I firmly imagine that one of the best ways to get to know a metropolis is thru its folks, and the Danish are a few of the nicest folks to get to know. In every single place I’ve gone, I’ve been greeted with excited smiles and lists of suggestions, introductions, and welcomes to Copenhagen. With so many native and reliable ideas, I’ve discovered it exhausting to do all the things I wish to do in my brief time right here, however I’ve solely let this encourage me to spend much less time in mattress (even after I may be craving a nap) and extra time exploring town and its environment.
Sadly, I didn’t convey my bicycle throughout the Atlantic, so I don’t fairly have the total expertise, however I’ve discovered my favourite factor to do is stroll across the metropolis. Whereas the general public transit in Copenhagen is extremely simple to make use of, merely strolling to class or new landmarks can present you a lot that you’d miss underground on the metro. You work together with extra folks, go extra native sights, and by chance purchase additional souvenirs at a couple of too many reward retailers.
Beginning at my condo in Nyhavn, the Little Mermaid statue is a fifteen-minute stroll northeast. On the way in which, you’ll go the colourful yellow Nyboder homes, constructed by King Christian IV for navy households tons of of years in the past. Simply previous there, you’ll stroll by way of a star-shaped fortress referred to as Kastellet. This fortress is a brilliant purple base inside surrounded by inexperienced strolling paths and flowing creeks. As you stroll by way of right here, you’ll go St. Alban’s Church, the Gefion Fountain, a number of parks and gardens, and eventually attain the well-known Little Mermaid statue. Right here, after you snap a fast image with the landmark, you possibly can admire the water from land or sea, as I noticed a number of kayaks floating across the space.
Turning again round, a ten-minute stroll within the different path takes you to the well-known Nyhavn Canal, a colourful strip with the most effective Italian eating places in the entire metropolis (for my part, in fact). The canal can also be my go-to spot for crepes, a meals my roommates and I made a decision we had been very keen about two weeks in the past. Close to the canal, you possibly can stroll by way of Kongens Nytorv plaza, cease within the Guinness World Document museum, and buy groceries at any store you could possibly think about — from souvenirs to call manufacturers.
Persevering with my stroll in direction of my DIS educational constructing, I go Gammel Strand, the Church of the Holy Ghost, and Gammeltorv plaza. Day-after-day, I’m in awe of the sights I absorb on my informal stroll to class. I’ve all the time been so fascinated with European monuments and the way immersed within the cities they’re. I really like with the ability to stroll as much as so many various church buildings and palaces so near my condo within the metropolis. Simply previous my classroom is Rädhuspladsen plaza, house to a number of eating places and cafes, the Copenhagen Metropolis Corridor, Museum of Copenhagen, and (my private favourite) Tivoli Gardens, the third-oldest amusement park on the planet.
In case you take a barely completely different route house, you’ll stroll north previous the Spherical Tower and head in direction of the Botanical Gardens and Rosenborg Fortress. These inexperienced zones are the proper post-class destresser, particularly with a pal or a pair of headphones. In case you go barely northwest from there, you’ll find a lake the place you possibly can experience an enormous swan boat simply previous a vigorous avenue market with the freshest smoothies I’ve ever tasted, and in simply fifteen minutes you will be house once more.
With a lot to do actually steps from my condo in Copenhagen, I’ve discovered pleasure in exploring town at my very own tempo. I’m vulnerable to getting caught up within the subsequent factor I’ve to do or the subsequent place I’ve to be, by no means leaving time for me to cease on the journey and admire what’s in entrance of me. In Copenhagen, I’ve discovered myself doing simply that. I hope to spend my final week right here exploring, strolling, and appreciating extra.
