How to spend two weeks in Denmark

Start your trip from Copenhagen, Denmark’s capital and one of the country’s most beautiful cities. Copenhagen airport is only 20 minutes away to Nørreport station by metro. The ticket costs 36DKK (5,6 US$) and it runs 24 hours, seven days a week. That means that even if you arrive after midnight, it won’t take long to get to your hotel and if the mood strikes you, you can get the first taste of the city right away.

If you arrive in Copenhagen in the morning or afternoon start your exploration from Nørreport station. For an energy boost, stop at Coffee Industry Sweden at Fiolstraede next to the station. Walk down Frederiksborggade, the pedestrianised street that passes by the Round Tower (Rundetårn) and leads to Strøget, the city’s main shopping street and the canals that are opposite the historic buildings Børsen, Thorvaldsen’s Museum and Christiansborg Castle. In the hot summer days, you’ll see many locals hanging out at the wooden platforms by the canals or enjoying a Mexican meal at Condesa or a glass of wine at Admiralgade 26.

Culture enthusiasts who can’t wait to get a glimpse of Danish art should head to The National Museum of Denmark which is around 10 minutes’ walk from the canals. If you prefer to see more of Copenhagen’s colourful streets, Kongens Nytorv and Nyhavn are just around the corner. At the end of the harbour you’ll find the Inner Harbour Bridge (Inderhavnsbro) which leads pedestrians and cyclists to Copenhagen Street Food market, where you can satisfy your appetite at one of the 38 food stalls. Freetown Christiania is 15 minutes’ walk from there so you can explore the infamous hippie district as well.

Børsen, Copenhagen, Denmark, +45 33 74 60 00

Thorvaldsens Museum, Bertel Thorvaldsens Plads 2, Copenhagen, Denmark, +45 33 32 15 32
Condesa, Ved Stranden 18, Copenhagen, Denmark, +45 31 19 66 01
Admiralgade 26, Admiralgade, Copenhagen, Denmark, +45 33 33 79 73

National Museum of Denmark, Ny Vestergade 10, Copenhagen, Denmark, +45 33 13 44 11

National Gallery, Rosenborg Castle with the King’s Garden (Kongens Have), The Botanical Garden and the Workers’ Museum are just a stone’s throw away from Nørreport station and right next to each other. So, you can easily visit all of them at once before heading towards Kastellet fortress and the Little Mermaid, which are around 2km away. Once you get there, take a walk in the star-shaped fortress and across Langelinie Promenade. Even though you may be disappointed by Copenhagen’s most popular statue, the scenic surroundings create a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere. Those interested in Scandinavian design will find the Designmuseum just 15 minutes’ walk from the Little Mermaid. Taste the city’s best burger at Gasoline Grill or head back to the heart of the city centre.

SMK – Statens Museum for Kunst, Sølvgade 48-50, Copenhagen, Denmark, +45 33 74 84 94

Rosenborg Castle, Øster Voldgade 4A, Copenhagen, Denmark, +45 33 15 32 86

Botanical Garden, Farimagsgade 2C, Copenhagen, Denmark, +45 35 32 22 22

Workers Museum, Rømersgade 22, Copenhagen, Denmark, +45 33 93 25 75

Kastellet, Gl.Hovedvagt,Copenhagen, Denmark, +45 72 81 11 41

Designmuseum Denmark, Bredgade 68, Copenhagen, Denmark, +45 33 18 56 56

Explore Nørrebro, Copenhagen’s multicultural district. Stroll along Ravnsborggade and window-shop at the vintage and secondhand stores, see the public square Sankt Hans Torv and stop for a coffee at Café Plenum. Stroll around Assistens Cemetery and visit Hans Christian Andersen’s and Søren Kierkegaard’s home. Even though it may sound odd, Assistens Cemetary is one of locals’ favourite hangouts and on sunny days, you’ll see people picnicking next to the graves of famous Danish figures.

Your next destination is Jægersborggade, one of Copenhagen’s most trendy neighborhoods and hipsters’ hangout. There you’ll find many organic cafés and restaurants, galleries and hair salons. You can get there either by crossing the cemetery or following Nørrebrogade, the area’s main street.

A stop at Superkilen is a must. Nørrebro’s park is decorated with items that are collected from 60 countries all over the world in order to support diversity. If you feel like having a cold beer, Esrom Kroen, the city’s new hip hangout is just a stone’s throw away from the urban park. If the weather is nice and you feel like having a drink outdoors, head towards Blågårdsgade. The pedestrianised street with the cosy cafés and bars is usually packed with fashionable Copenhageners, or take a walk around The Lakes and lay back with a drink on the bridge Dronning Louises Bro; one of the city’s most beautiful spots.

Tip: In spring and summer a flea market takes place along the cemetery and on selected dates at Ravnsborggade.

Café Plenum, Sankt Hans Torv 3, Copenhagen, Denmark, +45 35 37 02 77

Esrom Kroen, Esromgade 4B, Copenhagen, Denmark, +45 20 61 56 39

Start your day from Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek and discover 6,000 years of history; from Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome to Danish and French art of the 19th century. On the other side of the street stands Tivoli Gardens, the city’s impressive amusement park. Even if you’re not in the mood to take a 4G ride, a walk through the tranquil gardens is definitely worth your time.

In just 15 minutes’ walk from Tivoli Gardens you’ll find Meatpacking District; the cool neighbourhood thats brims with galleries, cafés and restaurants. It’s located in Vesterbro, the area with the tattoo studios, second-hand shops, organic cafés and smoky bodegas. Stroll around Istedgade, the street that used to be Copenhagen’s sketchy street but, after being gentrified, has become the hipsters’ favourite hangout. Finally, a walk along Sønder Boulevard is a great way to end your evening. Finish your night off with a nightcap at Fermentoren or Café Dyrehaven.

Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Dantes Plads 7, Copenhagen, Denmark, +45 33 41 81 41

Tivoli Gardens, Vesterbrogade 3, Copenhagen, Denmark, +45 33 15 10 01

Fermentoren, Halmtorvet 29C, Copenhagen, Denmark, +45 23 98 86 77

Café Dyrehaven, Sønder Boulevard 72, Copenhagen, Denmark, +45 33 21 60 24

Copenhagen is a small city and you can see most its attractions in four days so today, you could take a one-day trip and visit Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Humlebæk. It is approximately 1 hour by train from the city centre but the museum’s location and great art collection are two good reasons to leave the city behind you for a while. Plus, Kronborg, the castle that inspired Shakespeare to write Hamlet and the Maritime Museum of Denmark are only 30 minutes by train.

Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Gl Strandvej 13, Humlebæk, Denmark, +45 49 19 07 19

Kronborg Castle, Kronborg 2C, Helsingør, Denmark, +45 49 21 30 78

M/S Maritime Museum of Denmark, Ny Kronborgvej 1, Helsingør, Denmark, +45 49 21 06 85

Discover the world’s oldest amusement park, Bakken and Jægersborg Dyrehave, an UNESCO World Heritage Site, just 30 minutes on the train from Copenhagen’s centre. Bakken is open from 30 March until the beginning of September, but even if you aren’t visiting Copenhagen during these months, a walk through the forest park inhabited by around 2,000 deer, is a unique experience.

Bakken, Dyrehavevej 62, Klampenborg, Denmark, +45 39 63 35 44

Jægersborg Dyrehave, Klampenborg, Denmark, +45 39 97 39 00

Take the train or a shared-ride with GoMore and head towards Odense, Hans Christian Andersen’s birth town. The picturesque city is located approximately 90 minutes west of Copenhagen, and its small size makes it the ideal destination for a two-day trip. There, you can visit the fairytale writer’s house, walk in the pretty pedestrianised alleyways, taste Scandinavian delicacies at Under Lindetræet and savour a drink at Amy’s bar.

An hour’s drive from Odense, in South Fynen stands the awe-inspiring Egeskov castle. Nestled in the middle of a lake and surrounded by beautiful gardens, the 16th-century castle is as impressive inside as its exterior. So, make sure to dedicate your second day to exploring everything it has to offer.

H. C. Anderson House, Bangs Boder 29, Odense, Denmark, +45 65 51 46 01

Restaurant Under the linden tree, Ramsherred 2, Odense, Denmar, +45 66 12 92 86
Amy’s Bar & Winehouse, Jernbanegade 12, Odense, Denmark, +45 31 37 26 97

Egeskov Castle, Egeskov Gade 18, Kværndrup, Denmark, +45 62 27 10 16

A 90-minute journey from Odense you’ll find Billund, the city of Legoland Billund Resort. If you’re travelling with kids or you just have a thing for Lego, you should definitely make a day of it here. The huge amusement park with thousands of colourful bricks offers more than 50 rides for children and adults. For convenience, why not spend a night at Legoland’s four-star hotel or the holiday village?

Legoland Billund Resort, Nordmarksvej 9, Billund, Denmark, +45 75 33 13 33

Spend the last three days of your trip in Denmark’s second-largest city and European Capital of Culture in 2017, Aarhus. The city brims with galleries and elegant restaurants and cafés. Culture connoisseurs should visit ARoS Aarhus Art museum, Kunsthal Aarhus and The Old Town museum. Architecture enthusiasts should check-out the DOKK1, the Concert Hall, the extraordinary apartment building Iceberg at Aarhus upcoming area Aarhus Ø.

Stroll around the Latin quarter and enjoy a high-quality coffee at Great Coffee and a glass of wine at Vindanmark in the city centre and you can discover the city’s hipster hangouts.

ARoS Aarhus Art Museum, Aros Allé 2, Aarhus, Denmark, +45 87 30 66 00

Kunsthal Aarhus, J. M. Mørks Gade 13, Aarhus, Denmark, +45 86 20 60 50

The Old Town, Viborgvej 2, Aarhus, Denmark, +45 86 12 31 88

Dokk1, Hack Kampmanns Plads 2, Aarhus, Denmark, +45 89 40 92 00

Musikhuset Aarhus, Thomas Jensens Allé 2, Aarhus C, Denmark, +45 89 40 40 40

Great Coffee, Klostergade 32, Aarhus, Denmark, +45 28 49 83 23

VinDanmark, Kystpromenaden 2, Aarhus, Denmark, +45 86 25 75 15