Copenhagen, capital of Denmark !
Key points to remember
Copenhagen can be explored in 2-3 days: Nyhavn, Tivoli, Christiansborg, Christiania, cycling tour (a must). A design and eco-friendly capital, but one of the most expensive in Europe. Budget 1,000-1,500 DKK (135-200€) per day.
Copenhagen, the city is the capital of Denmark ! Denmark is a very patriotic country with many national flags throughout the city ! You can also see that the Danes are proud of their queen and prince as there are many photos in the cafes !
I spent 3 days in Copenhagen with a stopover in Sweden in the city of Malmö during one of the long weekends in May and I can tell you I have no regrets ! I was also told I was lucky because the good weather had just arrived a week ago !   ;Copenhagen or Denmark in a few sentences :
  ;Here, you pay in Danish kroner, you don’t run red lights or you might get fined, and if you do, the Danes will look at you with wide eyes ! One of the most popular modes of transport is the bicycle, you will find hundreds of bikes lined up and most are not even locked ! Find other general travel tips : here
  ;Copenhagen in 2 days
Did you know ?
Copenhagen is regularly ranked among the happiest cities in the world in the World Happiness Report. The density of bike lanes is such that 62 % of Copenhageners cycle to work, even in winter.
Copenhagen is known for the Little Mermaid, every day at 11 am and 1 pm there is a free 3-hour tour given by a freelance company that introduces you to the city and tells you the fascinating history of Copenhagen. Meet at town hall.
However, this tour is in English, otherwise you can do your own city tour by picking up a map at your hotel; there is an itinerary offered with the main historical monuments of Copenhagen !
In the evening, you can go to Tivoli, which is an amusement park right in the middle of the city, there is a show every night and with the light decorations the park is more beautiful !   ;The next day in Copenhagen,
  ;You can go and see the Little Mermaid statue, she is really small, maybe 1 meter tall but she is placed on a large rock ! Then you can walk along the riverbank ! Visit the opera house then continue to Christianshavn, the business district, and then go to Christiania which is one of the most interesting areas of the city !
This is the place where you can find some walls of the ramparts that once overlooked the city and also the place where you can find cannabis or marijuana freely available.
| Site | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Tivoli | 3-4h | ~22€ |
| Nyhavn | 1h | Free |
| Christiania | 2h | Free |
| Amalienborg Palace | 1h | ~15€ |
| The Little Mermaid | 30 min | Free |
Christiania is called the Freeman land, it is the place where everyone can do whatever they want but you must respect 3 rules: no running, no taking photos, and also “have fun”! This neighborhood is called the “Green light district” as a nod to the Red Light district.
My experience
What struck me in Copenhagen is the bike culture. You rent a bike for €15 a day and you can tour the whole city in 2 days. Ultra-safe bike lanes, huge bike parking lots, absolute priority. It’s another way to visit, much more enjoyable.
Ps: I do not recommend going there to smoke but for the atmosphere, the special decor that reigns there, and to see something different from Copenhagen.
  ;Copenhagen in 3 days
  ;For a third day in Copenhagen, you can go shopping, there is a street called Stroget that gathers all the shops to buy souvenirs, clothes, bars, and restaurants!
You can also take the opportunity to visit museums, the museums are free but closed on Mondays, I also recommend visiting the Rosenborg Castle, also go to Christiansborg Slot, on the island of Slotsholmen.
Advantages
- Human-scale city
- Design everywhere (furniture, architecture)
- Excellent cuisine (smørrebrød, hot dogs)
- Total safety
- Very “green” ecologically
Weak points
- Very high cost of living (30-50% more expensive than Paris)
- Cold and rainy climate
- Expensive restaurants (€40-60 per person)
- Few paid visits (limited free museums)
- Expensive hotels
Copenhagen differently
  ;If you stay longer or want to enjoy Copenhagen, here are some tips, for a day trip, a one-day excursion, go see Malmö or visit the castle of Helsingborg in Sweden!
You can use the public transport which runs very frequently
The classic trap to avoid
Avoid systematically eating at restaurants in Copenhagen: Netto and Rema 1000 supermarkets offer amazing quality for 10 times less. Fresh sandwich + beer: €5-7 versus €25-30 at a restaurant.
If you want to party, there is a street Gotergade that gathers about ten bars, you will find Danish youth there otherwise there are many bars also in the city center! A little advice, nightlife runs from Thursday to Saturday night, other days it is quite dead!
If you want more information about the city or the country, follow the guide:
In the same vein, the article on berlin my favorite provides useful insight. Our feedback on travel budget in also offers good tips, and the guide dedicated to why not visit rome nicely rounds out the picture.
If you like Scandinavia and Europe, find the article: europe advice and the Scandinavian countries
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How many days in Copenhagen?
2 to 3 days are more than enough. 4 days if you add an excursion to Malmö (Sweden) in 30 minutes by train.
How to get around Copenhagen?
Bicycle (€15/day), very efficient metro, on foot in the center. No need for a taxi.
What is the best time to visit Copenhagen?
May to September: mild weather, long days. December for the Christmas market and the hygge atmosphere.
