What comes to your mind when you think of Denmark? Some will say, happy people. Others may simply think of Vikings and cheese danish (wienerbrød). Truth be told, there’s so much more to life in Denmark, and a visit to the capital of Copenhagen must be on an itinerary for any trip to this Scandinavian nation.
It’s true that Denmark consistently ranks at or near the top of the happiest countries in the world. There are countless reasons why. A good work/life balance. Free healthcare. Students get paid to go to college (you read that right). Hygge, or their simple and cozy way of life with friends and family. The list goes on. The Danes are doing it right, and here are 10 awesome things to do in Copenhagen!
1. Have a Hot Dog & Beer on the Nyhavn
If you haven’t sat with your feet dangling over the canal of the picturesque Nyvahn with a hot dog and beer in hand, were you really in Copenhagen? The Nyvahn is a beautiful canal dating back to the 17th century. The oldest house is No. 9, dating back to 1681.
Like many European cities, you can drink on the street. Grab a budget beer from a supermarket or 7-Eleven and avoid the inflated prices in this touristy area. Carlsberg and Tuborg are popular and can be found almost anywhere. You also need to get yourself a røde pølser (red sausage, basically a Danish hot dog). If you’re like us, you do it right and get all the toppings including pickles, raw onions, fried onions, ketchup, mustard, and Danish remoulade. There are few better vibes than sitting on this waterfront looking at the colorful townhouses, bars and restaurants on a sunny day with a beer and dog to go with it.
2. Get Your Thrills at Tivoli Gardens
Tivoli Gardens is the world’s 2nd oldest operating amusement park, which opened in 1843. Don’t let the age fool you, this park has got some rides for any thrill-seeker, including one that even the Bros passed on (“The Vertigo” looked like an express ticket to nausea). Get started by checking out one of the world’s oldest wooden roller coasters in operation, the Rutschebanen, built in 1914. There’s also a 260-foot swing ride, a sick roller coaster called the Dæmonen, and many other rides for any age, no matter your comfort with speed or heights.
3. Take a Stroll in Quirky Christiania
Freetown Christiania is a commune home to about 1,000 residents in the city of Copenhagen. It was started in 1971 and they even have their own flag. Its history is filled with controversy, from its open policy of selling & smoking weed and hash, to its incidents of shootings and violence. It started as a hippie movement and today it’s a relatively peaceful neighborhood with eccentric-looking homes and beautiful scenery. Enter through the front gate and keep photos to a minimum. The community didn’t start this commune to become a tourist attraction and have it feel like a zoo.
4. Eat Some Smørrebrød
Smørrebrød is an open faced sandwich popular in Denmark and the Scandinavian Region. It all starts with the bread, the most important part and the foundation. It’s usually a sour-dough type of rye bread and the toppings vary from fish, meat, cheeses and different types of spreads. There are literally hundreds of variations to try, so go nuts and find your sweet spot!
5. Cruise the Canals
At the Nyhavn, you can hop on a boat that will take you on a tour through Copenhagen’s beautiful canals. Seeing the city by water is well worth the price admission. A guide will be there to point out the old Stock Exchange Building, The Church of Our Savior, and of course The Little Mermaid statue. It’s also a great way to learn more about the city and its history, as the local guide will have a wealth of information and be able to present it without overwhelming you.
6. Ride Bicycles
Did you know that 62% of Copenhagen’s citizens commute to work or school by bicycle? Copenhagen is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world and cycling is an important means of transportation in the city. The ground is relatively flat and there are bicycle lanes on almost every street.
Cycling is great exercise and part of a healthy lifestyle. It’s also budget-friendly and good for the environment. Maybe this is part of the reason why Denmark was ranked the 2nd happiest country in the world! Check out this link to find out more about where you can rent a bicycle.
7. Chill out at Rosenborg Castle
Known as Rosenborg Slot in Danish, this castle was built in 1606 and was meant to be a summer getaway for King Christian IV. Pretty sweet digs, huh? Nowadays, Rosenborg Castle is opened to the public for tours where you can view items of the royal monarch including the Crown Jewels and the Throne Chair of Denmark. The Castle is located in the King’s Garden (Kongens Have), which is more or less a park for the public with nice gardens and stretches of grass where you can gather with friends and toss a frisbee around.
8. Spend a Rainy Day at the Aquarium
The perfect rainy day activity, or maybe you’re really into sea life and you want to spend a sunny day at the aquarium. Either way, it’s always nice to get out of the city center and hop on a train to the suburbs to see a different side of life. You’ll have to take the metro to the Kastrup St. station. The National Aquarium Denmark, Den Blå Planet, is a unique, modern building located along the waterfront. You can see puffins, sea otters, crocodiles, piranhas, sharks, eels, and all sorts of cool colorful fish.
9. Stuff Your Face at Reffen Street Food Market
Reffen Street Food Market is located in a beautiful location along the Copenhagen Harbor and is home to over 50 start-ups including food stalls, bars, and creative workshops. Sustainability is stressed here, and all of the stalls need to follow the “Reduce and Reuse” motto. You can grab a variety of diverse, amazingly delicious food that is locally sourced. You eat well, and the environment benefits from reduced food waste and food stalls that use compost and recycling to reuse as much as possible. It’s a win-win.
10. Explore the Historic Sites
The Rundetaarn (Round Tower) was built in the 17th century to be an astronomical observatory. Christian IV literally had his eyes in the sky! Nowadays you can climb to the top of the tower for nice views of the city and you can still take a look up at the stars!
Frederiks Kirke (Frederik’s Church) has the largest church dome in Scandinavia. Construction started in 1749 and after delays, budget cuts and corruption allegations, the church was finally completed in 1894, almost 150 years later. It’s known as The Marble Church and after all these years, they did a wonderful job!
Amalienborg, the home to the Danish Royal Family, is located right near the church. The construction of this square only took 10 years, from 1750-1760. Try to get here a little before noon, and you can witness the changing of the guard.
Strøget is a pedestrian-only street and shopping area. You wouldn’t think of a shopping area as historic, but the move to permanently change it to pedestrian-only in 1964 signaled a major change in urban life in Copenhagen and influenced cities around the world. The idea was to cater towards cyclists and pedestrians, and led to major cities around the world adopting similar initiatives, from NYC to Melbourne to Beijing and beyond!
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Great intro to Copenhagen! I’ve only been for one day (12 years ago!!), so I’d love to go back. I think I even have the same photo of the palace guards haha. Didn’t know about hot dogs though. That would be stop #1 😋
Thanks Lannie! The hot dogs are probably the #1 reason we want to go back LOL.
I’m so excited to visit Copenhagen in October and now I know exactly where to go and what to do! Even if October weather isn’t so sparkling. Look forward to trying the food and soaking in the atmosphere. I reckon bicycle renting is an absolute must have to explore the city too!
Honestly, we’d probably prefer it in the fall! It was super hot when we were there in late May a few years back. And yes about the bikes, it’s the best way to see and get around the city. Have a great time!