August 29 - September 1 (3D3N): First stop of my Scandinavian tour (Copenhagen - Gothenburg - Oslo - Bergen - Stockholm). My travel mate wanted an authentic Copenhagen experience so we stayed at a “fancy” hostel for 3 nights. I’d highly recommend skipping the hostel experience if you treasure your privacy and have never stayed at a hostel in the past. Our best meal in Copenhagen was at Pony, it was reasonably priced (which means a lot given how expensive the city is). Be sure to take advantage of all the free walking tours and if you happen to be in the Meatpacking district on the weekend, look for the dancing party around a mobile DJ and the crepe stand with cheap beers!

 ^Covered by Copenhagen card

*Highly Recommended food option

Day 1:

• 12:30pm: Flight arrival from JFK

• Train^ from airport to Central (20 mins, DKK36)

• 3pm: Check-in @ Steel House Copenhagen

• Walkthrough Magstraede and Snaregade (Copenhagen’s oldest street)

• 4pm-5:30pm: Copenhagen Free Walking Tour - Tour of Christianshavn

• Christiania: 

  • Pusher street (no pictures allowed)

  • Cafe Nemoland

  • Walk around the lake to see interesting looking houses

• Church of Our Savior^ (M-S: 10am-4pm; climb to top for DKK45)

• 8:15pm: Dinner @ Pony*

• Wine @ Barabba

Day 2:

• Breakfast @ The Little Yellow Coffeeshop*

• City Hall (free)

• 10am-1pm: Grand Tour of Copenhagen

  • Nytorv

  • Carl Jacobsens Plads

  • Magstraede

  • Christiansborg Palace^

  • Break @ Kongens Nytorv

  • Nyhavn

  • Ofelia Plads

  • Amalienborg Palace^

• Frederik’s Church (M-F 10/ S-S 12-5pm; free)

• Lunch @ Cafe Komplet (budget) or Zeleste* (moderate)

• Kongens Have & Rosenborg Castle^ (9am-5pm; DKK115; suggested duration: 1-2 hrs)

• Coffee break @ Torvehallerne

• Climb Rundetarn^ (10am-8pm; DKK25)

• Canal Tours Copenhagen^ (Copenhagen card - depart from Ved Stranden 26 1061)

  • The Little Mermaid (see it from the boat) 

• Nørrebro:

  • Superkilen Park (worth visiting if time allows)

  • BaNanna Park

• Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!^ & H.C. Andersen fairy tale house^ (June 15 to Aug. 31 10am-9pm; both for 125DKK; okay skipping if press on time)

• Tivoli Gardens^ (walked through only, did not partake in any rides)

• Meatpacking District:

  • Dinner @ Pate Pate

  • Jolene Bar

  • Enjoy some outdoor dancing/music right in front of Warpigs

Day 3:

• Breakfast @ 7-Eleven Deli (Vesterport Station)

• Train (~1hr) to Hillerød:

  • Frederiksborg Castle^ (10-5pm; DKK75; suggested duration: 2hrs)

  • The Frederiksborg Ferry^ (May 15 to Sept 15: M-Sat 11-5pm; Sun 1-5pm; DKK30; Take it from Slotsø Ferry Barokhaven to Slotsø Færge Slottet)

  • Walk along Slotsgade

• Coffee @ JOE & THE JUICE*

• Walk down Stroeget (famous shopping street)

• Shop @ HAY House

• Bus to Reffen:

  • Street food stands at Reffen (check out Thrilla In Mania)

  • Copenhagen Contemporary Art Center^ (W-S/T: 11-6pm/9pm; DKK90)

• Dinner @ Baest (pizza)

• Shop for chocolate/cookies @ Irma (supermarket)

Other points of interest

• Christiansborg Palace^ (9-5pm; tower is free to climb)

• Amalienborg Palace^ (changing guards at noon)

• The Cisterns^ (11-6pm, Thur: 11-8pm; DKK24)

• Church of Holmen

• Kastellet (6am-10pm; free)

• Gefion Fountain

• Roskilde Cathedral

• Day trip to Malmo (Sweden)

Other food options

• Lunch @ Grams Laekkerier (near Central station)

• Lunch @ Restaurant Kronborg, Husmann's Vinstue or Domhusets Smørrebrød (Old Town)

• Dinner @ Ol & brod (near Central station)

• Geranium (Michelin 3-star, need to reserve ahead)

• Drink @ Duck & Cover

Tips

• Consider getting the Copenhagen card if you plan to visit Frederiksborg Castle as the train ride and the castle admission are covered by the card. You can opt to pay for the airport train separately and delay the start time on your Copenhagen card if you don’t plan to use it for admissions right after arriving in Copenhagen.

• 7-Eleven has good prices on cider & beer. Given that public drinking is allowed, be sure to stock up for the boat tour.