The Mediterranean region has a certain charm and is a wonderful holiday
destination, offering plenty of choices and the deep blue sea. That’s we keep
going back to it. However, as summer progresses, it tends to get quite hot — and
coming from a warm country ourselves, we didn’t want to spend too much time in
the heat. So, we flew from Mallorca after spending 8-9 days in Spain and we
arrived in the cooler climes of the Baltics. The final few days of our holiday
were planned in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark. Denmark is known for the
happiness of its people. It has frequently been ranked to be amongst the
happiest countries in the world. It was now time for us to experience life among
these famously cheerful people. Copenhagen reminded us of Amsterdam — with its
colorful buildings, beautiful architecture, vibrant pedestrian streets, historic
landmarks, cycling culture, and scenic canals. On the day we arrived, we decided
to ease into the city by taking a canal boat tour. As we walked toward the pier,
we stumbled upon a striking historical building with a high tower. Curious, we
followed a few others inside and realised no one was stopping us. To our
surprise, we had walked into Christiansborg Palace, the seat of the Danish
Parliament.
Inside, we discovered there was an entrance to the tower. After a brief security
check, we were allowed to take the lift to the top — with no tickets, no
charges, and hardly any visitors around. From the top, we were rewarded with
stunning panoramic views of Copenhagen. We would have gladly paid for such views
and even waited in a long queue if required. Did we just get lucky — or is it
better to visit such places in the evening when the tour groups have finished
their day’s quota of sightseeing ? The canal boat tour is an absolute must. The
guide provided fascinating insights into the city’s architecture, history, and
culture. The boat glided under low bridges and through narrow canals, often
requiring skilled navigation from the pilot. I mentally noted several places I
wanted to explore later — Nyhavn, Refshaleøen, The Royal Palace, and Freetown
Christiania.
Getting Around Copenhagen
Transportation in Copenhagen can be
expensive. Taxis are costly, and even Uber fares are quite high. Like Norway,
Denmark is generally an expensive country for tourists. Thankfully, much of the
city is compact and pedestrian-friendly, so walking is common and enjoyable. For
longer distances, you’ll need public transport. Visitors can choose between a
Copenhagen Card or a City Pass. The Copenhagen Card includes access to public
transportation and free entry to many museums and attractions. We opted for a
2-day City Pass, which we primarily used on the metro. City Passes are available
in different zone categories, depending on the areas you plan to visit. A single
point-to-point ticket is significantly more expensive than using a pass. We
purchased ours from a vending machine at a metro station, though you can also
buy them at DSB 7-Eleven shops or online at the DOT Tickets website. Once your
transport is sorted, Copenhagen becomes very easy to navigate.
Places You Must
Visit
Nyhavn, the old harbor, is a must-visit for every tourist. This
picture-perfect harbor is full of life, especially in the summer. With its
cobblestone streets, moored tall ships, colorful townhouses, and a wide array of
restaurants and bars, it’s a lovely place for a stroll — even if you don’t plan
to eat or drink.
Nyhavn is bustling with energy when we reached there around 7 PM. Interestingly,
this vibrancy isn’t limited to just the popular areas — the entire city hums
with the same infectious spirit. Beer and wine seem to flow freely throughout
the day in every corner of Copenhagen. At Nyhavn people were sitting inside the
restaurants, out in the open and many were seated at the edge of canal watching
the boats go by. I felt the essence of the Danish concept of “hygge” — a sense
of coziness, warmth, and conviviality — in the cafés, restaurants, and the
general atmosphere of the city. Refshaleøen is a great place to hang out,
especially if you have some time to spare. Once home to one of the world’s
largest shipyards, this industrial area has transformed into one of Copenhagen’s
trendiest districts. A major draw here is Reffen, a lively outdoor food market
that serves cuisine from all over the world — making it a popular spot with both
locals and tourists. You can also sample Mikkeller’s world-class beer at
Baghaven, one of their renowned microbreweries in the area. For something more
traditional, try the classic Danish ‘smørrebrød’ — open-faced sandwiches that
are as delicious as they are iconic. While Danish pastries are tempting, it’s
definitely worth trying authentic Danish cuisine while you’re here.
There are
quite a few things to explore and in good weather and lovely surroundings we
visited the Amalienborg Palace, The little mermaid statue and Rosenberg castle.
It does get tiring but there are enough cafes where one can sit down and relax.
We didn’t visit the famous Tivoli gardens as I think I have had more than my
fill of amusement parks.
Strøget is one of the longest pedestrian shopping
streets in Europe and a must-visit for tourists. It’s centrally located and
easily accessible, offering a vibrant shopping experience with a mix of high-end
brands, global chains, and local stores. One notable stop is the LEGO Store — a
highlight not just for kids but for anyone interested in Danish culture. Since
LEGO is a Danish invention and a point of national pride, visiting the store
feels like a little pilgrimage to a cultural icon. Coming from Spain, we noticed
a significant price difference — almost everything felt more expensive in
Copenhagen. Yet, despite the high prices, we still found ourselves shopping at
Strøget. It’s just that kind of place.
The Meatpacking District – An Unexpected
Gem
Our hotel, Absalon, was conveniently located near the Central Station. If we
hadn’t stayed in that area, we might never have discovered the Meatpacking
District — and what a discovery it was.
One Friday evening, we were on a casual walk to a nearby supermarket when we
noticed a crowd heading down a side street. Everyone seemed to be local, most of
them just off work and ready to kick off the weekend. Intrigued, we followed —
and found ourselves in Kødbyen, the former meatpacking district. Once a hub for
animal slaughterhouses, this area has been reborn as one of Copenhagen’s coolest
restaurant and nightlife zones. From the outside, it still looks like an
abandoned industrial zone — plain, even run-down. But once inside, you’ll find
an incredible mix of stylish restaurants, bars, and vibrant nightlife. The
atmosphere was electric — music, food, drinks, and crowds of happy people.
Hundreds of bicycles were parked outside, a clear sign that this was a local
favorite. I absolutely loved the vibe. It felt like we had stumbled upon one of
Copenhagen’s best-kept secrets.
A ride to Sweden
Sweden and Denmark were enemies
for centuries and fought many wars against each other. Today, they are friendly
neighbors. The Øresund Bridge has brought them closer together, benefiting both
countries. Since we weren’t driving, we couldn’t cross the bridge by car, but we
made use of the nearby train station and took a train to the city of Lund.
Lund is a charming university town. We walked to the university, strolled
through the parks, and explored the shopping streets. Lund University is one of
the highest-ranked universities in the world. Nearby are the impressive Lund
Cathedral and the Kulturen open-air museum. On the way back, we stopped for
lunch in another lovely city—Malmö, known for its historic castle. Though we
were only in Sweden for a few hours, it was enough time for me to enjoy
traditional Swedish meatballs with a chilled beer.
Freetown Christina - Definitely worth a visit
Visiting Freetown Christiania in Copenhagen felt like stepping into a completely
different world. It’s a self-governed, alternative community that began in the
1970s when people took over abandoned military barracks and turned them into a
place built on values like freedom, creativity, and communal living. The area is
full of colorful street art, handmade houses, eco-conscious projects, and a
laid-back vibe that embraces counterculture.
There’s even a place called Pusher Street where cannabis is sold openly, despite
being technically illegal in Denmark. The following signboard explains what
exactly Freetown Christina is all about. Whatever it was – it was definitely
interesting.
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