Popular sports
Soccer is THE national sport. Danish fans have even been called roliggans(rolig means calm in Danish), in contrast to the violence of English hooligans! The first big success came in 1983, when the team beat the English at the legendary Wembley stadium. This led to the creation of their signature song, " We are red, we are white, we are danish dynamite ", which is still sung today. The national team went on to win Euro 1992, the team's greatest achievement to date. At the 2018 World Cup, the Danes made it all the way to the Round of 16 (losing to Croatia), equaling their best-ever performance at a World Cup (in 1986 and 2002). In 2021, the national team reached the semi-finals of the Euro, but Denmark unfortunately made headlines around the world in the group stages when star player Christian Eriksen suffered a heart attack in the match against Finland. Fortunately, Eriksen eventually recovered, and will even take part in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar! The national team is taking advantage of this opportunity to demonstrate in favor of respect for human rights, which are severely violated in this country, and to call into question the aberrations of this World Cup, particularly with regard to the environment. Hats off to them!
In the Faroe Islands too, soccer is the king of sports, all the more so as it symbolizes the Faroes' "independence" abroad. The archipelago has a national team that competes in European championships.
Handball is a very popular sport in Denmark and a source of local pride. The women's national team has won gold at the Olympic Games three times (1996, 2000, 2004). The men's national team won gold in 2016 and will be crowned world champions for the first time in 2019. These outstanding results are largely due to the world's best player Mikkel Hansen.
Cycling also boasts a number of well-known athletes, including Jonas Vingegaard. After a few discreet years on the grand tours, he revealed himself in 2022 when he won the Tour de France. A feat he repeated in 2023, making him the favorite for the 2024 edition. What could be more logical in the land of cycling?
Beautiful discoveries on the Danish roads
In terms of leisure activities, there is no lack of sports activities in Denmark: cycling is particularly popular with both locals and tourists. It must be said that there is very little relief and that the network of bicycle paths allows to criss-cross the country very comfortably. Golf also offers great possibilities to the amateurs of the small white ball, while the hikers will not be left out with beautiful spots to discover. Indeed, there are still "wild" lands here that offer unusual and breathtaking landscapes in all seasons: the chalk cliffs of the island of Møn (south of Seeland) which rise to more than 100 m, but also Skagen and the northern tip of Jutland which are appreciated for their Nordic light and the magical colors that once inspired Danish painters. You should also go for a walk on the west coast of the peninsula, adorned with vast sandy beaches and seas of dunes that attract thousands of visitors every year. Beech forests, moorlands and hilly terrain, and an exceptional coastline, are a delight for walkers and hikers.
In the Faroe Islands, hiking will be the first activity for visitors. It is highly recommended to buy a map in bookshops or at the tourist office (very precise and useful). With a simple general map of the archipelago, one can also manage: the paths through the plateaus and mountains are all punctuated by small stone mounds. The shepherds warm themselves up in winter by putting them back in place when the wind or the rain have pushed them around. These useful markers allow you to walk without fear on paths that are sometimes a bit high, but which are not dangerous. Outside these marked paths, it is recommended to leave with a guide. And don't forget to bring your own equipment. Even in summer, it is necessary to foresee sweaters and waterproof shoes, without having to resort to a high mountain equipment! Finally, we will especially take care of the fog which can transform an idyllic walk into a real nightmare if we want to find our way back!
A coastline that offers many possibilities
Water sports. In Denmark, there are more than 7,000 km of coastline that also allow for water sports. Among the most popular: beaches, swimming, boating, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing ... It must be said that the country has no shortage of seaside resorts (Copenhagen Riviera and the entire Seeland), large pebble beaches (Fionie) and huge dunes and white sand beaches (Jutland). In summer, the water temperature is generally between 18°C and 20°C (yes, it is!). The blue flag, synonymous with the quality of the bathing water, flies on a large part of the Danish beaches. However, beware of stinging algae that grow on the eastern coasts of Seeland, Lolland and Falster.
Diving. For diving, head to the Faroe Islands. In these waters, reputed to be the cleanest in the world (while waiting for the oil exploitation, you should take advantage of it...), you can discover beautiful sea beds.
A fishing paradise
In Denmark, fishing enthusiasts will be in heaven, as the options here seem endless. The many rivers and lakes abound with eels, carp and trout (a fishing license is required). In the Danish ports, fishermen can take you fishing for turbot, mackerel, salmon, sea trout and plaice.
In the Faroe Islands , the fishing season is open from May1 to August 31. If you come to fish in the archipelago, be aware that your equipment may be particularly inspected by the customs officers. Afterwards, you can fish without any problem (and for free) on the coast. On the other hand, you need a permit or an authorization to fish in the 40 mountain lakes. There are beautiful brown trout and salmon, especially in the lakes Leynavatn (near Kvívík) and Saksunarvatn (near Saksun) in the northern half of the island of Streymoy (where Tórshavn is located). Beware, however, of the multicolored circles containing farmed salmon. The Faroese tourist office has published a complete brochure, with a list of rules to follow and a map of lakes, coasts and wharves where you can cast your hooks.
