Packing adventure into four days? Absolutely. Copenhagen proves it.
I left on Thursday evening, landed on Friday morning, and was back at my desk on Tuesday afternoon. Was it a whirlwind? Yes. Was it worth it? Without question. Here’s exactly how I fit two countries, live jazz, and the best pancake of my life into a long weekend — and how you can, too
Why Copenhagen Works for a Long Weekend
- Flight Time: From the East Coast (JFK), it’s about 8 hours nonstop — the same as some U.S. domestic connections.
- Time Difference: Only 6 hours ahead, so jet lag isn’t too brutal.
- City Size: Compact enough to explore without losing hours in transit.
Where I Stayed
I based myself at the NH Collection Copenhagen in Christianshavn — the part of town with colorful canals, cobblestone streets, and an easy walk to just about everything.
Day 1 – Friday: Touchdown, Nyhavn & Live Jazz
Pro Tip: Don’t nap. Power through.
We landed in the morning and explored the city until our room was ready — cobblestone streets, canals, and that first taste of Copenhagen energy. Once we checked in, we refreshed and headed back out to soak up more of the city.
Later that evening, we got dressed to check out the jazz scene at Epicure. The music was smooth, the vibe intimate — exactly what I pictured for a Copenhagen night. The surprise? After 9 p.m., there were no open eateries in sight. So, like true travelers, we ended the night grabbing munchies from a 7-Eleven (and yes, they’re everywhere here).
By midnight, I was out cold, resting up for the next day.
Highlights:
- Morning city stroll while waiting for check-in
- Evening jazz at Epicure
- Late-night snack run to 7-Eleven
Day 2 – Saturday: Rain, Relaxation & Thai Flavors
Saturday was a slow start — the rain gave me the perfect excuse to take it easy. I spent the morning in a café with a mimosa, just watching the city go by. When the rain let up, I headed to Strøget for some shopping before dinner at a Thai restaurant just off Nyhavn. Simple, flavorful, and exactly what I needed after a low-key day.
Highlights:
- Lazy café afternoon with mimosas
- Shopping finds on Strøget
- Thai dinner off Nyhavn
Day 3 – Sunday: Bikes, Tivoli, Freetown & Italian Dinner
After a morning of the best breakfast, I grabbed an Uber back to the hotel because of the rain. Once it finally cleared, I rented a bike from the hotel and decided to become Danish for the day. I was rusty at first, but eventually got the hang of it.
Based on the name, I thought it was a garden — but no, it’s an amusement park. I was surprised… and not in a “pleasantly surprised” way. It was fine to walk around and take pictures, but it wasn’t the highlight of my trip.
Next stop: Freetown Christiania. This artsy, free-spirited enclave is known for its bold murals, street art, and counterculture energy. Wandering its colorful streets felt like stepping into a completely different city.
Dinner that night was at an Italian restaurant where I ended up chatting with the waitstaff — turns out they were immigrants from Mexico and Italy. Great food, better conversation.
Highlights:
- Best breakfast ever
- Morning bike rental from the hotel
- Realizing Tivoli isn’t a garden (and being okay with that)
- Exploring Freetown Christiania’s murals and unique energy
- Italian dinner with great conversation
Day 4 – Monday: Malmö, Sweden Day Trip
When Sweden is only a 45-minute train ride away, you go. Malmö is calm, scenic, and full of character — the perfect counterbalance to Copenhagen’s buzz.
My first stop was the Malmö Saluhall Food Hall, a must-visit for local bites and a peek at Sweden’s food culture. After fueling up, I wandered through the city and its gardens, admired the mix of historic and modern architecture, and soaked up the novelty of visiting two countries in one weekend — all without stepping foot in an airport.
Highlights:
- Malmö Saluhall Food Hall
- Lilla Torg square and gardens
- Crossing into another country without an airport
- That smug “I just did two countries in four days” feeling
Things I Learned (And Loved)
- Jazz is everywhere. Seriously.
- The food is flavorful but salty — drink water.
- The weather changes three times in an hour. At one point, I thought my menopause symptoms were kicking in.
- Copenhagen has more 7-Elevens than I’ve seen in one city.
- I saw more Black people here than I expected, and it felt good.
- The number of canals? Insane. I started calling it the “Second Venice.”
How to Pull Off a Long Weekend in Copenhagen
- Fly Thursday Night: Sleep on the plane, hit the ground Friday morning.
- Stay Central: Saves you commuting time.
- Plan for One Day Trip Max: Malmö or a castle outside the city.
- Pack Layers: That “three seasons in an hour” weather is real.
- Skip the Overplanning: Copenhagen is made for wandering.
Final Word:
This trip reminded me that big adventures don’t have to mean long vacations. With the right flights, a carry-on bag, and an open mind, you can cross a new country (or two) off your list without burning all your PTO.
If you’re ready to turn this kind of whirlwind into your own travel story, let’s start planning — because yes, it’s doable.
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