Copenhagen in a Day: A Whirlwind Guide to the Danish Capital

As a Chinese person used to the safety and ease of walking the streets back home, I’ve grown accustomed to moving through cities without a trace of vigilance. In Germany, however, one can’t shake off a faint anxiety – there’s an unmistakable sense that the economy is faltering, and the areas around train stations carry a shadow, a suggestion of something sinister.

Denmark, by contrast, feels entirely different. Walking through Copenhagen, the air itself seems laced with contentment. The streets are filled with laughter, warmth, and the comforting hum of everyday life. The city is delicate and compact – small yet beautiful – its buildings, streets, and design shops all exquisitely composed without being overwhelming. There’s a quiet grace in the rhythm of daily life here: people stroll calmly, unhurried and unbothered.

In Germany, you often see faces clouded by worry. In Denmark, you meet people who are natural, straightforward, effortlessly handsome and beautiful. Unlike the polished artifice one senses in big European nations like Germany, France, or the UK – where refinement can feel like a performance, a mask of cosmetics and effort – the Danes possess a more organic kind of beauty. Their charm lies in simplicity and health, a freshness unadorned by heavy makeup or deliberate style – an authentic, uncontrived grace.

And unlike the Bavarian beer festivals that often get suspended for one reason or another, Copenhagen offers an entirely different feast. Here, seafood and Chinese food abound, and both are genuinely good – even the bubble tea at the airport competes with what you’d find back in China. Germany, by contrast, struggles: food there is often either tooth‑achingly sweet or overwhelmingly salty. There are good places, of course, but they’re few and far between.

The One‑to‑Two‑Day Cram‑It‑All‑In Itinerary
Day 1
From the airport, start with the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, a museum whose sculpture and Egyptian collections are truly breathtaking. Then head to the Botanical Garden, where the butterfly pavilion – alive with tropical frogs and fluttering wings – feels like walking into a dream.

Next, visit Rosenborg Castle, a window into the staggering wealth of the Scandinavian royal houses (see photos 1 and 2). Continue to Frederik’s Church, whose grandeur rivals that of St. Paul’s in London. If time allows, include Kastellet, the star‑shaped fortress that houses the Little Mermaid statue (photo 6). Then make your way to the Amalienborg Palace, the seat of government, before heading to Nyhavn, the city’s iconic, colorful harborfront. Finally, end your day at the Rundetaarn, the Round Tower – open later than most attractions and offering a panoramic view of the city skyline.

This route is tight; unless you arrive before 9 a.m., it’s nearly impossible to see it all. If you’re short on time, skip the Botanical Garden and Amalienborg Palace and save them for the following day.

Day 2 (or Supplemental Route):
Pick up anything you missed on the first day, then head to the Danish Architecture Center (skipped on Day 1 if pressed for time), followed by the Grundtvig’s Church, an absolute must‑see — photos coming in a later post. End your journey at the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, a vast seaside complex perfect for a leisurely afternoon. The exhibits are sometimes surreal, whimsical even, but the setting alone makes it well worth the trip.