Copenhagen is one of my favourite cities, and a popular destination for weekend getaways. It is one of the most colourful towns in Europe, and a great city for all kinds of travel. Girly shopping trips, family time, short solo breaks and my all time favourite – a getaway with your friends. That’s exactly what me and some of my mates decided to get up to during Easter, and we ended up having a great time relaxing and exploring the city (in between all the wine glasses). If you’re looking to spend some quality time with your besties in Copenhagen, too (or any other big city, for that matter) – you’ll want to remember these tips.
Head this way for some of the best Copenhagen day trips!
Pick the right hotel
Where you are staying is alpha and omega. Whether your friends prefer early mornings or late nights, you’ll need to pick a hotel accordingly. My friends just happen to be hobby alcoholics (the truth hurts, guys), so it was important to us to have somewhere incredibly comfortable and relaxing to withdraw to when necessary. Staying at the Hotel Kong Arthur was ideal for us, but you’ll find loads of other great hotels to suit your needs through Booking.com.
Stay near each other
Depending on how large a group you are, and when you all book the trip, you might be staying in different hotels. This shouldn’t be a problem at all, especially in a city like Copenhagen – where everything is central. As mentioned above, Ida and I stayed at the Hotel Kong Arthur, while the lads all stayed at the beautiful Skt. Petri. Both hotels were incredibly nice, but most importantly – they where within walking distance of each other. This meant that we could easily meet up after breakfast and for dinner in the evenings, without too much hassle for either parties. It also made sharing taxis home at night a breeze.
Bring a planner
I’m not talking about a book where you write down your itinerary. I’m talking about someone who plans. Someone who makes sure you get to see what you want to see, and that you’ll get to experience the city to the fullest. This is usually the role I take on, and even though I know it can be incredibly annoying at times, I can’t help it. I absolutely love knowing the structure of the day ahead, and ideally people will just go with it. If you have a planner in your friend group – bring them.
Have an Irish Coffee in Nyhavn
Depending on what time of year you visit, Copenhagen can get pretty chilly. Spending an afternoon in Nyhavn is a must, and in spite of the temperature, this means sitting outside. So dress warm, find a spot in the sun (easier said than done), grab a blanket (most restaurants have them), and scout for the cheapest Irish Coffee to stay warm. Alcohol in general is pretty cheap in Copenhagen, and they are pretty liberal with their servings, too – which always makes for a good time. Norway is not only expensive, but also pretty strict with regards to liquor, so we jumped at the chance of a double Irish Coffee for 70 DKK. After feeling the intense burn down our throat, I pointed out the elephant in the room by asking the waiter how much liquor was actually in it. He told us casually that a double constituted 6 centilitres of whiskey! In Norway that’s considered a triple, so we all understood quickly why it was slightly difficult to swallow. (Not that it stopped us from downing them all.)
If you are interested in more great places to eat, check out this foodie guide to Copenhagen!
Rent a limousine
On our Saturday evening in Copenhagen we decided to think outside the box and opt for an activity that had the boys, in particular, extremely excited. Copenhagen has recently become the first Scandinavian city to hold a Hummer Limousine, and this was something we just couldn’t miss. So we rented it for an hour from Dansk Limousine Center and had an incredible time! We were driven around the city for some sightseeing, stopped to take photos where we wanted, and enjoyed our sparkling wine in style. Not gonna lie, I did roll my eyes a couple of times while the boys were presenting the idea, but it ended up being such a great time! The whole experience was such a ball, and I strongly recommend it if you’re visiting Copenhagen with your friends – you won’t regret it!
Related: Is Copenhagen really that expensive?
Split up
Not everyone is interested in the same things, and not everyone has the same priorities when visiting a new city. That’s completely fine, and is why traveling in a large group of friends is ideal. Splitting up may seem counter-intuitive if you’re traveling to spend time with your friends, but it’s a lot better that everyone gets to do what’s highest on their priority list. Which is why me and Ida spend some time exploring Copenhagen while the lads spent their time at the Carlsberg Brewery.
Appreciate time together
This is number 1 on the list. When traveling with your friends, the most important thing is to just spend time together. Whether this is done in a pub, in a limo or on a sightseeing bus – make sure to enjoy it!