A romantic weekend in Copenhagen

Whether you’re just-getting-to-know-you or celebrating many years of happiness together, you’ll want your romantic weekend away to be just perfect. Copenhagen, with its delightful parks, sparkling canals and delicious cuisine could the bill perfectly.

Things to do in Copenhagen range from the Tivoli pleasure gardens to the fairytale turrets of the Rosenborg Palace. Here are my suggestions for ways to spend your romantic weekend in Copenhagen.

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Rosenborg Palace and the King’s Garden

You’ll find parks and green spaces all over Copenhagen. The most romantic is considered to be the Kongens Have or Kings Garden. It is located in front of the fairytale turrets of the Rosenborg Palace. Explore the rose garden, formal hedged enclosures and a moat around the palace.

Eat nearby at one of the inexpensive food stalls at the Torvehallerne Food Market. Or, pick up something to eat from one of the deli stalls and relax on the grass under the trees with a picnic.

The Orangeriet is a delightfully romantic restaurant on the edge of the King’s garden, set in the old orangery of the palace. It serves smorrebrod at lunchtime and a set menu in the evening.

While you’re there take a look around the palace where all the rooms are furnished from the period of different kings of Denmark. Definitely also see the crown jewels in the Treasury in the basement of the castle. The botanical garden with a lake and palm houses is right behind the Rosenborg Palace. This is another pretty place to have a picnic or go for a walk.

Read more: A romantic stay at Kurhotel Skodsborg spa hotel in Copenhagen

The Tivoli Pleasure Gardens

Tivoli is one of the treasures that Copenhageners of all ages hold dear to their heart. It features landscaped gardens and lakes, plus the Moorish palace that houses the Nimb Hotel. Of course, there’s the roller-coasters and rides for the more daring and plenty of great restaurants.

The parks have a slightly old-fashioned, fairy tale atmosphere. Explore the bandstands where you can sit to listen to the music and a pantomime theatre where mime shows are performed. If you visit in the afternoon you’ll be able to listen to the musical entertainment.

Stroll under the magical Chinese lanterns as dusk falls, then enjoy a meal in one of the many restaurants. You’ll find everything from hot dogs and pizza, to traditional Danish and Nordic cuisine. In summer I recommend a romantic meal at the Brasserie in the Nimb Hotel. You can dine al fresco on the terrace overlooking Tivoli pleasure grounds.

Read more: 10 cool things to do in Copenhagen in summertime

Around the harbour in Copenhagen

Copenhagen is a city that’s founded on the water and you’re never far from one of the canals or the harbourside. A good way to get your bearings and see all the sights around the harbour is to take a harbour tour.

DFDS or Netto boats embark from the quays near Gammel Strand. If you want something more intimate, you can hire a rowing boat in Christianshavn. Use it to explore the canals with all the houseboats on your own.

In summer join the Copenhageners sitting along the harbour, dangling their legs or sitting on the steps outside the Royal Library, also known as the Black Diamond. Nyhavn is also a favourite spot for a stroll.

There’s pretty coloured merchant houses and plenty of cafes to sit outside and enjoy the atmosphere. The small bridge that crosses the canal has a collection of love locks similar to those found in Rome and Paris.

Artworks and sculptures at Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek

The art museum of Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek is full of classical sculptures and French impressionist artworks is a romantic place to visit at any time of year, and it’s free on Sundays or with a Copenhagen Card. Wander through the spacious halls filled with white marble statues from Danish neoclassical sculptors and see the impressionist collection that includes paintings by Renoir, Van Gogh and Monet including the Degas “Little Ballerina” sculpture. At the centre of the building is a winter garden with glass roof and greenery with a cafe at one side that is a romantic place for lunch.

Read more: A mother and daughter trip to Copenhagen

Climb the Round Tower in Copenhagen

The Round Tower, in the Latin quarter is a fun place to visit for couples, as it’s an easy climb up the internal ramp. There are no steps so the carriages were able to ride to the top. Your reward is the get great views over Copenhagen from the top of the tower.

Look out for the Kissing Bench near the top where you can sit with your loved one by the window with a view. Half way up there’s also a large art space in the former library with a small cafe, and modern artworks and installations. Concerts and musical events are also held in this space.

When to visit Copenhagen?

The best time to visit Copenhagen is from the spring through to the early autumn. This is when the Copenhageners are out enjoying the green spaces, harbour walks and pavement cafes after the chilly Nordic winter.

That’s not to say that you won’t find romance in a cosy cafe with flickering candles in the winter months up to Christmas. Or, consider February when the city puts on festivals and design events.

Romantic places to eat in Copenhagen

For that special celebration we recommend the top end Alberto K in the landmark Radisson Collection Royal Hotel designed by Arne Jacobsen. Although this is a blow-the-budget experience, you’ll be dining in an intimate candle-lit restaurant on the top floor where every table has views over the city.

For a similarly high end gastronomic experience, try the Mielcke og Hurtigkarli n the Frederiksberg Gardens with sparkling crystals dangling from the ceiling and views over the gardens.

Looking for a romantic place to eat on a more moderate budget? Try the colourful but cosy dining room with a fireplace at Cap Horn in Nyhavn or Orangeriet in the King’s Garden.

If you enjoy jazz then check out The Standard, where the old Customs House near Nyhavn has been converted into three different restaurants. You can have dinner and then follow with the jazz performance in the club upstairs.

If you’re looking for a good value lunch, we recommend the Torvehallerne food halls. Squeeze in at one of the many stalls selling inexpensive lunchtime dishes or take them to eat on the benches outside in fine weather.

Romantic hotels in Copenhagen

If money is no object for a luxurious romantic break then consider the Nimb Hotel at the Tivoli Gardens. Its 17 individually furnished rooms are filled with antiques. Or, the classic and elegant Hotel d’Angleterre where you’ll feel like a princess.

For those of us who have to live on a more realistic budget, try the Avenue Hotel (Read my review) in the affluent neighbourhood of Frederiksberg. We love the cosy atmosphere of their salon with Moroccan lanterns and flea market finds. Also, the Axel Guldsmeden Hotel in trendy Vesterbro where contemporary design meets Balinese styling.

If you and your loved one want to be truly alone then try the Central Hotel in Frederiksberg “the smallest hotel in the world” with just one room. Breakfast is served in the retro neighbourhood cafe!

To breathe some sea air, travel to the northern edge of Copenhagen for the Skovshoved Hotel. Its rooms are decorated in light and romantic Scandinavian style and sea views.

Plan your visit to Copenhagen

For more information about visiting Copenhagen, see the Visit Copenhagen official Tourism website.

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Thanks to Wonderful Copenhagen who hosted* our weekend visit to Copenhagen.

* More info on my policies page

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com

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