Copenhagen didn’t allure me in the beginning. I visited this city because I found a very cheap roundtrip ticket from Prague for less than €35. After all, what did I know about Copenhagen and the country? My only favorite thing about Denmark is a dead man who died in the city, fairytale author Hans Andersen. But I’m not going to spend my entire time in Copenhagen to obsess about death, so I started researching for other things to do. I remembered reading about Denmark being ranked the happiest country in the world and thought that I would come here to look for happiness in this city.
Being a sucker for cliche and stereotypes, I sometimes visit a place and look for things that validate a theory or match the images that I already had in my head.
Danes might be the happiest people. However, it’s hard to acknowledge this fact if you’re an outsider. While I was there, it was cold, rainy, expensive, and the city was a little bit dull.
Used to be the sailor quarters, Nyhavn Harbor is now lined up with colorful coffeehouses, bars, restaurants, and boats. Here you can take the most representative photos of Copenhagen.
Strøget, the longest pedestrian street in the world, stretching 1.8 km and going through the heart of the city, is a perfect place to window-shop, have coffee and enjoy lively performances from buskers and street performers.
The royal castle of Amalienborg Palace where the royal family resides during the winter is conveniently located in the city.
Visit Carlsberg Visitors Centre to learn not only about Denmark’s famous beer but also about the family who owned this place and played an important role in Denmark’s culture. Since the 19th century, the Carlsberg Foundation has funded science research, art, and culture projects.
Copenhagen’s prettiest symbol, the Little Mermaid, is a donation from Carl Jacobsen, the son of Carlsberg Brewery’s founder. This small, unassuming statue is the most famous tourist attraction in Copenhagen and the most photographed statues in the world. If guidebook doesn’t recommend people to visit the Little Mermaid, you probably will walk past it. The appearance of the statue is nothing special; it’s just another bronze sculpture. However, this Little Mermaid is a cutout version of the Little Mermaid fairytale, written by no other than the world’s most popular, Hans Christian Andersen.
The National Gallery and National Museum are free to the public. Take advantage of this deal and see 700 years of western art and thousands years of Danish history. If you don’t care for the art, then you might still use this place to avoid the cold and rain. I was in Copenhagen in October. It was freezing cold and often rained, not suitable to wander outside. I camped out in the Gallery and the Museum and spent almost a day there. Be prepared! The National Gallery and Museum are huge; by the time I was finished, I felt very dizzy.
Have seen enough of Copenhagen and feel the money being drained from your wallet? Take a trip to Malmo, a small city in Sweden, which is only half an hour by train from Copenhagen. Everything in Malmo is cheaper for example food, shopping, and accommodation. On the outside except for the prices, Malmo and Copenhagen look almost the same: clean and affluent. However, Copenhagen is the most expensive city in Denmark while Malmo belongs to one of the poorest regions in Sweden.
Do not leave Copenhagen before discovering the free town of Christiania, the quirkiest attraction in the city. This self-governed society has an official post office, a coffeehouse, an art gallery, and own currency. The moment you walk into the quarter, you can smell hash all over the places and see people burning and selling drugs. It was fun for me to walk around, peek into ruined, broken military barracks and observe the life there.
Copenhagen is an expensive city; budget travelers better eat smart. Look for the words “Dagens Ret” on restaurant menus. “Dagen Ret” means “Meal of the Day” which is usually cheaper for the same meal. A typical Danish meal is rather expensive. I liked Pølsevogn (sausage wagon). If you don’t care for Danish cuisine, try alternative budget eateries like shawarma, pizza joints, or all-you-can-eat Mediterranean buffets around the city. The cheapest Copenhagen signature food you will love and have to try is hot-dog sold at hot dog stands all over the city.
Don’t eat Häagen-Dazs ice-cream just because you’re in Denmark and want to try something Danish. There is nothing Danish about this ice cream except for its name. A Polish immigrant in the US invented the ice cream and thought that a Danish name might appeal more to the American consumers. Apparently, it did.
Accommodation
– Hostel: from €17 per person
– Apartment: from € 53,60 per night
– Budget hotel: from €69.05 per person for an overnight stay in a double room.
Transporation
– 12-hours card: DKK 229 / €31
– 72-hours card: DKK 459 /€62
Food
– Shawarma €2 to €3
– Main dishes (at all-you-can-eat): from €13.12
– Large beer: €2 to €5 M
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My name is Cindy, also rhymes with travel junkie. A friend said I was probably a gipsy in my previous life. One of my many secret missions in life is to convert you to run off every once in awhile.
