Copenhagen has been on my bucket list solely based on how picturesque it looked.  I honestly had no idea what I would do there, but was excited to go nonetheless.  Although it is smaller and more low key than some other cities I have been, I found it to be a beautiful city to wander and explore, with plenty to keep me busy.

Top 5 – Copenhagen

1 – Nyhavn Canal Waterfront
I (and by I, I mean our amazing secretary Lourdes) printed off a picture of the Nyhavn waterfront years ago, as inspiration for eventually planning a trip there.  It was the first place I wanted to see upon my arrival, and it did not disappoint.  It is beautifully charming and quaint.  It is definitely worth stopping for a bite or a drink at one of the many restaurants along the water front, that makes up the “world’s longest bar.”  Although it is a tourist trap, it didn’t seem to be any more expensive than anywhere else in Copenhagen, and the views make it so worth it.  Even in cold weather you can sit outside, and stay warm under the blankets and heaters they provide, while enjoying the beautiful and colorful scenery.

2 – Tivoli Gardens 
Tivoli is the 2nd oldest operating Amusement Park in the world.  It’s not huge but had tons to do, including rides, restaurants, bars, live music, etc.  It is worth it to buy the entry ticket and unlimited rides if you plan to ride more than one ride.  I assumed that because I was only going to ride two rides, it would be cheaper to buy the entry ticket and ride tickets separately, but actually ended up costing me 10 DKK more.  Most of the rides are standard fair/amusement park rides, but I rode The Star Flyer, the crazy high swings, and The Roller Coaster, which is one of the oldest wooden roller coaster in the world.  The roller coaster was fun, but nothing too intense, so even non-roller coaster people could handle it.  The swings were crazy high, but so much fun.  From 80 meters up in the air, you get great views of Copenhagen from the sky.  Tivoli is a must visit spot in Copenhagen.  If you are able, enter the park before 6pm to save 65 DKK, because any little savings in pricey Copenhagen is a win!

In addition to the rides and entertainment, there are also lots of bars and restaurants scattered throughout the park.  There is also the Tivoli Food Hall, where there are a variety of food stalls to try different kinds of foods and drinks.  It’s a great way to sample a different types of cuisines, and not have to commit to a whole meal at any one place.

3 – Christianborg Palace Tower
Christianborg Palace is where the Danish Parliament is housed.  It also has the tallest tower in Copenhagen, where you can get unobstructed, sweeping views of the city.  And the best part….it’s free!  It really is one of the greatest towers I’ve ever visited, as there was no line to enter AND they have an elevator that takes you up the majority of the way.  There is only one small flight of stairs to the top once you exit the elevator, which is much more manageable than most towers.  While there, you can also tour the inside of the castle, but unfortunately not for free.

4 – Little Mermaid Statue
The Little Mermaid was written by Danish author Hans Christian Anderson.  So the Little Mermaid statue really is a symbol of Copenhagen.  It’s a bit of a hike to get to the statue if you are walking, but you can leisurely wind your way through the cobblestone streets and take in the views along the way.  It is much smaller than I imagined, but cute and one of those things you just have to see in Copenhagen.

5 – Day Trip to Hamlet Castle and Sweden
Because Sweden is just across the Øresund straight from Copenhagen, I knew I had to cross the border and check out another country.  I found a day trip that started at Kronborg Castle, the setting for Shakespeare’s Hamlet; then went into Sweden to explore both Lund and Malmö.   The tour was on the pricier side ($112), but worth the money to visit multiple places in one day.  Our tour guide, Crispin, was a very knowledgeable gave a lot of history about Denmark and Sweden along the way.  We had 1.5-2 hrs to spend at each stop, which was a decent amount of time to explore the sights and grab a bite/drink.  Unfortunately I went on Sunday, which meant most of the stores were closed, so if you wanted to shop and take advantage of the lower sales tax in Sweden, it’s something to consider.  Going to Sweden, we took a boat across the Øresund straight, then crossed over the famous Øresund Bridge on our way back to Copenhagen.  It’s a great day trip and an easy way to see neighboring areas outside of Copenhagen.

Honorable Mention

Sandeman Tour
As I have done in multiple other cities, I did the free Sandeman walking tour through central Copenhagen.  It was a 3 hour tour and Caroline, our guide, was knowledgable and provided tons of Danish history along the way.  I also signed up to take the “Must See Copenhagen” walking tour for €16.  Unfortunately, upon arriving to the departure location, I was told that the tour was cancelled that day because I was the only one who signed up.  I ended up doing my own self guided version of the tour, which ended up okay in the end.  As I’ve said many times before, the tours are a great way to get your bearings and learn some history about wherever you are visiting…and bonus, it’s free!

Fashioned From Nature Exhibit
I found an advertisement for the Fashioned From Nature exhibit while exploring.  It is a special exhibition, on through September, at the National History Museum of Denmark, displaying a variety of clothing that is literally fashioned from nature.  It started at the V&A Museum in London, and Copenhagen is the first top on the tour.  If you are in Copenhagen this summer, it’s worth a stop.

 

Copenhagen is a beautiful city with tons of history to explore.  It is a relatively small city, and if you use your time well, can easily be explored in 2-3 days.  It is a perfect few day stopover on any European vacation.