The Copenhagen Diaries: Day 2

Sunday, 25 May 2014

We started the day off with breakfast at a nearby Emmerys, a chain of small bakery-cafés. After scoffing down the delicious cinnamon roll, we walked to Nyhavn, passing Radhusplasen, the Happy Wall, and Strøget on the way. It was a beautiful sunny morning, and everyone was sitting outdoors, enjoying the gorgeous weather.

Sauntered over to the museum in Charlottenborg, just across the canal. The museum has a beautiful vine-covered red-brick facade… as for the exhibits themselves, I couldn’t understand a thing.

Our next stop was Amelienborg, the residence of the Danish royal family. We managed to catch the tail end of the changing of the guards, after which we walked over to the Marmorkirke, arguably the city’s most famous landmark after The Little Mermaid.

Stopped for a light lunch at Café Oscar. Tried smørresbrød for the first time. Was pleasantly surprised – I didn’t expect a simple, open-faced sandwich to be as tasty as it was. Next on our itinerary was The Little Mermaid statue, but we made a quick stop into the Danish Design Museum, which was on the way. This was possibly the best decision we made today; really loved the museum. When it comes to designing chairs, you have to hand it to the Danes.

Walked to the tourist-laden statue of The Little Mermaid. It seemed as if everyone and their aunt wanted a photo of themselves delicately touching the sombre mermaid. Some with genuine excitement written all over their faces; others, with a smile that could almost qualify as a leer.

We continued walking to the nearby Kastellet. The brooding dark clouds made for some dramatic photograps, and there was a small windmill at the top of the hillock. I have no idea why.

Next stop: Davids Samling. Seemingly small and inconspicuous on the outside, but it houses an impressive, well-curated, and informative Islamic art collection.

Having had our museum fill for the day, we walked through Kongens Have and around Rosenborg Slot (it was closed by the time we got there). The weather was gorgeous, and everyone was outside, soaking in the sun.

From Rosenborg Slot, we went to Østre Anlaeg. The initial plan was to walk around the lake, but my feet were beginning to beg for mercy, so we cut it short and instead, walked to Botanisk Have – which was, as luck would have it, also closed. So we just continued towards Israelplads and took the underground from Norreport station to Central station. From Central station, we resumed our journey on foot to Vesterbro, formerly a meatpacking district. There we headed to Kødbyens Fiskebar for dinner – which was, I must say, simply superb.

Tummies full and wallets significantly lighter, we walked back to the hotel. My feet were aching, but it had been a lovely day nonetheless.

Highlight(s) of the day? All those beautiful chairs at the Danish Design Museum. The Islamic art collection at Davids Samling. And of course, dinner at Kødbyens Fiskebar.