Solo Summer 2025 Days 62-66 (conference interlude): Five Nights in Copenhagen - Rooftop Sunsets, Royal Gardens & Danish Delights (all fit in around a conference)
After several weeks of hopping through cities every 2-3 days, Copenhagen provided the perfect blend of elegance, ease, and just the right amount of fairy tale charm. I was technically in town for a conference—but I’ll spare you the details of that and focus on the good stuff: rooftop drinks, royal gardens, old amusement parks, and enough food to keep me daydreaming about Denmark for weeks to come.
Thursday: Arrival, First Impressions, and Sunset Drinks
I touched down in Copenhagen on a Thursday afternoon and headed straight to my hotel—NH Collection Copenhagen, a stylish, modern property situated right along the harbor. It was a smooth check-in, and after dropping off my bags, I jumped right into exploring the city with a two-hour walking tour.
Copenhagen is a city steeped in royal history and innovative design. The tour took me through cobbled streets lined with colorful buildings, past Amalienborg Palace (home to the Danish royal family), and over to the Christiansborg Palace, where Denmark’s parliament now meets. We strolled past Nyhavn, the postcard-perfect harbor lined with vibrant 17th-century townhouses and wooden ships. Originally a rough port area, Nyhavn is now a bustling spot for locals and tourists alike to grab a drink or just take in the views.
That evening, I had a lovely reunion with a travel friend I met on my Eastern Europe trip earlier this summer. We met up at the rooftop bar of my hotel, where we sipped cocktails while the sun dipped behind the skyline. Warm air, good company, and sweeping views—Copenhagen had made a strong first impression.
Friday to Monday: A Whirlwind of Food, Friends, and Fairytales
Though my days were mostly spoken for, I carved out little pockets of joy between obligations and turned Copenhagen into my own personal playground.
One afternoon, I met up with Alex, a good friend from Tennessee, and we made our way to Tivoli Gardens—one of the world’s oldest amusement parks, dating back to 1843. Part whimsical dreamscape, part adrenaline rush, Tivoli has everything from nostalgic wooden roller coasters to beautifully manicured flowerbeds. We wandered through the lantern-lit park, ate something sweet (of course), and soaked up the old-world charm that inspired Walt Disney himself.
Another evening, I joined some colleagues for an unforgettable multi-course tasting menu with wine pairings. Each dish was beautifully presented, bursting with flavor, and perfectly complemented by expertly chosen wines. The Danes take their cuisine seriously, and it shows. This meal wasn’t just dinner—it was an experience.
Between meals and meetings, I managed to squeeze in some meaningful catch-ups too. One night I grabbed dinner with friends from Tennessee who were also in town for the Conference, and on another evening, I met up with a former student over drinks and conversation. There’s something really special about connecting with people from different parts of your life while traveling—it gives the trip added layers of meaning.
And then there was Rosenborg Castle. I carved out a peaceful afternoon to explore this 17th-century Renaissance palace, originally built by King Christian IV. The interiors are richly decorated, and the Crown Jewels (housed in the basement) are nothing short of dazzling—but what really stole my heart were the castle gardens. Known as the King’s Garden (Kongens Have), it’s the oldest royal garden in Denmark and is still a favorite picnic spot for locals. I strolled beneath tree-lined paths, paused to admire statues and fountains, and simply let myself exhale.
A City That Balances Beauty and Ease
Five nights in Copenhagen went by in a blink, but the city left a lasting impression. It’s a place that manages to feel both regal and relaxed, where centuries-old castles stand comfortably beside sleek modern buildings, and where a spontaneous coffee or cocktail can turn into something memorable.
Whether it was sunset drinks with travel friends, roller coasters at Tivoli, or wandering through royal gardens, Copenhagen offered a perfect mix of the planned and the unexpected. And while I may have technically been here for work, the heart of the trip was all about connections—with people, with place, and with that quiet joy that comes from simply being in a beautiful city with a little time to explore.