Discovering Denmark’s Capital in 3 days
Here we are in Copenhagen!
A destination that had been sitting on our bucket list for quite some time. We chose to stay in an Airbnb apartment—and what luck! We ended up in a truly stunning place, perfectly located.
Day 1
The children’s top priority (all right, ours too!) was to meet the famous Little Mermaid. To get there, we opted for what we like to call the “magic bus”—those hop-on, hop-off double-decker tourist buses that stop at all the city’s main points of interest. It turned out to be a very practical solution since the statue is located a bit outside the city center.
Next, we headed to the National Gallery of Denmark, the country’s leading art museum. The building itself is remarkable, but the real highlight is its open workshop where children can try their hand at creating their own artwork. Needless to say, our two little ones loved the experience!
Just nearby is Rosenborg Castle, built in 1607, home to the Danish crown jewels. The castle is surrounded by the King’s Garden, as well as a spacious public park filled with beautiful old trees—“super fun to climb, mom!” as my kids would say. A perfect spot for a family stroll in the greenery.
Day 2
The main goal of the morning was to watch the changing of the guard! We strolled over to Amalienborg Palace, making sure to arrive precisely at noon. Every day, the royal guards leave Rosenborg Castle at 11:30 am, march through the streets of Copenhagen, and perform the ceremony at Amalienborg at midday. It’s a spectacle worth seeing!
We then made our way to Nyhavn, the picturesque harbor lined with colorful houses, for a leisurely canal-side walk and a relaxed lunch.
The afternoon’s plan promised fun for the whole family: a visit to Tivoli Gardens! An amusement park nestled in the heart of the city—it’s a dream come true. Since we visited in early November, Tivoli was still decked out in its magnificent Halloween decorations. The displays were magical, elaborate, and absolutely enchanting—a must-see.
Day 3
We spent our third day at Den Blå Planet, the National Aquarium of Denmark. It’s enormous! We rounded out the experience by enjoying Danish specialties at the aquarium’s restaurant—something we wholeheartedly recommend. Be sure to check the schedule for feeding sessions and caretaker demonstrations when you arrive; they’re well worth attending.
We ended this beautiful day with a stop at Copenhagen’s Christmas market, already open in early November. Of course, we couldn’t resist trying the famous æbleskiver—a true delight!
Other Recommendations
If you have extra time, we also suggest:
- Taking the train from Helsingør to Sweden for a day trip.
- Visiting the quirky Disgusting Food Museum in Malmö (a big hit with the kids, of course!).
- Exploring Christiania, the free town in the heart of Copenhagen.
- Discovering the striking Grundtvig’s Church.
- Spending a day at Copenhagen Zoo.
- Visiting Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, just outside the city.