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Copenhagen is perfect for a half-term getaway

For a city, Copenhagen is family holiday territory par excellence. Not only is it home to a Hans Christian Andersen museum, the Little Mermaid and Christiania Bikes, it also boasts enormous aquariums, the famous Tivoli Gardens amusement park and several beaches, making it perfect for half-term and summer escapes.

Copenhagen weekend breaks offer lessons in cool

If you are looking for cheap city breaks, Copenhagen probably won’t fit the bill. There’s no way around it – this city is expensive. If you want, however, to experience some of Europe’s coolest, trendiest and most creative districts, you’re in the right place.

The Vesterbro neighbourhood is one of the hippest in Europe, while Nørrebro as good as invented the brewpub. The Old Harbour area is awash with exciting ‘New Nordic’ restaurants and nowhere in Copenhagen does cocktail hour, designer gin palaces and luxury shopping quite like elegant Frederiksberg.

When to go

Copenhagen holidays are wonderful at any time of year, but arguably never more so than in winter. This is the season to get cosy, Copenhagen-style, which means cocooning in the city’s snug bars and cafés. Prices, along with temperatures, drop considerably during the months between November and January, making it one of the best times to nab a cheap weekend break in Copenhagen. 

Compare deals in Copenhagen for summer departures with winter weekend packages and you’ll usually find the former to be more expensive.

While you will pay more in summer, you’ll also get warmer weather and more opportunities for outdoor fun. The city has dozens of beaches just minutes from the centre, with acres of sand, plus sailing, water sports, seafood restaurants, waterfront hotels and complete freedom for the family. 

Events for your diary

Experience Christmas at Tivoli Gardens in November and December when the world’s prettiest fairground is transformed into a festive wonderland, complete with Christmas markets, fairy lights, ice rinks, fireworks and theatre.

The start of February sees the city’s Fashion Week get underway, during which you can compare Copenhagen’s latest runway offerings with those from global designers. This international event has an unpretentious, creative and effortlessly cool attitude that is typical of Copenhagen, and the clothes are pretty spectacular too. 

The refreshingly unstuffy Copenhagen Opera Festival takes place for a week at the start of August and sees concerts, recitals, gigs and workshops in the least likely of places, from huge arenas to small city parks. Plus, there’s a great programme of kids’ events – you’re never too young to know your Verdi from your Monteverdi.