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Copenhagen on a budget

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Copenhagen has long had a reputation as one of the world’s most expensive cities, where lodging, restaurants and bar drinks can seem to cost a small fortune. A trip to the Danish capital need not empty your bank account however – with a little forethought you can avoid the costly tourist traps and still have a pleasant holiday. We recommend you stay at Danhostel Copenhagen City, a 4-star hostel with style.

Author: Jennifer

Day 1 - Copenhagen

Rent a city bike from one of the 110 city bike racks found all around the downtown area; there’s one right next to the hostel. Just put a 20 kroner piece into the bike’s lock to release it; this is a deposit which you will get back when you return the bike – just like a shopping cart. The principal rule for using these free city bikes is not to take it out of the city center. This tour stays well within the boundaries, with a leisurely cycle ride over the harbor on the Langebro Bridge followed by an immediate left to take you through Christianshavn and onto Prinsessegade, where the entrance to the free city of Christiania should present itself; look out for the brightly painted signs on your right. If you find a cycle rack, leave your bike and enjoy the walk – you can always get it back again on your return. All that cycling should have made you hungry, so recharge the batteries at Morgenstedet, a vegetarian café inside Christiania. On the way back, stop by Vor Frelsers Kirke on Sankt Annægade – you can’t miss this church, it’s the one with the spiraling gold tower and the dome on top. Walking the 400 steps to the top will cost just 25kr, and offers a tremendous view. This time, take the Torvegade bridge over the harbor for a tour of Slotsholmen. Don’t miss the contrasting architecture of the old stock exchange building (Børsen) with the modern Black Diamond (Diamanten). If you get tired, rest a while in the gardens of the Royal Library, or browse the excellent English book section of the Diamanten bookshop. Finish the day with a Thai curry or noodle dish from trendy grill bar Wokshop Cantina, not far from Kongens Nytorv.

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Danhostel Copenhagen City

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H.C Andersens Boulevard 50
1553 Copenhagen, DK

Phone:

45 3311 8585

Christianshavn

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Christianshavn
1410 Copenhagen, Denmark

Christiania

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Christiania
1407 Copenhagen, Denmark

Phone:

+45 7022 2442 (Tourist Information)

Morgenstedet

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Bådmandsstræde 43
1407 Copenhagen, Denmark

Phone:

N/A

Vor Frelsers Kirke

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Skt. Annægade 29
1416 Copenhagen, Denmark

Phone:

+45 3257 2798

Bellevue Strand

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Strandvejen 338
2930 Copenhagen, Denmark

Phone:

+45 7022 2442 (Tourist Information)

Børsen

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Christiansborg Slotsplads
1218 Copenhagen, Denmark

The Royal Library Gardens

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Søren Kierkegaards Plads 1
1218 Copenhagen, Denmark

Kongens Nytorv

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Kongens Nytorv
1050 Copenhagen, Denmark

Wokshop Cantina

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Ny Adelgade 6
1104 Copenhagen, Denmark

Phone:

45 3391 6121

Day 2 - Copenhagen

Travel from Nørreport Station on the orange C-line of the S-train up to Klampenborg Station, from where you can opt to stroll leisurely into the woods of Dyrehaven, a former royal hunting grounds now completely open to the public, into Bakken funfair – a cheaper alternative to the city center’s Tivoli Gardens, with free entry (though you still pay for the rides). Europe’s oldest amusement park, the giddy cries of Bakken’s many visitors carry over the trees, but don’t seem to disturb the wildlife any. Alternatively, head westwards over to Bellevue Strand, generally seen as Copenhagen’s best beach – look out for the Arne Jacobsen-designed changing booths along the beachfront. You could even take in both – we recommend the beach first, as Bakken doesn’t open until midday. Finally, head back to Klampenborg Station to take the S-train back to the city – this time as far as Vesterport Station, from where it’s only a short walk to Jensens Bøfhus – a centrally located steakhouse that is still within your budget.

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Dyrehaven & Bakken

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Dyrehavevej 62
Klampenborg
2930 Copenhagen, Denmark

Phone:

+45 3963 3544

Jensen's Bøfhus

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Gråbrødretorv 15
1154 Copenhagen, Denmark

Phone:

+45 3332 7800

Day 3 - Copenhagen

Spend the morning window shopping around the Latin Quarter, an area of winding streets north of the walking street Strøget named because the original buildings of Copenhagen University can be found in the quarter. Most of the university is now located south of the city in Amager, but the student atmosphere remains in the area’s cafes, bars and shops. The French crepes at La Galette on Larsbjørnstræde are both cheap and authentic – but for the full French experience, just cross the road to L’Education Nationale for one of the lowest-priced lunches in the city. After eating, walk through Kongens Have gardens up to Sølvgade, to check out the country’s paintings in national gallery Statens Museum for Kunst, which is free except for the special exhibitions there. Finally, cross the lakes at Fredensbro bridge for a spot of antiquing in Ravnsborggade – far cheaper than the design shops on the walking street, you might just find some bargains, and the lakes are a great place to walk around. Back in the Latin Quarter not far from Nørreport Station (about ten minutes walk from the Peblinge Sø bridge) is Bibi’s Diner, serving reasonably-priced Lebanese food and a good choice for an evening meal.

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La Galette

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Larsbjørnstræde 9, Baghuset
Baghuset
1454 Copenhagen, Denmark

Phone:

+45 3332 3790

L'Education Nationale

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Larsbjørnstræde 12
1454 Copenhagen, Denmark

Phone:

+45 3391 5360

Østre Anlæg

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Stockholmsgade 24
2100 Copenhagen, Denmark

Statens Museum for Kunst

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Sølvgade 48-50
1307 Copenhagen, Denmark

Phone:

+45 3374 8494

Bibi's Diner

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Rosengården 14
1174 Copenhagen, Denmark

Phone:

+45 3391 7617

Day 4 - Copenhagen

Get yourself another city bike and cycle through the city to the top of Nyhavn. Return the bike and spend the deposit on an ice cream from the parlor on the corner, enjoying it sitting on the waterfront right next to the boats. Stroll over to Amalienborg Palace to watch the changing of the guard at midday, then walk through the nearby gardens, past the lively fountains and along the harbor’s departure point for the huge cruise boats to the statue of the Little Mermaid. You can’t miss it – it’s that tiny statue out in the sea everyone’s trying to climb on, the one all the cameras are pointed at. The yellow ‘Havnebus’, run by the city’s bus company Movia, is a boat costing the same ticket price as a regular bus – lines 901 / 902 run every 20 minutes and will take you all the way back to the Royal Library (Diamanten). Walk through Slotsholmen to Gammel Strand, take in the flea market before tucking in to the evening buffet at Riz Raz, a good place for inexpensive Mediterranean food. Finally, enjoy at nightcap at nearby Drop Inn, a friendly bar where beer is cheap and local blues bands are often to be seen playing on the tiny, intimate stage.

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