Like my last post, this is from a trip that happened a while ago. I visited Copenhagen and the surrounding areas over Labor Day weekend in 2022, arriving on Friday, and leaving on Tuesday, my shortest trip overseas to date.
Photos: 1-2: Grounds of Fredriksborg Palace (Hillerod)
3: Kronborg (Helsingor)
4: Canal near Christiansborg Palace
5: Marble Church
6-7: Views from the ramparts of the Kastellet
8-10: Ponds/Lakes found in Copenhagen
11: Rosenborg
12: Reverse of Elephant Tower
13: Nyhavn
14: Panorama from Vor Frelsers Kirke
15: Borsen (Unfortunately burned down in 2024)
16: View of Cathedral and Bishop's Palace (Roskilde)
(I somehow forgor to add this one :'( )
Pros: Copenhagen and Denmark were orderly and calm during my time there. A welcome change of pace to the chaos I had been used to as someone who had been raised in the NY metro area, and had only been to Portugal and China up to that point. People crossed the street when the light was green, the bikers adhered strictly to rules and norms, and drivers did not seem to do their utmost to inconvenience others just so they might save 30 seconds on their commute.
There was ample green space in the city, providing plenty of places where one could sit, relax, and forget that they were sitting within a European capital city. Families could be found in abundance having picnics, going on walks, or simply laying in the grass.
Copenhagen was also extremely clean. It is not particularly something I prioritize when traveling, but I certainly welcomed not being nasally assaulted by aromas which reminded me of eating 15 feet from a pigsty whilst visiting my grandma during my youth.
Cons: The only con I personally saw in Copenhagen was the cost of living. For me, being from New York, it was relatively similar to what I am used to. But I understand that for others, especially those visiting from outside of Europe, where airfare adds considerably to the cost of a trip, paying 40 dollars for a meal at a perfectly standard, not at all upscale restaurant, can be prohibitive.
Highlights: Hot dogs in Nordic countries are marvelous, and sustained me throughout my trip. Unfortunately, I did not take the opportunity to properly sit down and eat in any restaurants, besides a Chinese restaurant near to the main train station, but I take solace in knowing that the glizzies are good enough to live on for 4 days.
Day trips to Roskilde for its historic cathedral, Hillerod for its Fredriksborg Palace, and Helsingor for Kronborg (Hamlet's very own castle), are very highly recommended. The public transit in Sjaelland is very straightforward, and there are actually a good amount of interconnections which make doing multiple trips in a day very feasible.
The areas of Christianshavn, and Fredriksberg were both fairly quiet and relaxed in my experience. Whilst being in walking distance of the city center, where most of the sights were, the vibes of the respective areas were very different, with Christianshavn seemingly being an area where people in their 20's and 30's went to spend an afternoon or meet with friends for drinks or dinner, and Fredriksberg seeming to be a more family friendly neighborhood.
All of these photos were taken on an iPhone 7, please don't be harsh if they are bad