Copenhagen

Many scenic spots, pastel-colored houses, dozens of people who move by bike on the streets, canals that connect the various districts with many moored boats, a colorful autonomous hippy district … Copenhagen is one of the European cities that has most captured my attention to its particularity and simplicity at the same time.
Copenhagen – in Danish Kobenhavn – was elected the most livable capital of northern Europe and also the most welcoming. I visited this city in November 2018. Small but full of attractions, it is a city that can be visited at any time of the year and that surprises every time.

1. Go from neighborhood to neighborhood on foot or by bike, as the danes do

Copenhagen is a city to walk all around. The neighborhoods are small and can be visited easily without using public transportation or vehicles, in fact the Danes move a lot by bike because the distances are small (and also because the Nordic peoples have a particular attention to the environment, obviously).
To fully immerse yourself in the Danish experience you have to move as they move, so it can be great fun to rent a bike and move around by bike, or walk between the bridges connecting the various canals.

2. Take a boat ride along the canals of the city, admiring the city from the sea

A wonderful experience not to be missed in Copenhagen is to take a ride on the boat that crosses the various canals of the city.
You will have the chance to admire the various colored houses next to each other in the Nyhavn district from the sea. The boat goes up to the open sea, skirting the massive Det Kongelige Bibliotek.

3. Have a drink or a beer under the blanket along the street full of tourists of Nyhavn

The Nyhavn canal was for a long time the haunt of sailors and writers. It is full of restaurants and bars overlooking the canal. During the summer it is not to be missed to take a drink in one of the small bars overlooking the canals while taking the sun, but if you visit the city in autumn or winter, to allow you not to miss the experience of having a drink while admiring the neighborhood around you, you are given one or more blankets to allow you to stay outdoors despite the cold temperature. Tip: take a hot drink!

4. Walk through the trees in autumn colors in Assistens Kirkegard

Assistens Kirkegard is a cemetery where, among other famous people, is also buried mr. Hans Christian Andersen, writer of the novel “Den lille Havfrue” (the Little Mermaid).
It is a really suggestive place because, more than a cemetery, it looks like a park or a garden, with very tall trees that are colored with beautiful red and orange colors in autumn.

5. Climb the Von Flersers Kirke tower, which becomes narrow and narrow with its 200 steps

Vor Flersers Kirke is a 17th century church with a 95 meter high spiral tower.
To admire a breathtaking view of the city, if you are not afraid of heights, go up the 400 steps that lead to the top, the last 150 of which are leaning against the outer wall, becoming narrower and narrower until they literally disappear. Fatigue and sometimes even a little bit of fear will be rewarded by a 360 degree view of the city.

6. Watch people dancing in the middle of the street in Christiania district

Christiania is a community founded in the 70s, when a group of hippies occupied an abandoned naval base on the outskirts of the Danish capital, consisting of abandoned military buildings.
It has become famous in Europe because within it is the free circulation of soft drugs. The use and dealing of heavy drugs is completely banned.
Famous are the craft shops, the central pusher street, and also to see people dancing in the middle of the street to the rhythm of music.
The Danish village is also known for its colorful buildings, for the prohibition of cars to circulate and the lack of law enforcement. 

7. Try the Tivoli park rides in the evening

Tivoli is the second oldest amusement park in the world and has even inspired Walt Disney.
After so many years, Tivoli continues to win visitors over with fairy-tale rides, exotic pavilions, outdoor exhibitions and fireworks. It is more suggestive to visit it in the evening because the magic of rides and lights is greater.
Obviously the park is also themed depending on the time of year: I visited the city in November and so it was all Halloween theme!

8. Eat the typical danish “Smørrebrød” dish

I always like to taste the kitchens and typical dishes of the world, and I must say that Denmark has not disappointed me: I loved their typical dish very much, Smørrebrød. Smørrebrød means “butter and bread” and is a typical preparation of Danish cuisine. It is normally composed of a slice of buttered dark brown rye bread. The seasoning consists of slices of meat, fish, salami, cheese. This is the base that, appropriately decorated with sliced ​​vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, mayonnaise, forms a very tasty open sandwich.

9. Go up at sunset on the Rundetarn tower, to admire the view of the city from there

In Copenhagen there are many panoramic points, but one of the most interesting is to climb the cylindrical Rundetarn tower and watch the sunset over the city.
The tower is red brick, 34.8 meters high and built as an observatory. Go to its top at sunset, the show is guaranteed! 

10. Take a walk to see the “Little Mermaid”, symbol of the city

When you think of Copenhagen, one of the first things that comes to mind is the statue of the “Mermaid”.
The statue depicts the character of one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most famous fairy tales. Although it is not appreciated by everyone, it is still the symbol of the city and a visit to Copenhagen should not miss a walk along the coast until you reach the small statue of the mermaid.

When to go?

Winter

The weather is cold, with an average temperature of January and February just above zero in Copenhagen. The days are very short.

Spring

Is initially cold, and it remains cool again in May. Spring is however the (relatively) less rainy season of the year.

Summer

Summer has pleasant temperatures: the maximum in July and August is around 22 degrees in Copenhagen

Autumn

In autumn the climate is gray and rainy, sometimes windy. In November the amount of sunshine is minimal, like in the middle of winter.

The best time to visit Denmark is summer, from June to August. Temperatures are mild or slightly warm during the day, cool or slightly cold at night; the rains are not lacking, but generally do not last long. June is cooler but slightly less rainy than July and August; moreover, it is the month in which the days are longer (however they are very long throughout the summer).
White nights in Copenhagen occur from around June 4 to July 9. In the first part of September the temperature is still acceptable, and in addition you can admire the forests that take on the splendid autumn colors.
We visited Copenhagen in the first days of November because in Italy is holiday. The weather was quite cold and rainy but there were also sunny days. Surely it is not the best time to visit the city, but despite the weather, which may not be optimal, you can still visit it without problems, and you have the chance to see the city in autumn colors.

three unmissable stops

Best photos spots

I’m a photographer, so I’m always looking for the best corner in the world to make the perfect picture. Often, with great pleasure of my traveling companions, I also spend hours staring at the landscape, waiting for the perfect moment with perfect light. Therefore, when I decided to create my blog, I could not avoid to include a dedicated section to photography enthusiasts like me, always looking for the landscape that leaves you breathless. Hope you will enjoy these places where, in my opinion, you can enjoy wonderful landscapes and take the best pictures.