48 hours in Copenhagen, Denmark

Spending just 48 hours in Copenhagen, Denmark, seems like a relatively short time span, seeing as there is quite a lot to see and do. However, I found that it was a good amount of time, just to give me a taste of Danish life and left me wanting to return, to explore beyond the big city.

If you have just got a weekend, or 48 hours to explore the city, here are my top 5 things that you can get up to during your time in the Danish Capital.

Get on your bike

If you only do one thing in the city over your 48 hour period; you must hire a bike, or go for a bike tour. Cycling in Copenhagen is inherently part of the culture of Copenhagen. It is how many of the locals get around, and by cycling the city yourself, you will get a great insight into the life here. It is much better than sitting on an air conditioned coach, taking pictures out of the window, that’s for sure. I did a great tour with bike the city and go to take in many of the cities sights, and culture in my first day.

Visit the cute up and coming neighbourhood of Nørrebro

I wrote quite a lot about this neighbourhood in my article about cycling the city on my bike tour. This area is one of the most multicultural neighbourhoods in the city. It is quirky, artistic and creative, and there is just a real cool vibe about it.

It has amazing cobbled streets, the most beautiful cemetery in the World, which is where the famous Dane, Hans Christen Andersen is buried.

Visit the sights of the city 

There are many top sights in Copenhagen and you’ll no doubt bump into many a tourist, clutching their map; wandering around with their giant cameras, snapping images and moving on to tick off the next sight.

Although I have been guilty of doing the same thing at times, I have consciously tried to take time and stop at a sight to really get to know what it is about, rather than snapping and moving on.

Some sights I got to see whilst in Copenhagen, and which I loved were:

The Round Tower 

The Round Tower in Copenhagen, is as you would expect, a tall and round structure, but it has incredible views of the city from the top. It only costs 25 DKK (basically the same price as a drink in the city), to get to the top. A good value activity.

The Nyhavn

Possibly some of the most photographed buildings in the city. This colourful canal area is vibrant, has great spots for eating and drinking, and is a lovely area to wind down at the end of the day.

The Kastellet Windmill

Located in the Citadel, which is a 17th-century fortress, and military complex is a cute little windmill up on a grassy hill. You are not able to cycle up the hill (I am not sure if you’d physically be able to – it is quite steep), but can push your bikes up. There are many grassy verges to sit on. It makes for a great stopping place after sightseeing.

The City Hall

This is another cool vibrant area, which can be full of street performers and street vendors. A great spot to while away your day, and people, watch.

Trip over to Freetown Christiania

The Freetown of Christiania, is basically a bit of a hippy commune, on the outskirts of the city, where around 900 people reside. They have their own rules and don’t consider themselves to be part of the EU. There is a lot going on there, and it is certainly somewhere you should get to fast, before it gets too much of a tourist destination.

Eat Danish Pastries and Drink Beer

 

Denmark has some great Beer, and great places to drink it. It is a little pricey than most European cities but is worth it.

The pastries are a must, and you’ll not be short of a bakery or two to try. The Danes appear to enjoy their coffee also. I enjoyed a few as a break in between wandering around the city.

 

Practicalities of going to Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen is a very accessible city, and my flight were reasonably priced flying from London Gatwick airport. The airport is a short 20-minute ride on the metro from the city, which costs 35 DKK single journey. The metro was easy to use, although the city is small enough to be able to walk a lot also.

If you need somewhere cheap to stay, check out the Generator Hostel, as an alternative to a hotel.

Moving on from Denmark, you can easily jump over to Malmo in Sweeden is a one hour train ride from Copenhagen, so it makes for a great destination if you’re travelling through the Scandinavian region.