Staff Travel Guide: How to spend 48 hours in Copenhagen
Date Posted: 25/05/2022
Fancy a quick weekend getaway? Then look no further than the beautiful Danish capital of Copenhagen. With a flight time of less than 2 hours from the UK and only a 15 minute journey from the airport to the city centre, this destination couldn’t be handier for a short escape.
Kathryn, our PR and Events Coordinator, recently returned from this amazing city. Here are a few of her suggestions on how to spend 48 hours in beautiful Copenhagen.
Day 1:
Brunch at Nyhavn
The charming and colourful harbour of Nyhavn is one of the most iconic sights in Copenhagen. Not only is it extremely good for pictures but it is also great for brunch! As you walk the cobbled streets you will be lured into the pubs and cafes by the sweet smell of pastries and coffee.
All the restaurants along the harbour do a version of a breakfast or brunch from 10am until 12pm. We went for a delicious platter of eggs, pancakes, fresh fruit, yogurt and crudités. It was big enough to feed an army so it lasted us all the way to dinner time.
Take a Canal Tour
After brunch, you are in the perfect location to hop on a canal tour. All the major tours depart from Nyhavn and are run by a live guide who will give you insights into the cityscape as seen from the water. The tours are very reasonable, working out at less than £10 per person and last 1 hour.
The tour will take you past plenty of iconic sights such as: The Little Mermaid Statue, the Amalienborg Palace and Copenhagen Opera House to name but a few. It gives you a good whistle-stop tour of the city and allows you to pinpoint anything you want to have a closer look at once you’re back on dry land.
Shopping in Stroget
Once back in the port of Nyhavn. Take a walk up the main shopping district of Stroget. Satisfy your inner shopaholic by looking at the Scandi designs, jewellery and clothing in the major department stores of Illum and Magasin du Nord. Make your way to the rooftop of Illum for a coffee and a Danish pastry while taking in panoramic views of the city from their balcony.
Amalienborg Palace
After a spot of retail therapy it is time for some more culture. Changing of the Guard takes place at Amalienborg Palace every day at noon. If you miss this, you can catch a smaller ceremony every 2 hours thereafter. Amalienborg Palace is the home of the Danish Royal Family and its here you can view an exhibition of the Queen's jewellery and hear the history and stories behind the pieces. If this is up your street you can also take a tour of Rosenberg Castle Museum where the crown jewels are kept.
Dinner on the Canal
Finish off your first evening in Copenhagen with dinner on one of the many waterside restaurants and discover the true meaning of ‘Hygge’, the cosy Danish lifestyle, in the candlelight taverns.
Day 2:
Danish Pastries in Jægersborggade
The next morning, experience Copenhagen’s up and coming café culture street, Jægersborggad; a wide cobbled street lined with boutiques, cafes and most importantly, bakeries. Spend a relaxed morning sipping coffee, enjoying Danish pastries and exploring the crafty boutiques
Lunch at Torvehallerne Market
From Jægersborggade, hop on the amazing Copenhagen metro system from Nørrebro to Nørreport to have lunch at Torvehallerne Market.
Torvehallerne Market is an absolute feast for all the senses, not just the taste buds. The smell of fresh fruit and flowers wafts over the market as you take in the sights of handmade chocolates, bread and pasta. You will be spoilt for choice and may end up sampling more than just one dish.
I personally chose an amazing salad with the most delicious fresh ingredients and toppings. If this isn’t for you why not try the Danish delicacy of Smørrebrød? This is a traditional open sandwich usually topped with beef and salmon.
Swim in the canal
If you visit Copenhagen during the summer, there will be numerous ‘Badezones’ or ‘Bathing Zones’ located in the city’s canals. These are the designated swimming zones where locals take a refreshing dip after a long days work.
As I visited in early May there wasn’t as many of these zones open yet but, I managed to find one in the Islands Brygge area.
Even if you don’t want to take a dip, the canal bathing zones have the most relaxed atmosphere and are just a lovely place to chill out. If you are willing to brave the chilly waters, I would highly recommend a short swim.
Tivoli Gardens
Tivoli Gardens first opened its doors in August 1893 and is one of the oldest operating Amusement Parks in the world. Even if wild rides and rollercosters aren’t your thing, Tivoli Gardens is a lovely place to spend a spring evening. Your entrance fee is separate from any tickets for the rides, therefore you can experience the park without any hair-raising antics.
Once we had explored the park we got a hot chocolate from one of the many cafes inside the grounds and watched the world go by. We finished off the weekend with a Danish Hotdog with all the trimmings as we sat on the Nyhavn Canal watching the sun go down. It was a perfect end to our weekend getaway.
How would you spend 48 hours in Copenhagen?
