COPENHAGEN: Food & Culture

PROP TIPS:

• You will most likely arrive by air to the Copenhagen Airport (CPH). You can easily take the metro directly from the airport and into the city for about $3 CAD depending on where you're destination is. 
• DEFINITELY RENT A BIKE! This is the best, easiest, cheapest, and most "local" way to get around. Ask you hotel/hostel if they have a bike rental service or if there's one nearby. 
• Get yourself a “Copenhagen Card” at the airport. It's an all access pass to public transportation (trains and buses) as well as free access to over 80 museums and tourist sights throughout Copenhagen and neighboring cities.

Day 1

Nyhavn (Free - $$)

This is the picture of Copenhagen in every guidebook. It’s a perfectly Insta-worthy spot, but also boasts a long history (built in the 17th century). It's a great place for a beer, but it is pricier in this area. The colourful canal views are an absolute must-see and you can't leave Copenhagen without seeing this iconic spot. Stop by a canal-side patio and get a meal and a beer with your lunch. 

Rosenborg Castle (Free - $)

Take your bike the scenic route along the bike paths and make your way over to Rosenborg Castle. This palace was built by Christian IV at the start of the 1600s. It’s worth it to go on a tour (book in advance for cheaper tickets), but just biking along the path outside is lovely too. This area has some great little cafes to stop for a local craft beer. 

Tivoli Gardens ($$) 

Once you've had a your fill of biking around the city, head over to the original Tivoli Gardens. If you’re into rides and thrill, all the better, but this theme park is absolutely worth a visit even if you just take the stroll around. It will feel like you stepped into a time machine into a romanticized past. It costs about $120 DK to enter, but it’s worth it. The Chinatown section is my personal favourite. 

Day 2

Jægersborg Dyrehave (Deer Park) ($)

 Ever wanted to see a deer up close, but still in the wild? Amble through this semi-wild park to see some deer and typical Danish nature. The stroll through the woods is magical enough as is, with the thick, towering trees, and the clear fields of tall grass. Eventually, you will start to see families of deer grazing along the sides of the path. 

While you're strolling around the park, make sure to pass by The Hermitage, the King's stunning hunting lodge in the heart of the park. Pair this with Bakken, since it’s also in this borro (stop at Klampenborg train station). 

I recommend stopping for lunch at the little cafe near the entrance to the park for some traditional Danish smørrebrød and a glass of white wine or a coffee ($$). 

Bakken Park ($$)

This is the perfect pairing with Dyrehave as a solid day trip just outside of Copenhagen. Opened in 1583 and is the world's oldest operating amusement park. The rides do work and are quite fun! There’s an old wooden roller coaster that is scarier than it looks at first, and “Bakkens Hvile”, the hilarious and old-school cabaret show. 

Noma ($$$$)

You've heard all about it. Now it's time to live  the dream. Make sure you book this prestigous restaurant well in advance before you even get to Copenhagen, since it books up quickly and early. But for good reason! This is Chef Rene Redzepi's gastronomic mecca, creating world-class dishes presented in 20-course meals. This restaurant has been labelled the "World's Best Restaurant" on four separate occassions. 

Alternative: Madglad ($)

A super delicious and super fun place to eat! This self-serve style joint has a ton of options for all diets, and they tend to err on the healthier (and cheaper) side. Grab a few different dishes to either eat there, or bring to a local park with some 7/11 wine to enjoy the Danish scenery! 

Day 3 - Not To Miss!!!

Breakfast at Coffee Collective ($)

Enjoy a slow, relaxing breakfast while you're on vacation. A specialty micro roaster on Jaegersborggade Street, this award-winning coffees come slowly, one at a time, but are well worth the wait (and be prepared to wait a bit during peak hours). Come early and stay a while to really relax and enjoy some of the best coffee in Scandanavia. 

Louisiana Museum ($$)

I don’t want to give away too much. If you do nothing else in Denmark, DO THIS. Take the metro out, and about a 10 minute walk away is the museum entrance. The interior of the museum is excellent, but what you really want to do is go outside, then keep walking into nature … the more lost you get, the better the experience is.

Plan at least a half day here, almost a full day if you can swing it. Go early. Bring a book, get a coffee and lunch at the nordic restaurant, then lounge in the sun by the sea on the grassy lawn in the back. Enjoy!!!!

Food Truck Island (REFFEN) ($-$$)

Options for everyone! Bike over to this island and experience communal food truck dining. The main structure is made from shipping containers and the furniture is all upcycled into something adorable. There are chefs and trucks from all different regions of the world. Sometimes they will put a Scandinavian twist on a classic Malaysian favourite. Surprises abound! Keep in mind that it's closed in the winter but reopens in April.

Day 4

The Laundromat Cafe ($)

A semi-hidden and interesting cafe/laundromat. Great coffee, cheap-ish food, over 4000 books, board games, and free wifi! Stick around for another enjoyable morning living the slow life. Great place to do laundry if you need to as well while you sit your coffees and enjoy a Danish danish. 

Church of Our Saviour (Vor Frelser Church) ($)

Climb to the very top (if you dare). Beautiful city views about halfway up if you don’t want to experience vertigo. The Church of Our Saviour is a baroque church in Copenhagen, Denmark, most famous for its helix spire with an external winding staircase that can be climbed to the top, offering extensive views over central Copenhagen. Note: The stairs and stairways do get very narrow and a bit rickety the higher you go. Prepare to squish to the side to let others through.

Christiania/Freetown (Christianshavn) (Free - $)

Strange but true, you are no longer in the EU. Declaring itself a separate commune, Freetown exists within Christiania. It’s a peaceful neighbourhood that’s worth a visit, especially if you want to learn more about commune living and see something a little different.

IMPORTANT: There are 9 strict rules of the community. Follow them to avoid trouble, they're very basic (no running, no biking, no weapons, etc). This is a “green light district” with many cute cafes. There are some small beaches for sitting by the canal and enjoying a coffee.

Torvehallerne KBH (Free - $$)

Seriously one of the best markets in this part of the world. Fresh fruits, fluffy cakes, glossy tarts, specialty coffees, fresh caught nordic fish on ice - find it all here! Specifically, it's an urban, covered marketplace featuring stalls with local produce, gourmet foods, beverages & desserts. I 100% recommend this as a top stop for Copenhagen. There are some places to stay and eat some of the amazing lunch you'll pick up, or you can again go to any nearby park and enjoy. 

BRUS (Nørrebro) ($-$$)

A modern beer hall with a tasty restaurant attached. In many ways, BRUS is what you would expect of a new Nørrebro hotspot. Complete with a brewery, a large and really good looking bar, an ambitious and experimental restaurant and a shop, the brewpub caters for all needs of the hip local crowds. Nørrebro is an excellent area of town to bike along as well. 

Day 5

Hans Christian Andersen’s Gravesite (Free)

The Graveyard is known as Assistens Kirkegård. In Copenhagen, some graveyards are treated more like parks - such as this one. Stroll around and enjoy the old tree lined paths. Pick up your Danish breakfast and a nice coffee and stroll around until you find the famous author's grave. You cay your respects by leaving a flower, a poem, a piece of writing, a photograph, or anything that means something to you. The park itself is so lovely. 

Botanical Gardens ($$)

All the better if you can go in the summer, this beautiful garden is an indoor and outdoor sanctuary for over 13,000 species of fauna. Definitely do not miss the Arctic room! There's also the Butterfly House in the Botanical Garden that is just amazing. Many different species of real living butterflies flutter around in the Butterfly House in both summer and winter. 

Carlsberg Brewery ($$)

Worth it to do the tour and spend some time sitting in the adjoining beer garden. There is a rich history behind the Carlsberg name and the brewery itself. The beer and the cider (Sommersby) are both excellently crisp brews. 

A cool note! Leif Sonne has been collecting bottles of beer of every style, brand, and country imaginable. With over 22,000, he can now boast the largest beer collection in the world. It has recently been moved to the Carlsberg brewery. An absolute gem - do not miss this!

La Neta Nørrebro ($-$$)

Nørrebro is an excellent neighbourhood for food. There's a ton of good craft beers on tap and outdoor seating in a cool area on nicer days. Lots of people from all over hang out in this area, so it's busy, but very vibrant. Sometimes, if you're lucky, you might even catch some live music. End your trip on a strong note and cheers to Copenhagen! 

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