‘Come on over to my place’ is our regular slot where travel bloggers, who have made a permanent home outside of the UK, show you round the land in which they live. Today, Emma, travel blogger and expat, who blogs at A Bavarian Sojourn is giving you the low down on Copenhagen.
Spring
When Spring finally arrives in Copenhagen, there’s no mistaking winter’s on its way out. Cafes set up chairs and tables outside for Vitamin D deprived Scandinavians, who sit with heads tilted sunwards soaking up the rays.
April is when Tivoli reopens its doors after a long winter sleep, and it’s one place to put on your must visit list. Walt Disney apparently took his inspiration from this regal amusement park, and it’s an institution to many a true Copenhagener. Don’t miss the oldest wooden Roller Coaster in Europe (each train has a brakeman – imagine that job!) and The Flying Chest (Den Flyvende Kuffert) which takes you through a myriad of Hans Christian Andersen stories (try not to cry at The Little Match Girl!)…
Many other Copenhagen parks and gardens reopen at this time of year, the Botanical Gardens is worth a visit, as is Bakken (which claims to be the oldest amusement park in the world – less picturesque than Tivoli, but kids love it. It’s out of town, but easy to get to via train or bike if you’re feeling energetic). Also definitely worth a trip – the wonderful Frilaands Museet in Lyngby.
Summer
Summer is a special time of year in Denmark. In Copenhagen you can make like a local and sit with a beer on the walls of Nyhavn, or enjoy your tourist status with a boat trip out to say hello to the Little Mermaid. If you are here for Midsummer, that’s a real treat. Keep your eyes peeled for signs for Sankt Hans get togethers where huge fires are lit as the sun goes down, sending midsummer witches off to the Bloksburg Mountains…
As you are in the city of bikes, what better time of year to brave two wheels? Head to Bike Mike Tours for an introduction to the rules of the road (and an excellent city tour at the same time), then try Copenhagen’s floedeboller (they don’t eat many oysters in this part of the world. I think you might like floedebollers more anyway)…
Head to the many beaches outside the city. My favourites are those near Rungsted where we would head after school most summer days. Just over the road from Rungsted is Karen Blixen’s house which is well worth a visit – even if you aren’t that familiar with her writing, most of us have heard of Out of Africa!
Just further up the road from here is Louisiana, which is my favourite art gallery in the entire world. Make sure you explore the sculpture garden with its glorious cliff top views (and see if you can find the secret slide!)…
Autumn
Copenhagen’s Autumn colours are truly spectacular, and if the weather’s not brilliant (as it’s often not at this time of year) then Copenhagen boasts some fantastic museums. Our favourites were the Glyptoteket (founded by the Carlsberg family) with its ornate winter garden and The Post Museum. Close to this is the RundeTurn, an ancient city tower with spectacular views from the top (do watch for small people getting heads stuck through railings. Yes, this happened to us!) The National Museum is great for all things Viking if that floats your boat.
After closing at the end of summer, Tivoli also reopens for a short time in October – covered in thousands of pumpkins – a real Halloween spectacle.
Winter
Winter doesn’t stop Scandinavians doing anything (I am sure some use Gløgg as a form of central heating anyway), but if temperatures are too low for your liking, then it’s a great time to visit the Experimentarium, a wonderful science Museum.
If you catch Copenhagen in a really harsh winter, then head to a lake for some ice-skating. Once the ice reaches a certain thickness, the police certify it safe to skate. Tamer ice- rinks can be found in the city, usually close to the small Christmas Markets of Nyhavn and the like (make sure you try some aebleskiver!)
What better time of year to explore some of the city’s fine eateries? Warm up in Torvehallerne, Copenhagen’s fantastic indoor food market, or try some authentic Smorrebrød at Restaurant Schønneman (you must book!). Incidentally if you happen to visit in February in time for carnival (Fasching) then do head to a wienerbrød shop to try the amazing seasonal Fastelavnboller (below). Denmark is not a city to diet in.
Enjoy! Like it claims to be, Copenhagen really is wonderful! And again, having lived there for over two years if I can help with any other tips, do give me a shout!
Emma is a seasoned traveller and blogger and has a passion for art, wine, photography and gardening. Check out her blog at A Bavarian Sojourn.
