Our family is heading to Copenhagen this July. We are 2 adults and an 11 year old. We like a mix of being in a city and exploring off the beaten path. Besides two days where we must be in Copenhagen, the rest is open for anything.
I'm at the point where I just stare at our itinerary unsure what to do. I had roughed out this plan, but then just a few days ago considered adding Norway and the Fjords because I can’t imagine we will have another opportunity to do so for quite some time. Here's where we are currently:
Day 1-3: Copenhagen, various attractions
Day 4: Check out and pick up rental car. Drive to Frederiksborg Castle in the AM. Drive to Helsingor and take the ferry to Helsingborg, Sweden for the afternoon and dinner. Ferry back and drive to Tisvilde area.
Day 5&6: Enjoy the beach.
Day 7: Back to Copenhagen, return rental car.
Day 8: Event in Copenhagen, so we need to be here day 7-9
Day 9: Checking out of this accommodation- unsure where to go next.
Day 10: Undecided- Pick up another car and head to Mon? Fyn?
Day 11: Travel day, get to the airport by noon.
I’m a bit uncertain about spending the whole trip in Denmark. There is a ton that we want to see and do there, but should we spread it out to see more of Scandinavia? I am tempted to skip the beach days and spend at least 4 days in Norway exploring the Fjords and some little villages. It feels overwhelming to plan though- or am I overthinking?
We are flying in and out of Copenhagen for certain. We could immediately take a local flight to Bergen or somewhere in that general area… then fly back to Copenhagen after a couple days and spend the rest of our time there. I don’t feel strongly about much outside of Copenhagen. I’m looking forward to Frederiksborg Castle and the ferry to Helsingborg which we could still easily do.
It would look more like-
Day 1: Arrive in CPH, take a local flight to Bergen (I know there are some other cities to fly into, but I haven’t looked into this enough yet so my default is Bergen.) Pick up a rental car and drive to a “home base” in Bergen maybe.
Day 2-5: Take scenic drives and day trips around the area.
Day 6: Fly back to Copenhagen.
Day 7-10: Explore Copenhagen, and still do the day trip to Helsingborg.
Day 11: Travel day.
I’d love to know if anyone has thoughts or could share their experience. I can't help but feel like we'd be missing out not seeing some fjords after being so close. I had looked into the overnight ferry to Oslo and then the train to Bergen. I have heard that the trains are crowded in July and it just feels like a lot of travel time, scenic or not. So thought flying and renting a car would be better for us. Also I don't really have a desire to go to Oslo at this time. I'd rather see more natural beauty. Appreciate your input!