According to a new study by Icelandair, Copenhagen is one of the best European destinations to have an immersive travel experience.
The airline looked at 30 European cities and scored them based on language barriers and immersive qualities like tours, public transport, restaurants, local events, activities, and bars. Copenhagen came in seventh place, beating the likes of Brussels, Paris, Vienna, Berlin, and Zurich.
Even so, Copenhagen is not necessarily at the top of many Americans’ travel list – but we want to change that. The capital of Denmark is full of amazing cultural experiences and some of the best restaurants in the world.
So if you’re looking for an under-the-radar European destination, read on because we have the scoop on all things Copenhagen.
How to Get There
If you’re going to fly to a Scandinavian country, you might as well go with Scandinavian Airlines as they’ll introduce you to the Nordic hospitality that you’ll surely experience in Copenhagen. They offer direct flights to Copenhagen from Newark, New York, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Boston, Miami, Chicago, and San Francisco.
Fun fact: Scandinavian Airlines has a free stopover program that lets you enjoy 72 hours in a destination that SAS flies to. So, if you book a trip to Copenhagen and want a quick getaway to Stockholm on your way back, you can. Give Scandinavian Airlines a call or have your travel advisor set it up.
Where to Stay
Copenhagen offers a boundless number of hotels, but one of our favorites is Villa Copenhagen. This luxurious hotel is in an old post office building located just a few minutes’ walk from Copenhagen Central Station, the main terminal for trains, metros, and buses.
It’s also across the street from Tivoli Gardens and has a delicious breakfast, phenomenal bar in an atrium, and one of Copenhagen’s only outdoor pools.
Otherwise, consider a stay at Manon Hotel, an adults-only property with a Bali-esque pool in the center of the hotel. The rooftop lounge is a perfect place to hang on warm days.
A tourist hangs out by the Copenhagen Harbor. (Photo Credit: Alex Temblador)
Getting Around
Copenhagen’s public transportation system is incredibly easy to use, especially with the help of Google Maps. Take advantage of their bus, train, and metro system, all of which are reliable and on time. You’ll be impressed with how clean and safe the metro and train boarding areas are, as well as how quickly you can get around the city via the buses – sometimes more so than a metro or train.
Did we mention there is also a harbor bus? The yellow harbor bus is a boat that runs on electricity and can be used with a regular bus ticket. There are nine stops along the harbor, making it a good option for travelers to get to and from different parts of Copenhagen on a lovely boat ride.
To utilize the public transportation system, you’ll need to buy a ticket at the airport or via the DOT Billetter app on your phone.
In our opinion, the best option for travelers is a Copenhagen Discover Card. This pre-bought card will give you unlimited transportation throughout the entire Copenhagen Capital Region, including the train/metro ride to and from the airport. Not only that, but it gets you free admission to more than 80 attractions and museums, including Tivoli Gardens, canal tours, Rosenborg Castle, Glyptoteket, and more.
The card costs between $67-$161, depending on whether you need it activated for 24 hours or up to 120 hours. Download it directly to your phone and go.
Things to Do
Tour Rosenborg Castle to see 400 years of Danish royal history. (Photo Credit: Alex Temblador)
Copenhagen is internationally known for its architecture. Our favorite architecture tour guide is Thomas Brorholm of Architecture Tours DK. He offers eight tours in English, one of which is on bikes. Whether he’s showing you the Kissing Bridge, Little Amsterdam, The Black Diamond, or the buildings that line the harbor, you’ll learn about the city’s famous architecture and how it reflects the culture and history of Copenhagen and impacts the residents.
After your tour, learn more about Danish design at the Danish Architecture Center or Designmuseum Denmark. Art and design usually go hand in hand and Copenhagen has plenty of cool art spaces from the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art to the Cisternerne, an underground cistern that hosts unique art exhibits.
Despite all the modern architecture that Copenhagen boasts, it’s also home to some beautiful historical buildings -- like castles. Rosenborg Castle, Amelienborg Palace, Cronborg Castle, and Christiansborg Palace are must-stops for lovers of all things royal.
In between all the architecture, art, and castle tours, add some fun and quirky things to your itinerary. See the Little Mermaid statue and ride a rollercoaster at one of the oldest amusement parks in the world – Tivoli Gardens. Don’t forget to walk and shop through Freetown Christiania, a self-proclaimed autonomous society (or commune), in the center of the city. They live by their own rules; for instance, it’s famous for openly selling marijuana, which is illegal in Denmark. This is probably one of the reasons why taking pictures is prohibited in Christiania.
Freetown Christiania is a quirky commune in the center of Copenhagen. (Photo Credit: Alex Temblador)
Where to Eat
Copenhagen is home to the number one restaurant in the world, Geranium, according to the 50 Best list. Other Copenhagen restaurants on that list includes Alchemist and Jordnaer. The Michelin Guide alone features 70 Copenhagen restaurants. Suffice to say, Copenhagen offers some of the best, most innovative food in the world.
If you’ve got a hankering to try traditional Danish cuisine, go to the Michelin-star restaurant, Selma. Here is where you should try smorrebrod, a traditional Danish open sandwich. We loved the Beetroot and Horseradish Herring smorrebrod with capers, kefir, and smoked herring caviar. Pair your smorrebrod with a local beer or natural wine, which is super popular among the Danes.
Dine on smorrebrod and other Danish favorites at Selma. (Photo Credit: Alex Temblador)
Make your way to Restaurant Lola for some fusion food. Located in a cute house on a hill near Freetown Christiana, this restaurant plays with Latin and Danish (and some Asian) flavors in unique ways. Broens Gadekøkken, or Bridge Street Kitchen, is a great outdoor eating area where you can grab a bite from a food truck or stall. It has harbor views and is a hot spot for locals.
Last but not least, communal dining in Copenhagen is gaining popularity. At GRO Spiseri, you’ll sit at a single table for 25 people in the middle of a rooftop urban farm and enjoy a delightful multi-course menu of locally- and sustainably grown cuisine. The menu is ever-changing, and while it may feel a bit awkward at first talking to strangers, it results in an incredibly memorable meal.
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