Sights of Copenhagen

Founded in 1167 by Archbishop Absalon, Copenhagen, with "only" about 580,000 inhabitants, is actually a relatively small capital compared to other European cities. But that's precisely what makes it so charming! It gives you a very homey feeling, even if it's your first time there. Located directly on the Øresund Strait and the bridge of the same name, it's a true gem among Scandinavian capitals. During a long weekend, we visited the following sights in Copenhagen.

On the way to and from Copenhagen

Copenhagen is currently undergoing a transformation as the city strives to become greener. Many streets are being made smaller, and bike paths are being expanded. Trees are being planted, and small, green spaces are being created. A new subway line is also being built, which will run beneath the city in a kind of ring. But all the construction sites don't dampen the Danes' composure, and in many places, people are even allowing people to observe the construction work from vantage points.

Since Copenhageners love cycling (Copenhagen was named a UCI Bike City in 2007), the government launched a project to make cycling easier for residents and tourists. "Bycyklen" is a bike-sharing system featuring ultra-modern electric bikes. These white pedal bikes, equipped with GPS and a tablet, are located at many prominent locations throughout Copenhagen. You can find more information about the costs and how easy it is to rent one on the official website: bycyklen.dk/en. A really great idea! Many of the city's sights are also accessible on foot. The easiest way, of course, is by Segway (you can find the post about our great tour here).

If you're flying to Copenhagen like we did, the best way to get from the airport to the city and back is by metro or train. The metro costs about €7 per person and is the fastest way to get there. We wouldn't recommend taking a taxi, as it's far too expensive.

Staying in Copenhagen

From hostels to 5-star hotels, Copenhagen has it all. A friend told us that hostels in Copenhagen are supposed to be very good and not comparable to the old, run-down dorms in other countries. We decided to stay in a hotel anyway, because we're just not the hostel type. But we'd like to pass this tip on to you, because it comes from a Dane, and I think you can trust it, even though we haven't tried it yet :). Hotel room prices are expensive, as in all Scandinavian capitals. So you should expect to spend at least 100 euros per night! So, a hostel might be a good alternative for those who want to save money. We stayed in Hilton Copenhagen Airport Hotel overnight stay.

Paying in Copenhagen

As mentioned above, Copenhagen is very expensive, but this is typical for Scandinavian countries. The currency is the Danish krone. We were able to pay for everything we did with a credit card, from the small bakery to the hotel, and even the sights. If you prefer to carry cash, we recommend the DKB credit card, which allows you to withdraw cash for free at all VISA ATMs worldwide.

Our tips for the most beautiful sights in Copenhagen

Tip 1: Vor Frelsers Kirke

The "Vor Frelsers Kirke" (Church of Our Savior) is located in the Christianshaven district. The church itself is beautiful, but not the real highlight. The church tower, with its golden cladding, can be climbed by the brave. A total of 400 steps lead up to the golden globe. The first part, inside the church tower, is relatively cramped, and you have to watch out for oncoming traffic. In addition, warning lights are hung everywhere to warn of the next bell ringing, as you walk directly past the bells. Once you reach the outdoor viewing platform, you have a wonderful panoramic view! In good weather, you can see for miles.

Then, 150 steps lead along the outside of the tower in a four-turn staircase. The climb gets even narrower! Finally, only one person can fit on the last few steps. This is only for the very brave! Those who make it to the very top find themselves almost 90 meters above the church square. What I really noticed was the gentle swaying of the tower. There was barely a breath of wind. What must it be like up here in stronger winds? The prices of 40 DKK (Monday - Thursday) and 45 DKK (Friday - Sunday) are reasonable. You may "only" climb a church tower, but one with a magnificent view. We were absolutely thrilled and highly recommend this experience!

Tip 2: Christiansborg Palace

Christiansborg is, despite not looking it, a relatively new palace. Since the first castles and palaces were destroyed by three devastating fires, the current building was only built between 1906 and 1937. The three branches of government are located here: executive, legislative, and judicial. The rooms of the Folketing (parliament) are also located here, and can be visited. The Supreme Court, an official residence of the Prime Minister, and royal reception rooms are also located in the palace. The extensive grounds of the palace include, among other things, the stables with the royal horses, which were unfortunately on summer vacation, and a beautiful little park in front of the royal library and the Jewish Museum.

There's so much to discover right inside Christiansborg Palace. We particularly loved the palace church, which is truly lavishly decorated, yet still feels simple and uncluttered. Since we didn't have enough time to see all the sights, we opted for the most exciting: the ruins beneath Christiansborg. Admission costs 50 DKK, and if you arrive at the right time, you can also get a free guided tour. The history of the previous castles is explained very vividly here, and the wonderful restoration of the remains of the walls and old wells is truly outstanding. An exciting journey through time that shouldn't be missed. Christiansborg also has an observation tower, which is free to climb. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the palace grounds. Now that's service!

 Tip 3: The Little Mermaid

Crowded with tourists, we visited the real Little Mermaid. We were expecting a larger figure. But we'd been warned, so we weren't too surprised. It's almost impossible to take a photo of her without strangers in the picture. The Little Mermaid was built according to a design by the Danish artist Edvard Eriksen, who was inspired by the character of the same name from Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale. You just have to take your time and wait for the right moment to get a nice, tourist-free photo.

Tip 4: Changing of the Guard at Amalienborg

Every day at noon, the Royal Changing of the Guard takes place at Amalienborg Palace. At 11:30 a.m., the Royal Guard marches from Rosenborg Palace, marching straight through the city, arriving at Amalienborg at 12:00 p.m. sharp. Hundreds of spectators await them, lined up as if in an invisible line, standing and marveling. Police officers ensure that the correct distance is maintained, and anyone who breaks the habit is firmly reminded several times. Otherwise, the atmosphere is very entertaining, and the police officers are often in the mood for a joke.

The changing of the guard is very impressive, and we were standing in just the right place, so the guard walked right past us. Almost too close to get a good photo. ;) After 15 minutes, the ceremony was over. We later read that the changing of the guard only takes place when Queen Margrethe is at home. We must have been lucky.

Tip 5: The Kastellet

Copenhagen Castle is a military base that is still in use today. Officers live and work here. Completed in 1667, the pentagon-shaped fortress is surrounded by a system of moats. We did a geocache to get a better understanding of the individual buildings. This led us to the two entrance gates (King's Gate and Norwegian Gate), the somewhat secluded ammunition depot, the castle church, and Denmark's oldest functioning windmill. You don't really get the feeling of being in a military area here. Everything feels more like a small, quiet village. A great place to escape the crowds of the city center.

Tip 6: Nyhavn

Nyhavn, or "new harbor," is the popular entertainment district in Copenhagen. Historically, this 400-meter-long and 3-meter-deep canal was an important part of Copenhagen's harbor when it was completed in 1673. Today, it has unfortunately lost some of this importance, but has gained in popularity as a tourist attraction with its many bars, restaurants, and venues. The many colorful houses along the canal were mostly built in the 18th and 19th centuries and have housed famous residents such as Hans Christian Andersen. There's always something going on here. The cafés and bars are crowded with tourists, and even during the day there are quite a few partygoers. Interestingly, Copenhagen's only strip club, the "Hong Kong," is located here. This might be good to know for stag or hen parties.

These are our favorite day trips in Copenhagen. What about you? Where do you like to go? What did you like best? Let us know in the comments! Because Copenhagen still has so many small, undiscovered places to offer. Copenhagen is definitely worth one or more trips!

Which travel guide can you recommend for Copenhagen?

This current city guides is the ideal companion for exploring the Danish capital, Copenhagen, independently, thanks to concise information and insider tips. The city's most important sights and museums, as well as lesser-known attractions and neighborhoods, are presented and evaluated in detail.

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