Start our journey from Stevns Klint - one of Denmark's newest UNESCO listings (2014). This limestone cliff on Zealand's east coast, stretching some 15 kilometers in length, is not only a picturesque landscape, but above all a priceless source of knowledge about the history of our planet. Stevns Klint hides a fascinating secret - a thin layer of iridium-rich clay that provides tangible evidence of a catastrophe that occurred on Earth some 65 million years ago. It was here that scientists discovered traces of the impact of a giant meteorite that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs! Walking along the cliffs, we can literally touch the border between two geological eras - the Cretaceous and Tertiary. Especially noteworthy are the fossils that can be found in the rocks - belemnites, sea urchins or ammonites. For geology lovers, this is a true paradise, and for ordinary tourists - unforgettable views of the Baltic Sea and the opportunity to interact with the place where one of the greatest catastrophes in the history of the Earth is recorded.

From a geological journey back in time, let's move to the world of royal hunting. Parforcejagtlandskabet and Store Dyrehave a unique cultural landscape listed by UNESCO in 2015. This vast forest complex in northern Zealand was designed in the 17th century as a site for royal hunting par force - a specific form of hunting with dogs, popular among the European aristocracy. King Christian V, fascinated by French court culture, created here a system of roads and paths arranged in a distinctive star pattern. Eight main avenues converge at a central point, creating an ideal space for lavish royal hunting parties. Walking along these historic paths, one can almost hear the echo of barking hounds and the sound of hunting horns. The area is especially picturesque in autumn, when the leaves of the trees turn golden. It is worth knowing that this hunting landscape is the only such well-preserved example of Baroque urban planning in Northern Europe.

It's impossible to talk about Denmark's UNESCO heritage without mentioning the majestic Kronborg Castle in Helsingør. This Renaissance fortress, listed in 2000, for centuries guarded the strategic Sound Strait, connecting the Baltic Sea with the North Sea. The castle gained worldwide fame thanks to William Shakespeare, who made it the stage of his most famous tragedy 'Hamlet.' Although the English playwright never visited Denmark, Kronborg's power and fame reached all the way to the British Isles, inspiring him to place the action here. When visiting the castle, look out for the impressive 62-meter-long Knights' Hall - one of the largest of its kind in Northern Europe. It is also fascinating to note that the castle was rebuilt in almost exactly the same shape after the 1629 fire, and the only building that survived the conflagration was the castle chapel with its original altar and pews. Kronborg is not only an architectural gem, but also a symbol of Danish sea power and a place where history is intertwined with literature.

When following in the footsteps of Denmark's Viking past, it is impossible to miss the complex at Jelling - a place of fundamental importance to Danish national identity. This remarkable complex of monuments, listed by UNESCO as early as 1994, consists of two huge burial mounds, two runic stones and a church. Of particular historical value is the so-called 'greater stone of Jelling,' erected by King Harald Bluetooth around 965. The inscription on it reads: "Harald, who conquered all Denmark and Norway for himself, and made the Danes Christians. This is Denmark's oldest state document and a testament to the country's Christianization! A smaller stone, erected by Harald's father Gorm the Old, commemorates his wife Thyrva. The burial mounds, measuring about 70 meters in diameter and 11 meters high, hide the secrets of royal burials. It is worth knowing that in 2006 archaeologists discovered traces of a huge boat-shaped structure, 358 meters long, surrounding the entire complex in Jelling. This monumental 'boat of stones' is the largest known structure of its kind from the Viking Age and testifies to the extraordinary engineering craftsmanship of the builders of the time.

Continuing the Viking adventure, visit Trelleborg Fortress - although it is not yet officially listed by UNESCO, it is part of the 'Viking Frontiers' series nomination, which includes five similar ring fortresses. Trelleborg is a perfectly preserved example of Viking military architecture from the late 10th century. The fortress has a perfectly circular shape with a diameter of 136 meters, with four gates facing exactly four directions. Inside were long houses arranged in four quarters. The geometric precision of this structure testifies to the advanced mathematical knowledge of the builders. Particularly interesting is the fact that the fortress functioned for only a dozen years - it was built on the orders of King Harald Bluetooth around 980 and was already abandoned by the beginning of the 11th century. Today you can see a reconstructed long house and fragments of the ramparts, and learn about daily Viking life at the visitor center through interactive exhibits and craft demonstrations.

Let's move from the Viking Age to the Middle Ages with a visit to Roskilde Cathedral, Denmark's first Gothic church, built of red brick in the 13th century. This majestic temple, listed by UNESCO in 1995, served for centuries as the coronation and burial place of Danish monarchs. The remains of as many as 38 kings and queens rest here, making the cathedral a true pantheon of the Danish monarchy. When visiting the interior, look out for the richly decorated burial chapels, especially the early 17th century chapel of Christian IV, considered a masterpiece of the Northern European Renaissance. Also fascinating are the 15th-century stalls (pews) in the chancel, decorated with intricate carvings depicting biblical scenes and everyday life. Few people know that beneath the cathedral floor archaeologists have discovered the remains of three earlier churches, including a wooden temple from the time of Harald Bluetooth. Near the cathedral is the Viking Boat Museum, where you can admire the original wrecks of five 11th century boats excavated from the Roskilde Fjord. These perfectly preserved vessels, ranging from a small fishing boat to a 30-meter warship, were deliberately sunk around 1070 to block a strategic waterway. Their discovery in the 1960s was a worldwide archaeological sensation.

To complete our tour of Denmark's UNESCO sites, the Wadden Sea National Park (Vadehavet) is the only natural site from Denmark on this prestigious list. Listed in 2009, it is part of a cross-border area that also includes German and Dutch territories. It is the world's largest uninterrupted system of tidal shallows, stretching over 11,000 km². The Wadden Sea is an ecosystem of extraordinary dynamism - twice a day, to the rhythm of the tides, the landscape changes beyond recognition. At low tide, a vast tidal plain is revealed, where you can walk on the seabed and observe the fascinating world of clams, crabs and other sea creatures. A special value of the area is its key role in bird migration - about 12 million migratory birds stop here each year to rest and feed before continuing their journey. For lovers of ornithology, this is a true paradise - rare species such as the oystercatcher, the sable and the dabbler can be observed here. It is worth knowing that the area is also home to some 10,000 species of plants and animals, many of which are endemics, found only in this ecosystem. The best way to explore the Wadden Sea is to take part in an organized seabed walk (wadlopen) with a guide who knows the rhythm of the tides and can point out the most interesting natural phenomena.

Comparing Denmark's seven UNESCO sites reveals the fascinating diversity of this small country's heritage. In terms of accessibility, the most tourist-friendly are Kronborg and Roskilde Cathedral - both sites are located in cities with good tourist infrastructure, offer regular guided tours in several languages and have modern visitor centers. The most difficult to access is the Wadden Sea, where exploration requires good planning and adjusting to the rhythm of the tides. In terms of popularity, the undisputed leader is Kronborg Castle, which attracts more than 250,000 visitors a year, largely due to its association with 'Hamlet.' Least known to the general public is Parforcejagtlandskabet, appreciated mainly by history and landscape architecture enthusiasts.

In terms of historical value, the runestones at Jelling are fundamental to Danish national identity as the oldest testimony to statehood and the Christianization of the country. In terms of scientific value, on the other hand, Stevns Klint stands out, being a geological 'golden nail' - a place where you can see traces of one of the greatest cataclysms in the history of the Earth. For nature lovers, the most valuable will be the Wadden Sea with its unique ecosystem and abundance of life. Architecture lovers will appreciate the craftsmanship of the builders of Roskilde Cathedral and Kronborg Castle, while those passionate about Viking history will find the most traces of this fascinating culture in Jelling and Trelleborg.

Price-wise, the cheapest option is to visit Parforcejagtlandskabet and the Wadden Sea, where admission is free (only organized guided tours are charged). The most expensive is a combination ticket to Kronborg Castle, especially if you want to attend special events such as re-enactments of scenes from 'Hamlet'. In terms of seasonality, the most weather-dependent is to visit the Wadden Sea (the best time is late spring and summer) and Stevns Klint (difficult to access in winter). Other sites can be comfortably visited all year round. It is worth noting that all of Denmark's UNESCO sites are excellently managed and protected, in accordance with the Law on the Protection of Buildings and the Law on Museums, ensuring their preservation for future generations. Each tells a different story, but together they form a fascinating mosaic of the cultural and natural wealth of Denmark - a country that, despite its small size, has much to offer the world.