Copenhagen – Beautiful and Cold

The Nordic countries have always fascinated me! Whether it’s because the action in the series “Vikings” takes place there in a bygone era, or because I love warm countries and not cold ones, and I had never been to the North before. I knew one thing – whenever I went there, I wanted it to be cold! And that’s exactly how it happened with my first visit to Copenhagen.

A colleague from my workplace had just returned from there and told me how much she enjoyed it. She visited at the beginning of December and mentioned that it was quite chilly. I felt like going there too, but I didn’t expect it to be so soon 😊. A few days after Christmas, I searched for flight tickets, and there was a great offer for mid-January, since I wanted to go somewhere and had some free time. To my surprise, I found a very good deal for Copenhagen. I didn’t hesitate much – I decided to go even if it was just me. I told my sister that I was going there, and she immediately showed interest, and when my dad heard, he said he was coming with us! The tickets were bought, and the day of departure arrived.

Our flight was in the evening, and during the day, I had time to go exchange some currency. If you’re visiting Denmark, make sure to exchange Danish kroner, but just enough to have some cash on hand because you can almost always pay by card.

The journey to Copenhagen was quite an adventure, as our flight was delayed by over 5 hours, and we landed at the airport (Københavns Lufthavn) around 3 AM! Luckily, the metro ran 24/7, so we managed to get to our hotel. I had informed them in advance that we would be late, and since they didn’t have a 24-hour reception, they left the key in a box next to the front door.

Useful Information 📌

Before we get into our cold tale, some useful information about the Danish capital.

Despite being a multi-million person city, Copenhagen is not crowded with hurried crowds, suffocating traffic, or a fast-paced lifestyle. In some places, there is a sense of calm and timelessness, where the past and future intertwine. Proud and majestic, the city proudly showcases its landmarks. A rich history, galleries, palaces, beautiful and dazzling architecture, memories of the past, green parks, and colorful canals – these are just a few of the things you’ll encounter here, leaving you enchanted by this magnetic place. All these sites are relatively close to each other and are located in the central part of the city.

Where to Stay 🏡

For this very reason, I chose to stay in the central part of the city – about 200 meters from the main square, Kongens Nytorv (The New Royal Square), and the same distance from Nyhavn (the canal with colorful houses). The metro line to the airport also has a stop nearby, making the transfer extremely convenient. Hotel Maritime is a perfect choice for those seeking a comfortable and stylish place to stay in the heart of the city. It’s a relatively budget-friendly hotel with a convenient location, clean and comfortable rooms. I personally recommend it, and I would stay there again.

Standard of Living 💰

Speaking of the word “budget,” I know that many of you will immediately think of words like “expensive,” “unattainable,” and “high standard.” Yes, that’s true – Denmark is one of the countries with high quality and standard of living. Salaries are quite high here, but so are the taxes paid by citizens. This, in turn, allows them to receive good free education and exceptional universal healthcare. There’s no doubt that life here is expensive, and taxes are high, but the results in terms of innovation and business opportunities, which extend across all EU markets, are impressive. That’s why it’s no surprise that Denmark leads the rankings for the lowest levels of corruption. Given this fact, it’s wise to be financially prepared when coming here 😊

Public Transport 🚊 and Airport Transfer ✈️

As I mentioned earlier, all the sights are within walking distance, making Copenhagen a pleasant place for a stroll (when it’s not as cold as it was in our case). You won’t necessarily need to use public transport for sightseeing, but you will need it to travel from the airport to the city center. Copenhagen has a well-developed public transport system, consisting mainly of buses, trains, and the metro. To reach the airport, you can take either a train or the metro, but the underground railway is very convenient and recommended. Copenhagen has 4 metro lines, and access to the metro stations is barrier-free – meaning you don’t have to validate your ticket or pass through a turnstile. There are ticket machines at all metro stations, and tickets are valid for 90 minutes.

The city is divided into several travel zones. For zones 1 and 2, the ticket costs 24 DKK (around 3 euros), and if you need to use zone 3 (where the airport is located), the price is 36 DKK (around 5 euros). Some metro stations do not have ticket machines, so I recommend downloading the “DOT tickets” app, where you can buy a ticket. Although access to the metro is barrier-free, not having a ticket means a 100 euro fine if you’re caught! The metro is clean and quite modern—driverless trains, glass safety doors on the platforms, and it operates 24/7!

Where to Eat 🍗

As for food, I’ll just say one thing – everything according to your taste and budget! As you can probably guess, prices at restaurants are quite high, like everything else. I recommend Cafe Oscar, , where I had coffee and dinner. It’s a quiet and peaceful place with very polite staff and delicious food. The menu is diverse, and in almost every restaurant, the food quality is excellent, so wherever you choose to eat, you won’t go wrong.

Top 10 Attractions in Copenhagen 🗺

As I mentioned earlier, all the major attractions in Copenhagen are relatively close to each other, making them easy and quick to visit. We planned to spend 3 days here, with 1 day dedicated to visiting Malmö, Sweden. But enough wasting time – let me present the top 10 most impressive places that left a mark on me in the Danish capital.

1. Nyhavn

Colorful, vibrant, charming – one of the most remarkable and iconic places in Copenhagen! At first glance, it may remind you a bit of Amsterdam’s canals, but only just a little 😊. In translation, “havn” means harbor, and in the past, there was a commercial harbor here where ships from all over the world docked. It used to be filled with sailors who visited the beer houses and taverns, having fun with a pint of beer and enjoying the company of lavish ladies providing pleasure for a fee.

Don’t worry – today, everything is completely different. The beautiful colorful houses have been renovated, and there is no trace left of the old harbor. In its place, countless restaurants, bars, and cafés have “docked.” The area is perfect for sitting down and relaxing (when it’s not too cold, of course), enjoying a drink or a delicious meal while small boats pass by along the canal, gently reminding you of the old times when they used to carry the herring caught in the Øresund Strait to the Scandinavian countries and the rest of Europe.

If you have more free time, you can also take a boat cruise. Here are a few interesting suggestions:

I advise you to pay attention to the red building located at number 20. This is where the famous writer Hans Christian Andersen lived. Here, he wrote the famous fairy tales “The Princess and the Pea,” “The Little Claus and the Big Claus,” and “The Tinderbox”. Apparently, the writer really enjoyed his time here, as he also lived at number 67 for 20 years, and for another 2 years at number 18. In short, wherever you go in this city, you’ll be walking in his footsteps.

It’s very easy to get here by getting off at Kongens Nytorv metro station, where lines 1, 2, 3 and 4 intersect.

2. The Little Mermaid

Speaking of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales, it’s impossible not to visit one of Copenhagen’s most iconic landmarks, which has become his symbol—the sculpture of The Little Mermaid.

The statue was unveiled on August 23, 1913, and was a gift from the local brewer Carl Jacobsen. Standing at around 1.25 meters tall, it is made of bronze and granite, located on a rock in the water at the Langelinie Pier. Personally, I had imagined it much larger, but to be honest, my encounter with it was still quite impressive and memorable.

We all know the sad and tragic story of the little mermaid, who gave up everything for her love for the beautiful young prince. Every morning, she would rise from the depths of the sea and stand on a rock to catch a glimpse of her beloved.

And just like in the fairytale, our meeting with the marble heroine came true. The sky was grey and gloomy as we walked toward her, and just minutes before we arrived, the sunlight broke through the sky, lighting up the water, and the silhouette of the mermaid statue mysteriously stood out. It looked like a mirage, about to vanish at any moment.

An incredible experience, just like in the fairytales!

The story behind the creation of the sculpture is quite interesting. While watching the ballet performance of the eponymous fairy tale at the Royal Danish Theatre, Carl Jacobsen fell in love with the image of the mermaid. He was so impressed by both the fairy tale and the ballet that he commissioned sculptor Edward Eriksen to create a statue of the mythical sea creature.

For inspiration, the ballerina Ellen Price, who performed the lead role in the ballet “The Little Mermaid” at the Royal Theatre in 1909, was chosen. She refused to pose nude for Eriksen, but agreed to let her face be used for the sculpture. For the body, his wife, Eline Eriksen, posed instead.

“The mermaid has no tears, and that’s why she suffers even more.”

Over the years, The Little Mermaid has often been the victim of vandalism. Her head has been cut off twice, she has lost an arm once, not to mention how many times she has been splashed with paint… Fortunately, she has always been saved and restored, allowing her to remain in her place by the water, welcoming everyone who wants to see her and reminding them that “life itself is the most beautiful fairy tale.”

3. Kastellet Fortress

In close proximity to The Little Mermaid statue lies the Citadel, also known as Kastellet Fortress. This fortress is one of the best-preserved fortifications in Scandinavia and is quite interesting. It is built in the shape of a pentagon, but you can only notice this if you fly over the fortress or look at a map of the city. Surrounded by a moat, it is reinforced with bastions and massive fortress walls.

The area is ideal for walks and features plenty of greenery. Inside the fortress, you’ll find an interesting windmill – Kastelsmøllen, as well as the Citadel.

The citadel was founded by Danish King Christian IV in 1626, and today it is used as military barracks and offices. An interesting fact is that Johann Friedrich Struensee was arrested here on the night of January 17, 1772, after a masked ball at the Court Theatre in Copenhagen. He is famous for his love affair with Queen Caroline Matilda, which was scandalous at the time. It is even believed that he may have been the father of Princess Louise Auguste of Denmark.

You can easily reach this place by getting off at Østerport metro station, on lines 3 and 4.

4. The Marble Church (Frederiks Kirke)

The most impressive church in Copenhagen, with a view of the city from the top of its green and copper dome, The Marble Church is also known as Frederick’s Church.

The church is located very close to Amalienborg Palace and the Opera House, right in the heart of the elegant Frederiksstaden district in the center of the Danish capital. While the official name of the church is Frederick’s Church, it is usually called the Marble Church.

The history of the Marble Church is interesting—originally, it was planned to be made entirely of marble, but this never happened. Construction began in 1749, at the request of King Frederick V, who wanted a new and modern district to be built here, which today is known as Frederiksstaden.

Unfortunately, the large-scale redevelopment project in the area has undergone some changes, but the most affected by this was the construction of the church. The original architect, court architect Nicolai Eigtved, passed away while working on the project in 1754, and after 1770, the original plans were completely abandoned. For over a hundred years, the building stood as a half-finished ruin.

At the end of the 1800s, the Danish Minister of Finance sold the ruins of the church and its square to Danish financier and industrialist Carl Frederik Tietgen, on the condition that he build a church based on the original plans. The famous architect of the time, Ferdinand Meldahl, took on the design, but due to a limited budget, he had to replace the marble blocks with limestone in the construction. 145 years after the start of construction, the church was finally inaugurated in 1894.

Today, the church is one of the most modern and visited churches in the city and is open to visitors every day. From the dome, there is a beautiful view.

It is extremely popular among the locals to get married in this beautiful church, and couples from all over the country literally queue up to say their sacred “I do” under its dome.

It is very easy to reach the church by taking the Marmorkirken metro station – lines 3 and 4.

5. Amalienborg Palace (Amalienborg)

Amalienborg Palace is located in the heart of Copenhagen, just a few hundred meters from the Marble Church, and offers visitors the chance to explore the residence of one of the oldest monarchies in the world and take a stroll through a real, functioning royal palace. The palace is a must-see for anyone interested in royal history. Don’t miss the palace square, where you can witness the unforgettable changing of the guard.

Amalienborg is famous for its Royal Guard, known as the Royal Life Guards. Every day, you can watch the changing of the guard as it marches from its barracks near Rosenborg Castle through the streets of Copenhagen to Amalienborg, often accompanied by music. The changing of the guard happens around noon. We were fortunate enough to experience it, and it was definitely an exciting and interesting experience to watch.

Amalienborg consists of four identical buildings: the Palace of Christian VII (also known as the Moltke Palace, used as a guest residence), the Palace of Frederick VIII (also known as the Brockdorff Palace, home to His Majesty King Frederick X, Her Majesty Queen Mary, and their children), the Palace of Christian IX (also known as the Schack Palace, home to Queen Margrethe II), and the Palace of Christian VIII (also known as the Levetzau Palace, used as a guest palace for Prince Joachim and Princess Benedikte). In this building, you will find the Amalienborg Museum.

The Amalienborg Museum invites you to stroll through the private rooms of the kings and queens who once ruled Denmark, as well as explore a rich exhibition about the current monarchy and its numerous traditions.

You will step 150 years back in time, when King Christian IX and Queen Louise reigned, known as the “in-laws of Europe” because four of their children ascended the thrones of England, Greece, Russia, and Denmark.

The rooms of Christian IX, Queen Louise, and their descendants remain untouched, making the visit feel like a time travel. Each room reflects the modern taste of its period and the personalities of the kings and queens, whether in military, Victorian, or chivalric style.

Once you’re done, take the Metro back to Marmorkirken station on lines 3 and 4.

6. Kongens Nytorv (The King’s New Square)

Kongens Nytorv, or “The King’s New Square” is located in the heart of Copenhagen’s old town, surrounded by significant buildings like the Royal Theatre, Hotel D’Angleterre, and Kunsthal Charlottenborg.

It’s also just a short walk from Nyhavn and Strøget, the city’s main shopping area. This is a great place to start a walking tour of the city and a perfect spot for those who enjoy architecture and statues.

The square dates back to the 17th century, when it was surrounded by elegant buildings and welcomed the city’s most distinguished residents, who visited the theater, the hotel, and the Charlottenborg Palace (now the Kunsthal Charlottenborg art gallery). The equestrian statue of Christian V on horseback was erected in 1688 in honor of the king, who beautified and further developed the area. It is the oldest equestrian statue and royal sculpture in Copenhagen.

To get here, take the metro to the Kongens Nytorv station, where lines 1, 2, 3 and 4 intersect.

7. Strøget – The Main Shopping Street

Strøget is the main shopping street in Copenhagen and one of the longest pedestrian streets in Europe, featuring a wide range of stores, from affordable chains to some of the most expensive luxury brands in the world.

It is about 1.1 km long and runs from the town hall square to Kongens Nytorv Square.

At both ends of the street, you’ll find metro stations: Kongens Nytorv, where lines 1, 2, 3 and 4 intersect, and Rådhuspladsen metro station, serving lines 3 и 4.

8. The City Hall

One of Copenhagen’s main squares, City Hall Square (Rådhuspladsen), is located right in front of the old city hall. It marks the beginning of the shopping street Strøget and is a key location for many sports and music events.

Once, a hay market was located in the square, but over the years, it has been reconstructed multiple times. Occasionally, flea markets are also held here.

On the square, you will see the Dragon Fountain, depicting a battle between a bull and a dragon, as well as a statue of Hans Christian Andersen.

The City Hall building was opened in 1905, and its architect, Martin Nyrop, was inspired by the City Hall in Siena, Italy, borrowing certain elements from the facade of that building. One part of the City Hall is open to visitors for free, but if you want to climb the tower, which rises 106 meters and offers incredible views of the city, you will need to purchase a ticket.

Get off at the Rådhuspladsen metro station – lines 3 and 4.

9. Rosenborg Castle (Rosenborg Slot)

Rosenborg Castle was built by one of the most famous Danish kings, Christian IV, in the 17th century. Inside the beautiful castle, you can view 400-year-old royal treasures, crown jewels, and royal regalia.

Climb the spiral stairs and discover rooms filled with royal details and opulent portraits. Among the main attractions is the Knight’s Hall with coronation thrones, decorated with narwhal tusks, and three life-sized silver lions standing guard. The tapestries on the walls depict the battles between Denmark and Sweden.

The interior is well-preserved and will inspire you to embark on a journey through time, making you feel like the royalty who once lived here. You can see the king’s personal writing desk, his bathroom, and wax figures of former royal inhabitants.

At Rosenborg, there is an exquisite collection of Flora Danica porcelain and one of the best collections of Venetian glass in the world, both displayed in rooms and towers.

The delicate and sparkling crowns of the Danish kings and queens are kept in special vaults at Rosenborg Castle, adorned with polished stones, enamel, and gold. The jewels in the crown consist mainly of four elements: a set of diamonds, a set of rubies, a set of pearls, and a set of emeralds, with the emeralds being among the best in the world.

10. Parken Stadium

Telia Parken is Denmark’s national stadium, where the national football team plays its home matches and where the successful club FC Copenhagen plays its home games. In addition to football, Parken provides a grand venue for large-scale concerts and events.

Parken hosts other significant events, such as major television shows, important sports events, and concerts by big names. The stadium has a retractable roof, so depending on the season, both outdoor and indoor events are possible. International stars like Whitney Houston, The Rolling Stones, Justin Timberlake, and Lady Gaga have held concerts here.

To get here, exit at Trianglen metro station –line 3.

There’s more to see, but I didn’t manage to visit it all 🔎

But that’s not everything you’ll discover in Copenhagen! Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough time to see everything, but here are a few more must-visit attractions that you can check out:

• National Museum of Denmark
• Tivoli Gardens (Amusement Park)
• The Stock Exchange (Børsen)
• Christiania
• Rundetårn (The Round Tower)
• Vor Frelsers Kirke (Church of Our Saviour)
• The Royal Theatre

Until next time in Copenhagen, hopefully, this time it will be warmer and sunnier 🌞