I was flying back home from Helsinki on SAS and Air India. The Air India flight from Copenhagen was at night, so I decided to fly to Copenhagen the previous day and spend one night here instead of staying one more night in Helsinki. My flight reached at 9:25 PM, and with my flight to Delhi at 8:45 PM the next day, I had about a 23-hour layover. I stayed at the Park Inn By Radisson Copenhagen Airport.
I got up early and walked to Kastrup Søbad to see the sunrise. Known as “The Snail,” this architectural gem features a wooden boardwalk leading to a circular multi-level structure that protects swimmers from the wind.
Anticipating that the water would be cold, I was hesitant. But after walking around, I decided to take the plunge. The water was not as cold as I thought (and also not as salty even though it was the sea) and after swimming around for a while it actually felt quite nice. The circular wooden walls created a serene, private seawater pool. With hardly anyone around, it was an awesome way to start the day.
After a quick shower and check-out, I headed out using a 24-hour City Pass. I took the subway from Femøren St. to Kongens Nytorv and walked to the Københavns Rådhus (City Hall). I arrived during Pride week in Copenhagen, and the city was vibrant with rainbow flags everywhere, including near the historic Scandic Palace Hotel which overlooks the square.
I joined the Grand Tour of Copenhagen 🔗 at 10:00 AM and then the Classical Tour of Copenhagen 🔗 at 1:30 PM. Afterward, I visited the tower at Christiansborg Palace, known as Tårnet. As the highest tower in the city, it offered stunning panoramic views where I could clearly see the city and even the Øresund Bridge connecting Denmark to Sweden in the distance.
After coming down, I passed the Børsen (The Old Stock Exchange) with its famous dragon-spire made of four intertwined dragon tails. I also saw the Church of Our Saviour (Vor Frelsers Kirke).
I walked past the Niels Juel statue, which honors the famous Danish admiral, and the grand Magasin du Nord department store. I then headed toward the Royal Danish Theatre and Frederik’s Church, also known as the Marble Church, which boasts the largest church dome in Scandinavia.
Heading back to the hotel, I made another visit to Kastrup Søbad. The evening light was beautiful, casting a glow over the Øresund Bridge in the distance. Looking back now, maybe I should have taken a quick dip, it would have surely been refreshing after a long day walking around. But I didn’t have my swimming shorts and I had also checked-out of the room so I had no where to clean-up afterwards.
The atmosphere was a perfect conclusion to my layover. After spending some time there, I went back to the hotel and picked up my bags and took the subway to the airport for my flight to Delhi.
🛏️ Park Inn By Radisson Copenhagen Airport
🚇 Femøren St. to Kongens Nytorv
🚇 Nørreport to Kongens Nytorv
👣 Grand Tour of Copenhagen 🔗 👣 Classical Tour of Copenhagen 🔗