Life is good in Copenhagen… imagine yourself by the fireplace in a cozy atmosphere in the subdued light, nestled in your soft cushions ... You are transported into the hype capital of Northern Europe. Eat a smorrebrod, stroll along the canals, discover Viking culture or learn about Danish design ... discover our 15 essential visits to do in Copenhagen!
Adopt hygge, Danish happiness concept
Hygge (which you can almost pronounce like "Hugh") is a word used in Denmark and Norway to describe a feeling of well-being mixed with a warm environment, a comforting atmosphere and a positive state of mind. The hygge is a true art of living. You will undoubtedly have many opportunities to do in Copenhagen, to experience it fully!
Fun
Explore the city… by bike, of course!
In Denmark, bicycles are given priority. Rent a bike and roam the different parts of the city to do like the locals. The 350 kilometers of cycle paths have their own signs and traffic lights. Pedaling is a real institution, a must to do in Copenhagen! Explore the Latin Quarter, Skt streets. Pedersstræde, Larsbjørnsstræde and Teglgårdsstræde, as well as the Nørrebro district.
Cycling in Copenhagen
Pass by the Christiania district
“No Photos, Don't Run, Have Fun”: this is the slogan for crossing the Christiania district, which was established in 1971 by hippies who took over a disused military camp. You will find colorful houses, original shops, an alternative living atmosphere. An unusual visit to Copenhagen!
Christiania's entrance
Savor the local beers
Yes, you can visit the historic Carlsberg brewery. But don't talk about the big brands of beer in Copenhageners. Go to micro-breweries instead (bryghus in Danish). Copenhagen is one of the European capitals where they are the most numerous and active.
Brewery in Copenhagen
Discover the remarkable monuments
Montez au Vor Frelsers Kirke, the spiral bell tower of the Saint-Sauveur church. It is 90 meters high and you can admire one of the best views of Copenhagen. If you don't mind the crowds, go see the little Mermaid in the harbor, sculpture celebrating the fairy tale of Hans Christian Andersen, produced in 1913. See you also at royal palace Amalienborg during a changing of the guard. Finally, admire the Rosenborg Castle built in the XNUMXth century.
Amalienborg
Take inspiration from Danish design
In connection with its culture of hygge, Denmark invites to appreciate its interior comfort. Danish design is particularly famous in the world. Everywhere in the capital you will be confronted with design: shops, hotels, bars, metro stations, etc. In addition, the Designmuseum is the museum to do in Copenhagen for art lovers. Please note, it will only reopen in 2022!
The design museum
Along the canals by boat
Explore by boat the canals of Christianshavn district. From your boat, you will discover beautiful colorful buildings from the XNUMXth century! Climb aboard a GoBoat, a silent electric motor boat whose hull is partly made from recycled plastic bottles. A visit to do in Copenhagen for see the city from a new angle !
Christianshavn
Eat local
The Danish dish par excellence is smorrebrod ! It is a slice of buttered black bread that you cover with the ingredients you want, often a lot of fish or meat as well as onions or hard-boiled eggs. Salmon is very present. To taste it, go to the bakery and buy a wienerbrod, a pastry made from puff pastry and marzipan.
Danish smorrebrod
Have fun at Tivoli Gardens
Un amusement park in the middle of a cityhard to believe right? And yet, Tivoli Gardens have been open to the public since 1843. The gardens and old buildings mingle in an unprecedented way with thrill rides. This is an essential stopover to do in Copenhagen as it is difficult to find such entertainment elsewhere!
The pagode of Tivoli
Search for street-art works
Like any trendy city, Copenhagen shines with the quality of its works of urban art. Explore the districts of Nørrebro, Vesterbro and Christiania, see the paintings of the climbing arch in BaNanna park, walk to the Superkilen, a linear urban park made up of three zones (green, black and red). Finally, in the Tulinsgade Street, discover one of the most famous murals in the capital by the Danish Husk Mit Navn!
Street art at Bannana Park
Flâner le long du canal Nyhavn
Nyhavn is certainly the most famous canal in the Danish capital. With its vividly colored houses, it makes Copenhagen postcard image. Stroll, admire the reflection of the houses in the water, stop at a café terrace and soak up thefriendly atmosphere that reigns around you. An essential outing to do in Copenhagen!
Nyhavn
Take a free guided tour
As in several European capitals, young locals offer free guided tours of their city (tips are appreciated!). In English or Spanish, the tour lasts 1h30 or 3h depending on what you want to see. Let yourself be guided through the streets of Copenhagen through the story of the city, passed from a fishing village to the hype capital that we know today.
Take a walk to see the little mermaid
Bask in the city parks
When you visit a city, there always comes a time when you want greenery and relaxation outside the urban hustle and bustle. You can go to Botanical Garden ; at theØrstedsparken, one of the smallest parks in Copenhagen; Frederiks Garden, typically Scandinavian garden or visit the city cemeteries which are real places of life there (Assistens kirkegård is the most famous).
The botanical garden
Go back to the time of the Vikings
If Scandinavia reminds you of the Viking people, go to Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, about 30 kilometers from Copenhagen and reachable by train in XNUMX minutes. You will discover more about the history of navigation and the Scandinavian maritime culture between Antiquity and the Middle Ages and will be amazed by the remains of 5 Viking ships.
The Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde
Take the Øresund tunnel bridge
The Øresund Bridge connects Denmark to Sweden, from Copenhagen to Malmö. Shipping is architecture is particularly amazing. His particuliarity ? You travel below the sea… then above! More than 16 kilometers long, it was put into service in July 2000. It is also a two-level bridge, one road and the other rail. A fascinating passage to do in Copenhagen!
The half-submerged Oresund bridge
Useful information
Here is our additional information to help you prepare for your stay:
- Formalities: for European nationals, a simple identity card or a valid passport is sufficient to visit Denmark.
- Health : no compulsory vaccine. You can take your European health insurance card with you.
- Cash : Danish Crown.
- How to get there : the way the fastest and most practical remains the plane, in a direct flight of less than 2 hours from Paris. Other possibilities for travelers in no hurry: come directly by bus, train or car from France!
- Travel: prefer cycling, walking and public transport. The rail network is very good and affordable.
- City-Pass : the Copenhagen Card is reserved in number of hours (from 24 to 120 hours). It provides free access to more than 80 attractions, tours and museums, and unlimited access to the city's entire public transport network.
The must-sees in Copenhagen and beyond?
The variety of activities to do in Copenhagen and its atmosphere makes you want to continue the journey in the Nordic countries is not it ? How about continuing your exploration of Scandinavia by heading to Sweden?
