Repeat Copenhagen

I used to be against going somewhere “exotic” more than once. I suppose this opinion is defensible living in Europe and planning travel to, say, Thailand. But when I live in London and Heathrow is just 45 minutes away by tube, how can I resist the lure of places I love and want to get to know better?I can’t.

So, for a quick weekend break, N. and I decided to explore Copenhagen. I’d been just a few months before and LOVED it. As in, contender to live here category. So why not take as many opportunities to see what the city has to offer as possible? And in the summer, no less!

What did I discover? A lot of things, but the principal takeaway is that Copenhagen is a completely different place in the summer.

N. and I got up at a ridiculous hour to fly Norwegian. I was drowsy for most of the flight but, as I was soon to discover, my exhaustion disappeared as soon as we arrived.

We stayed in an Airbnb in Norrebro, the same area I stayed in last time, but this one was much deeper into the neighborhood, forcing me to explore new and unchartered territory. And some familiar sights, too, like this one (but in the sun!):

Nyhavn in the sun.

One thing N. really wanted to do was go to Christiana, which I had never heard of. Its a commune where about 800 people live, right in the middle of the city. It looks like they live on the money generated from the influx of tourists coming in to the commute, and maybe a little growing (if you get my drift…) too. It is definitely a place apart from the rest of the city. And proudly so.

The sign when you exit Christiana.

How’d we get to Christiana and points further afield? Glad you asked.

I would have to develop a LOVE of bikes to live in Copenhagen- everyone cycles!

Our first day we came across some things that are so typically Copenhagen it hurts. In a good way.

A food truck completely dedicated to asparagus. White, green, short, long, fat, thin…you name it, they’ll cook it.

Outdoor champagne stalls for those who want a little drink after long bike rides!

Shops with great signage. Great signage with great meaning.

Shrink wrapped individual fruit- because you need to be healthy even if you’re eating from 7 Eleven.

…and very interesting bathroom art.

We also went to Tivoli. I think its a bit overrated, but had to go to see it since everyone and their mother who goes to Copenhagen talks it up so much, and I didn’t dare go when I was there in January. It reminded me of a less-cool version of Skansen in Stockholm.

One impression N. and I both had? For an amusement park, its SO quiet. Perhaps that’s just the loud American in us coming out.

My two favorite things, though, are pretty “small” things compared to the big things people must do in Copenhagen, such as Tivoli, Rundetarn, etc.

The first is Jægersborggade. This street is basically the COOLEST. It has tons of bars, a few restaurants and a smattering of shops and vintage stores on it. Its great for window shopping (or, if you’re not broke from travel like me, real shopping) as well as breakfast. I’d recommend everyone try Grod, which is a restaurant dedicated to porridge (American translation: oatmeal). It may sound boring, but it changed my whole opinion toward the stuff. I’ve never had a better breakfast in my life.