Copenhagen, Denmark's capital is a harmonious blend of history, tradition and charm. From stunning cafes to vibrant culture, Copenhagen offers an unforgettable experience. Here's a 3-day guide of what we did and how we made the most of our visit. 

We stayed at the Nobis Hotel Copenhagen. It's set next to Copenhagen Central Station and a short walk from the famous Stroget shoppng street. The Nobis Hotel is situared in a historic landmark building that originally served as the Royal Danish  Conservatory of Music. Architect Gert Wingadh Wingadh has emphasized the 1903  original architecture, while adding high quality materias and elegant color palette where modernism meets classicism, augmented by such amenities as a bar, restaurant, sauna and gym making the hotel a new focus for the city's downtown social scene. We felt quite safe and the streets were clean. Lots of people were riding their bikes and when they were done some just left it at the entrance of an establishment without a lock, not afraid of being stolen. Other bikes had a lock built in the bike, they came that way and I had never seen that. 

Day 1:  Palace, Tradition, Museum and Entertainment

Morning: We visited the Christianborg Palace which is home to the Danish Parliament, The Prime Minister's Office and the Supreme Court of Denmark. It serves multiple functions by the Danish royal family even today like state banquets, royal ceremonies and receptions. It also has stunning royal reception rooms.

Christianborg is one of the most iconic landmarks in Copenhagen and a must-visit for history and architecture enthusiasts. The Palace has a history spanning over 800 years. The site originally housed a medieval castle in the 12th century and the current  structure is the 3rd Christianborg Palace which was completed in 1928. The previous 2 were destroyed by fires in 1794 and 1884. The present building combines Neo-Baroque and Neo-Classic style, showcasing architectural mastery.

Christianborg Palace Library - Copenhagen , Denmark

There is a jewelry section in the basement of the Palace where you delight in all the beauty and history!

We walked the streets and also saw Frederik's Church, known by the "Marble Church" next which had these words inscribed in Golden on the church in the photograph  "HERRENS-ORD-BLIVER-EVINDELIC" meaning "The word of the Lord endureth for ever. The church is beautiful inside and I suggest you visit.

Right next to the church is the Palace so we saw  the "Changing of her Majesty's guard at Amalienborg Palace" at noon, I love this tradition and every time we travel to a country with a monarchy I enjoy seeing this. Make sure you are there at noon to see that, it will be busy so if you want to have a good view arrive early. 

Then we strolled along the canal in Nyhavn, the picturesque harbor lined with colorful 17th-century buildings and historic wooden ships. There are lots of restaurants there where you can have lunch and also some attractions, there is a small stage, we saw a band playing. Right next to the restaurants on the other side is the shopping street, everything is within walking distance. 

Afternoon: We visited the National Museum of Denmark - it was built in 1807 in it's housed in a beautiful 18th-century Rococo mansion once used by the Danish Royalty. It's the most comprehensive and largest museum of cultural history in Denmark Located in central Copenhagen near Christiansborg Palace, the museum offers an incredible journey through Danish history and culture from prehistoric times to the present day. Also inside, I was thrilled to see lots of ginger jars and blue and white. 

Early Evening: Tivoli Gardens is one of Copenhagen's most iconic attractions and the world's second-oldest amusement park, having opened it's gates in 1843. Located in the heart of the city, Tivoli offers a magical blend of thrilling rides, lush gardens, enchanting architedture and a world -class entertainment making it a must visit destination for travelers of all ages. It was founded by Georg Carstensen, who convinced King Christian VIII to support the project by stating, "When people are amused, tey do not think about politics." This park inspired Walt Disney to create Disneyland after his visit in the 1950's. You can spend all day here if you wish, I enjoyed seeing the plays on stage, concerts, rides and they also have restaurants there. I love how they have one of the world's oldest wooden roller coaster built in 1914 still in operation. Tivoli has meticulously landscaped garden with colorful flowers, fountains and serene lakes. At night thousands of lights illuminate the park creating a magical atmosphere. Tivoli offers an experience that is both enchanting and timeless, I loved visiting it. 

Day 2: History, Art and Canal

Morning: We visited The Royal Palace "Amalienborg" - This is the residence of the Danish royal family. Located near the waterfront, this stunning complex consists of 4 identical Rococo-style palaces arranged around a grand octagonal courtyard. Theses 4 buildings were built for 4 noble families in the 1750's. After christianborg Palace burned down in 1794, the royals moved to Amalienburg and they have been living there ever since. The 1st building is Christian VII's Palace used for official events and receptions. The 2nd building Christian VIII's Palace houses the Amalienborg Museum which has the history of the Danish monarchy and displays royal artifacts. Building 3 is Frederick VIII's Palace - Private residence of crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary and building 4 is Christian IX"s Palace: Residence of Queen Margrethe II. 

Amalienborg is more than a royal residence, it's a living piece of Danish history and tradition. Whether you're learning about the monarchy's history at the museum, admiring the impressive architecture or watching the guards in action, a visit to Amalienborg offers a glimpse into the country's regal  traditions and cultural heritage.

You can also see the changing of the guard here, we had seen it the day before so we just visited the museum and got some souvenirs.

I saw endless volumes of FlORA DANICA on the library shelves for my surprise!

There you can also see  the Courtyard and Equestrian Statue of King Frederik V, the founder of Amalienborg and Federiksstaden. The Statue completed in 1771 is a masterpiece by French Sculptor Jacques-Francois-Joseph Saly. 

Afternoon: After that we went to the National Gallery of Denmark.

This is Denmark's most prestigious and largest art museum located in central Copenhagen. This is where you can see an impressive collection of Danish and International art spanning over 700 years making it a must visit for culture and art lovers. It dates back to the 1750's when the Danish Royal started collecting art. The building is huge and it combines classic 19th century architecture with a modern extension added in 1998, creating an harmonious blend of old and new.

We walked a bit after that and admired the architecture and gardens around us.

Late in the Afternoon: Then we went on a canal boat ride, it started to rain so they gave us ponchos. However if you go to the boat ride from the hotel, ask if you can borrow an umbrella in case of rain. 

The boat in the canal is long and short, however deep inside so you are even able to stand in it. When the bridges approach in the canal, if you are outdoors on the boat, you have to sit so the boat get under the bridge.

Day 3: Classic Copenhagen, Ceramics and Shopping

We walked around downtown and took a cute bike around for a little tour. There are men that have a tricycle taxi so we tried that, it was fun. Then we visited the famous "Royal Copenhagen" porcelain store in Copenhagen. They were the first ones to make ceramics for the Royal family. They had so many beautiful dishes and ceramics that I lost count of how many pictures I took. If you like tabletop then this store is haven on earth, lots of blue and white plus FLORA DANICA endless colorful and ornate ceramics and books on it. Also each year for Christmas they design a new dish and add it up to their collection wall, it's beautiful to see. If I had more time here I would paint my own dish, they let you do that here. My husband purchased a darling souvenir and I also got a lovely catalog of the store products. If you go make sure yours is in English!

Late afternoon: We kept walking along the famous street and I got some churros with ice cream, so delicious but could not finish, it was huge. The local band was playing right next to us on the street.

On the street you can also get your coffee...

Or orange juice if you prefer.

For dinner we went to Kodbyens Fiskebar, (on the Michelin Guide)  it has excelent fresh seafood with indoor/outdoor seating. However please note that the atmosphere is not like the other Michelin's restaurants, this one is very informal but the food was amazing!

We spent 3 unforgettable days immersing ourselves in Copenhagen. It's charm lies in its ability to effortless blends history, design, tradition and a sense of welcome and comfort. We discovered delightful flavors and explored its stunning sights.  We went the second week of July and we did fit in a lot in a few days, such a beautiful city, however it was all worth it and I so glad to have made so many unforgettable memories. I highly recommend you visit this charming capital city of Copenhagen and enjoy a journey through history and time. 

I hope you enjoyed reading with me. What would you include in your dream Copenhagen itinerary? Share your thoughts in the comments!

For more inspiration, I share more pictures in different social channels,  please follow me on Pinterest HERE and on Instagram HERE.

If you would like to read about a trip to Portugal in a week go HERE

The last link I would like to offer you, is this fun link where you can take a virtual tour of the Rosenborg Castle. Go HERE for that, you will see and learn a lot!

xo Ceci Mason founder and artist

 Diga Linda  Say Beautiful

 








 

January 27, 2025 — Cecilia Mason

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