Towards the end of my five-day trip in Copenhagen, I felt like I needed at least two more weeks to see everything I wanted to. I recall sharing with my fellow travellers, ‘Copenhagen is not a city. It is a country,’ while flipping through the Copenhagen Card booklet.

Copenhagen Card is an incredible way to get around the Danish capital. It entitles card holders free entry to about 86 museums, free use of public transport (bus, train, Metro and even harbour) and has offers/discounts on sightseeing tours and assigned restaurants and bars.

Here are my favourite experiences to enjoy with the Copenhagen Card

Canal Tours Copenhagen

This waterway tour gives its guests a preview of the main sights of the city—Opera House, Royal Library (or Black Diamond), Amalienborg Palace, Frederik’s Church, Royal Danish Playhouse, Little Mermaid and many more. The tour is an hour-long with English and Danish guides.

(Free from Ved Stranden. Extra charge from Nyhavn.)

Christiansborg Palace

This palatial island comprises the Danish Parliament, Ministry of State and the Supreme Court. The palace grounds also have the Ruins, the Royal Stables, the Royal Reception Rooms and the Royal Kitchen—which visitors can access with the Copenhagen Card. Perhaps most exquisite are the Reception Rooms which has the grand Great Hall, the Throne Hall and the Library. The Ruins are also particularly interesting since it has the earliest castle’s remains.

Glyptoteket

Glyptoteket houses gorgeous French and Danish Golden Age art. Divided into two sections, one part of this museum has Roman, Greek and Egyptian art. The other (and a personal interest) were the galleries of French art collection. There are many works of Monet, Degas, Cézanne and van Gogh, though only one of my favourite Manet. The Danish Golden Age names include Købke and Lundbye.

Also read exploring with the Dresden Card, Germany.

H C Andersen Fairy-tale House

This museum takes visitors through the life of Hans Christian Andersen, the writer of fairytale classics like the Ugly Duckling and the Emperor’s New Clothes. It has interactive displays which narrate the entire life of the writer.

Louisiana-Museum of Modern Art

A little away from the city centre, this museum has stunning exhibitions of Danish modern and contemporary art. Apart from its extensive permanent collection, there are eight to 10 temporary exhibitions on rotation. The outdoors of this museum—the Children’s Wing, shop and café—also add character to the place.

SMK-National Gallery of Denmark

This museum has Danish art collection from 700 years ago.There are exhibitions, art talks, workshops, performances and more artsy activities in Denmark’s largest art museum.

Frederiksborg Ferry

Sail across ‘Denmark’s most beautiful nautical mile’ as you board the ferry to go around Frederiksborg castle. A round trip is 30 minutes only. The ferry departs from three ports: Rosenhaven, Hillerød Torv and Barokhaven. To know more, check their website .

The Round Tower

Built by King Christian IV between 1637-42, the Round Tower is perhaps the oldest operational astronomical observatories in the Europe. The spiral walk up to the panoramic terrace passes through the library, which used to have the entire collection of books of the university and a souvenir shop.

Tivoli Gardens

Tivoli is synonymous to Copenhagen. This amusement park has numerous rides, fun activity centres and a large array of food kiosks, which makes it an ideal destination for family travellers. The gardens in Tivoli were my favourite.

(Rides are not included with the card.)

Also read exploring Madrid with the Madrid Card, Spain.

Visit Carlsberg

At last, my favourite experience in Copenhagen was a visit to the Carlsberg breweries (both old and new). Also called the Copenhagen Exbeerience, visiting the home of the world famous Danish beer is a must for all beer-lovers. Here visitors are can take a walk around the exhibition of 22000 (and counting) unopened bottles of beer, participate in beer tasting (additional cost), take a tour of the stables on the brewer horses, and be a part of weekly special events. They also have a well-stocked up shop and the Jacobsen Brewhouse and Bar.

There are shuttle buses from city centre (Vesterbrogade 6 by Copenhagen Central Station) to Visit Carlsberg every hour from 1100-1600hrs. The return buses to the city centre are every hour again from 1125-1625hrs.

Practical information:
-You can buy your Copenhagen Card here.
-Don’t forget to validate the card by writing the date and time before first use.
-The card is available in 24, 48, 72 and 120 hour slots.
-The card entitles a 10% discount on Copenhagen Bicycle sightseeing tours; 10% off on Donkey Republic’s bike rentals; and 10-25% off on Scandlines Helsingør-Helsinghborg ship ride (to Sweden), amongst others.
-Download the Copenhagen Card app (iOS and Android) to have access to information on the go.
-My bias for museums show in the post. However, the card allows a wide variety other experiences for families, design lovers and more.

Also read exploring Switzerland with the very useful Swiss Travel Pass.

Do you use city cards as much as I do?

Note: I was invited by Wonderful Copenhagen on this trip.

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