[15-Day Nordic Self-Guided Tour] Day 1: Copenhagen Bicycle Day Trip - Visiting the Little Mermaid, Amalienborg Palace, and Christiansborg Palace

Table of Contents Trip Overview Trip Preparation Copenhagen One-Day Itinerary The Little Mermaid Statue: Copenhagen's Landmark Kastellet Fortress: The Star-Shaped Fort Amalienborg Palace: The Grand Changing of the Guard Christiansborg Palace: The Former Royal Palace Copenhagen Harbor Walking Street & Local Pubs Trip Summary & Other Nordic Travel Notes 1. Trip Overview At 8:30 PM on March 8th, we arrived safely at Copenhagen Airport. As soon as we landed, we took advantage of the airport's free WiFi to activate the eSIM card for this trip. There weren't many people at the airport at that hour, so we got through customs quickly, and we didn't wait too long for our luggage — just like that, we set off easily on the first stop of our Nordic journey.

The next day, we rented a bicycle in Copenhagen and fully experienced the unique atmosphere of this "City of Bicycles"! From the classic Little Mermaid statue, to the spectacular changing of the guard at Amalienborg Palace, and finally exploring the history at Christiansborg Palace, this trip was filled with Danish culture and architectural beauty. In the evening, we sat in a local pub, soaking in the relaxed atmosphere of a Nordic night together with the Danes. II. Trip Preparations 1. Airport to City Center: The most convenient way to get from the airport to the city center is by train, which takes only 13 minutes and costs 36 DKK. You can find the DSB ticket machines in Terminal 3, and you'll need to board from Platform 2. By the way, at night that platform actually looks quite a bit like an art gallery!

2. Accommodation We chose Annex Copenhagen, a self-service hostel located right next to the train station. We booked a standard room (shared bathroom) for two nights at NT$5,500. But after seeing the suite our aunt and uncle stayed in (NT$6,400 for 2 nights), which was much more spacious, we couldn't help but feel a bit regretful for not comparing more carefully beforehand.

3. Bike Rental Copenhagen is one of the world's most bicycle-friendly cities, with streets designed very thoughtfully for cyclists. We chose to rent bicycles from our hotel at 150 Danish kroner per day (about 720 TWD). This not only made getting around more convenient, but also allowed us to experience local life more deeply.

Three: Copenhagen One-Day Tour 1. The Little Mermaid Statue: Copenhagen's Most Iconic Landmark The most famous landmark in Copenhagen, the Little Mermaid Statue (The Little Mermaid), is a classic character from the beloved works of Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. However, when I visited in the morning, I found the backlighting to be quite harsh. I'd recommend visiting in the afternoon for better photos—the lighting will be much more flattering!

📍 Little Mermaid Statue Suggested stay time: 15-30 minutes Photography tips: Afternoon or sunset lighting is better 2. Kastellet Fortress: Star-shaped Fortress Right next to the Little Mermaid statue is Kastellet Fortress, a star-shaped military fortress. Above the fortress is a green park where many locals jog or take walks, creating a very leisurely atmosphere.

📍 Castellet Fortress Suggested visit time: 45–60 minutes Highlights: overlook the star-shaped fortress and admire the historic architecture 3. Amalienborg Palace: The Grand Changing of the Guard At Amalienborg Palace, we watched the changing of the guard ceremony that takes place every day at noon. We thought it would just be a simple ceremony, but to our surprise there was even a band performing — the whole scene was quite grand. We definitely recommend everyone come see it!

📍 Amarin Winter Palace Guard Changing Time: Every day at 12:00 PM Highlights: Royal palace, up-close view of the guard-changing ceremony On the north side of the Amarin Winter Palace stands Frederik's Church, commonly known as the Marble Church

4. Lunch: Traditional Copenhagen Culinary Experience We found a well-known local restaurant online and experienced authentic Danish cuisine, such as open-faced sandwiches (Smørrebrød) and pickled herring. Although the meal wasn't cheap, costing around 2000 NT$ per person, the food had a very distinctive taste and was absolutely worth trying!

📍 Restaurant Information: Restaurant Kronborg Address: View larger map Recommended dishes: Open-faced sandwiches, Gentleman's Platter Price range: 1500-2000 TWD 5. Christiansborg Palace: The Former Royal Palace In the afternoon we arrived at Christiansborg Palace, which was once the palace of the Danish royal family, but is now mainly used as government offices. Overall, the building is quite magnificent, but after having visited the imperial palace in Austria, this one felt relatively smaller in scale, and the admission ticket was rather expensive.

The visit package includes: Royal Reception Hall: This is an important venue where the Danish royal family holds official events and receptions. The interior is lavishly decorated, showcasing a rich collection of artworks and historical artifacts.

Royal Kitchen: An exhibition showcasing the palace's kitchen facilities and cooking utensils, giving visitors insight into royal dining culture and kitchen operations. (Due to time constraints, we only caught a quick glimpse.)

Ruins: Located beneath the palace, this exhibit displays the remains of Copenhagen Castle from the early 12th century, reflecting the historical evolution of the architecture. (His tour mainly discussed royal power and witchcraft of that era — many people accused of practicing witchcraft were imprisoned here)

Royal Stables: Showcasing the royal horses, carriages, and related facilities that embody the equestrian tradition of the Danish royal family.

📍 Christiansborg Palace Admission: DKK 215 Suggested visit duration: 1–1.5 hours Opening hours: Daily 10:00–17:00 You can download the app Useeum for a Chinese-language audio guide — bringing Bluetooth earphones is recommended 【In-Depth Attraction Guide】Christiansborg Palace | The Heart of the Danish Royal Family and Government | A Must-Visit Spot on a Copenhagen Self-Guided Trip The tower of Christiansborg Palace can be climbed to the top for free, and it's well worth waiting in line to go up and take in the view over Copenhagen.

📍 Christiansborg Palace Tower Ticket Price: Free Suggested Stay: 15–20 minutes Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM. 6. Afternoon Retake of the Little Mermaid & a Walk Along the Harbor Promenade The morning light was too harsh and backlit at the Little Mermaid statue, so we made a special trip back in the evening — this time the light was just right, and the photos turned out so much more beautiful! Afterwards, we strolled along the harbor promenade, enjoying Copenhagen's waterfront scenery. There are also quite a few restaurants and cafés here, making it a great place to relax.

7. Local Bar Experience In the evening, we found a local bar and experienced Copenhagen's nightlife. The bar was filled with a joyful atmosphere, and everyone sang and chatted along with the music. This kind of evening made us feel quite relaxed and drew a perfect conclusion to our day's journey!

📍 Bar Information Address: View larger map Price range: about 200 TWD for a glass of beer 4. Trip Summary & Other Nordic Travel Journals On the first day in Copenhagen, we explored the city in depth by bicycle, not only visiting classic attractions but also experiencing the pace of local life. If time allows, you can also arrange to visit more museums or art galleries. Explore more Nordic four-country independent travel journals Northern Europe is not just about the aurora and snow — it also holds the elegance of its cities, the mystery of the polar regions, and the depth of its culture. This journey across Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden will take you to discover the beauty of Europe's purest corner! 🇩🇰 Denmark Free Travel 📍Day 2: A Day Trip in Copenhagen | 📍Day 3: Exploring the Free City, Flying to Finland 🇫🇮 Finland Polar Journey 📍Day 4: Helsinki City Tour & Overnight Sleeper Train | 📍Day 5: Santa Claus Village and Your First Taste of the Aurora 📍Day 6：Rovaniemi Husky Sledding & City Exploration｜📍Day 7：Inari Lakeside and Aurora Mysteries 🇳🇴 Norway Cruise Route & Aurora Hunting 📍Day 8：Cross Border from Inari to Kirkenes for Cruise｜📍Day 9：Staying in Hammerfest and Ship Life 📍Day 10：Tromsø Museum and Cable Car Snow Scenery｜📍Day 11：Transport Disrupted, Stranded in Tromsø 🇸🇪 Swedish Cultural Wandering and Perfect Finale 📍Day 12: Flying to Stockholm, Witnessing Northern Lights from Above | 📍Day 13: City Hall & Vasa Shipwreck Museum 📍Day 14: Deep Exploration of the Old Town and Swedish Culture