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Overview: A guide to traveling to Denmark in Northern Europe during December.

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Destinations

  • Copenhagen, Denmark

Intro

Why traveling to Copenhagen in the middle of winter is worth it

Although it’s very cold, Copenhagen during the holidays is beautiful. There are winter activities, both inside and outside, including ice skating and socializing over board games. There’s a huge hygge culture in the winter with an abundance of heat lamps, blankets to wrap up in, and faux fur draped over seating areas. The city is decorated in red woven hearts and twinkling Christmas lights; it’s truly charming.

More reasons to visit in December

  • Navigating the city with less tourists is a plus

  • Copenhagen is a good base to visit other neighboring countries

  • There are a ton of Christmas markets in Copenhagen and a big one in Berlin

  • Copenhagen has delicious traditional Christmas food at certain establishments

  • The Nyhavn canal is frozen in the early mornings around 4:00-6:00 am and is beautiful because the lights from the city reflect off the ice

    • Great for photos

Important Info

Copenhagen, Denmark

General

  • http://www.visitcopenhagen.com

  • Most residents speak English

  • Currency: DKK, Danish Krone or Kroner (plural)

    • Check Google for the current exchange rate

  • Mixed gender bathrooms are normal

  • J-walking is looked down upon, at least at intersections

  • Talking loudly in public, especially on public transit is looked down upon

  • Watch where you walk, there are a lot of bike lanes that are easy to step into by mistake

US Department of State for Denmark

PASSPORT VALIDITY:

  • Recommend at least 6 months beyond your period of stay

BLANK PASSPORT PAGES:

  • One page per stamp

TOURIST VISA REQUIRED:

  • Not required for stays under 90 days

VACCINATIONS:

  • None

CURRENCY RESTRICTIONS FOR ENTRY:

  • 10,000 Euros (or equivalent)

CURRENCY RESTRICTIONS FOR EXIT:

  • 10,000 Euros (or equivalent)

General Prep

  • Bring cash

  • Alert credit cards and banks of travel

  • Practice DuoLingo phrases (not required)

  • Tipping not expected but rounding to 10% for exceptional service is nice to do

  • Take photos of documents

  • Print out to back up (passport, ID, Covid card), leave copy at home and take one with

Stay Info

⭐ Pro tip: If you want to make friends with people traveling from Australia, staying at a hostel and socializing in common areas increases your odds significantly. I recommend hostels in Europe, not the US.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Flights & Transportation

Copenhagen, Denmark

  • Copenhagen is very walkable

  • Uses officially marked taxis

  • Denmark doesn't have Uber or Lyft

  • Buses are available, cheap and clean

  • Bikes are very popular and common, along with renting bikes

  • 4 metro lines 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Easy way to go all over town

  • How to get around Copenhagen

Budget & Personal Expenses

Copenhagen, Denmark

  • Stays

  • Transportation

  • Food

  • Other

Flights and Transportation

  • Copenhagen is a good base to visit other neighboring countries

  • Taxi: CPH airport to City Center of Copenhagen is $20-$40

  • Bus: Copenhagen bus tickets average around $7 per ride

  • Train: Copenhagen to Malmo is $12/person

  • Train: Berlin to Copenhagen is $

  • EasyJet Flight: Copenhagen to Berlin - about $100 round trip

  • EasyJet Flight: Copenhagen to Berlin with 2 bags - about $215 round trip

    • Small cabin bag: 1 x under seat cabin bag (max. 45 x 36 x 20 cm)

    • Large cabin bag: 1 x large cabin bag (max. 56 x 45 x 25 cm

National Foods

Copenhagen, Denmark

https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/capital-region/copenhagen/restaurants

Foods to try:

  • Pastries, Danishes

  • Hot dogs

  • Smørbrød (open faced sandwich)

  • Fish

  • Pork

  • Danish beer

Recommended Establishments & Activities

Coffee Shops & Breakfast Spots

Museums, Castles & Memorials

Copenhagen, Denmark

  • Buka

  • Kaf Bar

  • Cafe Claude’s Hands (hot egg)

  • Hart Bagery (bakery - owner worked at Noma)

  • The Villa Hotel (pastry and espresso cafe inside)

  • Bastard Cafe (board games, Hygge culture)

  • Landbageriet (focaccia and cinnamon rolls)

  • Le Petit something [find name and insert] (breakfast with skyr)

  • Lagkagehuset Groennin (cafe by castle park)

Copenhagen, Denmark

  • Danish Architecture Centre

  • Castles: Website

  • Christianborg Palace

    • 800+ years of history and today, the palace is home to the Parliament, the Prime Minister's Office, and the Supreme Court

  • Rosenburg Castle

  • Royal Library Gardens

    • Garden haven, small pond, looks like a medieval garden with hedges

  • Other castle and cathedral [find name and insert]

Theaters & Theme Parks

Bars, Beer Gardens & Breweries

Copenhagen, Denmark

  • Cinema [find name and insert]

  • Tivoli Gardens

    • Amusement park dating from 1843

    • Raclette mac and cheese food stand

Copenhagen, Denmark

  • Cucaracha bar

  • Carlsberg Brewery Tours

  • That one bar with graffiti after Kebabistan [find and insert]

Grocery & Retail Shops

Food Halls & Markets

Copenhagen, Denmark

  • Stroget Shopping Mile

    • 5 minutes from Christiansborg

    • Shopping area with boutiques, cafés, and restaurants

  • Fotex Foods

  • Netto

  • Botanical garden shop [find name and insert]

  • Pharmacy Apotek

Copenhagen, Denmark

  • TorvehallerneKBH

    • Fresh food market

    • Website

      • Coffee Collective

      • Roert KBH (smorrebrod)

      • El Mercado (tapas)

      • Ma Poule (ham shop)

      • Tante T (tea)

      • Omegn & Venner (cheese shop)

  • Christmas Market by NyHaven

  • Christmas Markets

    • Gluhwein

    • Hot Toddies

    • Currywurst

Notable Neighborhoods

Notable Eats

Copenhagen, Denmark

  • Nyhavn Harbor

    • Nautical vibe, colorful shore-side with tall ships docked along the quays

  • Neighborhood with orange houses [find name and insert]

  • Freetown Christiana

    • An intentional community and commune in the Christianshavn neighborhood

      • Functioning alternative society

      • No photos

      • Don’t interact with dogs due to recent tension there

      • Cars are banned, bicycles are the main mode of transport, and horses roam free

      • Pusher street is a little weird and the locals aren’t supporting it due to recent gang violence - can be avoided

      • Christmas Market (and maybe regular market?) is before pusher street and an exit exists next to the market

Copenhagen, Denmark

  • Killer Kebab

  • Thai Takeaway

  • Kebanistan

  • Delicatessen

  • Dandelion Burger

  • Hidden Dim Sum

  • Studio X Kitchen (must get folded eggs)

  • Mum’s Deli

  • La Tre Street (Pho)

  • Aamanns 1921 (amazing new Nordic food $$$)

  • Kaffe Konceptor (alcoholic coffees)

  • Traditional Smorrebrod place? [find name and insert]

Tours & Other Activities

Hot Springs & Bath Houses

Copenhagen, Denmark

  • Canal Tour

  • Ice skating area [find name and insert]

  • Superkilen

    • City block painted red and pink, public park in the Nørrebro district of Copenhagen, Denmark

  • Cisterne

    • Underground art

  • The Round Tower

    • Astronomy tower from 17th century

      • $6 per person

Copenhagen, Denmark

  • The Ancient Baths

    • Ancient bath house

Itinerary Template

DOWNLOAD ITINERARY

Download and print the Denmark itinerary template ✨

⭐ Need to know

  • Copenhagen is a good base to visit other neighboring countries

  • You will need a flight to and from Copenhagen over the course of 10 days

⭐ Summary

  • Leave home airport to layover location

  • Layover location to Copenhagen

  • Chill in Copenhagen for roughly 8 days

  • Depart from Copenhagen to layover location

  • Depart layover location to home airport

Copenhagen, Denmark

Day 1 (Monday)

Group leaves home airport

Day 2 (Tuesday)

Group arrives in Copenhagen (hopefully morning or midday)

  • Chill in Copenhagen

    • Explore or chill out

    • Try new delicious food

Day 3 (Wednesday)

Chill in Copenhagen

  • Explore or do activity

  • Try new delicious food

Day 4 (Thursday)

Chill in Copenhagen

  • Explore or do activity

  • Try new delicious food

Day 5 (Friday)

Chill in Copenhagen

  • Explore or do activity

  • Try new delicious food

Day 6 (Saturday)

Chill in Copenhagen

  • Explore or do activity

  • Try new delicious food

Day 7 (Sunday)

Chill in Copenhagen

  • Explore or do activity

  • Try new delicious food

Day 8 (Monday)

Chill in Copenhagen

  • Explore or do activity

  • Try new delicious food

Day 9 (Tuesday)

Depart to the layover location (hopefully in the evening)

  • Before departing:

    • Chill in Copenhagen

      • Try more food

      • Wrap up exploring

Day 10 (Wednesday)

Fly to home airport from wherever the layover is

One Bag Packing List Example

Pack

  • Thin scarf thing

  • Merino wool gloves

  • Thin merino wool hat

  • Sweater blue cashmere

  • Thermal shirts (3)

  • Yoga pants (3)

  • Wool skirt

  • Technical fleece

  • Merino wool socks

  • Long down puffer

  • Thermal leggings for skirt

  • Loungewear items

  • Socks, panties, bras

  • Berlin clubbing outfit

    • Shiny black leggings

    • Lace black top

    • Light crop black hoodie

  • Second pair of shoes

  • Socks, panties, bras

  • Waterproof boots

  • Bag/purse thing

  • Headphones

  • Ear plugs

  • Swimsuit

  • Phone

  • Wallet

  • Pen

Wearing to Airport

  • Adidas

  • Long black water resistant down coat (maybe)

  • Yoga pants

  • Thermal shirt

Toiletries

  • Tylenol

  • Medications

  • Toothpaste

  • Toothbrush

  • Deodorant

  • Conditioner

  • Shampoo

  • Body wash

  • Flossers/floss

  • Razor

  • Brush

  • Tampons

  • SPF chapstick

Makeup & Skincare

  • Foundation

  • Sponge with holder

  • Mascara

  • Eye shadow crayon

  • Day cream

  • Night cream

  • Face wash or scrub

  • Sunscreen

  • No labels