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Travel Advisory June 7, 2023

Kingdom of denmark - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Reissued after periodic review with minor edits.

Exercise increased caution in the Kingdom of Denmark due to  terrorism .

Country Summary: Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in the Kingdom of Denmark. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas.

Read the  country information page for additional information on travel to the Kingdom of Denmark which includes the Faroe Islands and Greenland.

If you decide to travel to the Kingdom of Denmark:   

• Be aware of your surroundings when traveling to tourist locations and crowded public venues.
• Follow the instructions of local authorities.
• Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter . 
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Denmark.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

Embassy Messages

No current Alerts.

Quick Facts

10,000 Euros (or equivalent)

Embassies and Consulates

U.S. Embassy Copenhagen

Dag Hammarskjölds Allé 24 2100 Copenhagen Denmark

Telephone: +(45) 3341-7100

Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(45) 3341-7400

Fax: +(45) 3538-9616

[email protected]

U.S. Consulate Nuuk

Postboks Nr. 552 Kujallerpaat 1 Nuuk 3900, Greenland

Telephone: +(45) 3341-7100 

Emergency After-hours Telephone: +45 3341-7400

Fax: +(45) 3538-9616

Destination Description

Learn about the U.S. relationship to countries around the world.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

Denmark is a party to the  Schengen Agreement . Visit the  U.S. Embassy  website for the most current visa information.

• Passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your stay.  For additional details about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see our  Schengen fact sheet .
• You may enter  Denmark for up to  90 days for tourist purposes  without a visa.
• Further useful information, in English and Danish, can be found on the  Danish Immigration Service website .
• If you are a  student or prospective student , your student visa allows you to enter 30 days prior to the start of your program and remain for 14 days after the end of your program. More detailed information is available on the  Danish Immigration Service website .
• Greenland and the Faroe Islands  are not party to the Schengen Agreement; however, you may travel to either location for 90 days for business or tourism purposes without a visa.
• Residence and work permits issued exclusively for Greenland or the Faroe Islands are not valid for travel to Schengen countries.

Traveling Through Europe : If you are planning to visit or travel through European countries, you should be familiar with the requirements of the Schengen Agreement . 

• Your passport should be valid for  at least six months beyond the period of stay.  If you plan on transiting a Schengen country review our  U.S. Travelers in Europe page .   
• You will need s ufficient proof of funds  and a  return plane ticket . 
• For additional information about visas for the Schengen area, see the  Schengen Visa page.

HIV/AIDS Restrictions: The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Denmark.

Dual Nationality: As of September 1, 2015, Denmark allows the acquisition of dual citizenship.

Find information on  dual nationality,   prevention of international child abduction  and  customs regulations  on our websites.

Safety and Security

Terrorism: Credible information indicates terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Europe. European governments are taking action to guard against terrorist attacks; however, all European countries remain potentially vulnerable to attacks from transnational terrorist organizations.  Terrorists are increasingly using less sophisticated methods of attack - including knives, firearms, and vehicles – to more effectively target crowds. Frequently, their aim is unprotected or vulnerable targets, such as:

• High-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.)
• Hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by tourists
• Places of worship
• Shopping malls and markets
• Public transportation systems (including subways, buses, trains, and scheduled commercial flights) 

For more information, see our  Terrorism  page. 

Crime: Organized crime groups operate in Denmark, including in and around Copenhagen. Travelers should be aware of their surroundings and immediately leave the area if they feel threatened. In response to crime, police may establish “Search Zones” (“visitationszoner” in Danish) and stop and search individuals. 

Pickpockets  and  purse-snatchers  operate aggressively in areas frequented by tourists, as well as on trains and buses, and at transit stations, including Copenhagen Central Station, Copenhagen Airport, and cruise ship quays. Do not place any bags containing valuables, such as your passport or credit cards, on the ground or on the back of a chair in public places, such as restaurants, bars, and cafes.  Watch your laptop and mobile devices, which are particularly desirable to thieves. U.S. citizens are encouraged to review the  OSAC Crime and Safety Report  for more information on crime in the Kingdom of Denmark.

When traveling or living in the Kingdom of Denmark, you should:

• Be aware of the local security situation and take appropriate steps to bolster your personal security.
• Monitor media and local information sources , and factor updated information into personal travel plans and activities.
• Address specific safety concerns to Danish law enforcement authorities who have responsibility for the safety and security of all residents and visitors.
• Exercise caution if in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations.
• If stopped by the police, cooperate and be prepared to present identification.

Freetown Christiania , located in the Christianshavn area of Copenhagen, is known for  illicit drug activity . Drug enforcement efforts have resulted in clashes between the police and Christiania residents.  Christiania residents have imposed a strict no-photography policy; tourists have been  assaulted  and  robbed  for taking pictures. Police and emergency services are limited in Christiania.

Demonstrations  occur regularly in Denmark. They may take place in response to political or economic issues, on holidays, or during international events. 

• Demonstrations can be unpredictable, avoid areas around protests and demonstrations. 

Bear in mind that large public gatherings can affect transportation arteries in the city.

• Monitor local media for updates and traffic advisories. 

International Financial Scams: See the  Department of State  and the  FBI  pages for information on scams.

Victims of Crime:  Report crimes to the  local police  at  112  and contact the  U.S. Embassy  at  +45 3341-7100  or  +45 3341-7400  for after-hours assistance. For non-life threatening situations, individuals in the greater Copenhagen area may dial 1813 to reach an urgent medical helpline. Local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes.

See our webpage on  help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

• help you find appropriate medical care
• assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• provide a list of local attorneys
• provide our information on  victim’s compensation programs in the United States
• provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
• help you find accommodation and arrange flights home in cases of destitution
• replace a stolen or lost passport

Victim Compensation Program: Denmark has a program to provide financial compensation to victims who suffer serious injuries due to crime.

• A police report must be filed within 72 hours.
• Local police or the  Danish Criminal Injuries Compensation Board  can provide the forms to file for compensation.
• Processing time can vary from  one to three months  to receive compensation.
• More information about compensation payments to victims of serious crime is available at the  Compensation Board’s website.
• If you are victim of crime in Greenland or the Faroe Islands , please contact the Embassy at  +45 3341-7100  or  +45 3341-7400  (after hours) for further assistance.

Domestic Violence:  U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance. Domestic violence victims are also encouraged to file a police report with local law enforcement at 112.

Tourism:  The tourism industry is regulated and rules with regard to best practices and safety inspections are enforced. Hazardous areas/activities are identified with appropriate signage and professional staff is typically on hand in support of organized activities. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is widely available throughout the country. Outside of a major metropolitan center, it may take more time for first responders and medical professionals to stabilize a patient and provide life-saving assistance. This is especially true in Greenland – a semi-autonomous, self-governing part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Greenland is vast and remote, and the weather can be unpredictable, making it especially difficult for first responders to access areas. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance . 

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties:   You are subject to local laws . If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.

Furthermore,  some laws are also prosecutable in the U.S. , regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on  crimes against minors abroad  and the  Department of Justice  website.

Arrest Notification:  If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our  webpage  for further information.

• Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.
• Driving under the influence may lead to confiscation of your driver’s license and could land you immediately in jail.
• Possession of dangerous weapons, including pocketknives, may result in criminal penalties.
• Your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution if you break the law in the Kingdom of Denmark.

Danish Compulsory Military Service: All male citizens 18 years of age and resident in Denmark must participate in a military draft. Conscription periods vary from four to 12 months, according to specialization.

Greenland: Special Circumstances

Removal of Natural Resources:

• Greenland has  strict laws  regarding removal of natural resources, including any precious and semi-precious metals, stones, and gemstones. Check with local authorities before attempting to extract or export any of these materials.

Cruise Ship Travel: If you are considering travel on cruise ships near Greenland, you should:

• Be aware that search and rescue capabilities are restricted due to limited capacity and long distances between populated areas.
• Check the operational records and the experience of captains and crews operating vessels in Arctic waters when selecting cruises off the shores of Greenland.

Greenland by Land: Greenland’s landscape is vast and remote. Periods of darkness, extreme temperatures, and fast-changing weather are common.

• You should use experienced guides.
• Official permission is required  for travel into the huge Northeast Greenland National Park or for treks across the central ice fields. Check with your tour operator to make sure that the company has received the necessary permission for such trips.
• Persons unfamiliar with the area can become disoriented easily and risk long-term exposure to the elements.
• Greenland mountains are of moderate altitude but are technically difficult. You should be familiar with ascent and descent routes.
• Local authorities will rescue individuals in difficulty, but land search and rescue capabilities are limited and subject to weather restrictions.
• You may be billed for the cost of rescue services.
• For more information about traveling to Greenland please visit  Greenland Tourism .

Faith-Based Travelers:  See our following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report  – see country reports
• Human Rights Report  – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTI Travelers:  There are  no legal restrictions  on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTQI+ events in the Kingdom of Denmark.

See our  LGBTQI+ Travel Information  page and section six of our  Human Rights report  for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance:  Danish law  prohibits discrimination  against persons with physical and mental disabilities in employment, education, and access to health care or other state services. In addition:

• Danish law mandates access to buildings, education, information, and communications for persons with disabilities.
• Public transportation can accommodate persons with disabilities, but many buildings and outdoor sites are not easily accessible for the disabled.
• Accessibility information is available at  Visit Denmark .

Students:  See our  Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers:  See our travel tips for  Women Travelers .

Excellent medical facilities are widely available in Denmark. Hospitals are modern and fully equipped. Medical facilities in Greenland and the Faroe Islands are limited, and evacuation is required for serious illness or injury.

For emergency services in the Kingdom of Denmark, dial 112.

• Emergency medical treatment may be free of charge; however, the patient is charged for follow-up care.
• In Denmark, you must call in advance to be admitted to an emergency room for immediate treatment for nonlife-threatening emergencies. If you show up at an emergency room unannounced you may be turned away. Dial 1813 to speak to the national medical helpline, staffed by physicians and nurses, who will determine which emergency room or clinic you should go to for care and coordinate an appointment for you.
• Ambulance services are widely available throughout Denmark but are limited in Greenland and the Faroe Islands.

We do not pay medical bills.   Be aware that U.S. Medicare does not apply overseas.  

Medical Insurance:  Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance coverage overseas. Visit the  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.

We strongly recommend  supplemental insurance  to cover medical evacuation.

If traveling with  prescription medication , check with the  government of Denmark  to ensure the medication is legal in the Kingdom of Denmark. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. 

Vaccinations:  Be up-to-date on all  vaccinations  recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

World Health Organization

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC)

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety:  Danish roads are of high quality and connect all areas of the country.

• Driving in the Kingdom of Denmark is on the right side of the road.
• Road signs use standard international symbols.
• Many urban streets have traffic lanes reserved for public transport only.
• Bicycles are widely used in Denmark, and bike lanes are very common.
• Bicycles have the right-of-way.  Many accidents occur when pedestrians and vehicles fail to give the right-of-way to bicycles.

Greenland has no established road system between towns.  Most domestic travel is by foot, boat, or air.

The majority of the  Faroe Islands  are interconnected by roads and tunnels, and boats. On the large islands even small hamlets are generally accessible by road. Travel on the smaller islands is mostly done on foot.

Traffic Laws:

• You must be 18 years of age to drive a car in the Kingdom of Denmark.
• Your U.S. state’s driver’s license is acceptable in the Kingdom of Denmark for up to 90 days.
• Long-term residents must obtain a valid Danish driver’s license.
• In Denmark, the speed limit is 50 km/h in urban areas, 80 km/h on open roads, and 130km/h on expressway, unless otherwise noted on traffic signs.
• You must use your seat belt  while driving in a vehicle.
• Children  between 3-12 years of age or under 36kg and/or 135 cm in height must be in a  car seat .
• Driving any vehicle, including a bicycle,  under the influence of alcohol or drugs  is considered a very serious offense. 
• It is  illegal  to make a  right turn on a red  light in the Kingdom of Denmark.
• It is  illegal  to use a  hand-held cell phone  while driving.
• Laws are strictly enforced and violations can result in  high fines  and  jail sentences .

Public Transportation: Denmark has an extensive and efficient public transportation system. Trains, buses, and ferries connect Copenhagen with other major cities in Denmark and with Norway, Sweden, Poland, and Germany. There are municipal bus services in large Greenlandic towns, but service times vary and are posted only in Danish and Greenlandic. Consider travel on foot or by cab.

See our  road safety page  for more information. Also, we suggest that you visit  Visit Denmark  and Denmark’s  Ministry of Transport  for more information.

Aviation Safety Oversight:  The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of Denmark’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Denmark’s air carrier operations.  Further information may be found on the  FAA’s safety assessment page .

Maritime Travel:  Mariners planning travel to the Kingdom of Denmark should also check for  U.S. maritime advisories and alerts .  Information may also be posted to the  U.S. Coast Guard homeport website , and the  NGA broadcast warnings  (select “broadcast warnings”).

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Denmark .  For additional IPCA-related information, please see the  International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA )  report.

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TRAVEL PLANNING , TRAVEL TIPS · March 4, 2019 Last Updated on March 10, 2024

DK EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDES: 8 REASONS TO USE A TRAVEL GUIDE

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We may receive a small commission when you make a purchase using our link.

As you scroll through Instagram, look at pictures on your iPad or read something on your Kindle – do you ever get the overwhelming desire to hold something physical in your hands? A photograph, a book and sketch? Well I certainly do! My first real ‘exotic’ trip was to Egypt when I was 18, and then after University I went on a gap year travelling through Southeast Asia.

It was 2003, long before the days of iPhones and Snapchat, and you didn’t take a mobile phone with you. You might drop into an internet cafe once a month to let your Mum know you were alive and you certainly didn’t plan your trip by pinning must see Instagram spots! Instead, you looked at physical guide books, packed with all the information that you needed to go on your trip, booked a ticket and went on an adventure.

Despite the digital options available to us these days, I am not ready to let go of that way of travel yet and I still love planning my trip with a physical guide book, like my collection of DK Eyewitness Travel Guides . I wanted to share 8 reasons why I love using a travel guide and you should too!

1) THEY MAKE ME FEEL NOSTALGIC, IN A GOOD WAY! 

I miss the way that I used to travel. I have so many stories of things that we did when I was backpacking that we probably would not have done had we had easy access to the internet to solve a travel problem. When I first travelled, we looked at our physical guidebook, read the bus times and trusted it. When we arrived in a new destination, we read the reviews of all the hostels and then walked around and found them. At dinner time, we would check the guide to discover the recommended places to eat. And for activities, of course we planned almost everything based on what was listed as the top things to do in the city or town we were in. It was simple way to travel, less choices and more adventures!

A few things I did because a guide book told me to:

• Travelled about an hour across town in Phnom Penh, Cambodia to find what was detailed as the best banana cake in town. It was!
• Trusted that a bus would arrive mid way between Vientiane and Phonsavan, Laos at a specific time (in the middle of nowhere) and whilst waiting joined a local wedding in a random tiny village we got dropped off at. Surprisingly, the bus did come at the time the book said! 
• Ate the best pizza in Florence, but had to wait a very long time to get my hands on it – because it truly was the best pizza and the place was packed.

2) YOU CAN FIND ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED IN ONE PLACE

Tired of scouring several websites, blogs and magazines to plan your trip? Yep, me too! Using a guide book gives you all the information that you need in one place. The DK Eyewitness Travel Guides contain information to inspire whilst you are thinking about booking your trip, details such as best time to visit to plan your trip, in depth knowledge of the country and city to help you discover the very best it has to offer and finally all of the on the ground information you need to fully experience the destination. With the DK Eyewitness Travel Guides you will find maps, suggested itineraries, history, facts, best places to stay, eat and drink, top activities and so much more. Guaranteed you will only need one book to plan your itinerary, but if you need more of course they have you covered and have the official websites for their recommendations included in each book.

3) GET BITE SIZE PIECES OF INFORMATION ABOUT EACH PLACE

I like to research a place before I visit, but often I get overwhelmed by the information and history available. In a guide book, you get a few sentences introducing a town, what it’s famous for and the must do activities. In the DK Eyewitness Travel Guides throughout the books you get little snippets of history or facts that you might otherwise not discover. I really enjoy having smaller bits of key information instead of getting lost for 3 hours on Wikipedia somehow learning about the different grain techniques used to make bread. The guidebooks give you what you need so you can go on and enjoy your trip!

4) IT’S EASY TO PLAN YOUR TRIP AND HIGHLIGHT THINGS YOU WANT TO DO 

Each DK Travel Guide contains perfectly laid out itineraries for the entire country, including must see stops and restaurants. With the amount of information on the Internet today it’s easy to get overwhelmed and try to cram too many stops or activities into a trip. Using the guidebook, you can lookup a great itinerary based on how much time you have to spend in the country. There’s also a year long calendar of events in each guide so you can plan for those unique seasonal experiences!

5) YOU DON’T NEED TO WORRY ABOUT GETTING ACCESS TO WIFI TO LOOK SOMETHING UP

Ever got lost in a city, pulled out your phone and realised you don’t have WiFi to quickly access a map or search for a nearby spot to have lunch? I am pretty sure the answer is yes. This has happened to me on countless occasions and frustratedly leads you to pick whatever place is closest and probably not the best to eat. Having a guide book eliminates this need for WiFi, and the side benefit is you will be able to fully immerse yourself in the destination that you are visiting by not checking your phone every 4 minutes. 

6) YOU CAN WRITE NOTES IN THE BOOKS

I like to highlight the things I want to see, and write notes before, during and after a trip in the book. I make sure to fold down the pages of specific activities, sights or restaurants I want to go to and then I note them all down on the map. I am a big fan of creating my own walking tour in a city, by jotting down all the locations on the map and then planning an optimal route to see everything. This is much easier in a physical book, and really helps to feel like you are making memories about the destination you are in.

7) REAL EXPERTS HAVE WRITTEN THEM

Whilst blogs (like this one!) and online guides are a great way to plan your trip, they are typically from one person’s point of view. The blog author may have some great recommendations, but chances are they were only in that place for a few days and tried a handful of activities, restaurants and maybe just one hotel.

A DK Eyewitness Travel Guides gives you so much more than that. Each of the books is created by a full team of travel experts who have spent time in the country and have worked hard to curate the best travel tips and advice for the area. Carrying the book with you is like having your own personal tour guide wherever you go!

8) I HAVE SOMETHING TO LOOK BACK AT LATER

I used to keep journals when I travelled and collected ticket stubs, postcards and other paper items to stick into the journal. I love to have something to look back at to remind me of a destination that I visited and what I saw when I was there. I no longer keep a journal, but I do keep all of my travel guides! They are great if I go back to the same destination or if someone asks me about a specific spot I visited or restaurant I loved, so I can quickly look back at the guide book and remind myself. Plus I like to have a collection of travel books on my bookshelf or to loan out to friends!

WHY DO I LOVE DK EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDES SO MUCH? 

I have given you my personal reasons for favouring using a traditional guide book, but why do I love the DK Eyewitness Travel Guides so much? Well, first of all they are from England and being British I do love to support some home grown companies! But seriously, I love these books for a few reasons. The Eyewitness Guides are packed with information, but also a manageable size, unlike some other guidebooks which are just too big to carry around with you for the day. Each city guide comes with a handy map at the back which you can pull out and mark up your walking route, which is especially great in cities. The guides are in colour, with photos and sketches. As an artist myself, I work visually and I like to easily be able to pick out my top things to do in a destination by seeing an inspiring photo in a book. Finally, I’ve found all the tips in the guides to be perfectly aligned with what I want to see and do, and there are recommendations for every type of traveller.

In today’s modern world it’s easy to get caught up in moving as fast as possible, but I can’t begin to tell you how nice it feels to slow down with a physical guide book and a good cup of tea while planning my next trip!

We hope that this article has inspired you buy some travel guides to plan your next vacation. If you have any questions about the destination or have your own travel tips to share please leave these in the comments below.

Want to share your own travel tips by guest writing for We Are Travel Girls? Please visit our Contribute page for guidelines and to submit your article.

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We Are Travel Girls Founder Becky van Dijk of  BeckyvanDijk.com Connect with Becky  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram  |  Pinterest  |  YouTube

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This article is part of a promotional partnership with DK Books. As with any recommendations we personally make on this website we have used and loved the Eyewitness Travel Guides and recommend them based on our personal experience. 

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Tilly Jaye Horseman says

March 6, 2019 at 6:30 am

The DK Eyewitness Guides are my favourite travel guides too! I have so many on my shelves and don’t travel without them (assuming there’s one for the area I’m in of course!) can’t beat them in comparison to any other guide. I am an artist too, so probably like them for the same reasons you do – they are so visual and eye catching! Love their layout!

March 9, 2019 at 3:00 am

Really trustworthy blog. Please keep updating with great posts like this one. I have booked marked your site and am about to email it to a few friends of mine that I know would enjoy reading.

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The Best Travel Guide Books For Every Destination

• Post last modified: May 14, 2023
• Post category: Resources / Travel Tips

We love using travel guide books to plan our trips. They contain great information like itineraries, “best of” lists and more! They are created by experts and locals that want to highlight every location. So let the authors do some work for you and help you plan your upcoming trip.

But how do you find the best travel guide book for every location? Here we’ll share some of our general thoughts on some of the top travel guidebooks as well as a list of our favorite books for each location.  

You may wonder how we know what the best travel guide book for each location is. Well, we’ve tried them all. We use our local library, check out all the guidebooks that are easily found in the USA, and choose the best for our trip style. You can do this too. But if you don’t have time for a library visit and only want to buy one book, keep reading. We think that if you like some of our itineraries and travel lists, we’re sure you’ll like our favorite travel guide books as well. So let us do the work for you and choose the best travel guide books for your upcoming travel destination!

DK Eyewitness

DK Eyewitness travel guides are short, succinct and visually appealing. They provide lots of “Top 10” lists and are generally great for trips that are short and focus very closely on one area. We love using DK Eyewitness travel guides for large cities.

Insight Guides

Insight Guides are great if you’re looking to understand the culture and history of an area you’re going to travel to. They do a great job of relating this information to your travels. However, these guides fall short in actual information that will help you plan what to do in a particular area.  

Footprint Guides

Footprint Guides are incredibly detailed and specialized. They focus on Central and South America and are chuck full of information. That being said, they are hard to scan for the information you’re looking for. So if you want all the information and you don’t mind reading the whole book, these are for you. If you’d like something more visual and easy to scan, skip them.

Lonely Planet

The Lonely Planet travel series may be one of the most recognized names in the travel guide book game. And for good reason. Lonely Planet does a great job helping to plan large overland trips to a wide geographic region, such as a country or a group of countries/regions. Lonely planet itineraries tend to be faster paced than other guidebooks and therefore include more. We love the Lonely Planet Best Trips series as they provide great information for roadtrippers.  

Moon is excellent for smaller geographic regions, like states or territories. They focus heavily on North American locations and provide enough information and detail to spend a week in one of these smaller locations. They’re also great for providing information on the popular destinations as well as top things to do at lesser know destinations. We love Moon for their road trip and hiking series and their general adventure/active travel focus

Rick Steves

Rick Steves does an excellent job creating guidebooks for popular European destinations. These guides are great for folks wanting to visit all of the top attractions a destination offer. However, these guides do fall short in helping people plan more adventurous and outdoorsy activities. However, definitely rely on their itineraries for populous European destination. 

Rough Guides

Rough Guides are similar to Lonely Planet in that they offer great information on larger geographic regions. So these are also great if you’re planning a larger trip or a road trip. Our favorite feature of these books is that they tell you what NOT to do in addition to giving you advice on what to do.  

Best Travel Guide Books by Location

Caribbean – Lonely Planet Caribbean Islands

• Belize – Fodor’s Belize
• Jamaica – Lonely Planet Jamaica 
• Puerto Rico – Fodor’s Puerto Rico
• Virgin Islands – There is nothing good that is still in print – my favorite is Moon but it’s old 
• Iceland – Moon Iceland
• London – DK Eyewitness Travel London
• Australia – Lonely Planet best trips Australia

North America

• Maine – Lonely Planet Maine and Arcadia
• New Hampshire – Fodor’s Maine, Vermont & New Hampshire
• New York – Moon New York State
• Vermont – Fodor’s Maine, Vermont & New Hampshire
• Florida – Fodor’s Florida
• Michigan – Moon’s Michigan
• Minnesota – I don’t like any of them 🙁 
• North Dakota – there isn’t one 🙁 
• Wisconsin – Moon Wisconsin
• Wyoming – Moon Yellowstone and Grand Teton – Or Moon Wyoming if you actually want to visit the whole state and have LOTS of time
• Arizona – Fodor’s Arizona and the Grand Canyon
• California – Lonely Planet California’s Best Trips
• Nevada – Fodor’s Best of Las Vegas
• Utah – Moon’s Utah
• Washington – Moon Pacific Northwest Road Trip – This does focus mainly on the Western part of the state

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• Truckee, California, is perhaps one of the best mountain towns to live in for hiking; it offers scenic hikes like the China Cove Trail Loop near Donner Lake, with a quaint downtown area.
• Those wondering where to live for hiking year-round will adore Stowe, Vermont, a beautiful New England mountain town with access to stunning trails like Bingham Falls Trail at Smugglers' Notch.
• Ouray, Colorado, the "Switzerland of America," presents year-round hikes like the popular Ouray Perimeter Trail.

Throughout history, majestic mountains have always evoked a sense of wonder, awe, and reverence among humanity. Although mountains were only accessible to a few people in ancient times as some were sacred, today, with the growth and popularity of mountain towns, they are now playgrounds for nature lovers. Thanks to the many livable hiking towns in America , avid hikers have no shortage of incredible places to live in and marvel at the country’s mountainous landscapes through hiking.

Each town’s proximity to world-renowned mountains and forested areas gives hikers access to hundreds of hiking trails waiting to be explored. Aside from the stunning trails, mountain towns also have vibrant communities, and the modernity people need for an enriching life. From US mountain towns that look like Europe’s Alps to those with spectacular scenery in the fall, here are several perfect mountain towns to live in for hikers, where every trail leads to new discoveries.

7 Affordable Small Towns To Retire With Mountain Views

Truckee, california, popular hiking areas: donner memorial state park , truckee river regional park , tahoe donner trails.

Although known as one of the USA’s snowiest towns and for its logging history, Truckee is also a livable mountain town with scenic hiking trails worth exploring. Donner Memorial State Park is one of the town’s top hiking spots, with a majestic hike like the 3.4-mile China Cove Trail Loop . Rated easy, this trail takes about an hour to complete, as it leads to the spectacular Donner Lake before hikers return through a wooded area.

During winter, the town turns into a winter wonderland with perfect powder for skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing. As such, hikers have thrilling adventures to try out throughout the seasons. Hikers also get lost in Truckee’s quaint charm in its downtown, packed with cozy stores, gift shops, and restaurants like Truckee Tavern & Grill , a local’s favorite.

Stowe, Vermont

Popular hiking areas: smugglers' notch state park , putnam (c.c.) state forest , cady hill forest , mt. mansfield state forest.

Stowe, a four-season destination known to be one of the most beautiful places to live in New England , is another incredible mountain town with spectacular trails. Avid hikers who choose Stowe as their home can have their fill in different natural spaces in and surrounding the town.

Top spots include Smugglers' Notch State Park , home to the stunning Bingham Falls Trail, or the Stowe Pinnacle Trail located in Putnam (C.C.) State Forest , all exposing the beauty of the surrounding mountains and lush forests.

Living in Stowe also means having access to a serene main street where people stroll through different shops and cozy restaurants. Stowe Visitor Information Center is another valuable spot with recommendations for things to do or places to dine and shop.

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Gatlinburg, tennessee, popular hiking areas: great smoky mountains national park (offers access to hundreds of highly-rated hiking trails).

With approximately 103 top hikes in Gatlinburg , this mountain town is the ultimate destination for avid hikers. It’s one of the popular getaways to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, home to some of the area's best hiking trails with incredible AllTrails ratings .

Experienced hikers tackle the challenging Myrtle Point and Mount LeConte via Alum Cave Trail , while those seeking something easy yet visually rewarding explore Laurel Falls Trail . The latter leads adventurers to one of the popular and most photographed falls in the Smokies.

Other attractions to explore when not hiking include the famed Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies , home to thousands of aquatic animals, from fierce-looking sharks and giant lobsters to playful penguins.

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Lake Placid, New York

Popular hiking areas: high peaks wilderness (has the most hiking trails), saranac lakes wild forest , mckenzie mountain wilderness.

Living in Lake Placid is a smart way to appreciate the gorgeousness of the Adirondacks. After all, there are many convincing reasons why the Adirondacks are the hottest hiking spot of 2024 ! As one of the small towns in the Adirondacks , Lake Placid offers hiking enthusiasts a myriad of stunning trails to explore, with the easy-to-hike Mirror Lake Loop being a favorite for families with little ones.

Avid hikers also tackle the famed Mount Jo Loop Trail , located in the High Peaks Wilderness. This 2.4-mile hike takes adventures to the summit overlooking the stunning Heart Lake, and the views are more magical during the fall. Additionally, those who want to be part of the 2,183 residents have access to cheap apartments , uncrowded schools, great restaurants, and exciting attractions.

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Blowing rock, north carolina, popular hiking areas: julian price memorial park , moses h. cone memorial park , grandfather mountain state park.

Blowing Rock is possibly the best mountain town for retirement in the Blue Ridge Mountains , and its strategic setting within the mountains also attracts avid hikers. Stunning natural spots like Julian Price Memorial Park , Moses H. Cone Memorial Park , and the nearby Grandfather Mountain State Park have countless hikes to choose from, including uncrowded ones.

One of the town’s popular hiking trails is the Boone Fork Trail , which passes through creeks, boulders, grassy meadows, and other tranquil water features. However, the section past the waterfalls isn’t suitable for small kids and dogs, as some parts are slippery and muddy.

Living in Blowing Rock also means having access to reasonably priced apartments and facilities like Chestnut Ridge Medical , where residents can get evidence-based medical care.

Lincoln, New Hampshire

Popular hiking areas: franconia notch state park , white mountain national forest , pemigewasset wilderness.

Home to some of the highest peaks in New England, gorges, and lush forests that explode with vibrant colors in autumn, the beauty of the White Mountains is nothing short of remarkable. Perhaps the best way for avid hikers to soak in such beauty is living in Lincoln, a small town set in the picturesque mountains. This town offers experienced hikers easy access to many incredible hiking trails , from easy to strenuous.

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Ouray, colorado, popular hiking areas: uncompahgre national forest (has approximately 92 trails).

Rightfully earning its nickname as the "Switzerland of America” for its natural beauty, Ouray is easily one of the most perfect US mountain towns for hiking and would make a suitable home base for the most avid hikers.

Every turn unveils the grandeur of the San Juan Mountains, a hiking paradise with year-round hiking trails for all abilities. Rated 4.7 on AllTrails, the 5.4-mile Ouray Perimeter Trail is the town’s top hike, which takes hiking enthusiasts to scenic waterfalls, bridges, streams, canyons, and tunnels.

Being quite possibly one of the best mountain towns in Colorado to retire , Ouray has plenty of things to do and see and has even more to offer besides its scenic hikes and relatively affordable cost of living. Potential residents can take advantage of the Ouray Hot Springs , the town’s most famous attraction, which provides year-round rejuvenation and relaxation in the mineral-rich waters.