Millions of people would name Christmas their favorite holiday, surely the happiest Danes are not an exception. And what’s not to like? More than a month of sweater weather, fragrant and spicy beverages, feeling warm and cheerful while counting days to the most magical day of the year – Christmas!

As in many other wonderful places around Europe, attending the best Christmas markets in Copenhagen is like walking right into Christmas!

Everything you will find there is specifically designed to fill you with holiday feelings, joy, and excitement. Today I’m gonna not just tell you about the coolest in Copenhagen Christmas markets, but also everything you need to know about the locations, food & drinks, clothes, and possible gifts to buy there.

Whether you already have a Christmas tree all dressed up in your house and holiday decorations all over the place or you’re just starting to think about coming holidays, it’s worth going out to see how others are preparing.

Especially in the big cities and capitals like Copenhagen, some shops and restaurants usually go to some extent with Christmas decorations. Just walking around, looking at all the lights and beautifully dressed buildings may bring that desired magical Christmas mood to you in case you still don’t feel it!

When do Christmas Markets Start in Copenhagen in 2021

Each Christmas market in Copenhagen has its own working dates and hours, but if you come at the end of November, you’ll be able to visit them all! Nyhavn Christmas market tends to open early, almost at the start of November, and the others wait until 15th-16th. Book your trip for the last weekend of November or later so you can see all of the best markets Copenhagen has to offer in 2021!

Hint: Don’t make the same mistake as we did – don’t come for Christmas markets on actual Christmas day! Even though they are called Christmas markets, pretty much everything is closed in Copenhagen on this day. Same applies for other Christmas markets in Europe. Walking around a closed quiet city on a holiday doesn’t feel festive at all, believe us.

All of the markets mentioned below are worth visiting, and I’d suggest you go to every one of them if your Copenhagen journey time allows. I’ve sprinkled them with a bunch of my pictures to give you a feel of already being there!

What to do in Copenhagen during Christmas

Christmas markets are amazing, but it’s not the only thing you can do in Copenhagen during the Christmas season. You can go on an interesting walking tour around less known neighborhoods, go for some rides at the amusement park, or play some cool board games in a local cafe. Check out my list of the most fun things to do in Copenhagen to get some more specific ideas!

Best Christmas Markets in Copenhagen

1. Julemarked Kongens Nytorv – One of the best Christmas markets in Europe

This one is probably the biggest Copenhagen’s Christmas Market among those without an entrance fee. And the most decorated one as well. The whole square looks incredible! Across the street from the market itself, you’ll see the majestic vaults of the D’Angleterre Hotel, which will amaze you with its facade decorations. They have icicles, huge nutcrackers, and a whole scene with Christmas-related characters, all of which illuminate beautifully when it gets dark.

Julemarked Kongens Nytorv greets you with a big Santa’s Sleigh and his reindeer. Right behind them, there is a big luminous Christmas tree surrounded by a whole lot of cute wooden booths. In between handmade woolen clothes and vintage gramophone plates you’ll no doubt find the coolest and unique gifts to please your close ones.

Open: 12 November – 22 December 2021
Location: Kongens Nytorv, 1050 København K

2. Most visited in Copenhagen: Nyhavn Christmas Market

Located along Copenhagen’s canal, the Nyhavn Christmas market is one of the most picturesque places in Denmark.

It’s also in the best area to stay in Copenhagen whether you come for Christmas or not, so you can see the market from your hotel room window!

Find a seat near one of the cafes in those tiny colorful buildings or order your favorite hot beverage in a booth outside and try not to freeze while enjoying the waterfront promenade. Embrace the magical vibes of this street with gingerbread houses and rainbow-like reflections all over the harbour!

Open: 8 November – 23 December (yet to be confirmed for 2021)
Location: Nyhavn, 1051 København

3. Christmas Market Højbro Plads

This Christmas market is smaller but nevertheless cute and will warm you up enough if you happen to be around enjoying the Copenhagen sights. Located just a few steps from Strøget, the main pedestrian shopping street, the Højbro Plads Market mainly features local crafts like wooden kitchen utensils and stuffed toys. There are also many booths with all kinds of local Christmas treats like waffles, danish donuts, gingerbread cookies, as well as coffee and hot chocolate.

Don’t miss Strøget street too as it’s all about Christmas! Every shop makes an effort to decorate its facade to create a smooth joyful breath-taking experience for every Strøget passerby.

If you go the opposite way from Højbro Plads, towards canals, you’ll find a wonderful Royal Library, Christiansborg Palace and a bunch of museums. You can easily find this area on a map: it looks like a small pocket surrounded by canals – and it’s stuffed with sights for you to see!

Open: 12 November – 22 December 2021
Location: 1200 København

4. Tivoli Gardens Christmas Market

If you want to feel like in a fairytale, this is the place to go!

Tivoli Gardens is actually a huge amusement park with antique carousels and roller coasters. Every year in November they go out of their way to literally turn the whole place into a fairytale. There are all kinds of gift shops, restaurants to keep you warm, Christmas rides, trees, and full-size figurines. Everything glitters and is covered in snow!

Take a ride on an Elf Train, have a cup of delicious hot chocolate, taste local sweets called lakrids, and make a handful of memorable photos to remember this amazing day! It’s also a perfect destination if you happen to travel with children.

The entrance costs 130 DKK, but it’s so worth it! You may buy a ticket online to avoid staying in queues. If you only go to one place in Copenhagen, make it Tivoli Gardens, it will cover all your needs and much more. I have never seen anything as magical as this Christmas park in my life!

Open: 19 November 2021 – 2 January, 11:00 to 22:00 (Closed on December 24th)
Location: Vesterbrogade 3, 1630 København V, Denmark

What To Buy in Copenhagen During Christmas Markets Season

1. Christmas figurines

Nutcrackers, gnomes, littles Santas with elves, snowmen, reindeers and many more.

2. Organic wool clothes

The weather during Christmas in Denmark is usually quite freezing. That’s why wool clothes is always a good idea! Choose between tons of warm sweaters, Christmas-themed socks, hats, scarfs, and gloves.

3. Handmade wooden kitchen tools

Of course, you can probably buy kitchen utensils in Denmark all year round.

However, in winter the vendors show off all their best work!

On each and every of the listed best Christmas markets in Copenhagen, you’ll see a great collection of wooden kitchen tools.

Maybe it’s time to bring some of that hygge to your own home?

4. Candles

Copenhagen’s Christmas markets are heavens for candle lovers! Whole shops of lit-up candles with all kinds of winter stories carved in them!

5. Stuffed toys

Especially if you have children! Those danish gnomes, deers, and other animals are so cute that you want to hug them all and take them home altogether.

6. Home decor

Everything you can imagine decorating a house with goes into this category. Scandinavian style is my all-time favorite and when I walk into those shops I literally want to take every little thing back with me! Christmas tree decorations greatly fit in this category too. Spruce up your home with a bit of Danish magic!

What To Eat During Christmas in Denmark

There are plenty of choices to eat and drink at any Copenhagen Christmas market: most of them will keep you warm during typical Nordic cold weather.

Here is the list of foods that you most likely will find on each of the mentioned Christmas markets in Copenhagen:

• Sausages & Fries
• Glögg (spiced mulled wine with almonds and fruit)
• Æbleskivers (Danish donuts) & Waffles
• Fudge & Lakrids
• Hot chocolate

Final thoughts about best Christmas Markets in Copenhagen

This is it! Now you should be ready to explore all the places from my list of best Christmas markets in Copenhagen by yourself.

If you have something to add or need more info, let me know in the comments below.

Don’t forget to save this post to bookmarks or pin it to your Pinterest board if you are planning to visit Copenhagen!

Happy Christmas!

The post Best Christmas Markets in Copenhagen 2021: Where To Go And What To Buy appeared first on Live Your Dream TODAY.

Today I’m gonna cover some of the most romantic places in Kandy that are must visit if you travel as a couple.

Being a cultural capital of Sri Lanka, Kandy has a lot to offer in terms of sightseeing. Even though it wasn’t our favorite Sri Lankan destination, it has a huge historical, cultural, and religious appeal.

Most of the places are relatively close to each other, so you can totally see Kandy in one day if you are short on time. Plan wisely, as there is much more to this wonderful island than just big cities! Some of the other must-do things include exploring the south coast beaches of Sri Lanka, visiting elephant sanctuaries, hiking to see Sigiriya and Pidurangala rocks, and watching wildlife in the national parks.

However, if you have enough time for relaxed strolling hand in hand and romantic picnics, here is my special list of things to do in Kandy for couples!

What To Do In Kandy In One Day

Situated in a geographic center of Sri Lanka, Kandy is a place you can hardly miss if you come for the first time. The most common route for travelers forms…

How to get to Kandy

Sri Lankan traffic is crazy, and it’s important that you are aware of that before you choose your transportation options. Check out my other post where I described everything you need to know about getting around Sri Lanka!

Now, depending on where you are coming from, there are a few options how to get to Kandy:

• Hire a private driver (that’s what we did)
• Order a local taxi (make sure to negotiate the price)
• Take a tuk-tuk (also negotiate)
• Drive a car or a tuk-tuk by yourself (please don’t unless you are used to local traffic!)
• Rent a scooter (depending on how far you are and whether you have luggage or not)
• Order an Uber or PickMe ride (cheaper than all of the above, but hard to find a non-scared driver)
• Ride a bus (non-recommended, cheap but not worth it)
• Ride a train (best option for budget travelers)

Want someone else to take care of everything and organize a wonderful romantic visit to Kandy for you? Check out the tours on Viator or GetYourGuide as they always have many interesting options for all-inclusive day tours!

7 Most Romantic Places In Kandy, Sri Lanka

I can’t even decide which one is my favorite on this list!

Let me think…

• White Buddha in Bahirawakanda temple makes quite an impression as it’s unique and really huge.
• Botanical gardens and Ramboda waterfalls are breathtaking and perfect for your romantic trip.
• We learned a lot of interesting stuff in a Spice Garden as well as at our cooking class.
• Ceylon tea plantations plus a train ride to Ella with its scenic views is something special Sri Lanka has over other countries.

Let’s just say that each of these places is a great spot for a travel couple and worth visiting!

We all agree that traveling is important, and traveling with your loved one is among the best things you can do for your relationship!

1. Visit Peradeniya Botanical Gardens For A Romantic Walk

Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens in Kandy take up a huge territory just outside the Kandy city and are equally loved by both tourists and locals.

They have 4000+ different plants around the gardens, many of which we haven’t seen before. And there are three amazing palm tree alleys with different kinds of palms!

The most impressive part for me was a forest of giant bamboo, but you’ll find a ton of beautiful spots there. By the way, it’s a wonderful place for a romantic photoshoot in Sri Lanka if you are looking for something other than south coast beaches!

You can get more information from the botanical point of view as well as up-to-date prices and opening times on the official website. If you want a guide, you can hire an official one at the entrance when you buy your tickets.

Prepare to spend at least a couple of hours in the gardens! You can bring a blanket and have a picnic on the grass to rest your legs after all that walking. Such a nice date idea overseas!

2. Learn Sri Lankan Cuisine At Local Markets & Join A Cooking Class

As almost every other country, Sri Lanka has its own unique cuisine worth exploring!

And what can be a better way of learning about Sri Lankan food than attending a cooking class with a local family?

Eating in local restaurants can give you some shallow overview, but it’s nothing compared to real homemade food that locals themselves eat every day!

During our short time in Kandy, we managed to attend this cooking class and it got to be one of the most special experiences from our trip to Sri Lanka!

Here are a few highlights from that evening in local home:

• We visited a local market with no tourists around and picked some vegetables we have never seen before for our class
• They organized our transfer from the hotel and back as it was an authentic local house in a quiet residential area
• The whole family helped us cook: a man (experienced cook), a woman (experienced housewife), a grandma, some children running around, and a dog barking outside
• We made about fifteen different dishes!
• They grow curry leaves in the yard and we used them for making curries
• We learned all the stages like scraping coconuts, making coconut milk with our bare hands, and deep-frying papadums
• We used an old-school wood-burning stove
• It was really a hands-on experience: we did most of the cooking ourselves carefully supervised by other family members
• We got to eat a lot in the end and it was amazing!

Cooking something new together with a local family can make you closer as a couple! An hour into the process you start to be comfortable and feel like part of the family. You might even learn a few secret tricks that have been used in the family for generations!

Homestay In Sri Lanka: Perks Of Staying With A Local Family

When I showed you the best accommodations in Sri Lanka we’ve stayed at, a lot of you wondered what is a homestay. This was actually a new concept for me…

3. Hug Each Other Under Breathtaking Ramboda Waterfall

We visited three waterfalls in Nuwara Eliya, but this was the most beautiful one!

Ramboda Falls is the 11th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka. It is situated along the road from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya and is much more impressive up close.

There is actually more than one way you can see the Ramboda waterfall!

First we looked at it from the distance when we made a stop at a popular viewpoint on our drive from Kandy to Ella. There are other viewpoints as well and as Hill Country is quite curvy, there are many places from which Ramboda falls can be seen.

Later we came to see it close. To be honest, I don’t think we would easily find the way if it wasn’t for our driver (one of the many perks of hiring a local driver!). I didn’t see any direction signs to the waterfall and you need to walk through the hotel to get there.

But this leads me to the best thing!

As it’s not obvious, not many people know the way, so there are hardly any tourists close to the waterfall. Compared to a super crowded Ravana waterfall we visited later, this one was surprisingly quiet!

Even though some people make their way up to the closest viewpoint (as on my second photo), almost nobody takes the effort to climb down to the falls themselves! There are no stairs, but it’s like a minute of effort, and you get to make all those amazing photos of the Ramboda waterfall (like my first one) with no people around.

4. Unwind On A Picnic Near The Peaceful Kandy Lake

Artificial Kandy Lake is the centerpiece of Kandy!

It’ located right in the middle so you will pass it a lot on your sightseeing journey.

Despite this, you can still have a quiet walk along the long stretched shore with hardly any tuk-tuks around. Come with a blanket and sit together for a while looking at slight waves and getting to know each other.

Kandy Lake was built by the last king of the Kingdom of Kandy in the early 19th century. It’s one of the most romantic places in Kandy if you want a feel-good date without long commuting. Locals call it ‘The Sea of Milk’ by the name of the pond that was there before.

The fishing is prohibited, but you might see some locals bathing in the lake in their clothes. I wouldn’t recommend joining them though, as the water is not that clean.

Anyway, it’s perfect for a romantic stroll in Kandy!

5. Jump On A Scenic Train Ride To Ella

If you are planning your trip to Sri Lanka, you must have heard about this train ride already.

Some insta-famous couples got a lot of criticism for taking those amazing romantic pics hanging from Ella train. I wouldn’t recommend recreating such photos as it can be dangerous if you aren’t careful enough. However, those adventurous pictures are one of the reasons train ride to Ella is on my list of the most romantic places in Kandy!

The train goes from Kandy to Ella and takes around seven hours.

You can also go the other way around, from Ella to Kandy, or choose another train from Colombo, depending on your planned route in Sri Lanka. Another very common approach is to go from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya and stay there for a bit exploring the tea plantations (see #7).

Every train that goes through the Hill Country will amaze you with wonderful scenic views along the way!

By the way, don’t expect all the trains that go along the Nine Arch Bridge to be blue! They are common, but we also saw a red one with occasional green cars.

6. Climb The Stairs To The Bahirawakanda Temple

As opposed to the popular and therefore super crowded temple of the tooth relic, there are hardly any people in quiet temples like this one.

Located on top of the hill in Bahirawakanda village right in the center of Kandy, this temple is known for the giant white Buddha depicted in meditation pose. You need to pay a small entrance fee and climb a few stairs to get to the top where the statue is.

There is a small dedicated place before the entrance where you can leave your shoes as you can only enter sacred places barefoot. There is a tiny souvenir shop at the top with books, postcards, symbolic merchandise and some clothes.

The whole territory feels peaceful and serene, so please keep it quiet as there are actually monks living there.

No matter how religious you are, you won’t leave the Sri Maha Bodhi Viharaya temple unimpressed!

Cultural Shock in Sri Lanka: What You Should Know Before Planning Your Trip

Sri Lanka is a wonderful country for travel and so incredibly different from what we were used to at home! We were amazed or surprised in some way on every…

7. Explore Tea Plantations in Nuwara Eliya

You probably know that Sri Lanka was called Ceylon back in the day.

And what is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear Ceylon? Right, Ceylon tea!

Sri Lanka is one of the world’s leading tea exporters with hundreds of millions kilograms of tea being produced every year.

On your trip to Kandy, you should definitely come to Nuwara Eliya to try some freshly made Sri Lankan tea and learn about the whole tea making process!

You will see a lot of tea plantations around the island, especially in the highlands, but in Nuwara Eliya you can visit a tea factory and see all the phases. Our driver took us to one of the tea estates where we were given a free tour around the factory!

There is so much interesting stuff to see that it’s worth it even if you happen to be a coffee lover. But better not tell them that you don’t like tea!

During our tour at the factory, we saw people working the machines, the process of drying fresh leaves, some special equipment that separates big leaves from small ones, and much more! In the end, we got complimentary cups of tea and saw their selection of end products. The guide even told us what kinds of tea locals prefer to drink and which one tastes better with milk.

After the tour, we were allowed to wander around their plantations on our own, smell the growing leaves, and make wonderful photos! This is your opportunity to shoot some of the most romantic pictures from your Kandy trip!

Hint: Beware of the tea pickers that might let you take photos with them only to ask for tips afterwards.

Where to stay in Kandy: The Most Romantic Accommodations

Here are some good accommodations for various price points.

All of these romantic hotels all located in Kandy city center, basically spread around Kandy Lake, so you can walk to half of the listed above places to visit in Kandy and not spend extra money on transportation.

I also am a big believer in staying in homestays and trying Sri Lankan local food, that’s why all of the hotels and guest houses below have breakfast included. Believe me, having a local homemade breakfast in your accommodation is way better than going to a random restaurant and ordering from the menu. You get the idea of what locals eat and you will try new things every day! Besides, the portions are normally sufficient to keep you full for the rest of the day. I often had to skip the lunch!

But enough about food, let’s find a romantic hotel for your wonderful stay in Kandy!

Cheap rooms in Kandy for couples

CiruteTalwatte

Mcleod-Inn

Sarvodaya Samma Vaasa Residence

Mid-range Kandy hotels for a romantic getaway

Sweet Lanka Boutique Kandy

swp eco lodge

OZO Kandy Hotel

Luxury hotels in Kandy for love birds

The Radh Hotel

Square Peg

Ceyloni Panorama Resort

Where To Stay In Sri Lanka: Our Favorite Budget Accommodations

We had such a wonderful time during our full month in Sri Lanka! To explore as much as possible and be able to tell you the best parts, we have…

Amazing Day Tours From Kandy, Sri Lanka For Couples

If it’s not your first time in Kandy or you have an extra day after you visited all the sights mentioned above, here are some one day tour ideas from Kandy you can consider:

Check the agenda of the tour before booking it to make sure it doesn’t cover the same places you’ve been to already. Sometimes these things are flexible and a private guide may walk you different routes depending on what you are interested in, but you better know in advance to have the best experience!

Kandy Outdoor Activities For Adventure Lovers

Walking around hand in hand is always great and romantic but you don’t want it to be the only thing you do in every trip. Otherwise at some point it won’t be special anymore! What is the reason to visit different places if you have the same experience over and over again, right?

If you are a fit couple and always up for adventures, check out these outdoor activities in Kandy!

Final thoughts on romantic places in Kandy

So I guess you have enough details on Kandy for a perfect romantic getaway!

Whether you’ve been married for decades or just met each other this year, a trip together is always an amazing experience that brings you closer to each other.

Every country can give you wonderful memories if you have the right person by your side!

This guide covers honeymoon worthy hotels, best romantic things to do, interesting activities, and all the romantic places in Kandy city. Hope it helps you plan a great holiday for yourself and your significant other!

Wish you love and happy travels!

If you’ve been to Kandy already, tell me in the comments which places you enjoyed the most!

Pin this for later

The post 7 Romantic Places In Kandy: Travel Guide For Couples In Love appeared first on Live Your Dream TODAY.

Choosing the right neighborhood can be tricky especially if it’s your first time in Copenhagen. I’ve met people who had the worst experience of a city just because they weren’t so lucky to choose a good area to live in. Nobody wants their stay to be spoiled by gypsies, homeless people or other shady figures flickering all around.

In this guide to Copenhagen neighborhoods you’ll find everything you need to know about the best areas to stay in Copenhagen. Whether you are a first-timer or not, alone or with children, on a budget or looking for something luxurious, I got you covered.

Soooo, here they are! The best places to stay in Copenhagen sorted by area.

If you want to quickly pick something by yourself, here is the map of Copenhagen with some of the available hotels. You can move it around, zoom in or out, and click any of the dots to check availability for your dates. Use it to compare prices, read reviews, see the photos and check other details that are important to you!

Nyhavn – Most instagrammable of the places to stay in Copenhagen

Copenhagen’s canals draw tourists from all over the world. Therefore, if you love making photos, this is probably where you should stay. All those wonderfully painted houses along the waterfront make Nyhavn area the best area to stay in Copenhagen for tourists.

Imagine walking along a colorful promenade towards the harbour with a delicious waffle-on-a-stick in one hand and your camera in the other. The sun is shining and sailing boats slowly passing in different directions. Isn’t it a dream?

Nyhavn is relatively close to everything. Firstly, go west and you’ll end up in the city center with the main pedestrian shopping street Strøget and most of the main palaces within walking distance. Secondly, a short walk in the north direction and you will face an Amalienborg palace where you might spot changing of the royal guards. More to the north and you can enjoy the calmness of the star-shaped Kastellet fortress and find a famous Little Mermaid statue.

Finally, if you cross the bridge directly from the harbour, you’ll end up in Christianshavn, the famous hippie neighborhood.

Now let’s talk accommodations.

Cheapest hostels near Nyhavn

Copenhagen is an expensive city and naturally central areas are short on cheap-priced accommodations. Bedwood hostel is probably the only good option in the Nyhavn area under 100 euros per night. Prices start at 43 euros for a dorm bed.

Best average price accommodations at Nyhavn

All of the following hotels are beautiful from both inside and outside. Don’t forget to ask for a canal-facing room to make your stay pure pleasure! All the tourists from the street outside will envy you when you are enjoying your breakfast on a balcony overlooking the colorful harbour.

Luxury stays in Copenhagen close to Nyhavn

Whether you are looking for the best 5-star hotels in Copenhagen or some cute Scandinavian-styled apartment in the heart of Denmark’s capital, here are your best options.

Indre By – Copenhagen city center

Indre By is a great choice for first-time visitors or for someone looking where to stay in Copenhagen for a weekend. This is the heart of the city with all the must-visit places located within walking distance.

Translated as ‘Inner City’, Indre By is the oldest area in Copenhagen full of historical landmarks. There are tons of museums, palaces, monuments, universities, and libraries as well as beautiful parks.

The main shopping street is called Strøget and there you can find everything from the world-known clothing labels to chocolateries. Did you know that Lego is from Denmark too? There is a huge Lego shop in the middle of Strøget with lots of gift options for kids and adults. They also have some cool full-height figures made of Lego that are definitely worth looking at.

So, here comes the list of nice places to stay in Copenhagen Indre By area.

Affordable places to stay in Indre By

Even if you are on a tight budget and can’t afford to pay hundreds of euros per night, you can still visit Copenhagen and even stay in the city centre! Here are two hostel options in the very heart of the old city.

Mid-range hotels in Indre By Copenhagen

Here are some high-quality affordable hotels in Copenhagen city centre.

Best luxury hotels in Indre By

Care for a comfortable stay and aren’t looking for the cheapest hotel options? Here are a few cool luxury hotels in Copenhagen city centre that will satisfy your appetite.

Tivoli Gardens – The best place to have fun in Copenhagen

Tivoli Gardens is a huge amusement park build in the 19th century. It is one of the spots you can’t miss if you want to have some great memories of your trip. Besides all the rides and activities that are always there, every November Tivoli Gardens put on the most wonderful decorations! This fact alone makes this area the best area to stay in Copenhagen at Christmas.

No matter if you are the calmest person or an adrenaline junkie, you will love Tivoli Gardens! Plan your time in advance so you can spend at least a couple of hours here wandering around, enjoying yourself, making photos, taking rides and tasting local sweets. There are plenty of restaurants and shops on the Tivoli territory featuring local crafts and food in case you get hungry or need to buy some gifts.

READ ALSO: How To Have Fun In Copenhagen: The Coolest Spots

Cheap stays near Tivoli

Tivoli Gardens require 10-minutes walk from the city center and this area can offer many more affordable options for staying in Copenhagen on a budget. Check out these cute hostels below!

Affordable places to stay in Copenhagen near Tivoli Gardens

Here are some good places to stay in Copenhagen that are close to Tivoli Gardens and Copenhagen Central Train Station.

Best luxury hotels in Tivoli area

Don’t want any extra walking? Stay at Nimb Hotel right near the entrance of Tivoli Gardens! Other options require couple of minutes-long walks but will also give you the rest you’ll need after a long day of memorable experiences.

Here are some options for visiting Tivoli Gardens that help you skip the long entrance lines:

Frederiksberg – Best area to stay in Copenhagen with kids

Frederiksberg is a nice residential area and one of the family-friendly places to stay in Copenhagen. Should you happen to travel with kids, consider living here. It’s far from the city center’s noise and nightlife, almost no tourists around, clean and quiet.

Copenhagen Zoo is located in this area and beautiful green parks are all over. Frederiksberg is definitely one of the best neighborhoods in Copenhagen for families.

Apart from being family-friendly, this is also a good option if you are not visiting Copenhagen for the first time and want to feel the city in a less touristic way. Live where locals live, eat what they eat and enjoy the unique hygge lifestyle that makes Danish people the happiest nation in the world!

Here are some places to stay in Copenhagen’s Frederiksberg area.

Norrebro – Best place to stay in Copenhagen on a budget

In recent years Norrebro district has become a popular destination for young people. It’s a quiet neighborhood a bit to the north of Copenhagen city centre area Indre By. They are directly connected by the bridge so it’s easy to go back and forth in case you prefer to stay in less noisy areas.

Cheap hostels in Copenhagen

Norrebro is the best area for backpackers because it’s full of cheaper hostels and affordable apartments. It only takes a short train ride distance from the city centre. That is to say, this is a great neighborhood for travelers of any age who care less about living in the city centre and prefer to spend more on experience.

Also, all those hostels create great opportunities to meet fellow travelers and find new friends on the way!

Affordable places to stay in Copenhagen Norrebro neighborhood

Hotels in Norrebro reflect the essence of Scandinavian local culture. They are simple, clean and full of light and space. White colors in design and interiors are known as a calling card for northern countries including Denmark. Certainly, “cozy” is the first word that comes to mind when you want to describe their culture – and hotels in Norrebro neighborhood only prove the rule.

Best Scandinavian-styled apartment in Norrebro Copenhagen

As I said, Norrebro is more about cheap hostels and affordable stays, so don’t expect to find many boutique luxury hotels in this area (if you are looking for those, go to Indre By or Nyhavn sections of this post). Instead, here is one nice Scandinavian-styled apartment you might wanna consider if you travel with family or a big group of friends.

If you choose to stay in one of Copenhagen’s less touristic neighborhoods, here are some guided tours with a local flavour that you might find intriguing:

Where to stay near Copenhagen airport

Copenhagen’s airport is located quite far from the city center (6+ km) and sometimes it’s easier to choose a place to stay closer to the airport than to the city center.

Let’s say you have an early flight and don’t want to bother commuting in the middle of the night. Or maybe you only need to spend the night in Copenhagen between flights and don’t need to go to the city centre at all.

For these cases, you might want to find a place to stay close to Copenhagen airport, so here are a couple of options for you.

In the airport area you can find one of the coolest attractions in Copenhagen – The Blue Planet aquarium. Only one train stop or about 20 minutes walking from the airport – and you can see hammerhead sharks, touch stingrays and walk through an underwater tunnel. Read more about the aquarium in my other article that covers some Fun Things To Do In Copenhagen!

Final thoughts on where to stay in Copenhagen

Have you found exactly what you were looking for?

I’m sure there were enough options on where to stay in Copenhagen for you to look no further, but in case you still need more variety, try to look directly for your dates using this search box.

Extra tips and ideas on how to spend time in Copenhagen

Depending on how much you’d like to see and do during your Copenhagen visit, consider getting a Copenhagen City Pass. It is costly, but it covers a lot of things and might be totally worth it if you want to make the most of every day. You can choose card’s validity duration according to the length of your trip (from 24 to 120 hours).

Transportation in Copenhagen is pricey and with the City Pass you don’t need to worry about it at all. It covers the cost of getting from the airport to the city centre which is about 5 euros one way, as well as all the buses and trains around the city. Moreover, it gives you free entrance to 80+ museums and attractions some of which I mentioned above: Copenhagen Zoo, The Blue Planet Aquarium, Tivoli Gardens and many more. You can even go on a canal tour for free when you have this card. Read more about Copenhagen City Pass here and decide for yourself if it’s worth it.

Here are some extra ideas on what to do in Copenhagen – cool activities you’ll remember

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Go on a free walking tour

If you are not familiar with this idea, here is what a free tour is. It is a guided walking excursion which usually takes around 2 hours and doesn’t require any advance payment. You just come to the meeting point, meet your guide and only after the tour decide how much it is worth paying. According to the level of your enjoyment, the guide’s professionalism and sometimes your financial situation, you might leave however much you want in tips.

To look for free walking tours I usually go to Google. There are plenty of sites for each country (at least European ones) that do this kind of tours. Having so many options allows everyone to find something suitable in terms of specific dates, times and language. For example, a lot of tours in Malaga are provided in Spanish, so make sure to check it before you register. In some cases you are not even required to register, you can just show up. However, I recommend to always register as sometimes tours get canceled if none or too little people have expressed interest in them.

Those sites that offer tip-based tours mention the tips range from 5 to 50 euros, but there are no actual limits. You might even leave the tour at any moment if the guide sucks and not tip anything at all. This never happened to us, though. Also please keep in mind that in some cities legally employed guides are required to pay a 3 euros fee for each person who has registered for a particular tour, so we usually make sure to leave at least 5 euros each to not be a liability.

Particularly in Malaga, I had great experiences with GuruWalk. They have plenty of other destinations too, definitely check them out before your next trip!

Important: please be aware that legit free tours don’t require any credit card information from you for registration. If they do, it’s either a scam website or they offer some extra feature you’ll be paying for which you should be able to skip.

One great thing about free walking tours is that you never know how many people will be there. We’ve had very different cases from 60 people showing up for the same tour (we were divided between two guides into 30-people groups) to only us showing up and actually getting a personal tour which allowed us to make stops for photos wherever we wanted! On the other hand, a more crowded tour gives a great opportunity to meet other travelers from all over the world and make new friends, which is cool too.

In capitals and smaller touristic cities, there are always more options other than the usual city-center-focused historical tour. You might find super exciting ones like city legends, sunset picnic on a secluded beach or hidden viewpoints some locals not even know about! Sometimes tours even include a free tasting of local food, sweets, or drinks. Always put some time into discovering your options when planning your trip to get the best experience possible.

Check out local museums

Malaga has lots of different museums and you probably won’t be able to check them all during one trip. However, most of them are located in the city center and are walking distance from one to another, so you can visit a few of them in one day if you’re up for a challenge.

If you are into art, your first destination should probably be a Picasso museum. Pablo Picasso is the main figure in Malaga as he was born and raised in this wonderful city. Locals are very proud of this fact, that’s why besides this museum in his name you will also see his Birthplace museum, a monument to him, a great deal of street art inspired by his artwork, and much more. Several local restaurants and bars have cocktails named by him and even photos of his daughter Paloma Picasso visiting their grounds.

For contemporary art, you can go to the Contemporary Art Centre or The Pompidou Centre. Among more classical places you might find interesting Museo de Malaga, which is more focused on archeology, or Museo Carmen Thyssen that showcases the Thyssen family’s art collection that mainly consists of Andalusian 19^th-century paintings.

If you happen to have some spare time, I recommend visiting the Wine Museum. The ticket costs only 5 euros, but it includes tasting of two typical local wine choices in the end. The museum is quite small and won’t take much time, but you will see a lot of old wine labels some of which can be considered art themselves and get to know some historical facts behind them. One of the things I’d never expected to see on a wine bottle were children! Turns out, at some point in the past wine was used in Spain for medical purposes to treat children from bad diseases. This is one unusual kind of advertisement, right?

Another cool museum is The Car and Fashion Museum. It has a big collection of unique cars together with high fashion exhibitions. It hosts a lot of interesting events (check if there is something cool going on during your trip’s dates!) and even is often used as a venue for weddings. This is definitely a place where you can go with your significant other and find something fascinating for each.

Cool tip: If you are not sure you would like some of these museums or if you are on a budget, go on Sunday! Most of the mentioned places are open for free visits after 4 or 5 pm on Sundays. You might even get an audio guide with no extra cost!

Climb the famous castles

Unlike most of the castles you usually want to visit as a tourist which require a long drive, Malaga’s most ancient structures are right there in the city center. Start from the Roman Theatre which was only discovered by accident in 1951, then climb the stairs of the Alcazaba fortress (not hard at all if you are not in shape, especially with a 1,5-hour slow-paced guided free tour), and finish with the castle of Gibralfaro. The last one often hosts some instrumental concerts and has the best views in Malaga.

All of the above are much better with a live tour guide because you get to know the history behind those old walls and which significant events took place at what point. Also, they might show you some tiny details in architecture that you’d never notice by yourself. Anyway, even without a guide, it’s worth just wandering around and embracing the ancient atmosphere and cool meaningful ornaments.

Personal tip #1: if you are tired after climbing the Alcazaba fortress, there is a lift that’ll take you all the way down. Free of charge!

Personal tip #2: as we were secretly told by a local, you can skip the Gibralfaro and go see the viewpoints with the very similar views for free. Start at the small passage to the left of the Roman Theatre and go all the way up from there. It’s hard to to get lost there as you can always see your target above! And there is almost no people at all if you choose that path, we were told that a lot of locals don’t even know about that road!

Personal tip #3: if you are not in a good shape and don’t wanna climb anything, but still curious about those breathtaking views, take a bus 35 from the city center (costs EUR 1.30 same as all of the city transport). It’ll take you right to the Gibralfaro castle’s entrance. You can either go inside or go to the viewpoint nearby, which has one of the best city views in Malaga.

Spot all the cool monuments

Malaga has plenty of interesting monuments you might wanna see by yourself, here are a few of them:

• Picasso Statue (Plaza De La Merced)
• Hans Christian Andersen with a cute “ugly duckling” in his bag (Plaza de la Marina 4)
• El Cenachero or The Fish Seller, a traditional profession in Malaga (Plaza de la Marina | Avenida Manuel Agustín Heredia)
• Larios Monument which represents hard work and charity (Alameda Principal, 1)
• Galvez Family (Av. Ingeniero José María Garnica, 7, close to the train station)
• Dove/Hand Sculpture (Calle Bolsa)
  …and many more to discover by yourself!

Unwind on a beach

As I already mentioned, there are 300 days of sunshine in Malaga, which is why I just couldn’t not mention this. The most popular beach called La Malagueta is near the center of Malaga, close to the port. But if you want something less crowded, go to the Pedregalejo area or even all the way to El Palo. More locals, fewer people, and still many cool and clean beaches.

Extra info: all the beaches in Malaga are open and free, but rented stuff is available only till around 8pm. In most places all-day rent of one sunbed costs EUR 4 and there is usually a deal that includes two sunbeds and an umbrella for EUR 10. (Prices relevant for October 2019)

If you aim for the best, go to Nerja! It’s known for the best beaches in Costa del Sol and it’s worth checking out. Takes a 1-hour bus trip to get there. Besides the seashores, there are other things to see in Nerja like the Balcony of Europe from which they say you might see Africa on a good day!

Useful tip: make sure to buy both way tickets in advance in Malaga as Nerja is a small village and the ticket window closes around 7pm. I guess you can pay directly to the bus driver, but there are a lot of people like that and we saw a lot of them not getting inside because there were no places left. Keep this in mind.

As an alternative, book a tour to Nerja from Malaga or wherever you stay and don’t care about all of these trouble!

Visit a farmer’s market

To feel like a real malagueño don’t go to the supermarkets all the time. Support local businesses by going to farmer’s markets. The best one in the central area is called Atarazanas. It has a beautiful facade and it’s own interesting history which you’ll hear all about if you take any guided city tour.

The main foods to try in Atarazanas are Jamon (choose between Serrano and Iberica, some sellers might give you a piece of each to taste before you buy!), local cheeses, olives, olive oil, fish and seafood, and last, but not least, fruits. We actually tasted 3 different fruits for the first time when we were in Malaga!

Personal tips:

• Don’t touch the food, especially fruits. This is an important unspoken rule. The whole farmer’s market experience is about interactions with locals. A seller chooses something for you according to your preferences: for example, they might ask if you want a mango for today: if you say two days from now, they’ll choose a less ripe fruit so it gets perfect for you in two days.
• There are places where they can cook the fish and seafood that you just bought right away and you can eat it on their terrace outside. Fresh and delicious!
• Most sellers can’t say a word in English – keep this in mind and be prepared to use gestures if you don’t know any Spanish.

Go shopping on main shopping streets

This one doesn’t require an explanation. The main places for shopping are the following:

• Calle Marqués de Larios
• Calle Nueva
• El Corte Inglés (shopping mall close to the city center)
• Centro Comercial Vialia (another shopping mall right at the María Zambrano train station)
• Muelle Uno (open-air shopping mall with shops and restaurants and a nice sea view)

Walk by yourself and enjoy the Malaga’s beauty

In Malaga literally everything is in the center. I’ve already mentioned castles and beaches so here is how you can go for a nice walk without any guides!

Tip: you can rent a motorized scooter and ride it through this path instead of walking, They are very common in Malaga!

Start at Plaza de la Marina where you can rent a scooter if you want. Go along the Avenida de Manuel Agustín Heredia until you see the Iron Bridge. Proceed to the south to explore the beautiful Malaga’s port. This is also the right place if you want to take a 30-min ferry to Africa! Coming back from the port, there is time to enjoy Parque de Málaga, a long (3 bus stops long!) and super green botanical garden with many benches, monuments, and trees. It ends near the La Malagueta Bullring, which actually looks much better from one of the viewpoints. Being there you will not miss a Centre Pompidou, which has an eye-catching colorful glass cube on top of it. Finish your walk exploring Muelle Uno, the nice waterfront open-air shopping complex with lots of restaurants to have lunch and rest after your long walk. Don’t miss La Farola – a popular lighthouse which is called by feminine name (usually lighthouse is masculine in Spanish) because of its shape.

Well, this is it for my Malaga full city guide. Now you know what to do and where to go for however long you’d be in Malaga. I spent there a whole month and there are still so many things I haven’t seen that I could easily spend another month wandering around this wonderful city! Hope to be back one day for more. Please tell me in the comments if you found any of my tips useful and save it to your Pinterest or bookmarks in case you need a refresher during your trip!

The post 8 ways to spend time in Malaga (with useful tips) appeared first on Live Your Dream TODAY.