Copenhagen: A Winter Prelude to the Fairy Tale Kingdom.
In January 2020, after a flight of over ten hours, our plane slowly touched down at Copenhagen Airport. Outside the window, the morning sky was still painted in hues of grayish-blue—the Nordic winter sun always rises late. A crisp chill hung in the air, welcoming us as we set foot on the Scandinavian Peninsula for the very first time.
Taking the train from the airport, we arrived at Copenhagen Central Station in just over ten minutes. There were no pushing crowds or impatient honking. Passengers on the platform got on and off quietly, and everything was in perfect order. The first impression this city gives is pure comfort.
After dropping off our luggage, we officially kicked off our Danish journey.
Our first stop was Copenhagen's famous canal tour.
The small boat slowly navigated the winding canals, flanked by brightly colored Nordic buildings. Yellow, red, blue, green—every house looked like a building block from a fairy tale. The guide shared centuries of Danish history as we passed under one low bridge after another, sometimes even needing to duck our heads to get through.
Without the summer crowds, the city felt exceptionally peaceful in winter.
Leaving the canals, we made our way to Amalienborg Palace.
We were just in time for the midday Changing of the Guard. Dressed in dark blue uniforms and tall bearskin hats, the soldiers marched in perfect unison to the tunes of the military band, slowly entering the palace square. Tourists from all over the world gathered around, quietly admiring this royal tradition that has spanned centuries.
Right next to the palace is the famous Frederik's Church (The Marble Church).
Its massive green dome stood out strikingly against the gray sky. Inside, the church wasn't overly ornate; instead, the pristine circular dome filled the space with a sense of solemnity and serenity. Sitting on a pew for a moment, the only sound was the gentle echo of footsteps, and time seemed to slow down.
Walking through the King's Garden, Rosenborg Castle appeared before us.
The winter garden lacked blooming flowers, and the bare branches were coated in a thin layer of frost, but this only highlighted the elegance of the castle's red brick walls. The castle houses the crowns and jewels of the Danish royal family, each piece whispering the centuries-old history of the Nordic monarchy, giving us a newfound appreciation for this important kingdom that once ruled the North Sea.
Copenhagen isn't very large, and most attractions can be connected on foot.
The streets are lined with bicycles—even more than cars. Danes of all ages zip through the city on bikes, looking completely at ease even in near-freezing temperatures. The people here never seem to be rushing against the clock; instead, they live life at their own pace.
On the second day, we left the city center and took a train to Frederiksborg Castle.
The train sped through patches of winter forests before arriving in Hillerød. Frederiksborg Castle stands in the middle of a lake, its reflection shimmering on the calm water like a castle straight out of a fairy tale. The interior displays portraits and historical artifacts of the Danish royal family, while outside lies a sprawling Baroque garden. Though devoid of lush green grass in winter, it possessed an added layer of tranquility and majesty.
In the afternoon, we headed to Helsingør to visit the world-renowned Kronborg Castle.
This is the setting of Shakespeare's "Hamlet," which is why it's also known as Hamlet's Castle. Standing on the thick stone walls, you can see the Swedish coast in the distance, separated by just a few kilometers of water. As the biting sea breeze blew past, it was easy to imagine the North Sea fleet patrolling these waters centuries ago.
We returned to Copenhagen in the evening and had dinner at Torvehallerne market.
Piping hot pizza, Nordic porridge, and fresh local ingredients—simple yet incredibly delicious. Nordic cuisine doesn't over-season; it focuses on the original flavors of the ingredients, reflecting the pure and natural life philosophy of this land.
On our third day, we first went to the Copenhagen Zoo.
Polar bears swam leisurely in icy pools, completely unfazed by the harsh winter. Watching them live so comfortably, I truly felt that I had arrived in a world close to the Arctic Circle.
In the afternoon, we visited the Experimentarium. The science center was full of interactive exhibits, bringing endless joy to both adults and children, and adding a lot of fun to the trip.
As evening approached, we finally visited Denmark's most iconic landmark: The Little Mermaid statue.
She sat quietly on a rock by the sea, not as large as imagined and without any grand backdrop, just silently gazing at the Baltic Sea. Perhaps because of this, she looked even more like a lonely, waiting girl. While many tourists lined up to take photos with her, I stood to the side, watching the sun slowly set.
This statue is not just a symbol of Copenhagen; it reminds the world that fairy tales aren't just stories for children—they also keep us company as we grow up.
On our final day, before leaving Copenhagen, we strolled through Nyhavn.
A row of colorful wooden houses reflected in the calm canal, where vintage sailboats were moored. Nyhavn in winter lacks the summer hustle and bustle, taking on a more relaxed and romantic vibe. Walking slowly along Strøget, Europe's longest pedestrian street, we enjoyed the music of street performers, the rich aroma drifting from cafes, and people leisurely soaking in their holiday time.
This is Denmark.
It doesn't have the glamour of Paris or the frenzy of London, but it exudes a relaxing sense of happiness.
After checking out of the hotel, we caught a bus to the pier, ready to board the DFDS ferry for the next leg of our journey. As the Copenhagen skyline slowly faded into the distance, I knew our true Nordic adventure was just beginning.