Afterwards we headed to Nyhavn, famed for its row of colourful dutch style town houses lining the canal and had a wander around the city centre shops.
I discovered a beautiful jewellery boutique OTHMAR
I am really particular about what I like when it comes to jewellery but Loved her designs.
She sells online via her website too.
I was also in love with her colleague who was taking an afternoon nap behind the till, an adorable little french bulldog!
Speaking of bulldogs, I had one for lunch!
At ANDERSON BAKERY just opposite the central train station.
There are hot dog stands on just about every other street corner in Copenhagen but I had read that this place did the best ones so held out and it was worth the wait- with 3 varieties to choose from I opted for the bulldog (aka posh hotdog) made with seasoned halal veal and organic beef, topped with super crispy salty onions, pickled gherkins, ketchup and mustard- very yummy!
Just around the corner is the number 1 touristic spot TIVOLI GARDENS, a combination of fun park and flower park with rides, beer gardens, food pavillions and live entertainment.
I had hoped to visit at night when I had been told it was pretty lit up but unfortunately it was closed during our visit so we didn't get to take a look inside.
Here are some pictures of the entrance dressed ready for the Halloween opening season...
On Saturday evening we returned to Nyhavn canal side and started with a drink at one of the touristy alfresco bars which line the waterside.
It was dark by this point so there was a nice atmosphere with couples and groups huddled around lanterns and blankets available for those who were feeling the chill.
We ate at MASH a trendy steak house in the centre of town.
This place usually gets booked up in advance but we were lucky to bag a window seat, great food and people watching washed down with more great cocktails!
After dinner we set off in search of UNION bar, inspired by the speak easy bars of old New York.
Our lonely planet guide had given the wrong address for this hidden basement drinking den (its number 16 not 19!) and we very nearly ended up buzzing the apartment block opposite when looking for the unmarked door.
Luckily we noticed a bit of traffic at a door across the street and were ushered downstairs.
This was my favourite bar of all!
Teeny weeny but with masses of character.
It was dark, hot, crowded and a little claustrophobic but amazing.
The 'no one's home' cocktail was incredible- tasted like creamy rhubarb and custard sweets with black pepper thrown in!
On Sunday we took a boat trip around the waterways of Copenhagen with a DFDS tour.
Departing from Nyhavn you are on the water for about an hour, taking in sights such as the infamous little mermaid statue and the apartment where her creator Hans Christian Andersen once lived.
We stopped off at a branch of LAGKAGEHUSET a chain of upmarket bakeries similar to Paul in the UK.
This is a great place for cheaper eats in Copenhagen with a mass of freshly baked breads, cakes, pastries and sandwiches and they served the best chai latte I have ever tasted!
Open every day of the week.
Sundays in Copenhagen are very much a day of rest with pretty much all shops closed, we headed out late for dinner (round 2 at Mother!) and wanted to stay out for drinks but everywhere seemed deserted.
We managed to catch last orders at PATE PATE a bar/cafe/tapas joint in a former . . you guessed it . . pate factory in Kod byen on the same street as Karriere.
Pate Pate feels less industrial and a little more French with dark wooden furniture, make shift shelves made from fruit crates, various books stacked about the place for sale and wine bottles acting as candle holders.
By now the kroners were running out so I opted for a glass of house red but it was so good I took down the name, the bar man told me that it was sold exclusively in just 3 bars in Copenhagen and since returning home I have found it available to buy online.
For those who like their red check out Winery Arts squared 3, (the bottle on the left) a spanish wine from the Ribera del Queiles region, Get the lowdown here
On Monday we ended our trip with a romantic candle lit brunch at
a quaint little restaurant set within an old windmill on the riverside in Christianshavn.
This place is dreamy!
It was a very grey and drizzly morning but still lanterns flickered and fairylights twinkled in the outside courtyard, leading the way in.
We sampled a local delicacy 'smorrebrod' a traditional Danish open sandwich and tried herring for the first time ever (after getting over my concern that it was heron- blonde moment!)
And then it was off to the airport to fly home :(
Round up. . .
Copenhagen is very compact so it is easy to reach everything on foot, we walked absolutely everywhere and didn't need to take the metro once!
if you prefer, make like a local and hire a bicycle.
There are barely any cars on the road so it is safe to cycle and because there is less pollution the air is so much noticeably cleaner and fresher!
Copenhagen does not use euros but still has its own currency Kroner.
The city is regarded as one of the most expensive in the world with 25% tax on everything so it is worth keeping this in mind when shopping and eating out to avoid any nasty surprises when you get the bill
currently 1 GBP = 8.5106 DKK
If you want a relaxing city break where you can still manage to see and do lots at a chilled out pace (we slept in every morning and still managed to fit in plenty!) then Copenhagen is definitely worth a look, I loved it!
