Solo Traveling in Scandinavia DAY IV
Botanical Gardens, SMK Museum, Kastellet
& more
Denmark DAY IV
Hi- wonderful stranger, my name is Travelgramer! This post is part 4, of my solo-traveling/backpacking trip to Scandinavia (it's a mouthful). I decided, to start writing a blog about my trips, as I have been a solo traveler for the last five years. If you want tips, tricks, or general advice, I have your back!
Food & Culture: Grød
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| GROD a synonym for porridge! |
Are you a fan of porridge? I start DAY IV of my trip by having breakfast in one of the best places for porridge in Copenhagen, Grød! The world's first porridge bar 'GRØD' opened in 2011 in Jægersborggade, Nørrebro in Copenhagen. At the time of writing this post, the company has 10 stores, and a web shop, published several cookbooks, and have products at 7-Eleven, Føtex, and Irma. More importantly, and this is something I admire them for, they have published their recipes online for free! So, if you like something at their store, you can get the ingredients and try the recipe at home. Basically, they are the synonym of porridge!
"Porridge, coffee, and fat energy!"
They are happy, and proud, but most importantly cultivate "hygge" at their restaurants. You can find the nearest GRØD restaurant on their website. I have included their link above, so you can admire their work, and maybe try one of their recipes.
Botanical Gardens
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| Growth House in Botanisk |
I continue my day by walking to Botanisk. It's a botanical garden that is located in the center of Copenhagen. It covers a huge area, of 10 hectares and is particularly noted for its extensive complex of historical glasshouses. The garden is part of the Natural History Museum of Denmark, and alongside SMK, is one of the places you should definitely visit.
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| Some of the glasshouses are dated back to 1874 |
You can either take a walk and discover the majestic botanical gardens, or visit their other attractions. I sit on one of their benches & try to sketch for a while, alongside some artists and students of the University. It's a great place to feel off-grid, while still being relatively close to the center of the city. Botanisk also contains a growth house, a flower shop, a café & a butterfly house, which contains a small entry fee. The butterfly house is open during the summer months, so unfortunately I could not visit it. If anyone has any insight on the butterfly house, please let me know in the comments below.
SMK Museum
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| Statens Museum for Kunst, known as "SMK" |
SMK is the Danish national gallery and it is located at the center of Copenhagen. It has one of the most impressive Danish & Nordic artwork collections, a European art exhibition, and one of the world’s best Matisse collections!
“Creativity takes courage” Henri Matisse
You will find artists such as Mantegna, Derain, Rubens, Hammershøi, Munch, Danh Vo, and many others. Alongside their exhibitions, you can visit their café or take part in the different workshops.
I made the decision to visit SMK, at the last minute, as they have a photography exhibition that I want to see. At the time of writing this post, the exhibition is no longer available. That exhibition had one of the mindfully blowing pictures of despair, taken by a Greek photographer named Konstantinos Tsakalidis.
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| Siena Photography Award for 2022 |
The picture showcases a striking shot of Kritsiopi Panayiota, reacting as a wildfire approaches her house. To this day, I still remember the news and the wildfire in Evia. I can't help but feel proud that a Greek photographer won the Siena Photography Award for 2022.
If you are a lover of art, then you are going to enjoy visiting SMK. The museum is popular for its beautiful collection of Danish Golden Age art. During summer, I have seen many people using the chairs inside the fountain as props for their Instagram accounts (I try them, but the water is freezing!).
Opening Hours:
Tuesday – Sunday 10:00 – 18:00
Wednesday 10:00 – 20:00
Monday Closed
Aamanns Deli & Takeaway, Østebro
After I leave the museum, I decide to go for brunch at Aamanns Deli. It's a short 4-minute walk from SMK and I've heard many positive things from other solo-travelers. The restaurant lives up to his good fame I think. Østebro is an upscale neighborhood, and the moment you enter the deli you feel a very positive vibe! The staff was friendly and helpful and the food was absolutely delicious. I order something from their sandwich menu, & an avocado salad. They have designed their menus by the seasons, so if you visit in Spring or Summer, they have a variety of choices for everyone's taste. For more information on Aamanns Deli, I have included a link to their website.
TAKE-AWAY, Opening hours:
Mandag-Søndag: 10.30-19.30
Øster Farimagsgade 10, 2100 København Ø
Kastellet
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| Kastellet |
Another popular spot for visitors & tourists in Copenhagen is Kastellet. It's only a few minutes walk from Nyhavn. Personally, it took me 20 minutes to cover the distance, as I started my walk from Aamanns Deli restaurant. Something very positive about Copenhagen is the small distance. Even if you choose to walk, and not use public transport, the distances between many attractions are walkable. It is a great advantage, compared to other cities in Europe, so I totally get why people are visiting Copenhagen for 24 hours or two days.
Kastellet is one of the best-preserved fortresses in Europe. It is built in the shape of a pentagon, and it is filled with many great stories, windmills, and canons. Kastellet Fort is free to visit and the gates are open to the public from 6 am to 10 pm daily. From what I heard, it is a great location for people that want to go for a run or exercise.
Little Mermaid
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| The Little Mermaid |
If you google the word "Little Mermaid" & Copenhagen, you are going to find thousands of pictures of "Ariel", but also this statue on Instagram and Pinterest. It showcases a mermaid coming out of the water, and transforming into a human woman, aka a little mermaid. Needless to say, when you hear the words "Little Mermaid", you must be thinking of the famous fairytale of Hans Christian Andersen and you are not wrong. The commissioner behind this statue was also an admirer of a ballet about Andersen's fairytale.
So, why you should visit this spot? Honestly, I just admired the view of the sea, as there are many great locations in Copenhagen. If you are only coming to the city for a day, or two and you don't have much time for many attractions, it is a worth mentioned location, as you will definitely pick up some likes by posting this picture (don't try to sit on the rocks, they are slippery, and it is dangerous. If you succeed then you will definitely take on those likes, lol!).
Nyhavn
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| Nyhavn |
I visited Nyhavn on my first day in Copenhagen, but guess what? All roads lead to Nyhavn. I'm kidding of course, but since I only have one day left in my itinerary, I decide to stop for a drink and finish my night at the port. There are plenty of bars & restaurants to choose from, so if you would like to learn more about Nyhavn and some great options read this post.
The restaurants in Nyhavn are quite expensive. When designing my budget for this trip, I decided that I wanted to spend a few extra euros and visit a Michelin restaurant and try the local cuisine and Nordic flavors. I can tell you and give you more details on what I spent on another post, but keep this in mind; I stayed in a Hostel!
And I know, by this point, you must be thinking that I am crazy or why I did not make this trip only on a small budget, or pick up a more expensive accommodation. I believe that it comes down to preference. Personally, I am a heavy sleeper, I only need a bed, and I like socializing with others, while playing ping pong, so that's why I chose a Hostel. With the money I saved, I splurged on food, day trips, and attractions, because I really wanted to visit the places that I had on my list.
With that being said, thank you for taking the time to read this post. Your support means the world to me! I definitely want to hear your thoughts on the comments below about Copenhagen. Have you visited are you planning to visit? Do you need help or advice on how to plan your trip? I am more than happy to help with your inquiries.
CHRYSOULA VEIZI
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