I now understand why they say Copenhagen is the happiest city on earth. Cobbled, bike-friendly streets, colourful town houses, art galleries, flea and food markets coupled with cozy cafes and vintage stores make up a pretty cool back drop. All conveniently within its compact size the Danes boast of the city’s “hygge” experience – which generally means cozines.

Dad posing by the Facade of our Hotel. We were staying within the Vesterbro district. The once-seedy Copenhagen neighbourhood gives a flavour of the capital that locals enjoy, with designer shops and cafes, plus restaurants and night spots of the revamped Meatpacking District.

View of Tycho Brahe Planetarium and the Peblinge Lake – better known by locals as “The Joggers’ Pond”.

Shabby Chic drop lights juxtaposed by the contemporary bar.

Funky Interiors make eating so much fun!

Scandic Copenhagen Hotel was a reasonable choice.  Rooms were cozy and comfortable, breakfast was a generous spread, service was impressive considering its commercial size and the location was good.

 

Along Stroget – one of Europe’s longest pedestrian streets with a wealth of shops, from budget-friendly chains to some of the world’s most expensive brands. The stretch is 1.1 kilometers long and runs from City Hall Square to Kongens Nytorv (King’s New Square).

By Gammeltorv Square. The Caritas Fountain stands in the Old Square in Copenhagen. It was built in 1608 as a part of King Christian IV’s efforts to shine up what was then the City Square. Back then, it was called the Caritas Well and was part of the city’s water supply network. The sculpture shows Caritas, goddess of charity, with her children. In the frank spirit of the renaissance, water spurts from her nipples, and the little boy is cheerfully answering the call of nature. The Victorian bourgeoisie of the 1800s found it offensive and so the holes were plugged from 1857 until 1940. This is the oldest fountain in the city and on special occasions it is decorated with golden apples that dance in the water. http://www.kulturav.dk

Getting into the Biking Culture. Copenhagen is world famous for its biking culture and now officially the first Bike City in the World. Last year, it was also voted the ‘Best city for cyclists’ and the ‘World’s most liveable city’. The Danes are well known for their love of cycling and cities all around the world are now looking at ways to copy this phenomenon. It really is biking heaven for the cyclist in Copenhagen with over 390 kilometres of designated bike lanes.

Copenhagen City Hall

The Bustling Scene Along Stroget.

The famous fairy-tale writer Hans Christian Andersen lived in no. 20 – from 1834-38, where he wrote is first stories. Later he also lived on the opposite, sunny side of Nyhavn in no. 67 – from 1845-64. The last years of his life he lived in no.18.

Nyhavn is also called “The longest outdoor bar in Scandinavia” – with its many restaurants – cafés and cozy eating places overlooking the canal.

Nyhavn (New Port) – was established by King Christian V (1646-1699 – ruled Denmark and Norway 1670-1699) – as a gateway from the sea to the old inner city – and at that time the canal area reached right up to Kongens Nytorv (The Kings Square) established around 1670 – where the ships unloaded and loaded their cargo – and the fishermen their daily catch. The trade and shipping activities around Nyhavn provided a strong growth of Copenhagen – and the many colourful houses and exclusive buildings surrounding the Nyhavn canal on the “shady side” and “sunny side” along the two historical quays – are nearly 350 years old. It’s funny that the shady side was where the mansions were located while the sunny side – which is today’s quintessential view – were for the poor / common residents.

Crossing over to Papiroen – Paper Island, a prominent place in Copenhagen Harbour with a handful of creative buildings featuring everything from art to showrooms and street food.

Close to the Opera and opposite the Royal Danish Playhouse. It used to store the paper for the Danish Press Association, which gave it its more familiar name, but it is properly known as Christiansholm.

Copenhagen Street Food is a collective of 60+ colourful food stalls and street food vendors, in a Bohemian setting, under one roof in one of the warehouse buildings facing the harbour.  The selection of food stalls represent many countries and regions of the world including, American, Belgian, Brazilian, British, Chinese, Colombian, Danish, German, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Mexican, Morrocan, South Korean, Thai and Turkish. There are also themes, such as root vegetables, vegetarian, falafel, burgers, pig, beef, fish, seafood, desserts, sausages, salads and a stall for everything with a spoon! As well as the Street Food vendors, there are many vendors offering a wide variety of drinks, from teas, coffees, cocktails, juices, shakes, wines, spirits and beers, including micro brewery and specialist beers.

The equestrian statue of King Frederik VII (He ruled in 1848-1863) He was the last Danish monarch of the older Royal branch of the House of Oldenburg and also the last king of Denmark to rule as an absolute monarch .

The Standard is a combined jazz club and restaurant complex located on the Havnegade quay. The building was constructed in 1937. The southern part of the building was used as a custom house for goods to and from Sweden. The northern part of the building contained the waiting room, kiosk and ticket office of the Øresund Ferries.

Seen from the outside, Copenhagen’s Opera House, with its bubble-faced front gently squeezed by a flat, thin roof, is akin to a giant lantern on the city’s waterfront. The front lodges a five-story foyer and another bubble, inspired by a conch, covered with golden Danish maple. The main auditorium is coated on the inside with dark maple and has three horseshoe-shaped balconies. It can seat up to 1,700 people. Besides the main stage, the opera has five side and back stages. Hydraulic machinery can change their size and enlarge the orchestra pit to hold up to 120 musicians. Maersk Mc-Kinney Moeller, one of Denmark’s wealthiest men, changed his initial sketches for a $231-million concert hall into a monument to Danish design that ended up costing nearly twice as much.

Check out the float CPH Boat Hotel.

This former boat repair facility was converted to some of the most expensive apartments in Copenhagen.

Snippets of Free Town Christiania to our right. A green and car-free neighbourhood in Copenhagen, best known for its autonomous inhabitants’ different way of life. More details later.

A glimpse of their iconic “The Little Mermaid” Statue. Immortalised by Hans Christian Andersen.

Amalienborg is the the Royal Couple’s winter residence. The Amalienborg complex consists of four palaces, built around an octagonal courtyard, in the centre of which stands the French sculptor J.F.J. Saly’s equestrian statue of Frederik V, the founder of Amalienborg Palace and Frederiksstaden. The complex was constructed by Frederik V on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the coronation of Christian I, the first King of the House of Oldenborg. The site for the four palaces was given to four prominent noblemen, A.G. Moltke, Christian Frederik Levetzau, Joachim Brockdorf and Severin Løvenskiold, who committed themselves to building identical palaces, designed by the court architect Nicolai Eigtved. Amalienborg became the royal residence after Christiansborg Palace burned down in the night between 26 and 27 February 1794. In the course of a few days, the King acquired both the Moltke and Schack Palaces. http://kongehuset.dk/en/palaces/amalienborg

Borrowing a book isn’t the only reason to visit the Black Diamond, as the 1999 extension to the Royal Library is known. Connected to the original library by several bridges, it leans out over a canal affording amazing views. The interior is as impressive as the exterior, with a huge ceiling fresco by one of Denmark’s most famous painters, Per Kirkeby, not to mention a great restaurant, Søren K.

Our Saviour’s Church in Christiania is best known for its unique, spiral tower, but the beautiful baroque church (from 1696) also houses an impressive, carved organ facade from 1698 and Nicodemus Tessins masterpiece of an altarpiece. Ever since the tower’s inauguration in 1752, it has been extremely popular to climb the 400 steps to the top, where the Saviour on his globe looks victorious over the Queen’s Copenhagen. On an annual basis around 200.000 guests take the walk up the many steps to see Copenhagen from 90 meters above the ground. The last 150 steps are on the outside of the tower, so the ride is not necessarily for people with fear of heights, but the reward is waiting up there in terms of the absolute best view of Copenhagen – and in clear weather also Sweden cphinfo.dk

Circle Bridge. The bridge is made of five circular platforms. It contributes to a larger circle that forms a pedestrian route around Copenhagen Harbour, where people – cycling, running, walking – can see the city from a very different perspective. As many as 5,000 people cross the bridge each day.

The Royal Palace of Christiansborg is located in the centre of Copenhagen on Slotsholmen (Castle Island) and is the working palace for the Queen, as well as being the centre from which the Danish Parliament and the offices of the Danish prime minister govern. From this palace, Queen Margrethe II carries out her official duties as head of state, holding audiences and receiving visiting dignitaries.

As Copenhagen is a maritime city, taking a boat tour is an ideal way of exploring attractions while cruising through its charming canals.

 

The city’s good looks are also intrinsically linked to the famed Danish flair for design, with its industrial-chic bar, fashion scenes and culinary revolution. Copenhagen has no less than 13 Michelin-starred restaurants! That puts them on the map as the food capital of Scandinavia. But even without Michelin-stars there is a great variety of other fine restaurants with remarkable and delicious food awaiting to be discovered.

The Rundetaarn, or Round Tower, is a 17th-century tower located in central Copenhagen. One of the many architectural projects of Christian IV, it was built as an astronomical observatory.

At the King’s Garden.

Girl’s having a heap at the Picturesque setting.

Rosenborg Castle was originally built as a country summerhouse in 1606 but King Christian IV loved it so much that he lived and died in it. It is a beautiful historic building and a fascinating museum of cultural history. It houses some of Denmark’s greatest treasures. Among the main attractions of Rosenborg is the Long Hall with the coronation throne with three silver lions standing guard. And beneath the castle, the three treasuries with the Crowns and the Crown Jewels.

Monument to Caroline Amalie, Queen of Denmark Caroline Amalie was highly engaged in different social and humanitarian issues and, among other things, she was behind the establishment of several orphanages. Because of her Augustenborg background, she was viewed with a certain distrust by many Danes during the national conflicts in Schleswig-Holstein. However, later in her life she gained much popularity. Caroline Amalie was interested in religious issues and became an important supporter of the Grundtvigian movement. Caroline Amalie’s and Christian VIII’s marriage was a happy one, but the couple did not have any children. The succesor to the Throne, Frederik, was from Christian’s first marriage to Charlotte Frederikke.

Rosenberg Castle & King’s Garden was postcard perfect from all angles.

Yet Copenhagen is more than just the city buzz and gastronomy; a bounty of beautiful castles, wooded parks and elegant lakes also await just minutes away.

The Nimb is a 5-Star Hotel located within the famous Tivoli Gardens. This stylish boutique hotel is housed in an impressive Moorish-style featuring 17 unique and individually decorated rooms of which 12 are suites. Guests and visitors can enjoy the ambiance and dining options in any of their four unique restaurants.

Happy Tulip Colors!

Of course, we had to sample some rides. We rode the Odin Express!

Locals enjoying the sun! Great Sunday scene.

Tivoli Gardens was founded in 1843 and has become a national treasure and an international attraction. Fairy tale writer Hans Christian Andersen visited many times, as did Walt Disney and many other celebrities, who all fell in love with the gardens.

Part of Tivoli Gardens’ secret is that there is something for everyone. The scenery is beautiful with exotic architecture, historic buildings and lush gardens.

While it may look like just another quaint Danish city, Christiania is an autonomous “free town” within Copenhagen — a hippie commune, if you will.  

In Christiania, cannabis shops operate 24 hours a day and sell 30–40 types of hashish. Pretty cool.

The town is full of art galleries, restaurants, cafés, and historic buildings. There are also plenty of museums, music venues, and cultural centers, like the Gay House, a popular destination for events for the gay, lesbian, and transgender community. And fun, colourful events to attend.

It’s a bucket-list destination for sure — with an atmosphere and a spirit that pictures simply don’t do justice.