Weekend in Copenhagen: our tips and favorites

There you go, I'm back at Denmark for the second time in order to enjoy a beautiful and long weekend in Copenhagen. . Hello Copenhagen!

Copenhagen is a city that breathes happiness and it’s no coincidence that it is recognized worldwide as being the city where the inhabitants are the happiest!

If you’re still looking for practical tips on how to make the most of a long weekend in Copenhagen, this article with 15 must-see and must-do things in Copenhagen will be very useful to you.

The Copenhagen Card, the pass to visit the city and travel around freely

Before starting your exploration of Copenhagen, we recommend you purchase the Copenhagen Card. 24h, 48h, 72h or 120h, a sesame seed which allows you to enjoy numerous discounts on 74 attractions and activities. You will also be able to enjoy free public transport on the bus, train and metro networks in the Copenhagen region.

→ Click here to buy the Copenhagen Card

VIDEO: A Great Weekend in Copenhagen

A weekend in Copenhagen by bike

It all starts with this essential step, and don’t even consider taking a taxi around Copenhagen; no matter whether it’s sunny or rainy, cycling is an integral part of the local lifestyle here! We were surprised by the number of bikes in the city; there are far more of them than cars…

More than a third of the inhabitants of Copenhagen have said goodbye to stress and traffic jams by commuting by two wheels; and not necessarily out of an environmental conscience, but simply because it costs less and is the fastest way to get around the city on the large network of cycle paths (350 km).

There is even the possibility of putting your bike on the metro or on the regional train (outside of peak hours) to Wandering outside of Copenhagen and head to the beach, the forest, or the parks. In fact, Copenhagen has been voted the best cycling city in the world for the second time!

Head to your hotel reception or one of the many bike rental shops and expect to pay around ten euros for a day’s rental. You are now equipped and ready to explore Copenhagen by bike.

Take a guided tour of the city by bike

Christianshavn: the alternative neighborhood of Copenhagen

We really fell in love with Chrisianshavn, known as Little Amsterdam, is one of the most charming neighborhoods in the capital, especially on a sunny day.

We loved cycling along the canals, enjoying the lively atmosphere, admiring the contemporary and bold architecture of the new buildings that harmoniously contrast with the 18th-century mansions and the old maritime warehouses that have now been transformed into artistic, cultural and alternative spaces.

The neighborhood is known for the tower The Baroque Church of Our Savior (Vor Frelsers Kirke) where you can admire a beautiful panoramic view from its summit.

And of course you can't leave Christianshavn without visiting the famous unusual and alternative neighborhood of «Christiania», built in the early 70s by a community of hippies and squatters in an old 34-hectare military zone.

Self-proclaimed « Free City of Christiania«Its inhabitants have established their own economic and social system, far removed from what is usually known. This once experimental city now has nearly 1000 inhabitants, its own currency, its own flag, and all kinds of cultural and sporting activities, as well as a vast agricultural area.

Much more than a neighborhood, Christiana It’s a true way of life! You’ll find many colorful houses, street art creations, original bars and restaurants, and there are many music and cultural events taking place here, but don’t be surprised if you also see cannabis vendors in the main street. 

On the other hand, One motto: No Photos, Don’t Run, Have Fun.Go there in the day time, it’s really safe and the experience is definitely worth the detour!

More information about the Christiana neighborhood

Take a guided tour of Copenhagen's alternative neighborhoods

Meatpacking District / Kodbyen

One evening we went cycling in the Tivoli garden district and we met two very friendly guys who were coming back from work and whom we asked for an atypical address to go out to, the new nice neighborhood where everyone goes. That’s where they told us about the new restaurants in Kodbyen, the meatpacking district of Copenhagen, But much more authentic than that of NYC!

5 minutes by bike later, there we are; we arrive at nightfall to a large parking lot almost deserted, surrounded by food warehouses, and where there are still refrigerated trucks parked… Quite grim at first glance… We love it!

We are plunged into the darkness between the alleys and a little further on we see the neon lights of a few conceptual restaurants that have taken over the former abandoned warehouses. The decor of the establishments is successful and does not detract from the atmosphere of this industrial-style neighborhood.

We also recommend visiting it during the day; the scenery changes completely! You can see this incessant ballet of trucks picking up and delivering goods from the warehouses. During the day, you realize that there are not just restaurants; there are also many architects, designers, photographers, and other artists who have settled in this alternative and creative neighborhood of Vesterbro.

Go and visit Kodbyen on Saturday or Sunday as well; we were told that there are more than fifty stalls offering street food and the atmosphere is warm, just like in Christianshavn on Paper Island.

Nyhavn: the colorful old port of Copenhagen

Nyhvan is Copenhagen’s «the place to be», although the place is very touristy. Although the name means «new port», it is indeed the place where the city’s nightlife takes place. Old port of Copenhagen, characterized by a long stretch of sea that plunges into the city under a fence of honor made of buildings of all colors.

In the morning, it’s a very pleasant place to have a coffee because it’s nice to be around, the old wooden boats make us feel at ease, and it’s one of the few places in the city where you can actually see the sea. Copenhagen where we are on the edge of the water.

In the evening, it is one of the most frequented places in the capital and the number of bars lining the canal and their terraces have earned it the nickname by some Danes of «the longest bar in the world». For others, the nickname is «death road», which means the road of death or the road of thirst!

The green and flower-filled parks of Copenhagen

As with every visit to a capital city, a tour of the flower-filled parks and gardens is a must to escape the urbanisation, although in Copenhagen there’s still nothing to complain about.

We start with the Gardens of Kastellet, a fortified citadel in the north of the city that houses the offices of the Ministry of Defense. All around, a vast park where you can stroll, play sports, and enjoy the beautiful sunny days. We recommend cycling in the Langelinie neighborhood to the north of the Kastellet garden; we were blown away by the contemporary architecture of the buildings.

We continue our pursuit of green spaces with a classic and indispensable one, Kongens Have, the park of the Rosenborg castle Which with 16 hectares and more than 2.5 million visitors per year is the oldest park (1606) and the most visited in Denmark. Like any good castle park, it is dotted with long pedestrian avenues lined with large trees and I was told there that in winter, with the snow, it is absolutely spectacular.

As if one needed an additional reason to go back there…
Then head to botanical garden, a 10-hectare green space that is absolutely stunning, quiet, well-maintained and right in the heart of the city. There are large expanses of lawns filled with flowers and ponds where many species of birds come to rest. Don’t miss the visit to the tropical greenhouse, even though it’s very hot there!

Finally, we finish our green binge with Frederiksberg Pond, A huge public garden of more than 30 hectares that, as if that weren’t enough space, is adjacent to another public garden of 32 hectares, Søndermarken. There are also paths and canals with wooden boats, small waterfalls, in short, everything you need to relax to the fullest and enjoy the fresh air.

The famous Tivoli amusement park

Founded in the heart of the city more than 150 years ago, the Tivoli amusement park It is one of the most famous in the world, so we thought it was worth a look. It is even said that it was after visiting this theme park that Walt Disney had the idea to open the first Disney park. Open from April to September, it also reopens in December for a Christmas market to take place.

Given the relatively small size of the park, and its location in the city center, we were surprised by the number of attractions on offer, for all ages and especially for all tastes. One of the entertainers told us that in the summer, the park is often the venue for many concerts, either in the park or in nearby venues. Tivoli Concert Hall, Either outdoors. The park is truly worth seeing because it is not ordinary and full of history; moreover, it is located just a short walk from the Central Station (Hovedbanegården).

If you plan to include attractions, the price remains relatively high for an adult: about 85 Dk (12 euros) to enter + 200 Dk (27 euros) to access all the attractions. Access to the park is free with the Copenhagen Card. We were lucky enough to visiting the Tivoli Gardens During Halloween season (our weekend in Copenhagen fell perfectly well with the weather), we were completely blown away by the beauty of the decorations; not a single detail was overlooked. Welcome to another world!

Shopping and design in Copenhagen

If you’re looking for Scandinavian inspiration for decorating your new apartment, you’re in for a treat! Between the neighborhoods of Vesterbro, Norrebro, and Osterbro, it’s hard not to be tempted when you wander the streets exploring Copenhagen’s treasures! All the boutiques are original, unique, and conceptual, and we were in for a treat just looking at them – they were so beautiful!

I advise you to go to the store on Strøget Illums Bolighus, You will find plenty of Scandinavian decorative items there.

The Copenhagen Opera House

A visit that we strongly recommend you to make! Built in 2005 on the old docks of Copenhagen, the opera faces the Queen’s Palace, to whom it is also dedicated. The building is spectacular and, having visited many operas, it is probably one of the most modern I have seen. Approximately 40,000 m² of space where there are also many bars and restaurants and art galleries.

It must be said that with its thousand rooms and 14 floors, after a while a break is necessary. For the opera house, the orchestra pit can accommodate up to 110 musicians who can play for 1,500 people. One can imagine the chills that must run through us when listening to such an opera… A dream! Viewed from the outside, The Copenhagen Opera House It’s not necessarily the most beautiful building in the world; believe me, the interior is well worth a visit, just as much for the view as for the artwork that can be admired there.

The succession of the royal guard at Amalienborg Palace

Because not only is the Royal Guard of London worth a look, in Copenhagen too The succession of the guard It is one of the most popular moments for locals and tourists. It takes place in Amalienborg Square (Amalienborg Slotsplads), which features four identical palaces dating from the 18th century, including the Queen’s Palace, which is the subject of the Guard.

This is an obviously daily ritual that begins at noon sharp, and lasts thirty minutes. Still, you find the classic Royal Guard outfits that you find at Buckingham Palace, namely a typical uniform and a big fur hat. It’s an intense moment, measured and controlled by the guards, which remains something quite unique and one that we enjoyed watching.

Boat tour on the canals of Copenhagen

Thanks to the Copenhagen Card, we took the opportunity to take a short two-hour boat trip along the Canals of Copenhagen, This gave us a completely different view of the city, a kind of overview, as if we were both inside and outside the city.  

What we love about the boat is the ability to discover places we might not have visited in a new way. We find ourselves cruising among old sailboats, barges, or floating structures; we take a break and enjoy it. The ideal activity to start your weekend in Copenhagen!

Hey Captain : an original way to discover Copenhagen from a new perspective aboard a private boat that can accommodate up to 10 people. For an hour, you sail along the canals of the capital, and the captain provides a wealth of information throughout the journey. Price: 27€ / person To do! More information here

The Strøget: the shopping street of Copenhagen

Because we had to go through the shopping part, we can say that we weren’t pretending, since it’s on Stroget Street that it happens., the largest pedestrian street in Copenhagen and one of the largest in Europe. That’s all it is!

Naturally very lively, it’s hard not to burn your credit card in this street where all types of businesses coexist, from the well-known brands like Zara or H&M to the most local boutiques, from the luxury store to the bazaar, from the slightly upscale restaurant to the small pastry shop.

It starts from the Copenhagen City Hall and ends at the famous Tivoli amusement park at the end of the street, which I mentioned a little higher in the article. There is something for everyone and every budget, this street is clearly the nerve center of Copenhagen and is therefore a must-see.

Visiting the museums of Copenhagen

Like any good European capital that respects itself, Copenhagen boasts an important historical and cultural heritage; therefore, there are many museums and equally diverse themes.

The most obvious is of course the Nationalmuseet, The National Museum, which tells us a lot about the history of this Scandinavian country, a rich history of the Eskimos and the Vikings. The visit takes about two hours and if you are accompanied by children, there is a dedicated workshop for them, including the possibility of dressing them up as Eskimos.

For art enthusiasts, I offer you the National Museum of Art, which blends the classic with the modern in a wonderful way and exhibits Rembrandt, Matisse and Picasso, among others. That’s all there is to it! Antique enthusiasts will find their delight at the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotheque, where Greek, Roman and Egyptian antiquities are on display. A treat.

The Little Mermaid of Copenhagen

It is the emblematic figure of Copenhagen and even of Denmark. The Little Mermaid, It is a bronze statue located on a rock in the port of Copenhagen, Near Churchill Park. Sculpted by Edvard Eriksen, who was inspired by his wife Eline Eriksen.

The woman faces the sea to welcome and welcome the visitors who arrive by boat. Inspired by his wife, it is indeed in allusion to the tale of the Danish Hans Christian Andersen, The Little Mermaid, that this (small) statue (1m25) was erected; you know, that unfortunate mermaid who dreams of being able to walk on land to join her lover…

Vandalized about a dozen times, it has always been restored; that’s why it is actually a replica and that its first casting is kept in an unknown location. Although it is now 102 years old, it still looks as young as ever. Even though the Little Mermaid attracts hundreds of visitors every day and it’s almost a queue to get a photo, it remains a must-see attraction Weekend in Copenhagen.

Visiting the Nørrebro neighborhood in Copenhagen

I really liked this neighborhood that somewhat resembles Brooklyn. You’ll find concept stores, designers, and trendy restaurants that are beautifully decorated (Scandinavian decor, of course!) and I recommend you visit Restaurant BRUS, There's a good atmosphere, the food is good, and the neighborhood is pleasant (go for a walk around it).

Urban art: The lines of Superkilen in Copenhagen

A linear urban park located right in the heart of a popular neighborhood in Nørrebro. There are plenty of facilities for children, but the special feature of the spot are the white lines painted on the ground that add a beautiful aesthetic and graphic touch. Attention to urban photography enthusiasts 

A getaway in Norway

We boarded the ship in Copenhagen late afternoon and arrived in Oslo at 8:00 a.m.

You also have the option to build your trip starting from Copenhagen, visiting the capital for 4-5 days, then taking the ferry to Oslo and exploring the city and its surroundings for 4-5 days, before leaving directly from the Oslo airport for France.

Find our article here on: The cruise between Copenhagen and Oslo

For the rate, you need to budget about 100 € round trip per person for a sea-view cabin with breakfast.