SEK TRAVELS

Copenhagen is one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in Europe – and who can blame them? The Danish capital oozes an unmatched Scandi charm as it seamlessly mixes old-world comforts with sleek, modern ideals. But with the number of visitors to the city expected to rise steadily from its 11.7 million annual overnight stays, it is getting ever more difficult to find your own slice of sweet Danish hygge (cosy contentment).

To help you find Copenhagen’s charm without the crowd, I’ve compiled a list of 5 underrated sites that’ll get you to the heart of the city.

(1) Nordhavn – A Mecca for Modern Design

Copenhagen has seen many changes over the years and has found itself to be something of an architect’s playground. Across the city, you’ll see signs of these changes everywhere, as sleek modern designs blend seamlessly into the capital’s historic fabric. However, nowhere in the city has seen such a drastic change as the Nordhavn neighbourhood.

Just twenty years ago, the Nordhavn that you see today would’ve been unrecognisable. A once important industrial freeport, the area has undergone one of the largest architectural projects in Europe. Reimagining the port as a purpose-built 5-minute city with one of the youngest cohorts of residents in the city.

As a result, Nordhavn is one of the most laid-back parts of the city that values convenience and a slower pace of life. Start your journey here by marvelling at the district’s many modern wonders before heading towards one of its world-class restaurants that display a wide range of cuisines. Alternatively, why not decide to live life like a local and take a dip in the region’s several harbour baths?

(2) Become a Codebreaker in the DRM

The Second World War painted a dark cloud across the entirety of Europe’s vast expanse and nowhere was safe from the effects of warfare or ideology. While the war’s effects in countries like Poland, Germany or France are obvious to many, the same can’t be said for Denmark, whose cooperation under German occupation brought with it its own set of challenges. Cue a visit to the Danish Resistance Museum.

From the outside, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the DRM looks like a strange, futuristic public restroom. Small and unassuming, it seems nothing like the behemoths found closer to Rådhuspladsen. However, looks can be deceiving, and the museum reveals more of its secrets the deeper down you go.

The exhibits guide visitors on a journey through the war with stories from several different individuals. Focusing on their difficult choices, it pulls no punches in describing the brutal realities brought by the occupation, regardless of which side you were on. As you learn, take time to explore the interactive displays, which teach how to create and crack codes through small games.

(3) Take a Time Out at Copenhagen’s Kastellet

It’s not often that you can find an oasis of calm in the middle of a capital city, especially somewhere so close to one of its most popular monuments. Copenhagen’s Kastellet park, however, offers just that.

Located only a 5-minute walk away from Eriksen’s Little Mermaid, this park feels worlds apart. No crowds, no hustle and bustle, just the peace and serenity offered by the luscious, green trees and the occasional glimpse of the Kastellet’s windmill as it peaks over natural-forming fortifications.

(4) Take a Trip through History at the Black Diamond

Upon exploring Copenhagen’s waterfront, few buildings stand out quite as much as the Danish Royal Library, aka the Black Diamond. A spellbinding altar for the capital’s modern heart, it’s a masterclass in glasswork that offers great vantage points both inside and out.

The library is well worth the small entrance fee, as visitors are greeted with an open door to Denmark’s rich and storied history. Start in the Treasures Room and discover original manuscripts from some of Denmark’s most beloved figures. Then, journey down into the basement to the exhibition rooms to uncover one of the library’s many collection archives.

(5) Make Full Use of your Copenhagen Card

Although getting into many of the city’s best sites and having public transport for free is nifty, the Copenhagen tourist card has one trick up its sleeve that other similar cards don’t – free transport to places far outside the city. Covering Zealand’s first 99 travel zones, the card offers a wealth of options should you wish to experience a bit of Denmark outside of the big city.

Within an hour’s journey, you can immerse yourself in a variety of different worlds. From Viking banquet halls to the castle that inspired Hamlet, there are plenty of adventurous activities to suit any day trip.