Copenhagen, Denmark’s capital, is a great destination for a weekend away. Several airlines have daily flights to Copenhagen from around Europe, and there are regular flights to Copenhagen from London. The top three tourist attractions are the Little Mermaid statue, the Tivoli Gardens and Christiania, the famous hippie freetown.
Things to Do in Copenhagen
Tivoli is the oldest amusement park in the world. Tivoli was first opened in 1843, and the rides include modern rides as well as easy rides suitable for children. There are also cafés and restaurants, open air stages and theatres.
Once you have seen the top sights, there is still a lot more to see and do in Copenhagen. The Amalienborg Palace is the home of Denmark’s royal family and an example of Danish Rococo architecture. The main attraction here is the changing of the Royal Guard every day.
For those interested in art, the National Gallery of Denmark is a good starting point. The gallery has both Danish and international works of art, including contemporary art. There are also special exhibitions for children. Frilandsmuseet, Copenhagen’s open air museum, takes visitors back to the time of the famous Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen, known for his memorable fairytales. Many houses in Frilandsmuseet look like they did in the 19th century.
Strøget is one of the highlights of Copenhagen, especially if you like shopping. This street is the longest pedestrian street in the world and it is home to shops, boutiques, coffee shops, restaurants and bars. Strøget starts from the City Hall Square and covers many streets. It is a popular destination for nightlife too.
In the summer, spend some time in Nyhavn, a popular place to eat and drink especially on sunny summer days and evenings. Nyhavn used to be a commercial port, but is today a renovated area with stylish restaurants and bars. Many restaurants here can be expensive, but locals come to Nyhavn simply to sit by the water and enjoy the atmosphere.
Budget Travel Tips to Copenhagen
Standards of living are high in Denmark, and Copenhagen may seem expensive. Fortunately there are free things to do in Copenhagen for those visiting on a small budget. The Botanical Gardens are a landscaped garden area with herbs, trees and shrubs, and they are free to enter and to walk around.
It does not cost anything to see the most famous statue in Copenhagen, The Little Mermaid. The freetown Christiania is another free attraction, and inside Christiania you can spend time in cheap cafes and restaurants or just walk around for a while.
Tips for Getting Around Copenhagen
Many tourist attractions are a short walking distance away from each other. Another easy and affordable way to see the city is to hire a bicycle. The local bus network and the Metro are affordable ways to travel around the Copenhagen. The CHPCard, or Copenhagen Card, is a travel pass that gives you free bus, train and Metro travel in the city, and free entry to more than 60 tourist attractions. You can buy the card in tourist information offices, travel agents, main train stations and many hotels.
