving pieces.

By Nicky at Go Live Young – Read more about their travels

Check latest prices for accommodation at LEGOLAND Windsor Resort

LEGOLAND Germany review

LEGOLAND Germany review

I took my son to his first LEGOLAND when he was five and a half, and I can honestly tell you it was the most exciting day of his entire life to date. LEGOLAND Germany is full of all the usual LEGOLAND features, and of course its Miniland, the hub full of intricate LEGO constructions reflecting the region, with lots of German sights turned into LEGO along with landmarks from other nearby European countries. A highlight is the reconstruction of Munich airport with several huge planes, which move around.

As far as the rides go, I’d say my son’s favourite was Captain Nick’s Splash Battle – it’s a boat ride circling around LEGO shipwrecks and pirates, and you can actually fire water cannons at other riders and passers-by. We were there on a rare hot day in German summer but on other days they have ponchos available to keep you dry.

LEGOLAND Germany is in the south of the country, close to the tiny village of Günzburg, but it’s easy to reach by train. We stayed in the LEGOLAND Village, which along with a hotel, includes cabins shaped like barrels and a camping area too. It was obviously a popular summertime spot and I loved that the village itself included all kinds of outdoor activities for kids to enjoy after the theme park itself closed for the day.

By Amanda from Not a Ballerina – Read more about their visit to LEGOLAND Germany

Check latest prices for accommodation at LEGOLAND Germany

LEGOLAND Florida review – USA

Legoland Florida review

LEGOLAND Florida was a huge hit with our family, but especially our boys, aged 5 and 7. One of the things they are still talking about was their ability to ride all three roller coasters. LEGOLAND ‘s roller coaster height requirements are perfect for their target audience of ages 2-12. One favourite, the Dragon, is located in Kingdoms. It begins in a castle and takes you by many LEGO creations, before travelling outside through tummy-knotting twists and turns. Another favourite coaster was Coastersaurus, a wooden coaster with numerous small hills.

The newest attraction at LEGOLAND Florida and the most popular with my boys was Ninjago World. The centrepiece of this land is LEGO Ninjago The Ride. The Ride is a virtual reality experience in which riders fight villains by thrashing arms around within the car. Riders are scored on their ability to fight, which made it entertaining for my competitive kids. In Ninjago World, there are other active playground-like attractions, such as Kai’s Spinners, Cole’s Climbing Wall, and Jay’s Lightning Drill.

By Leah at Yoder Toter Blog – Read more about visiting LEGOLAND Florida

Check latest prices for accommodation at LEGOLAND Florida

LEGOLAND California review – USA

Legoland California review

An hour south of Disneyland, this LEGOLAND is huge, with over 60 features and two water park sections. Each area has hands-on activities like playgrounds, build zones, or games, and most have food options and shops. Some areas provide entertainment, including stage productions, and one has a 4D movie.

Many of the rides are tame, suitable for very young kids. But some are more exciting, such as the Dragon Coaster, and even more daring, the Technic Coaster. The Wave Racer spins while kids shoot water blasters, and Knight’s Tournament’s robotic arms turn riders all about.

A favourite for our boys is the driving school. Kids age 3 to 5 drive around a small oval track. Kids age 6 to 13 drive a bigger track with turns and intersections, lanes and traffic lights. Drivers manoeuvre around while parents watch from the perimeter. At the end of each session, all the kids get a LEGOLAND driver’s license.

We love the kid-friendly humour found everywhere, the cleanliness, and the shady bench spots. We recommend studying the park’s map and ride systems before you go, planning what each family member most wants to do and eat. Be sure to leave plenty of time to walk around Miniland!

By Sandy at Sleeps5 – Read more about visiting LEGOLAND California

Check latest prices for accommodation at LEGOLAND California

LEGOLAND Dubai review – UAE

Legoland Dubai review

LEGOLAND Dubai opened to great excitement in our household in October 2016. Less than an hours drive from our home in Abu Dhabi, this is the ultimate LEGO-lovers playground!

It is part of the Dubai Parks and Resorts complex, which includes several theme parks, a resort, and adjacent LEGOLAND Waterpark. The park is built partly indoors to accommodate the weather conditions.

The centrepiece of LEGOLAND Dubai is the world’s first indoor Miniland, which features scale models of some of the region’s most famous buildings including the Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque, Burj Khalifa, Taj Mahal, Petra and the Pyramids of Giza.

Rides vary from sedate to thrilling. Popular with our younger boys are the Junior Driving School and the Submarine Adventure. Older kids will enjoy “Kingdoms” which includes slightly more thrilling rides, mini roller coasters, Merlin’s Flying Machine and when you reach that magical 120cm, the Dragon!

As well as rides, there are plenty of building and discover centres, ample eateries, Duplo Valley, a water splash area, a Ninjago stage show, and a 4D cinema with two rotating shows throughout the day. The attached LEGOLAND Waterpark (separate entry fee) is a great way to cool off after a busy day of exploring. Given the size of the two parks, you could fit both in if you visit for an entire day. You can finish your day at the extensive Riverland entertainment district that attaches all the theme parks, with loads always going on including street performers and eateries galore. All up, our boys and our girl give it a big thumbs up!

As the theme park is still in its infancy and not as well known as the others internationally, lines at most times except public holidays are relatively short, meaning kids can do their favourites over and over again! Prices have also been significantly discounted for 2018 to get people through the door. Residents can pick up day and annual passes at an absolute steal for what you get. Our kids are now very proud annual pass holders and we visit every few weeks!

For more on how LEGOLAND Dubai works, including the attached waterpark and how to cope with the weather extremes of Dubai, check out Keri’s blog.

By Keri from Our Globetrotters

Check latest prices for accommodation at LEGOLAND Dubai

LEGOLAND Japan review

Legoland Japan review

LEGOLAND Japan in the less-visited city of Nagoya opened in April 2016, so when we visited recently it was still very sparkly and new. This is particularly lovely in the Miniland section where all the amazing models still look pristine. Of course, being Japan, the other big advantage is that the other guests are all so polite and rule-following that it’s just a very pleasant experience to spend the day there.

Compared to other LEGOLAND’s, LEGOLAND Japan seems to have fewer rides for the bigger kids, though it may be that they’ll construct more as time goes on. Our favourite was the Submarine Adventure, a ride under water where you glide past both real and LEGO-built sea life!

The LEGOLAND Hotel next door was due to open just weeks after we visited, which will be handy (opens 28 April 2018). Being located in Kinjofuto, a 25-minute train ride south of Nagoya, has meant there wasn’t any accommodation nearby until the hotel opened.

If you have train-loving kids with you, then spend an extra half-day and visit the SCMAGLEV (the fastest train in the world) and Railway Park which is literally next door to LEGOLAND – it has a vast number of real trains in there, including some bullet trains of course, and my son thought it was almost as good as LEGOLAND!

By Amanda from Not a Ballerina – read more about their travels

Check latest prices for accommodation at LEGOLAND Japan

LEGOLAND Malaysia review

Legoland reviews legoland malaysia

Legoland Malaysia is our family’s favourite theme park in this part of the world. Kids would love the brand new 4D Ninjago Ride and the world’s first LEGO Virtual Reality Roller Coaster!

Five Tips for visiting LEGOLAND Malaysia:

  1. Check LEGOLAND Malaysia’s website for days with extended opening hours so you have more time to play.
  2. It’s hot and humid in Malaysia throughout the year, with the probability of rain, so bring along drinking water, sunblock, disposable raincoats, mosquito repellant and a change of dry-fit tees.
  3. LEGOLAND Malaysia is accessible by direct coach service from Singapore. You can get more info here.
  4. Combine your visit with a stay at the LEGOLANDMalaysia Resort in one of the themed family rooms such as Pirate, Adventure, Kingdom, and Ninjago.
  5. Buy a 2-Day Combo Ticket so you can also enjoy Legoland Malaysia Water Park (just next door)! A brand new attraction, Sea Life at Legoland Malaysia will open last quarter of 2018.

By Angie at Life’s Tiny Miracles

Check latest prices for accommodation at LEGOLAND Malaysia

LEGOLAND New York

Those heading to the Big Apple will be pleased to know LEGOLAND New York is set to open in Goshen, 60 miles northwest of New York City in 2020, making it the third in North America. This new theme park will include a 250-bedroom LEGO themed hotel on the 500-acre site.

We have also heard that LEGOLAND is coming to China with its first theme park expected to open in Shanghai in 2022.

LEGOLAND Discovery Centres

If you can’t make it to a LEGOLAND theme park then maybe one of the 22 Discovery Centres spread throughout the world is your next best option. These smaller indoor centres come with a few LEGO rides, a mini Miniland, 4D cinema and lots of building fun.

There are 12 Discovery Centre’s in the US and Canada, five in Europe, four in Asia, and one in Melbourne, Australia.

So much LEGO fun, so little time.

So which is the best LEGOLAND?

You will have noticed quite a few similarities between the different LEGOLAND theme parks but this doesn’t mean they are all the same.

Our top three choices to visit would be LEGOLAND Billund because it is the birthplace of LEGO, plus LEGOLAND Windsor and LEGOLAND Florida as they offer the largest amount of attractions being the biggest two amusement parks by far. LEGOLAND Florida also has the added bonus of the waterpark.

They are all amazing amusement parks and we think if you’ve got kids who love LEGO and you get the chance to visit a LEGOLAND anywhere in the world, then grab it and you’ll have the experience of a lifetime.

LEGOLAND Accommodation

If you want the full LEGO experience for your visit to LEGOLAND, then in most of the theme parks you can stay at the amazing LEGO themed hotels and other accommodation. The type of accommodation varies from country to country with the classic LEGOLAND Hotels in Denmark, California, Florida, Japan and Malaysia; LEGOLAND Castle Hotels in England and Germany; LEGOLAND Holiday Villages in Denmark and Germany; plus the fun LEGOLAND Beach Retreat in Florida.

Fun facts about LEGOLAND

  • LEGOLAND theme parks receive around 60 million visitors worldwide each year.
  • LEGOLAND Billund in Denmark is the oldest LEGOLAND theme park, built in 1968.
  • LEGOLAND Windsor in England is the biggest LEGOLAND in the world by far, being around five times greater in area than that of LEGOLAND Billund.
  • The world’s second biggest LEGOLAND can be found in Florida USA
  • LEGOLAND Dubai was built using 60 million LEGO bricks
  • The new LEGOLAND Castle Hotel in Windsor, England houses 2.1 million bricks and 657 hand-built LEGO models.

Which LEGOLAND do you want to visit? Share your favourite on our Facebook page.

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Worldwide LEGOLAND Review - Your guide to Legoland amusement parks around the world

LEGOLAND Denmark Holiday – Where to Stay in Billund with Kids

LEGOLAND Denmark Holiday – Where to Stay in Billund with Kids

by | Best accommodation, Denmark, Europe
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure statement.

LEGOLAND Denmark Accommodation Review and Recommendations

Billund is a lovely small town in central Denmark that is famous as the birthplace of LEGO. It’s not the easiest place to work out where to stay if you haven’t been there before, so we’ve put together our recommendations for the best of LEGOLAND Denmark accommodation for your visit.

With only around 6,000 residents, Billund has a surprising array of accommodation. After a long day at LEGOLAND Denmark, you can choose to spend the night at a hotel, cabin, holiday house, hostel, or even a teepee. You can also pitch a tent, enjoy a bed and breakfast or even an apartment.

Our advice is to find a place to stay near LEGOLAND and not try to daytrip from Aarhus, Odense or Copenhagen.

READ our review on visiting LEGOLAND Denmark with kids

How long to stay in Billund?

We spent two days at LEGOLAND, which was just right for us, but there were still things we didn’t get to see there. The new addition of LEGO House (opened in September 2017) is certainly worth a visit for LEGO loving kids and will take up about half a day. Plus if you need a break from all that LEGO, have some fun at Lalandia, Scandinavia’s largest waterpark. You could easily do three nights in Billund but it all depends on how much time you have and what else you want to do in Denmark.

LEGOLAND Denmark Accommodation Options

Lalandia Holiday Cottages Billund

Our top pick for a place to stay near LEGOLAND for families would be Lalandia Holiday Cottages. Here you get space to move, don’t have to share a room with the kids, can self-cater (which will save you money), plus there’s plenty of activities and free entry to the onsite waterpark (Scandinavia’s largest).

Even the smallest of the cottages (sleeps four) has fridge/freezer, coffee maker, electric kettle, ceramic hob, oven, microwave and dishwasher, 1 double bed, 1 cot, 2 single beds, shower cubicle and washing machine, high chair and 1 parking space.

Lalandia Holiday Cottages Billund are within easy walking distance to LEGOLAND or you can catch the free shuttle bus.

Best for: Small and large families with children all ages.

Be aware: You will need to bring your own bed linen and towels, or you can rent them from the Service Centre when you get there.

Click here to see the latest prices

Lalandia LEGOLAND Denmark Holiday - Where to Stay in Billund Travel with Boys

photo by Lalandia

Hotel LEGOLAND Denmark

If you want the complete LEGO experience and you have money to spend, then Hotel LEGOLAND Denmark is the place to be. Turn the kids dreams into reality and spend the night in a themed room like the Ninjago Room, Knights, Adventure, and Pirate rooms.

This four star hotel inside of LEGOLAND is a treat for kids with plenty of LEGO to entertain them in the play room, a playground, TV room, and NINTENDO GameZone. While they’re kept busy, you can relax with a coffee or a drink at the bar.

If you’re looking for more space than your average room, try out the Junior Suite which has it’s own living room and one separate bedroom. Junior Suites sleep four.

Best for: Families wanting the ultimate LEGO experience that are happy to bunk in together in the one room (with the exception of the Junior Suite) for the sake of some serious memory making.

Be aware: Rooms sleep between four to six people dependent on the theme you choose. Price includes accommodation, buffet breakfast and tickets into LEGOLAND. Check to confirm details.

Click here to see the latest prices

LEGOLAND Holiday Village

LEGOLAND Holiday Village LEGOLAND Denmark Holiday - Where to Stay in Billund Travel with Boys

If you want the LEGO experience but your budget won’t stretch to Hotel LEGOLAND, the LEGOLAND Holiday Village is a good one to look at, and it’s just over the road from LEGOLAND.

We rented three Wild West cabins at LEGOLAND Holiday Village with their own tiny bathroom and mini kitchenette to fit the 12 of us. The kids loved it with LEGO figures everywhere, plus ducks you can feed, play equipment, plus you can hire cool tandem and quad pedal bikes to zoom around the village.

You can choose to spend the night in the new LEGO® NINJAGO® cabins, Wild West cabins, Pirate rooms, Wilderness barrels, onsite teepees, or bring your tent or campervan to the camping ground.

There is an onsite supermarket, takeaway pizza (which was good), and a restaurant (nothing too exciting).

You won’t find any luxuries here but it can be good fun if you have LEGO mad kids and you know what to expect when you get there.

Our pick: We would choose to stay in the new LEGO Ninjago Cabins, as they have a little more room to move in the living area and have a toilet and shower in the cabin.

Best for: Smaller families with children aged 10 and under who want to be next door to LEGOLAND and have the LEGO experience.

Be aware: Beds in the cabins are not designed for tall people, so anyone over about 6ft may not have the best nights sleep. The beds have walls at top and bottom, so there’s no hanging your feet over the end of the bed.

Many of the cabins share a toilet and shower block (which makes it cheaper), so check your reservation carefully to make sure you’ve got what you want.

You will need to bring your own bed linen and towels, or rent them when you get there. You have to then put them on and pull them off yourself.

Click here to see the latest prices

Lillevang Apartments

If you’re after one of the best-rated apartments in Billund for families, then take a look at Lillevang Apartments. Only five minutes drive from LEGOLAND, these clean and modern apartments have full kitchen facilities (meaning you can save money by cooking), TV, WiFi, and LEGO bricks to play with.

There’s plenty of space to relax outside on the terrace or in the garden, which is a great place to unwind after a day of crowds.

Best for: Families looking for relaxing place to stay, where you can cater for yourselves.

Be aware: The second bed is a sofa bed. It is a good idea to have a car to get here.

Click here to see the latest prices

Hotel Propellen

If a hotel room is what you’re after then you can’t got past Hotel Propellen which is a mere 500 metres from LEGOLAND. Sit back and relax after a day at LEGOLAND with three dining options including a great kids menu. There’s also an indoor swimming pool, exercise room, plus indoor and outdoor playgrounds to keep the kids happy.

Rooms have a minibar, satellite TV, Wi-Fi is free and all rooms have a flat-screen TV.

Best for: Small families looking for good accommodation without having to cook or drive.

Be aware: Family rooms contain a double bed, double sofa bed and extra single beds on request.

Click here to see the latest prices

Other family accommodation near LEGOLAND Billund

If you’re still undecided about where to stay in Billund, take a look at these apartments and hotels.

NEW in 2019! Keep an eye out for the opening of LEGOLAND Castle Hotel in the Danish Spring of 2019. It looks amazing!

Things to consider when looking for places to stay near LEGOLAND Denmark

There are a few things to consider when choosing accommodation near LEGOLAND Denmark. Do you want to pay for the novelty factor of staying at somewhere LEGO themed? This doesn’t come cheap but is certainly memorable.

Is it important for you to stay close by? Sometimes it’s worth paying for the convenience of staying within walking distance. The costs vary dramatically so work out your budget and stay where it meets your needs.

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. We may make a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a booking after clicking on one of the links. Your booking through us, helps us generate some income so we can continue to provide you with best holiday ideas for your family. We only ever use links to highly reputable companies that we trust and use ourselves. 

Thank you for booking through Travel with Boys.

Dungeons and Sword Fights in Denmark’s most famous castle

Dungeons and Sword Fights in Denmark’s most famous castle

by | Denmark, Europe
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure statement.

To go, or not to go… Kronborg Castle for families

With spooky underground passages, Shakespearean sword fights, magnificent ballrooms and a fascinating history, the Royal castle of Kronborg at Helsingør in Denmark, is an extraordinary place for families to visit.

World famous as the setting of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, there is no better time to visit the castle than during summer when they bring Hamlet to life. We were lucky enough to visit in the summer of 2016, where we got to enjoy scenes from Hamlet being acted out, as we toured through the castle. This was our boys’ first real taste of Shakespeare and they loved it, with their favourite being the final sword fight in the ballroom.

Kronborg Castle for families Shakespeare Hamlet Denmark family travel travelwithboys.com

Also to love was a visit to the underground casements. Wandering around the dark and gloomy underground passages with a torch, you got to see where 1,000 soldiers would barricade themselves in during war, for weeks at a time, with their horses and provisions. It is seriously dark in some areas, which can be a bit too spooky for some kids, and for parents if the kids have the torch and run off without you. (Yes that did happen!)

You will also find the Danish legend Holger Danske asleep in the underground passages, as he has been for hundreds of years. Legend has it he will wake up the day Denmark is attacked by enemies.

Kronborg Castle for families Holger Dansk Shakespeare Hamlet Denmark family travel travelwithboys.com

Built in 1574, Kronborg is one of the most important Renaissance castles in northern Europe and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It played an extremely important role in the history of the region, due to its control over one of the few outlets to the Baltic Sea, and therefore all the ships sailing through.

Kronborg is a true castle with a tower to climb, moat, and cannons, and was so much fun to visit.

Considering this was our family’s’ second castle for the day and it was wet and bleak all day, there was not one grizzle from either of the boys. This is a major triumph when it comes to travelling with 6 and 8 year old boys.

Getting there

Kronborg Castle is located one hour north of Copenhagen in Helsingør.

Driving: It’s an easy drive up the motorway or the Danish Riviera’s stunning coast road. We drove there via the motorway and came back to Copenhagen via the coast road.

Train: A DBS train will get you from Copenhagen Central Station to Helsingør in 45 minutes. Trains leave every 20 minutes. From Helsingør Station it is about a 15-minute walk north to get to the castle.

Wheelchair and pram access

While you will be able to access the Castle Courtyard with a wheelchair and pram, you will not be able to go indoors or underground with them.

Tickets

If you have a Copenhagen Card, admission will be free. Find out if a Copenhagen Card will save your family money.

Ticket prices (current as of March 2017)

  • Adult: DKK 90
  • Student: DKK 80 by showing valid student ID
  • Child: (4 – 17 years) Free of charge

Your ticket (including the Copenhagen Card) will allow you to join any of the guided tours and will provide you with access to the royal rooms, casemates and chapel. You cannot enter the grounds of the Castle without a ticket.

Please note the Castle is closed on Mondays.

While you’re there

If you’ve got time, check out the town of Helsingør and the Maritime Museum. Not far away is Frederiksborg Palace in Hillerød which is an absolute must see for any visitor to Denmark.

The Danish do castles really well! Not only are they magnificent pieces of architecture but they have been brought to life for all ages to enjoy, not just the history buffs of the world.

We thoroughly recommend you visit Kronborg Castle.

If you are looking for other things to do in Denmark then you might be interested in these stories.

Top 10 Copenhagen family attractions when travelling with boys

Beyond the headline acts – Denmark’s island of hidden gems for families

Visiting LEGOLAND Denmark

Will a Copenhagen Card save your family money?

How many castles can you see in 48 hours? Take a look at this itinerary from Wandermust Family on seeing Copenhagen’s castles.

Happy travels!

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Will a Copenhagen Card save your family money?

Will a Copenhagen Card save your family money?

by | Denmark, Europe
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure statement.

When you arrive in a capital city anywhere in the world, there is always someone wanting to sell you a card to see the attractions. The hard thing to work out, is whether it is a huge waste of money or if it’s really going to save you money, time and the hassle of buying tickets at each attraction.

Being the person I am, I wanted all the answers before buying a Copenhagen Card. The problem was I wasn’t exactly sure where we wanted to visit. The months leading up to our departure from Australia were frantic to say the least. Not only were we preparing to do major renovations to our house which would start while we were away, but we also moved house the week before flying out (possibly the dumbest idea I’ve ever had!)

Lucky for me, this was my fourth visit to Denmark but it was also the boy’s first visit so there were a lot of places we needed to see. We had one week up our sleeve to discover the best of the city and it’s surrounding area now to work out what to do.

One thing that really surprised me with the Copenhagen Card was how many attractions were included. There were 73 museums and other attractions with free entry, plus others with discounted entry or purchases.

A great bonus of having the cards for us was you could use public transport (bus, waterbus, train and metro) for free. It meant you didn’t have to buy a ticket each time you used public transport (which can be a challenge in itself) and no need to worry about validating at the station.

Was the Copenhagen Card worth it?

For our family, the simple answer was YES. Why?

We purchased two adult cards and because the boys were aged between 0 and 9 years, they were free and included on our tickets. You can actually have two children free on each adult card, which is great if you have a large family of little ones. It’s also a great system because the card doesn’t record the child’s name so no adult is stuck with a particular child every time.

We purchased the 120 hour card for 839DKK each which converts to just over $150 Australian per card. A total of 1678DKK.

We visited the following attractions:

  • Canal tour (240DKK 2 adults + 2 children)
  • Frederiksborg Castle (190DKK 2 adults + 2 children)
  • Kronborg Castle (180DKK 2 adults + 2 children)
  • The Round Tower (60DKK 2 adults + 2 children)
  • Rosenborg (220DKK 2 adults + 2 children)
  • Roskilde Cathedral (120DKK 2 adults + 2 children)
  • Tivoli Gardens (360DKK 2 adults + 2 children)

There are a few other attractions we wanted to visit but were just too exhausted to do so after 4 weeks on the road.

If we’d paid for the attractions individually we would have paid 1,370DKK. On top of that the cost for train tickets for the five days would have been 720DKK for the four of us.

So in the end we would have paid 2090DKK without the card but with the Copenhagen Card we managed to save 412 DKK or around $80 Australian. It was also a lot simpler and less stressful to use than having to pay for everything separately.

Tips

  • You can purchase your card online before you leave home (great if you’re super organised), when you arrive at the Copenhagen airport (not so great if you just sat on a plane with kids for 24 hours), or at the main train station in Copenhagen when you are all feeling a little more human. At the main train station we were surprised to find the ticket booth located with Lost and Found!! Go figure.
  • If you are only after a 24 or 48 hour card you can get them from many 7 Elevens and even some hotels. Check the Copenhagen Card website.
  • The cards start the moment you first use it and will finish in exactly 24 hours, 48 hours – whatever hour amount you purchased. Make sure you enter the attraction before the time runs out. It’s okay if it runs out while you are in the attraction.
  • Always have the card ready to show inspectors on trains and buses etc. We had ours checked nearly every day.

If you are heading to Copenhagen, the best idea is to take a look at the Copenhagen Card website and use their “How much do you save” guide by clicking on the attractions you want to go to and it will tell you how much you will save (or not save).

I hope this has helped. Take a look at some of the other stories on visiting Denmark with the family on Travels with Boys.

The Best of Copenhagen for Families of Boys

The Best of Copenhagen for Families of Boys

by | Denmark, Europe
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure statement.

Top 10 Copenhagen family attractions when travelling with boys

It is no wonder Denmark is called the happiest place on earth. With so many incredible things to do in its capital Copenhagen for families, a visit will surely put a smile on your face.

If I had to pick the one European capital city that was the easiest to explore with boys, had amazing things to do for all ages, and was not quite so frantic, then I would definitely choose Copenhagen.

Famous for its food, cycling, LEGO, Royal family, canals, and author Hans Christian Andersen, Copenhagen has some brilliant surprises in store for families. Having visited there several times, firstly as a child myself, then as a solo traveller, years later as a mother of boys, and in a group of 12 extended family members, I have discovered the best things to do in Copenhagen for families of boys.

Tivoli Gardens

There is something truly special about Tivoli Gardens. It’s like entering a magical wonderland as you walk through the enormous arch to discover a world of fun for the whole family. Situated in the heart of the city, Tivoli Gardens has something for everyone with nostalgic rides, music concerts, theatre, dining, striking buildings, and beautiful gardens.

There are rides that will terrify your teenager, delight your toddler and enthuse your young school boy. Tivoli will soon unveil the first ever virtual reality ride in Denmark, where you can strap yourself into a real rollercoaster ride while you discover the virtual reality of fire-breathing dragons, demons and exploding fireworks.

All ride tickets are paid for separately to your entry pass. You buy ticket passes from machines inside the park gates.

Built in 1843, Tivoli is a traditional theme park without the over the top commercialisation of many others. I can see where Walt Disney got his inspiration from to create Disneyland after his visit to Tivoli.

Tivoli is not open throughout winter. Check the Tivoli Gardens website for opening dates and times. You can easily spend up to a day here.

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Changing of the Royal Guard

Every day at around 12 noon, the Royal Guards march to the beautiful Amalienborg Palace, the main residence of Queen Margrethe and the Royal Family, for the changeover ceremony.

We lined up just after 11.30am and the boys sat on the cobble-stoned street a mere metre away from the Royal Guards as they marched by. One thing we were thankful for was the boys had there cameras to keep them busy (and not wanting to run around).

The number of guards will all depend on if there is a member of the Royal Family in residence. Sadly every time I have gone there no one was home as they were always at their summer house. That being said it was still worthwhile going.

It’s all very relaxed but orderly. There are no bollards or fences, but there are a few police officers who will politely ask you to move back if you’re standing in the wrong spot.

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Nyhavn

Once you’ve finished seeing the changing of the Royal Guards, take the short stroll to Nyhavn. A trip to Copenhagen wouldn’t be complete without visiting Nyhavn, one of the city’s most photographed places. Nyhavn is the old commercial port whose brightly coloured buildings have been transformed into restaurants and bars. It’s not the cheapest place to dine but it’s certainly worthwhile stopping for a meal or a drink if your budget will stretch that far. If you’ve got better things to spend your money on then make sure still to visit and spend a little while walking through the area to soak up the atmosphere.

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Explore the canals

What sets Copenhagen apart from so many others capital cities is not just its friendly bike-riding locals but the canals that are spread throughout the city. Luckily you don’t have to spend your time admiring them from the footpath. There are plenty of options for exploring them from closer to the water. If you’re feeling adventurous and energetic, head off on a kayak tour. Would you rather captain your own boat? You can hire a solar-powered picnic boat to explore on your own. However if you’d rather sit back and relax and rely on the expertise of others, then line up for a canal tour. You’ll even get to see the surprisingly small Little Mermaid statue from the water. Some canal tours are included in the cost of a Copenhagen Card.

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The Round Tower

One of the images burned into my memory from when I visited Copenhagen as a 10 year old, is my visit to the Round Tower, the oldest functioning observatory in Europe. I loved this building as it was like nothing I had ever seen before. Going back after so many years can ruin a good memory which is why I was so surprised to find that the memory lived up to the reality. It looked exactly as I had remembered it.

The Round Tower provides an incredible view of the old part of Copenhagen and is a novel experience of walking (very fast walking when boys are involved) on a spiral walkway. To get to the top of this 17th century tower you will need to walk around 209 metres, even though the tower is only 36 metres tall.

Round Tower copenhagen family attractions boys Denmark family travel travelswithboys.com

Strøget

Mums, Dads and even boys of all ages are going to enjoy shopping along one of Europe’s longest pedestrian streets. You’ll find everything from iconic Danish brands like Royal Copenhagen, George Jensen and LEGO, to touristy gift shops, toy stores and big brand stores. There is also plenty of street entertainment to keep those waiting outside the shops happy.

LEGO shop

The chance of us ever being able to walk past the LEGO Store in Copenhagen was nil. The boys had been madly saving their money and dreaming of the day they would arrive into the country that was the home of LEGO. It made no difference that we were to head to LEGOLAND in a week, they needed their LEGO fix and they certainly got it. Not only was there wall to wall LEGO, but there were huge LEGO statues, and interactive technology that beamed a video on the wall of the making of the set that you were holding in your hands. Even I was seriously impressed. The LEGO store is along the main pedestrian shopping street Strøget.

LEGO shop copenhagen family attractions boys Denmark family travel travelswithboys.com

Ride a bike

If your boys are confident riders then why not explore the city like a local and hire a bike. With over 450km of cycle lanes in Copenhagen, you will never be short of places to discover and there are plenty of places to hire a bike from. There are now more bicycles than cars in Copenhagen which makes for busy cycle lanes, so make sure you all know the road rules and riding etiquette before you start.

Rosenborg Castle

If you want to see the Crown Jewels of the Danish kings and queens, and the Knights’ Hall with the coronation thrones, then you’ll need to make a stop at Rosenborg Castle. Rosenborg was the only place in Denmark where I felt a little on-edge with the boys. The boys were very well behaved but it was one of those places that made you feel like you should tip toe through and not say a word. Very hard with boys in toe on a rainy day! Still a very beautiful castle. Our favourite castles in Denmark are Frederiksborg Castle and Kronborg Castle which are a short day trip from Copenhagen.

Rosenborg copenhagen family attractions boys Denmark family travel travelswithboys.com

Parks and Gardens

There are plenty of parks and gardens in the centre of Copenhagen for children to run around and explore. Just take a look at the map and you’ll hopefully find one fairly close by. If you’ve only got time to see one park, then head to Frederiksberg Have. This park boasts a royal palace, boating lake, waterfalls, a playground with a giant water-squirting butterfly, and miniature hammocks.

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What else?

Copenhagen has so much more to offer than our top 10 experiences and what you see will all depend on your likes, your children ages and what time of year you are there. Here are a few other places to consider exploring while you’re in Copenhagen.

  • Zoological Museum
  • National Aquarium Den Blå Planet
  • Denmark’s National Museum and Children’s Museum

If you are wondering how you will afford to see all of these attractions with a family in tow, check out our review on the Copenhagen Card.

Also keep a look out for our upcoming story on places to eat in Copenhagen with boys.

Lykkelige rejser (Happy travels)

Frikadeller recipe World food for kids Danish meatballs

Frikadeller recipe World food for kids Danish meatballs

by | Denmark, Europe
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure statement.

Danish Frikadeller recipe World Food for Kids

Frikadeller (pronounced freg-a-deluh) would have to be one of the most iconic dishes of Denmark. The brilliant thing about this dish (from a mother of boys perspective) is that they taste great, kids and adults love them, and they are so quick and easy to make. They are also great for a party.

Having a Danish father, frikadeller featured often on the menu as we were growing up. I remember fondly my Farmor (it means father’s mother) cooking frikadeller, with potato every time we came for dinner. (I’m sure she must have cooked other things but I can’t remember!)

I have tried so many times to replicate my Farmor’s recipe but as it was never written down and she is no longer with us, I have never been able to get my Frikadeller recipe right. That is until we went to Denmark recently.

So with the help of a friend in Denmark who is a wonderful cook, I finally have perfected these great tasting balls of meat. The boys are just as thrilled as I am, because they weren’t that happy with my past attempts. Now they absolutely love them!

Frikadeller are actually very easy to make and the kids can do most of the work if you want.

Ingredients

  • 500 grams of veal/pork mince
  • 1 chopped onion
  • 1 large egg (if you beat the egg white separately, the frikadellers are lighter)
  • Small handfull of oats
  • 100 to 200 ml of milk
  • A little flour
  • 1 teaspoon of dried basil or marjoram
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Butter for frying

Instructions

Add all the ingredients (except the butter) into a bowl and mix.

Cover bowl and refrigerate for around an 1 hour. This makes the mixture firmer and easier to handle.

Place a non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat, and melt a tablespoon of butter in the pan.

Use a pair of wet tablespoons (just dip them in a cup of water) to shape frikadeller and place them straight into the frying pan. Make sure they are well spaced and that you don’t have too many in at once or they will boil instead of fry!

Cook them on high heat first to get them crisp outside and them lower the heat until cooked through.

We like to serve ours with mashed potato, brown gravy and beans in winter, or potato salad in summer.

If you have any leftovers, make your own smørrebrød (Danish open sandwich) with rye bread, butter, Dijon mustard, and a couple of sliced frikadeller. If that’s too adventurous, a couple of sliced frikadeller on your favourite bread with butter always go down a treat.

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