Where else can you experience a gestalt of cosmopolitan old-world charm for a sustainable future in a hip, cultural feast? Even more, the Danish people are known as some of the happiest people on Earth. As the “World’s most Livable and Bike Friendly City,” I always love exploring this unique destination and wouldn’t mind living here myself. Also, this green city aims to be carbon-neutral by 2025! So, I enjoy sharing this Copenhagen Travel Guide with top attractions.
Copenhagen is the capital of the Kingdom of Denmark. It’s located on the eastern coast of the island of Zealand, with part on Amager. Denmark has a temperate climate with mild winters having a mean temperature of about 35 degrees. In contrast, cool summers have a mean temperature at about 63 degrees. The Oresund Bridge, connecting Denmark to Sweden is one of the biggest engineering marvels of the world. The 16 km (10 mi) road and rail link consist of a bridge, an island and underwater tunnel. Many visitors take a one-day trip across the Oresund Strait, just to experience this underwater drive.
Part of the reason, the Danes are known for being happy is their attitude about lifestyle and Hygge. Pronounced “hoo-guh” Hygge is a traditional custom in both Denmark and Norway. Even though it has no direct translation, “cozy” comes close. Its experiences involve simple, sensual comforts and social connections, such as, sharing a delicious meal, good wine, a nap in the park, gardening, candles, fireplaces or a sunset.
Planning your Trip at Copenhagen Visitor Center
Copenhagen Visitor Service is located on Vesterbrogade 4, across the street from the main entrance to Tivoli Gardens and near Copenhagen Central Station. It, also, includes one of the city’s best bakeries, Lagkagehuset, where you can buy coffee and a delicious Danish pastry. This is an ideal place to get maps, book tours or buy a Copenhagen Card for access to all the top attractions. Also, it’s certified as a Green Tourism Organization.
Copenhagen Travel Guide & Top Attractions
Tivoli Gardens
As the second oldest amusement park in the world, Tivoli Gardens also has a pleasure garden. Conveniently, it’s right next door to the Central Rail Station. This park is best known for its wooden roller coaster, Rutschebanen aka Bjergbanen (The Mountain Coaster), built in 1914. It’s one of the world’s oldest wooden roller coasters that is still operating today. Additionally, the colorful flower gardens and trees provide a beautiful alcove for peaceful relaxation and hygge.
Rent a Bike
Bicycling is the essence of this cityscape. With a mostly flat terrain and a well-designed bicycling infrastructure, Copenhagen is a Bicycling Utopia. 62% of its citizens commute to work or school by bicycle here. There are countless shops to rent a bike or take a tour for getting around. Even more, Copenhagen is the most bicycle-friendly city in the world. So, this is the best way to authentically explore it just like the locals do.
Nyhavn or “New Harbour”
The historic and iconic Nyhavn waterfront sits next to the 17th century canal, where old wooden ships still moor. It used to be a seedy part of town. However, now it’s a hip place to wander and enjoy it’s bars, restaurants and cafes, el fresco style. Classic Danish tall rowhouses, dating back to the 1600’s, line both sides of the canal. However, now they stand out brightly painted and used for some authentic hygge with meals, coffee or a social gathering.
In addition, the canal rides start here for a water tour of this ancient city. Also, the house numbers 18, 20 and 67 (marked with a plaque) were homes to the author of The Little Mermaid, Hans Christian Andersen.
Stroget or Kronprinsensgade Streets for Shopping
This car-free zone is the longest pedestrian shopping street in Europe at 1.1 km. With high-end boutiques, along with eclectic restaurants and cafes, there’s something for everyone here. Fasionista or not, it’s a great place to people watch.
I find clothing shopping here worth the financial splurge. With its unique, European styles, I have brought home stylish and eclectic garments, such as, a French dress, Spanish skirts and Danish sweaters.
Additionally, there are specialty and independent shops on the narrow side streets off Stroget, such as, Kronprinsensgade Street. This off the beaten track with a quieter and less touristy vibe.
Christiansborg Palace
The Christansborg Palace is of great historical significance and still used today by H. M., the Queen of Denmark. For 800 years, this square has been the center of power, however the palace was built in 1928. Today, it’s used for many important events and gala dinners. You can explore the palace on your own or by a tour.
National Museum of Denmark
This extensive natural and historical museum is chock full of exhibits that would take days to see. If limited in time, I recommend picking a section and see it well. For me, the highlight was seeing the collection of large, ancient Viking runestones. This was a dream for a Rune lover like me.
The biggest part of the National Museum of Denmark focuses on the Danish history. The collection splits into three permanent exhibitions: (1) pre-history to the Viking era (around AD 1050) (2) the Middle Ages and Renaissance period (3) and finally, Denmark after 1660 to the present.
Restaurants & Bakeries for Danish Cuisine
Rated the World’s Best Restaurant, NOMA put Copenhagen on many Foodie Maps. However, to get in this 3-Michelin star restaurant, you must reserve months in advance. Thankfully, there are many more good restaurants to choose from. Reffen offers the largest street food selection in the Nordic region. Another outdoor venue in street food style is Broens Street Kitchen at the end of the Inner Harbor Bridge. Gammel Strand is a nice place for a drink or lunch with seating on the canal.
The best way to start off the day in Denmark is by having a coffee with a delicious Danish pastry. Pastries are available as either a mouthwatering, flaky sweet or savory flavor. I discovered the Flodeboller in Copenhagen, a Danish chocolate covered marshmallow puff in exquisite spires just like the cathedrals in Copenhagen. Top bakeries to seek out in Copenhagen are Anderson & Maillard or nearby Mirabelle Bakery, Hart Bakery and Juno (Osterbro). Also, Lagkagehuset is a popular cafe seen throughout the city. It’s always tasty and conveniently accessible.
Other delicious cuisine dishes to sample are Fontina (mild, pale-yellow cheese), Rye bread sandwich aka Smørrebrød. Plus, various national dishes include pork, for example, Aebleflæsk, “Krebinetter” and meatballs. A fun way to explore the Copenhagen culinary scene is at the Torvehallerne Food Market in Norrebro described below.
Torvehallerne Food Market
The Torvehallerne Food Market offers more than the senses can perceive, with more than 60 stalls on Israels Plads in the Norrebro area. Eclectic eateries, cafes and stalls include plenty to get the taste buds going, such as, breads, cakes, pastries, spices, cheeses meats, flowers, herbs, coffee, tea and chocolates.
If you are a coffee lover, don’t miss the Coffee Collective, known for having the best coffee in Copenhagen. And GROD is a wonderful chance to try some porridge, Copenhagen style with interesting toppings, such as salted caramels. It’s opened every day and the best way to really discover the essence of Copenhagen cuisine.
Copenhagen Botanical Garden
Located in the middle of Copenhagen in the Norrebro District, there are more than 13,000 plant species on display at The Botanical Gardens. They are in sections, such as, the Rhododendron Gardens, Perennials, Rock Garden, Observatory Hill, Victorian Greenhouse, Butterfly and Palm House.
Overall, these gardens are known as much for their botanical gardens, as the stylish iron and glass structures that house them. The glasshouses date from the 1870s, and the most impressive of these is the conservatory complex built in 1874. Also, some of the plant species in here are 200 years old. The Botanical Gardens are free unless you do the Butterfly or Palm Houses. Also part of the complex is the Natural History Museum of Denmark.
Climb Spiral Stairs of Church of Our Saviour
Best View of Copenhagen
The Church of Our Saviour is a stunning Baroque Church with an serpentine spire pointing to the sky. It is one of the most famous churches in Copenhagen and known for its stunning spire with 400 stairs leading to the top. Visitors can climb the spiral stairs to the top with the last 100 being outside for epic views of the entire city and surroundings.
It’s best to make a reservation if you want to make the journey to the top to avoid queues. This was one of my best experiences in Copenhagen and had a blast, from both the fun and wind at the top with the best view in the city.
Discover Why Copenhagen is called “City of Spires”
Also called the “City of Spires,” there are a dozen well-known architectural spires in Copenhagen. You can’t escape observing these intriguing shapes pointing skyward from the majestic skyline. Many spires are made of copper, then oxidized green by salt air.
My photos above show the symbolic green spire looming from the Tower of St. Nicholas Church and the Dragon Spire on the Borsen or Old Stock Exchange. The intertwining dragons on the 197-foot spire represents the Kalmar Union. This was a close relationship among Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Furthermore, according to legend, it protected the building from numerous fires. My favorite spire is from the Church of Our Saviour explained above.
Little Mermaid Statue
One of Copenhagen’s top ten attractions is the bronzed Little Mermaid Statue. On the Langelinie promenade, this iconic landmark sits on a boulder in the water as a mermaid becoming human. All the hype and crowds around this small sculpture is an unfortunate tourist mob scene. However, not to forget the meaning behind her.
The sculptor Edvard Eriksen created the mermaid in 1913, as a tribute to the local author, Hans Christian Anderson, inspired by his fairytale. Most tourists are surprised how small the statue really is.
Freetown Christiania
This intentional community is the “Haight Ashbury of Copenhagen” on an island with many canals. Formerly filled with military ramparts, it’s now populated as a commune since 1971. Wandering the island, I relaxed in a park with colorful flowers and swans next to a canal with spires above the trees in the distant horizon.
Also, I observed artist studios, organic shops, restaurants and music sites. My day ended at a pub, enjoying a local beer with some locals. It was good clean social Hygge, enjoying my Christiania Beer, brewed with Hemp. Thus, this leads to a controversial topic about marijuana here. This self-governing community is exempt from the City Marijuana laws. In other words, marijuana is legal and sold by street vendors in Freetown.
Royal Danish Collections
Amalienborg, Rosenborg and Koldinghus
Visitors can see the Royal Danish Collection between three palaces turned museums. At Amalienborg Museum there are the Faberge Chamber and Gala Hall. The Rosenborg Castle houses the famous Crown Jewels and Royal Regalia. And the Koldinghus is a stunning restoration of a 700-year old castle into a modern museum with fascinating exhibits.
Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek Art Museum
Next to Tivoli Gardens, the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek art museum houses an amazing collection of art owned by the brewing magnate, Carl Jacobsen. Opened in 1888, the museum in itself is a spectacular atmosphere with a Winter Garden in the heart of the labyrinth of artworks. It features the biggest selection of Ancient Mediterranean art in Northern Europe.
My favorites were the vast array of French Masters, such as, Monet, Degas, Picasso, Van Gogh, Cezanne and Gaugin. Also, the sculpture is incredible for Danish and French artists, like Rodin and Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux.
CopenHill
CopenHill is a bold statement about Copenhagen’s aim to be the First Carbon-Neutral Smart City by 2025. This waste-to-energy plant has been transformed into a 1,300-foot slope for recreational uses, such as, snow skiing, hiking and climbing. Even if you don’t want to do these activities, it’s worth a visit for a free tour. I took the elevator to the top and enjoyed the terrace café with one of the best views of Copenhagen. Then I walked down the stairs along the ski slope and chairlift without snow in June.
4 Top Day Trips from Copenhagen by Train
The Copenhagen Central Train Station is a bustling and efficient hub in the city center, next to Tivoli Gardens. From this station, there are numerous day trips that you can reach in reasonable time. For example, here are 4 awesome day trips just an hour or less away:
Kronborg Castle of Shakespeare’s Hamlet
Odense, the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen
Frederiksborg Castle and Baroque Gardens
Roskilde, Cathedral City of Vikings & Kings
Related: Kronborg Castle of Shakespeare’s Hamlet – An Incredible Day Trip from Copenhagen
Overall, Copenhagen Travel Guide
Traveling is an art, finding the cultural essence wherever you roam. For Copenhagen, simply taste the Danish cuisine, smell the bright flowers, see the spires, hear the clanking bicycles and feel its sea breeze and you will discover the true meaning of Hygge.
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