Copenhagen Itinerary & Hotel 71 Nyhavn Review

Copenhagen City Break

In December 2019 I spent 3 nights in Copenhagen with my now husband. This was a surprise trip for me and was his chosen city to propose! Of course the propsal made this trip extra special, but Copenhagen in winter is still absolutely magical.

Here's a review of our hotel and what we ate, saw, and did on our trip. I've also created a special Copenhagen Google Map so you can see all the spots we visited in one place.

Arriving & Getting around Copenhagen

We arrived mid-afternoon on a direct British Airways flight from London Heathrow which took approx. 2 hours. We travelled with hand-luggage (carry on) only, so we were free to head straight into the city centre after going through passport control.

Public Transport & Copenhagen Card

We took the M2 metro line from the airport (København lufthavn stasjon) and travelled 8 stops to Kongens Nytorv. From there, it was a 10 minute walk to 71 Nyhavn hotel, our base for our 3-night, 4-day trip.

The metro is really easy to navigate, and if you buy a Copenhagen Card (which we did) you get unlimited transportation on public transport for the duration of your card. Find out more about Copenhagen transport here.

Copenhagen is also very accessible for walking around but I would definitely recommend comfortable flat footwear as there are some cobbled streets!

Our Hotel - 71 Nyhavn

Nyhavn is one of Copenhagen’s most iconic and picturesque areas, known for its vibrant harbour lined with colourful 17th-century townhouses, wooden ships, and cozy cafés.

Originally a busy commercial port established by King Christian V in the 1670s, Nyhavn was once a hub for sailors, artists, and writers—including Hans Christian Andersen, who lived at several addresses along the canal.

71 Nyhavn, a historic boutique hotel, sits on the edge of the waterfront. Housed in two converted red-brick warehouses dating back to the early 1800s, the hotel beautifully blends old-world charm with modern Scandinavian elegance.

With exposed wooden beams, harbour views, and a location that puts you just steps away from Copenhagen’s cultural highlights, we instantly fell in love with this cosy and welcoming hotel.

Our Room

We stayed in an Executive Double Deluxe room, which was so cozy and inviting, and had the most comfortable bed and a gorgeous bathroom with underfloor heating - perfect for the winter chill.

If there was just one word to describe the room it was cozy. The wooden beams, the fluffy duvet and the subtle lighting made it feel like we had our own little sanctuary.

Breakfast at 71 Nyhavn

We also had a nespresso machine, and a continental breakfast was included in our stay. Breakfast is buffet style and is served in the cellar which is a really cool experience.

Denmark in general, but specifically Copenhagen, is known for food excellence and we were not disappointed with our breakfasts at 71 Nyhavn. From open-faced sandwiches, to cold cuts and cheese, to homemade overnight oats and yoghurt, there was always something new to try each morning.

The food was so fresh and appetizing and you really felt like you were getting an authentic Danish experience. We did try curried herring which I am glad we sampled, but I'm not sure it's something I would have again first thing in the morning!

Tivoli Gardens

Tivoli Gardens is a must-visit when in Copenhagen. Located in the heart of the city, it's one of the world's oldest amusement parks, dating back to 1843.

Tivoli blends whimsical charm with vintage rides, lush gardens, open-air concerts, and a magical atmosphere that inspired even Walt Disney himself. Any fans of the Disney Parks will see and feel the familiarity.

With everything from roller coasters to restaurants and seasonal festivals, Tivoli offers something for the young, and the young at heart. As we were visiting in Winter there were plenty of wooden chalet-style market stalls, twinkling lights everywhere, and it felt like walking through a fairytale.

We had the Copenhagen Card, so entrance was free, but if you want to go on the rides you'll need to pay per ride, or buy the ride pass. An entrance ticket with a ride pass is 349 DKK (approx £40).

Tivoli will always be extra special for me and my husband as this is where he chose to propose in a quiet part of the garden under the twinkling lights.

Copenhagen Zoo

Founded in 1859, Copenhagen Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in Europe. Located in Frederiksberg, just a short distance from the city center, the zoo is home to over 4,000 animals representing more than 250 species.

You can get the bus or Metro and it takes about 30 mins from the city centre. If you get the Copenhagen Card entry to the zoo is also included! If not tickets will cost 249 DKK (approx £28 currently).

Highlights include the award-winning Elephant House designed by architect Norman Foster, a tropical rainforest dome, and the Arctic Ring where you can watch polar bears swim overhead.

There is also an observation tower which you can climb for an additional 25 DKK where, if you're lucky with the weather, you can see all the way to Sweden!

We spent nearly the whole day here. It was absolutely freezing, so if you visit in Winter definitely wrap up warm and be prepared for snow!

Copenhagen Canal Tour

Get a different perspective of the city and learn about some of the history with a boat tour and guide. Our tour took an hour, and we checked off plenty of landmarks.

This boat tour is great for getting your bearings and deciding which landmarks you might want to make a specific visit to. After our tour we decided to take an early morning walk to see The Little Mermaid statue. Thanks to the boat tour we realised how small the statue is and how busy it gets!

Our guide was really informative, and thankfully the boat was heated and had a clear roof, so we didn't get cold and wet.

We did our tour with Stromma. This was not included with the Copenhagen Card and tickets cost 169 DKK (approx £20).

The Round Tower & A Stroll Around Strøget

The Round Tower

The Round Tower (Rundetårn) is one of Copenhagen’s most distinctive landmarks and Europe’s oldest functioning observatory, completed in 1642 by order of King Christian IV.

Built as part of a 17th-century scientific complex, the tower features a unique spiral ramp instead of stairs (known as an equestrian staircase), leading up to a panoramic viewing platform with sweeping views over the city’s rooftops.

On our way up the tower we were lucky enough to catch sight of the Royal Life Guards band marching past. Being winter, it was a very grey and soggy day but it was still a great opportunity to see the city from another perspective.

Just a note: The Round Tower is a listed building and there is no lift inside. It is also not very easily accessible for wheelchair users or those who are not steady on their feet as the floor is uneven in places.

Tickets are required to enter can can only be bought at the door on the day.

Strøget

Strøget is a pedestrian-only shopping area and is apparently the longest pedestrian zone in Europe at just over a kilometre. Although known for its shops, this street is also a great place to catch street performers and musical acts.

On both occasions we visited, we heard some amazing local talent. There's also a great mix of architectural styles to see. I've linked the location on my Copenhagen Google Map.

Eating in Copenhagen

Denmark has the highest concentration of Michelin star restaurants in the nordic area, so has an outstanding reputation for food quality.

On our trip, we were looking for simpler fare but a more modest budget. As mentioned above, our breakfasts were incredible and we also managed to find some other great places to eat and drink that you might like to try.

Cocks & Cows - They describe themselves as the mothership of great burgers - and they are not wrong! We had 2 very tasty burgers and an eidelweiss beer. There are options for vegans and vegetarians, plus a cocktail menu if beer isn't your thing.

The vibe was relaxed and friendly but I can imagine it gets pretty busy. We went for an early dinner but did book a table just in case.

Døp - Danish street food at its finest. This was an accidental find but we visited multiple times after our fist visit. DØP is a kiosk serving up the best hotdogs we have ever tasted.

All the ingredients are organic, the queue moves quickly and they are incredibly moreish. There are also menu options for vegans & vegetarians.

We stood by the van and ate ours, the perfect bite to eat whilst exploring. They are only open 11am - 6.30pm so be sure not to miss out, There are two locations in the city. Check them out on my Copenhagen Google Map.

Cafe Vivaldi - There are a few locations across the city but we went to the one on Bremerholm - see the Google Map.

We sat outside on the patio terrace, where they had blankets and patio heaters, meaning we could enjoy the crisp winter air and our coffee's and take our time soaking in the atmosphere.

We only stopped for a coffee and a sit down but they offer Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner here. The service was quick and we didn't feel rushed, even though we only ordered a drink each.

Tips for visiting Copenhagen

Get a Copenhagen Card - it definitely saves you money over buying individual entry to places, plus you get the added bonus of the included public transport.

Wear/pack layers - Having visited in winter it's cold outside but inside places are warm. Being around the water can also mean you can feel a chill from the breeze so pack with this in mind.

Make reservations for restaurants and bars - It's nice to be spontaneous, however if you know you want to hit up a specific restaurant or bar and they allow you to book - definitely book, as places fill up fast especially at popular times and on the weekend.

Plot out the places you want to visit on a Google Map - maybe it's the anxious part of me, but before I go on any trip I like to visualise and keep track of the places I want to visit. Seeing them all on a map helps me plan what to do on which day to minimise too much back and forth, especially if your time in a destination is limited.

It's also great once you're on your trip as you can pull up your map on your phone and press the 'directions' button to navigate to the next place on your list.

Check out my Copenhagen Google Map.

Final thoughts on Copenhagen

Copenhagen will always be a special city for us. Proposal aside, I fell in love with the city. It's clean, easy to navigate and has a very peaceful vibe, even during the Christmas Markets.

Cost-wise I would place it in the moderate category. Copenhagen is not cheap, but the quality of everything we experienced felt like value for money. We tried to check off the tings we were most excited to see, but there is plenty more left to explore.

Would I return? Well, we'll be returning to Copenhagen in the summer for 2 days as part of a cruise itinerary! I can't wait to see the city in the sunshine (hopefully!) and am already adding to my list of things to see.

Have a question about our trip or Copenhagen in general? Drop it in the comments below or send me a DM over on Instagram @sophiealicetravel