Traveling around the world can bring a host of positive benefits to your well-being. Experiencing different cultures and seeing how other people live offers a better understanding of this vast world we live in. This stokes our curiosity and allows us to be more empathetic to others. I just returned from a trip Denmark, my homeland and one of the happiest countries in the world. As Live Happy’s senior manager of digital marketing, I wanted to share with you the best things to do and see in Copenhagen.
Food and Drink
Copenhagen offers an abundance of wonderful restaurants, and it is almost impossible to not overindulge. My favorite local area is Frederiksberg. Start off on Vaernedamsvej, a small street where you can’t really go wrong in any of many stores and restaurants. You can grab an amazing French sandwich and a glass of wine at Le Gourmand or a glass of wine and a charcuterie board from neighborhood hop spot Falernum. If you are looking to splurge, Restaurant Geist with celebrity chef Bo Beck is the place to be. Don’t cheat yourself out of a glass of the house champagne, Billecart-Salmon, my absolute favorite. If you want something more traditional, you can go local with open-face sandwiches at one of Copenhagen’s oldest “smorrebrod” restaurants, Schonnemann.
Shopping
When I’m back home, I never miss a trip to my favorite shopping street Gammel Kongevej. This is a street where the locals shop and has an abundance of wonderful Danish brands as well as more upscale store emporiums. Zornig offers everything your heart desires from all over the world. If you are looking for Danish designs to fill your home, you can never go wrong at Illums Bolighus.
Rest and Relaxation
Entertainment
Copenhagen is filled with little gems, parks and architectural wonders, so walking is the best way to take them all in. The little mermaid statue is a given, however, make sure to walk through Kastellet to see the Gefion Fountain. 
Enjoy the beautiful St. Alban’s Church and continue down the harbor front where you can see the queen’s residence, Amalienborg Palace. You may even catch a glimpse of Her Royal Highness or the Crown Prince. Local tip: Don’t miss the changing of the guard daily at noon. If the weather is decent, you will find all the locals enjoying the sunshine along the harbor in front of The Royal Danish Playhouse. Just over the bridge to Christianshavn is one of the most treasured areas of Copenhagen that also houses The Royal Danish Opera.
A must see for sure is the Tivoli Gardens; it’s truly a special treat depending on the time of year. If you are visiting around Christmas, there’s an amazing Christmas market, and if you are visiting in the spring, aim for Friday nights when the garden has concerts with a lot of Danish bands. Summer is also a special time to take part in a longstanding tradition of enjoying lunch or dinner inside the park. A few restaurants will grant free access to the park if you join them for a meal.
Here at Live Happy, we have a team tradition of bringing back a gift whenever you are abroad. What better gift than the Hoptimist!
