Here's Why Copenhagen is One of the Most Underrated Cities In Europe, and What to Do There
Written by RTC member Jordan Mehan
After studying abroad for a semester in Florence, Italy, a few of my friends and I decided to embark on a three-week backpacking excursion. We were hoping to hit some of the “big” spots we weren’t able to hit during the semester, such as Prague, Vienna, and Amsterdam. While planning our travels, Copenhagen was thrown out as a potential destination. Call me crazy, but I’d never heard of the city.
After some research, we ultimately decided to add the city into the three-week backpacking trip, and it was one of the best decisions we made. Copenhagen went from being an unknown city to one of my favorite cities in the world, and here’s four simple reasons why.
1. Epic Biking Culture
I know European cities tend to have a better biking culture than America, but the biking culture in Copenhagen was next level. There were designated biking lanes and even mini traffic lights for the bikers! My friends and I had been nervous to bike in other cities, but after realizing how easy and safe it was, we rented some bikes in Copenhagen. This was the best way to get around and see the sites. Plus, it was a great way to experience the nice weather. Being able to bike around the city definitely gave Copenhagen some major points in my book.
2. Cool Sites
Copenhagen has some pretty great sites to hit. Of course, Nyhavn is one of the most popular and IG worthy sites to hit. Don’t worry, the colorful buildings look just as pretty in real life as they do in the pictures.
Copenhagen is also home to a royal family, which means you can check out some of their castles. My personal favorite was Rosenborg Castle. Unfortunately, I didn’t run into any princes, so I don’t think I’ll be moving in there anytime soon. Lastly, be sure to check out the Little Mermaid Statue. As a fellow redhead, this was a must for me.
3. Boat Ride
This was by far the best part of our trip. My friends and I were able to rent a boat from Friendships and drove it through the canals of Copenhagen. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You’re even able to bring food and drinks on the boat! The driver just needs to be 18 years old and remain sober throughout the duration of the ride. Friendships gives you a quick run-down of basic boat functions and a map of the canals, then you’re off! Don’t worry, it’s a lot easier than you think.
4. Daylight for Hours
We visited Copenhagen in May, and we were pleasantly surprised with how late the sun stays out. It didn’t truly get dark until around 10 o’clock, which is foreign concept to Americans from New Jersey. It gave us ample time to relax at beautiful parks and explore the city. We loved how the day felt never-ending.
Our Copenhagen adventure was two days, which was the perfect amount of time for my friends and me. I would highly recommend visiting the great city if you can, you certainly won’t regret it!
