Copenhagen attractions - wandering the capital of hygge

Panna
2 days ago
4 min read

Copenhagen holds the title of "the happiest city in the world", and for that reason alone I was curious to know what the Danes know, how they manage to feel so good in their own skin despite the long and cold winters and the not-so-favorable climate.

The secret is revealed by hygge , which is a lifestyle and roughly means intimate social gathering, if we want to translate it at all costs. You don't have to think about anything complicated, it's simply that without any kind of pressure to conform and forced roles on themselves, people often come together to spend quality time together. A simple friendly conversation in a not-so-fancy café or pub is hygge, but so is inviting your friends over for dinner or a drink. The point is spontaneity and informality, attention and acceptance of each other, reciprocity and love. It's important that the conversation doesn't turn into an argument, so these occasions are free from politics or other divisive topics, and judgment or complaining are not part of the repertoire. The goal is simply to feel good in an environment where we are accepted and safe.

The Danes are very friendly people, this is where I have had the most help without being asked, when I was browsing the map on the street - apparently a little confused - because the entrance to the landmark I was looking for was not where Google Maps said it was. Passersby stopped, smiled kindly, and asked if they could help. Everyone spoke English, with impeccable pronunciation, and without exception everyone was kind and patient, and the point - I can't highlight enough - is that the help came without being asked, naturally, as if it were self-evident.

I can't deny that the Danish capital had a big impact on me. I love all my trips, I find beauty everywhere, but Copenhagen enchanted me. Not only because it's a beautiful city, but mainly because I felt at home immediately. I would be willing to move here anytime, even from the wonderful Mediterranean Barcelona.

Colorful houses on the streets of Copenhagen

Chestnut vendor cart on the streets of Copenhagen

Copenhagen has great transportation, I didn't experience heavy traffic in a week, many people cycle, but the metro is also a perfect choice because it's not too crowded, clean, and cultured. Drivers aren't nervous if you want to cross the road, and pedestrians don't look frustrated. People radiate poise.

Many people say that Denmark is very expensive. My benchmark is primarily Barcelona, because I live here, and secondarily Budapest, where I'm from, and I haven't experienced particularly high prices compared to either of them. I haven't eaten in very fancy restaurants, but I've tried a lot of places, and they all had prices that were about the same as what I'm used to.

My hotel was a centrally located, basic accommodation, part of the Motel One chain. It met my expectations perfectly, with a great breakfast and wonderful staff. I was within walking distance of all the attractions.

What did I see in Copenhagen? - Copenhagen attractions

What immediately became apparent during the planning phase was that there are quite a few castles in the city. You don't necessarily have to visit all of them, but it's worth checking out these beautiful buildings:

Rosenborg Castle: built in the 17th century, it was the summer residence of the monarch. Its garden is also beautiful and can be visited for free, and inside you can see, among other things, the royal throne guarded by lions. It is worth planning a visit during the changing of the guard, which starts every day at 11:30

Amalienborg Palace: currently the residence of the Danish royal family. The changing of the guard takes place here at around noon, after at Rosenborg Castle.

Christiansborg Palace: the seat of parliament, the prime minister's office and the Supreme Court. Its tower is the tallest in Copenhagen.

Kastellet Fortress, with star-shaped bastions, historic buildings, from the 17th century
Or a little further away: Frederiksborg Castle

More attractions

Tivoli: amusement park, beautiful surroundings, worth spending a few hours here. One of the oldest amusement parks in the world, which also inspired Walt Disney

Andersen statue at Tivoli

City Hall: the city hall building
Rundetarn: round tower, originally an observatory, which you can climb to the top, a great panoramic spot

Stork fountain

Holy Ghost Church
Nyhavn: The part of Copenhagen you've seen in most pictures. Colorful, 17th century houses along a canal, beautiful and very atmospheric. Originally a trading port, it's now the most famous tourist attraction in the city. Andersen lived here too, in house number 20!

Frederik's Church (Frederikskirke): a beautiful green-domed church, construction of which began in the 18th century. The dome offers a wonderful panorama.

The Little Mermaid Statue: An iconic one of Copenhagen attractions, based on Andersen's fairy tale. Many expect it to be bigger, but it's only 125 cm. It's worth combining it with a visit to Kastellet, as it's a bit outside the city center.

Palm House and Botanical Garden behind Rosenborg Castle
St. Alban's Church
Superkilen: a special park, the characteristic of which is that the soil for the hill here was brought from Palestine, symbolizing how important the motherland is to a people. You can also see palm trees here, which were given as a gift from Spain and are wrapped in winter so that they don't freeze in the cold
Church of Our Saviour located near Christiania, well known for its twisted tower, (if you want to go up the tower, from where the panorama is beautiful, you need to buy a ticket in advance, there are usually none on site)