Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark. The city is located on the coastal islands of Zealand and Amager and links Malmo, in southern Sweden, by the Öresund Bridge.

My visit to Copenhagen was not a planned trip. It was a surprise trip for my 30th birthday, from my lovely sister. She planned it all, providing me with a fantastic 3 days, of exploring the Danish city.

Spending only 72 hours in Copenhagen, we were not able to see and do everything the city has to offer.

Here is how my sister and I spent 72 hours:

Day 1:

Hans Christian Andersen Statue

Hans Christian Andersen is a world-famous, Danish author and poet. He is known for his fairytales and children’s books. He wrote The Ugly Duckling, The Little Mermaid, Thumbelina, The Snowman, and many more, great children’s books.

The statue is located next to the beautiful city hall. Copenhagen City Hall is the headquarters of the municipal council, and the Lord Mayor of Copenhagen.

Rundetaarn Round Tower

The 17th-century Rundetaarn Round Tower is the oldest functioning observatory in Europe. You can pay 25 Krone each to walk to the top. I definitely recommend this, as you get great views of Copenhagen.

Gråbrødretorv

The Gråbrødretorv is a beautiful public square. Full of character and colourful buildings. The square is located just off the pedestrian street, Strøget. The square’s name came from the friary that stood in the square back in the 13th Century. The square has been rebuilt twice; once destroyed by a fire in 1728, then bombarded by the British in 1807. The square was once the site of a market hall, later a popular spot for the local college students. Today, it’s home to lots of restaurants and bars.

 

Amalienborg

Amalienborg is the home of the Danish royal family. Every day, at noon, they have a guide change. This is worth seeing!  The guides march from their barracks, in 100 Gothersgade by Rosenborg Castle. They march through the streets of Copenhagen, ending up at Amalienborg. At Amalienborg, they perform their guide change ceremony.

If you are interested in learning more about the Danish royal family, there is a museum you can visit at Amalienborg. At the time we visited, the tickets cost around £13 per adult and those under 17 years old were free.

Nyhavn

Nyhavn is a 17th-century waterfront, canal, and entertainment district in Copenhagen. It is a beautiful district!

Nyhavn used to be a busy commercial port, where ships from all over the world would dock. The area used to be packed with sailors, pubs, and alehouses. Today, the houses have been renovated and filled up with restaurants. It’s now an area people go to enjoy a relaxed atmosphere by the canal, listening to good jazz music and eating great food.

 

Sightseeing Boat Trip

A sightseeing boat trip in Copenhagen is a must! The city is filled with beautiful canals and waterways, which is one of the most popular ways to see the city.

There are many different boat companies to choose from. We did a 1-hour tour with The Grand Tour of Copenhagen boat company. The company is located in Nyhavn.  The boat trip costs just under £12 per adult and £6 for children between the ages of 6 – 15 years. As you travel up and done the Danish waterways, a tour guide gives you a very informative talk about the different buildings you see along the route. It’s a great way to learn about the city while resting your feet.

We did not book the tour before our visit in September. We turned up to an afternoon sailing, buying tickets as we arrived. The boat was half-empty for our tour.

If this boat trip does not suit you, The Grand Tour of Copenhagen does offer other types of boat trips.

For more information about The Grand Tour of Copenhagen, please check out their website: Grand Tour.

Zinkglobal

The Zinkglobal is a bronze statue called, ‘The Thinker’, by Kim Michael. The statue has been constructed with scrap metal and sets of metal keys, symbolizing, ‘The Key to the Future’.

 

Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid is a ‘little’ Mermaid too. Most people get quite disappointed when they come to visit the bronze statue by Edvard Eriksen. In photos, the statue looks enormous. In reality, the statue is tiny. The Little Mermaid, located by the waterside at the Langelinie promenade, is only 1.25 metres tall.

Here are 2 photos I took of the same statue. One photo makes the statue look big, the other shows the actual size.

The Genetically Modified Little Mermaid

The Genetically Modified Little Mermaid, located on a new square by one of the old warehouses, on Copenhagen Harbour, is a new take on her ‘older sister’, the well-known Little Mermaid. The artist Bjørn Nørgaard’s has created a sculpture that gives his provocative and humouristic view of the postmodern society.

Not only did she create the genetically modified Little Mermaid, but he also created a 9-metre-tall figure of a genetically modified Madonna. Surrounding her, are 6 other figures: Adam, Christ, Maria Magdalena, Eve, The Tripartite Capital, and the Pregnant Man.

Copenhot

Copenhot is amazing! Wondering what it is? It is basically large hot tubs, filled with heated seawater, located right next to the sea. It is a perfect way to relax after a day exploring the city on foot. Once you have had enough chilling in the hot tub, you can then go and enjoy your time in the sauna, with fantastic views over the harbour.

You must book in advance a time slot. You cannot just turn up on the day!

For more information about Copenhot, please check out their website: Copenhot.

 

Day 2:

Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg Castle is a Renaissance castle located in the centre of Copenhagen. The castle was originally built as a country summerhouse in 1606. Today, Rosenborg Castle features 400 years of royal art treasures, the Crown Jewels and Royal Regalia. The castle is located in some beautiful gardens, where you can enjoy a lovely walk or a picnic.

 

Kastellet

The Kastellet is one of the best-preserved fortresses in Northern Europe. The fortress is a beautiful star shape. It was originally commissioned by Frederik III, in 1662. As you take a walk around, you will see the historic windmill, get some excellent views of the harbour, and have great views of Marmorkirken’s Vatican-like dome.

Nyboder

Nyboder is a historic row house district of former Naval barracks, built by Christian IV. They were built to accommodate a need for housing for the rapidly growing Royal Danish Navy and their families. It was a privileged area to live in. Nyboder had a private hospital, private schools, and a police force. In return for these privileges, all male residents were required to perform military duty, for a period of up to 20 years.

Borsen

Borsen is a beautiful 17th-century stock exchange, located in the centre of Copenhagen. Borsen dates back to 1625 and is one of the oldest buildings in Copenhagen.

Magstræde and Snaregade

Magstræde and Snaregade are two of the oldest streets in Copenhagen. The streets are located in the old town, with houses dating back to the 18th century. They are two of my favourite streets to photograph. They are beautiful, with so much character.

Tivoli Gardens

Tivoli Gardens is an amusement park and pleasure garden in the centre of Copenhagen. The park opened on 15th August 1843 and is the second-oldest operating amusement park in the world.

There are 2 different types of park tickets you can buy. You can buy one that covers just entry to the park or you can buy one that covers you for unlimited entry on all the rides. You can buy ticket tokens individually for the rides. However, if you are planning on going on 3 or more rides, it is worth you paying for the ticket that covers you for unlimited entry on all the rides.

Entry to the park covers you for the shows. Their different shows are performed on different days. We saw a ballet performance in the outdoor arena and the light show, which happens every night at the park closure. Both shows were very good.

There is a whole range of different rides at the park, suitable for all different ages and excitement. You can go on a family ride through Hans Handerson’s fairytales or you can free-fall down, from a height of 63- metres. My favourite ride has to be The Mine; a family, a wooden rollercoaster.

For more information, please check out their website: Tivoli Gardens.

Day 3:

GoBoats

GoBoats are a fantastic way to explore the city. They are little boats which you hire out, drive yourself, and choose your own route along the canals. Of course, you have to stick to the one way systems, keep out of the ‘out of bounds’ areas, and follow boat etiquette. Each boat holds up to 8 people.

You can hire a GoBoat for 1, 2, or 3 hours. We hired one for 2 hours. It was enough time to explore 3 different canals. Prices start at £53 for 1 hour, £94 for 2 hours, and £123 for 3 hours.

For more information, please check out their website: GoBoats.

Freetown Christiania

Freetown Christiania is a controversial area and one of Copenhagen’s biggest tourist spots. Christiania is not a town; it is a way of living. An area where you will people sell, buy, and take cannabis. No photos are allowed to be taken down ‘The Green Light District’, or as the locals refer it to a ‘Pusher Street. This is where they deal the cannabis, smoke cannabis, and sell hashcakes. It is illegal in Denmark, hence why photos are not allowed to be taken. Police do frequently turn up to the site and if caught with it, you may be heavily fined or even arrested.

Christiania all started in 1971 when a small group of homeless people turned an abandoned military area into a home. Since 1971, the area has turned into an autonomous, adaptable community. The community now has almost 1000 members, who have all agreed to live by a certain set of principles. Their principles include; fairness, equality, no taxes, and have their own laws completely independent of the Danish government. The place is a counter-cultural movement, that is very hippy in style. It is almost a large-scale social experiment. So far the experiment has been a success.

There are areas in Christiania, where you can take photos. The areas you are not allowed to take photos are clearly marked. In these areas, I advise you to put your camera away in your bag.

Here are some photos that were taken in the areas of Christiania, away from The Green Light District:

Further Reading

Enjoyed this guide? Why not check out some of my others: A Full Guide To Budapest

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