A Quick Guide to Copenhagen
I will always have a special place in my heart for Copenhagen. Before going it was never on my radar of places I must see but I couldn’t be happier that I went. The people are incredibly nice, the city is super clean, and the gorgeous architecture had me in awe. I would seriously suggest putting Copenhagen on your bucket list now! It is seriously a hidden gem and such a fun place. The reason we started our Europe journey here is because the flights from JFK were super inexpensive compared to other destinations, just a little tip. It’s been since 2016 but still, you never know.
I traveled with another female and we stayed at the Urban House which is an incredible hostel. We enjoyed this hostel because it was very centrally located. We also thought the staff was nice. The best part about the hostel was their little lounge area. It had a bar, and tables, and allowed us to have a drink and mingle with the other backpackers. With the new friends you meet, you can all head out to fun bars, some even within walking distance. For warning, the bars are all smoke-friendly, so definitely bring some dryer sheets to get your clothes back to smelling clean again, especially if these clothes are supposed to last you a few weeks.
You Will Fall In Love
Copenhagen was a bit more on the expensive side for us so we didn’t indulge in too many fine-dining delicacies. The street food and vendors here are fantastic. One thing I enjoyed a lot of though, was the plethora of sweets. I came to find out after my trip and later in life the reasoning behind all the sweet options that Copenhagen had. The Danes love to treat themselves to a nice dessert after their meals, its hygge. I didn’t get the opportunity to read the book, ‘Hygge’ before I went to Denmark but if you are planning a trip there soon, give this book a read. It explains the culture of Danes and how they are continuously the happiest country in the world.
It was late June when we went and I did not expect it to get as cold as it did at night. Don’t make the mistake I did, I didn’t even bring a pair of jeans. After the first night of having dinner on the Nyhavn River, I had to go straight to Zara and buy myself a pair of capris. Yes, it wasn’t in my budget to spend money on clothes, but I needed them and I love them even to this day (5 years later). So even if you do make a mistake, don’t beat yourself up over it because everything happens for a reason.
Speaking of the Nyhavn River, what a beautiful sight to see. I’ve never seen such unique and breathtaking architecture. The houses all lined up and in all different colors are truly breathtaking. We did end up having dinner next to the Nyhavn River to experience and indulge in the views and scenery. A little warning though, these restaurants are a huge place for tourist attractions, so they can get pretty pricey depending on what you want. Enjoy the views, take in the scenery, and get that fabulous instagram picture.
Another attraction that we loved and was right around the corner of our hostel, the Tivoli Gardens. It is an amusement and pleasure garden in Copenhagen. I am not a rollercoaster gal, and it’s not because I’m afraid of them, no it’s because I get such bad motion sickness. Weird that I get motion sickness and am a flight attendant?! Anyways, we were able to sit in the lawn while enjoying a beautiful show. We walked around and got to see how Denmark does amusement parks. It was a super cute place and so much more than just amusement rides. I was told that during Christmas time it’s really beautiful with all the decorations they have. We enjoyed the sunset here one night.
Lastly, we made our way to Christiania. It is a hippie paradise where marijuana are sold and consumed legally. The entire portion of Christiania isn’t necessarily legal to partake in that so definitely go to the Green Light District, if you want to. Even if that scene isn’t your thing, I really thought it was an incredible cultural experience. The vibe, the architecture, and artwork really was something like I’ve never seen before. If you do decide to check Christiania please take the time to do your research and to understand the rules and regulations of this town.
From what I can remember, if you do consume any of the illegal (legal) par-takings it has to be done in the community of the Green Light District. There is a zero tolerance for violence. It is a self governed community of Copenhagen and they are doing really well with sustainability. Also, I definitely remember that you can’t take photos when you are inside the community. I wouldn’t even bring your camera with you as they might not let you enter. I also would suggest keeping your phone in your pocket the whole time.
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