The Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen once said that life itself is the most wonderful fairy tale. And it is true that visiting Copenhagenduring the winter immerses you in a magical world full of candles, Christmas markets, elegant buildings and hospitable people that makes you forget for a moment the cold and the few hours of light that the city has at that time of the year.
The Danes are among the happiest people on the planet and this is due not only to the efficient state of welfare they enjoy but what they call "Hygge", a 100% Danish concept that could be defined as a kind of medicine for the soul and that comes from creating and enjoying warm, comfortable and cozy environments, accompanied by family or friends. Hygge can be reading a book in front of a fireplace, sitting on a soft sofa, under a warm hand-knitted blanket, wearing soft winter socks and tasting some gingerbread cookies accompanied by a glass of Glögg, the typical Danish mulled wine in winter
Although it is a concept mainly related to the home, the Danes have managed to export it abroad and walking around Copenhagen feel that spirit hygge impregnated in many corners of the city
During these dates, the city is filled with lights, hearts, Christmas trees, illuminated buildings, nutcracker dolls, reindeer and gnomes made of wool or felt, recreating a scenario that makes you feel like the protagonist of a real fairy tale. We start our route visiting Tivoli, one of the oldest amusement parks in the world that opened its doors in 1843 with a roller coaster and a merry-go-round. This park maintains today its vintage style and has become one of the favorite places of entertainment for the Danes, both adults and children.
After the visit to Tivoli Park, we stroll through the streets of the city center, contemplating beautiful shop windows, some of the best design stores in the world and the famous Christmas markets. By nightfall, the temperature drops and it's time to enjoy a glass of Glögg is one of Copenhagen's most elegant and exclusive hotels.
The Hotel d'Angleterre opened its doors in 1755 and, during Christmas, its entrance is guarded by two giant nutcracker dolls that seem to invite you to enter and enjoy, in one of its luxurious lounges, a glass of Glögg mulled wine, accompanied by its famous marzipan chocolates with amaretto and grated coconut. A ritual of sorts that has become a Christmas tradition for many Danes.
Glögg
After getting warm thanks to the Glögg, we continue our walk through Copenhagen with another of the traditions of these dates: visiting the Christmas tables that every year, for 59 years now, different designers exhibit in the exclusive Royal Copenhagen store
This exclusive store, specializing in handmade objects of the typical Danish white and blue porcelain, is part of the legacy of the Royal Danish Porcelain Factory that Queen Juliane Marie founded in 1775
We ended our day strolling through Nyhavn, the port of Copenhagen that combines history, gastronomy, entertainment and nightlife. Nyhavn was built by order of King Christian V in the seventeenth century, as an entrance to Copenhagen for merchants and sailors arriving by ship from the sea to do business with their merchandise
Today is one of the busiest areas of Copenhagen thanks to its many bars and cafes where you can enjoy a beer or an aquavit accompanied by the famous smørrebrød, a kind of open sandwich made with black rye bread and ingredients such as smoked herring or salmon, fresh cheese, pickles or local sausages
Today, Nyhavn is integrated into the city center and can be easily explored on foot. On both sides of Nyhavn we contemplate the typical Danish colorful facades in addition to old wooden ships decorated with garlands of lights. The writer Hans Christian Andersen lived in several houses in Nyhavn - specifically in numbers 18 and 20 - for much of his life. It was here that he wrote, for example, the famous story "The Princess and the Pea".
The next day, I continue my route through Copenhagen, which is also a city of contrasts. Just a few minutes walk from Christiania, the current seat of the Danish Parliament, is Christiania, a partially self-governing neighborhood of about 1,000 residents that was established in 1971 with a semi-legal status as a neighborhood community claiming independence from the Danish state. Its graffitied buildings, chaotic atmosphere and hippy vibe attracts the attention of locals and travelers.
Christiania
The renowned chef Jesper Vollmer has been our host during this getaway to Copenhagen, showing us some of his favorite restaurants and corners of the city
Vollmer, who was the chef to the Danish royal family for 10 years, aims to inspire people to eat a little better. He lives, enjoys and breathes cooking. And every week it is possible to follow him on "Klub Vollmer", Denmark's largest online culinary club and cooking school, where he shares all his cooking secrets with his community of thousands of followers.
On the islet Slotsholmen is the Christiansborg Palace, which is the current seat of Parliament. During the reign of Christian IV, on the remains of an ancient fortress, the first palace was erected. However, Christian VI, a few years later, would demolish it to build his own palace. In 1794 his palace was completely destroyed after a fire and it was then that the royal family moved their residence to Amalienborg. In the meantime, work began on the reconstruction of the palace, which was inaugurated in 1828. And, again, it burned down again a few years later. The present palace dates from 1928, when the last restoration of the building that has been carried out was completed.
This palace boasts the highest tower in Copenhagen, 106 meters, topped by a crown, and from where you get the best views of Copenhagen. In addition, in the same tower you can taste some traditional dishes of Danish cuisine in an elegant atmosphere in the restaurant Tårnet, surrounded by ancient sculptures and tall windows with incredible views over the city
Copenhagen is a city to stroll and walk from one point to another. A short distance from the center, we discovered Kastellet, a green 17th-century fortification that is one of the best preserved in northern Europe and is now enjoyed by the Danes as a public park. It is built in the shape of a star with bastions at its corners and includes a church and a windmill. Right next to this green oasis, the small and beautiful sculpture of "The Little Mermaid", in honor of the tale published by Hans Christian Andersen in 1837 and that tells us about the sacrifice of impossible love, but also makes us reflect on the existence or not of eternity
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