Seemingly locked in time, the birthplace of Hans Christen Andersen expertly blends the traditional and the modern.
Copenhagen has to be one of my favourite cities I’ve ever visited. My friend and I immediately felt at home there when we visited in early October: the vibe was fun, people were friendly, there were bikes everywhere (huge for a cycling enthusiast) and the architecture was really pretty.
From the moment the comparatively short two-hour flight landed, something about the place enchanted us both. It was a revelation to visit somewhere so beautiful, well-kept, full of such happy and studious people, in such a safe and welcoming atmosphere. We explored the city by bike and took a boat tour of the canals and the famous Little Mermaid statue; other times were spent at the Rosenborg Castle, in museums, and frequenting world-famous coffee shops and bakeries. The hygge was strong, we stayed in an incredible apartment rented out to us by the coolest person I know – a Danish TV anchor who lived with her daughter – and spent the time fully maximising the good vibes.
It’d be remiss of me not to mention Copenhagen’s fine dining experiences. We visited a restaurant in what I can only describe as the Mayfair of the place, which was decorated beautifully (if a slightly pretentious vibe which offset the hygge vibes of our apartment a little). And I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I was influenced by the chaotic kitchen in FX’s The Bear and wanted a peek at the world-famous Noma. Despite not spending hundreds to eat there, we enjoyed being in the atmosphere of the place.
The downside: it was expensive. Europeans don’t exaggerate when they say that the prices in surrounding countries aren’t as steep as they are here. So while we budgeted, we stretched to a four-day long weekend and that was plenty to experience everything the city had to offer.
Another word of warning: the beautiful Tivoli Gardens are only open to the public during certain times of year and have an annual closure at the start of October to prepare for the Halloween season. Check the dates before you visit and ensure you book tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.
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