3 Days in Copenhagen, Denmark: A Perfect Mix of Adventure, Relaxation, and Delicious Eats

Kimberly·October 26, 2024·0 comments

Day One: 3 Trains, a Bus, and an Incredible Meal

Traveling from Hamburg, Germany, to Copenhagen, Denmark, took 3 trains and a bus, making for a 7-hour travel day. But every bit of the journey was worth it! My adventure began on the second train, where things took an unexpected (and luxurious) turn.

When I boarded, I was told my seat was at the very end of the train. To my surprise, the last carriage was first class! I knew I hadn’t splurged on a first-class ticket, but another traveler told me they were directed there as well, so I took my chances. The ticket inspector scanned my pass without a word, and for the next hour, I enjoyed the VIP life—water, a sandwich, and super comfy seats. A small taste of the bougie life, and let me tell you, first class does hit different! While I probably won’t pay extra for a short ride, it was nice to experience it for free, even if just once.

The train journey was smooth, but at one point, we had to switch to a bus. This was the only stressful part. We had to hustle to find space since seats filled up quickly. I barely made it onto the last available bus, squeezed in with my small suitcase. I felt lucky, though I couldn’t help but wonder about the poor travelers left behind.

Finally, I arrived in Copenhagen! As soon as I stepped out of the station, I was captivated by the charming architecture and lively streets. My Airbnb, just a short walk from the train station, was tucked behind an adorable little restaurant. The apartment itself was cozy and perfect for my stay—such a great find! (Check out my Tips & Tricks post to learn how I scored a deal.)

A bedroom with white walls, wood floors, and a grey rug. In the middle is a bed with grey and white bedding. To the right are windows with cream colored curtains. Above the bed are two pieces of abstract art that are grey, white, and brown.

After dropping off my bags, I set out to explore. I found the city center a bit hectic, so I wandered toward the waterfront for a more relaxed vibe. That’s when I stumbled upon one of Copenhagen’s most iconic sights—The Little Mermaid statue. Growing up, The Little Mermaid was one of my favorite Disney movies, so seeing this tribute to Hans Christian Andersen by the Langelinie promenade felt extra special.

For dinner, I discovered Seaside Toldboden, a vibrant spot with seven different restaurants under one roof! I opted for Nona Regina and had one of the best meals of my entire European trip: ravioli stuffed with Italian goat and sheep cheese, drizzled with honey and hazelnuts, paired with a refreshing Aperol Spritz. It was absolute heaven.

A wooden picnic table with a black plate on top. On the plate is a strip of uncut ravioli, with cheese sprinkled on top. Behind the plate is an aperol spritz in a plastic cup.
sculpture of a seated human figure made from scrap metal and mechanical parts, giving it an industrial, robotic appearance. The figure is posed in a contemplative position, with its head resting on one hand. The artwork is displayed outdoors on a cobblestone walkway, with a tall sailing ship visible in the background, suggesting a maritime setting. Visitors are gathered nearby, admiring the sculpture under a clear blue sky.

Day Two: Tivoli Gardens – One of the World’s Oldest Amusement Parks

Tivoli Gardens was at the top of my must-visit list, and it exceeded all expectations. What I love most about Tivoli is that you don’t have to be a thrill-seeker to enjoy it. They offer affordable entrance tickets, and if you’re not big on rides (like me), you can buy individual ride passes or a small bundle instead of an all-access wristband.

Kimberly hugging the Tivoli mascot, what looks like a chipmunk with red and white polka dot pants and a blue hat with white ball on top. The mascot has its arms around Kimberly who is standing on the left hugging the mascot back. Kimberly is in tennis shoes, blue jean shorts with a pink sweater around her waist and a yellow and white striped top. To the left of Kimberly is a woman dressed in long green pants, a long green shirt with a tan apron on and an upside down flower pot on her head.
Kimberly in a white and yellow striped shirt and her backpack on is standing in front of the brown arch to enter Tivoli where they is big 180 numbers on top of the arch.

The first ride I tried was The Hans Christian Andersen Storybook Ride. It reminded me of Peter Pan’s Flight at Disney World—floating through magical scenes from Andersen’s fairy tales, narrated by whimsical animatronics.

Animontricis on the Hans ride show a pond with lily pads, flowers, grass, and a big butterfly flying over.
Animatronics on the hans ride showing an underwater scene from Little Mermaid, there are plants coming up from the ocean floor, two mermaids on either side and ariel with her red hair swimming in the middle and her green mermaid tail trailing behind her.

Although I avoid rollercoasters, I made an exception for Rutschebanen, Tivoli’s famous wooden coaster that’s been around since 1914. It doesn’t have any crazy loops, so I felt safe trying it—and it was such a blast that I rode it twice!

Kimberly in her yellow and white shirt standing on a wooden ground with a red and green open rollercoaster beind her. Behind the rollercoaster you can see a man dressed in a brown long sleeves and brown pants looking at the camera giving a peach sign.

For lunch, I enjoyed a mushroom pizza with a local beer, followed by some downtime in one of Tivoli’s cozy bean bag areas. I sat back, read my book, and soaked up the park’s enchanting atmosphere. This place really feels like stepping into another world.

A mushroom pizza sits to the right and behind it is a metal bucket with black napkins and a pizza cutter in it. The the right of the bucket is a wine glass with orange beer in it. Behind the glass is an unlit candle
Kimberly in a pink sweatshirt and sunglasses on looks up at the camera smiling. Her brown hair is pulled back. She is laying on a grey beanbag and you can see brown dirt behind her.

Another highlight was the ballet performances on the park’s open-air stages. Both shows were included with my admission ticket, which was such a lovely bonus. For dinner, I went to a German-inspired restaurant inside the park, where I tried vegan schnitzel with fries and peas—paired, of course, with another local beer.

A balet taking place on a stage. In front of the stage people sit on the ground or in small lawn chairs. On the stage to the left is a ballerina in all white and a tutu. To her right is a man dressed in all white with clown makeup on and to his right are two men, one dressed in a red suit with white socks and on in the same outfit but gold.
On a wood table is a plate with fried schnitzel, a white cream sits in a bowl next to it and behind it on the plate is a metal basket with fries and green peas. behind the plate is a stein of dark beer

Although I’d hoped to stay for the fireworks and evening concert, the park became overwhelmingly crowded as the night went on. I decided to leave early and wind down with a quiet glass of wine back at my Airbnb.

Day Three: Exploring Copenhagen’s Unique Neighborhoods

For my final day, I set out to explore more of Copenhagen’s iconic neighborhoods. I started with Nyhavn, the picturesque harbor lined with colorful houses, canal boats, and cafés. This spot looks exactly like the postcards—and it felt surreal, as if I had stepped into a movie.

To the left re rows of multi color houses and in front is a crowd of people on the street. Next to the people are ships sitting in a body of water. Above the people are rows of the Denmark flag flying above.

Next, I visited Amager Bakke (also known as CopenHill), a power plant with a twist—it doubles as a recreational area! The rooftop has a hiking trail, a climbing wall, and even a dry ski slope. I hiked to the top, where I was rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the city. While I didn’t try the skiing, it was fun to watch others glide down the artificial slope.

two Skiers ski down a fake course of green turf behind them you can see the outline of the city.
Skyline of Copenhagen with dark clouds above, tops of buildings, a large stone building in the center with trees and a road surrounding it.

After that adventure, I headed to Christiania, a quirky and alternative “free town” within Copenhagen. This place is a hub for art, handmade crafts, and cannabis culture. I strolled through the colorful streets, admiring the street art and checking out the stalls selling clothes, jewelry, and trinkets. I didn’t buy anything this time, but the laid-back vibe made it a cool place to explore.

A wooden sign saying Christiania in writing across it. There is a tree to the left, dirt and gravel ground, and in the background you can see some wood buildings and people walking around.

Final Thoughts on Copenhagen

I absolutely loved my time in Copenhagen! The city’s mix of modern innovation, fairy-tale charm, and vibrant neighborhoods left a lasting impression. That said, Copenhagen is more expensive than I anticipated, but I was still able to experience a lot without breaking the bank.

Next time I visit, though, I’ll be ready to indulge a little more—a bit more bougie and a bit less backpacker.

Kimberly in a maroon shirt and her backpack rope strap across her body. She is standing in front of a metal railing with water behind it. On either side of the water are multi colored buildings and to the right in the water is a sailboat with its sail down.

Today’s Helpful Tips

The Little Mermaid statue can been found at: Langelinie, 2100 København Ø, Denmark

Seaside Toldboden – 7 incredible restaurants in one. I loved my sheep and goat cheese from Nona Regina.

Tivoli Gardens – One of the world’s oldest amusement parks. You can buy a day pass for $24 USD and if you love rides you can buy a ride pass for $38 USD or individual rides for

Amager Bakke (also known as CopenHill) – a powerplant that doubles as a recreational area! The rooftop has a hiking trail, a climbing wall, and even a dry ski slope.

Kimberly

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