photo courtesy of Pixabay (varsbergsrolands)
Nearly every Thanksgiving, Dave and I go away on a trip. Whether it’s because it’s a school holiday, or the fact that neither of us like turkey too much, or the desire to avoid the Black Friday craze, we get away. Last year it was Iceland, another year Vietnam, and another Rio de Janeiro. It works for us and this year it’s Copenhagen.
We’ve never been to Denmark, so we’re psyched, and we’d love your input in the planning. (note: we don’t have to be busy every minute and we don’t need to go to every tourist site).
This is what we have so far:
Airport and Flight: We’ll be traveling on SAS EWR-CPH in economy (yes, I still fly in coach sometimes). It’s my first time flying on SAS – what should I expect? (Our tickets include a checked bag, though I hope not to check baggage).
We’ll take NJ Transit from Penn Station in NYC to Newark airport.
Airport Lounge: At EWR, we’ll visit a Priority Pass lounge – we’ve been to Art & Lounge a few times (it’s okay for what it is), but I also see that there’s a Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at Terminal B. Has anyone been there?
Hotel: we already have a hotel for the three nights.
Transportation: we intend to purchase 72 hour public transportation passes (City Pass) good for subways and buses in Copenhagen (though I still intend to walk a lot).
Money: Do we need a lot of DKKs or are credit cards pretty much accepted everywhere? I assume there are ATMs at the airport and throughout the city.
Walking tour: we like to take a walking tour when we arrive in a new city. (Our room probably won’t be ready anyway, and we’ll be bleary-eyed from flying overnight, so the best thing to do is jump in and go for a tour). Since we arrive at 7 am, we have reserved an 11am walking tour with Sandeman’s New Europe (we’ve always been happy with Sandeman’s tours, which we’ve taken in Jerusalem, Buenos Aires and Brussels, to name a few).
Meals: Our hotel reservation includes breakfasts. For lunch, we are interested in casual meals. We love food halls and look forward to visiting Torvehallerne and other markets.
Dinners: As for dinners, we usually don’t go for the expensive starred restaurants, and could use some suggestions for wonderful moderately priced local restaurants.
We did make one splurge dinner reservation – at Barr Restaurant – which I’ve heard so much about. However, I’m debating whether to go instead to Host Restaurant, which seems to have more fish and seafood on the menu. And then there’s one by the same owner as Host, Cofoco Restaurant.
Eeks. Analysis Paralysis. I’m getting so confused. Any thoughts?
(There are also a few other restaurants which my friends at The Flight Deal have mentioned to me. In addition to finding great travel deals, they are foodies too!).
I have so many questions.
What restaurants and bars do you recommend? Is wine and alcohol very expensive? (should I pick up a bottle of something duty free at EWR?)
Will the Christmas markets be up in late November, and, if so, which are recommended?
Of course, I will see the traditional sites (and I know not to expect much of the Little Mermaid, but I will have to see her anyway). I love seeing street art and wandering through alternative areas. It seems Copenhagen has so many interesting neighborhoods that I’m confused on where to go. Your guidance and suggestions are appreciated.
Let’s not forget shopping! I love getting lost, whether it’s wandering in the streets, or exploring stores and markets. Everything from supermarkets, to flea markets, to boutique clothing stores.
What else can’t I miss (or must I miss)?
Thanks for all of your help and suggestions!!!!
A New York frequent flyer who elegantly combines her passions for worldwide travel, running a gazillion marathons all over the globe and staying fit ... without sacrificing her fancy for good wine and food.
sas lounge access is also available for a fee. SAS uses plusgrade a bidding system for upgrades if you want to upgrade your seating. You can also upgrade at the airport but that’s more expensive.
Following this since we are going to Copenhagen and Malmo in August as part of our Europe trip (stopover c/o United excursionist)
Have no idea what to expect since it’s also our first time in Denmark and Sweden. Which hotels are you staying in? We booked 1 night at the Best Western near the airport since our flight home leaves at 6am!
We will also be in Copenhagen in December.. I would like to follow this, but how do I follow ?
You won’t need a lot of DKK though you will want some. There are lots of ATMs throughout the old town.
As for dining, Illum has a rooftop dining area (completely enclosed) where there are a number of different restaurants. The lower levels of the building are a department store and the credit card machines for the rooftop restaurants seem to be coded as “general merchandise” as well. I used my CSR to buy dinner for my work group and was disappointed to see I only got 1x. But I contacted Chase and explained and they gave me the additional 2x on those purchases.
Expect it to be quite cold, as I’m sure you’re aware. We were there the first week of August and even then, the restaurants with outdoors dining had heaters turned on.
If you ski, check out the new power plant! (What?) When we took our boat tour the guide explained that all new construction must have a roof that provides some sort of benefit whether that’s solar panels, a rooftop garden or something else. The new power plant has a ski slope called Copenhill. Since there aren’t a lot of ski hill nearby, they built their own! https://www.visitcopenhagen.com/copenhagen/planning/copenhill-gdk1088237
You may have heard the Little Mermaid statue is one of the most overrated tourist attractions. It is small, no doubt, but go in expecting that and it’s fine.
Tivoli Gardens may be closed for the season, I don’t know. I didn’t visit but co-workers who did thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
As I had a business trip there I didn’t have a whole lot of time for sightseeing but it is a beautiful city.
thank you so much for your comments. I heard about the little mermaid – I think it’s the equivalent of the Mona Lisa – but I still want to see it (I love Hans Christian Anderson – but no, I don’t want to go on a Hans Christian Anderson tour!).
took the on-off bus tour and also took a boat tour of CPH. as far as the little mermaid is concerned, you’ll get a much better view (and pics) from land than you will from the boat.
The Little Mermaid is actually best viewed from a boat, so if you do a canal/harbour tour, it will take you right there. And yes, it is a tiny statue…
We visited CPH in May 2015 for 2 nights, and The Little Mermaid statue was the highlight for my wife; it wasn’t too busy, you may have to wait a few minutes to get your picture without anyone else in it,but there are lulls in the tourists, so wait around a little while and you can get some quieter moments too.
Cash? I don’t remember needing much, if any.
Be prepared to walk a LOT and have sore legs. The bus stops are far apart. Lots of walking on cobblestone. Much more than London, Paris, Brussels, Munich, etc. Only in Copenhagen did my legs hurt.
I love to walk (I’ve walked a few marathons). I’m going to bring very comfortable shoes and warm clothing.
I absolutely love Copenhagen and returning in May for the fourth time and have been very fortunate to dine at NOMA. Yes be prepared to do a ton of walking or rent bikes – best way to see the city. There is definitely a choice paralysis especially on the food/drink scene…in no particular order here are some of my favorites. I can’t really speak to the shopping scene haha – trips have always been for the food and wine.
Coffee Collective – various locations
Democratic Coffee – another chill coffee bar
Manfreds – Vegetarian bliss except for their steak tartare which is die for if into that
Warpigs – excellent BBQ/craft beer scene in the meat packaging district
mikkeller – craft beer excellence
Pate Pate – wine bar and gourmet tins galore
John’s Hotdog Deli – Kødbyen
Mirabelle – modern European pastas/vegetables next to Baest
Hija de Sanchez – for taco’s (Noma alum)
Mad & Kaffe – for breakfast/brunch
Torvehallern Market – food stalls and smorrebrod
Ved Stranden 10 – amazing natural wine bar
Den Vandrette – another excellent natural wine bar
Sabotøren – hole in the wall natural wine bar – cozy is an understatement
Restaurant ILUKA – seafood bliss
108 – Noma alum
Ruby – multi room cocktail bar in an old townhouse – amazing drinks
Balderdash – intimate innovative cocktail bar
…plenty more!!!
OMG – thank you so much!I’m getting so excited.
We stayed in the neighbourhood right next to Torvehallerne, and did a nice walk each morning around the “so’s” or lakes right outside our door. If you want they would make a great backdrop for a run as well. There are five, with bridges pretty much evenly spaced so you can set your distance accordingly. You can also sit on the Fredderiksborgadde (pardon my spelling) bridge and either watch the commuter bikes in the a.m. or enjoy a beer and watch the ‘artistes’ in the afternoon.
We loved Warpigs, but the great food experience was Baest followed by beers on the streetside patio at Brus right next door. We walked everywhere and enjoyed it immensely. If you are looking for exotic brews, try 1420 bar on Griffenfeldsgade or Himmeriget bar on Aboulevard. All in a good walk! Can’t wait to go back!
Check out the Copenhagen Card in the airport. Sounds too good to be true but we loved it last year! Flat fee for all the buses, trains and boats you want. So works for all your transport here and there, and also includes boat tours (little mermaid – I totally agree w/ your Mona Lisa analogy). We took the train up to some of the northern castles (Hamlet) that whole excursion is also included on the Copenhagen card. We loved stopping by all the random spires and towers and “quick stop sightseeing” options that are all over town. When it’s included in the card you can stop right by and see it quickly and move on. I know I sound like I am an investor, but I really am not. I just spent TONS of time researching the fine print on this thing before we bought it and it exceeded my expectations! For food/drink – I thought everything was very similarly priced to Atlanta – not dirt cheap but not outrageous at all. We paid just about everything via credit card except small purchases – get a bit of cash at the atm and you’ll be fine.