Copenhagen on a budget

Description:

Europe's largest design hostel is centrally located and within easy walking distance of the city center. The ultra modern, five star hostel offers more than 1000 beds on 15 floors with rooms for families, couples or large groups. There are plenty of facilities, including breakfast, bar/longe and wireless internet access, as well as a fantastic view over Copenhagen harbor.

Description:

This attractive neighborhood is characterised by its network of canals and the brightly-painted houses clustered around them, many of which date back to the 1600s. Christianshavn was originally settled by Dutch workers who were brought to Copenhagen to work on nearby Slotsholmen on the orders of King Christian IV; reclaimed marshland just over the water became their home, and Christianshavn—'Christian's Harbor' took on the look of a miniature Amsterdam. While it became one of the city's poorest quarters during the 1800s and early 1900s, the 1990s saw a dramatic change, as Christianshavn became one of the most fashionable areas of Copenhagen to live in.
   Christianshavn is pleasant to just wander around; specific attractions include the twisting spire of Vor Frelsers Kirke and the naval Orlogsmuseet. This upmarket neighborhood also has some of the city's best restaurants, including world-famous noma and expensive Italian Era Ora.

Our Local Expert Says:

A totally unique attraction: only in Denmark.

Description:

In 1971, a band of hippies decided to squat a collection of deserted army barracks close to Copenhagen's Christianshavn neighborhood, proclaiming the area as a Free State to be self-governed as a collective. Almost four decades later, Christiania continues as one of the country's biggest attractions, confirming the global view of Denmark as a tolerant nation able to accept Christiania as a 'social experiment'. It's possible to walk around the 32-hectare, car-free area, which houses a music venue (Loppen), various vegetarian cafes and bars as well as a surprisingly classy restaurant (Spiseloppen). Since the notorious open-air marijuana market 'Pusher Street' was shut down in 2004, Christiania has seen a steady police presence, yet despite all attempts to gradually 'normalize' the area, it remains as a testimony to the tenacious free spirit of liberal Scandinavia.

Our Local Expert Says:

Perfect for vegetarians on a budget.

Description:

True to the alternative Christiania spirit, the Free City's vegetarian cafe has been popular for two decades for its healthy, organic (and cheap) meat free dishes. You can choose between the day's selection of hot meals, a salad or a soup, or choose all of them. There is seating both outside and in.

Description:

The architect of the 1752 staircase of the "Church of Our Savior" was Laurids de Thurah. A legend still persists about him. It is said that he constructed the staircase encircling the building the wrong way. Climbing to the top, and belatedly realizing what he'd done, he jumped to his death. A good story, but it's not true. According to more reliable reports, he died poverty-stricken in his sleep in his own bed in 1759. The green-and-gold tower of this Gothic structure is a Copenhagen landmark, dominating the Christianshavn area. Inside, view the splendid baroque altar, richly adorned with a romp of cherubs and other figures. There are also a lovely font and an immense three-story organ from 1698. Four hundred vertigo-inducing steps will take you to the top, where you'll see a gilded figure of Christ standing on a globe, and a panoramic view of the city. Warning: Those steps grow narrower as they reach the pinnacle.

Description:

Bellevue Strand is not only one of the most popular beaches in the Copenhagen area, it's also one of the oldest, and has been attracting summer bathers and sun worshippers since it was opened in 1932: this tremendous popularity has earned it the nickname of 'flypaper', as large numbers of Copenhageners make the eight-mile trek up the coast to enjoy this 700m strip of sandy coastline. The beach is not without its attractions, however: just walking distance from Klampenborg train station, a visit here can be combined with a forest walk in nearby Dyrehaven (or pony and trip ride) and even a trip to the funfair, Bakken. Enjoy the sand or take a swim from one of the jetties, and don't miss the modernist-styled changing facilities - the beach was designed by none other than Arne Jacobsen. There's a ice-cream kiosk located on the beach (and sometimes a grill) - though those wanting a more formal setting could head to nearby Restaurant Jacobsen. Note that while most of the beach enjoys a mixture of tanned young Copenhageners and families with young children, the farthest end of the beach is reserved for nudists.

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The Stock Exchange is one of Copenhagen's most spectacular and oldest buildings. Christian IV had it built in 1620, in an effort to turn Copenhagen into a financial center that would rival Amsterdam. The Stock Exchange was built on top of water, on filled-in foundations. Because canals surrounded it on three sides, the building has managed to survive the various fires that have ravaged Copenhagen through the years. The long building is magnificently decorated with dormer windows, but the Stock Exchange's most noticeable feature is the spire. Four dragons with intertwined tails form the spire, and it is topped by three golden crowns that symbolize the three Nordic countries of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Today, the Copenhagen Chamber of Commerce still uses the big hall for meetings, even though the stock exchange has moved to Nikolaj Plads. Visitors cannot enter, but the building itself is breathtaking.

Our Local Expert Says:

A local secret, and an inner-city hideaway.

Description:

A little patch of paradise tucked away between the Royal Library and Christianborg, these small gardens were designed in 1920 on what was once a naval port, though the gardens' central pool is the only reminder of its former incarnation. For those looking for a romantic hideaway, this is the place – in the shadow of the gently weeping trees and amongst blossoming beds of flowers, utterly peaceful save for the hourly cascade of the water fountains. Look out for the statue of philosopher Søren Kierkegaard, captured with pen in hand.

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If Rådhuspladsen is Copenhagen's most popular square, then Kongens Nytorv is the city's most distinguished and exclusive one. Limousines glide up in front of Hotel d'Angelterre to drop off their guests. Kongens Nytorv was constructed in 1670 on the side of the former ramparts of the city. Many beautiful buildings are situated around Kongens Nytorv, for instance Charlottenborg, built for Frederik III's half brother in Dutch Baroque style. Charlottenborg is the former location of the Architectural School and now contains the Art School and Kunsthal Charlottenborg. Other buildings are the Thotske Palace (now the French Embassy), and Magasin du Nord, a high-end department store. During the Christmas season, the square is turned into an ice skating rink and the trees and many buildings are decorated with lights that transform the square into something from a fairy tale. The statue in the middle of the square represents Christian V, made by Frenchman Abraham-Cesar Lamoroux in 1687.

Our Local Expert Says:

Great food for the price

Description:

While Wokshop is really just a take away, it is possible to eat the reasonably priced food, which is mostly Thai-inspired (curries, noodles, satay sticks and soups) at the limited seating inside. The simple dishes a lot tastier and more substantial than those offered by the city's many 'Kina Grill'.

Description:

A gentle stroll from Klampenborg Station takes you into the woods of Dyrehaven, a former royal hunting ground. The giddy screams ahead should give you a clue that Bakken, the world's oldest amusement park, lies hidden amongst the trees. Open from the end of May until the end of September, entry to the 400 year-old park is free and tickets to the rides – some thankfully newer than the still-functioning wooden rollercoaster from 1932 – can be purchased singly or as a pass at Bakken's entrance. For the less young at heart, there are also plenty of restaurants, from fast food to traditional Danish, and revue-style entertainment. Alternatively, venture out into the 1000 hectares of woodland that is Dyrehaven, all completely open to the public and accessible by foot or bicycle. Deer have roamed freely in the forest since 1670, when they were introduced to what was then a royal hunting ground by King Frederik III, as a gift for his son.

Description:

Jensen's Beef House is a chain that has quite a number of steak restaurants all around Denmark. This one is located in the center of town, at the old Gråbrdretorv. The old half-timbered wall on one side of the restaurant adds a bit of charm. The tables can fit upto 120 guests. Fillets, Entrecôtes, T-bones - you can get all kinds of steaks at Jensen's. Enjoy your Steak with your choice of potatoes - French Fries, Baked Potatoes, Chips in quarters or Raw-Fried Potatoes, with your choice of sauce.

Description:

Hidden away down a side street in Copenhagen's atmospheric Latin quarter, this offbeat cafe has become something of a Copenhagen institution over the decades for its rather specialized menu of all-day pancakes—from breakfast pancakes with jelly to a filled pancake of meat and cheese that is as much of a full meal as a pizza. La Galette's specialty pancakes come from France's north-west Brittany region, and are traditionally made from buckwheat. Fairly inexpensive, prices range from DKK 35 for a plain pancake to DKK 110 for the Saint Malo, topped with smoked salmon, caviar, sour cream and herbs. Sit outside in the courtyard when weather allows.

Description:

If you thought all French restaurants were stuffy and stiff, L'education is neither: This simple bistro, with its red-and-white check tablecloths and clientele of French expats and hungry students has been a fixture of the Latin Quarter since the early 1990s. It's authentic enough to keep French customers coming back time and again, and the atmosphere is more lively than romantic; those tables are placed a little too close together for a moment to oneselves. Lunch is served from 11.30 through to 4pm, with dishes from DKK 69 for a croque monsieur to DKK 155 for the entrecôte de boeuf. Dinner starts at 5.30pm—choose between a number of mains, all priced at 199kr, or the DKK 299 'Menu de Ministre', a three-course changing menu.

Description:

Østre Anlæg was originally part of the moats of Copenhagen. The park was laid out in 1871 in the style of an English garden. In Østre Anlæg you find Statens Museum for Kunst with its white marble annexe, and the Hirschsprung Collection. You will also find flowerbeds, statues and monuments.

Our Local Expert Says:

Eye-catching architectural styles and an even more eclectic collection of art.

Description:

With more than one thousand works on show over three floors, the Statens Museum takes on 700 years of art history, both Danish and international. While the original building dates from 1896, overcrowding in the past decade has led to two modern extensions, first in 1970 and later in 1998 – the latter including a huge glass façade that offers a splendid view of the museum's grounds and lake. The museum's 'sculpture street' functions as a kind of bridge between the architectural styles. The exhibitions are organized according to themes, allowing the viewer to compare two works from different periods of art history. While this makes interesting browsing, it can make finding a particular work challenging. Families should also check out the interactive children's wing, where there's also a chance to participate in workshops.

Description:

Bibi's Diner is a café-restaurant situated next to Kultorvet that specializes in Turkish and Mediterranean food. It is a very popular place amongst those who like a fast but good meal in comfortable surroundings. In the beginning this place was just an oblong room where you could eat by the counter. Then they bought the neighboring room and knocked down the wall, and now the restaurant holds about 20 customers. One special trait at Bibi's is the creative ways in which the food comes arranged on your plate. This isn't just fast food. Because of the good cooking and atmosphere, people like to hang out here even after they've finished their meal.Bibi's bakes their own bread and they're good at it. On the menu you'll find Falafel, Hummus, Shawarmas, burgers and many different vegetarian salads and dishes. Prices are reasonable.

Our Local Expert Says:

A tourist must.

Description:

This small harbor street is one of Copenhagen's biggest visitor attractions, and while its row of timber-built, brightly-painted 17th-century buildings—most of them cafes—are an obvious tourist trap, there is something delightful about sitting here by the water on a hot summer's day. While all the cafes offer outside seating in spring/summer as well as a mostly traditional Danish lunch menu, a cheaper alternative is to buy a bottled drink from a local supermarket or an ice cream and sit on the edge of the pier. Nyhavn has two very different sides, with the Charlottenborg side much quieter. It also has a lively and chequered past: Just 30 years ago, the street was a rowdy collection of notorious drinking dens frequented by sailors. Heavily cleaned up for tourists, traces remain in the tattoo parlor and the all-night Hong Kong Bar. Note that should you be visiting Copenhagen in wintertime, off-season Nyhavn is virtually deserted.

Our Local Expert Says:

A must for fans of royalty.

Description:

The royal residence of Queen Margrethe II was built in 1749 and is widely considered to be a splendid architectural example of the Rococo-period. Amalienborg consists of four different buildings, Christian VII's Palace, Christian VIII's Palace, Frederik VIII's Palace and Christian XI's Palace, erected around an octagonal square. This square - Amalienborg Slotsplads – sees the changing of the guard daily at noon with a monument of Frederik V on horseback in the centre, completed by French artist Jacques Saly in 1771 after 20 painful years of building. While the Royal Family resides in Christian IX's palace, Christian VIII's Palace houses the Amalienborg Museum and – aside from occasional tours of Christian VII's Palace - is the only one open to the public.

Description:

Amaliehaven's royal gardens were donated to the city by the A.P. Møller Fund and Møller's wife, Chastine McKinney Møller. When the gardens were laid out in 1983, they were strongly debated and criticized. However, the people of Copenhagen have accepted and grown to love the beautiful gardens, where you will find many exotic plants and trees. There is a magnificent view over the harbor, Amalienborg Slotsplads with Saly's equestrian statue, and the Frederiks Church. The gardens were designed by the Belgian, Jean Delonge. The four bronze pillars and the two fountains were created by Italian sculptor, Arnoldo Pormodoro.

Description:

This area could be described as the most beautiful in Copenhagen, and stretches from Esplanaden to Lystbådehavnen, the pier of Langelinie and Frihavnen. If you walk along the outer harbor of Copenhagen, you will be able to enjoy a breath of fresh air from resund. You will also pass the Gefion Fountain, the statues of Frederik IX and Princess Marie, the The Little Mermaid, and the Mylius-Erichsen Monument (to the people who died during the Greenland Expedition 1906-07). Last but not least, you'll see Frihavnen, with its warships and huge cruise liners, which is now also a housing and business district. From Langelinie you can see over to Holmen, where the yacht of the Royal Danish family, Dannebrog, usually lies anchored.

Our Local Expert Says:

Strangely, this tiny statue is Copenhagen's biggest landmark.

Description:

Denmark's most photographed tourist attraction is also the nation's smallest and, for many, something of an anticlimax. A tribute to the most well known of Danish fairy tale writer Hans Christian Andersen's characters, the bronze figurine The Little Mermaid has sat on her rock out in the Øresund Channel along Langelinie since 1913; over the decades she has been vandalized numerous times, most famously in 1964, when she was decapitated in what later turned out to be an artist's prank. In 2006, The Little Mermaid acquired a neighbor, Bjørn Nørgaard's 'Genetically Modified Mermaid', a contemporary commentary on the landmark. In 2010, The Little Mermaid was moved for the first time ever, when it was exhibited in Shanghai as part of world exhibition EXPO's Danish Pavilion.

Our Local Expert Says:

The best of the city's many street markets

Description:

Street markets are a common sight on Saturdays in Copenhagen, particularly in the summer, but the one on Thorvaldsens Plads stands out as the most exclusive, not only because of its perfect location in front of the stately Thorvaldsens Museum and overlooking the canals, but also because it offers the chance to pick up some real gems – like Royal Danish blue porcelain, a crystal vase or a genuine piece of Georg Jensen silver. Though quite small, this market, on one of Copenhagen's sunniest squares, is still pleasant just to wander around – before taking the weight off the feet at an outside table in one of the many cafes, enjoying the view across the canal to Gammel Strand and downtown Copenhagen.

Our Local Expert Says:

Cheap, filling and vegetarian friendly

Description:

Riz Raz is well known to backpackers for its reasonably-priced buffet food, with an all-you-can-eat lunch menu set at 79kr. Offering general Mediterranean fare, it's a good bet for vegetarians and is always busy, but large enough not to get too crowded. Aside from the original restaurant on Kompagnistræde, a second Riz Raz (offering a similar menu) is located on Store Kannikestræde. The restaurant has recently expanded its concept to include flame-grilled kebabs at Riz Raz Sticks'n'Veggies (Kompagnistræde 20) and steaks at its St. Kannikestræde 19 location (Riz Raz Steaks'n'Veggies). The popular buffet can still be ordered for both lunch and evening meal, however.

Our Local Expert Says:

Inexpensive, central and welcoming

Description:

Not many bars in this area can boast of both cheap beer and a friendly atmosphere appreciated by locals and tourists alike, but Drop Inn manages it. There's live music – usually blues – offered at the weekend on the tiny stage, and the place has been given an artistic makeover – you can't miss the huge red aeroplane hanging from the ceiling.