Hotspots Aarhus: the nicest coffee shops and bakeries
December 15, 2022
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Copenhagen is a city where you immediately feel at home. The combination of atmospheric streets, impressive architecture and the relaxed Danish pace makes it a fine destination for a city break. You can spend hours wandering its streets, eating delicious food, and immersing yourself in its culture. From visiting the iconic Tivoli, exploring the hip Vesterbro district, to enjoying a picnic in the colorful harbor of Nyhavn, there is always something fun to do. Cycling around the city is a must, as is stopping by the famous Danish design stores or visiting the photogenic Little Mermaid. In this article I share my favorite spots and activities not to miss during your visit to the Danish capital. Read on quickly for the best tips to discover Copenhagen!
1. Admire the colorful Nyhavn
The colorful Nyhavn flaunts itself on the cover of many a travel guide and is undoubtedly one of Copenhagen's most iconic spots. Built in the 17th century for trade and shipping, the harbor grew into a bustling, sometimes rowdy meeting place for sailors and traders. At the time, the charming buildings we know today were simple wooden workers' houses, interspersed with taverns where sailors spent their evenings.
In the 19th century, Nyhavn underwent a transformation and acquired its current, photogenic character with stately buildings and a lively atmosphere. Today it is the place to stroll along the waterfront, settle down on a terrace or take a boat ride on the water. The relaxed atmosphere can always be felt here, and of course a photo of the colorful facades with bobbing boats in the foreground should not be missed!
2. Visit the Christiania neighborhood
The Christiania neighborhood is one of the most unique places to visit in Copenhagen. This self-organized village in the heart of the city emerged in the 1970s and is known for its alternative lifestyle, art and graffiti. Christiana is a free neighborhood where soft drug sales are tolerated, especially in the famous Green Zone on Pusherstreet. Copenhagen residents also support the free district because it reduces crime and nuisance in the city center. Christiania is a fascinating place to visit. Walking through the narrow alleys and past colorful murals feels like a little adventure. Just be aware that you are not allowed to take photos everywhere.
3. Climb to the top of the Vor Frelsers Kirke
For a great view of Copenhagen, you must climb to the top of the Vor Frelsers Kirke. This baroque church is known for its spiral tower, which is 90 meters high. The climb is a bit steep, but the view of the city is definitely worth it. The last part of the climb is completely outdoors. The spiral staircase is on the outside of the church, so should you suffer from vertigo, climbing Vor Frelsers Kirke is not recommended.
Tip: You can combine climbing the Vor Frelsers Kirke with a visit to Christiania; both sights are less than a 5-minute walk from each other.
4. Brunch at Far's Dreng
One of the more popular places in town to have brunch is at Far's Dreng. This café in the Vesterbro neighborhood offers delicious, fresh dishes in a cozy and homey atmosphere. From avocado toast to pancakes, you'll find everything on the menu for a blissful brunch. Be sure to try one of their homemade juices!
5. Take a boat tour of Copenhagen
A fun activity to do in Copenhagen is to take a boat tour. As you sail through the canals and harbor, enjoy the view of iconic landmarks such as Nyhavn, the Opera House and, of course, the view of the Little Mermaid. Especially on sunny days, it's a relaxing way to explore the city. Sunglasses on, wind in your hair and the sun on your skin. In short, enjoy!
Tickets: guided canal cruise
Want to take a boat tour of iconic Copenhagen sights? Then this is our recommendation!
6. Visit the Tivoli amusement park
Tivoli is one of the oldest amusement parks in Europe and is a cool place to visit in Copenhagen. Especially in the summer months and during the Christmas period, the amusement park is a magical place. The colorful gardens, beautiful lighting and fun attractions make it a cozy place to be.
Tip: Consider a combination ticket 'Entrance & Ride Pass' to purchase if you plan to visit Tivoli, this gives you access to the park and unlimited rides.Â
7. Shopping in Copenhagen
Copenhagen is a great city for shopping. You will find beautiful design stores, unique boutiques and vintage stores. The most famous shopping street is Strøget, Europe's longest pedestrian shopping street, stretching from City Hall Square to Kongens Nytorv. Here you will find brands such as H&M, Zara and Rituals, but it is also worth diving into the side streets. This is where you will discover smaller boutiques and hobby stores. Another nice personal tip when you are shopping here is to take a coffee break at Kompa 9.
The neighborhoods of Vesterbro and Nørrebro are also recommended if you want to go shopping. Vesterbro, once the city's red light district, is now one of the trendiest neighborhoods with shopping streets like Vesterbrogade, Istedgade and Værnedamsvej. Here you will find concept stores and unique boutiques. In Nørrebro, you can enjoy strolling past vintage stores and hip design shops.
8. Eating pizza at Mother
The Kødbyen district is a hip area and is also described as Copenhagen's restaurant district. One hot spot where you can eat scrumptious pizza is Mother. The pizzas are thin and crispy, just the way you want a pizza. The atmosphere is casual and the menu consists of the familiar pizzas, but also definitely some original ones.
9. Visit the Copenhagen Botanical Gardens
If you need a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, the Copenhagen Botanical Gardens are a fine place. It is a peaceful oasis in the middle of the city, with beautiful garden plots and an impressive collection of plants from all over the world. The greenhouses are a great place to explore, especially in winter when it's cold outside, but you immerse yourself in tropical atmospheres (and temperatures).
Where to stay in Copenhagen?
Copenhagen has many nice neighborhoods, so we understand that it might be a bit hard to choose where to stay. Do you prefer to stay in the heart of the city or in a quieter area?Â
1. Indre By (Copenhagen City Centre).
Want to stay right in the center? Then Indre By the place to look for accommodation. Here you will find the famous shopping street Strøget and the colorful Nyhavn. Everything is within walking distance and you are surrounded by cozy restaurants and cafes.
2. Vesterbro
The district with the coolest bars and lively nightlife is Vesterbro. You'll find the atmospheric Meatpacking District, home to some of the city's best restaurants and bars. Personally, this is our favorite district in Copenhagen to stay in!
3. Nørrebro
Want to be surrounded by hip coffee bars, vintage stores and international restaurants? Then Nørrebro the place you want to be. Especially around Jægersborggade and BlÃ¥gÃ¥rdsgade you will find many nice hotspots. Nørrebro is the more cultural and creative side of Copenhagen.Â
More tips for your city break to Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark and definitely a must visit. To make the most of your visit to the city, we have some more interesting tips:
A package tour can be more economical to book than if you book tickets and accommodation separately. Therefore, also check the offer of A city break to Copenhagen with TUI.
Transavia flies from Eindhoven directly to Copenhagen. Travel time is only 1.5 hours! Score via this link a cheaper return ticket to Copenhagen.
See more of Denmark in one trip? With a rental car from SunnyCars drive to other nice cities, such as Aarhus!
Lois Weeterings
A dreamer and adventure seeker, always on the lookout for new experiences. But also a hard worker with a thousand ideas racing through my mind. As a personal travel consultant and travel blogger, I share my passion for faraway destinations, thrilling adventures, and winter sports. With deep knowledge of places like Namibia, Colombia, the ABC Islands, and the Middle East, I’m here to help you craft a trip you’ll never forget. Through my personal stories and expert tips, I aim to inspire you to explore the world your way. Always with my camera in hand, I’m determined to capture every magical moment and share it with you.
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