Copenhagen, Denmark & Malmö, Sweden

In June, my husband and I took a trip to Copenhagen. We were excited to visit Denmark for the first time, and excited to take a day trip to Malmö, Sweden, and explore two countries in one trip.

BEFORE YOU GO

ADAPTER: If you are traveling from the US, you will need an adapter. Know the wattage of your electronics before you go, so that you know if you need a converter, adapter or both. I have a universal wattage flat iron. It saves me the hassle of worrying if I need an adapter AND converter. Most hotels and Airbnb rentals provide a hair dryer, so just make sure whatever you bring has Worldwide Voltage, or you will also need a converter.

PHONE:  Contact your cell phone provider to see what is included. T-Mobile gives unlimited data and texting, but charges $0.25 per minute per call. I have read other companies require you to get a SIM card, so contact your provider for details. You can also download WhatsApp to your phone and call using Wi-Fi to call others who also have the app installed. This is what we do for phone calls and face-time connections when abroad. Some travelers use e-sim cards as an alternative, so that may also be an option for you.

If you have T-Mobile, they do offer in-flight connection that gives customers free connectivity with streaming on American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines. This includes data, streaming, and text messaging. All you do is connect to the Wi-Fi and add your phone number to the T-Mobile prompt and you are all set.

CONTACT YOUR BANK AND CREDIT CARD COMPANIES:  It's important to let the bank know when you will be out of town so that you won't have any problems withdrawing your money when you get to your destination. You also may need to notify your credit card company of the travel dates. We like to withdraw local currency when we arrive at our destination from a bank ATM in one lump sum. This avoids extra fees for multiple transactions. You can get away with using a credit card almost everywhere, but having some local currency is always a good idea. Some credit cards charge fees for international use, so ask about fees before traveling. There are credit cards that do not charge foreign transaction fees, so if you travel a lot, it's a good idea to have one. We did not need any cash in Copenhagen or Malmö. We used our credit cards everywhere.

WHERE TO STAY: Central locations are pricier, so if you are trying to stay on a budget don't be afraid to stay on the outskirts near a train or bus stop. Group the sites you want to see within each city and make a decision from there. Things to consider are parking fees if you have rented a car, easy access to metro if you are not staying close to the city center, and if you are in the city center, a walkable location to your sites. We try to use credit card points for stays as much as possible. This sometimes dictates the location we stay.

Admiral Hotel: This is a nice hotel right in the center of everything. We were able to use points to stay here the entire stay. The bed was comfortable, and the shower was nice and hot. Our only issue with this hotel was the lack of air conditioning. On the site it says AC, but this refers to an air circulation system, not air conditioning. This is an important note for those who run hot, and air is a must. Luckily it was cool enough at night to keep the window open (no screens), and quiet enough in the late evening, to be able to sleep comfortably.

The metro is a short walk from the hotel and can get you from the airport to walking distance from the hotel in just a few stops. You can see the hotel details here: Admiral Hotel. We took the metro when we arrived but chose to Uber when leaving just for the convenience. It was pricey, but you get dropped off right at departures, so we felt it was worth it.

CAR RENTAL: Always compare car rental prices. We usually find good luck with Hertz or Sixt when overseas. Costco can also be a great option for renting. Do some research and go with whoever has the best deal. Be sure you know how to drive a manual if you rent the cheapest option as most cars will be manual. If available, you will pay a bit more for automatic. We did not rent a car this trip and utilized the metro or walked everywhere.

WHEN YOU ARRIVE

TRANSPORTATION: Depending on your mode of transportation you will taxi, Uber, rent a car, or take the metro to your hotel. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the country's metro system before you travel so you know what to expect. You may do what we do, which is a combination of car and metro.

Metro: After going through customs and security, look for the red ticket machines to purchase your metro tickets. It was very cheap for the two of us to get to our hotel and we had no issues with our carryon bags (we each had one roller and one backpack or duffle). The day trip to Malmö took 40 minutes and cost 198,000 DKK ($31 USD) for the two of us. It's also an interesting experience to take the Øresund Bridge.

Car:  Decide if you will need a car for your trip at all. Initially my husband wanted to drive to Malmö, but when I told him how easy the train would be, we ended up using the metro. If you do decide to rent a car, some countries ask for your International Driver's License. Always have it with you when traveling. You can get one at any AAA office in the US. In Copenhagen, you may want to just rent it for the day(s) you are traveling outside the city. You really won't need one in Copenhagen, it's very walkable.

SIGHTSEEING

Day 1: Arrival Day. We took the metro from the airport and made our way to the Admiral Hotel. Upon arrival our room was ready for check-in, so we freshened up and headed out to explore the city. We were worried about rain during our travel dates, so we tried to pack in as much as possible on the first couple of days, and planned to travel to Malmö when it would be sunny there.

First stop Nyhavn. These picturesque buildings are on every travel guide and video you watch of Copenhagen. The buildings date back to 1680 and although a tourist spot, it's definitely a must see. As much as we try to stay off the main tourist streets, it's impossible not to keep coming back to this beautiful street and walk the canal.

Our first stop was to the Rosenborg Castle and gardens. You can explore the gardens at no cost, but there is a 140 DKK fee to tour the interior. We did not go inside.

At the Round Tower, you can ascend a ramp to enjoy panoramic 360-degree views of the city. The entry fee is 60 DKK per person. It is connected to the church, which you can explore for free. The tower was finished in 1642.

As we strolled through the streets of Copenhagen, we admired the many beautiful buildings, statues, and fountains. We enjoyed walking from one place to the next.

Gammel Strand is an excellent spot for viewing the canals. We noticed multiple companies providing boat tours. They also have the option to rent a boat and navigate it yourself.

The Church of Our Savior is renowned for its external staircase winding around the spire. To reach the summit, you must climb over 400 steps. The entry fee is 69 DKK per person, and a time slot reservation is required. As you ascend, you'll enjoy stunning 360-degree views of the city of Copenhagen. We really enjoyed this experience.

We headed to Broens Gadekokken, a street food market near our hotel. There are numerous food choices available. We managed to get a quick, affordable meal and drinks. It's a pleasant outdoor space to enjoy and is very lively during the day. (Broens website)

We headed back to the hotel to rest before dinner and walked along the beautiful cobblestone streets.

We enjoyed dinner at Restaurant ORANJE. You can sit alongside the canal, or you can eat on the boat itself. It's a beautiful setting at night and the food is outstanding. (Oranje menu)

The next day we headed over to Cafe Oscar for brunch. We had to try the infamous Smørrebrød. The menu options here are plentiful, and this ended up being one of my favorite meals. Here's the link to check out the menu.

Just down the road is Lagkagehuset Bakery. We stopped for a quick pastry and coffee before heading to the Citadel.

Kastellet (the Citadel) is free and open to the public. This fort is still used by the military. You can walk along the walls for great views. St Alban's Church is an old English church. You can go inside during operating hours. Unfortunately, it was closed when we visited.

Right next to St. Alban's Church is Gefion Fountain. It's located on the harbor front and features a group of oxen pulling a plow and being driven by the Norse goddess Gefjon.

The Little Mermaid statue, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's 1836 fairytale, is situated in the water. A brief stroll will lead you to the marina, where you can find spots to sit and enjoy people-watching or admire the boats along the canal.

We stopped at Seaside Toldboden to have drinks and enjoy the view. There is inside and outside seating for dining. There is also a large metal sculpture right on the waterfront that's worth checking out if you are in the area. (Menu)

In front of the Amalienborg Royal Palace you can see the changing of the Danish Royal Guard at 12pm. The Guard start from the Life Guard Barracks in Rosenborg Castel at 11:30am. If you miss the changing of the guard, you can still see them in the plaza.

From the plaza you can see Frederik's Church, also known as the marble church. It is free to enter the church, but a fee of 50 DKK per adult is charged to go to the dome. It is the largest dome in Scandenavia.

At the opposite end of the church (walking back through the plaza), you will find a huge fountain (Springvandet i Amaliehaven af Arnaldo Pomodoro) and decorative pillars. It's a great photo spot along the waterfront. This is only about a 3-minute walk to the Admiral Hotel if you are staying there.

We took the metro over to the meatpacking district to check out Warpigs Brewpub for dinner. There are tons of restaurants and bars in this area (lots of partying too if that's your thing). This area felt a little sketchy to me, but we never felt like we were unsafe.

The Øresund Bridge links Denmark to Sweden via train or car. Trains depart from Copenhagen Central Station (København H) every 20 minutes, 24/7. The train journey takes just 35 to 40 minutes across the Øresund Strait.

We arrived at the station and then walked to Lilla Torg. A beautiful square with 16th century buildings filled with restaurants and cafes.

We arrived early in the day to grab a coffee and pastry for breakfast at Lilla Kafferosteriet before starting to explore the city. The building has multiple floors for dining as well as an outdoor patio in the back. Everything was delicious.

We walked through Slottsparken. What a gorgeous day!

In the downtown area of Malmo, you can easily walk to various places. The area is filled with stunning architecture and art.

We went to Bullen for traditional Swedish meatballs for lunch. It was absolutely delicious. The restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating. (Bullen website)

We did some shopping along the Stortoget. It started sprinkling a little, so going indoors was a plus.

St. Peter's Church was our last stop before heading back to Copenhagen.

In the morning, we grabbed a quick breakfast before heading to Christiansborg Palace. Copenhagen is said to have amazing pastries. We enjoyed them but didn't find them extraordinary to other places we've visited.

We took a tour of Christiansborg Palace. You can choose to see just the inside, like we did, or also tour the stables and ruins as well. It is a beautiful palace!

The Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek was our next stop on this rainy day. This museum is stunning! We enjoyed both the sculptures and framed art. After your visit you can enjoy a bite at the museum cafe. We had a LONG wait for our food, and it was not good, but I'd definitely recommend getting a coffee or tea here.

The final stop was the Church of Our Lady. The side walls are lined with sculptures of the 12 apostles. It's a must see for sure. Per the church website, "Each statue includes the symbol traditionally associated with its subject: St Peter with the keys to Heaven, St Paul with the sword that suggests both the power of his words and the symbol of his martyrdom, St John with his evangelist’s eagle etc. Above the two collection boxes (no longer in use) at the foot of the nave appear two small reliefs by Thorvaldsen, "Compassion" and "The Guardian Angel"."

Back in Copenhagen, we had dinner at Dandelion Burger. There are only two burger options to choose from. You can get a drink from the cooler (beer, soda, or juice) to accompany your burger combo. These are great burgers! (Dandelion website)

We had a quick, but fun filled trip to Copenhagen. There is so much more to see and do here than we could manage in 5 days. We had planned to take an additional day trip to Helsingor, but since it would be raining there, we stayed in Copenhagen. Maybe next time. I hope this helps with your trip planning!