Zealand - A lot of Variety

Zealand is an island in the east of Denmark, which has an area of 7,031 km² and is the greatest island at the Baltic Sea and in the whole of the country. Its population of over 2 million people makes Zealand Denmark's most populated island. The island's centre is the capital of Copenhagen in the north-east, which extends to the neighbouring island of Amager. The highest point on Zealand is Kobanke hill at 122.9 metres. Together with the many bridges and tunnels, the island is a traffic hub between Denmark and Sweden. The regional climate is influenced by the Gulf Stream, which causes warm, sunny summers and mild winters.

Zealand has a very diverse landscape. Vast meadows, fertile fields, pastures, birch forests, beautiful sandy beaches, impressive dunes as well as rocky cliffs and cliff coasts characterise the island's nature. In addition, large forests like the Gribskov, which has an area of 5,600 hectares, great lakes like Arresø, Denmark's greatest lake, and branched fjords like Roskilde and Ise Fjord are part of the scenery. A special natural highlight is the chalk cliff of Stevns Klint in the north of the island. The limestone cliff is not only an excellent location for finding fossils but it is also part of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage. Other worthwhile natural attractions  are the Danish Riviera with its quiet beaches and the Øresund strait. The latter connects the Baltic Sea to the Kattegat and in good weather, you can see Sweden from its narrowest point.

Travellers will not only find World Heritage sites in Zealand's nature but also in its cultural landscape. One of the most important UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites is Roskilde Cathedral in the former capital. It was built in 1280 and is the traditional burial place of the Danish kings as well as a tourist magnet. Kronborg Castle in Helsigør, which became famous when it was the site of the drama of Hamlet by William Shakespeare, is equally popular with visitors. Another sight which is not part of the World Cultural Heritage but just as impressive is the Renaissance-style Frederiksborg Palace near Hillerød. It is the greatest and most important building of the Dutch Renaissance and informs holidaymakers of Denmark's history as the location of  the Danish National History Museum. Zealand has an abundance of castles and manor houses. The most prominent example is Amalienborg in Copenhagen, which is the royal family's place of residence. The region's cultural landscape, however, is mainly characterised by charming merchant and harbour towns, barrows from the Stone Age and various museums.

Zealand offers entertainment in the BonBon-Land between Næstved and Rønnede, the Arena Cirkusland in the west of the island and the Sommerland near Nykøbing. In addition, you can visit the magical Fantasy World in the south of Zealand and the colourful and eventful Tivoli leisure park in Denmark's capital. Travellers should not miss out on Copenhagen's vibrant nightlife. Pubs, cocktail and wine bars, bodegas and discos string together in the city centre and are full of activity until the early morning hours. The region's idyllic side is represented by the many small villages and harbour towns as well as by numerous farm shops, which sell fresh products such as carrots and asparagus from Lammefjord.

Whether you enjoy horseback riding, water sports, fishing, sailing or golfing - Zealand caters for all tastes. Many visitors go on a cycling tour or explore the region on foot because there is nothing better for an expedition than the numerous cycling and hiking trails and panoramic routes in the area. Remote bays invite you to relax, while the long sandy beaches are perfect for building sandcastles and going swimming and surfing.

The Baltic Sea island of Zealand is a particularly popular travel destination in summer. You can arrive by car, ferry or plane. Several bridges (Great Belt Fixes Link, Storstrøm Bridge, Farø Bridge, Queen Alexandrine Bridge, Guldborgsund Bridge) connect Zealand to the neighbouring islands of Funen, Møn, Falster and Lolland. The international airport in Copenhagen has 21.5 million passengers per year, which makes it Scandinavia's greatest airport and a significant traffic hub in Northern Europe.