Eid break in Copenhagen

Summer in Dubai gets unbearable and it is a welcome change to be able to get away from it from time to time. So when eid holidays were announced we thought of doing a short family holiday. The obvious choice was to go to destination that was cooler,closer and had better weather. Europe has started getting warmer and warmer due to global warming and you have to keep in mind that summer means you have to combat hoards of tourists which sometimes gets exhausting. We looked at various options and decided on Copenhagen. Since non of us had visited before and it was just over 4hours from dubai and weather was pleasant between 15deg- 23deg.

Some facts to know about Copenhagen. It is a beautiful vibrant city and has been named as one of the happiest cities in the world. It is the capital of Denmark and one of the most cleannest metropolitan cities in the world. A world class destination where you can appreciate the old colorful homes and amazing places, narrow streets and beauiful canals and alleys. Geographically sitting between mainland Europe to the Scandinavia, Denmark is also a cultural melting pot where old fairy tales blend with modern world class architecture. Most of the time, people will probably pay more attention to it’s bigger Scandinavian neighbours i.e. Norway, Sweden or Finland than Denmark. Denmark actually offers a lot more than what it’s neighbours can offer.

Copenhagen is glittering with Michelin star restuarants.

It’s still hard to get a table at Noma, the “new Nordic” restaurant that’s been named the Worlds best restuarant three times.

However there are options.

Being a foodie family we made sure that we got to taste the nordic cuisine as well as other cuisines. The first day we booked in a nice seafood restuarant Iluka.

ILUKA is located in the heart of Copenhagen, close to Nyhavn. Iluka is all about super-fresh, super-delicious seafood and vegetables, made with care and commitment and served as if you’re family or best mates.

Here we were surprised as our starter was a fusion of PaniPuri and then followed by Sea urchin with langostine, Anchovies in olive oil and sourdough bread from Hart bakery. For the main we had fillet of place with kale and herbs, medley of garden fresh vegetables in some carrot and razor clam sauce. Corn with mussel sauce and herbs. we were so full that we skipped the dessert.

For lunch we tried the restaurant Hooked. It is casual place in the stripped industrial area which specialises in fish and sea food.

For dinner in the same area we went to Kødbyens Fiskebar. Cool industrial-style restaurant in the former meat market serving simple, fresh seafood dishes.The restuarant was buzzing and had a great vibe, we were very impressed with food and service. We ordered Oysters to start with, followed by makerel, fish n chips, scallops, cod with vegetables and lobstertail in foam.

For evening coffee we went looking to Hart bakery and got some danish treats, and sourdough bread and rye bread to take back home with me and some of their cardammon buns. One of the days we went out for breakfast at the Mirabelle restaurant ordered french toast and some scrambled egg on toast and eggs benedict and very nice coffee to go with it, even their sourdough bread was very nice.

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One of the city’s must-see attractions is the Tivoli Gardens,an amusement park that dates to 1843. Andersen was a patron, and Walt Disney is said to have found inspiration for his own theme park at Tivoli.

Museum options include the Museum of National History. Located in Frederiksborg Castle, which was inspired by the Versailles in France, this museum offers an ideal introduction to the history of Denmark. Alternatively, brush up on Danish military history at the Royal Danish Arsenal Museum.

Indulge in a Fairy-Tale Vibe

One of the most famous landmarks in Copenhagen is a statue of the Little Mermaid. Unveiled in 1913, it depicts one of the many beloved fairy-tale characters, created by Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen.

Fans of Andersen’s works – and even those who are not – will want to spend some time along the Nyhavn waterfront, home to Copenhagen’s iconic colorful buildings. Andersen lived in three of them, but they now house restaurants. In the summertime, Nyhavn is a great place to dine al fresco. Consider a canal tour for great views of some of Copenhagen’s top landmarks.

There are plenty of royal residences to peruse within Copenhagen’s city limits too. One of the best is the Rosenborg Castle in the heart of the city, built by King Christian IV in the early 17th century. The crowns of the kings and queens of Denmark are highlights. Don’t miss the iconic Knights Hall, where three silver lions guard the coronation thrones.

Also worth a visit is Christiansborg Palace. Rebuilt several times over the year, the current incarnation dates to 1928. Today, it is home to the Danish parliament and the Supreme Court. Amalienborg Palace, where the Danish royal familycurrently resides, is not open to the public. However, every day at noon, the changing of the guard is a worthwhile ‒ not to mention free ‒ spectacle.

Copenhagen’s airport is less than 5 miles from the center of the city, so the adventure can start right away. Though Copenhagen is a pedestrian-friendly city, biking is also a very popular way to get around.

Its worth buying the Copenhagen card if you plan to use the public transportation.The card also includes one free admission to more than 80 attractions in Copenhagen and discounts for tours and other services.