Copenhagen, a Fast Weekend Getaway!

Copenhagen visit, attractions and suggestions.

Copenhagen, or København in Danish, is the capital and largest city of Denmark, located on the shores of the Baltic Sea with strong economic ties to Western Europe. It has been an inspiration for fairy tales and is home to the world's largest and most famous amusement park. With its rich history dating back to the Bronze Age and the Vikings, Copenhagen is historically one of the most fascinating cities in the world. Additionally, thanks to its modern innovation, Copenhagen ranks among the top cities globally for quality, style, and happiness.

Since Denmark uses the Danish Krone, and card payments are widely accepted, I recommend using a TransferWise (WISE) card. With it, you can easily convert currencies instantly without losing a fortune!

Location:

Situated in the eastern part of the country, on the island called Zealand, Copenhagen is easily accessible by air, bus, car, motorcycle, ferry, and bicycle. It is connected to Sweden via the Øresund Bridge, often featured in advertisements worldwide.

Where to Stay:

The two areas with the highest number of hotels are the airport and the central train station. However, when booking in the former area, caution is advised as the street called Istedgade used to be the red-light district with many hourly hotels. Since its official closure, these hotels have transformed into tourist accommodations without upgrading their facilities or internal quality. If you prefer to explore on foot, the recommended areas to stay are Indre By, Copenhagen K, Gammelholm, and Christianshavn. Staying in the surrounding areas may require the use of the metro, or I suggest renting bicycles, especially if you find a deal for the entire duration of your trip. The recommended neighbouring zones include Vesterbro, Nørrebro, Østerbro, Amagerbro, and Frederiksberg. It's worth noting that Frederiksberg is an autonomous city within Copenhagen, with slightly different rules, and in my opinion, it offers a slightly more livable experience than its larger and more famous sibling.

Getting There:

Copenhagen's airport, located in Kastrup, is easily accessible from the city center via the metro. Once at the terminal, you'll find ticket machines and staff who can provide up-to-date information on tickets. In the summer, there are often discounted subscriptions or promotions to encourage domestic tourism.

From Sweden, you can reach Copenhagen by car via the Øresund Bridge or by train/bus/ferry. If you're driving from Germany, it will take you about 3 hours, or you can board your car at one of the German ports that offer transportation to Denmark and then drive to the city.

Getting Around:

Whether it's a short stopover or a longer stay, getting around Copenhagen is easy thanks to its extensive train and metro network. On the S-train line, you can even bring your bicycle for free (which is not allowed on other types of trains). In the city, the two most popular modes of transportation are bicycles - you'll find millions of them around - and the Metro. However, if you want to save some money or stay just outside the city, the combination of the S-train and a bicycle will make your life much easier.

When to Visit:

To experience Copenhagen at its best, plan your visit during the late spring to early fall. The weather is generally mild and pleasant during these months, allowing you to explore the city comfortably. Additionally, this period offers longer daylight hours, giving you more time to enjoy the outdoor attractions, vibrant street life, and beautiful parks that Copenhagen has to offer.

The Ruler:

Denmark is a constitutional monarchy, and Queen Margrethe, coincidentally sharing her name with the queen who inspired Neapolitan pizza, mainly participates in celebratory events and shares her ideas with the Prime Minister, currently Mette Frederiksen.

Currency & Expenses:

The Danish currency is the Danish Krone (DKK), with approximately 7.44 DKK equating to 1 Euro. Keep in mind that Copenhagen is known for being on the expensive side. A cup of coffee can cost around 30 DKK/4 euros (avoid ordering espressos), while a Margherita pizza is priced at approximately 70 DKK/10 euros. Hostels start at around 20 euros per night in a shared room, but prices are usually higher. To avoid excessive exchange fees and commissions, consider getting a Transferwise card (WISE).

Famous Personalities:

Aside from the Royal Family, Copenhagen boasts several famous figures. Nicklas Bendtner, a football player who has traveled across Europe and is now an entrepreneur and influencer. Lukas Graham, the singer behind the hit "7 Years." Kasper Schmeichel, goalkeeper for Leicester City and son of the renowned Peter Schmeichel, one of the greatest football goalkeepers of all time. Mads Mikkelsen, an actor who has appeared in James Bond's "Casino Royale," "Doctor Strange," and "Star Wars," and is now a familiar face in Danish films, TV shows, and advertisements.

Must-See Attractions:

When mentioning Copenhagen, the iconic Little Mermaid immediately comes to mind. Today, you can visit both the original and a genetically modified version, located just minutes apart in the Langelinie Pavillonen area.

In second place, we have the Tivoli Gardens amusement park, which inspired Disney to create Disneyland. It remains one of the most visited amusement parks in the world.

Nyhavn, a former harbor, is easily recognizable with its colorful buildings and neon lights, creating picturesque scenes for memorable photographs any evening of the year. It's also where boat tours depart for sightseeing adventures.

As you explore the city, you'll come across several notable palaces, including Rosenborg Castle, Amalienborg, and Christiansborg Palace. These stunning architectural gems are a testament to Copenhagen's rich history and can be easily encountered while traversing the city.

Let's now create an itinerary to see the highlights of the city and include some extra sights with small detours.

Starting from the central station, you can easily reach the Tivoli Gardens, and right behind it is Copenhagen City Hall (Rådhuspladsen). From here, you can explore Strøget, Denmark's longest shopping street, lined with international and local brands. Adjacent to Strøget, there are three to four more streets filled with shops, cafes, and restaurants that you can visit if you have time. At the end of Strøget, you'll find King's New Square (Kongens Nytorv), home to the Magasin du Nord shopping gallery and the city's most luxurious hotel, Hotel D'Angleterre. Just a 5-minute walk from here, you'll reach Frederik's Church (Marmorkirken), and continuing on, you'll arrive at Amalienborg, the winter residence of the queen.

Moving towards Langelinie, you can see multiple attractions in close proximity. Kastellet, a star-shaped military fortress built in the 17th century, is located here, along with the Gefion Fountain, a magnificent fountain depicting the Nordic goddess driving four oxen through the sea. The Little Mermaid and the genetically modified Little Mermaid are just a step away. Following the coastline, you'll come across the Copenhagen Opera House, which hosts important events of various genres. Before reaching The Royal Library, there's Ofelia Plads, an artificial solarium, and the Playhouse (Skuespilhuset) theater. Crossing the Inderhavnsbroen bridge, you'll find an area with a street food market (Broens Gadekøkken) and theoretically begin exploring the Christianshavn area. Christianshavn is a picturesque neighborhood with charming canals and buildings, which can also be explored by boat. In Christianshavn, you'll also find the freetown of Christiania, a former hippie village that has faced significant restrictions in recent years.

The Lakes (The Lakes) area runs through the northern part of the city and connects to the multicultural and open-minded neighborhood called Nørrebro. Here, the atmosphere is different from Kongens Nytorv and much less touristy.

Torvehallerne is a market where you can find local products to purchase or enjoy at a café or restaurant. I highly recommend stopping here for lunch or breakfast.

Freetown Christiania, as mentioned before, was the old hippie village that until a few years ago was almost separate from the municipality of Copenhagen. Despite recent changes, a walk through this unique place is always worth it.

Refshaleøen, reachable by bike or bus, is an old port area transformed into a hub for entertainment and dining. One of its highlights is Reffen, a mega-seasonal street food market overlooking the sea where you can enjoy local beer and cuisine from around the world. Feel free to visit my friends here at PastaLab, and if you mention that you are a friend of mine, you might get a special treat!

When it comes to street food in Denmark, it doesn't necessarily mean low prices.

Meatpacking District is an area that has been revitalized in the past 10 years with the creation of cafes, bars, pubs, restaurants, and offices. It has now become part of the city's vibrant nightlife.

Amager Strandpark is the most popular sandy beach for city residents. Although it can be windy, spending a few hours here on a summer day with temperatures above 25 degrees is a revitalizing experience.

CopenHill, with its steam-emitting chimney stacks, may seem like an industrial site at first glance. However, it offers hiking trails, an artificial ski slope, and a chalet with breathtaking panoramic views.

What to Do:

Let's start with breakfast. Denmark is famous for having some of the most expensive coffees in the world, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try something typical. If your accommodation doesn't include breakfast, I recommend choosing a café or bakery and trying Grød (porridge), boiled eggs with rye bread, a morning bun (bread with butter or jam), and finally, a typical Danish pastry.

For brunch, depending on the day, you have various options. Before the restrictions, buffet-style brunches, especially on weekends, were a tradition. Unfortunately, many cafés and restaurants have had to eliminate this option. Danish brunch also served as lunch, but thanks to international kitchens, the choices are now extensive. For lunch and dinner, the city is divided into three main categories: classic Danish restaurants/pubs/cafés serving traditional food (many of which still allow smoking), fast food of all kinds and ethnicities, and high-end restaurants offering gourmet menus or Michelin-star experiences. It can be challenging to find an average restaurant of good quality as everyone tries to differentiate themselves. On average, the quality of food is generally good, but prices should be taken into consideration.

In the afternoon, indulge in an ice cream cone topped with sprinkles or various granola options. Make sure to purchase it from one of the ice cream trucks near the sea.

In the evening, for those looking for an affordable option, I recommend trying a kebab. Copenhagen is known for having some of the best kebabs in Europe, thanks to the large Mediterranean community. For those seeking a livelier atmosphere, head to Reffen or the Meatpacking District behind the central station.

UPDATE after covid: Everything is back to normal, even though many places closed down, fortunately, there are many new Hygge spots to visit!

Conclusion:

This is a tourist plan designed for those with only a weekend to spare. To fully experience a city like Copenhagen, you would ideally need at least one week, especially now that restrictions are lifted. For nature lovers or those seeking more traditional places, it's only a 30-minute train ride to visit charming old villages or forests inhabited by deer and foxes. But for that, I'll write a separate post.

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