48 hours in Copenhagen – Weekend Edition
Copenhagen In Less Than 48 Words
The name of the Danish capital, Copenhagen, literally means “merchant’s harbor,” which is sufficiently borne out by its maritime character and also by its location by the Baltic coast. Though it reeks of an Old World charm, the city is undeniably modern and up to date today.
Amalienborg Palace (Photo by jerome86)
First 24 Hours
You can arrive at the Danish capital via the Copenhagen Airport, which is located eight kilometers south of the Copenhagen city center on the Amager Island. From there, you can catch a train at the airport terminal that will take you directly to the city’s central station. The journey lasts for around 13 minutes, and will cost you Dkr31.50. Alternatively, you can opt to hire a taxi straight to the city center, although this will cost you upwards of Dkr250.
Copenhagen is a pretty compact city built on a flat terrain, making it very navigable, even on foot. The medieval part of the town is surrounded by the more modern neighborhoods, which are easily reached via its efficient public transportation. However, it is still advisable to find a city map and to learn valuable information at its main tourist center (Vesterbrogade 4A, 00 45 70 22 24 42, website).
CHECK IN: Get your bearings back at Copenhagen’s hotels
Rundetårn (Photo by Morten Siebuhr)
Your stay may be arranged in one of Copenhagen’s excellent hotels. One of the best in the city is the Nimb Hotel (Bernstorffsgade 5, Copenhagen 1577, Denmark, (45) 88 70 00 00, website). It offers luxurious accommodations, a Michelin-star restaurant, and a nice view of the Tivoli Garden. A nice alternative is the Hilton (Ellehammersvej 20, Copenhagen 2770, Denmark, 45-32-501-501, website), which has a convenient location by a train station.
You can also try out the Somandshjemmet Bethel (Nyhavn 22, Copenhagen 1051, Denmark, (45) 331 303 70, website). It has a nice location near Copenhagen’s main tourist attractions, and offers a clear view of the city harbor.
ROUND TOWER: Let’s take a view
A popular tourist attraction in Copenhagen is the Round Tower (Købmagergade 52A, 1150, +45 33 73 03 73, website). Also known as Rundetårn, it is both a historical monument and a public astronomical observatory. The building dates back to the 17th century, built at the order of Christian IV, using the Dutch Baroque style of architecture. The highlight there is climbing up its 209-meter long spiral ramp to the top floor (the king once used a horse to reach the summit), where you will be rewarded with enchanting views of the old town and nearby Sweden. The site is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, and admission will cost you around Dkr25.
TIVOLI GARDENS: Amuse yourself
Perhaps the most popular destination for tourists in Copenhagen is the Tivoli Gardens (3 Vesterbrogade 1630 Copenhagen V, (+45) 3315 1001, website). It is an amusement park and pleasure garden established in 1843, making it the second oldest of its kind in the world. In fact, it is the third most-visited theme park in Europe. The park is most known for its wooden roller coaster, Rutsjebanen, which is one of the oldest of its kind in the world. It also hosts concerts, film screenings, and circus acts such as pantomimes and clowns. The adults can also catch discos, comedians, jazz music, and the cabaret as well. The site officially opens on April 15 for the summer season, and admission will cost you Dkr95.
Tivoli Gardens (Photo by Mike Allyn)
AMALIENBORG PALACE: Visit a royal winter home
Another noteworthy attraction is the Amalienborg Palace (Amalienborg Slotsplads 1257 Copenhagen K). It is the winter home of the Danish royal family, known for its classicist façade and rococo-style interior. You can also see in its courtyard a monumental equestrian statue dedicated to Frederick V and made by the French sculptor Jacques-Francois-Joseph Saly. Its exquisite rooms are open to the public, and you can also witness the changing of the guard in front of the palace daily. The site is also home to the Amaliehaven, one of the newest gardens in the city. You can take a stroll across its landscaped hedges, central fountain, and marble sculptures.
DINNER TIME: Discover Copenhagen’s restaurants
Era Ora (Photo from Google images)
You are guaranteed a delicious dinner at the restaurants available all over the city. One of the best is Noma (93 Strandgade | 1401 Copenhagen K, Copenhagen DK-1401, Denmark, 45 3296 3297, website). It serves an excellent Scandinavian cuisine, and is a Michelin-star restaurant with a relaxing atmosphere. A nice alternative is the Restaurant Krebsegaarden (Studiestraede 17, Copenhagen 1455, Denmark, 45 20124015, website), with quality menu choices and a friendly service.
Have a taste of Italy in Copenhagen at Era Ora (Overgaden Neden Vandet 33B, Copenhagen 1414, Denmark, 45 32-54-06-93, website), which offers superb Italian dishes, and a nice wine selection. You can also try out Formel B (182 Vesterbrogade, Copenhagen DK-1800, Denmark, 45 33 25 10 66, website). It serves an excellent Danish and French cuisine, and is definitely worth a try.
Next 24 Hours
The Little Mermaid Statue (Photo by Daneen Vol)
Your next 24 hours in Copenhagen can be used to discover the city’s other tourist attractions. One of the must-sees in the city is The Little Mermaid Statue (Langelinie 2100 Copenhagen Ø). It is Copenhagen’s most famous symbol, based on Hans Christian Andersen’s tragic fairytale protagonist. Created in 1913 by Edvard Eriksen, it stands 1.25 meters tall and sits on a rock overlooking the city harbor.
ROSENBERG CASTLE: Visit another castle
You can also visit the Rosenberg Castle (Øster Voldgade 4 A 1350 Copenhagen K, (45) 3315 3286, website). It was built in 1606 by Christian IV, and is known for its Danish Renaissance style of architecture. It is also home to the Danish royal crown jewels and the Royal Family Museum, whose collections include silver, paintings, china, and the crown regalia. You can also see there the Rosenborg Castle Garden, which is the oldest of its kind in the country, and is a popular place for retreats and picnics. The site is usually open from 10 am to 4 pm daily, and admission will cost you around Dkr75.
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF DENMARK: Explore history
Learn more about Danish cultural history at the National Museum of Denmark (Prinsens Palais, 10, Ny Vestergade 1471 Copenhagen K, (+45) 33 13 44 11, website). It is Denmark’s largest museum for cultural history, featuring exhibits both local and foreign. Inside, you can travel back almost 14,000 years ago back to the prehistoric era, chronicling the Ice Age to the Viking era. The collections at the site also include artifacts from the Renaissance and the Middle Ages, as well as Eskimo tools and various objects from Rome, Greece, and Egypt. The museum is open from Tuesdays to Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm (closed on Mondays), and admission is free.
VOR FRELSERS KIRKE: Let’s go to church
You can spend some time in Von Frelsers Kirke (Sankt Annæ Gade 29, 1416 København K, 32 57 27 98, website), which is a popular landmark in Copenhagen. Also known as the Church of Our Saviour, it is a Baroque-style church known mainly for its unique corkscrew spire that reaches a height of 90 meters. It has an external staircase where you can clamber up and enjoy sweeping views of the city. You can also see the church’s massive carillon (one of the largest in northern Europe) that plays melodies every hour from 8 am.
NIGHTLIFE: Indulge in Copenhagen’s vibrant nightlife scene
Hvids Vinstue (Photo from Google images)
At night you may proceed to Copenhagen’s bars and clubs to have a taste of the vibrant nightlife of the city. One of the most popular is Pussy Galore’s Flying Circus (Sankt Hans Torv 30, Copenhagen 2200, 33-31-74-87, website). It has a minimalist interior popular with the chic crowd, and offers mean cocktails, plus the chance to see local celebrities. A nice alternative is the Pan (Knabrostræde 3, Copenhagen 1210, 33-11-37-84), which is a popular gay night club with multiple0level dance floors and outdoor venues.
You can also try out Hvids Vinstue (Kongens Nytorv 19, Copenhagen 1050, 33-15-10-64, website). It is a historical bar known to have been once visited by Hans Christian Andersen, and offers superb beer and wine selections. Another is Café Rust (Guldbergsgade 8, Copenhagen 1259, 35-24-52-00, website), which is frequented by an energetic crowd for its live electronica and rock performances.
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