Copenhagen is the first European city I traveled to and remains one of my favorite destinations to date. If you’re looking for the perfect solo travel destination or just another great place to visit, I highly recommend adding Copenhagen to your bucket list.

This post will highlight:

When’s the best time to visit Copenhagen

The best time to visit Copenhagen will vary widely based on your weather preferences, length of stay, and desired activities. If you’re anything like me, you thrive in the sun and warm weather. Interestingly, my first trip to Copenhagen was from January to May 2022. Despite being there during the height of their winter season, I was lucky enough to experience a little taste of spring in Scandinavia.

Copenhagen’s winter season spans from October until April, with the peaks occurring from December to February. In January, I experienced little to no snow during my stay; however, there were a number of rainy days. I would describe January and February as having frigid cold temperatures paired with strong winds (strong enough to crack store windows) and dampness from the rain. It’s common to see Danes (aka Danish people) wearing snowsuits during these months. Despite the weather conditions, the winter here can be extremely cozy, as I found comfort in snuggling up at coffee shops with friends over a sweet treat.

Despite the coziness of the winter, the springtime and the uniqueness of the Scandinavian summer excite me the most! I immediately noticed a shift in weather in April when the sun would rise earlier and set later. The sunlight was much needed after a long and dark winter.

As the temperature begins to warm, you will see more people lounging outside, whether it be enjoying a book or simply picnicking with friends in the park. The city becomes more alive. Street vendors begin to open up, selling Belgian-style waffles, churros, and hotdogs. Tivoli Gardens opens, and so much more!

So, what is a Scandinavian summer? A Scandinavian summer describes a time when the sun stays up late, and I mean really late. In July, the sun can set as late as 10:00 pm! And because Copenhagen is surrounded by water, I feel that it never gets too hot. The temperature in the late spring and summer can be comfortable enough to wear shorts and a t-shirt.

Navigating the city as a (solo female) traveler

During my 4-month stay in Copenhagen, I never felt unsafe or excluded. Keep in mind, I am a tall (5 ft 10 in), Black woman, so I often stand out when traveling, especially in Europe and Asia. But, in Copenhagen, I felt like I truly fit in with the rest of the Danes.

When it comes to making friends as a solo traveler, I highly recommend lodging at or participating in activities at hostels or cafes. Hostel culture is very popular in Copenhagen, where you will find lots of travelers from all over the world eager to make friends. A hostel that I highly recommend is CPH Downtown Hostel, they have a number of events each night catering towards various audiences like: solo travelers night, Sunday Games, and Fireball Friday. Bastard Cafe is another great hangout spot that features over 5000 board games. If you don’t want to party and are looking for a more holistic and calming atmosphere, I highly recommend this cafe for friendly competition. 

Growing up in a big city, I was comfortable navigating the metro in Copenhagen and found it very organized and clean. In addition to the metro, Copenhagen has buses and the most popular form of transport, biking.

Keep in mind

Danes take biking culture seriously, as it is one of the main modes of transport. Watch youtube videos and read articles that discuss biking courtesy and rules while in Denmark. Also, be mindful of where you stand in the street, if you stand in the biking lane you will get strong glares or, in extreme circumstances, run the chance of colliding with a biker. Avoid this by waiting on the sidewalk and looking both ways before stepping into the street.

Like any city, I recommend you keep your wits about you. Don’t travel down dark roads at night by yourself. Be aware of your surroundings and personal items at all times, and make sure family or friends have your itinerary.

When taking public transportation in Copenhagen, it’s important to note that you have to pay before boarding. Copenhagen runs on a trust system where you buy your ticket via the DSB App or at a ticket booth within the station, but there is no barricade before entering the train or bus. Periodically, a Danish officer will board the train or bus and check that each person purchased a ticket. Each time you buy a ticket via the app, you will need to validate the ticket before boarding the train or bus. If you do not have a valid ticket, you will be fined.

Where to find the Good Eats

I will shamefully admit that prior to going to Copenhagen, I was concerned about whether the food scene would be good. As a picky eater, I can confidently say that I had nothing to worry about because the culinary scene in Copenhagen is both diverse and plentiful. Copenhagen is a hub that welcomes peoples from all cultures so cuisine spans from traditional Danish, American, Lebanese, West African, Thai, Indian, Chinese, and so much more. Neighborhoods that have an abundance of restaurants to choose from include (but aren’t limited to) Nørrebro, østerbro, and Vesterbro.  In a following blog post, I will list my personal recommendations over a 3-day itinerary for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Dessert.

How to be a conscious spender

The national currency for Copenhagen, Denmark is called Danish Krone, on average the conversion is $1 USD = 6.90 kr. If you haven’t heard before, I will be the one to tell you, Copenhagen can be very expensive so be mindful of the conversions when shopping. I use the My Currency Converter & Rates App for instant conversions, this helps me understand the dollar value of the items I consider buying.