Denmark’s capital city of Copenhagen is well loved by tourists from around the world and for a number of wonderful reasons. There are dozens of awesome attractions, the weather is usually beautiful, prices are affordable, and the city itself is extremely safe.

Image Credit:fmc.nikon.d40

Despite being the largest city in Scandinavia, with a population topping 1.5 million people, the city of Copenhagen is cozy and welcoming. You’ll find very few skyscrapers in this amazingly comfortable city – instead finding lovely cafes, old homes, distinguished canals, and lots of walking and bike paths.

When to Visit Copenhagen

The best time to visit Copenhagen is during the summer months of June, July, and August. The climate during the summer months is quite comfortable and most of the locals actually leave the city for their own vacations so the area isn’t as crowded as you might think it would be.

The latter part of December, in the weeks leading up to Christmas, is a nice time to visit as well. The atmosphere will be much different than during the summer months, though, and most of Tivoli will be closed for business. Just make sure you plan carefully if you plan to visit as a mere tourist during this time of year.

Taking the Time to Taste a Sweet Danish Pastry

Before we address any other attraction or eatery in Copenhagen we must look at the bakeries. There is absolutely no reason at all to visit this astounding city without stopping in at least one or two establishments to try a flaky sweet treat known as the Danish pastry.

Image Credit: julochka

These flaky sweets aren’t inspired by those made in any other country. They’re uniquely Danish and are stuffed with creams, nuts, marmalades, and icings – nothing like what you’ll find stuffed into a donut in the United States, let alone any other country. You may find “Danish” on the menu at home but we guarantee you haven’t had the real thing until you’ve actually been to Copenhagen – or at least somewhere in Denmark.

Bike Travel in Copenhagen

Bike travel is incredibly popular in Copenhagen amongst both visitors and local Danes. The terrain throughout the city is relatively flat and there are dozens of bike racks scattered throughout the bike-friendly city.

You can rent a bike in Copenhagen at an average rate of 75 DKr (or $14 USD) to 300 DKr ($56) per day. You’ll also have to pay a deposit ranging anywhere from 500 DKr (or $93 USD) to 1,000 DKr ($187 USD). Bike rental rates may seem expensive but are usually on par or less expensive than car rentals. You may also be lucky enough to find a city bike somewhere in the city. These bikes cost DKr 20 ($3.75) to rent but you’ll get your coin back when you return the bike.

Sights to See in Copenhagen

Start your exploration of Copenhagen with a trip to Christiansborg Slot. This incredible castle is surrounded by canals and served as the royal residence from 1441 until it was destroyed by fire in 1795. The first and second castles to sit on the compound were destroyed by fire, as a matter of fact, but despite its history the compound remains one of the most impressive examples of baroque architecture in the city. During reconstruction in the 1900’s workers found a maze of ruins containing amazing artifacts.  If you go on a guided tour of the castle you’ll be asked to wear slippers instead of your regular shoes in order to protect the floors.

In the Charlottenlund section of the city you’ll find Ordrupgaard. The Ordrupgaard museum is well known for containing the largest collection of French impressionist work in any European museum outside of France itself. The collections here include works by Cezanne, Delacrois, Pissarro, Monet, and many more. The museum rests in not a formal museum setting but in what was once the home of Wilhelm Hansen – an esteemed art collector and the founder of the museum.

One of the most popular attractions in Copenhagen is Tivoli. Located next to the train station, the amusement park known as Tivoli receives more than 4 million visitors each year. We use the term “amusement park” loosely, though. Tivoli features an amazing collection of theaters, restaurants, concert venues, ponds, and park grounds. It’s a favorite spot for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It’s highly recommended that you visit at least once during the evening hours in order to witness the incredible colored lanterns as they light up the night sky.

Copenhagen is an astounding city with affordable attractions designed to keep both business and pleasure travelers occupied. The friendly people and laid-back atmosphere will ensure you feel at home at all times. You might even wish you could make Copenhagen home.