10 (plus 1) Ways to do Copenhagen on a Budget
Welcome to Copenhagen! You're in the capital of the beautiful Kingdom of Denmark, home to the happiest people on earth, the oldest monarchy in the world, and the most expensive train station BLT I've ever encountered. After dropping about fifteen dollars on that (admittedly delicious) sandwich, I knew I was going to have to figure out some way to survive for five months in one of the most expensive cities in the world on only an abroad student's budget.
I had a few more mishaps (including an accidental $150 train ticket to Sweden...) before I figured out a solid routine that kept my wanderlust and - most importantly - my wallet as happy as the Danish people. So if you're spending a few days in Copenhagen and want to get the most kick for your kroner, check out these great activities, sights, and bars (So great, I just couldn't pick only 10!)
1. City Bike Tour
I cannot recommend this highly enough! Bicycles are an iconic part of Danish living, so much so that there are more bikes than cars in Copenhagen and the bike lanes are as wide as the streets. Public transportation in Copenhagen is really great, but the best way to see the city from the point of view of a Dane is from the bicycle lane.
Copenhagen City Bike doesn't just offer you the chance to rent a bike for the fantastic price of 25DKK (or about $3.50 USD an hour), but each bike is equipped with a tablet between the handlebars for easy navigation to the best sights and attractions in town. No need to overpay a tour guide to haul you around to their choice of locations. Take your own tourism by the handlebars and get the most out of the city! Believe it or not, you CAN get around most of the city center in an hour if you really book it (Copenhagen is actually pretty tiny and compact) so that's an entire city tour plus your daily bit of exercise for less than four dollars!
One bit of advice I have for those of you daring enough to take to the bike...do NOT mess around in the bike lane! Danes take their commute very seriously. Ask someone what the appropriate hand signals are for turning and stopping before mounting up. Danes are extremely nice and helpful, but they WILL yell at you in scary scary Danish if you don't adhere to their basic biking etiquette.
Click here for more information on Copenhagen City Bikes
2. Tivoli Gardens
Though not necessarily the cheapest activity in Copenhagen, it is definitely something you need to do! Tivoli is the second oldest amusement park in the world ("What's the first?" I hear you asking. Don't worry, I'll get to that.) Located right smack dab in the middle of the city, Tivoli not only has a great collection of rides, fantastic entertainment and dining, and beautiful walking gardens, but was also the inspiration behind Disneyland! That's right, when Walt Disney visited Tivoli while on vacation with his wife he was so impressed by the park's "happy and unbuttoned air of relaxed fun" that he immediately wanted one of his own.
Don't fear though, Tivoli is nowhere near as expensive as Disneyland. Entrance into the park (which is open seasonally during the summer months and over Halloween and Christmas) is $15 USD. Unfortunately, like the Disneyland of old, you have to buy additional $4 "ride tickets" to get on any of the thrilling attractions, but those are only a small portion of what the park has to offer. I went to Tivoli many times and ignored the rides all together, opting to stroll through the gorgeous gardens, grab a pint at one of the water-side restaurants, or watch a live show instead. Just walking around the park and soaking in the enjoyable atmosphere is easily worth the entry fee, especially if you go during the winter when all the trees are lit up and you can drink steaming hot glogg beneath their towering Christmas tree. 10/10 would recommend.
For more information on when the park is open and what deals are available, click here.
3. Dryehavsbakken (Or Bakken for short, because yeesh that's a tough word!)
And now we have the oldest amusement park in the world! Bakken opened its gates in 1583 (right around the same time Shakespeare was busy making a name for himself over in England) and has remained one of Denmark's best and most historic attractions. It is a 30 minute train ride north of the city, but entry is free and the beautiful natural surroundings make for a perfect picnic scene. Keep an eye out for the wildlife, however - about 2,000 free-range deer love to hangout around the park and entertain unsuspecting travelers.
Here's Bakken's official site for more information on tickets and events.
4. Freetown Christiania
The "Free" part not only refers to the fact that it costs nothing to visit. Christiania is a self-proclaimed autonomous neighborhood in the center of Copenhagen with one of the most interesting and intriguing histories around. I won't be able to cover it as thoroughly as I would like in this post, so instead I'll encourage you to visit their historical museum and see for yourself.
What I can tell you though is that Christiania was one of my favorite places in all of Copenhagen. Rife with art and culture, restaurants and bars, and some of the most beautiful natural life you can find in the city, Christiania is definitely worth a visit. It was founded roughly 30 years ago when squatters took claim of an abandoned military base and turned it into their own community of free thinkers and alternative lifestyles.
Christiania is infamous for Pusher Street, it's very own Green Light District where you can buy and smoke weed without legal consequences, but has faced a lot of controversy over the years. Because of this, it's extremely important to adhere to Christiania's rules - namely no photography. Just don't even bring a camera in, trust me. Although nothing illegal is going on per say, the people there are extra twitchy about photography, and your safety is what's most important.
Read up more on Christiania before you go! It's an amazing and unique place (and pretty cheap, too), but you should know your stuff first.
5. The Spiral Tower
Just outside of Freetown Christiania is the Church of our Savior's Spire -- also known as the Spiral Tower. Legend has it that after the tower was completed in 1752, the architect realized he had designed the intricate spiral pathway in the wrong direction and in a fit of dispair threw himself from the top of the tower.
(wow, that got morbid pretty fast...)
The Spiral Tower offers by far the most amazing views of the city. For only $5 you and your friends can climb through the complex system of stairs and tunnels all the way to the gilded tippy-top of the tower. It's a bit of a journey, so wear appropriate shoes, but the view from up above is simply breathtaking. You will be able to see the entire city center, including Christiania and the canals, with an incredible 360 degree view. I recommend going later in the afternoon when the sun is starting to set for the best lighting - the city looks golden!
6. The Mystic Exploratorie
Part of Ripley's Believe It Or Not, The Mystic Exploratorie promises you a horrifying time, full of daring challenges and eerie experiences. Walk through graveyards, switch heads with your friends, and visit Dr. Jekyll's ghastly laboratory. It's great freaky fun (especially for kids!) for the equally great and freaky price of only $11 USD. I'll admit, it's a little cheesey, but if you're traveling with kids or are just a big kid at heart, this is a really fun way to spend an afternoon right in the heart of the city.
7. Carlsberg Brewery Tour
Like Tivoli, visiting the Carlsberg Brewery is going to put a bit more of a dent in your wallet - but also like Tivoli, Carlsberg is a huge and important part of Copenhagen's history and culture. There's no beating your way around it...beer is very important to Danes. So much so that they've created their own holiday around it. And let me tell you, it is a WILD day!
Carlsberg Brewery Tour offers great insight into the history of brewing in Denmark as well as tours of the beautiful Carlsberg gardens and stables, and ends in, you guessed it, a bar. The tour is $13 each and includes two free beers you can get either during the tour or afterwards in the bar and giftshop. Make sure to snap a picture with the famous Carlsberg Elephants who guard the entrance to the factory!
8. Studenterhuset (Or the Student House)
After all the walking and climbing and biking, you're probably getting a little hungry and thirsty. The Studenterhuset saved my life when I was a student and has one of the best deals on drink prices I've ever seen. The Studenterhuset is sort of like a central hub for the students of the city, and therefore has a fantastic young vibe. I could go on and on about this place, but I'll just say that you can get two draft beers during happy hour for about $3.50 -- which is a steal! Take it and run! It's hard to find a single pint of draft beer for less than $5 in the city, and the Studenterhuset is about as centrally located as you can get.
This place is incredibly versatile: Go during the day for a cheap cup of coffee and cake, take advantage of their free wifi and extremely chill atmosphere; or go at night and enjoy great live music, dancing, and socializing with locals. The Studenterhuset is a great launching place for a night out on the town. My friends and I usually went there to pre-game before hitting the clubs - It's so much cheaper and most nightlife is only a short walk away.
Seriously, this place is amazing. Please check it out.
9. MexiBar
In the mood for something a little stronger than beer? MexiBar is a festive, Mexican-inspired bar (think Cabo Cantina) that specializes in frozen cocktails, and thanks to their student friendly prices you can actually afford to buy them! The atmosphere is great and it's always a young crowd. One drink in and you'll forget that you're in the middle of a city where it's probably 10 degrees below freezing outside.
Find out more here.
10. Halvandet Beach Bar
Or if you want something more like the real thing, visit Halvandet Beach Bar and Restaurant right off
the main city on the harbor. Pull up a beach chair and enjoy the view while you sip on their affordable drinks and chow down on some great BBQ. Unfortunately, there's no swimming allowed at Halvandet, so if you're in the mood to take a quick dip head on over to Amager Beach Park, which is only ten minutes away.
Find your Beach here.
11. Copenhagen Street Food Fair
Hungry? Hit up the Copenhagen Street Food Fair, Copenhagen's first food truck and stall venue. Indulge in meals from all over the world while enjoying waterfront views of the Copenhagen's harbor. Eating in Copenhagen isn't cheap, but here you can usually get a good meal for as little as $7. Follow the trucks by clicking here for more information.
