They say the Danes are the happiest people in the world and I can understand why.  With free healthcare, education, low crime and great benefits, the Danes have great social cohesion. People in Copenhagen are very pleasant and nonchalant. Nobody is in a hurry to get anywhere which I actually appreciated.  Everyone is smiling and helpful. It is very easy to get around, there are bicycles everywhere and public trains and buses conveniently located around the city. The public transportation is very clean! My favorite thing about Copenhagen is that the water is pure enough to drink from the faucet! My second favorite are the chill vibes. Here are a few things when visiting Copenhagen. 

1. Take a Walk in Nyhavn

Nyhavn is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Copenhagen!  It is a historic waterfront district dating back to the 17th century. The colorful town homes along the canal were built in the mid 1600’s and now have restaurants and bars on the ground levels. Although lively, Nyhavn is very calming and relaxing.  I recommend cruising down the canal on a private or public boat. The harbor was originally used for ships to dock and handle cargo and was also known to be a place for sailors to hang out, drink beer and hire prostitutes. The famous writer  Hans Christian Andersen lived at Nyhavn for 18 years, residing in a few different townhouses.

2. Spend a Night at Manon Les Suites Hotel

I love this hotel! Manon Les Suites is a 5 star hotel in the city of Copenhagen. I personally did not stay here (I stayed at Villa Copenhagen). My friends were guests so I had full access to the pool etc… The cost is about $500 per night and it is worth it!  The Bohemian, luxury decor and design will make you feel like you are in Bali. There is a heated pool surrounded by tropical plants and flowers and more hanging from the ceiling providing a different vibe from the rest of the city. There are cabanas and pool chairs along the side of the pool for lounging. I spent my last night here relaxing before my trip home. Although I enjoyed my time spent at Manon Les Suites, I would only spend one night here because I like the authenticity and character of some of the older hotels like Villa Copenhagen.

3. Hang out at Reffen

4. Spend a Day in Christiana

Christiana is a must do in Copenhagen!!!! This was one of the highlights of my trip. Christiana was created in 1971 when a group of people overtook an abandoned military barrack in Copenhagen. Freetown, Christiana has a strong hippie vibe. You can smoke weed freely and everyone is calm and friendly.  Although marijuana is illegal in Copenhagen, you will find it everywhere in Christiana.  Be careful when buying, as police do make raids often where they take contraband. Most of the vendors know when the police are coming around so they will warn you and stop selling.  There are concerts on some of the weekends. Bring currency to shop because some vendors do not take credit cards. There are shops and vendors selling clothing, crafts, art and more throughout the town. This is a must do in Copenhagen. 

5. Walk around Norrboro and SuperKilen Park

 This park is a skateboarder’s dream.  There are 3 specific areas with space for skateboarding, music, arts, sports, picnics and more. We stopped here for a while to rest after walking around the neighborhood.  We didn’t stay too long because is was hot and there wasn’t much shade on the side of the park we sat at. I suggest planning to grab or pack a lunch and some wine and find a nice shaded spot to relax. 

6. Stay at Villa Copenhagen

Villa Copenhagen is a modern 5 star hotel centrally located in the city of Copenhgen. It is directly across from Central Station making it very easy to move around the city by train. This historic hotel was built in 1912 and served as the Central Post & Telegraph Head Office for many years.  In 2017 (after vacant for sometime) the building was purchased by a hotel group and renovated into a beautiful hotel.  I loved the detailed architecture and character of this building.  The outside has a historic feel and the inside is contemporary while still maintaining its historic charm.   I spent my spare time relaxing at the pool and sauna. At the time of my visit, reservations were required to visit the pool because COVID restrictions were still in place.  The staff was friendly and the hotel was clean. I highly recommend! 

7. Visit Rosenborg Castle and King’s Garden

  I love history and I will always find a way to visit a historical site. We chose the Rosenborg castle and the King’s Garden. The castle was built 1606-34 by King Christian IV as a pleasure palace. The Danish crown jewels and royal crowns are still located in a special vault in the basement of the castle.  There are many other collections throughout, including portraits of scandals as well as glass collections etc…  The gardens were much bigger than I expected. Inside the gardens were sculptures, including the statue of Hans Christian Andersen,  a rose garden and fountains as well as many arches and tree lined walkways.  The scenery was gorgeous and serene.  This was a great place to spend a few hours relaxing and picnicking on the lawn.  The castle is open most days from 10 am-4 pm. (Check the website to be sure)

Helpful Information

• Official Language: Danish
• Currency: Danish Krone (DKK) 1 Danish Krone equals $ 0.15 United States Dollar.  Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere.  You will need currency if you want to buy things in Christiana. Be sure to contact your credit card company/bank regarding fees and limitations prior to traveling.
• Climate: Summer – Mild/Warm. High of 60-73 degrees F, Winter– Cold, dark and long, snowy
• Best time to visit: April- September for warmer weather and longer days
• Time Zone: Central European Time
• Transportation:  Walking, taxi, bicycle, train, car
• Plan to stay for at least 3 days.
• Safety– I never once felt unsafe. This does not change the fact that there still may be some crime. I advise to always travel in groups. Be aware of surroundings and pay attention to people. Try not to get too intoxicated as this can hinder ability to notice any potential threat or problem. Always check the travel advisory info on the US Embassy website.