A Trip Through Wonderful Copenhagen
Posted on : 07-07-2016 4:00
72 Hours in Copenhagen - Wonderful City Break.
The idea was to have a sort of city break – three nights away in an interesting and tourist-friendly town. Why not Copenhagen? Beautiful city, friendly, polite people with impeccable English, not to mention the good food, temperate climate and dear old Carlsberg – ‘probably the best beer in the world.’
Trouble Free Travel
Easyjet took me there for a reasonable £72 which included a checked-in bag. Did I have a good time? Indeed I did. Even in a short break there are quite a lot of things that can go wrong – misunderstandings over bookings, dodgy hotel mattresses – you name it. Normally it does not matter very much because as long as the good outweighs the bad by a sufficient margin you just tend to forget about the rude receptionist or other minor niggles.
Relaxing Copenhagen
This trip was a niggle-free zone. Everything worked. And that was a pattern in Copenhagen – things worked well and as a result people tend to be more relaxed than is normal in busy cities. I was cycling along – as one does in Denmark – and it struck me that I had not heard a car horn all day. Getting uptight and losing your cool, is just not the Danish way. I love it.
What You Get From Copenhagen
Rather than rattle on with the ‘I did this and then I did that’ sort of stuff one gets in normal travel pieces -I have written a short summary of the key points below. Perhaps I should also list some of the things I did not manage to fit in. Copenhagen deserves more than three nights.
Perhaps I should go back – it is a fabulous city and Danes are really delightful. Looking back on the experience it is the lack of niggles that intrigues me. Disasters make for good reading – journalists love them. Copenhagen was, as it says in the song - ‘wonderful’.
One word of warning though. Eating – and drinking – in Denmark is nearly double what it costs in the UK. As alcohol is not a big part of my life, I had planned on the teetotal way to conserve cash. In the event I could not resist the Danish beer – even at £7 a pint!
Accommodation
Wakeup Hotel
Carsten Niebuhrs Gade 11
About ten minutes walk from Central Station. Pleasant modern room. Good breakfast included in the rate which included a £10 supplement for room on top floor which was quiet and had better views over the city.
All rooms have air conditioning, flatscreen Tv’s and free wifi.
A perfect modern designed hotel with everything on its doorstep.
Getting Around
One day pass on trains and buses at about £10 was good value. Tickets and leaflets from Central Station.
Bike Hire - I paid 100 Danish krone for one day’s hire. Copenhagen flat and very cycle friendly with many bike lanes and motorists who give you space.
Attractions
Tivoli Gardens
In addition to various exciting rides there are a number of bars and restaurants along with musical attractions of all kinds. Tivoli Gardens really does have everything to entertain you, regardless of age.
Walt Disney was inspired by Tivoli and went on to found Disneyland in 1956.
Glypoteket
A very good collection of French Impressionist art – but often has other exhibitions. Very good cafeteria and a pleasant atmosphere in this interesting building.
The National Museum of Denmark
Quite a compact area showing various aspects of Danish life. Free entry. Lots of items geared to school groups. See here for opening times - http://en.natmus.dk/museums/the-national-museum-of-denmark/opening-hours/
National Gallery of Denmark
Interesting building with good collection of Danish art. Variety of changing exhibitions. 110 Danish krone entrance fee.
The cafe ( http://www.smk.dk/en/visit-the-museum/visiting-information/cafe/menu/ ) is one of the best of its type I have known, - my open sandwich was outstanding. Fantastic views over the garden and brilliant staff.
Little Mermaid
Hmm… many people are not all that taken with this statue and I am not a great fan either. A bronze statue by Edvard Eriksen. you can find the sculpture on a rock by the waterside at the Langelinie promenade.
A good way to see the Little Mermaid is from a boat tour which is a reasonable way to tick this particular box.
Nyhavn
This part of town has not seen a fishing boat for many a long year and now has dozens of busy bars and restaurants. Wonderful fun area for chilling out and watching the world go by. More fun than Parisian boulevard cafes in my opinion.
Tours
Red Buses Hop-On Hop-off
Standard 24 hour pass is 175 Danish krone and is a good way to get your feel for the look of the place and gain knowledge about some of the most popular attractions. For a supplement your ticket will include entrance to the Carlsberg brewery and the Zoo. Other tickets take in the National Aquarium and the National Stadium.
Boat Trip
I was very pleased with the hour long Canal Tours boat trip offered by Netto-Boats. This 60 minutes trip covers almost everywhere in Copenhagen, places like Nyhavn, Royal danish Arsenal Museum, The old Fishmarket, Old rigging sheers & Amalienborg Palace to name just a few.
Great value for money at 40 Danish krone for adults and approximately 20 Danish krone for children.
If you really want to get a feel for Copenhagen then I would highly recommend this tour.
http://www.havnerundfart.dk/canaltours/index.php?page=forside.php
Eating & Drinking
For lunch I ate at cafeterias in art galleries and a museum as mentioned above. I don’t go for fancy food, but the following two places provided good honest fare.
Cafe Dan Turrell
Fun gastro pub place – jazz trio was swinging away nicely the night I was there. Food, service and beer all very good.
Highly Recommended.
The website is in Danish but you can take a look at the menu below which is is Danish and English.
http://www.cafedanturell.dk/menukort.pdf
Cafe Vivaldi
Wonderful steak served on a wooden plank with mashed potato and a mushroom sauce, hit the spot square on. Comfortable friendly place. Order at the bar and pay in advance.
Highly Recommended.
Again, the website is in Danish but just take a look at the pictures of the food served, simply fantastic.
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