Nordic Countries - Copenhagen for a long weekend?

I have to be in Arild (north of Malmo) the last week of August. Although I've flown through CPH before, I've never actually gone into Copenhagen. Ms JG is considering meeting me there for the US Labor Day weekend (Sept. 1-5), but she's concerned that it's an awful lot of travel time (from EWR) for just 4 days of CPH.

Thoughts?

I have to be in Arild (north of Malmo) the last week of August. Although I've flown through CPH before, I've never actually gone into Copenhagen. Ms JG is considering meeting me there for the US Labor Day weekend (Sept. 1-5), but she's concerned that it's an awful lot of travel time (from EWR) for just 4 days of CPH.

Thoughts?Make her take two extra days off and there you have it. Will probably help to avoid some congestion too.

Yeah sorry, I should have been more clear - she has a commitment in NJ on Tues 9/6, and I'm booked until Thurs 9/1. So we're stuck with just 4 days - which is why we're hesitating.

There´s plenty to see and occupy yourselves for 4 days. Is it worth the cost, jetlag etc is a whole different matter. I have to to beijing for just 3 days on a leisure trip and thoroughly enjoyed it, but most of my friends would not do such a trip. Depends on yourself how you see it.

I think Copenhagen is a fantastic city and well set up for a short break like this because it's relatively small and most of it is walkable. Only you and Ms JG can decide if it's worth the length of the trip and so on, but the city is one that is well worth seeing (and extremely pleasant as well as interesting).

Thanks - exactly the sort of feedback I was hoping for. Now let's see if I can sell Ms. JG :)

Thanks - exactly the sort of feedback I was hoping for. Now let's see if I can sell Ms. JG :)

Mention to her lots of cool shops with gorgeous design stuff for the home. And not of all expensive :D

I have to be in Arild (north of Malmo) the last week of August. Although I've flown through CPH before, I've never actually gone into Copenhagen. Ms JG is considering meeting me there for the US Labor Day weekend (Sept. 1-5), but she's concerned that it's an awful lot of travel time (from EWR) for just 4 days of CPH.

Thoughts?

Copenhagen is turning into quite the culinary Mecca – if you are foodies that is one more reason to make the trip.

NOMA is obviously the number one attraction and you need a bit of luck to secure a reservation for September but you can always try. There are also nine other Michelin-starred places most of which are relatively easy to get reservations into.

Myself and Mrs. T are actually going to CPH for a long weekend this coming week and will try a couple of the restaurants. Will provide a brief report.

Cheers,
T.

She could fly into a different, nearby city for a few days, like Stockholm, Hamburg, or something and then fly into CPH to meet up with you.

This is a timely thread. We're also looking at a weekend in Copenhagen.

Are there any worthwhile day trips from Copenhagen? I've heard the train circle via Malmo and Helsingborg are nice, for example. Any good day hikes around there?

There are day trips all around the Oresund which includes a normal circle of: Copenhagen to Malmo to Lund to Helsingborg by train and then ferry to Helsingor and train to the Louisiana museum and then back to Copenhagen; or in opposite direction.

There is a region pass ticket that allows for unlimited travel around the area for 2 days which states a requirement to cross by train in one direction and ferry in the other but which doesn't seem well monitored. It is a pretty good deal cost-wise given the roundtrip train ride across the bridge from CPH to Malmo by itself is at least 200 SEK absent the use of a discount purchase card (not available for sale at CPH).

What about the Copenhagen Card (http://www.visitcopenhagen.com/book-your-stay/copenhagen-card/whats-included-with-copenhagen-card)? Is that worth investing in?

What about the Copenhagen Card (http://www.visitcopenhagen.com/book-your-stay/copenhagen-card/whats-included-with-copenhagen-card)? Is that worth investing in?

A few years ago, Conde Nast (or some other big) travel magazine did a brief write-up of several of these visit ____ [city] types of cards/passes. Some of them were a lousy value, but I don't recall if the Copenhagen card was considered a great deal or not. For Sunday or Monday travel, it may not be as good a value as it would be for other days of the week.

At least it helps avoid the problems of buying tickets for public transport when the US bank cards don't get processed smoothly.

CPH is a great city for short trips. We go there frequently for the weekend or for special events.

In the city, things I would recommend seeing in order of preference for must do on a short trip to nice to do if you have time:

1. Canal boat tour around Copenhagen. Lots of companies offer them from Nyhavn. Take your pick. You might want a covered boat depending on the weather. You will see the Little Mermaid on most of the canal boat tours.
2. Tivoli. Lovely gardens.
3. Stroll down the walking street (Stroget) to people watch and shop.
4. Amalienborg and the Marble Church behind it. There is a changing of the guard but it is not like Buckingham Palace in London. Still could be interesting though.
5. Walk up the Round Tour (Rundtarn).
6. Take a walking tour of Christiania (Put your camera away for this one)
7. Drive or take the train to the Louisiana Museum of Art just north of Copenhagen.
8. See Kronborg Castle (aka Hamlet's castle) in Helsingor.

That's my standard bucket list when we have people coming from the US to visit who want to see Copenhagen.

As far as places to eat, I like LeLe in Vesterbro. I have also eaten at Herman, one of the Michelin starred restaurants. It was excellent. There is also a bakery and hot dog stand attached to the Nimb Hotel and Herman restaurant called Andersen Bakery. They make GREAT hot dogs (Danish style) and excellent chocolate milk (which is what you drink with your hot dog). You can get to it from inside Tivoli or from outside Tivoli - it is directly across from the train station.

As far as whether or not the Copenhagen card is a good value...I can see that it costs 249 kroner per person. Attractions 1, 2, 4, and 5 above are covered by it. Entrance fees to these four attractions alone will cost 250 danish kroner. And the Copenhagen card also covers metro, bus, etc. So it definitely seems like a good value if you know you will do those things.

Enjoy Copenhagen!

Having spent over a year in Copenhagen, I think it's well worth spending four days there. Gabelle pointed out the best attractions that you will find. I think the nicest part of Copenhagen is walking around Stroget (and surrounding streets) and just living like a Dane. Spend time sitting in the cafes and people watching. Stop in one of their candy stores...Danes love sweets. Visit the extraordinary museums in the city. Walk down through Nyhavn and grab a beer with the locals. Stroll through Tivoli and be sure to find an aebleskiver while you're there. The Danish people are very welcoming, especially if you take an interest in their culture. They may be the people who have the strongest national pride that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Enjoy the city and please ask if you have any questions!

What about the Copenhagen Card (http://www.visitcopenhagen.com/book-your-stay/copenhagen-card/whats-included-with-copenhagen-card)? Is that worth investing in?

With a few museums, public transportation and the Tivoli, no. But add the Copenhagen Zoo and suddenly it is very good value.

If you want to do multiple attractions in one day, then CPH card is worth it. You can spend a day in the zoo, a day in Tivoli.

CPH is a great city for short trips. We go there frequently for the weekend or for special events.

In the city, things I would recommend seeing in order of preference for must do on a short trip to nice to do if you have time:

[snip]

Enjoy Copenhagen!

Excellent! Thanks very much.

Trip is next week. Sadly, could not convince Ms. JG to join me, so I'm taking just one day in Copenhagen before going off to the wilds of Sweden (Arild) for my meeting. Since I need a car for the meeting, I'm considering renting one upon arrival (7am Sunday), but leaving it at the airport with my luggage locked inside while I take the train downtown. Is that a bad idea? I would hate to have to drag my wheelie bag around all day...

Also: client tells me that he's going to a "crayfish" boil in Helsingborg on Saturday.

Is this a thing in Sweden/Denmark? As an New Orleans ex-pat, I would enjoy seeing how others eat their bugs.

Thanks,
JG

Also: client tells me that he's going to a "crayfish" boil in Helsingborg on Saturday.

Is this a thing in Sweden/Denmark? As an New Orleans ex-pat, I would enjoy seeing how others eat their bugs.

Thanks,
JG

August is crayfish party period in the region. [Helsingborg is Swedish-occupied, Danish land. :D ] Wearing funny hats, eating out of buckets of crayfish, and singing songs about who knows what seems to be rather normal for the crayfish parties.

Excellent! Thanks very much.

Trip is next week. Sadly, could not convince Ms. JG to join me, so I'm taking just one day in Copenhagen before going off to the wilds of Sweden (Arild) for my meeting. Since I need a car for the meeting, I'm considering renting one upon arrival (7am Sunday), but leaving it at the airport with my luggage locked inside while I take the train downtown. Is that a bad idea? I would hate to have to drag my wheelie bag around all day...

There's luggage storage at the airport and at some of the train stations in the area. Storing luggage in those areas will involve a storage fee unlike with storage in the (preferably covered) car trunk.

Wearing funny hats, eating out of buckets of crayfish, and singing songs about who knows what seems to be rather normal for the crayfish parties.

Yup, sounds just like home. ;)

Yup, sounds just like home. ;)

I forgot to mention the bibs and matching napkins. :D

Oh, if you have an invite to a crawfish boil then you should definitely go! It's a Swedish thing! And don't worry about leaving your luggage in your trunk. No one will bother it.

Enjoy those mudbugs!

Oh, if you have an invite to a crawfish boil then you should definitely go! It's a Swedish thing! And don't worry about leaving your luggage in your trunk. No one will bother it.

Enjoy those mudbugs!

Thanks to Irene, the trip is canceled. Rats.