48 Hours in Copenhagen: Where to Eat, Sleep and Play
The land of Carlsberg, mermaids and Hans Christian Andersen offers more than enough for a weekend getaway.
This article was initially featured in FACT Magazines on 27 September 2023. This is an excerpt from that article.
With bohemian Christiana, Amsterdam-inspired canals and literally some of the World’s Best Restaurants – including no less than 70 restaurants in the Michelin Guide – Copenhagen is small but mighty. You come here once and think about coming back before you leave.
When to visit
As with many European cities, you must choose your time of year wisely. The summer’s gloriously long evenings and warmer temperatures make for an ideal time to navigate this very walkable city on foot. Those looking for the charm of Christmas and the nip of cold will also have lots to see and do as Copenhagen comes alive with Christmas markets. So why not do both?
Getting there
It is easy to get to Copenhagen from the Middle East by plane. Direct flights from Dubai with Emirates or indirect flights from various cities across the region with Turkish Airlines are available. With budget and full-service airlines available, Copenhagen is approximately seven hours away with only a one—or two-hour time difference.
You do not have much time with short staycations, so you want to stay close to all the action. Choose your neighbourhood wisely. The good news is that Copenhagen is very walkable and relatively compact, so few things are far away. The Vesterbro/Kongens Enghave lies in central Copenhagen near the Nyhaven River. It is about twenty minutes by taxi or metro from Copenhagen’s airport. This district comes alive during the long summer evenings with sunbathers, swimming, and kayaking. For those looking for a chic city escape, the Radisson Collection Royal Hotel offers a comfortable stay in the heart of the action.
Day One: Of bakeries and boating
Copenhagen is famous for its plethora of Danish bakeries. Start the day with intention at Alice Ice Cream and Coffee, one of the city’s best bakeries, turning out buttery, flaky almond croissants, pain aux chocolat and tebirkes. This carb loading prepares you for the day’s exploring. Walk over Torvegade to Christianshavn and – specifically – Freetown Christiania, a pseudo-autonomous pedestrianised comune. The hippy vibe makes for great people watching – but not everyone likes having their photos taken around here.
Head to Hey Captian’s dock near Ofelia Beach and the Royal Danish Playhouse for a guided boat tour along the Nyhaven River for either the Landmarks or Hidden Gems tour as you pass the city’s Opera House, Circle Bridge and more.
After the tour, head to Juju’s, a casual, modern Korean restaurant by one of the city’s most celebrated chefs, Kristian Baumann. Munch on the chilled green tea noodles or nori vinegar fries. You’re on holiday, after all.
Waddle towards Rosenborg Castle through some of Copenhagen’s leafy parks and consider a detour through the National History Museum for actual Viking helmets and preserved bodies found in Danish bogs or Statens Museum for Kunst (an art museum).
Copenhagen is a fine dining lover’s paradise, but it requires methodical planning. Many fine-dining restaurants are booked three months in advance! Treat yourself to a table at Noma or Geranium. Both hold three Michelin stars. Restaurant Alchemist is the “World’s No. 1 in waiting” (in my opinion) and an unforgettable dining experience with 50 “impressions” (aka courses) served over six hours. You will eat most impressions under a giant dome that dramatically changes scenes before plunging into a ball pit. Alchemist is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
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