Copenhagen Travel Guide + Trip Recap

I recently traveled to the beautiful land of Denmark and had such an incredible time eating amazing food, getting together with friends and meeting new people. While I was only in Copenhagen for a few days, I managed to fit in a lot (include a day trip to Sweden) and I wanted to share photos and tips from my trip.

Where I Stayed in Copenhagen

I stayed in the Generator Hostel in Copenhagen and the location was perfect. It was very close to the metro stop that takes you to the airport and within walking distance to all the major landmarks and attractions. The hostel itself was very clean and the beds were way more comfortable than I expected! I stayed in an eight person mixed room and I loved getting to meet the people in my room especially since I was traveling alone.

The hostel also had a bar and lounge area which was great because I was able to invite some friends who were also visiting Copenhagen over to hang out.

How I Got Around in Copenhagen

Public transportation in Copenhagen is super easy to navigate. Other than using the public transportation, I also walked a lot. I definitely recommend bringing some good walking shoes because you will be walking everywhere!

What I Ate in Copenhagen

Before visiting, many friends warned me how expensive Copenhagen could be. I was prepared knowing that I would splurge on a few meals but try and also eat from grocery stores. I did not have a kitchen meaning I had to be smart about when and where I would eat. I, however, did find a few great & affordable places that I highly recommend:

The Living Room

Larsbjørnsstræde 17, 1454 Copenhagen, Denmark

What was good:

Their berry smoothie was really tasty! They also have great wraps and drinks.

Fusion Køkken

Skt. Annæ Plads 16, 1250 København K

What was good:

You can pick out multiple items from their menu to create a custom breakfast spread. I highly recommend their waffle with yogurt and chocolate.

Copenhagen Street Food

Trangravsvej 14, 7/8, 1436 København K, Denmark

What was good:

This place is basically a giant indoor food court with local vendors & food stalls. I had dinner here as well as a crème brûlée donut that was quite possibly the best dessert I have ever had in my life. The atmosphere of this place is great as well. At night, there are fire pits and great music. Be warned, it can be quite busy so expect crowds.

What I Saw & Did in Copenhagen (The Short Version)

• Nyhavn

This is the most iconic street in Copenhagen and home to lots of fun restaurants and ice cream shops. For the best picture opportunity, visit the bridge further down the street.

• The Round Tower

This tower allows you to walk all the way to the top for a stunning view of the city. There is also an art gallery you can access if you walk the tower.

• Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg Castle is absolutely stunning. It houses royal jewels and room after room of glorious art and antiques.

• Free Walking Tour

This free walking tour (although tips are always much appreciated!) is a great way to see lots of the city and hear from a local about the best spots in Copenhagen.

• Amalienborg Palace

This is home to the royal family! While I only saw it from the outside, you are able to tour part of it. Who knows, you may even have a royal sighting like I did!

• The Little Mermaid Statue

Often called “underwhelming” or “disappointing”, this statue is quite far from the city center. However, if you arrive at sunset, the colors on the water won’t disappoint.

• Christiania

This “free town” is home to street art & vendors.

• GoBoat

The GoBoat lets you power your own boat through the harbor and bring snacks and drinks on board! Go during sunset for beautiful views and make sure to reserve it in advance as it is quite popular.

What I Saw & Did in Copenhagen (In Detail)

Day 1:

On my first full day in Copenhagen, I started the morning at Nyhavn (the iconic, colorful street), which was just a short walk from my hostel. The sun was just starting to rise and the streets were peaceful and not yet full of tourists. Next, I stopped for a cup of tea and a pastry at Espresso House before I walked to meet my friend Siobhan who is studying in Copenhagen.

After we enjoyed lunch at The Living Room (mentioned above in my eats section), I climbed to the top of The Round Tower where I enjoyed lovely views of the city. Then, I walked to the Rosenborg Castle which was well worth the money.

I then had enough time to walk to City Hall where I went on a free three hour walking tour of the city. This tour was one of the highlights of my trip. Not only did I learn stories about the city from our local guide but I also was able to see so much more of Copenhagen than I would have (I even got to see a royal prince bike into the Amalienborg Palace!)

The tour ended about a thirty minute walk away from the Little Mermaid statue and I was able to catch it right at sunset. A lot of people say this statue is “overrated” but with the setting sun, I thought it was quite beautiful.

Day 2:

On my second day in Copenhagen, I decided to take a short little day trip to Malmö, Sweden. It was quite spontaneous and I realized once I arrived by train that I had no plan, no map & no Swedish currency. I ended up taking a boat tour of the city which was helpful because I was able to orient myself and make mental notes of what I wanted to visit.

I don’t regret visiting Malmö but I wasn’t super impressed with my visit. I should have prepared better but hey, live and learn.

When I got back to Copenhagen in the early afternoon, I walked through Christiania, a free town that is full of live music, vendors and cool art. Later that evening, I met up with Rachel, a friend from Salt Lake, and her friends. We rented a GoBoat and this was another highlight of the trip! They let us navigate it ourselves and we enjoyed wine & brie while boating around the city.

 

Overall, it was an absolutely incredible trip and I hope to go again soon. Have you ever been to Copenhagen? If so, share in the comments what were your favorite places that you visited there!

Check out the video I made of the trip:

And here is my vlog of the trip!