Copenhagen and Malmo: 5-6th May 2022
WHERE ARE COPENHAGEN AND MALMO? Copenhagen is situated on the Danish islands of Zealand and Amagera. Across the Oresund Bridge (perhaps well known from the TV series The Bridge) is the city of Malmo.
WHAT LANGUAGES ARE SPOKEN THERE AND WHAT'S THE CURRENCY? Denmark's official language is Danish (with its currency being the Danish krone) whereas the official language of Sweden is Swedish (with its currency being the Swedish krona).
3 INTERESTING FACTS: 1) There are more bicycles than people in Denmark. 2) The Swedish drink Julmust (a fermented, non-alcoholic, malt drink) is more popular than Coca-Cola. 3) Scandinavia consistently rates highly on the UN's World Happiness Report.
HOW TO GET THERE? Copenhagen Airport is about a 20 minute train journey from the city centre costing 4.8 Euros but there're also buses (and of course taxis). The airport train station also direct links to Malmo, Sweden where you just need to show your passport to the police who will come through the train.
WHAT DID I DO AND WHAT DID I THINK? I always preface these sections by saying that my whirlwind visits don't even touch on what these destinations have to offer. Getting to the central train station quite late, a 5 minute walk took me to the gates of Tivoli Gardens just when it was closing so I headed to my hotel, the Radisson Blu Hotel which is pretty much across the road. Knowing that Tivoli Gardens doesn't open until 11am, I thought I'd head to Copenhagen's central train station and take a direct train to Malmo. Turning left once I was out of the station took me over a bridge and then into the streets adorned with beautifully decorated buildings, street art and fountains. I wasn't there for too long as I had much to explore in Copenhagen before my flight that evening so I headed back and jumped onto the hop-on hop-off bus aiming for The Little Mermaid. The statue is quite small, the crowds were big but I eventually made my way to the front. I was hoping to find the iconic row of colourful houses in Nyhavn but there were environmental protestors blocking many of the city's roads and bridges which restricted where I could go so it was time for a boat trip! Finally, I just about had time to go to Tivoli Gardens which is the world's 2nd oldest amusement park. Beautiful! Absolutely stunning with its enticing rides, magnificent gardens and many places to eat. It's huge and just weird being right in the middle of a capital city!
Would I go again? Very much so as I'd love to check out Tivoli Gardens after dark but also discover more of Denmark.
