I grew up in a suburb to the north of Denmark, not far from the capital Copenhagen. Trips to Copenhagen were plentiful, and I was quickly drawn to the big city life. I’ve been spending my most recent years in Sofia, Bulgaria, living the dream of a life abroad, where my days are mostly spent fostering rescue animals until they find a permanent home and planning my next cheap getaway.
Copenhagen has recently been named the number one city to visit in 2019 by Lonely Planet. However, visiting Denmark, and Copenhagen especially, can be quite pricey. You want to see it all and also try the delicious Nordic cuisine, but before you know it, your wallet is empty, and your vacation is over.
Don’t lose all hope yet! Here is a list of six well-known places, along with some hidden gems, which require little to no money to visit. I’ve also added a few tips on how to experience these locations and get around the city.
1. Nyhavn
Nyhavn is a hotspot for both visitors and locals and is a very popular backdrop for selfies and vacation photos. Most people take a stroll down the street with all the boats and colorful houses next to the canal, and I suggest you do the same. This is after all what Nyhavn is all about—soaking in the surroundings and the vibrant atmosphere.
Having lunch at one of the authentic Danish cafés along Nyhavn can be tempting. They lure you with great seats in the sun and ice cold pints of beer. However, you can easily end up spending $45 on a standard meal with a drink. Instead, I recommend heading for the supermarkets. Do as the Danes do, and get yourself a pack of rye bread, some topping of your choice, and a couple of beers. Find a good spot near the water and have a little picnic. It’s perfectly legal and socially acceptable to drink in public, so don’t hesitate to open a bottle of wine or a can of beer. Everyone does it.
2. Elephants in Copenhagen
Many people decide to go for a walk or a run in Frederiksberg Garden in the center of Copenhagen. This is also the perfect place for a picnic with a view of the Frederiksberg Palace, the former summer residence of the royal family, which is now housing the Royal Danish Military Academy.
What most visitors don’t know is that you can enjoy a view of the elephants from the Copenhagen Zoo, which is right next to the garden. If you follow the paths of the south-western part of the gardens, you will be able to admire those mighty animals free of charge. Don’t get me wrong, the Copenhagen Zoo is one of my favorite places, but the entrance fee is not cheap.
Denmark has one of the oldest monarchies in Europe and the second oldest in the world, following The Imperial House of Japan. While you’re roaming the streets of Copenhagen, why not make your way to the Amalienborg Palace? This place serves as the queen’s residence most of the year, and the front courtyard is open to the public. Knowing that the queen is just on the other side of the walls of this beautiful building makes it extra interesting.
Amalienborg is guarded by the Royal Danish Guard 24/7, and these guards often become the main attraction to visitors. They wear characteristic uniforms and bearskin hats. Every day at noon the guards change shifts—an impressive, precisely choreographed ceremony.
4. Christiania
Across the canal from Amalienborg Palace is Freetown Christiania. This iconic area has about 1000 inhabitants and used to be an old military base up until 1971. After World War II, the military slowly abandoned the area, and locals occupied the empty buildings.
Now Christiania is a tightly-knit community with no cars and its own set of rules and guidelines. Most of the current structures have been built by locals over the years. Many of them are oddly-shaped and covered in street art.
This place is well worth a visit, but keep in mind that taking photos is prohibited once you’ve entered.
Тhe Botanical Garden is a huge ground with 27 glasshouses, all with their very own climate to support the selection of plant species inside them. This is a great place to have a peaceful walk. There is no entrance fee, and you can stay as long as you want within the opening hours.
Like all the other places, I suggest you cut costs and bring your own food. The garden has a café, but it can be a bit expensive.
Just a few hundred meters from the Botanical Garden is the Round Tower. It was built by King Christian IV in the 17th century. Even though the tower only takes you 35 meters above street level, it provides a great view of Copenhagen.
What makes the Round Tower special is that it has no stairs. King Christian IV insisted on ascending to the top on horseback for the opening ceremony, so the tower was built with a 209-meter long spiral ramp, which is still being used to this day.
Note that it will cost you 25 kroner, or only $3, to go in.
How to get around Copenhagen?
Denmark is not a good place for taxis and they are pretty much considered a luxury. Just getting into one will cost you about $6, and that’s before the actual ride starts.
I strongly suggest walking around, as this is the best way to experience Copenhagen. Most of the sites are not far from each other, so if you’re no stranger to hiking or long walks, this would be optimal.
Another option is to do as the Danes do and bike. Bike rental is available all over the city center. The most popular ones are electric and have a tablet installed on the handlebars for navigational use and payment. You can pay as you go—it’s around $2.50 for every 30 minutes—or pay for a certain number of hours up front. When you’re done, you simply park the bike at one of the official docking stations.
Discovering the world doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. Have you ever tried travelling on a budget? Share your experiences in the comments below.
It’s so cute! I wish I could visit the zoo with my kids, as you know, all kids like animals and my son is crazy about elephants. For me personally, I would definitely like to visit the Botanical garden as I’m a nature lover and I like to explore different flowers and cactuses.
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