123

Copenhagen, Denmark: The Perfect Destination for the Single Traveler

K.C. Dermody
Copenhagen, Denmark is not only a beautiful and highly underrated city, but it's an ideal destination for a solo traveler. If you don't want to be alone when you get there, Copenhagen might be one of the easiest cities in the world for you to meet friendly locals or other single travelers.

There are many other great reasons that Copenhagen is perfect for singles. Here you don't see near as many couples kissing on park benches as you would in, say, Paris, or even Brugge. You can also comfortably walk into a bar alone without feeling weird about it.

Making travel even that much easier, is that fact that most Danish speak English as their second language, and communication won't be a problem.

If you're considering traveling to Copenhagen alone, I suggest you take the plunge, you won't regret it. Here is your guide to help you make the most of your visit to beautiful Denmark.

Where to stay

For single travelers that would like to meet local people and become a part of Copenhagen's culture, I highly recommend looking into CouchSurfing. There are currently almost 4,000 members in Copenhagen, Denmark, that offer a free couch or room as trade for nothing other than cultural exchange, and a possible friendship.

I have both hosted and been hosted via CouchSurfing, and not only will you save on hotel costs, but it's the best way to get a real feel for the city you're visiting. You can also meet other travelers through the site if you're looking for a companion.

If that doesn't sound like something you'd be interested in, the second best choice would be a Bed and Breakfast stay. The Pea Blossom is said to be centrally located, warm and welcoming.


What to do

In Copenhagen, most people get around by bicycle, and the city is designed perfectly for that mode of transportation. There are many shops available that offers bike rentals by the hour, day or week.

If haven't already met someone that will take you on a tour of the city, go to one of the many parks. Locals and travelers picnic, play soccer (called football in Europe), or just hang out. The Danish typically welcome anyone to join in their game.

A must-do on your list, should be a visit to Rosenborg Castle. Here you can view the Danish Crown Jewels that have been in use since the middle of the 17th century while you tour the spectacular castle. The historical displays here are fascinating and bring you back in time to Denmark's royal past.
Admission to the castle is a great value at $14.45 USD.

A visit to the 17th century round tower, Rundet¥rn, is also well worth the trip. It was built as an astronomical observatory and is part of the Trinitatis Complex. This is a perfect place to view Old Copenhagen, and see the sites from above.

Beer lovers should not miss a tour of the Carlsberg Brewery. For only about $12.50 USD, your tour includes two beers. The original brewery was founded in 1847, and is one of the oldest Nordic breweries still in operation.

There are numerous museums, gardens, and even a zoo in this great city, certainly enough to keep a visitor busy for an extended period of time. Of course, you'll need to take a photograph of the city's famed statue of The Little Mermaid. She sits out on a rock in Copenhagen's harbor.

If you're looking for nightlife, Copenhagen has some of the best. From dive bars to classy joints, or all-night dancing, you can find it here. Ask your bed and breakfast or CouchSurfing host to direct you to the nearest place, or even come along with you.

Best eats

If you're a foodie, Copenhagen might be your heaven. The city is home to Noma, named the best restaurant in the world for the second consecutive year in 2011. This is a gourmet, high-end restaurant known for its reinvention and interpretation of Nordic cuisine.

Denmark's old food culture was based on smoked ham or pork, head cheese and smoked herring, and all are still readily available. You'll find open-faced sandwiches nearly everywhere, with lots of cold cuts and rye bread.

The Danish Hot Dog, is another signature Denmark food item. The hot dog itself has a bright red casing and is topped by a mound of french friend onions, sliced pickles and raw onions. Maybe not the most healthy, but you're on vacation. Very good for a late night meal after you've imbibed a little too much.

You won't regret a lone vacation to Copenhagen, and you'll likely make many friends before your return home.

Published by K.C. Dermody - Featured Contributor in Travel

K.C. Dermody is a freelance writer, writing for YCN, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Sports, and OMG! Yahoo as well as other web content projects, and working on a historical fiction novel based in ancient Ireland. She...  View profile

To comment, please sign in to your Yahoo! account, or sign up for a new account.