My family recently spent 3 days exploring Copenhagen, Denmark’s capital city and a thriving metropolis in the heart of Scandinavia. While Paris, London and Rome might be the more typical starting point for many European vacations, I’d argue that Copenhagen is worthy of equal consideration as a go-to European destination.

What to See

We spent the bulk of our weekend sightseeing, and even given our 3 days there, we still missed some of the sights. Some of my must-see spots include:

-Tivoli Gardens. One of the world’s oldest amusement parks (and Walt Disney’s inspiration for building his own) is probably Copenhagen’s best known attraction. I am ordinarily not a fan of theme parks, but the beautiful grounds and delightful details (like a pirate ship restaurant) converted me.

–Rosenburg Slot. This summer palace, built by Christian IV in 1606, is a truly unique palace. Dark red stone with lots of towers and turrets make it enchanting, and the surrounding parkland, called Kongens Have, will give you plenty of space with which to admire it.

-Nationalmuseet: In a city as expensive as this, you’ll be glad to know entrance is free. And you’ll walk away with a wonderful understanding of Danish history, from prehistoric times to the present. It also has an outstanding children’s wing.

–A canal boat tour: This was my favorite activity of our trip. You can pick up a boat that will shuttle you around Copenhagen’s harbor for about an hour, beginning in the charming and colorful Nyhavn area. From your seat atop the sparkling water, you can admire many of Copenhagen’s attractions (like the Little Mermaid statue and Amalienborg Palace.

Where to Stay

I highly recommend living like a local for your time there by renting an apartment through ApartmentinCopenhagen.com. It has a far better selection than the other international property rental sites. We selected a family apartment along Nansensgade, and were able to walk to all the sites listed above.

Where to Dine

We had several wonderful meals in various squares around the Latin Quarter. We loved sitting outside and watching the shoppers, tourists, and daily commuters wander by as we grabbed lunch. Copenhagen also has wonderful ethnic takeout spots around the city. Or head to Torvehallerne Market, where you’ll be able to pick up more local products, from bakery goodies to fresh produce. If it’s in your budget, Copenhagen is also home to one of the world’s most renowned restaurants, Nemo.

Disclosure: Apartment in Copenhagen provided my family a complimentary stay at their property. All opinions about the experience are my own. 

This article was written by Nicole Wiltrout, an American expat living in England.