Autumn in Denmark: What Should You Pack?

Denmark is one of those European countries that is worth visiting more than once. There are beautiful cities, plenty of places to shop, and of course all the food and pastries. For families, Legoland and Lego House in Billund are also two places that are hard to leave off the itinerary.

This time, we were going to visit both. We drove from the Netherlands and took the ferry to Denmark, which took around 45 minutes. The entire journey took us about nine hours.

This was the route we took:

Enschede → Hamburg → Lübeck → Puttgarden → ferry to Rødby → Copenhagen

We did not drive straight to Billund because Copenhagen was one city we did not want to miss while we were in Denmark. We decided to spend three days in Denmark and make Copenhagen part of the trip.

Copenhagen, Denmark

The weather in Denmark in October felt quite different from what we were used to in Enschede in the Netherlands.

Copenhagen was cooler, colder, and wetter than I had expected, although it was still comfortable enough for walking around as long as we wore the right clothes and shoes. If you are visiting Copenhagen around October, make sure you bring clothes that work well for autumn and choose your shoes according to what you plan to do.

We spent a lot of time walking around Copenhagen, a city that always feels classic and romantic to me. For this kind of trip, sneakers were definitely the most comfortable and sensible choice.

I was also interested in seeing what people in Copenhagen actually wore during autumn. If you are curious about autumn fashion in the city, I wrote about it separately in my article about autumn style in Copenhagen.

Quick Answer: What Should You Wear in Denmark in Autumn?

For an autumn trip to Denmark, I find layers much more flexible than relying on one thick coat. Bring a comfortable top, a sweater or fleece, and a jacket that can protect you from both wind and rain.

Comfortable shoes are also important, especially if you plan to walk a lot. A scarf, beanie, and gloves take up very little room in your luggage but can make a big difference when the wind starts to feel cold.

From Copenhagen to Nørre Nebel and Billund

Nørre Nebel and Billund, Denmark

After visiting different places and trying plenty of food and pastries in Copenhagen, we continued our journey by car towards Billund. The drive from Copenhagen to Billund takes around three hours.

While we stayed in an Airbnb in Copenhagen, this time we booked a holiday home at Landal Seawest, a holiday park in Nørre Nebel. It is around 70 kilometres from Legoland Billund, or approximately 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes by car.

We chose to stay there because we also wanted to enjoy the facilities at the holiday park, including playing and swimming, before or after our visits to Legoland and Lego House.

The temperature while we were in Nørre Nebel was around 9 to 12°C. For us, being used to the weather in the Netherlands, those temperatures did not sound particularly cold. But it was quite windy and it rained much of the time.

The temperature on the weather forecast did not really tell us how it would actually feel outside. Around Billund, the wind was quite strong, the sky was often cloudy, and it rained almost every day. It felt much colder than we had expected and colder than Copenhagen had felt to us.

Unlike in Copenhagen, wearing a sweater was no longer enough. We needed jackets as well. I even wore a bandana over my ears to keep them warm. A beanie would work too, with the added benefit of protecting your head and ears from the cold wind.

European weather can be difficult to predict, and looking at the temperature only is not enough. Wind, rain, how long you will be outside, and what you plan to do all make a difference. It is also worth considering which part of Denmark you will be visiting.

What Is Autumn Weather Like in Denmark?

Autumn in Denmark runs from September to November, with the weather gradually becoming colder, darker, and wetter. VisitDenmark describes autumn as a period when the weather tends to become rainier and cloudier. Denmark’s prevailing winds generally come from the west.

Denmark’s location surrounded by sea also helps moderate its climate. This is one reason temperatures are generally milder than some people might expect from a Scandinavian country.

That does not mean every autumn day will be cold and rainy. The weather can change, which is why clothes that can easily be adjusted throughout the day are practical.

September

September is the transition from summer into autumn. A light sweater or cardigan combined with a jacket that protects against wind and rain gives you enough flexibility for changing weather.

There is also still quite a lot of daylight. Around the middle of September, Copenhagen has approximately 12 hours and 45 minutes between sunrise and sunset.

October

By October, wind and rain need a little more consideration. For a city trip, a sweater, waterproof jacket, long trousers, and comfortable shoes are practical choices.

If Legoland Billund is part of your trip, a scarf, beanie, and light gloves are also worth packing. They take up very little room and you do not have to wear them if the day turns out to be warmer.

Around the middle of October, Copenhagen has approximately 10.5 hours between sunrise and sunset.

November

By November, Denmark is getting closer to winter. Warmer layers become more useful, along with a beanie, gloves, and scarf.

Around the middle of November, Copenhagen has just over eight hours between sunrise and sunset.

The shorter daylight hours are also worth considering when planning an itinerary. I prefer to use the daylight for outdoor activities and leave museums, shops, restaurants, and other indoor places for later in the afternoon or evening.

What Should You Wear in Denmark in Autumn?

Instead of filling the suitcase with lots of thick clothes, I find it more practical to wear several layers that can easily be added or removed.

The first layer can simply be a comfortable T-shirt or long-sleeved top. A sweater, cardigan, or fleece can then provide extra warmth without being difficult to remove when you no longer need it.

For me, the outer layer is actually the most important. I would prioritise a jacket that protects against wind and rain rather than simply choosing one because it looks thick and warm.

A jacket with a hood is also very practical when wind and rain arrive at the same time.

Dressing this way is more comfortable when moving between the outdoors and warm cafes, restaurants, museums, shops, or indoor attractions. You can simply take off your jacket or sweater instead of feeling too warm indoors.

Shoes for Autumn in Denmark

I still recommend bringing two pairs of shoes for a trip lasting several days.

Not because you need different shoes for different outfits, but because one pair might get wet and still not be completely dry the next morning.

In Copenhagen, comfortable sneakers or walking shoes were very useful because we walked a lot. Comfortable footwear is just as important when spending time at Legoland or Lego House.

If the weather forecast shows plenty of rain, water-resistant or waterproof shoes will be more practical.

High heels can of course come along for dinner or a particular occasion, but I would not use them as my main shoes for sightseeing.

Jacket or Umbrella?

I still bring a small umbrella for a city trip, but I would not rely on it as my only protection from the rain.

Strong wind can make an umbrella difficult to use. A waterproof jacket with a hood is much more practical, particularly when you are going to be outside for a long time.

If your jacket is not waterproof, a lightweight raincoat that folds down small is another option.

What Should You Wear to Legoland Billund in Autumn?

Spending an entire day at Legoland is different from walking around Copenhagen for a few hours.

At Legoland, you are outside for much longer and you are not constantly moving. Sometimes you have to stand in a queue, sit on a ride, or wait while the children decide what they want to do next. Some rides can also leave your clothes wet.

For that reason, I pay more attention to protection from wind and rain when going to Legoland. We wore comfortable tops, sweaters or fleeces, jackets, long trousers, and comfortable walking shoes.

I also put a spare pair of socks in the bag. This small things can be very useful if your shoes or socks get wet halfway through the day.

Layers are also easier for children because their activity levels can change quickly. They may be running around and feeling warm one minute, then standing still in a queue soon afterwards. If heavy rain is forecast, lightweight waterproof trousers can also be useful for younger children.

Travelling During Denmark’s Autumn School Holiday

If you are planning a family trip in October, it is worth checking the Danish school calendar.

The autumn school holiday usually falls around the middle of October, although the exact dates can vary. It is better to check the dates for the year you are travelling rather than assuming they will always be the same.

This is particularly worth considering if Legoland or Lego House is one of the main reasons for your trip.

Legoland Billund also usually has a Halloween season in October. The dates and opening days change from year to year, so I recommend checking the official Legoland calendar before booking your trip.

Choosing Where to Stay for a Legoland Trip

If Legoland is the main reason for visiting Billund, the distance from your accommodation is one of the things worth considering.

We chose Landal Seawest in Nørre Nebel because we wanted to combine our visits to Legoland and Lego House with some time relaxing at the holiday park.

When comparing family accommodation, I would consider the distance from Legoland, parking facilities, whether there are facilities for preparing food, and the sleeping rooms.

Autumn Packing List for Denmark

For your Legoland bag

• spare socks
• spare trousers for younger children
• one extra layer
• lightweight raincoat if needed
• a bag for wet clothes

This does not mean you need to wear everything at once. The point of the packing list is simply to have enough options to adjust what you are wearing to the weather and your plans for the day.

Frequently Asked Questions

What I Learned From an Autumn Trip to Denmark

Copenhagen and Billund were part of the same family trip, but the clothes that felt comfortable while we were walking around Copenhagen did not feel quite enough when we faced the wind and rain around Billund.

If I were making the same trip again, I would not fill our suitcases with much thicker clothes. I would pay more attention to layering, choose jackets that could handle both wind and rain, bring two practical pairs of shoes, and keep a few small things such as spare socks, scarves, beanies, and gloves within easy reach.

For me, this is a much more practical way to prepare for autumn in Denmark. We can still enjoy the good-weather days without carrying too many clothes, while being prepared enough when the Danish wind, rain, and colder weather arrive.

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