COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
Denmark and Sweden are separated only by Øresund, a strait of water connecting the North and Baltic Seas. Sitting right on the western edge of this body of water is Denmark’s capital. Oftentimes referred to as one of Scandinavia’s gems, Copenhagen is a city full of enchantment, beauty, and color. Whether you are into amusement parks or castles, you will find plenty of fun here!
Attractions:
Freetown Christiania: You definitely have to check this spot out when you are in Copenhagen! The “Green Light District” is one of the most interesting places I have ever been. This former military base, 85 acres in size, is totally self-governed. Some refer to it as an autonomous anarchist district, while others call it “Hippie Heaven”. Either way, the concept is the same; each member of the community is to hold themselves accountable to following the rules and agreements set by the group. If tourists choose to visit, they must do so as well. The rules, in general, forbid anything that promotes violence (no stealing, guns, hard drugs, etc.). While marijuana is not legal here, it is sold openly on Pusher Street. Speaking of Pusher Street, be cognizant of areas denoted as “no photo zones”. I hope this goes without saying, but also do not take pictures of those who live here, unless you have their permission. Outside of that, walk around and enjoy the experience - whether that means talking to locals, smoking a joint, or drinking a hemp-infused beer! This area is just a 5-minutes walk from the Christianshavn metro stop on lines M1 and M2.
Nyhavn: A must-see part of town! When you surf the web for pictures of Copenhagen, this is most prominent area you see. What used to be a busy commercial port is now lined with old, beautiful houses. The whole strip is very colorful and picturesque!
Reffen Food Hall: Jesper Møller opened Reffen after his prior project, Papirøen (Paper Island), was shut down in 2018. It is a great spot to grab lunch, with over 50 food stalls featuring cuisine from more than 15 countries! It is a 1-hour walk from the city center and open daily from 12pm-8pm. From the Christianshavn metro stop, the bus ride (2A) is 10 minutes.
Little Mermaid: Most have seen the Disney movie, but many do not know it was based on the fairy tale written by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. This small statue stands in his honor!
Tivoli Gardens: Another place to check out if you are a Disney fan because this amusement park inspired Disneyland! You can expect roller coasters, music, restaurants, and more! It is open daily from 11am-10pm; entrance costs 135 DKK (€18).
Rosenborg Castle: This Dutch renaissance castle built in the 17th century is located in Central Copenhagen. Opening hours change often, but can be found here; entrance costs 120 DKK (€16). While you are over here, be sure to spend time in the castle’s backyard - The King’s Garden!
SANDEMANs Free Walking Tour: This 2.5-hour, tip-based tour is a wonderful way to get acclimated to the city. It picks up every morning at Rådhuspladsen (City Hall Square).
Other attractions include: Amalienborg, Strøget, Christiansborg Palace, Superkilen, The Round Tower, and Frederik's Church.
Accommodation:
Generator Copenhagen: With over a dozen locations worldwide, you know you are going to have a quality stay when you book through Generator. This one in particular has weekly live music in addition to a social bar, outdoor terrace, and café! It is also conveniently located in Central Copenhagen, 25 minutes walking from Copenhagen Central Station.
Transportation:
Copenhagen’s main bus station is Ingerslevsgade Bus Terminal; all buses below leave from here. The main train station is Copenhagen Central Station; all trains below leave from here.
Gothenburg, Sweden is 4 hours by bus from Copenhagen and costs €20. The train ride is 4 hours (indirect) and costs €32.
Skagen is 6.5 hours by train (indirect) from Copenhagen and costs €64.
Alternate Route 1: Fly from Copenhagen to Aalborg (45 minutes; €65-€80), then take a taxi from Aalborg’s airport to Aalborg’s train station (10 minutes; €25), and then take a train from Aalborg to Skagen (2 hours; €20).
Alternate Route 2: Take a bus or train from Copenhagen to Gothenburg (see above), then ride a ferry from Gothenburg to Frederikshavn (3.5 hours; €20), and then take a train from Frederikshavn to Skagen (40 minutes; €8).
Berlin, Germany is 7.5 hours by bus from Copenhagen and costs €25. The train ride is 7 hours (indirect) and costs €81. The flight is 1 hour and costs €25-€100 on easyJet or SAS.
Oslo, Norway is 7.5 hours by bus from Copenhagen and costs €40. The train ride is 8.5 hours (indirect) and costs €120. The flight is 1 hour and costs €50-€100 on SAS or Norwegian Air.
Stockholm, Sweden is 9.5 hours by bus from Copenhagen and costs €40. The train ride is 5.5 hours (indirect) and costs €60. The flight is 1 hour and costs €40-€55 on SAS or Norwegian Air.
Amsterdam, Netherlands is 13 hours by bus from Copenhagen and costs €50. The train ride is 10.5 hours and costs €70. The flight is 1.5 hours and costs €70-€90 on SAS or Norwegian Air.
Copenhagen Airport (CPH) is 10km (6 miles) southeast of the city center and accessible via metro, train, bus, and taxi.
Metro: The ride is 15-20 minutes and costs 36 DKK (€5). Trains run 24/7 and operate every 5 minutes during peak hours. The M2 (Yellow Line) connects CPH to Kongens Nytorv, or King’s New Square (the closest metro stop to the city center).
Train: The ride is 20-25 minutes and costs 36 DKK (€5). Trains run 24/7 and operate every 10 minutes during peak hours. The following lines run between CPH and Copenhagen Central Station: RE 1059, 1061, 1361, 1363, and 1365.
Bus: The ride is 35-40 minutes and costs 36 DKK (€5). The main bus connecting CPH and Copenhagen Central Station is 5A; this bus runs every 5 minutes during peak hours.
Taxi: The ride is 20-25 minutes and costs 250-350 DKK (€34-€47) depending on the time of day.
Thank you to the fellow traveler who took the photo of me at Nyhavn and to Tivoli for the photo of me on the roller coaster!