Just Back From...Copenhagen
Copenhagen inspires you to think and live differently. It exudes a sort of modern creativity at every turn, perfectly balancing artistic design and accessibility. Consistently recognized as one of the world's most liveable cities, the Danish capital is also a haven for travelers who love to wander.
Our first visit to Copenhagen was a delightful surprise. Nursing a newly sprained ankle, however, forecasted a tricky travel experience in a destination known for its walkability. Fortunately, Copenhagen is a compact city boasting an efficient transportation system, and I was lucky to have patient traveling companions.
Bottom line, Copenhagen is effortlessly cool. Watch our video, peruse our snapshots, and learn more about how to plan your own vacation of discovery to this world-class destination.
Copenhagen Highlights Video
Favorite Copenhagen Moments
Admiring the Vibrant 17th- and 18th-Century Homes Along the NyHavn Canal
Copenhagen's First Department Store, ILLUM, founded 1891
Evening Buzz in Højbro Plads Public Square
Ørstedsparken park
The LIttle Mermaid, An Icon of Copenhagen and Popular Tourist Site
Copenhagen Trip Details
TIME OF YEAR: Mid-September. The weather was idyllic, with sunny days, cool breezes, and temperatures hovering around 60℉/15℃ throughout our visit. Local residents noted that this was unusual for the time of year, however.
TRAVEL: Arrived into Copenhagen Airport (code CPH) via London late afternoon on a Thursday for a long weekend visit, departing late Monday. The train from the airport to the city center is efficient (15 minutes) and cheap.
GETTING AROUND: Walking is best, but with my sprained ankle, I took advantage of the bus and metro train system regularly. We purchased 72-hour City Passes for unlimited transportation by bus, train, and ferry. While the buses don't reach much of the pedestrianized city center, you're still only a few minutes walk away. We used CityMapper for all routing.
STAY: Two nights each at Hotel SP34 and Manon Les Suites. SP34 is in a central location and the staff were helpful and friendly, but the rooms were a bit tired. We thoroughly enjoyed Manon Les Suites, and while it's a bit further out of the city center, its location is ideal for the bus system. Both had restaurants onsite and the spa-like pool in the center of Manon Les Suites was inviting.
EAT: Each day began at independent coffee shop Buzz, an inviting space with tasty smoothies and sandwiches. We enjoyed canalside drinks and snacks at Thai restaurant Sea by Kiin Kiin and Danish café Skipperkroen, lunch with a view on the ILLUM department store rooftop, and the best street food - especially the gourmet hot dogs - at Papirøen (closes end of 2017 and will reopen in new space). Do not miss the expansive food market Torvehallerne. As for dinner, it's easy to find Michelin stars in the Danish capital. Standouts include Formel B, offering a fusion of Danish and French cuisine, and 108, a spin-off of world-renowned restaurant Noma, offering inventive Nordic cuisine.
WANDER RATING: 10/10. There are so many interesting neighborhoods to explore, and the city center never felt touristy. The shopping is fantastic, thanks to contemporary Danish design.