Popular team sports
Soccer is THE national sport. Danish fans have even been called roliggans,(rolig meaning calm in Danish), in opposition to the violence of English hooligans! The first big success came on September 21, 1983, when the national team, coached by the German Sepp Piontek, beat the English in the mythical Wembley Stadium. Three weeks before the event, a Danish newspaper organized a contest to find a favorite song to encourage the players. The elected refrain takes the colors of the flag: "We are red, we are white, we are danish dynamite". Since then, it follows the national team in all the stadiums and was notably taken in chorus to accompany the Danes until the final victory during the Euro 1992, organized in the Swedish neighbor (final won against Germany 2-0). The greatest performance of the team to date. In the last World Cup, held in Russia in 2018, the Danes fell in the 1/8th final against Croatia. Equaling their best performance in a World Cup (with the 1986 and 2002 editions).
In the Faroe Islands too, soccer is the king sport, especially since it symbolizes the "independence" of the Faroes abroad. The archipelago has a "national" team that plays in the European championships. In 2022, the national soccer team took advantage of its presence in Qatar, during the World Cup, to demonstrate in favor of the respect of human rights severely violated in this country and to question the aberrations notably ecological of this World Cup. Hats off to them!
Handball is also a very popular sport in Denmark and has often caused local pride. The women's national team has won the gold medal three times at the Olympic Games (1996, 2000, 2004). The men's national team won gold at the Rio Olympics in 2016 and was crowned world champion in 2019 for the first time. Exceptional results, due in large part to the genius and best player in the world Mikkel Hansen.
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.
