Copenhagen - A city of happy people

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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