Introduction
Copenhagen, the land of bicycles, impeccable public transport, and a level of hygge I could never hope to replicate. I had 48 hours to get in, tick off the Christmas markets at Tivoli Gardens, and somehow understand the locals’ fascination with beer and open-faced sandwiches. Here’s how that went. Spoiler: I didn’t crack the sandwich mystery, but I did crack the code on how to live my best life in a weekend.
The Journey: Business Class, Baby
Now, let’s talk about the flight. I treated myself to business class for the first time, because, well, I’ve got a goal to experience every type of airline cabin at least once. And this was a chance to tick another box. What did I get for my investment? Fully stocked bars, a buffet of food (including chicken curry, meat pies, and a tasty winter warming curried soup), and a middle seat left free, proving that short-haul flights have cracked the code for comfort. I was living my best life, folks. The dinner was tasty and the drinks were unlimited (yes, multiple beers were consumed) and it definitely makes you question how you ever tolerated economy.
Arrival: The Sound of Silence, and Maybe a Bike Bell
I landed, and the first thing I noticed after stepping outside the airport, It was, well, efficient. Unreasonably efficient. The underground train to the city was smooth, quiet, and punctual. I got to my hotel, the Andersen Hotel, which I can only describe as a minimalist’s dream. Warm and modern. The room was small but well-equipped, including a full suite of Molton Brown toiletries. We’re talking hand soap, hand lotion, a vanity kit, body wash, shampoo, and conditioner—and, as a nice touch, an orange and bergamot Molton Brown diffuser. Delicious.
The Plan: Wing It, but With Style
I had a list of things I wanted to see—until I talked to the hotel receptionist. She kindly told me which of my plans were not the one, and gave me some much-needed recommendations. This, I realized, is why hotel staff are the real MVPs. They know things.
So, with some personal recommendations, my Saturday went like this:
Coffee Collective – Recommended by the receptionist, because, clearly, she understands the deep and spiritual need for caffeine. It’s overpriced. It’s hipster. It’s delicious. Go.
Andersen & Maillard Bakery – They’ve cracked the code on pastries. I went in for a croissant and left with an existential crisis about pastry quality. It was incredible. Also didn’t get a croissant, instead I opted for a Brunsvigar. Imagine a cinnamon roll and a pancake had a baby. That’s a Brunsviger.
Nyhavn – The Instagram spot. The one where the buildings look straight out of Balamory. It’s picturesque, it’s a bit crowded, and it’s 100% worth the visit.
Canal Tour – You know the kind of tour where the guide is incredibly informative, and you pretend to understand everything while secretly wondering if the boat could somehow turn into a floating bar? That kind of tour. Great tour guide, fun, engaging and super informative. Would recommend.
Grundtvig’s Church – It was closed. But it still looked like something out of a fantasy novel. I was gutted to see it was closed. Still, no complaints, I did get to see it during a magnificent sunset.
Torvehallerne Food Market – Where I tried to look cultured while shopping for things I didn’t need. Not much in the way of street food, more local produce and kitchenware. Still, a cool vibe.
Taphouse – This is where over 60 types of lager and ale come to meet their destiny. I met them, too. Several times.
Tivoli Gardens – Tivoli Gardens – It’s a Christmas market. It’s magical. It’s crowded. You’ll want to take 100 photos. Do it. Everyone else is doing it. Oh, and the churros were incredible.
Smørrebrød: The Danish Open-Faced Sandwich (and Open-Faced Challenge)
Let’s talk food, because, let’s be honest, everyone loves food. On Sunday, I tried smørrebrød, the infamous Danish open-faced sandwich. This particular one was loaded with roast pork, pickled cucumber, red cabbage, and pork crackling. It was divine. It was filling. It wasn’t open but it was the kind of meal that makes you wonder why you’ve been eating normal sandwiches all your life. I’ll be honest, I was concerned about finishing it. It was a lot. But I was really brave, persevered, and smashed it.
The Museums: For Culture and Guinness World Records
Next, I got cultured. First stop: the National Museum of Denmark. It’s one of those places where you pretend you’re absorbing knowledge, but deep down, you’re just enjoying the cool drinking horns and ye olde weaponry. The museum does a great job of explaining Denmark’s history, and I did my best to retain at least 5% of it.
Then I visited the Guinness World Records Museum. This is where you go to see the world’s weirdest, most bizarre records, like the world’s largest collection of rubber ducks or the longest toenail. It was the perfect way to balance out all that culture.
Unfortunately, I didn’t manage to capture the oddities of rubber ducks or toenails, but I did snap a picture of the tallest man—caught raising the roof… and the ceiling fan (251cm). And the shortest lady? Busted on a roller coaster—she wasn’t tall enough to ride (63cm).
The End: Taphouse Redux
Because nothing says “I’m doing it right” like returning to the same bar twice, I ended my trip at Taphouse. More beer. More good times. It was a fitting end to a weekend that had already exceeded expectations.
Reflections: Copenhagen, You Win
Copenhagen proved that sometimes, you don’t need a week of holiday to have an amazing time. With a well-planned, short getaway, I managed to dive into the city’s culture, indulge in the local food, and sample a bit too much beer—all without ever getting too stressed about time. There’s something about Copenhagen’s efficient public transport and lack of chaos that makes everything feel effortless. And let’s be real: when you’re on holiday, effortless is the goal.
Would I recommend Copenhagen for a weekend trip? Absolutely. Just bring an empty stomach and an open mind. Oh, and a good pair of shoes. You’ll need them for all the walking… and the beer.
Photo Dump
Leave a Reply