Travel

Travel Inspiration – Copenhagen

     We’re going far away from all my Hong Kong posts in this travel inspiration post – heading all the way home to Europe in fact. Earlier this year, I visited the Danish capital of Copenhagen for a long weekend, and discovered what a wonderful place it is. It felt like a very welcoming, laid-back place, and the cool, overcast February weather didn’t even bother me that much! There’s plenty of sights to see – the Little Mermaid statue may be the most well-known, but it’s far from the only one, or the most spectacular. As with most other European cities, the architecture is stunning – I’ve seen some amazing sights from around the world, but Europe is unbeaten when it comes to beautiful buildings! The colourful houses on the harbour in Nyhavn stand out in my memory, as do the splendid palaces, of which the city boasts three. Aside from the historic sights, Copenhagen is also home to some quirkier places, most notably the freetown of Christiania, full of artists, crafty stalls, and some other forms of, er, recreation. If the rest of the city feels laid-back, Christiania is the epitome of it. It’s also a short train ride up to Helsingor, where Kronborg Castle can be found. Copenhagen also boasts plenty of great places to eat, and some very fun night life, so there’s something there to suit everyone!

Colourful houses of Nyhavn by the harbour, Copenhagen, Denmark

Colourful houses and boats in the harbour at Nyhavn, Copenhagen, Denmark

Colourful houses by the harbour at Nyhavn, Copenhagen, Denmark

Coloured houses and boats in the harbour of Nyhavn, Copenhagen, Denmark
The colourful houses of Nyhavn are a must-see for everyone in the city, it’s so pretty and fun!
Christiansborg Palace by the water in Copenhagen, Denmark

Buildings by the harbour of Copenhagen, Denmark

The Little Mermaid Statue in the harbour of Copenhagen, Denmark

Royal Danish Playhouse theatre in Copenhagen, Denmark

Canal boat tour through Copenhagen, Denmark

Not only does Copenhagen lie on a harbour, it also has a few canals, and a boat trip drifting through them is a pretty good way to see a lot of the city.

Colourful Danish architecture by the water in Copenhagen, Denmark

The Round Tower in Copenhagen, Denmark

View of Copenhagen, Denmark from the top of the Round Tower

Egmont clock on glass walkway in Copenhagen, Denmark

Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen, Denmark

Close up of Rosenborg Castle architecture in Copenhagen, Denmark

Great hall inside Rosenborg Castle, Copenhagen, Denmark

Spiral staircase inside Rosenborg Castle, Copenhagen, Denmark

I mean really, European architecture is stunning! Rosenborg Castle and the Marble Church both lie in the heart of the city, surrounded by even more beautiful buildings.

Marble Church of Copenhagen, Denmark

Roof of the dome inside the Marble Church, Copenhagen, Denmark

Close up of Amalienborg Palace, with guard and lamp post, in Copenhagen, Denmark

Amalienborg Palace, and lamp post, in Copenhagen, Denmark

While most of the city’s architecture is in older, classic styles, there are a few more modern additions, such as the opera house, made more impressive by its situation on the water.

View of Danish Opera House across the harbour from Amalienborg Palace, Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen Opera House, Denmark

Free Danish cookies on the streets of Copenhagen, Denmark
Bread and cakes in a bakery window in Copenhagen, Denmark

I always love little quirky things when I’m travelling, like this box of biscuits, free to anyone passing by. And doesn’t this bakery look simply marvellous?

Christiansborg Palace, Copenhagen, Denmark

Gates of Tivoli Gardens at night, Copenhagen, Denmark
Night lights of Vesterbro, Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen by night is just as fun as by day, with the lights and music of many restaurants, bars, and clubs, open until the wee hours. Some places look more magical by night too.

Brightly lit alleyway covered with tarpaulin sheet, at night in Vesterbro, Copenhagen, Denmark

Twinkling fairy lights outside a cafe in Vesterbro, Copenhagen, Denmark

Colourful mural outside Christiania, Copenhagen, Denmark

Christiania is quirky, eclectic, and just a little weird – it’s entirely different to the rest of Copenhagen, yet somehow fits right in! I loved seeing the bizarre artwork around the area.

Artwork in Christiania, Copenhagen, Denmark

Graffiti mural artwork around Christiania, Copenhagen, Denmark

Archway entrance to Christiania, Copenhagen, Denmark
Silver boy statue at Helsingor, Copenhagen, Denmark

A short train ride up the coast to Helsingor – is this the little mermaid’s prince perhaps? And there are lovely coastal views here, with Sweden in the distance.

Colourful buildings in the grounds of Kronborg Castle, Helsingor, Copenhagen, Denmark

Coastal walk, with trees, beach, and ocean view beside Kronborg Castle, Helsingor, Copenhagen, Denmark

Coastal views and pebble beach beside Kronborg Castle, Helsingor, Copenhagen, Denmark

Kronborg Castle, with Danish flag, Helsingor, Copenhagen, Denmark

Close up of tower architecture in Kronborg Castle, Helsingor, Copenhagen, Denmark

How can one place have so many castles? Aside from the three in Copenhagen itself, Kronborg Castle is just up the coast, another marvellous piece of architecture, and home to the story of Hamlet.

Modern design of a hall inside Kronborg Castle, Helsingor, Copenhagen, Denmark

Kronborg Castle, Helsingor, Copenhagen, Denmark

View approaching Kronborg Castle, Helsingor, Copenhagen, Denmark