Day 2: Copenhagen

Tips:

• Bare in mind that most of the shops along Strøget are closed on Sundays.
• If visiting between late June – August there are free daily guided tours of Christiania at 3pm, commencing outside Christiania’s main entrance on Prinsessegade.
• Whilst taking photos around Christiania is generally fine, be warned that there are a code of “do’s” and “don’ts’ ” that need to be respected by visitors.
• The changing of the guard takes place in the courtyard of Amalienborg Slot, every day at noon – the guards commence their march from the barracks around 11.30am.

48 Hours in Copenhagen: Day 2

Christiania

After breakfast catch the Metro to Christianiashavn to explore Copenhagen’s most hippie neighbourhood, Freetown Christiania. Since its establishment by squatters in 1971, it’s become a colourful, green and car-free neighbourhood and is a unique place to visit.

Christiana has existed under special conditions for over 40 years – today it’s a mix of homemade houses, workshops, art galleries, music venues and organic eateries. You cannot buy a house here, you have to apply for, and if successful, it is given to you.

The area is open to the public,  it’s advised not to snap or film in Christiania. At the entrance you will find signs indicating the “do’s” and “don’ts'” for the green light district.

Lagkagehuset

Address: Torvegade 45, 1400 København K, Denmark

A visit to Denmark wouldn’t be complete without feasting on a Danish pastry, so after exploring Christiania head to this bakery cafe to enjoy a mid-morning pastry and coffee.

All of the pastries look delicious and are baked fresh to perfection…

Church of Our Saviour:

Address: Skt. Annæ Gade 29, 1416 København K

The Church of Our Saviour is a baroque church and one of Denmark’s most famous attractions, it’s only a minutes walk from the main entrance to Christiania. It’s famous for it’s beautiful spiral staircase that winds anti-clockwise around the outside.

Built in 1696, it’s been the district of Christianshavn’s parish for over 300 years. It’s a worthwhile experience to climb up the 400 steps to the top for a stunning 360 degree panoramic view of Copenhagen and beyond – be warned the last 150 steps are outside and you have to walk one at a time to wrap around the steep spiralling staircase.

Visiting the Church of our Saviour really is an absolute must do whilst visiting the city, the views from the top are undoubtedly some of the best across Copenhagen.

The Frederik’s “Marble” Church:

Address: Frederiksgade 4, 1265 København K

Frederik’s Church, nicknamed the “Marble Church”, sits just next to the Amalienborg Palace in central Copenhagen. In my opinion the inspiring grandiose dome is one of the most prettiest architectural designs in the whole of the city.

Its original architect died in 1754, before finishing the design and for 100 years the work had to be stalled due to a lack of funds from King Frederik’s V son, after he also died.

The interior of the church is just as magnificent to see, with a dome measuring more than 30m in diameter and inspired by Rome’s St Peter’s Cathedral.

In fact, this church dome is the largest in Northern Europe, resting on 12 columns.

Today, it seeks to be a modern city church, it is open everyday for visitors and is a popular place for weddings – so if you’re lucky you might hear its wedding belles chime.

There is a spectacular view for the top of the dome, which can be visited between 1-3pm during the summer months every day and on weekends during the rest of the year.

Opening hours: Monday-Thursday, Saturday – 10.00am – 5.00pm

Friday, Sunday – 12.00 – 5.00pm

Amalienborg Palace:

Address: Amalienborg Slotsplads 5, 1257 København K, Denmark

If you can time your day right, a must see is the beautiful changing of the guard ceremony at Amalienborg Palace, which takes place every day at 12 o’clock.

The soldiers march from their barracks in 110 Gothersgade by Rosenberg Castle through the streets of Copenhagen, to arrive at Amalienborg.

This palace was built in the mid 1700s for the Danish Royal Family, and the current royal family still resides inside the palace during their winter residency.

Amalienborg is made up of four identical buildings (palaces), cornering off a square with a centrepiece statute of King Frederick V. Here you can visit Amalienborg Museum, to step inside the private interiors of the most recent Kings and Queens. On Saturdays you can go inside the royal reception rooms, which are still used by the royal family today.

Lunch: Nyhavn:

A moments walk from Amalienborg Palace and you’ll reach the Nyhavn, which is a good base for lunch. There are lots of good eateries to enjoy a famous open sandwich.

Møller Snaps & Smørrebrød is located in a cellar at Tolbodgrade 5 and offer reasonably priced open-faced sandwiches and seafood platters. Try a classic Danish smørrebrød a modern twist, as the menu offers 10 different open sandwiches, priced at 100 kroner.

If you’re lucky enough and it’s not too busy, try to bag a table outside.

Rosenborg Slot

Address: Øster Voldgade 4A, 1350 København K

From the picturesque Nyhavn, take a 20 minute stroll to walk off your lunch and explore the Rosenberg Slot, home to the crown jewels, this moated and turreted castle was built by one of the most famous Scandinavian Kings, Christian IV, in the early 17th century.

It’s a magnificent Renaissance palace set in a large park. Visiting the palace can be divided into two visits: the castle and the treasury.  The treasury in the basement of Rosenberg Castle is definitely worth a visit to see the many displays of the crown jewels.

Here, you’ll be able to admire Christian IV’s crown, which was designed especially for his coronation. Other show-stoppers include include a jewel studded sword.

Opening hours: April – June: 10.00am – 4.00pm

June – September: 9.00am – 6.00pm

September – Oct: 10am – 4.00pm

(hours differ during the rest of the year – so best to check.)

Round Tower:

Address: Købmagergade 52A, 1150 København K

The beauty of this city is that no where is too far to travel on foot, so just a short 10 min walk from Rosenberg Slot and you’ll arrive at the iconic Rundetaarn “Round Tower.”

Priced at DKK 25 to enter, it’s worth a visit inside to experience the spiral frenzy of the stairway that leads you up to the top of the antique tower.

Inside it has a spiral slope instead of stairs, which was originally designed for horses to ride up. To reach the top, you have to walk up the spiral slope which is 209 meters long.

At the time is was built, Copenhagen was quite famous for its astronomical achievements, so the King wished to build a tower for astronomers to work from.

Today, it’s the oldest functioning observatory in Europe, offering panoramic views of the city, the observatory is open for anyone who wishes to marvel at the wonders of the sky.

Opening hours: can be found here.