As some of you might know my trick to avoid getting the January blues is to ALWAYS have a trip booked at some point in the month. This year (2020) it was the turn of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Copenhagen, Denmark. is an extremely popular European city break destination. It’s unsurprising, considering that from the UK you can usually bag a return flight for less than £50 as well as the short flight time to get there.
A weekend in Copenhagen is the perfect amount of time. Unlike London, Copenhagen Is quite a small city, which means that you can see everything you want to see and stop off for food and relax with some drinks, without feeling completely rushed off your feet.
Below I have compiled some of my best recommendations for getting around, sites to see, food to eat and even cocktails to drink. All of which you can fit into one weekend in Copenhagen.
When is the best time to visit Copenhagen, Denmark?
Copenhagen is one of those cities that no matter what time of the year you decide to spend your weekend in Copenhagen you will still have a great time. Summer provides the perfect opportunity to sail along the canal, go on long bike rides and enjoy some alfresco dining down by the water.
In winter you will be able to enjoy cute, cosy vibes. Think fairy lights, hot chocolate, mulled wine and Christmas markets.
What is the best way to get to Copenhagen, Denmark?
You can fly into Copenhagen airport from London in just under 2 hours. You can generally get very cheap return flights to the city if you can be flexible on the dates for your weekend in Copenhagen. I paid just £30 for my return flights.
In terms of getting to your accommodation, there are many options. If it’s late and you want to get into the city ASAP, I would recommend jumping in a Taxi. If you have more time to spare and want a slightly cheaper option you can hop on a bus, train or use the metro. Click here to look at routes and timetables.
What is the best way travel around Copenhagen, Denmark?
To get around the city during your weekend in Copenhagen you have 3 main options.
Walking
As I mentioned before Copenhagen is quite a small city. All of the best bits to see in the city are all in walking distance from each other.
Public Transport
As well as getting you from the airport you can also use bus, train and/or metro to get yourself around the city.
Bike Rental
Like most Scandinavian cities the use of bicycles in Copenhagen is extremely popular. You can rent a bike for as little as £15 per day either from a bike rental store, or you can download the Donkey Republic app which is a city bike-share facility.
Where to stay in Copenhagen, Denmark?
During my weekend in Copenhagen, I stayed in the Vesterbro area of Copenhagen. Vesterbro was originally known as the red-light district of Copenhagen, but now it’s known for its meatpacking district, quirky bars and vintage fashion boutiques.
I’d recommend staying here as you are close to so many cool bars and restaurants and just a 5-minute walk from the central station and between a 10-30-minute walk from some of Copenhagen’s main attractions.
I stayed at the First Mayfair Hotel, which is cost us £134 for our weekend in Copenhagen, Bargain! Click here to check out my hotel.
If you want to check out more neighbourhoods in Copenhagen to help you with your decision on where to stay click here.
Budgeting for Copenhagen, Denmark
Like most of Scandinavia, Copenhagen isn’t best known for its cheap prices. Whilst you can find accommodation and public transport at reasonable prices, the cost of food and drink can be quite the opposite.
Expect to pay the equivalent of £7 for a pint of beer and £20 for a basic dish at a restaurant. Make sure you factor in these variables when you are budgeting for your weekend in Copenhagen.
Best places to eat and drink in Copenhagen, Denmark
There is a host of quirky bars to drink at, restaurants to indulge at and bakeries to enjoy a treat at, but the question is where to go? Below is a list of all bars and eateries we enjoyed during our weekend in Copenhagen.
Lagkagehuset: One of Copenhagen’s chain bakeries. It’s the perfect place to come for a delicious Danish Pastry or to enjoy a GIANT cheese and ham toastie.
Lidkoeb: My favourite cocktail bar in Copenhagen. Dimly lit with warm yellow tones, chilled music and most importantly great cocktails.
1656: A small, intimate cocktail bar with a speakeasy vibe. One of their cocktails is garnished with pink candyfloss so it’s a definite yes from me.
Halmtorvet9: Another cute bar where you can get cheap Espresso Martini’s (£9- which is cheap for Denmark) and enjoy some live music.
Madklubben: Some of the nicest food we had during our weekend Copenhagen. Madklubben is a fusion restaurant and dishes compliment a hand full of cuisines. This restaurant is also unusually cheaper than most places you will find in Copenhagen so this place definitely needs to go on your list.
Voraz: A great place to grab a pint in the city centre to rest your feet after a day of exploring.
Café Gammel Torv : A classic Danish Café where you will get the chance to try smørrebrød, Denmark’s traditional open-faced sandwich. Another traditional Danish delicacy is herring. If you are a herring fan, you can combine the two and get a herring smørrebrød. I thought this was super tasty, so don’t knock it until you try it!
Best things to do in Copenhagen, Denmark
Visit Nyhaven
The most iconic landmark in Copenhagen. A beautiful part of the canal lined with fishing boats and backdropped by a row of rainbow-coloured buildings. This is a great place to have some lunch or to jump on a canal boat tour.
See the Little Mermaid Statue
Inspired by the “Little Mermaid” fairy tale by Hans Christian Anderson. This statue created by Edvard Eriken was created to symbolise the transformation from mermaid to human. This is another one of Copenhagen’s most famous landmarks.
Enjoy the rides at Tivoli Gardens
Tivoli Gardens is Copenhagen’s resident amusement park and come winter it turns into a magical Christmas wonderland. If you are a thrill seeker you can take a ride on Tivoli’s Golden Tower, where you can see Sweden from the top. If you prefer having your feet firmly on the ground you can grab some fairground treats and explore the gardens.
Stroll through Strøget
Strøget is Copenhagen’s famous shopping district. One of the world’s longest pedestrian shopping street. You can come here to grab a bargain buy but there are also options if you are after something more luxurious.
Visit Freetown Christiania
Christiania is a small commune just a stone’s throw from Nyhaven. The community is completely independent of the Danish Government and therefore has its own set of laws. The people of Christiania freely deal marijuana & hash and therefore you must not take any photos or videos whilst you are there.
Visit Amalienborg Palace
Home to the Danish Royal family this is a great place to come to soak up some of Denmark’s royal history.
Rosenborg Castle
A 400-year old Castle also located in the centre of the city. Visit here to see the Danish crown jewels and explore the pristine gardens.
Head to the top of the tower at Christiansborg’s Palace.
Christiansborg’s Palace is home to the highest tower in Copenhagen and offers great panoramic views of the city. This place was once home to Danish royalty but is now the home of the Danish Parliament. If you fancy doing something a little extra you can book a table at the restaurant located in the tower- Lunch with a view, anyone?
Explore Nørrebro
Visit Copenhagen’s answer to Shoreditch. This district is vibrant with creativity and culture. Another great spot to find delicious food and drink.
Jump on the train to Malmo and explore part of Sweden
If like me, you like visiting maximum countries in minimum time then this little trip is for you. You can head to Malmo in Sweden on the train in under an hour. Prices start from £10. Click here to find out more.
How accessible is Copenhagen, Denmark?
Copenhagen is said to be quite an easily accessible city. There are many accessible streets and sidewalks. Public transport options also have wheelchair ramps as well as wheelchair-accessible public toilets. Click here to find out more information on this topic.
I hope I’ve inspired you to take a mini-break to Copenhagen. However, if you are after a little more inspiration click here to see some of my other European recommendations.
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