Museum of Danish Resistance
Go underground in Churchillparken and follow five real Danes through occupation, resistance, collaboration and rescue in a powerful World War II museum experience.
Set just off Churchillparken near Copenhagen’s waterfront, the Museum of Danish Resistance plunges you underground into occupied Denmark between 1940 and 1945. Immersive, story-led exhibits follow five real people through dilemmas of resistance, collaboration and survival, weaving personal narratives with sabotage missions, clandestine printing, codebreaking and the dramatic rescue of Danish Jews. Thoughtful design, English-language displays and hands-on stations make complex wartime history vivid and accessible.
A brief summary to Museum of Danish Resistance
- Esplanaden 13, Copenhagen, Indre By, 1263, DK
- +4541206080
- Visit website
- Duration: 1 to 2.5 hours
- Mid ranged
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Indoor
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
- Tuesday 10 am-5 pm
- Wednesday 10 am-5 pm
- Thursday 10 am-5 pm
- Friday 10 am-5 pm
- Saturday 10 am-5 pm
- Sunday 10 am-5 pm
Local tips
- Plan at least 1.5–2 hours to follow the full storyline of the five historical characters without rushing the interactive elements and archival displays.
- Most information is available in both Danish and English; consider renting or purchasing supplementary material if you want deeper background on specific episodes.
- The exhibition is entirely underground but designed with ramps and relatively generous spaces; if you are sensitive to enclosed environments, allow extra time for breaks in the entrance pavilion or café.
- Combine your visit with a walk through Churchillparken and the nearby Citadel, Little Mermaid and Amalienborg area to place the museum’s stories in their wider city setting.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
Getting There
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City metro and short walk
From central Copenhagen, take the M3 or M4 metro to Marmorkirken Station, a ride of around 3–5 minutes from Kongens Nytorv, with frequent departures throughout the day. A level walk of roughly 10–15 minutes through the Frederiksstaden district brings you to Esplanaden 13 by Churchillparken. A single-zone adult metro ticket typically costs about 20–30 DKK, and all stations and trains on these lines are step-free, making this option well suited to visitors with mobility needs.
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S-train to Østerport and walk
Østerport Station is a major S-train and regional rail hub about 10–15 minutes’ walk from the museum through the park and waterfront area. From Copenhagen Central Station, S-train lines such as A, B or E usually reach Østerport in about 5–7 minutes, with standard tickets starting around 20–30 DKK for a single journey. Platforms are equipped with lifts, but older sections of the surrounding streets can include cobblestones, so allow extra time if you are using a wheelchair or stroller.
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Local bus from inner city
Several city bus routes run along streets close to Churchillparken from the inner city and harbour areas, with travel times typically between 10 and 20 minutes depending on traffic. Buses use the same zone-based ticketing as the metro and S-trains, with fares for short inner-city journeys usually around 20–30 DKK when bought via ticket machines or travel apps. Low-floor, ramp-equipped buses are standard, but they can be crowded at commuter times, so mid-morning and mid-afternoon tend to offer a more relaxed ride.
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Bicycle from central Copenhagen
Copenhagen’s dense network of cycle lanes makes biking from the city centre to the museum straightforward and scenic, typically taking 10–15 minutes at an easy pace. You can use one of the many city bike schemes or rent from a local shop, with daily rental prices often starting around 100–150 DKK depending on the type of bicycle. Remember that local cycling etiquette is fast and orderly, even in winter, so stay in marked lanes and allow a little extra time during wet or icy weather conditions.
Museum of Danish Resistance location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Rain / Wet Weather
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Cold Weather
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Mild Temperatures
Discover more about Museum of Danish Resistance
Underground stories from occupied Denmark
Beneath a discreet oval entrance pavilion in Churchillparken, the Museum of Danish Resistance unfolds as a fully subterranean world, mirroring the clandestine nature of the movement it portrays. As you descend, the light and soundscape shift, and you are drawn into Denmark’s uneasy years under German occupation from 1940 to 1945. The chronological exhibition traces how a small, neutral country was forced to confront questions of loyalty, compromise and defiance. Instead of broad overviews, the museum introduces five carefully chosen historical figures whose intertwined stories carry you through the galleries. Their backgrounds span political convictions and social roles, from communists and conservatives to a Danish Nazi collaborator and Jewish medical student. Through these individuals, sweeping events become intimate: decisions are a matter not just of strategy, but of family, conscience and fear.Everyday choices and the path to resistance
Early sections explore the tense prelude to occupation and the initial policy of accommodation with Germany. Rather than presenting resistance as inevitable, the museum lingers on hesitation, doubt and the desire for normality. Streetscapes, recreated interiors and audio testimonies reveal how censorship, shortages and surveillance seeped into daily life long before open confrontation broke out. Gradually, clandestine networks emerge. You see how illegal newspapers were written, printed and distributed, and how small acts of defiance—from discreet symbols to quiet refusals—prepared the ground for more organized sabotage. The exhibition’s design underscores ambiguity: the same corridor might hold both a secret printing press and the office of an informer, reminding you that choices were rarely clear-cut.Sabotage, repression and difficult compromises
As the narrative reaches the later war years, the atmosphere darkens. Exhibits on sabotage operations show home-made explosives, weapons and disguises alongside maps and photographs of targeted factories and rail lines. These displays emphasize both the courage involved and the harsh reprisals that followed, including executions, torture and deportation to concentration camps. The museum does not shy away from uncomfortable topics. One section addresses collaboration, exploring why some Danes cooperated with the occupiers and how opportunism, ideology and survival instincts could all play a role. Another examines the escalation of repression, from martial law to the death penalty, using personal belongings—coats, letters, identity papers—to convey the cost borne by individuals and families on all sides of the conflict.Rescue across the Øresund and Jewish experiences
A powerful part of the exhibition focuses on the dramatic rescue of most of Denmark’s Jewish population in October 1943. Here, the story of Abraham Steinbock, a Jewish medical student, becomes a narrative thread, set among displays of an authentic fishing boat of the type used to ferry people across the Øresund to neutral Sweden. The cramped vessel, paired with sound and light, gives a sense of the fear and urgency of those night crossings. This section situates the rescue within the broader context of Nazi persecution and Danish reactions to anti-Jewish measures. Archival material and multimedia installations illuminate the combination of resistance networks, sympathetic officials and ordinary citizens that enabled thousands to escape, while also acknowledging those who were arrested and deported. The emphasis remains on complexity rather than simple heroism.Interactive encounters with resistance work
Throughout the museum, carefully integrated interactive stations encourage you to engage with the material rather than simply observe it. You can try your hand at printing illegal magazines, listening for tapped phone conversations or decoding German messages, experiencing at a small scale the tension and ingenuity involved in underground work. These activities are framed within clear historical explanations, available in both Danish and English. The underground layout is spacious and gently ramped, improving accessibility while also reinforcing the feeling of moving through hidden routes beneath the city. Lighting and sound are controlled, with quieter corners where you can pause to absorb dense information. A modest café and shop in the above-ground pavilion provide space to reflect, linking this focused museum to the wider setting of Churchillparken, the nearby Citadel and Copenhagen’s royal waterfront.A contemporary space with a commemorative purpose
Rebuilt and reopened in 2020 after a fire destroyed the earlier museum, the current Museum of Danish Resistance combines minimalist architecture with an interpretive approach that stresses nuance over national myth. Owned by the National Museum of Denmark, it presents resistance not as a single heroic narrative, but as a spectrum of actions shaped by politics, morality and circumstance. The final galleries look beyond 1945, asking what resistance and occupation mean in a broader, modern context. Panels and installations explore how these years have been remembered in Danish society and how ideas forged in wartime—about democracy, responsibility and civil courage—continue to resonate. Stepping back into the daylight, you leave with a richer understanding of how a small occupied country wrestled with big questions, and how ordinary people navigated extraordinary times.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Horn mine
0.0 km
A disarmed World War II naval mine displayed in Churchill Park, turning a former weapon of the sea into a quiet reminder of conflict amid central Copenhagen’s greenery.
Our Fallen
0.1 km
A bronze tribute to World War II sacrifice, standing sentinel at Kastellet's gate since 1957.
I am Queen Mary
0.2 km
A powerful harborfront monument honoring rebel leader Mary Thomas, confronting Copenhagen’s colonial past beside the historic West Indian Warehouse.
Iver Huitfeldt Memorial
0.3 km
A towering tribute to Admiral Huitfeldt's heroic last stand at sea, crowned with Victory.
Larsens Pl.
0.4 km
Historic waterfront where Scandinavian dreams embarked for America, now a refined promenade of heritage and harbour views.
St. Paul's Church
0.6 km
Neo‑Romanesque red brick meets ochre-yellow naval housing at this calm parish church, giving Nyboder a quiet spiritual heart amid central Copenhagen.
Nyholm Central Guardhouse
0.6 km
Discover Aarhus’s Latin Quarter, where historic charm meets a lively cultural scene, bustling cafés, artisan shops, and rich Danish heritage in the city’s oldest district.
Maritime Monument
0.7 km
Honoring Denmark’s seafaring legacy, the Maritime Monument in Østerbro is a striking, evocative memorial nestled in the heart of Copenhagen’s leafy cityscape.
Hans Christian Andersen plaque
0.7 km
A modest plaque on elegant Amaliegade quietly marks Hans Christian Andersen’s presence amid the formal mansions and palace axis of Copenhagen’s Frederiksstaden.
Sankt Annæ Pl.
0.8 km
Historic square blending royal heritage, climate innovation, and urban livability in central Copenhagen.
The Kissing Stairs
0.8 km
Copenhagen's beloved waterfront amphitheatre where culture, community, and harbour views converge.
Ofelia Plads
0.8 km
Copenhagen's iconic waterfront plaza where culture, harbor views, and the famous kissing stairs meet the sea.
Bredgade 18
0.9 km
Explore the architectural elegance of Bredgade 18 in Copenhagen's historic Frederiksstaden district.
Nyhavn
1.0 km
Copenhagen's iconic 17th-century harbor where colorful townhouses, maritime history, and vibrant waterfront culture converge.
Nyhavnsbroen & Nyhavn
1.0 km
Copenhagen’s only Russian Orthodox church, famed for its golden onion domes, rich history, and unique architectural style rooted in Danish-Russian royal ties.
Unmissable attractions to see
St Alban's Church
0.1 km
Step into history and legend at Kronborg Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site famed as Hamlet’s ‘Elsinore,’ overlooking the spectacular Øresund Strait.
Gefion Fountain
0.2 km
Copenhagen’s creation myth cast in bronze, the Gefion Fountain hurls goddess, oxen and water into a powerful tableau beside the harbour and Churchillparken.
Designmuseum Danmark
0.3 km
Copenhagen’s temple of design, where rococo halls, iconic Danish chairs and a tranquil garden reveal how beautifully made objects shape everyday life.
ZinkGlobal by Kim Michael
0.3 km
A contemplative scrap-metal thinker on Copenhagen’s harborfront, ZinkGlobal fuses recycled machinery with big ideas about the future and our industrial past.
Bredgade Kunsthandel
0.3 km
Refined contemporary art gallery on Copenhagen’s Bredgade, where Danish and international works unfold in bright, minimalist rooms just steps from royal and design landmarks.
Medicinsk Museion
0.4 km
Historic surgical academy turned cutting‑edge medical museum, where preserved bodies, instruments and contemporary science exhibitions reveal how we understand health and disease.
Langelinieparken
0.4 km
Leafy waterfront lawns, sculptures and sea views where cruise ships, mythic fountains and Copenhagen’s Little Mermaid all meet along a single harbourfront walk.
Langelinie Park
0.4 km
Explore Denmark's first public museum, showcasing the neoclassical masterpieces of Bertel Thorvaldsen in the heart of Copenhagen.
Kastellet
0.4 km
Explore Rosenborg Castle, Copenhagen's Renaissance masterpiece housing Denmark's crown jewels and royal regalia.
Amaliegade
0.4 km
A stately Copenhagen street where Rococo townhouses, royal colonnades and diplomatic mansions line a calm axis through the heart of Frederiksstaden.
Langelinie Pavillonen
0.4 km
Experience modernist elegance and panoramic harbor views at Copenhagen's iconic Langelinie Pavillonen.
Kongeskibet Dannebrog
0.5 km
An elegant white royal yacht moored in Copenhagen’s harbour, Kongeskibet Dannebrog is a floating palace, naval vessel and living symbol of modern Danish monarchy.
Monument to Denmark's international activities after 1948
0.5 km
A quiet, contemporary memorial within Copenhagen’s star-shaped fortress, honoring Denmark’s post‑1948 international missions with flame, stone and thoughtful space.
St. Alexander Nevsky Church
0.5 km
Explore the evolution of design at Copenhagen's premier museum, housed in a historic rococo building.
Amalienborg Palace Museum
0.5 km
Step behind the facades of Copenhagen’s royal square to explore intimate apartments, glittering gala halls and Fabergé treasures at Amalienborg Palace Museum.
Essential places to dine
Kokkeriet
0.7 km
Intimate Michelin-starred townhouse in central Copenhagen, reimagining classic Danish cuisine as elegant modern tasting menus with curated wines and juices.
Aoc
0.7 km
Two Michelin stars of bold Nordic flavors in a historic 17th-century cellar.
Restaurant Rebel
0.8 km
Seasonal Danish produce meets French technique at this relaxed, MICHELIN-recommended bistro on Store Kongensgade, where an open kitchen and inventive plates define the mood.
Restaurant Vita
0.9 km
Historic Danish dining in a former royal pharmacy, serving traditional smørrebrød and national classics.
Restaurant Koefoed
0.9 km
Fine dining in a historic coal cellar celebrating Bornholm's culinary traditions and Danish gastronomy.
Den Lille Fede
0.9 km
Cosy, candlelit tasting-menu restaurant near Kongens Nytorv, where playful Nordic-inspired courses and thoughtful wine pairings turn dinner into an unhurried evening event.
La Banchina
0.9 km
Tiny blue harbour house on Refshaleøen blending seasonal pescatarian cooking, natural wines, sauna culture and swims into one uniquely Copenhagen experience.
Khun Juk
1.0 km
Refined Thai dining tucked into Copenhagen’s iconic Nyhavn, where candlelit tables, fresh flowers and layered flavors turn dinner into an intimate evening event.
Skipperkroen
1.0 km
Harbourfront smørrebrød and seafood in an 18th‑century Nyhavn house, pairing classic Danish flavours with canal views from cosy rooms and a lively terrace.
Cap Horn
1.0 km
Candlelit Nordic bistro in a historic Nyhavn townhouse, blending classic Danish seafood, canal views and cosy hygge from late morning to late evening.
Nyhavns Færgekro
1.0 km
Classic Danish cooking and a famed herring buffet in a cozy canal-side tavern, set within one of Nyhavn’s colorful townhouses overlooking Copenhagen’s historic harbor.
Goldfinch
1.0 km
Stylish Cantonese-inspired dining and cocktails on historic Kongens Nytorv, pairing shareable plates with a moody interior in the heart of Copenhagen.
Reffen - Skøjteøen
1.0 km
Copenhagen’s dynamic hub for global street food, creative pop-ups, and urban harbor vibes in a repurposed shipyard setting with a seasonal ice skating rink.
Veve
1.0 km
A destination for innovative, plant-based fine dining in Østerbro, where Nordic purity meets global flavors for an unforgettable vegetarian tasting menu experience.
Bistro Royal
1.0 km
Elegant all‑day French‑Danish bistro on Kongens Nytorv, pairing brasserie classics with prime people‑watching and a lively, chandelier‑lit atmosphere.
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
The Crown souvenir
0.1 km
Compact, colorful souvenir stop on elegant Amaliegade, perfect for picking up Danish flags, Little Mermaid trinkets and royal-themed keepsakes near Amalienborg.
Royal Souvenir Shop
0.6 km
Compact and colourful, Royal Souvenir Shop on Bredgade distils Copenhagen into easy‑to‑pack gifts, from royal guards and Vikings to flags, mugs and playful keepsakes.
Maritime Antiques &
0.9 km
Atmospheric basement shop near Nyhavn where genuine maritime antiques share space with heritage-inspired clothing and rugged knitwear in a cosy, ship-like setting.
The Wilde Shop
0.9 km
A boutique vintage shop in Indre By, Copenhagen bringing together handpicked retro clothing, sustainable fashion, and curated Scandinavian style in a welcoming setting.
Copenhagenglass
0.9 km
Intimate glassblowing studio and shop near Nyhavn, where Danish maritime-inspired designs and hands-on sessions turn molten glass into memorable Copenhagen souvenirs.
Zane
0.9 km
Intimate Copenhagen florist and design boutique on stylish Bredgade, blending seasonal blooms, Nordic homeware and thoughtful gifts in a cosy, lived-in space.
Copenhagen Souvenir & Design World of Memories
1.1 km
Denmark's largest souvenir chain with 14 locations offering over 2,000 authentic Danish keepsakes and contemporary design pieces.
Viking Souvenirs
1.1 km
Authentic Danish and Viking-themed souvenirs in Copenhagen's historic city center.
Danish Souvenirs & luggages
1.2 km
Central Strøget souvenir and luggage shop combining classic Danish mementos with practical travel gear, open long hours for convenient, last‑minute Copenhagen gifts.
Welcome Giftshop & Souvenirs
1.2 km
Central Copenhagen’s cosy hygge boutique for Danish design, classic souvenirs, and easy last-minute gifts just off bustling Kongens Nytorv square.
Storm - design art fashion
1.2 km
A pioneering Copenhagen concept store where avant-garde fashion, art, design objects and niche fragrances meet in a minimalist, gallery-like space on Store Regnegade.
Copenhagen Souvenir & Design
1.2 km
Denmark's premier souvenir destination offering authentic Danish heritage, contemporary design, and quality gifts across seven city-center locations.
Magasin du Nord
1.2 km
Copenhagen’s classic department store: historic architecture, Nordic style, gourmet treats and relaxed cafés gathered under one elegant roof on Kongens Nytorv.
Henrik Vibskov Boutique
1.2 km
Step off the cobblestones of Gammel Mønt into Henrik Vibskov’s offbeat fashion laboratory, where avant‑garde silhouettes, artful interiors and curated design collide.
Norse Projects
1.3 km
Scandi-cool flagship store pairing minimalist Nordic design with functional, all-season clothing in a calm, gallery-like space in central Copenhagen.
Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Black Swan
0.6 km
Craft-forward, cosy and unpretentious, Black Swan is Copenhagen’s inner-city local where rotating taps, serious cider and good conversation flow late into the night.
Aloha Beach Bar
1.0 km
Island-inspired cocktails, neon glow and late-night party vibes packed into a compact tropical bar just off Gothersgade in central Copenhagen.
Bar Deco
1.1 km
Intimate Art Deco–inspired cocktail bar near Kongens Nytorv, pairing crafted drinks with moody lighting and a relaxed, grown‑up Copenhagen atmosphere.
Brønnum
1.1 km
An opulent, multi‑room cocktail bar steps from Kongens Nytorv, where historic townhouse elegance meets contemporary mixology and candlelit late‑night conversation.
Balthazar
1.2 km
A luxurious Champagne bar at Hotel d’Angleterre, pairing an extensive bubbles list and crafted cocktails with velvet-luxe interiors and a lively DJ-backed ambience.
Trykbar
1.2 km
Cosy, central Copenhagen bar with a strong beer list, warm lighting and a laid-back, inclusive atmosphere that blends hygge with lively late-night energy.
1105
1.2 km
Intimate, dimly lit cocktail bar in Copenhagen’s 1105 postcode, pairing dark, elegant interiors with carefully crafted Nordic-inspired drinks and classic mixes.
TATA Cocktail Bar
1.2 km
A velvet-draped, fireplace-warmed cocktail hideaway inside Hotel Sanders, where classic mixology, Danish design and theatre-inspired charm blend seamlessly.
The Moose
1.2 km
Graffiti-plastered walls, infamous moose murals and cheap late-night beers make this smoky Indre By dive bar a gritty, unpolished slice of Copenhagen nightlife.
Charlie's Bar
1.3 km
Discover the enchanting atmosphere of Charlie's Bar, a cozy haven in Copenhagen offering a diverse drink selection and a vibrant local vibe.
Bo-Bi Bar
1.3 km
Experience the vibrant nightlife of Copenhagen at Bo-Bi Bar, where delightful drinks and a welcoming atmosphere await.
Gejser Bar
1.4 km
Craft cocktails and Mediterranean cuisine in Copenhagen's most welcoming sophisticated bar.
Balderdash
1.5 km
Copenhagen’s candlelit cocktail laboratory in a 1732 townhouse, where hygge, art and daring seasonal drinks turn a quiet side street into an unforgettable night out.
K-Bar
1.5 km
Intimate harbourfront cocktail den in central Copenhagen, known for monochrome style, inventive infusions and quietly confident classics poured with real care.
Bar'Vin
1.5 km
Discover the charm of Bar'Vin, a cozy restaurant and wine bar in Copenhagen, offering exquisite wines and delicious Danish cuisine.
Nightclubs & after hour spots
Culture Box
0.8 km
Discover the heartbeat of Copenhagen's nightlife at Culture Box, where music, art, and dance create an unforgettable experience.
Mini Bar
1.1 km
Discover the vibrant nightlife of Copenhagen at Mini Bar, a premier night club offering eclectic tunes and a lively atmosphere for unforgettable nights.
Lusso
1.1 km
A compact, high-end Copenhagen nightclub with champagne-forward table service, dim lighting and a stylish late-night crowd just steps from Kongens Nytorv.
The Zoo
1.2 km
Intimate late-night nightclub on Sværtegade in Copenhagen’s historic center, blending a compact dance floor, DJ-driven beats and a casual, social bar atmosphere.
Operaen
1.6 km
Compact harbourfront nightclub near Copenhagen’s modern opera house, mixing DJ-driven beats, local crowds and late-night energy by the inner-city waterfront.
Mirage
1.7 km
Dive into the electrifying nightlife at Mirage, Copenhagen's premier night club for an unforgettable evening of music, dancing, and entertainment.
Arch
1.7 km
Discover the vibrant nightlife of Copenhagen at Arch, a premier night club offering electrifying music and an unforgettable atmosphere.
Chateau Motel
1.8 km
Discover the lively nightlife of Copenhagen at Chateau Motel, a top destination for cocktails and dancing in a vibrant atmosphere.
Hive
1.8 km
Copenhagen's premier high-end nightclub with cutting-edge design, VIP service, and immersive themed experiences.
Rumors
1.8 km
Discover the heart of Copenhagen's nightlife at Rumors, where energetic vibes and unforgettable nights await you.
Mirror
1.8 km
Dive into the heart of Copenhagen's nightlife at Mirror, where the rhythm never stops and unforgettable memories are made.
La Terraza
1.9 km
Compact nightclub on Studiestræde in Copenhagen’s old town, offering loud beats, straightforward drinks and an unpretentious late-night dance floor.
Miami Bar
1.9 km
Discover Copenhagen's nightlife at Miami Bar, where cocktails and dancing create unforgettable nights in a vibrant atmosphere.
Zefside
1.9 km
Intimate cocktail den turned late-night dance spot, Zefside blends crafted drinks, DJ beats and canal-side charm in the heart of central Copenhagen.
Dorsia
2.0 km
Central Copenhagen nightclub with late‑night DJs, cocktails and an image‑conscious crowd packed into a dark, modern interior off busy Kattesundet.
For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Scenic
- Tranquil
- Unique
- Casual
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Minimalist Designs
- Modern Designs
For the architecture buff
- Modern
- Art & Design
- Landmarks
For the social media creator & influencer
- Photo Spots
- Architectural Shots
- Instagrammable
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Low Impact
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Day Trip
- Mindfulness
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Wheelchair Access
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
- Business Friendly
