Family break in Copenhagen

We chose Copenhagen for our Whit-week break this year. It's well known for being the epitome of cool and oozes 'Scandi' vibe. We stayed in the 4 Star Scandic Spectrum hotel which is located a short walk from the main train station (easily accessible from the airport on train in just half an hour). We had a family room which has a capacity of four people and had trendy design features, although quite a big hotel it still managed to feel cosy and friendly.

It's an easy city to navigate on foot, by bike (loads of places to rent), metro, train , bus and ferry. Keep it green people and ditch the car hire! If you want to feel what a city could be like without cars (and you've not visited Venice) and an excellent transport system then Copenhagen get's pretty close.

We spent four nights which gave us plenty of time to explore the city. We started our first day with a trip to the Danish Architecture Museum, which is great for kids as has interactive exhibitions. We hopped on a boat for the obligatory visit to 'The Little Mermaid' statue. We then strolled back to Nyhavn, which is the pretty harbour with colourful townhouses and ship-masts, there are loads of cafes and bars to refuel before strolling up to see Amalienborg Slot, the home of the current Queen which is very grand where we saw the changing of the guard, which happens every day at noon. We then visited Slotsholmen, the centre of Danish government and home to the PM, we climbed the palace tower to the tallest viewing platform in the city for great views! We eat out in the Vesterbro area (walking distance from our hotel) a trendy post-industrial area with bars, restaurants and vintage second-hand shops.

Our second day we visited Rosenborg Castle, (where the crown jewels are kept) in the area of Norreport. We played football at the park and after had a fantastic lunch at Torvehallern; a fresh food market just brimming with delights! There is also the National Gallery and National History Museum nearby. We then explored the Latin Quarter, a pedestrianised street that weaves though the centre with shops, bars and restaurants.

The third day we left for the famous Tivoli Gardens and it didn't disappoint! A beautiful amusement park that the kids will love, rides old and new, lovely gardens and live entertainment. We broke the day up it up by hopping on the metro over to Christiania for lunch. This is an area of Copenhagen that isn't under its jurisdiction but a collectively controlled area by it's residents; artists and free spirits that run this commune with a very bohemian vibe. They don't like you taking photos so take care, the main point is to see how it is to live differently and promote self-rule and expression. We then went back to Tivoli until it was time to fall into bed!

The final day we took the metro out to the neighbourhood of Norrebro, which is gritty and unlike the polished city centre. It has a multi-cultural vibe and is popular with skateboarders and arty types. We ate some delicious home frozen ice cream (using liquid nitrogen) walking through the atmospheric cemetery and park of Assistens Kirkegard.

Before we headed back to the airport, as the sun was out (and so were the locals) we copied them and swam in the river in front of our hotel where there was a dedicated swimming platform, I can't say it was warm but it was certainly refreshing and a perfect way to end our stay.

Rounding up it was a perfect family destination with plenty to do, although it isn't a cheap place when you are there!