A trip to Copenhagen had been in our sights for a very long time… We finally succeeded to make it happen when we desperately needed to escape the monotonous everyday life for a long weekend. It turned out that the Danish capital, considered one of the most livable locations in the world, was a great choice for this purpose. A few peaceful days amidst city walks, iconic landmarks, and a Scandinavian hygge mood can simply make you feel good! I present to you the main things you can see in three days in Copenhagen.
Where is located and how to get there
Copenhagen is built on numerous natural and artificial islands along the east coast of Denmark. The Öresund Strait passes by it, separating the country from Sweden and connecting the Baltic Sea with the North Sea. Although it’s a relatively large city (with a population of 1.4 million people), getting around is extremely easy. The metro is one of the most modern and convenient in all of Europe, and a direct line connects the airport with the center.
See car rental options in Copenhagen
Once you get on it, you just have to follow the signs and you will easily reach Københavns Lufthavn station, which is the final stop of the metro and there is no way you can get confused about which direction to continue. Trains run at frequent intervals, and tickets can be purchased from the many machines in front of the entrance or online (at the end of the article I will add useful tips, where I give you a very easy app for public transport).
Where to stay
Accommodation is one of the main items in the budget when visiting Copenhagen. Considering that we would only be going back to the room to sleep, we didn’t want to pay a huge amount for a hotel, but we also didn’t want to deprive ourselves of some important things – a private bathroom, good hygiene, and a convenient location. Initially, we headed to the Vesterbro neighborhood and the Railway Station area, but the high prices put us off and we settled on Go Hotel City!
The city hotel is wonderfully located in a quiet neighborhood, within equal walking distance of two metro stops – Lergravsparken and Øresund (each 5 minutes away). Both are on the yellow line to the airport, which makes getting there extremely convenient, taking about 15 minutes. The rooms are well furnished, but very narrow. The hotel has a pleasant shared terrace with views of the neighboring homes, where you can have a drink from the bar. The luggage lockers were very useful on the day of our departure. Of course, they charge extra, but it was more convenient for us to leave our luggage there instead of unnecessarily lugging it around to the center.
See more places to stay in Copenhagen
Booking.comNyhavn at night
Even though it was already quite late by the time we arrived and settled in, we didn’t hesitate to head to Copenhagen’s most popular landmark – Nyhavn! Night walks through the colorful canal district are something great… We ate a hotdog and wandered aimlessly through its half-empty streets, looking for a perfect angle for a photo, capturing the reflections of the night lights and colorful buildings in the water…
The central square Kongens Nytorv
The central square Kongens Nytorv was often the starting point for our walks, because the metro stop there was the most convenient connection for us. In the center of the “New King’s Square” stands the oldest equestrian sculpture in Scandinavia (from 1688) – the statue of Christian V riding his horse. Until the end of the 17th century, this area was dominated by piles of rubbish amidst the remains of old fortifications. It was the aforementioned king, after his coronation in 1670, who urbanized the area, inspired by French urban planning.
More iconic buildings around it are the Royal Theatre (Det Kongelige Teater), the luxurious Hotel D’Angleterre, the Kunsthal Charlottenborg art gallery and the Magasin du Nord department store. I also advise you to take a look at the August Bournonvilles passage (August Bournonville was a Danish ballet dancer and choreographer), where you will find an amazing mosaic made for the nearby Stærekassen theater.
The old homes of Danish Navy in Nyboder
One of the most photogenic places in Copenhagen is the Nyboder neighborhood – impressive rows of bright yellow houses with green window frames and red wooden shutters. They were built in the early 17th century by Christian IV to be home to the Danish Navy and their families. It’s becoming a privileged residential area – with a private hospital, private schools and its own police force! Some of the houses are still used by the Ministry of Defense, while others have been put up for sale to the community. Their yellowish color became so specific that a specific shade was even born for the Danes – Nyboder yellow!
If you get here, don’t miss walking through one of the most colorful streets in the city – Krusemyntegade. The diverse colors of the buildings and the natural greenery mix charmingly and create a wonderful backdrop for photos.
Kastellet Fortress
Again Christian IV, and again at the beginning of the 17th century, built the remarkable defensive fortress Kastellet. It has a star-shaped shape, typical of Renaissance fortresses, allowing perfect visibility in all directions! Today it’s still an active military facility, which does not prevent it from being fully accessible for visits and becoming a favorite place for locals and tourists to walk. It’s completely surrounded by water, which adds additional charm to the walks along the top of the fortifications, from where a picturesque view of the still green meadows and the first orange hues of autumn was revealed to us.
You can enter through the bridge at the main southern gate and explore the buildings inside – the commander’s house, the church, and the bright red facades of the barracks. Be sure to visit the Kastelsmøllen windmill, built in 1840 and used to grind grain for the soldiers in the fortress, and today turned into an iconic attraction!
The Little Mermaid and the alley around her
Here she is… Copenhagen’s most famous landmark, better known than Big Ben, the Taj Mahal, and even the Eiffel Tower… her majesty… The Little Mermaid! But if you’re expecting something impressive, because of all the hype surrounding it, its dimensions of only about 125 cm tall certainly won’t impress you… Over the years, it has been the subject of ugly acts of vandalism more than once – beheading, cutting off a hand, and being doused with paint are just some of them. Today it enjoys huge tourist interest, but I find it hard to understand the crowds of tourists climbing the rocks to take a picture with it…
The statue was commissioned by Carl Jacobsen – a brewer, businessman, and I would say a visionary for his time, who brought the local Danish brewery Carlsberg to world fame. After an amazing ballet performance of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid at the Royal Theatre and the exceptional performance of principal ballerina Ellen Price in 1909, he was so delighted that he commissioned a statue to be donated to the city. So Edvard Eriksen, who used his wife as a model, created this bronze work just 4 years later – in 1913.
Since it itself is not impressive, I was interested in the nearby neighborhood around the canal, the small marina, and watching the tour planes landing and taking off from the water. And moving along the alley, we could clearly see the opposite bank, as well as the high walls of the Kastellet fortress on the other side.
The Fountain of the Goddess Gefion (Gefionspringvandet)
The most magnificent fountain in Copenhagen (Gefionspringvandet) was originally planned for the central square in front of the City Hall, but was subsequently located in Churchillparken. It depicts the patroness of Denmark – the goddess Gefjön, harnessing four oxen, which, according to ancient Scandinavian legend, are her sons.
Provoked by the Swedish King Gylfi, who promised her as much land as she could plow in one day, she transformed them into powerful animals and managed to plow a huge piece of land. It was separated from Sweden and thrown into the sea, where today the largest Danish island is located – Shelland. Of course, it’s just a legend, but if you look at the territory of Sweden on a map, you will find the outlines of Lake Vänern, which slightly resembles those of the island…
The Anglican Church (Sankt Albans Kirke)
Right next to it is a church that certainly won’t be on the radar of most tourists, but it’s worth a stop. St. Alban’s Church (Sankt Albans Kirke) is the first Anglican church in Denmark, built in 1887 due to the growing English community. From the outside it is a wonderful example of Victorian Gothic architecture, and inside it is almost unchanged since its creation. The friendly welcome made a great impression and the fact that we received information in our native language – Bulgarian!
The changing of the guard at Amalienborg Slotsplads
Around the Amalienborg Slotsplads square are positioned the buildings of the palace of the same name (Amalienborg), which is the current home of the Danish royal family. I’m sure that a visit inside would be interesting enough, considering that you can get an absolutely real idea of the life of one of the oldest monarchies in the world, but we didn’t have time to go inside…
But we became fully conscious and planned witnesses to perhaps the most impressive changing of the guard ceremony! Every day at noon, at 11:30, the guards depart from Rosenborg Castle and march, arriving around 12:00 in front of the Royal Palace. If there are important family members there, the number of guards is significantly larger, and they are joined by the royal orchestra. Apparently we got lucky because the guard was in full glory! Make sure to arrive early to get a good viewing spot. The square literally fills up with people in just a few minutes…
Frederick’s Church or also known as the Marble Church
Unfortunately, we weren’t so lucky with the marble church and after three attempts… we failed to get in. But we did enjoy the outside of the largest dome in Scandinavia! Its name is “Frederiks Kirke” (Frederiks Kirke), and despite its nickname, it is not made entirely of marble. The first stones of the construction were laid in 1749, but after a long period in which the building sat unfinished, in 1894 (a full 145 years later) it opened its doors! Due to budget constraints, the planned complete construction of marble was replaced with limestone. The baroque green roof with copper elements is easily visible from anywhere and has become a favorite backdrop for Copenhagen photos!
The small Amaliehaven park
A pleasant area for walking is the park near the palace – Amaliehaven. Designed by a Belgian architect and decorated with the sculptures of an Italian artist, this park manages to isolate the noise from the streets and recreate a feeling of peace and tranquility.
Ofelia Plads wooden pier
Continuing along the promenade around the coast, we reach the former industrial area, transformed into a modern open urban space for concerts, exhibitions and various events in Copenhagen – Ofelia Plads. n the summer, the large pier turns into something like a beach, with comfortable sun loungers, various bars and even a volleyball court, and its wooden stairs are called the “Stairs of Kisses.”
In the fall, it turned out to be a relaxing place to look out over the opposite shore and the port area, under the faint echo of the rumble of loading and unloading goods, mixed with the noise of the engines of boats passing through the water. Of course, the most eye-catching are the amazing architecture of the Opera House (Operaen) and the still-under-construction residential buildings on Paper Island (Papirøen), home to some of the most expensive properties in the Danish capital.
Nyhavn Canal and during the day
We are again around the most famous part of Copenhagen, let’s see Nyhavn during the day! The canal was created to provide a direct connection from the sea to the central square Kongens Nytorv and to transport goods to the markets more quickly. A curious fact is that it was dug by Swedish prisoners! All the brightly painted houses, dating mainly from the 17th and 18th centuries, make it a charming and colorful place. But it wasn’t always like that, because in the past it was a commercial port and I guess you can guess what the main interests of the docking sailors were – alcohol and women. Pubs and brothels predominated, and the area became a hangout for drunks, something radically different from its current image.
Several more interesting and larger ships can be seen in the canal, and if you are lucky enough to catch one sailing, you will witness the process of raising the only bridge, Nyhavnsbroen. Most of the colorful homes have been residential over the years, with Hans Christian Andersen himself living here for 22 years! Today they have been beautifully renovated and converted mainly into commercial spaces. Because of the crowds of tourists, the best time to visit is early in the morning, when it is still considerably calmer. Detour through the arched stone gate into the courtyard of the Kunsthal Charlottenborg Art Gallery to use it as an interesting background addition to your photos of the colorful series of buildings…
Strøget pedestrian shopping area
Often touted as the oldest and longest pedestrian shopping street in the world, two completely false claims, Strøget is one of the must-see places in Copenhagen. Its name comes from the Danish word “strøg” – “to walk“. But it wasn’t until the 1960s that it began to become a car-free zone, something that the Danes initially reacted extremely negatively to. The initiator of this idea and then-mayor of urban planning, Alfred Vassard, even received death threats!
Today Strøget is an integral part of Copenhagen’s identity and a lively pedestrian center with numerous opportunities for shopping, dining, entertainment, and other activities. Stop by the large ILLUM trade store, where you can find some pretty luxury brands. Another interesting store is Illums Bolighus, with a variety of Danish home products.
In fact, Strøget is a set of several streets or an entire area around the main artery of the same name! One of them is the snake-like Købmagergade, which starts at Højbro Plads, passes the Round Tower (Rundetaarn) and the flower market on Kultorvet, to reach Nørreport Station. Just a few steps away is the unique A.C. Perchs Thehandel tea shop – one of the oldest in the city, dating back to 1835. The interior is almost intact, and the royal family is among their most loyal customers!
💡 The Round Tower (Rundetaarn) is one of the best options for a view over central Copenhagen, but there were always huge queues and we decided not to waste our time waiting. Also note that it is no longer part of the Copenhagen Card attractions and a fee is charged for its visit – for more information, visit the website (HERE). A little further down in the article I will show you a completely free place with a view of the city’s rooftops!
Hidden gems in the city center
I will show you around a few side streets that can easily be classified as “hidden gems” in the center of Copenhagen! Let’s start with the colorful row of houses at the end of Landemærket (around number 53), which once marked the edge of the city, and also its continuation beyond the Round Tower – Krystalgade. Very close is Møntergade, which is named after the mint that was previously located nearby. It was once inhabited mainly by craftsmen, and one of the most charming buildings is the bright red house on the corner with Gammel Mønt.
Gråbrødretorv Square takes us back to the 80s, when it was a popular place for coffee, a bite to eat or a beer among students. In its middle there is a huge plane tree, casting a shadow over the tables of some of the establishments, and most of its buildings were rebuilt after the great fire of 1728 or after the British bombardment of 1807. Personally, I think it’s one of the most charming places in Copenhagen, with its relaxed atmosphere and classic Danish vibe.
The streets of the Latin Quarter (Studiestræde, Larsbjørnsstræde, Teglgårdsstræde, and Skt. Pedersstræde streets) are also full of colorful facades, suitable as a backdrop for any photo. But this one on Magstræde, one of the oldest streets in Copenhagen, is just perfect for casual city shots!
The art museum – Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek
Let’s mention Carl Jacobsen again, the man behind the creation of this great art museum – Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek! Known to the public as a dedicated collector, at one point his private villa began to become cramped for the amassed collection of items. In 1888, he decided to donate everything to the city, but on the condition that they provide a place for an exhibition. Thus, in 1897, the first version of the Glyptothek appeared, which, due to the addition of new collections by Jacobsen, had to be expanded and changed several times to reach its present vision.
Inside you will find ancient exhibits left to us by the Greeks, Egyptians, Etruscans, Romans, and others. The sarcophagi in the Egyptian section are particularly impressive. A walk among the many sculptures is also not to be missed. More contemporary works are mostly paintings focused on Danish painting and French Impressionism. And the beautiful winter garden is a wonderful place for relaxation and interesting shots created by the light falling from different angles inside.
💡 The object is part of the Copenhagen Card and can be visited for free with the card.
Boat trip through the canals
This attraction is a great way to discover and see the city from a different angle! We decided to take advantage of it because it is part of the Copenhagen Card, and we had done such a tour through the canals of Amsterdam and liked it. The tour included in the card starts at Ved Stranden (HERE), where the ticket office is located – you need to scan the card in advance and get your free ticket.
The entire journey lasts about 1 hour and takes you through the city canals with extremely low bridges, where if you don’t lower your head properly, you may lose it… This tour is a great opportunity to explore iconic buildings, historic ships, and more distant neighborhoods, for which a three-day visit to the city is definitely not enough!
And our guide had an exceptional sense of humor and presented us with all the information in an interesting way! Did you know that in Copenhagen there is a ski slope on the roof of a sustainable power plant known as Copen Hill? And a designer pedestrian and bicycle bridge (Cirkelbroen), resembling the shape of a five-masted ship, which moves elegantly as larger vessels pass through the canal…
The Old Royal Palace Christiansborg
The former royal palace (Christiansborg Slot) is now the seat of the Danish parliament, the prime minister and the supreme court, and its tower is the tallest in Copenhagen (106 m). You can climb to the top completely free of charge, and you don’t even need to climb stairs because an elevator takes you there. Up there, the view is amazing, especially with the orange hues of the setting sun…
The Copenhagen Card includes a visit to the royal reception rooms in the palace, but we didn’t have time for them. We still managed to walk around his outer courtyard the next day. Particularly pleasant is the garden with the lake between the palace and the Royal Library (Det Kongelige Biblioteks Have). The flower beds and peaceful atmosphere create a wonderful green oasis that few people know about.
The largest Danish palace is located on a small island (Slotsholmen) between the canals. Cross it to pass by the royal stables! If you’re a little more lucky, which we weren’t, you might see the daily horse walk…
The area around Christiansborg
Even though the area around the palace is in the center of Copenhagen, I can easily define it as another one of the hidden gems! There are no crowds of tourists and the atmosphere is extremely peaceful for walking. There are interesting boats moored around the Frederiksholms Canal, and the surrounding architecture makes for a colorful photo backdrop – without the crowds of Nyhavn.
I failed to mention that the Marble Bridge (Marmorbroen) and the former main gates to Christiansborg are the only surviving part of the original palace, almost completely destroyed after several devastating fires. The bridge was built in 1745 from sandstone, but it gained its name because of the Norwegian marble cladding on top.
The harmonious radiance of Gammel Strand
The small square Gammel Strand is particularly photogenic! Its name translates as “old beach” or “old coastline” and it was around it that the small fishing and trading village that later became the capital of Denmark arose in the 11th century. Until the mid-20th century, it was home to a fish market where local women sold their fish year-round. The Great Fire of 1795 caused irreparable damage to the infrastructure, and most of the buildings date from the 18th and 19th centuries. Despite the different styles, the general opinion is that they combine extremely harmoniously!
The Royal Garden and Rosenborg Castle
We decided that the time in Copenhagen would be enough for us to enter only one of the castles and we decided that it would be Rosenborg Slot! The palace is surrounded by the royal gardens, created by Christian IV and used for about 100 years only for the needs of the royal family. Today, it is one of the most visited city parks, with over 3 million people stopping there annually for a picnic, sports, sunbathing, attending an organized event, or just taking a walk.
Keep in mind that the entrance to Rosenborg is from the main boulevard Øster Voldgade and the most convenient way to get to the ticket office is through the rose alley. Another important clarification is that using the Copenhagen card for free entry, you cannot reserve an entry time in advance. That’s why we decided to be there around opening time – 10:00 a.m. Groups are allowed in every 10 minutes and if there aren’t many organized tourists, it goes relatively quickly.
Christian IV built his summer residence in the early 17th century, and in less than 20 years it was rebuilt into an impressive palace in the Dutch Renaissance style! Upon entering you receive a detailed map with enough information to know the purpose and history of the authentic halls you pass through.
Through the authentic halls
Inside you will see lavish decorations and valuable objects, such as the gilded royal writing desk and detailed clocks. The most impressive is the Knights’ Hall, also known as the Long Hall, originally designed as a ballroom and used for royal receptions and banquets. At the center is the coronation chair, which legend has it was made from unicorn horn! It is surrounded by three life-size silver lions, and the walls are hung with tapestries depicting the king’s victories in the war with Sweden (Scanian War).
The culmination of the tour is in the dungeons… First, we pass through the armory and the amazing collection of objects made of ivory and amber. Finally, there are the symbols of the Danish monarchy – the three crowns, the scepter, the orb with a cross, and the state sword. The oldest of them is the sword that belonged to Christian III and was made in 1551. But adorned with precious stones and pearls, weighing 2895 g, the crown of Christian IV is simply perfect and impresses more than all the other objects…
Tropical palm trees and butterflies in the Botanical Garden
A visit to the botanical garden (Botanisk Have) wasn’t part of our original plan, but since we were in close proximity and had a Copenhagen card, we decided to stop by. The park area is very peaceful and pleasant for a walk, and the small lake creates picturesque landscapes. The main highlight of the visit is the Palm House (Palmehuset) – a huge greenhouse dating back to 1874.
It’s hard to imagine the number of plants that live under its glass roof, as well as the humidity… it’s hard to breathe inside. The metal spiral staircase around the huge tropical palm trees has become one of the most used photo spots in Copenhagen, but it also gives you the opportunity to climb to a narrow platform at the top! We also went through the butterfly hall, where you can observe these fascinating creatures up close and follow their life cycle.
The hippie neighborhood Freetown Christiania
I’m sure you’ll come across Freetown Christiania as an art center and a must-visit place in almost every information about Copenhagen, but in my opinion, it’s an absolute waste of time! In the 1970s, a group of hippies settled on the lands of a former military base and created an autonomous neighborhood with its own laws and way of life. About 1,000 people still live there! There are strict rules that you should follow too… Some of them are: no running (so they don’t think the police are coming), no cars (only bicycles are allowed), no violence, no photos on the main street (Pusher Street), and no hard drugs (weed and everything else is sold absolutely freely).
The Church of Our Savior
We passed by very quickly because there are far more pleasant places to spend our time in Copenhagen! Still, the neighborhood has its own charm, especially with the colorful houses around the canal, very similar to those in Amsterdam. And of course the main attraction we came for – the Church of Our Savior (Vor Frelsers Kirke).
Entrance to the tower is free with the Copenhagen card, but you must make a reservation for the visit time in advance from the website (HERE). I will explicitly mention that climbing the 400 steps to the top isn’t for people with claustrophobia or a fear of heights! In your final part, you walk up the golden staircase on the outside of the dome with a beautiful 360-degree view over Copenhagen… And finally, the stairs get narrower and narrower until they are literally about 20 cm and end directly at the wall at the foot of the peak!
The multicultural neighborhood of Nørrebro
Nørrebro is the most populated area of Copenhagen, with a unique multicultural atmosphere. A mixture of aromas of Arabic, Asian, African and all kinds of European food waft through its streets. The main reason for visiting it was the bridge that leads to it, Dronning Louises Bro. Having become one of the busiest bicycle thoroughfares in the city, the bridge has been rebuilt with wider pedestrian and bicycle areas, at the expense of the car lane. Thus it becomes a favorite place for walking, meeting for a beer, and admiring the view of the lakes. In the summer, street musicians can often be seen there, and the alleys in the immediate vicinity are transformed into pleasant park spaces. This atmosphere, complemented by the architecture around the coast, reminded me a lot of Paris…
The main street Nørrebrogade, cuts through the neighborhood in the middle and leads to the Assistens Cemetery, where Hans Christian Andersen is buried. We took the bus for a few stops to get almost to the very end and the multifunctional park Superkilen. Това огромно пространство за отдих е изградено с цел да обедини разнообразните общности в квартала, съчетавайки елементи от цял свят. Overall, it looks quite neglected and unmaintained, but its skate park, with its many wavy white lines, is becoming a favorite backdrop for Instagram photos.
Lunch at TorvehallerneKBH covered market
One of the best ways to experience Copenhagen’s culinary scene is you have lunch among the variety of stalls at the TorvehallerneKBH covered market! I had a few spots in mind – the traditional Danish open sandwiches of Hallernes Smørrebrød, the Argentinian Latin offerings of Laboca, the oatmeal of Grød, the healthy sandwiches and salads of Smag and the chocolate delights of Summerbird. You can easily stroll through the spacious corridors, grab something delicious and eat it in the great courtyard between the two market buildings. Detailed information about what we tried in Copenhagen can be found in Places to eat in Copenhagen.
Through the corridors of Copenhagen City Hall
Designed with inspiration from Italian municipal buildings, Copenhagen City Hall (Københavns Rådhus) was built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The building is impressive and can be visited freely or on a guided tour while the city administration carries out its work duties. Even more, the central hall is a popular place for organizing weddings, as was being prepared during our visit! Walk through the wooden corridors and staircases and discover the beautiful library hall.
Under the roof of the city hall lies one of the most precise mechanical clocks in the world – Jens Olsen’s Clock (Jens Olsens Verdensur). Inspired by the astronomical clock in Strasbourg (which I tell you about in the post about the Alsatian capital – HERE), the Danish inventor designed his masterpiece from 15 448 parts! It takes decades to complete and unfortunately its author dies before that… The clock measures times, dates, the positions of planets and stars, the Gregorian calendar, future dates of changing holidays, etc. It’s wound once a week, and its slowest gear makes one rotation every 25 753 years!
The spacious square in front of the City Hall (Rådhuspladsen) is one of the main ones in Copenhagen and a frequent host to various exhibitions and events. It used to be the hay market, and now there is a dragon fountain and various statues. Be sure to check out the one of Hans Christian Andersen, casting a thoughtful glance at the entrance to Tivoli Gardens!
The former meat packing warehouses
СJust a few minutes’ walk from Copenhagen Train Station is the former industrial Meatpacking district, part of the modern Vesterbro neighborhood. This neighborhood is among the preferred places to stay for a large number of tourists, including my idea was to stay here. The main reason for this desire of mine was precisely the area of the former butcher’s warehouses, which today has been transformed into an exciting place, especially lively in the evening. There you can find art galleries, various events, night bars, a wide selection of restaurants, etc. And of course, my absolute favorite place to eat in Copenhagen – Warpigs Brewery, with the most delicious smoked meat I’ve ever tasted! Detailed information about what we tried in Copenhagen can be found in Places to eat in Copenhagen.
Østerbro – one of the preferred residential areas
In the north of Copenhagen is Østerbro – a preferred residential neighborhood, with wide boulevards, chic boutiques, numerous parks and a perfect choice for a quiet family life. We got off at the Trianglen St. metro station and took some time to walk around it, starting from one of the most colorful streets – Olufsvej. It was as if we were briefly transferred to London’s Notting Hill!
It is interesting to take a look at perhaps the first example of social housing in Copenhagen – Brumleby. After a cholera epidemic broke out in the city in 1853, a social initiative emerged to relocate disadvantaged families with miserable living conditions to a much healthier environment, with bright homes and green spaces around them.
In stark contrast are the high-end shops along the main boulevard Østerbrogade, which give it a reputation as a luxury area. This includes Nordre Frihavnsgade, one of the impressive shopping and business streets in Copenhagen.
The most famous place in Østerbro is Juno the bakery, which was closed on Monday and we were unable to try their famous pastries. But Prolog’s coffee is great, just a few steps away. Just across the street is a small triangular square where a group of young people were actively playing petanque. The tranquility of the neighborhood was felt everywhere in the streets!
Boutique bakeries and specialty coffee shops
Copenhagen’s bakeries are a real temptation and have become absolute must-visit places. In recent decades, boutique bakeries have emerged offering perfect Danish pastries! Cinnamon rolls, cardamom buns, fluffy croissants and a host of other goodies lurk in their windows. We visited some of the most popular ones, such as Hart, Buka, Andersen & Millard and Skt. Peders Bageri.
The Danes are in the top positions in coffee consumption per capita and if you are a fan of premium specialty coffee, the city will surely charm you! Most of the famous local brands select only high-quality coffee beans and have their own roasting factories. We tried Coffee Collective, Original Coffee, Democratic Coffee and Prolog.
💡 Detailed information about all bakeries and cafes can be found in Places to eat in Copenhagen.
For a final
Copenhagen is a wonderful city and I hope this detailed article inspires you to visit it, as well as makes your preparation as easy as possible. Of course, there are many more interesting places that you can possibly add to your plan. I personally regret that we were unable to visit the Tivoli Garden, where they were preparing the decorations for Halloween and it was closed to visitors, the world-famous Carlsberg brewery, and the sandy Amager beach. However we made the most of our three-day stay in the Danish capital, enjoying every moment of it without rushing!
Additional tips
How to get around
The metro is the easiest and fastest way to get around Copenhagen. If you stay overnight in the central area, you may only need to use it to and from the airport, and the rest of the time walk or use a bike – Donkey Republic is a perfect choice for bike rental. A single ticket for such a route would cost DKK 30. The city is divided into zones and depending on which zone your final stop is in, the cost of the ticket is also calculated.
The easiest option to avoid wasting time at the ticket machines is to use the DOT Tickets app. An all-day card for all forms of transport in the 4 central zones is 100 DKK. You can easily plan the possible number of daily trips and assess whether it is more profitable to get a card or use individual tickets. Tickets are not validated anywhere, a QR code is only displayed when passing through a checkpoint. We were only checked once, but if you don’t have a ticket, the fines are steep…
Is the Copenhagen Card worth it
I was very hesitant about the need for a 24-hour Copenhagen Card, but after several calculations of entrance fees for attractions and transportation costs, I decided that it would be a good deal. We visited Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek (135 DKK), a boat trip (169 DKK), Rosenborg Castle (140 DKK), Botanical Garden (115 DKK) and the Church of Our Saviour (69 DKK) or a total cost of entrance fees – 628 DKK. Adding a daily transport card, which costs 100 DKK, the Copenhagen Card for 499 DKK was a bargain!
The card is purchased online and validated before the first visited location. It’s a good idea to estimate the time of your first visit in this way so that you can see as many attractions as possible. We activated it in the afternoon, starting from Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, followed by a walk along the canals at sunset, and for the next day we planned Rosenborg Castle, the Botanical Garden and the Church of Our Savior.
Prices and payment
It should be abundantly clear that Copenhagen is not a cheap city. Accommodation, restaurants, sights and attractions are priced relatively high by European standards. It’s a good idea to plan your budget in advance so you don’t get unpleasant surprises. A three-day stay for the two of us cost around 830 euro – that’s all the expenses, excluding airfare. The cheapest water (0.5 l) at the 7-Eleven store, one of the most common chains in the central area, cost us 27.50 DKK (3.85 euro).
We turned over some cash, and every time we wanted to pay with it, the sellers looked at us extremely strangely… At times they wouldn’t even refund us and we had to pay by card. But the exchange rate the bank gave me for card payments was significantly higher than the one I used to convert the money in cash…
Weather and when to visit
The weather can change very quickly, let’s not forget that we are in the north… We visited it at the end of September and despite the relatively pleasant temperatures of 10-14 degrees, the cold wind can sometimes play a bad joke on you. Spring and summer are certainly the best time to visit, but then the city is crowded with tourists. I find autumn to be just as good a time as any.
How many days do we need
I believe that no matter how much time you have, you can use it optimally. Perhaps the absolute minimum for exploring the main part of Copenhagen is 2 nights (2 full days). If you want to visit Malmö in Sweden or the small fishing town of Dragor, it’s a good idea to plan on staying 5 or 6 nights. You certainly won’t get bored of the city!
