Two nights in Copenhagen
Copenhagen, the Danish capital, is a wonderful spot for a mini-break. Rich in culture and history, the city is a mere stone’s throw from the UK, and sits at the gateway to Scandinavia.
I travelled to Copenhagen with my friend Sigs in 2016, the first stop on our epic Interrail trip around Europe. Copenhagen seemed an ideal starting point to us: flights to the Danish capital were under £30 from Luton Airport, and it is well served by excellent rail links (at time of writing, Liverpool and Edinburgh offer the most rock-bottom prices, but you can get there from several locations in the UK for under £80).
Hostel accommodation was middlingly-priced compared to other stops on our trip, though the city in general was one of the more expensive places we visited. Sleep in Heaven Hostel offers dorms from just £19 per night for those on a tight budget, with private rooms also available. A cute little place with all the facilities you’d expect - including an on-site bar/breakfast buffet - Sleep in Heaven is located in the Norrebro district, a short metro hop to the centre of town.
Copenhagen itself is a beautiful city, impeccably clean, and a cyclist’s paradise. It sits across two islands: Amager, and the original Zealand, which gave its name to the country down-under.
Things to do in Copenhagen
If you’re tight for time, fear not! Copenhagen is really compact for a capital city and Sigs and I packed all the best it had to offer into just two days and nights.
Most of the centre of town is very walkable. Alternatively, you could hire a bike and avail yourself of the best-on-the-planet cycling infrastructure, or you could make use of the aforementioned metro system, which is clean, frequent and punctual.
Here are a few sights and sounds that Sigs and I took in during our two-night stay in the Danish capital:
Tivoli Gardens
Tivoli Gardens was the original inspiration for Disney World. An Edwardian-era amusement park in the centre of the city, its original attractions are over 100 years old. It retains a magical charm, and many of its ideas and features have been extensively replicated at its more famous American counterpart. Why not take a ride on one of the world’s oldest working roller-coasters, the Bjegbanen, or ‘Mountain Coaster’?
Christiania
Christiania is a ‘free city’ within Copenhagen. It exists in a kind of legal grey area; the residents have built their own dwellings and live off-grid, and there is a highly liberalised attitude towards recreational drugs (be careful if you choose to partake!). The vibe is extremely chilled: think peace, love and parties. It’s best to visit in the day, and is great in warm weather, but could feel a little sketchy when the sun goes down.
Little Mermaid statue
Hans Christian Anderson’s famous aquatic heroine is about to get another Disney adaptation. But you can check out the statue based on the original imagining of the character at Copenhagen’s busy waterfront. The surroundings are a little grey - it is a working dock, after all. But if you’re using Copenhagen as a base for a wider trip into Scandinavia, you’re right next to the bridge to Malmo, Sweden, made famous by the Nordic Noir.
Jazz bars
Copenhagen is famous for its music culture, and top of the list is the jazz scene. The Jazzhus Montmartre is the place to go to experience world-class jazz performers, in a truly historic setting. Some of Europe’s best musicians have performed here, so be sure to catch a show.
Canals
A trip to Copenhagen would not be complete without spending a lazy afternoon enjoying the waterfront in the centre of the city, on one of the canal’s many floating restaurants. Order an open-topped sandwich - or smørrebrød - and a local pilsner and marvel at the wooden boats that still operate, ferrying both passengers and cargo to their destinations.
Copenhagen is definitely worth a visit, either for a mini-break or as a jumping-off point for a wider holiday. Whether you immerse yourself in Danish culture and history, learn to cycle everywhere like a local, or recapture your childhood at Tivoli Gardens, you’re sure to find a multitude of things to enjoy in the Danish capital. Skol!
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