Copenhagen left a truly lasting impression on us. What began as a Viking fishing village in the 10th century, Copenhagen grew into the capital of Denmark in the 15th century, eventually becoming the powerful trading and cultural hub it is today. We could feel this rich history throughout the city, from its cobblestone streets to its grand, old buildings. We were especially charmed by the city’s canals, which were once vital for trade and defense, and are now a beautiful and serene part of the urban landscape. Our exploration of the city’s historical and cultural sites had mixed results. A must-see, and a bit of an enigma, is the famous statue of The Little Mermaid. This bronze statue, unveiled in 1913, is based on the tragic fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, a figure central to Danish culture who lived and worked in Copenhagen. The statue, though much smaller than expected, sits gracefully on a rock by the water, gazing out to sea. While she may not be as grand as other monuments, her simplicity and the sad story she represents make her a captivating and iconic symbol of the city. We enjoyed the vibrant energy of the city’s food scene, particularly the delicious variety we found at the Reffen street food market. We also loved our time in the Freetown Christiania area, a unique and quirky neighborhood that offers a completely different vibe. However, unfortunately not everything was to our taste. We found the Lego store to be a bit overwhelming, and the Natural History Museum didn’t quite capture our interest as much as we’d hoped. For those traveling with children, however, we can enthusiastically recommend the zoo and the aquarium for a fun and engaging day out.
We had a great time traveling by camper in Copenhagen, and finding good spots to stay was a key part of our positive experience. We really enjoyed our time at Kastrup Marina, which has a fantastic camper area. The location is beautiful, and it was a comfortable place to park. We also had a pleasant stay at the camper area near Café Sundet. While we found this spot to be a bit more neglected and “abandoned” in feel, it still served as a good base for exploring. When it came to getting around the city, we were impressed with the options available. Of course, the public transportation system is excellent, but we also found that the electric car-sharing network was a great way to explore on our own schedule. It was a convenient and eco-friendly way to get to all the places we wanted to see without having to navigate city traffic in our own vehicle.