48 hours in Copenhagen

Copenhagen, the capital city of Denmark is famous for the Little Mermaid statue, a colourful harbour and tasty Danish Pastries. Denmark’s highly efficient tax system means free education (to postgraduate level) and up to a year off work for new parents, making the Danes right up there with the happiest people in the world. All of the sights mentioned in this blog on 48 hours in Copenhagen are FREE to visit.

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How long should you Spend in Copenhagen?

I enjoyed Copenhagen so much and managed to see a great deal in just 2 days. However, it can be an exhausting 2 days if you cram everything in. Ideally, if you want to know how long you should stay, I would recommend 3-5 days, particularly if you want to visit museums and absorb the local culture.

Of course you don’t want to miss the boats and colourful houses of Copenhagen Nyhavn. On my arrival, I headed straight from my accommodation (the Generator Hostel) to Nyhavn to look at the picturesque postcard scenes of the harbour.

Copenhagen Walking Tour

If you enjoy walking, and have a limited amount of time in the city, I highly recommend that you take the free walking tour which starts from the front of the town hall at 11am every day. Get there a bit early (about 15 minutes before the tour) so that you can go inside the town hall (it’s free) and also see the astronomical clock (on the right hand side of the town hall as you enter).

The Town Hall

The town hall is the sixth town hall to be built in Copenhagen. The previous town halls were mostly wooden and burn down. Sadly, this seems to be a common theme throughout Danish history – there were 6 great fires that destroyed the city over time.

Next to the town hall you can see the Tivoli gardens, the world’s second oldest amusement park.

Old Square

You can then walk to the oldest square in Copenhagen, ironically called ‘New Square’!

Copenhagen Parliament

During the walking tour, you will be able to see the Parliament building and, surprisingly, walk through the middle of it! Image trying to do that in London?!?!

When you come out of the other side, look out for the impailed Polar Bear statue. It has been put there to show the impact of global warming.

Copenhagen Royal Palace

Also on the walking tour, you will be taken to the Royal Palace, where you can enter the grounds. A word of warning – the guards (you can’t miss them for their furry hats) are armed, so no guard-selfies!

The Danish family are very laid back and personable – it is not uncommon for you to see the Queen walking the dog! You probably get the impression that most official buildings still offer public right of way. There are even Royal public toilets that you are welcome to use!

Frederiks Kirke (The Marble Church)

From the centre of the palace grounds, you will be able to see Frederiks Kirke (The Marble Church), which is the largest dome Church in Scandinavia. It’s called the Marble Church, but wasn’t actually built out of Marble when they realised the cost. So, the Marble Church is not made out of Marble!

Frederiks Church Copenhagen Denmark — Copenhagen, Denmark

My Search for the Little Mermaid

The following morning, I went on my search for the Little Mermaid statue. On the way, I discovered the parks, architecture and statues that the city has to offer.

Kastallet Fortress

Kastellet Fortress - 48 hours in Copenhagen

I walked towards the Churchillparken and Kastellet. This area of Copenhagen is so green and serene that it’s hard to believe that you are in a European capital city.

Kastellet is one of the best preserved Star Fortresses in Europe. It’s original pentagon shaped structure was instructed by Christian IV of Denmark in 1626.

St Albans Church

Referred to as ‘The English Church’, St Albans was the Anglican Church constructed between 1885-1887 for the growing English population of Denmark.

Next to the ‘English Church’ you will find the Gefion fountain. It was donated by Carlsberg as a gift to the city 50 years after the brewery opened in 1897.

Whilst larger and more impressive than most other statues in this area, the Gefion’s popularity fades behind the much smaller and less impressive, but well known ‘Little Mermaid’

The Little Mermaid

She is indeed small! Our walking tour guide commented that she was once voted the second most overrated statue in Europe, after the little boy statue in Brussels. I thought she was really sweet!

Just one tip for you – visit The Little Mermaid in the early hours unless you want to be fighting through a stream of tourists with cameras.

Freetown Christiania

Before I headed to Malmo, I felt that I really should visit the hippie hangout Freetown Christiania. Hippies descended on some disused army barracks in the 1970’s and stayed as squatters. The resulting street art is phenomenal. This was actually my favourite part of my 48 hours in Copenhagen!

If you are lucky enough to have more time to spend in Copenhagen, check out this fabulous itinerary on how to spend 5 days in Copenhagen, which includes a one day trip to Malmo.