After scoring a cheap last minute return flight from London I set off for a weekend in Copenhagen, my first ever European trip! With the exception of the metro from the airport to my accommodation, Copenhagen is a very walkable city – so below I have grouped together the attractions I visited each day in order (that are conveniently walked to and from).
Day 1
I always try and start off a jam packed weekend with a hearty breakfast and while there are heaps of amazing cafes on offer in Copenhagen, the following gem was recommended by a local friend who is currently in Copenhagen on a study exchange!
Cafe N
Easily my favourite breakfast on my travels to date, Cafe N had a great Scandinavian menu with big portions and reasonable prices (an awesome bonus considering the average Copenhagen price range). The omelette meal shown above which I highly recommend was 69 DKK ($14 AUD).
Rosenberg Castle
Even on a cloudy winters day wandering around the castle and the surrounding gardens was gorgeous! I am visiting Copenhagen again at the end of May 2015, so I am looking forward to seeing these gardens in full Spring bloom.
Nyhavn
Probably my favourite area in Copenhagen, this street is lined with restaurants and cafes. If you plan to eat here make sure to wander all the way down to the end to compare all the available menus as the ones closest to the main street seemed to be more pricey. This is also where you can get your token ‘colourful buildings’ tourist shot (shown below) 🙂 I was pleasantly surprised to notice that Nyhavn seemed to be a hang out spot for locals as well as tourists which added to the overall vibe of the area.
Amalienborg Palace
Tucked just behind Nyhavn, Amalienborg Palace (the winter home of the Danish royal family) was all but deserted due to the dreary weather but nevertheless equally stunning.
Torvehallerne Food Markets
For the most amazing variety of fresh produce, meats and sweets this is the place to be! My personal favourite purchase was a huge salmon sandwich (55 DKK) which I had for lunch both days of my stay. Be sure to take advantage of all the free samples on offer and be prepared to come back on your second day in Copenhagen haha.
Day 2
Kastellet
On the way to The Little Mermaid I managed to get lost and came across Kastellet, one of the best preserved star fortresses in Northern Europe. I dont think I have ever been so happy to have accidentally taken a detour, the views are breathtaking!
The Little Mermaid
Probably Copenhagen’s best known attraction, I would be lying if I didn’t say that the small statue was a tad underwhelming. However, due to it being a ‘classic’ Copenhagen monument it is something you should visit during your stay.
National Gallery of Denmark and Collection
I would not consider myself an art buff whatsoever but I easily spent a couple of hours wandering this extensive exhibition. Entry is free and there was a diverse array of art genres from different decades – as well as a whole area dedicated to traditional Danish art.
Round Tower
Entry to the Round Tower is 25 DKK ($6 AUD, £3) and in my opinion was well worth it for the best views of Copenhagen.
Christiania
Christiana is not for everyone but it is a unique and eccentric part of the city. Bear in mind to abide by the no photos rule as despite it openly being sold, marijuana is illegal in Copenhagen. You will not get in trouble for visiting Christiana and it is interesting to wander the brightly coloured hippie influenced area.
L’appetit
If you are looking for an amazing budget eat L’appetit is probably the best sandwich I have ever had! The portions were huge, the ingredients were fresh and it’s such a cute little cafe that was reccomended to me by a local 🙂
Overall I had an amazing 48 hours in Copenhagen and I cannot wait to visit again in May so I can further explore this beautiful city 😀
Interested in other European City Breaks? Why not check out: