Copenhagen, Denmark
LOCATION & DESTINATION FACTS
Copenhagen is the capital city of Denmark, located on the eastern coast of the island of Zealand. It is one of the most visited cities in Scandinavia. Copenhagen is known for its canals, fishing and cycling culture and as one of the happiest places to live in the world.
MAIN ATTRACTIONS
Tivoli Gardens
Nyhavn
Christiania (the city with no laws)
Rosenberg Castle
The Little Mermaid
Strøget
The King’s Garden
The Bridge Kitchen Food Market
TOP MUST-DO’S
Spend the afternoon at the Tivoli Gardens
Take a canal tour through Nyhavn
Go shopping in Strøget’s pedestrian mall
Visit the Little Mermaid who overlooks the harbor
Rent a bicycle and cruise through the streets of the city
Grab a bite to eat at one of the famous food markets
Try authentic Danish pastries at bakeries like Lagkagehuset, Naturbageriet & Lille Bakery
REVIEW
Like Prague, I believe Copenhagen is a very underrated and overlooked travel destination for many. It does not have the normal bells-and-whistles when it comes to sightseeing, like Paris or London. But do not rule it out because of that! Copenhagen is a very quaint and simple town, but that is what made it such an amazing place to see. I originally was interested in traveling to Copenhagen after a friend of mine studied abroad there. I saw all the pictures and the food that she was eating on a regular basis, and it sparked my interest.
The city itself is extremely walkable. Although we saw many on bicycles, as it is part of their culture (think of Amsterdam and their canals), we were able to see the majority of the city in a day of walking. However, it is also beautiful to see the city from the water. So, I highly recommend taking a canal tour with a guide. You get to sit back and relax, but also learn some very interesting facts about the city. And just like many of these locations I have traveled to that are not overcrowded with tourists and sightseeing, the people were so sweet. As I mentioned earlier, Denmark has been voted year in and year out as one of the happiest places to live (along with most of the Scandinavian countries towards the top of that list). Danish people were so happy to share their culture with us and I felt so welcomed when I was visiting, especially by my Airbnb host.
When I went a few years ago, I had some hidden eats from my friend and from the research I conducted on the city. Unfortunately, many of them have closed and have gone out of business. But I will include them in this review just in case they make a return and you happen to find yourself in Copenhagen. The best food I had when I was there was from a burger joint called Friends & Brgrs (yes, that is spelled correctly!). Probably the best burger I have had in all of Europe. I am serious…I hope they re-open for your sake and mine when I return. In addition, the original Paper Island Food Market had a variety of food options to choose from. They, too, have shut down permanently. However, I believe the Bridge Kitchen Food Market took over the original market as it is in the same location overlooking the harbor. Finally, the Danish pastries are on another level. You can’t walk into a bakery in Copenhagen and order a pastry that is not delicious. I included a few spots to try, but honestly you can just walk down the street and into a bakery and find something incredible. Copenhagen is a great spot if you would like to see something different as a tourist and a great destination to see on a layover or on a short weekend.