The beautiful city of Copenhagen may date back to the 10th century but it became a modern capital without losing its charming atmosphere. Spend a long weekend in this city and you can view world-famous sights, explore historic buildings and even take in a roller-coaster ride or two.
Copenhagen packs a lot into its compact size and most of the major attractions are within easy walking distance of each other, making this the perfect destination for a weekend trip.
A historic city
As you would expect from a city that dates back the Vikings’ days, Copenhagen is literally surrounded by history. Founded in 1043, this is the location where wandering the streets will take you to landmarks such as the Round Tower (which is the oldest working observatory in Europe) or the 17th century Rosenborg Castle. In fact ancient castles are a recurring theme in the capital and as well as the spectacular Rosenborg, home to Denmark’s crown jewels, you can also explore the 1574 built Kronborg Castle, setting for Shakespeare’s Hamlet. If your thirst for historic buildings still hasn’t been quenched then head to the castle lake in Hillerod to visit the fairy-tale like splendour of Frederiksborg Palace, which dates back to the 17th century.
Fun fairs in the city
Denmark is regarded as one of the world’s happiest nations and maybe that’s because the country is also one of the most liveable in the world. Whatever the reason is you can be sure you’ll find plenty of uplifting attraction in Copenhagen including the must-visit Tivoli Gardens amusement park, which was founded in 1843. This park is home to sumptuous gardens, historic architecture and some fun-fair rides suitable only for those with a strong stomach. Bakken is another amusement park that is home to no less than 33 roller-coasters as well as Ferris wheels and drops towers, and this 431 year old historic site is free to enter.
Tour the city
If you’re considering taking a short break to Copenhagen and want a breather with city views then take a tour along the canal. From the comfort of your open-air deck you can take insights such as the famous Little Mermaid statue and the Copenhagen Opera House as well as neighbourhoods such as the Christianshavn canal quarter. Canal cruises come with an on-board guide so you can learn more of the history of this great city. Once your tour is over you should lookout for a restaurant in the Norrebro district, regarded as the ultimate food lover’s neighbourhood, a wealth of innovative eateries hidden within this trendy area.
Copenhagen is a great place to visit at any time of the year whether for socializing in the bars beside a roaring log fire during the winter or taking long city walks during the warmer months. It’s most definitely a city of contrasts but it’s also probably one of the most fun locations even if you’re only visiting for a few days.
Ferdz Decena is an award-winning travel photographer, writer and blogger. His works has found print in publications such as Singapore Airlines’s Silver Kris, Philippine Airlines’ Mabuhay, Cebu Pacific’s Smile and Seair InFlight. He has also lent his expertise to various organizations like the Oceana Philippines, Lopez Group Foundation, Save the Children and World Vision, contributing quality images for their marketing materials.
