Today’s Post
We’ve never tried a post like today’s, which is a travel guide of sorts. While we’re by no means experts when it comes to Copenhagen, as we grew up in the small fishing village of Nykøbing Sjælland, we have been there a fair few times. Plus, we’ve given loads of tips to friends and family from the US and UK who have planned a trip to Copenhagen and asked for our advice. So, we thought why not compile it in a post on the blog? That way, we can hopefully inspire many more people to visit our beautiful home country.
And while this is specifically a guide to the lovely capital, Copenhagen, we would always suggest you get out of the city and spend some time in the beautiful nature of Denmark. The beaches and coastline throughout the country are amazing year-round, the forests are super serene and calming, and the history and architecture you can see and experience everywhere are truly incredible. And, if you’re more of a city person, there are also some great and reasonably big cities over in Jylland, one of the other parts of Denmark, such as Aalborg and Aarhus. We think that you can better understand the people and the culture when you’re able to see more of the country, not just the capital city.
1. The bakeries
It wouldn’t be a post by Skandibaking if the first thing on this list wasn’t bakeries, or at least food-related. There’s tons of delicious food and up-and-coming restaurants in Copenhagen, which is undoubtedly a hub of Nordic and global cuisine. But there are also lots of classic restaurants and bakeries that have been around for a long time. In short, there’s a long list of places you could possibly visit and have a very lovely meal or snack. So, no matter what, you’ll have to narrow down your list to just a few must-visit bakeries. That’s why we’ve decided to share our favorites here, along with links to their websites or social media so you can check them out for yourself.
The list:
2. The water by boat
This is always one of our top recommendations for anyone going to visit Copenhagen. The capital city, like much of the rest of Denmark, is right on the water. There are lots of harbors, where people love to go to hang out and swim in the summertime. You can very easily walk up and down along the water as you’re sightseeing, but we would also suggest getting out into the water via boat. Now, there are different ways in which you can do this. You can rent a boat, like from GoBoat or FriendShips, which is really fun if you have a whole day or afternoon to spend out on the water. Alternatively, you can go on a boat tour from main harbors like Nyhavn, and this is also a great option. There’s something special about seeing Copenhagen from the water and getting a great taste of the architecture, including buildings and bridges.
3. Tivoli
Have you ever seen an amusement park, filled with roller coasters and thrilling rides, in the middle of a city? Tivoli Gardens is just that. This was always a childhood treat for us – a day out in Tivoli. If you do want to visit, make sure to check the time of year, as it’s sometimes closed. But Halloween and Christmas are both great times to visit and it’s open, so don’t let a bit of cold weather deter you from a trip to Denmark! They always decorate beautifully for holidays and you can expect beautiful flowers, plants, and trees, as it’s also a garden, after all. There are often music and theatre performances there as well, so that’s something you can check out and book tickets for if it interests you. Finally, there are some great rides, like the classic roller coaster Rutschebanen, one of the oldest still-running wooden roller coasters in the world!
4. Christiania
Freetown Christiania is a small section of Copenhagen that is a self-declared autonomous commune. It was started in 1971, and since then has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Copenhagen. It’s a really cool place to visit, as many residents built their houses themselves and there’s plenty of artwork and graffiti to be found. Another reason for the area’s popularity is Pusher Street, which is where cannabis is sold. However, this has led to a rise in gang violence in the area, which has made a negative mark on the reputation of an otherwise alternative and cool part of the city. Very recently in April of 2024, with the agreement of both residents and authorities, Pusher Street was torn up with the hope of putting an end to the cannabis booths and the violence. You can read more about this new change and Christiania’s history here.
5. Castles
If you’re planning a trip to Denmark, you’re probably aware of the many castles scattered throughout the country. You can definitely take a day trip out of the city to Hillerød to see the beautiful Frederiksborg castle, but the city of Copenhagen itself has several castles too. First, there’s Amalienborg, which is the official residence of the Danish royal family. This is where you can see the march of the royal guards and the changing of the guards. Then, there’s Rosenborg, which isn’t too far away, and was built as a summer residence for the royals. The most popular thing to see there is the garden, which is called Kongens Have (The King’s Garden), and is both beautiful and a very popular hang-out spot for Copenhagen residents. Finally, there’s Christiansborg, which is home to the Danish Parliament, Prime Minister’s office, and Supreme Court. You may have heard of the Danish political show “Borgen,” which is a common nickname for Christiansborg.
6. Strøget
Do you like shopping? If so, this is the street for you. Strøget is the main shopping street in Copenhagen, so it’s always full of people and very lively. You can find some fun shops on this street, as well as the classic chain stores. And if you’re looking for some touristy souvenirs, this is where you can find them. However, beware of any pickpocketers, as this is probably the place you’re most likely to find them. Enjoy your shopping and finish it off with a hot dog at one of the many pølsevogne (hot dog stands) in and around Strøget!
7. Churches
The architecture in Copenhagen is amazing, so we would highly recommend any tour of the city that is architecture-focused. Some of the innovations happening in Denmark when it comes to eco-conscious and sustainable building are very impressive. But it’s not only a hub for new and innovative architecture, as it also has some classic buildings, like the castles mentioned above. However, another favorite of ours is the churches. You can see spires and domes across the city skyline. Some notable churches to visit include: Frederik’s Church, Grundtvig’s Church, and Church of Our Saviour.
Thanks for reading!
We hope you enjoyed today’s post, whether or not you’re planning a trip to Copenhagen anytime soon. We certainly love to spend time in the city, so please let us know if we missed any of your favorite spots in the comments so we can check them out next time we visit! We know we’ve left out a few classics from this list, so don’t be surprised if you see a part two of this post in the future!
