01

Spend an evening in Reffen

Reffen was our personal highlight in Copenhagen. It is a container city where entrepreneurs show what they can do. The containers provide a sales area for young companies. They sell their products and food here before renting their own large premises. This gives them a better idea of what goes down well and what doesn't.

We spent several hours in Reffen. We bought some delicious food and relaxed at a table surrounded by sand, water and good music. A DJ played all evening, so after dinner we lingered in a deckchair and enjoyed the last rays of sunshine while listening to good music.

The easiest way to get to Reffen is by bike, as the container city is located just outside the Refshaleøen district in the port area of Copenhagen. Alternatively, there is a bus service.

Of course, you can also come to Reffen during the day and have a little lunch break there. But we just loved the evening atmosphere in Reffen! You can find all the information about Reffen here.

02

Discover a slightly different city

The autonomous municipality of Christiania, which is tolerated by the state, is something unique in Europe! In 1971, a former military area in the center of Copenhagen was declared an autonomous urban area as an experiment. Since then, Danish law no longer applies in the free city. Instead, the residents enforce their own rules themselves. This is why marijuana, for example, is legal here. However, some freedoms are also restricted in Christiania: Violence, weapons and hard drugs are forbidden!

The city has its very own atmosphere. And it always smells of marijuana, which you can buy here like vegetables at a market in all shapes and sizes. Most people are very peaceful and friendly. However, you do see a few here and there who are a bit too into it. That's why I was really glad that I was not alone. Nevertheless, the concept works! And we definitely found it very interesting. After all, you don't experience something like this every day.

Just please note that Christiania's residents don't like you taking photos there! So leave your camera in your bag!

03

Head to Copenhagen's most famous corner: Nyhavn

If you search for images of Copenhagen on Google, you will only see pictures of Nyhavn. This is because the small colorful houses on the edge of the canal are Copenhagen's landmark. Nyhavn is therefore very crowded. Nevertheless, you should explore Nyhavn, as it is simply part of a visit to Copenhagen. And Nyhavn is also simply beautiful to look at. But there's one thing you shouldn't do in Nyhavn: eat. The locals advise against it, as the food at the tourist hotspot is said to be overpriced and not good.

By the way: The oldest house in Nyhavn dates back to 1681 and is number 9. Many houses were occupied by famous artists, including Hans Christian Andersen. He lived at No. 18, No. 67 and No. 20, where he wrote the fairy tale “The Princess and the Pea”, among other things.

04

Experience Copenhagen's trendy district

It's not just New York that has a Meatpacking District! There is also one in Copenhagen that is enjoying growing popularity. In the former slaughterhouses you can now find hip restaurants and bars as well as art galleries! However, not all of the halls have been converted (yet). We didn't know that and ran into a few homeless people. But you don't have to worry about that! Just maybe stay in the busier areas.

The Meatpacking District is located in Vesterbro, the former red light district of Copenhagen. Today, Vesterbro is a popular nightlife district with some great cafés and bars. Only here and there can you still spot an erotic bar or a sex store. However, Vesterbro is by no means dingy, but has a lot of charm. There are some great places to eat, especially along Istedgade!

05

Experience the Copenhagen lifestyle

If you want to experience the Copenhagen lifestyle, then wander from café to café and people-watch! The best place to do this is in Nørrebro. In the streets around Fælledvej, you'll find cute boutiques and great cafés in the beautiful old buildings!

Nørrebro is also very multicultural. Here we were able to experience, among other things, that Copenhagen has just as many problems as other cities in addition to its beautiful facades. For example, a very drunk guy got on our bus and rioted around. There were also some run-down houses. I guess every city in the world has something like that. However, Nørrebro gets nicer the closer you get to the city center.

06

Take a break in the Royal Palace Park

The Royal Palace Park totally reminded me of the English Garden in Munich. The Copenhageners enjoyed the sun here. Some were listening to music or having a picnic and others were playing Viking chess or beer pong. It was just relaxed, perfect for a little break!

Rosenborg Castle is also located in the park. The castle is considered a fairytale castle in the middle of the city center. I think that describes it quite well. The small castle once served as a summer residence for the royal family. Today you can find a museum here.

07

Rent a bike

Because cycling in Copenhagen is an experience in itself. The entire city has well-developed cycle paths and you can get from A to B quickly by bike, making it the quickest and easiest way to explore Copenhagen.

We rented bikes via the Donkey Republic app. You can find the orange bikes almost everywhere in the city! You can use your bike for as long as you want during the rental period and park it as often as you like.

08

Take the water bus

If you don't feel like cycling, you can buy a 24-hour public transport ticket for DKK 80. With this ticket, you can also travel on the water buses. These take you across the water to the most important points in the city, so you can save yourself a canal tour. Some of the water bus stops are not even served by canal tours.

09

Look over the rooftops of the city

The Rundetaarn is Europe's oldest functioning observatory, which is still used by amateur astronomers today. From the Rundetaarn you have a great view over the city. Admission costs around EUR 3.50. The way up is not via stairs, but via a spiral ramp. This is because books from the university library used to be brought up here in horse-drawn carts.

The church tower of Vor Frelsers Kirke is also a popular vantage point over Copenhagen. Admission costs around EUR 6.

10

Visit The Little Mermaid (just shortly)

You have to have seen the statue of the Little Mermaid, but at the same time you don't have to have seen it. That's because tourists crowd around the statue and fight over who gets to take a photo. So the atmosphere is zero. But somehow the Little Mermaid is part of the sightseeing tour! So do as we did: We took a quick look at the statue and then quickly jumped back on the back of our bikes and dashed off to the next spot.

11

Discover Copenhagen's sights

There is so much to discover in Copenhagen! That's why you should take a little sightseeing tour through the city. There are even regular free walking tours on offer. Or you can take a walk on your own...

For example, start at Strøget, the longest pedestrian street in Europe. Here you will mainly find stores such as traditional stores and fashion chains. However, if you turn into one of the side streets, you will also discover smaller stores and eateries. Strøget is also surrounded by some of the city's sights - such as the Town Hall Square with the Town Hall Tower, Copenhagen Cathedral (Vor Frue Kirke), the Rundetaarn, the courthouse on Nytorv and the Storkespringvandet (Stork Spring Fountain) on Amagertorv. From the latter, it is also not far to Christiansborg Palace, the seat of parliament. Copenhagen's student district is also just a short walk away. In addition to a few great bars, there are mainly retailers and some second-hand stores.

You should definitely pay a visit to Frederiksberg Have with Frederiksberg Castle, too. From there, you can cycle along Pile Allé to the old Carlsberg brewery and take a tour of the brewery. The changing of the guard at 12 noon at Amalienborg Palace is also interesting. Other well-known sights include the Black Diamond library, the Royal Danish Theater and the Assistens Kirkegaard cemetery with the Hans Christian Andersen grave.

One place you should include on your tour of the city is Christiansborg Tower. The tower of the former royal palace and current parliament building is the highest vantage point in Copenhagen. You can even enjoy the view from the 106m high tower for free! The many bathing spots in the city are also free, such as Amager Strandpark, the Seaside Resort Helgoland and the Kastrup Søbad beach. Some museums are also free on Wednesdays. In summer, you shouldn't miss the 10-day jazz festival.

I have put together a list of all the places on Google Maps.

You can find the list here.