September in Copenhagen with kids

September in Copenhagen with kids have been the perfect introduction to this cute nicely sized European capital. One can feel the magic of Copenhagen’s story creator in the air – Hans Christian Andersen, one of my favourite childhood storytellers. Waterfront gorgeous palaces and beautiful coloured houses, lots of canals and seaside, contemporary architecture, quaint fun parks and green spaces, this has been the summary of our 2 days in Copenhagen.

What we loved and must dos for 2 September days in Copenhagen with kids:

Nyhav cute busy marina is the most iconic picture of Copenhagen. Its also the starting point for most of canal tours and boats rides that will pretty much take you see most of Copenhagen’s fairy tale like palaces, castles and dazzling modern architecture. We took the 1 hour uninterrupted ride that took us by the Opera ( 5 years old fascinated that one could jump from its roof, me admiring the architecture);

Royal ships, battle boats and even a submarine; the little mermaid (and the symbol of the city!); the modern art museums and nearby Noma ( 3 Michelin stars come with a 5 months time wait for the booking);  pretty residential canals; piazzas and palaces.

It gives one a great perspective on all the wonders of Copenhagen and thereafter the choice to select what they loved the most for another relaxing half day.

2 days in Copenhagen with kids

Tivoli Amusement Park. One of the oldest amusement park in the world (celebrated 175 years old this year!) charmed us instantly. Fairy tale looking like lit on an early Danish evening, the green gardens are vast and filled with magic: lakes with pagodas, wandering peacocks, dragon boats, rollercoasters, stages, theatres, nightly fireworks and cool restaurants.

We tested the balloon rides which take you about 50m up for adrenalin and scenic pictures; the mining trip which fascinates with underworld dreamy creatures and potentially scares some young minds; the mountain roller coaster – officially the oldest wooden roller coaster in the world at 100 years; and last but not least the beautiful ride between Christian Andersen fairy tales.

Tivoli rides Copenhagen

Tivoli rides Copenhagen with kids

Bright lights, thrilling rides, my 5 years old and I loved Tivoli. 

Tivoli Copenhagen

The old town centre, cute pedestrian streets and squares

Both days my 5 years old and I explored Copenhagen’s cute pedestrian streets and squares – we bumped into musicians, street performers, the guards and an army band going tound, lots of cafes, restaurants and of course cute playgrounds.

Copenhagen with kids on scooter

From the King’s New Square (Kongens Nytorv) we took various little streets and options down to the you can take a stroll down the colourful harbour street Nyhavn.

Copenhagen walks with kids

Very cool Museums, castles, zoo and even an Experimentarium.  

Our friends and local experts raved about the child friendly museums and so many options for rainy days. Their favourites are the Aquarium – not far from airport and they reckon most beautiful in the world (they are also extensively travelled!); the Experimentarium – for 5 years olds they love the water area, construction, bubbles and tunnel of senses; the Children museum – not far from Tivoli with its Viking boat, options to defend your own medieval castles or simply find and play with lots of toys. We’ve been lucky with the weather, not the sunniest skies but no rain either, so we had to leave those for a different visit. 

Copenhagen Mayfair hotel

Hotel options. Our Danish friends living mostly in London recommended us Sankt Annae which is across a lovely square and has a playground (2minutes from Nyhav cute canals/ 3 minutes from Christianborg palace and 10 minutes from Rosenberg castle). Our visit coincided with Emmanuel Macron’s so Sankt Annae was fully booked, just like Phoenix hotel (also recommended).

We ended up at First Mayfair Hotel which was very conveniently located 5 minutes from Tivoli Amusement park walking; we especially appreciated the proximity 10:30pm we managed to leave Tivoli! We appreciated less though the neighbourhood which seems to be slightly dodgy, with an erotic lounge just in front of it! Luckily my 5 years old is too young to question all red lights on the streets and I managed to sneak in the hotel without any questions/ reading attempts!  Also great in the hotel the art spread around and very comfy beds, but rooms on the very small size and breakfast in a very American pub like setting.

Cafe Victor, Copenhagen

Restaurants. We had a lovely fine dining early evening at Cafe Victor, warmly recommended by our local expert friends. An institution they said and we have to agree – great food and exquisite social scene. We tested the Danish oysters (Limfjords), seared tuna with vegetables, turbot with asparagus and fries, all paired with bubbles and a Chardonay. No electronic devices have been touched by my 5 years old dinner date but a chess game and lots of speculatory discussions about Tivoli amusement park. A couple of other restaurants endorsed by our local Danish experts are Sankt Annae terrace for Danish tapas (booking recommended), Trattoria Fiat and if weather is nice Toverhallerne.

Copenhagen with kids – sailing

Sailing in Copenhagen with kids

Copenhagen with toddler

So all in all warmly recommending 2 days in Copenhagen with kids – the best birthday present ever he said! And I’ll take that!

For other European cities breaks, check our articles on  La vie en rose in Paris with kids; luxury stays in a seafront superb chateau in Marseille; fun and cultural weekends by the sea in Mahon; summer days in Bucharest  or Rome with a baby.