I am a big fan of all things Scandanavian, the styles, the cities, the food, and the culture, so I was delighted recently to be able to spend 24hrs in Copenhagen.
We left Manchester Airport on an early flight and landed in Copenhagen around 10.20 am local time and stepped out through the airport, through the friendly border controls, and made our way to the metro.
Having researched it before we traveled, it looked like the trains were frequent and the journey to the city centre was around 15 mins. That research proved correct and shortly after 11.00 am, we stepped out into the cold air of Christianshavn, right alongside the canal.
Whilst not being really severe the cold did seem colder than the winter stuff we get in the UK, there was a bit of wind and it bit hard into your cheeks. Making sure we had some good winter clothing was essential, so we were fine as we walked around, although it was nice to nip into places for a coffee every so often.
We walked along the canal towards the harbour and looked around the streets for some familiar landmarks.
It was down one of these side streets that we came across Vor Frelsers Kirke (Church of Our Saviour) with its absolutely incredible corkscrew spire, all gilded and extremely impressive. And yes, you can walk up the spire and take in the views.
As we were on a fairly tight schedule, we had planned our day really, in terms of where we would eat and at what time.
Our first stop was at the Christianshavns Faergecafe one of the oldest and most historic in Copenhagen. The cafe is actually a combination of the old building and a boat moored up outside, which serves as a dining area.
We chose to eat inside and had a very traditional Danish Christmas Lunch, complete with drinks. Tremendous experience both in terms of the food and the service that went with it.
After a short stroll along the quayside and we reached Nyhavn, one of the most familiar places in the city, the one with the picture-perfect colored houses and boats, so of course, I had to get the shot too.
At the end of the narrow canal, you can board a canal boat and take a tour of the city by water and I would recommend this as it gives you lots of history and some landmarks to get your bearings.
The canal boat takes you out into the harbour itself and along to see the famous sculpture Den Lille Havfrue (The Little Mermaid) - it's a wonderful piece of art, perched on a smooth rock overlooking the water.
I had to smile at the backdrop thought, the industrial heartland of the city, a stark reminder that it is still a working port. In fact, the wedge-shaped building with the smoking chimney is Europe's largest waste incinerator, which although impressive, was made even more so when we were told that it is also a dry ski slope and climbing wall as well. Multi-taskers, these Danes.
Back to the city itself now and in the Kings New Square, amongst the Chrismas markets was possibly the finest outdoor cafe/bar building I have ever seen. I was totally transfixed by it.
As the darkness descended, we headed to the famous Christmas Lights on Tivoli Gardens which I have to admit were very impressive indeed.
The following morning, after a great night's rest, we were out and about again into more Christmas Markets, all very impressive, all selling great products without the hint of "tat" anywhere.
An odd one to finish with perhaps, but during the Covid pandemic lockdowns, we really got into our Scandanavian crime dramas, our Nordic Noirs. For anyone who was watched a lot of this, then you cannot fail to have seen "The Bridge" based around Copenhagen but mainly Malmo in Sweden.
The series starts and ends with some dramatic events on the Øresund Bridge which connects the two cities. I had to complete a fair bit of climbing but it was worth it for this shot out to sea.
Copenhagen is a wonderful city, clean and welcoming, friendly and safe - I would recommend anyone takes the trip out here to experience the atmosphere.
We will certainly be back.