How to Make the Best of a Few Days in Copenhagen

Copenhagen has something for everyone, street art, craft beer, beautiful views, colorful neighborhoods, a themed park that leaves Disneyland in the dust, a sense of community, and even, good ‘ol Mary Jane 🌿.

I list the coolest neighborhoods and landmarks, tell you how to get there and for how much, as well as share some of the best places to eat and drink, which were recommended by locals. And last but not least, you’ll read about how to legally get marijuana in Copenhagen (but technically not Copenhagen).

Famous Neighborhoods in Copenhagen

When I first moved to Madrid from Los Angeles, I had a 5-hour layover in Copenhagen. I saw how easy and quick it would be to go from the airport to the city, so I went for it, suitcase and all! I took the metro to Nyhavn, which translates to New Port. This area reminded me a bit of Amsterdam because of the canal and numerous cyclists, but Nyhavn’s canal is much wider, surrounded by colorful buildings and flooded by tourist boats. Definitely check out this area but beware that the bars and restaurants along the canal are tourist traps, in other words, overly expensive. Drinking in public is legal so it’s a good idea to get a beer from literally anywhere (souvenir shop, food market, train station…) and enjoy it while overlooking the canal.

You’ll find a few cafes, restaurants, and shops in Christiana

including the sale of marijuana.

Two years later, I’m back in Copenhagen with more time to explore. My first stop is the neighborhood with the most street art! Christiana is only a 15-minute walk from Nyvhan and a MUST when visiting Copenhagen. “Christiana is an autonomous society where each individual can freely develop under the responsibility of the community.” There’s a palpable sense of community when you walk in. I enjoyed strolling around this neighborhood and taking in the diverse and large amount of impressive art, including murals and sculptures.

You’ll find a few cafes, restaurants, and shops in Christiana including the sale of marijuana. Yup, totally cool since this is an autonomous community with its own rules. The restaurants, bars, and shops vary from more affordable than the rest of Copenhagen to more high-end places. All the money spent here stays in the community and serves its residents. Something worth noting is that there are no pictures allowed, except for a few shops which will have a sign posted allowing you or not to take pictures. Be respectful of this when visiting Christiana.

The Meatpacking District is in the district of Vesterbro and next to Central Station. This neighborhood is very centric. I recommend lodging in this area, especially if you’re only visiting for a few days since its home to the trendiest bars, restaurants, and cafes. Some are actually affordable and there’s a wide variety of places for all types of tastes.

Where to Eat in Copenhagen

I recommend Vesterbro Chinese Food (that’s the restaurant’s actual name) is quite, quaint and surprisingly for a Chinese Restaurant, it has offers good cocktails. Hyggestund has a great brunch menu and outdoor seating for summer days and it’s right next to Mikkeller Bar.

Mikkeller is a microbrewery founded in Copenhagen that has become internationally popular. I first tried it in San Diego, California, but have also visited their branches in Los Angeles and Madrid. You’ll find that they have MANY different types of beers. Do not feel overwhelmed, you can ask the bartender for a taster or get a small glass to start with to allow yourself to try different kinds. Beware of the high alcohol percentage, it will be written on the board.

For the freshest, most legit Mexican restaurant in Copenhagen, you have to visit La Neta. The rumor is that the founder of Mikkeller visits Mexico so often (makes sense since he was breweries in California) that he hired a chef from Oaxaca to open La Neta in Copenhagen.  The tacos and quesadillas are sooo good, just like they would be at home (remember I’m Mexican). The best part is the salsa bar! It has many different types of salsas ranging from what I called the “no pica” (mild) one to “no mames” (spiciest). La Neta also offers delicious vegan options.

The decorations also brought me home, along with the cumbia playing in the background. Of course, they only difference from taquerías back in Mexico is the price per taco. Converting from DKK they’re around 3 EUR each. Still, that’s a price I’m willing to pay for good Mexican food while living abroad.

The Best Landmarks in Copenhagen

The Little Mermaid statue is not in the center, but not far from Central Station. It’s about a 20-minute metro ride. You can take any line (metro or train) 2-3 stops (2 for train, 3 for metro) to Østerport then walk towards the port. There’s not much to see in this area, but the statue is in a park facing the ocean, so a picnic is a good idea if the weather allows for it. Be mindful that the statue is small but the crowds might not be, especially if there are tour buses parked nearby. You’ll have to be patient if you want a picture with the statue, or of the statue with no one around.

The Royal Library is locally known as “The Black Diamond” since its Copenhagen’s new pride and joy. It’s a very modern and beautiful glass building by the river. I definitely recommend this place to watch the sunset. Check out their website for visiting hours.

Børsen has one of the trademarks that makes Denmark’s architecture stand out and it’s what I call the “unicorn horn”. A twisty and pointy tower erected from almost every building. Turns out that it’s a spire representing 4 intertwined dragon tails. You’ll also find dragons everywhere since it’s a symbol of the city.

 

 

Vor Frelsers Kirke (The Church of Our Savior) is a small church with an incredibly tall tower that is only open when there’s good weather since it goes really high up. Unfortunately, it was drizzling when I went so the stairs were closed. I’ve heard that the views are unreal from up there, definitely worth the 35 DKK (about 4.60 EUR) or 25 DKK with a student card. You can see if they’re open on their website.

Another good place to have a picnic is at the King’s Gardens. This is a pretty large park where to get lost in and admire unique sculptures, as well as the Rosenberg Castle. The castle is guarded off with a fence and soldiers, but you can pay to visit the inside of the castle, its gardens, and the museum where you can see the crown jewels. If you’re interested in visiting you can find details on their website.

Last but not least,one of the most gorgeous places in Copenhagen…

the Tivoli Garden

Last but not least, in my opinion, one of the most gorgeous places in Copenhagen is the Tivoli Gardens. I might be biased since I visited in spring when the gardens were in full bloom. I saw enormous and beautiful tulips and lilies everywhere. Some flowers were in colors I’ve never even seen before! I avoided paying the entrance fee (about 12 EUR) until my last day in Copenhagen when my brother persuaded me to go in a rollercoaster with him for all time’s sake. I couldn’t pass on the opportunity to scream my heart out in a socially acceptable environment.

Rumor has it that Walt Disney was inspired by Tivoli when creating Disneyland and I can certainly see the resemblance. For starters, the mascot at Tivoli is a monkey with red overalls and big yellow buttons. The park itself is divided into different sections, including a type of “tomorrow land” and every Saturday night, the park closes with a beautiful fireworks show that can be appreciated from the surrounding neighborhoods. Tivoli retaliates by selling Disney character merchandise.

Surprisingly, the prices inside the park are quite affordable compared to the city’s. Although the ride prices add up, food, drinks, and souvenirs are the cheapest I saw during my trip. There are also packages you can buy if you intend to go on many rides with the additional benefit of reentering the park as many times as you’d like.

You can find the entire list of places I’ve mentioned here, including some beautiful and peaceful cemeteries with cherry blossoms, which I believe bloom around February but the petals are quickly blown away by the Danish wind. Remember, you can download Copenhagen’s map on Google maps to save data. For instructions on how to download offline Google maps in your phone check out my The Essentials post. Follow me on Instagram joyzcortez for more pics and travel ideas.

Copenhagen is a beautiful city with so much to offer so I hope you enjoy every moment despite what the weather might offer.  Even when exhausted from walking all day remember to look up and take everything in… always BE PRESENT.