Copenhagen was another one of our concert trips, this time for a Rammstein show. While we went to Bratislava mainly for an AC/DC concert, our trip to Copenhagen was primarily about exploring Denmark. It would have been strange to travel so far and spend so much money just for a concert. We had wanted to visit a Scandinavian country for a long time, and the concert was a perfect opportunity.
As a bonus, we managed to visit two Scandinavian countries on the same trip. You can reach Malmö in Sweden by crossing the bridge that appeared in one of my favorite crime series. I remember watching the characters constantly travel between Denmark and Sweden, quickly and without any trouble, and wondering how it could be so easy.
Danish Weather
Luckily, we checked the weather forecast before leaving and packed some warm clothes. It was a summer trip, and we could easily have packed as if we were going to the beach. But Denmark’s climate would not have been very forgiving.
We arrived from the south wearing T-shirts and immediately opened our suitcases to find something warmer. We put on every warm piece of clothing we had, but our bodies had not yet adjusted to the climate, and we still had five hours before we could check into our hotel. So we walked around, cold and shivering. That was the state we were in when we reached the famous Nyhavn waterfront.
It was beautiful — both the waterfront itself and the small park nearby. The whole scene stayed in our memory. We did not feel like walking much farther, so we decided to take a boat tour through the canals. To make things even better, it started to drizzle.
There we were, sitting on the boat, freezing and huddling together for warmth. And right in front of us, a man wearing nothing but swimming trunks climbed out of the water. He stretched a little and jumped straight back in. We looked at each other and started laughing. What a contrast between people used to this climate and people from the south!
By the way, I had brought my swimming trunks too. I had noticed that the beach was only one stop away from our hotel. So I thought, well, it’s summer, I’ll definitely go there a couple of times. No chance! Even after we got a little used to the weather, we had absolutely no desire to go to the beach. Still, the swimming trunks came in handy. Our hotel had a swimming pool and sauna, which helped us recover from the physical tiredness of walking around all day.
After the canal tour, we still had some time before checking into the hotel, so we continued walking. We were cold, tired, and already wanted to sleep, but there was not much else to do.
We went into a museum we happened to come across. Normally, we take museum visits quite seriously. We plan them in advance, pay attention to the exhibitions, and try to remember what we see. But this time, we simply walked into the first museum we found. It turned out to have a very interesting exhibition of Arab culture. The museum was quite large, with many small rooms. In one of the more distant rooms, there was a round table surrounded by comfortable chairs. So we sat down. We woke up 25 minutes later when someone else entered the room. What a useful room that turned out to be!
The Symbol of Copenhagen
It is difficult to remember one particular thing about Copenhagen because the entire city is wonderful. The city itself, the lifestyle, the rhythm of everyday life. We liked everything, and it is hard to single out anything in particular.
But the Little Mermaid statue certainly deserves special attention. It is a beautiful work of art in a beautiful location. There are always tourists around it, but if you wait your turn, you can get closer and take a good look. And because the statue stands in the water, there are no tourists posing for photographs right next to it — which is wonderful.
It really is a symbol of Copenhagen.
Kastellet
Near the Little Mermaid is Kastellet, an old military fortress. Its original military importance belongs to the distant past, but today it is a wonderful place for a walk.
The fortress is surrounded by a wide moat that was once part of its defenses, making the area feel like an island. The grounds are covered with grass, there are plenty of trees, and many different birds can be seen in the water.
Although some of the buildings still seem to be used as military barracks, visitors can freely enter the grounds and walk around the fortress. It makes for a very pleasant walk.
Walking Around the City
Walking through the streets of Copenhagen is also a pleasure. The architecture is varied but quite restrained. It is difficult to remember anything that feels out of place. Perhaps the only building that immediately comes to mind is Frederik’s Church, located next to the Amalienborg Palace complex.
The city also has an enormous, monumental City Hall with a large square in front of it. There is Christiansborg Palace, with the Thorvaldsens Museum nearby.
Throughout Copenhagen, you can find a great number of sculptures and interesting buildings. But what makes this city special is how naturally they all fit together and become part of the urban landscape. Everything feels as though it belongs exactly where it is. The architecture of Copenhagen as a whole deserves attention, rather than just a few individual buildings.
A Wonderful Trip to the North
I remember Copenhagen as a whole, without exception. And I remember everything because the city feels so natural and balanced. Nothing seems out of proportion or out of place. The city fits its people, and the people help shape the city.
I do not know whether we will have another chance to visit Copenhagen — it is certainly not a cheap city. But I would definitely love to walk through those familiar streets once again.