So you’re looking for a breakaway with a bit of a fairytale twist? Maybe you’re like me and want to frolic with the mermaids, royalty and storytellers of your childhood? Well here’s my list of suggestions for what to do in Copenhagen, because in my opinion, that’s a must-visit city!
I was sent there on a bit of storybook-like quest…to find what makes Denmark so dreamy. I was given a cryptic list of things to search for Visit Denmark’s social media scavenger hunt. At first sight, I must admit I was overwhelmed. There were two and a half pages worth of items and concepts to try and find. I thought it would be impossible, but I realised how fun it was as soon as I got there. It was undoubtedly a unique way to explore the city.
Rubies, Sapphires and Diamonds….OH MY!
Go to Rosenborg Castle and make like a pirate on the treasure hunt – you will be dazzled by all the shiny goodness! You have to pay to take photographs in there, which is kinda weird (a reminder of India for me), but it’s only 20kr. Wander around the underground treasury and marvel at all the shiny stones. My inner magpie was in absolute heaven!
What to do in Copenhagen: Go sit on a storyteller’s knee
You can hang out with Hans! Maybe even sit on his lap and get him to read you a story. It’s lovely to be immersed in the area where such a great storyteller originated. Although, I must admit his stories used to kind of upset me as a child…maybe not so many happy endings, but the man himself wrote a great deal of uplifting and inspiring prose such as:
“Everything you look at can become a fairy tale, and you can get a story from everything you touch.”
What to do in Copenhagen: See rainbow houses and markets fit for a princess
Nyhavn is quirky-cool, so definitely worth a visit. Step into another world of candy-coloured homes as you stroll by the river. Excellent coffee shop and alfresco culture is going on around here.
I love stumbling across unique shopping areas. After taking a walk to the canal in colourful Nyhavn, we found a market gem. It was full of unique and unusual costumes…many of which looked like ex-theatre or film gowns – beautiful! Of course, the Dutch like to go all out with their fashion anyway, but it was really great to see such a love for dressing up! I even managed to bump into Cinderella!
What to do in Copenhagen: Magical amusement parks
Tivoli Gardens is a must if you are visiting Copenhagen. It’s a beautiful amusement park that dates back to 1843, making it the second oldest amusement park globally. There is really something for everyone here, oriental pagodas, pirate ships, rollercoasters, fantastic live music every Friday in the summer months! We got to see the very cool Danish superstars Kashmir! They ruled!
Meet Vikings
You can’t go to a nordic country and not spot some Vikings, and when in Denmark…you have to do what they do and rock their horns!
The famous Mermaid chilling on the rocks
You can hang out with The Little Mermaid… she’s a popular lass; I’m not going to lie, tourists queue and flock to see her, and some get pretty annoyed when you want to pose in front of her. But like a true fairytale hero, I persevered, climbed rocks to reach her, risked falling in the water and got my sailor pose on! YAY! A Childhood dream come true!
What to do in Copenhagen: See the Fantastic (Mr) Fox Hotel
Do you want to stay in a quirky hotel? Then don’t look any further than Hotel Fox; it’s a beautiful design hotel – unique because all 61 rooms have been individually designed by over 21 artists. So you are guaranteed a unique experience every time you stay here. I was very suitably put into room 402 – a beautiful boudoir burlesque themed room. I swear they must have known that was the dream room for me. Next time I want to stay in the tent room, though! How cool is that…?!
What to do in Copenhagen: Discover Sushi!
Officially the most excellent food I have ever eaten! Combining the idea of sushi and using Denmark’s traditional smørrebrød (open-faced sandwiches), owners of The Royal Cafe, Lo Østergaard and Rud Christiansen created these unique new Danish dishes. It looks fantastic; it tastes incredible.
It’s the perfect place to go for lunch…you can sample lots of different flavours and combinations (including the ever-popular ‘fake-duck’) and not feel sluggishly full. Perfection!
Coffee Art Apartments
We heard of a superb exhibition at the Hotel Fox’s sister hotel Kong Arthur, completely orientated around coffee. As coffee queenies, Jen and I thought this was a very excellent idea. The exhibition is accessed via a hidden floor accessible by elevator. To say we were confused was an understatement but the staff let you to the floor using a unique key. I felt like the lift was going to suddenly transform into Roald Dahl’s Magic Glass Elevator. The hidden floor is a very stylish apartment space decorated with images of coffee cups all over the floor and ceiling. It was very surreal but uniquely fantastic and oh-so-Danish!
What to do in Copenhagen: Go to the Rundetaarn
See great views of the city and see if you can dangle your luscious locks down to reach your prince…my shoulder-length hair didn’t really cut it, I’m afraid.
What to do in Copenhagen: Check out hipsterville
If you want to figure out where all the cool kids hang out, then Vesterbro is the place to go. Go to bars in the meat-packing district that spill out onto car parks. It’s oh so industrial-chic. You could even wear your Cinderella gown here, and no one would bat an eyelid.
Other offbeat sights in the city
A public-made wind exhibit made up of tiny mirrors that decorate the borders that cover the city renovations – very cool! There are colourful underwear and snazzy crock pots in shop windows and lots of funky furniture and art!
So that’s Copenhagen! Cool eh?
