Charming Copenhagen

Of course, with Christmas, comes the Christmas Markets, and who does it better than Europe? Copenhagen may not be the main Christmas Market you think of, but it should be added to the list. And so should the city of Copenhagen in general, if we’re being honest. I’m sure it’s wonderful in the warmer weather, as it is one of the most walkable cities in the world, but the cold of the winter also has its perks.

Copenhagen, Denmark was never on the top of my list for Europe, as I wanted to explore the UK and southern Europe before anywhere else. I’m also not fond of cold weather, so why did I decide to go even more north in the middle of November? I’m not sure but I am so glad I did. While it’s a town near the water, making it even more freezing, the charm of the city and the warmth inside everywhere you stop is unbeatable. Everything was decorated for Christmas, adding to the enjoyment.

Starting with the stay, Wake-up Copenhagen in Borgergade was in the most perfect location, less than a ten-minute walk to all of the best sights to see and best places to eat. I’m not sure if it’s a standard European thing that their hotel rooms are notoriously small, but that was definitely the case. Nevertheless, it was perfect for two people, and we weren’t in the room much anyway. The hotel was so nice and clean, and so cheap for the area it was in, I would definitely recommend if you are traveling on a budget.

The City Center, or Indre By, was where part of the Christmas Market was, as well as the mall and the Hotel D’angleterre. Behind these buildings were all of the shops; souvenirs, high-end brands, and charming stores local to the city. And then to the other side of the street was the famous Nyhavn, a 17th Century waterfront canal and entertainment district. The sides of the canal are lined with colorful, historic buildings, all housing either food, drinks, or shopping. During the winter months, they sell Glögg, a traditional hot, winter drink with port wine, citrus, and more, everywhere, including on the side of the street. I will post the ingredients below because it is a must try!

Copenhagen was not a place I wanted to visit for the cuisine, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have anything good to eat. Plus, I needed to eat regardless! So some of my favorite restaurants to try were The Olive Kitchen and Bar, Cantina Italian, Goldfinch, and Hyttefadet, and all were in the Indre By. They had plenty of seafood cuisine, but I love pasta, Asian, and other foods, so that’s where I mainly went. Danish pastries, of course, are a major delicacy that has to be consumed when there, and I second that.

Some touristy things to try would of course be to take tours! There are tons of palaces and churches, all with amazing architecture. Some notable places to tour would have to be Frederik's Church, Amalienborg Palace, and Rosenberg Castle. The tickets were cheap and the tours were short, depending on if you read around on the tour. These are definitely good places to see, especially if you have time and are looking for something to do in the city!

I cannot say enough good things about Copenhagen, I think it was my favorite part of my trip to Scandinavia. I will for sure be back one day, but until then, I will recommend it to everyone, and live vicariously through them!