A few things I remember about Copenhagen, the
statue of Hans Christian Andersons 'The Little Mermaid' is pretty small, the
famous 'Tivoli Gardens' the 100 year old amusement park has a pretty expensive
price tag, and there is nothing better to do on a sunny day than to sit with
the locals on the harbour wall with lunch and a cold beer watching the tourists
pay extortionate prices for lunch in the harbour side cafes.
I was only in Copenhagen for a few days, and was
in need of a rest. I managed to get a
great hostel (The Generator Hostel) right in the centre just a few streets away
from the water front. It proved a great
base to explore the city that is totally walkable and had good rooms and a
rooftop bar to boot.
 |
| The Little Mermaid |
I didn't really have any plans, I picked up a
map at reception and just walked. In a
few days it was possible to see lots without rushing. The weather helped, gorgeous sunshine
everyday highlighted the colourful buildings of the city and seemed to have
brought everyone out onto the streets.
Copenhagen has a lot of waterfront perfect for a stroll, and Nyhavn
right by the harbour is the place to hang out.
It's also a good place for getting a boat tour through some of the
waterways of this low lying city. The
boat took us passed some of Copenhagen's famous palaces, its new palaces of
food and some great residential areas on the waterfront. The city seemed to relax into its
surroundings.
 |
| Nyhavn |
It also had good parks just to wander through,
with people just lying, reading, picnicking and I guess just enjoying the
weather. Along the waterfront a beach
and pool had been established which was packed with people of all ages. I gave Tivoli a miss, and instead headed for
a couple of galleries. Inside Ny
Carlsberg Glyptotek, apart from the treasures that abound, it's also possible
to head for the roof, where you can take in views of the city below, including
the rides of Tivoli. Downstairs under
glass dome architecture a beautiful winter garden exists, a good place to sit
and plan what next. The modern art
gallery was also worth a look, more for the building itself than what was inside
it, it also had a really good cafe and a great view besides. Back by the waterfront a new library has been
built. Again worth an investigation. The inside structure is open, spacious and
light, and a good place to sit in the sun with a coffee.
 |
| By the habour |
After cultural activities checked off, I
followed the crowd to Stoget, Copenhagen's largest shopping area, a long
pedestrian street packed with a variety of shops, with other cobbled streets
like arteries, leading off this towards more individual boutiques, cafes and historic
buildings.
 |
| Winter Gardens at Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek |
Another thing that I was told not to miss was
the 'infamous' free town Christiania.
This part of town founded in 1971 by a group of hippies made its
reputation around its alternative lifestyle.
It's possible to join the other tourists and wander around this expression
of living outside the norm, but I have to say I came away with a sense of disappointment
for the community not myself. The stalls
offering hash related paraphernalia, weed t shirts and incense seemed like a
sell out rather than progress. Maybe it's
better after the tourists have left.
 |
| City View |
After a few days in this city, I felt I had done
what I set out to do. I was more
relaxed, had taken in some of the highlights this city had to offer and was
ready to board the train over the water to Sweden. Would I recommend Copenhagen, yes, would I go
back, yes. In fact apart from the
expensive cost of food and drink, it's difficult to find something I didn't
like about this city. You should go.
No comments:
Post a Comment