Over the bank holiday weekend, we ventured to the charming city of Copenhagen, where we discovered a world of enchantment and adventure around every corner. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through our unforgettable experience, sharing everything from our favourite child-friendly attractions and tasty eateries to the best way to get around the city. So, let’s dive into our whimsical journey through the capital of Denmark!

A Glimpse into Copenhagen

Did you know Denmark is ranked among the happiest countries in the world? According to various studies and surveys, the Danes are so satisfied with the country that they can confidently say they live happy lives. This happiness is reflected in Copenhagen, the UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture for 2023. With over 100 public playgrounds and child-friendly attractions, Copenhagen is a playground for children designed to meet the needs of children and their parents. You can see why we were so eager to visit!

Arriving in Copenhagen

Copenhagen Airport (CPH) is the main airport serving the area. It’s located in the suburb of Kastrup, just 15 minutes from the city centre by public transport. When flying directly from London to Copenhagen, you have quite a few options: Scandinavian Airlines, Ryanair, Norwegian, Norwegian Air Sweden, British Airways, American Airlines, Finnair, and easyJet all fly directly to Copenhagen. Flights are less than 2 hours and can be as little as £31 return if you plan early. We flew with Norwegian Air, the best option for our needed date and time. Skyscanner is always our go-to to find the cheapest flights, and it did not disappoint.

Exploring Copenhagen

Copenhagen’s public transport is reliable, and the Metro, local/ regional trains, and buses (including waterbuses) can all be accessed with the same ticket. The Copenhagen Card gave us FREE public transport right across Copenhagen, making it a no-brainer for us. new did not even have to tap in and out at each stop, which takes away from the stress- because I struggle with that in London, talk less in another country. I am not interested in collecting any unnecessary fines. If an inspector requests, you must show your travel ticket on the app.

We arrived at Copenhagen Airport at 11:30 pm on a Friday night, and our excitement was palpable as we made our way to the Metro station. Our hotel was located in Indre By (Inner City), within walking distance of Noerreport station, Denmark’s busiest station, where trains, metros, and buses can be found. Luckily, there’s a direct connection from Copenhagen Airport to Noerreport station. The Metro was our fastest option, taking just 15 minutes.

We had our double buggy with us, which can sometimes be a challenge when travelling, but we were pleasantly surprised by the convenience and accessibility of Copenhagen’s public transport. The elevators at the stations made it easy to navigate, even with our buggy in tow. As we made our way to our hotel, we were already taking in the sights and sounds of the city at night. Honestly, Copenhagen is such a vibe!

Once we reached Noerreport station, the walk to our hotel was a breeze, and we were all eagerly anticipating the adventures that awaited us in Copenhagen. From that first night, we knew that exploring the city would be a delightful experience, thanks to the ease and efficiency of the public transport system.

Our Home Away from Home

We spent three nights and three full days in Copenhagen. A minimum of five days would have been better, allowing us to move more leisurely. This time, we opted for a hotel stay at the 25hours Hotel Indre By, part of the wider Accor Group and Ennismore-Lifestyle Collective. We had previously stayed at the 25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin, one the 25hours Hotel Flagships, and loved the experience, so we were eager to see what the Copenhagen location had in store.

Each 25hours Hotel has its unique character, blending the benefits of a boutique hotel with the confidence of a well-known brand that upholds quality. We appreciated the quirky, eclectic design elements that made our stay even more memorable, not to mention its central location, which allowed us to easily explore the city.

Our room was comfortable and spacious, perfect for our family, and the staff went above and beyond to ensure we had a fantastic stay. We truly felt at home in the 25hours Hotel Indre By, which played a significant role in making our Copenhagen adventure special. I honestly cannot recommend this hotel enough!

Our Favourite Family Attractions

During our stay in Copenhagen, we visited numerous family-friendly attractions that left us with unforgettable memories; here are our favourites and why we loved them:

1. Den Blå Planet (National Aquarium Denmark), Kastrup: This impressive aquarium captivated our entire family with its stunning displays of marine life and interactive exhibits. We spent 2 hours marvelling at the diverse underwater creatures and learning about their habitats. The boys were especially fascinated by the touch pools, where they could get up close and personal with some animals- this made our visit way more interactive than usual.
2. Nationalmuseet i København (National Museum of Denmark), Indre By (Inner City): This museum was a Danish history, art, and culture treasure trove. We spent 3 hours exploring the exhibits, learning about the Viking era, and admiring the museum’s extensive collection of artefacts. The children’s museum section was a highlight designed to engage and educate young visitors. It was way larger than we expected, and the boys could not get enough of it. But oh my, the NEW KA-CHING! exhibition really had our attention; they had to usher us out as they were losing…LOL.
3. Zoologisk Have København (Copenhagen Zoo), Frederiksberg: We had a fantastic time visiting the zoo, home to various animals worldwide. We spent 4 hours discovering different habitats, watching animal feeding sessions, and participating in interactive activities. The boys were thrilled to see their favourite animals up close and personal, particularly the panda!
4. Tivoli Gardens, Inner Vesterbro: This iconic amusement park was a magical experience, offering a perfect blend of thrilling rides, enchanting gardens, and live performances. We spent 5 hours immersed in the park’s charm, with something new and exciting around every corner.
5. Experimentarium Science Centre, Hellerup: This hands-on science centre kept us engaged and entertained for 4 hours. The interactive exhibits encouraged our boys to explore, learn, and discover the wonders of science through play. From physics experiments to sensory explorations, there was something for everyone at the Experimentarium.

These attractions offered a unique and memorable experience that contributed to our unforgettable family city break in Copenhagen.

Where We Ate

During our time in Copenhagen, we enjoyed some fantastic meals. One standout dining experience was at NENI Copenhagen. This was our third time eating at NENI, having previously tried their locations in Berlin and Amsterdam. In the case of Berlin and Copenhagen, the restaurants form part of the hotel. The menu is consistent across the different locations, with subtle regional differences, but the interiors vary substantially, which we loved.

Of course, we couldn’t resist indulging in some of Copenhagen’s famous bakeries, sampling delicious pastries and sweet treats during our daily walks and between attractions. The city’s bakeries were a fantastic way to experience local flavours and satisfy our sweet tooth!

Making the Most of the Copenhagen Card

As you might know, Scandinavia can be expensive. Denmark is not as expensive as countries like Iceland, but it’s not cheap. That’s why we loved the Copenhagen Card. Given the number of attractions we visited over three days, it was excellent value for money. The Copenhagen Card allowed us to stretch our budget further and maximise our time in the city. Plus it also covered all our transport.

Timing Your Visit

Danish school holidays vary depending on the specific holiday and region. However, the main school holidays in Denmark often differ slightly from those in the UK. For example:

• Summer Break: Typically, from the end of June to early August, lasting around six weeks. In comparison, the UK break goes from late July to early September.
• Autumn Break: The Danish break is usually one week before the UK break.

We took advantage of this and visited over a UK bank holiday, avoiding the crowds. Just make sure you factor in that some attractions have seasonal opening hours and may be closed at points throughout the year, as is the case for Tivoli Gardens.

Our family city break in Copenhagen was an unforgettable experience that left us with lasting memories. Despite the higher cost of living in Denmark, comparable to that of the UK, we found the Copenhagen Card to be a fantastic way to make our money go further and enjoy all the city’s incredible attractions. Navigating Copenhagen with public transport was a breeze, and the city’s family-friendly atmosphere made it a perfect destination for our family adventure. We honestly can’t wait to return to this magical city! Denmark is one of our favourite countries.