Copenhagen + Lund

Since I am half Swedish and Danish, I have often felt drawn to these Scandinavian countries. Before this trip, we had a brief layover in Copenhagen and immediately fell in love with the city. Though the weather can be hit or miss, it is an easy city to explore any time of year.

We arrived in Copenhagen in the afternoon and got settled into our Airbnb in the Indre By (inner city) neighborhood. Though we had planned to get going right away, we had left Spain very early that morning, so instead we took time to rest. I often make the mistake of feeling like I have to fit as many things into a trip as possible, but if you take the time to rest when you need to, you will enjoy your trip activities much more!

Sip Craft Cocktails at Library Bar

Library Bar is nestled within the Copenhagen Plaza hotel, and if I hadn’t read about it on another blog, we never would have known about it! The bar is very romantic and feels a bit like you’ve stepped back in time. Since it was Valentine’s Day, we arrived earlier in the evening to avoid crowds, and it was already nearly full when we got there. Though we were too early that night, they often have a live jazz band- so keep an eye on their website for details!

Feel Like a Kid Again at Tivoli Gardens

Tivoli Gardens is a must-do in Copenhagen, as it has been a part of the city for generations. It is the second-oldest amusement park in the world (that still operates), and Walt Disney even visited the theme park for inspiration (read more history here). Though I’m sure the Gardens are lovely day or night, we really enjoyed our nighttime experience. The park came alive with lights, creating a romantic glow as we walked around drinking mulled wine. Because it was Valentine’s Day, the park had a temporary installation where you and your valentine could write your names/love letters on a heart and tie it to the bridge over Tivoli Lake. The lake also plays host to a light show called “Tivoli Illuminations” (check the website for times). The light show wasn’t awe-inspiring, but we enjoyed it nonetheless. After exploring most of the park, we stumbled upon a restaurant in the park called Gemyse, a beautiful garden restaurant with fire pits outside (you can even purchase marshmallows to roast!). We ordered tea and sat by the fire for a while, enjoying the hygge that comes so easily there.

Grab a Quick Breakfast at Torvehallerne

Torvehallerne is an urban food market that offers a huge range of products, including fresh meat/fish, produce, spices, ready-to-eat meals and beverages, baked goods, and flowers. There are two main buildings with mostly grocery items in one building and mostly ready-to-eat items in the other, and a farmers’ market setup in the middle as well. We took our time to explore everything it had to offer, then eventually sat down to enjoy some coffee and pastries.

From Torvehallerne we walked toward Amalienborg Palace, which takes about 20 minutes. On the way we passed through the King’s Garden, which surrounds Rosenborg Castle. Although I’ve read wonderful things about this 400-year-old castle, we have seen so many castles in Europe at this point that we no longer tend to make them a priority. However, if you have a few more days in Copenhagen or are not “castled-out” like we are, definitely check it out! You can find out more information on what a visit has to offer here.

Amalienborg Palace: Changing of the Guard

At over 1200 years old, the Danish monarchy is the oldest continuing line in the world. Although Denmark is no longer an absolute monarchy, the Danish royal family still play an active role in politics and reside at the 260-year-old Amalienborg Palace. Every morning at 11:30, the royal guard leave Rosenborg Castle and begin their march to Amalienborg Palace, arriving at noon for the changing of the guard. You can choose to follow them on their route, or wait for their arrival at Amalienborg- but either way, be on time!

We really enjoyed the changing of the guard, so if you have time, it’s definitely worth fitting into your schedule! Because we were there in the winter, the crowd was not too large, but if you’re in Copenhagen during high tourist season (summer), definitely arrive early for a good view.

View (and perhaps be disappointed by) the “Little Mermaid” Statue

From Amalienborg Palace, we wandered in the direction of the Little Mermaid statue.

EuropeSarah LundFebruary 10, 2020