Day 1

Start the day with a free walking tour to get an idea of the important places and the history of the city.

A bustling historic urban setting features numerous brick and white buildings with ornate architectural details, such as Corinthian columns and intricate moldings
Copenhagen Marble Church

Then, we decided to check out the Gefion Fountain

A fountain with intricate sculptures depicting figures and animals, surrounded by flowing water, in a public square setting.

and one of the most disappointing tourist attractions, The Little Mermaid.

Bronze statue of The Little Mermaid sits on a rock by the waterfront, representing a famous tourist landmark in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Afterward, we checked out the National Museum

A reconstructed ship displayed in the National Museum of Denmark serves as a historical exhibit, showcasing maritime heritage with detailed woodwork and craftsmanship.

Day 2

We started with an early morning swim at a public swimming pool next to the lake. You can often spot Jellyfishes in these swimming pools. A local said that only the pink Jellyfish sting and the white ones don’t.

Then we headed to the world-famous Design Museum of Denmark .

A paper chair is displayed in the Design Museum of Denmark.

Afterward, we checked out the hippie enclave of Christiania.

A corkscrew spire atop a church tower, set against a blue sky backdrop in Copenhagen.
A church with a distinct corkscrew spire in Copenhagen

We took the Christianborg Tower (inside the palace) to get a view of the city. The access is free, but expect a wait time of 15-30 mins in a queue.

View of Copenhagen cityscape seen from Christianborg, providing a panoramic urban landscape. Access is free with an expected wait time of 15-30 minutes.

From here, we headed to the subterranean art in Cistern. It is a unique experience but over-priced at 115 DKK, I would not recommend it.

An artistic installation in a cistern setting is described as unique but overpriced at 115 DKK.

Newhaven (Nyhaven) is a good area to have dinner or even take a stroll at night.

A scenic view of Newhaven in Copenhagen, showcasing colorful buildings along a canal, ideal for dining and evening strolls. Public transport information suggests a day pass option.

Note:

  1. Public transport is great. Get a day pass (80 DKK) and that will cover different train systems as well as the expansive & frequent bus lines.
  2. The metro ticket from the airport to the city is ~5 USD.
  3. Copenhagen central station has lockers available for 70 DKK for 24-hour storage. The location is a bit harder to find, as one has to go to the central building first and then ask around for the luggage storage location.
  4. Credits cards are widely accepted, so, there is no need to carry local currency, the Danish Krone.
  5. Hotels, and even hostels, are expensive by the standards of Western Europe.
  6. Unlike most of Europe, public toilets are free.
  7. We skipped Tivoli Gardens, the third-oldest operating amusement park in the world. We skipped Dyrehavsbakken, the oldest operating amusement park in the world as well. Tivoli Gardens was the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Disneyland.
  8. The local word for “Hello” is “Hej” (pronounced “hi”), “Bye” is “Hej Hej” (pronounced “hi hi”), and “Thanks” is “Tak”.