Here's What Not to Miss in Copenhagen for a Drool-worthy Holiday

Vibrant, historic, picturesque and engaging, Copenhagen is one of our favourite cities in Scandinavia. With its gleaming canals, a skyline dotted with rising spires of churches and palaces, inviting greens, rich museums, fascinating galleries, and lively cafés, this Danish capital has something for everyone.

Of the plethora of experiences it offers, here is a list of what captures the magic and beauty of Copenhagen best:

A City Tour

Quite a magnet for travellers from across the world, Copenhagen offers a variety of guided tours to acquaint you with the city. Pick the one that suits you best – on foot, bike or bus. It also has canal tours, where you can see the city from its enchanting waterways. They also have covered boats, in case you’re worried about the chill in the air!

Walking in Frederiksstaden

The city’s most distinctive district, Frederiksstaden houses its best architectural and historic gems. The three spectacular buildings – including the stately Amalienborg Palace, home of the Danish royal family, the domed Frederik’s Church or Marble Church, and the modern Opera House building, stand here in one line forming an axis. Watch the ‘Change of Guards’ ceremony in the palace square as the clock strikes noon. The Elegant 18^th century mansions add to the charm of Frederiksstaden, making it one of Europe’s most glitzy areas.

Café Hopping in Nyhavn​

If there’s one place you’d want to keep coming back to while in Copenhagen, it is the charming street of Nyhavn, picturesquely situated by the canal. Once a bustling dockyard, today it is lined with cafés, restaurants and bars, housed in quaint 17^th-18^th  century townhouses, painted in soft hues of yellow, red, blues and greens.

In summer, the scene is enchanting. The outdoor sit-outs are packed with those enjoying a drink or a meal, as an occasional musician strums out melodies standing by the quay, while the reflection of the row of colourful buildings glimmer in the waters. The Copenhagen Jazz Festival, held every July, enlivens the street even more, with day-long performances!

What’s more? Nyhavn was also home to the famous author, Hans Christian Anderson for some 18 years, and you can stock up on some trinkets from the souvenir shop at his erstwhile residence, while here.

Exploring the city’s art scene

Home to famous art centers and galleries, Copenhagen has been delighting artists from around the world since ages. Be it Nikolaj, Contemporary Art Center or the SMK – The National Gallery of Denmark, the art centers feature breathtaking views, command scenic and inspiring surroundings and feature some of the best pieces in the world. You can also enjoy some of the city’s street performers here, right from acrobats and magicians to amazing musicians!

Shopping at Strøget 

Popular for its extensive range of outlets, spanning pocket-friendly chains to expensive brands, Copenhagen’s largest shopping district sprung around Strøget. You can embark on a retail therapy session, or feast your eyes on the charming views of the Stork Fountain, the Christiansborg Palace, The Royal Danish Theatre and many more.

Day-out in Tivoli

Travelling with kids? Then be sure to keep aside a day for Tivoli Gardens. Opened in 1843, this second oldest amusement park in the world, has both the young and old enjoying themselves with its whirl of rides and carnivalesque atmosphere. Apart from the roller-coasters and myriad stalls, you can also enjoy the various cultural shows and concerts that Tivoli hosts.

We recommend a visit to Tivoli Gardens during the Copenhagen Jazz Festival – the place is just lights up with decorations and some of the best-known musicians in the world!

Freewheeling in Christiania

The Freetown of Christiania, a self-proclaimed autonomous neighbourhood in Christianshavn, is a must visit for its colourful graffiti and free spiritedness. Explore beyond the ‘infamous’ yet intriguing Pusher Street, and you will stumble upon a wonderland of craft shops, beer gardens and music venues.

Oh, wait! Though Christiania offers an enriching holiday experience, it also has the distinction of being the famous address of the Church of Our Saviour – a spiritual and architectural delight, offering panoramic views of the city from atop its signature serpentine tower.

Reliving Hamlet in Kronborg

Walk down the corridors of Northern Europe’s largest Renaissance castle, and relive the magic of ‘Hamlet’ at Kronborg. Renowned across the world as ‘Hamlet’s Castle’, this sprawling edifice is less than an hour’s drive from Copenhagen. For an immersive experience, look up the events at Kronborg before you plan your itinerary – you might just be able to catch ‘Hamlet’ being performed live!

Drive on Oresund Bridge

An engineering marvel, the Øresund Bridge connecting Copenhagen with Sweden is to be seen to be believed. Partly under water, this is a combined road-and-rail bridge in Europe, built as such to allow seamless movement of both ships and aeroplanes.

Christmas Cheer

Come Christmas, and the city is bitten with a festive bug. Tivoli Gardens is dressed with strings of twinkling fairy lights, snow-laden trees and small wooden houses. Nyhavn readies itself for a traditional Christmas market, with decorated stalls by the quay, selling holiday treats and souvenirs. The scent of roasted almonds fills the air, and delicious Danish Christmas goodies and Swedish mulled wine (glogg) are served in cosy restaurants. It is definitely a good time to be in Copenhagen.

So, go ahead, plan a visit to this Scandinavian capital, and it shall leave you with a myriad experiences to savour.

P.S. We couldn’t end this list without mentioning the iconic statue of The Little Mermaid! A nondescript bronze statue depicting a mermaid’s transition to a human based on the famous fairytale, this statue would be your iconic Copenhagen backdrop to boast about.

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