Visit Copenhagen

Why choose Copenhagen for your weekend away? 

Copenhagen has an excellent reputation for being one of the richest, most innovative, environmentally friendly cities on the planet. Not only that, the people who call Denmark’s capital their home are the happiest in the world according to a report in 2013 and it has once again been voted the most liveable this year. 

The city is just a 4 hour drive from Denmark’s border with Germany and a 50 minute journey over the famous Oresund Bridge from Malmo in Sweden.  With an International Airport a 15 minute metro trip away from the centre and a busy port with 4 cruise terminals, the city is seen as a crucial link connecting Scandinavia with continental Europe.  

For me, it was an hour and a half Easyjet flight from Edinburgh to get to Copenhagen for my long weekend break to celebrate turning 25 years old. But why choose to visit Copenhagen rather than anywhere else in Europe? My reason was partly down to knowing someone who is studying there, however, after being there, I would recommend a visit to anyone. Whether you are a frequent city breaker who hasn’t yet ventured to Scandiland or you are more of a sun seeking, beach loving, summer breaker who fancies something different, look no further than ‘Wonderful Copenhagen’. 

Cycle, cycle, cycle

In Copenhagen, cycling is a part of life. With 220 miles of cycle tracks and cyclist traffic lights, rather than roads being designed to accommodate huge numbers of motorists, they are designed to ensure the safety of cyclists. Nearly every resident owns a bike and only 29% of households own a car. It is also normal to see people with makeshift bikes with a box built on the front so they can transport their children around or give their friend a lift somewhere. As a visitor, it is very enjoyable to jump on a bike and sweep through the streets like a local. It will allow you to see so much of the city and to dot about the different districts when you feel like it. Although cycling is a pleasant past time in it’s own right, sometimes it’s just nice to get to places that bit quicker than walking, especially if you are only there for a few days.

Many hotels offer bike rental and there are a number of rental shops that aren’t too pricey. Alternatively, there are the motor assisted city bikes, which you can pick up from a station in one location and drop off at another when you are finished with them. Unlike similar services in other cities, these bikes can lock and they have a built in GPS.   

But What Is There To Cycle To? I hear you ask

Nyhavn

This famous 17^th Century waterfront lined with brightly coloured buildings that now house cafes, bars and restaurants. In the summer, do like the locals and buy a beer from a local shop and relax with your feet dangling over the quayside. Once a gateway to the sea from the inner city, it is now more of a ‘heritage harbour’ with only small boats going in and out along with the frequent canal tour barges. 

Tivoli Gardens

The world’s second oldest amusement park, Tivoli Gardens, opened in 1843, beaten only by another park in Denmark which is also still open today. Although it has a good few rides including a classic wooden rollercoaster, a couple of thrilling loopy ones and the second tallest carousel in the world, this is not the sole reason for visiting. The 21 acre park is landscaped with fountains, green spaces, lakes and more than 400,000 flowers. The different themed buildings such as the Japanese Tower, the Moorish Palace and the Concert Hall are all fun to look at too. With a huge array of eateries and restaurants including chains such as Hard Rock and Wagamama, people including many locals come here in the evening when all the park’s features are lit up with fairy lights.  

The Towers – Christiansborg Palace and the Church of our Saviour

Copenhagen’s highest tower at 106 metres is atop Christiansborg Palace, the city’s Parliament Building. This tower offers panoramic views that stretch out to the Oresund Bridge and is surprisingly, free to access.

The 90 metre tall spire of the Church of our Saviour is not quite as tall as Christianborg’s Tower, however, the appealing (terrifying) aspect of climbing this one is the external winding staircase to the top.

Amalienborg Palace

The Royal Family’s Winter residence consisting of 4 identical buildings all facing inwards into a huge courtyard. From this courtyard, look to the South and you can see views of the giant square roofed Opera House across the sea, look to the North and your view is cut short by the magnificent  Frederik’s church, a fantastic domed building.

The Little Mermaid

Copenhagen’s smallest but most popular attraction, The Little Mermaid is a sculpture inspired by the fairy tale. Due to the author, Hans Christian Andersen being Danish and having lived in Copenhagen, the mermaid on a rock in the sea has become an icon of the city. Although not overly impressive, it’s worth wandering along the pretty, coastal promenade from Amalienborg Palace to where she is perched as it’s a nice area beside Kastellet, a fortress constructed to form a five pointed star.

Watery Wonderland

Copenhagen is a seaside city and due to it’s location and the fact that some of it is located on an island, it is as if there is a river running right through the centre. Due to the cleanliness of the water, it is possible to swim in the outdoor swimming facilities in the Harbour and one of the best things to do in the summer is to head to one of the Beach Parks, the most popular being Amagar Beach Park with real sand, dunes and sun loungers.

There are canals snaking into different districts giving the city an Amsterdam feel, especially when barges float by. You can take a boat tour from various pick-up spots where you can see the sights from the water and learn a bit more about the city.  

The 3 vast, rectangular lakes are also quite spectacular and the 4 mile pathway around them is popular with cyclists and joggers. They are split into 4 reservoirs by roads but are still very peaceful, especially the Western side. In Winter, they sometimes completely freeze over and people are able to take an icy walk or go skating. 

Park Life

As well as being split up by waterways and canals, Copenhagen’s bustling streets are broken up by a large number of parks and gardens. In fact, a policy has been introduced stating that by 2015, all residents must be able to walk to a park in less than 15 minutes.

The King’s Garden is the most central park and hosts the turreted Rosenborg Castle. With a pretty moat around the castle and colourful rose gardens, this is a nice place to laze on a Summer’s day or to stroll through. Directly behind this, is the 24 acre Botanic Gardens which is noted for it’s historic glasshouses. Even some graveyards are used as recreational parks, such as the Assistens Cemetery where many famous Danes are buried including Han Christian Andersen himself.   

Street treats

As I was only in the city for 4 nights, I can’t begin to recommend specific restaurants, cafes and bars but just by wandering and cycling around, you will notice the abundance of different places. From stylish coffee houses, bakeries, casual cafe bars with blankets on seats outside, alternative pubs, stylish cocktail and wine bars, fancy fine-diners and classy bistros. There is a massive choice and you can find them dotted around everywhere. Saying that, there are some streets that you won’t want to miss, even if you don’t stop.

Jaegersborggade – Like many popular, unique streets these days, this one used to be avoidable and quite dodgy. Now it has over 30 art galleries and lots of little independent cafes and shops including a juice bar that is also a vegetable shop and a handmade caramel store.

Stroget – Europe’s longest pedestrianised street offers 1 km of International budget chains and expensive brands. In between these though, there’s plenty of Danish boutiques, the famous patisserie Conditori La Glace and of course, The Lego Shop.

Gammel Strand – Copenhagen’s version of a ‘bar strip’. Without knowing all the best bars hidden around the city, this is a great place to head for your first night of bevying as there are a number of different places all a close proximity to each other.

Larsbjornsstraede – Situated in the Latin quarter, this street and those around it are known for their vibrant atmosphere in the evenings. Many people head to the funky bars here at the weekend.

Kompagnistraede – Near the city centre and just a 5 minute walk from the street above, there are plenty of cocktail bars and dimly-lit pubs to stumble upon.