We are in the preliminary stage of thinking about a trip to Copenhagen around December 19-23. Does that seem to be about the right amount of time for that time of year? Are things open in the areas that we might visit as day trips in the area? Thank you for any advice that you can offer.
Posted by
Copenhagen, Denmark
971 posts
Well of course the amount of time depends on what you are interested in seing and how many day trips you are planning on taking. Most things will be open during those days, the public holidays are from the 24th to the 26th of december, where most things are closed. Copenhagen can be very nice during this period, despite the weather, Tivoli Gardens have a Christmas market, the shopping street Strøget has christmas decorations etc. Though keep in mind that the weather can be miserable and the days are short, so you might want to plan some indoor activities like museums.
Posted by
OP
Washington, DC
240 posts
Our plan is to spend most of the time in Copenhagen with maybe one day outside the city. We enjoy museums and historic sights as well as local markets and even wandering around a grocery store. We always stop for interesting and different street performers although there may not be as many that time of year. We are trying to train ourselves that it's OK to not go all of the time and to spend some time with a coffee or a drink watching the world go by.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
1068 posts
Morten, of course, makes GREAT points, since he lives there!
I always give a shout-out for Roskilde as a day trip. The cathedral is amazing (and quite Goth), the town is friendly and accessible, and if you do go, you MUST check out the Viking Ship Museum, which will pretty much blow your mind if you've never seen one in person before.
Posted by
OP
Washington, DC
240 posts
Thanks for the suggestions. We've booked a trip for the week before Christmas. We've traveled in December before and are prepared for dark and less than ideal weather. Sight seeing in cities tends to be more or less the same year round. It's the sights in the smaller towns that tend to not be open in the off season.
Posted by
Copenhagen, Denmark
971 posts
Actually most sights are open year round in Denmark and the main day trip sights from Copenhagen, the vikingship museeum in Roskilde, Kronborg Palace in Helsingør and Frederiksborg Slot in Hillerød are definately open. And most towns would have christmas decorations. I would say the limited daylight is the most pressing matter.
http://www.vikingeskibsmuseet.dk/en/visit-the-museum/practical-information/#.VUkKDJOo28g
http://www.kronborg.dk/english/
http://www.dnm.dk/UK/Forside.htm