Sequoia National Park is home to 5 of the 10 largest trees in the world, the Giant Sequoia trees. It is also the place to go to see black bears, gorgeous meadows and groves of Giant Sequoia Trees. Before you go check out this Quick Travel Guide to Sequoia National Park.
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Things to See in Sequoia National Park
There is a shuttle bus running through this National Park, however most visitors come using their own motor cars a.k.a. California Road Trip. Entrance to the park is not expensive, you can pay by the carload. Here are our Top 5 things to do in Sequoia National Park:
Giant Forest: Sequoia National Park is home to the General Sherman Tree, the worlds largest tree measured by volume. The General Sherman Tree stands 275 feet (83m) tall, and over 36 feet (11m) in diameter.
Crescent Meadow: The trail around crescent meadow is a fairly easy 1.6 mile hike, suitable for children, elderly, and those who just don’t like hard walks or steep grades. Along the way be sure check out Tharp’s Log, a hollowed out Sequioa tree where Mr. Tharp lived from 1860.
Auto Log: The Auto Log fell down in 1917. After the tree fell, park authorities encouraged visitors to drive their cars onto the trunk. It is now closed for safety reasons due to the decay of the tree.
Tunnel Log: This is the Drive Through Giant Sequioa. The tunnel log tree fell in 1934, and was over 2,000 years old. To get to tunnel log follow the Crescent Meadow road.
Bear Spotting: Black bears live in Sequioa National Park. American Black Bears have a misleading name, because they may be black, brown, cinnamon or blonde in color. Meadows are a great place to spot bears in Sequioa National Park, especially in Spring. In fall you might see bears high in oak trees getting fat on acorns.
Day Trips from Sequoia National Park
Being in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the best local attractions are also mountainous National Parks. Here are the best 2:
Kings Canyon National Park:Kings Canyon shares a border with Sequoia National Park, so all the same recommendations apply. It is probably one of the least known of the Californian National Parks, but don’t let that fool you.
Yosemite National Park: Yosemite is a UNESCO World Heritage site, so you know it must be good. And it’s better than good – it’s mind blowing! Yosemite is famous for it’s thundering waterfalls, incredible granite cliffs, massive domes and hanging valleys.
Where to Stay in Sequoia National Park
There are limited Sequoia Park lodging options inside or near to Sequoia National Park. And that’s fine, because most people will be have a motor car, so staying in a nearby town should be no problem.
Cheap Accommodation
We went to Airbnb, and found loads of great options in Squaw Valley, about 90 minutes drive from the General Sherman tree. Actually it’s only about 45 minutes from the General Grant Sequoia at the other end of the park.
We chose a lovely RV on a farm, which cost only about $70 per night, an absolute bargain! This is our recommendation for your Sequoia accommodation.
Our awesome Airbnb RV in Squaw Valley
Mid Range
There are several options just outside Sequoia National Park on the Three Rivers (southern) entrance. The closest is The Gateway Restaurant & Lodge, which is a much cheaper option than staying inside the National Park.
Luxury Accommodation
The Wuksachi Lodge is without doubt the best accommodation in Sequoia National Park. Yes it’s inside the park, not far from the General Sherman Tree and Giant’s Grove. But you will need to book well in advance as it gets booked very out early.
Find a Great Deal
You might like to try your luck looking for Sequoia Hotel deals on one of the hotel booking sites. Booking.com deals finder is a good place to start.
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If you’re yearning for thundering waterfalls, giant granite domes and hanging valleys, then Yosemite is for you. If fact no visit to Southern California is complete without coming here. If you’re planning a trip to Yosemite then first check out this Quick Travel Guide to Yosemite National Park.
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What to Do in Yosemite National Park
Although Yosemite is a large park, the main tourist attractions are mostly located in a compact area of the Yosemite Valley. There is a free shuttle bus to take you to all the major attractions. We reckon you should allow a minimum of 2 days in Yosemite. And here our top 5 favourite activities in Yosemite.
El Capitan and Horsetail Fall: El Capitan is a 3,000 sheer vertical granite rock. There is easy access to view El Capitan from the turnout on the main access road into Yosemite Valley. El Capitan remains one of the greatest challengers for rock climbers.
Yosemite Falls, Upper/Middle/Lower: Yosemite Falls are the highest waterfalls in Yosemite National Park, dropping a total of 2,425 feet (739 metres). Upper Yosemite Fall drops 1,430 feet (440 metres), which puts it in the top 20 waterfalls in the world.
Vernal Fall and the Mist Trail: Vernal Fall is a 4 hour round trip to the top following the mist trail. On the Mist Trail, you will be sprayed with water from Vernal Fall. Expect to get wet.
Tunnel View: Tunnel View is located just outside the Wawona Tunnel on State Highway 41. Here you will get one of the best views in Yosemite, taking in Half Dome, El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall.
Glacier Point and the Drive to Glacier Point: Glacier Point offers the undisputed best views of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Vernal Fall, Nevada Fall and Cloud Rest. In fact Glacier Point has an elevation of 7,214 feet (2,199 metres) and is 3,200 feet (980 metres) above Half Dome Village.
Day Trips from Yosemite National Park
It’s unlikely that you will want to leave Yosemite National Park once you arrive there. But if your Yosemite vacation is long enough to allow it, here are a couple of nearby attractions:
Sequoia National Park: Famous for its huge Sequoia trees, especially the General Sherman Tree in the Giant Forest. This is the biggest living tree in the world (by volume).
Yosemite Snow and Snowboard Area: Ok so you probably should wait until winter to come here, from about Christmas through to the end of March. Located on Glacier Point Road, this is easily accessible by shuttle bus.
Best Places to Stay at Yosemite National Park
Whilst there is accommodation available inside Yosemite National Park, it is booked out long in advance and it is very expensive. We think you’re best off staying in Mariposa, just a short drive from Yosemite National Park. It’s on the ‘easy side’ with an easy drive along the Yosemite Valley. No scary mountain ascents coming this way.
Cheap Accomodation inside Yosemite
Our number one recommendation is to stay at the Housekeeping Camp inside the park. We reckon this are the best campsites in Yosemite, and should cost you a little over $100 per night. Here you can experience camping in the Yosemite wilderness without having to set up a tent a.k.a. glamping.
Camping in Housekeeping Camp
Mid Range
You can stay in quality lodge style accommodation in the nearby town of Mariposa, just outside the park entrance. Quality Inn Yosemite Valley Gateway is one of the best motels near Yosemite, and is only about one hour drive to Yosemite Falls.
Luxury Accommodation
The Majestic Yosemite Hotel is the best place to stay in Yosemite National Park. Formerly the Ahwahnee Hotel, this is luxury in a premium location. But it doesn’t come cheap and you will need to book it long in advance.
Shop Around for a Great Deal
It pays to shop around for great deals on accommodation, and Yosemite is no exception. Here is a great deals finder to get you started.
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Basel is on the Rhine River at the intersection between Switzerland, France and Germany. This is one of the most underrated cities, as well as the third largest in Switzerland. But there is so much to see and do in cosmopolitan Basel, and it’s also a great place to start your journey north into Germany. If you would like some great Basel tips then check out this Quick Travel Guide to Basel.
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Things to Do in Basel
The Rhine River is the predominant feature, and is definitely the heart and soul of Basel. Here are our recommended things to do in Basel.
Tour the Basel Old Town Centre: This is a really well preserved Old Town Centre, which includes some of the best Basel attractions including the Münster.
Cruise the Rhine River: There are a couple of different cruise options along the Rhine River for some of the best Basel sightseeing that money can buy.
Walk to Germany: There is something novel about walking from one country to another, especially when there is no border control. You can do that in Basel along a 6km Art Trail called the “24 Stops to Rehberger Weg”.
Chocolate Tasting: Swiss Chocolate is famous all over the world, and there is a great Swiss Chocolate Tasting tour available in Basel. Take a 2.5 hour guided tour to some of the best Chocolate shops in town and learn all about this delicate art. After all, if it’s a Basel walking tour you’re after, why not throw in a few Swiss Chocolates to sweeten the deal!
Basel Marktplatz: A common medieval theme in this part of Europe is a town square with the town hall on the perimeter, and a daily market in the town square. This particular market place ticks all the boxes, and it’s a great place to sample some local produce, and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Basel.
Day Trips from Basel
Fancy a trip to Germany, or France or Switzerland? You can do any of these easily from Basel. Here are our recommendations.
Geneva: Less than 3 hours away by train, Geneva is easily accessible for a day trip from Basel. Actually this is a great way to see Geneva, which is infamous for it’s expensive accommodation. The Swiss train system is freakishly reliable and a good way to go, and I highly recommend travelling from Basel to Geneva by train.
Strasbourg France: A little closer than Geneva, the fairytale medieval town of Strasbourg is just 1.5 hours by car. You can also find loads of public transport options to get there.
Best Accommodation in Basel
Cheap Accommodation
Basel Backpack is just 2 blocks away from the SBB Basel Train station, on the other side of the track from the city centre. That makes it a reasonably central location for a great price.
Mid Range Accommodation in Basel
Hotel City Inn is a basic 3 star hotel right across from the SBB Basel Train Station. That’s convenience in a no frills kind of way.
Affordable Luxury
Just 100m from the SBB Basel Train station is this remarkably convenient 4 star Hotel, the Gaia Hotel. Lots of great shopping and dining nearby, and close to all the main Basel Attractions.
Find a Great Deal
Let’s get one thing straight. Switzerland is expensive. That’s why you need to work hard to shop around for the best deal. This Booking.com deals finder is a great start.
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Gorgeous Geneva is located on Lake Geneva, and is also on very close to the French Border. So closer in fact that some of the outskirts of Geneva are actually in France. Before your visit check out this Quick Travel Guide to Geneva.
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Geneva Sightseeing
For anybody on a budget Geneva can be prohibitively expensive, however there is enough natural beauty that you can see a great deal for free. Here are our tips for some inexpensive Geneva sightseeing.
Lake Geneva: Such a pretty lake, the most famous of all Geneva sights is surrounded by snow capped mountains and pretty villages. It is quite easy to find a boat tour or ferry to take you out on the lake, or you can experience it’s beauty from the famous Promenade in Geneva.
Jet d’Eau: In the heart of Geneva you will find this giant jet of water which shoots 140m into the air. It’s hard to miss.
Old Town Geneva: Wander around the cobblestoned streets of the Old Town Geneva to admire the splendour of centuries gone by.
Mont Saleve: Nicknamed the Balcony of Geneva, this giant rock wall thrusts upwards to a height of 1,400m. Mont Saleve is one of the easiest places to visit near Geneva, located on the edge of town. There’s a cable car to take you to the top, where you can admire the stunning views of Geneva from one of the many cafes.
St.Pierre Cathedral: Visitors are permitted to climb the tower for amazing views over the city and Lake Geneva. This is undoubtedly on of the Geneva top attractions.
Day Trips from Geneva
In case you didn’t know, Geneva lies at the foot of the Swiss Alps. There are tremendously scenic places to observe the Alps up close.
Annecy: The Venice of the Alps is the place to see postcard perfect views of the alps, with the gorgeous Old Town of Annecy in the forefront. Annecy is easily accessible and just a 45 minutes drive, making in one of the easiest Geneva day trips.
Chamonix: Visit the site of the first ever Winter Olympics in 1924. You can access the mountains via cable car, or admire the breathtaking views of Mont Blanc from Chamonix. Mont Blanc is the highest mountain peak in Europe at 15,777 feet / 4,807 metres in altitude.
Where to Stay in Geneva
Budget Accommodation
Geneva is so expensive for accommodation, as is the whole of Switzerland. But we found an awesome little budget hotel right near the Geneva International Airport, which is basic but modern and comfortable. And most importantly, it is very cheap.
Don’t worry, there is a bus stop right out the front so you won’t have to catch taxis. This hotel is called the Ibis Budget Geneve Airport.
Mid Range Accommodation
Hotel Les Arcades is right in the middle of Geneva and is a one of the few good hotels at a respectable price. You will need to book well in advance for this little gem.
Affordable Luxury
Hotel d’Angleterre is a traditional 5 star hotel in the city centre of Geneva. 5 star hotels don’t come cheap in this wealthy city!
Finding a Great Deal
Do yourself a favour and shop around for a great deal, here’s a great start with a deals finder.
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One of the wildest and finest areas of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range, here you will find gorgeous meadows, black bears and the worlds largest trees. In fact 5 of the top 10 biggest trees in the world (by volume) are in the Giant Forest of Sequoia National Park. But what are the Top 5 Attractions in Sequoia?
Top 5 Attractions in Sequoia National Park
These top 5 attractions in Sequoia are our opinions after doing a road trip through this beautiful national park. I definitely recommend doing some more research to see if any of the other attractions are better suited to your taste for adventure.
How big you ask? The General Sherman Tree stands 275 feet (83m) tall, and over 36 feet (11m) in diameter.
The biggest living tree on the planet
Giant sequioa groves only grow on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevadas. There are only 68 groves in existence, so feel very lucky to stand in one.
The General Sherman Tree is taller than the statue liberty, and is estimated to be 2,300-2,700 years old.
Giant Sequioias have been identified as 3,500 years old by the ring count, making them among the oldest living things on earth.
Tip: Walk around the back of the General Sherman Tree if you want some great photo opportunities without the crowds.
2. Crescent Meadow
Including Chimney Tree and Tharps Log
The trail around crescent meadow is a fairly easy 1.6 mile hike, suitable for children, elderly, and those who just don’t like hard walks or steep grades.
Along the way be sure check out Tharp’s Log. A man called Hale Tharp lived inside this hollowed out Sequioa tree from 1860 to 1890. You can still see his furniture inside.
Strange place to build a house, in a tree trunk!
Also be sure to check out the Chimney Tree, which is just near Tharp’s Log. It is a giant sequoia tree which has been burnt out, and has a room inside bigger than some bedrooms.
Chimney Log in Crescent Meadow. There’s a room inside there!
Tip: Other hikes start from the Crescent Meadow Parking Area including Sugar Pine Trai and Bobcat Point Trail Loop, where you can hike to Moro Rock Car Park (1.5 miles).
3. Auto Log
On the Crescent Meadow Road
The Auto Log fell down in 1917. After the tree fell, park authorities encouraged visitors to drive their cars onto the trunk. It is now closed for safety reasons due to the decay of the tree.
Ramon and Clarc stand on Auto Log
Tip: You are still permitted to walk out onto Auto Log for a great photo opportunity.
4. Tunnel Log
The Drive Through Giant Sequioa
The tunnel log tree fell in 1934, and was over 2,000 years old.
To get to tunnel log follow the Crescent Meadow road.
Here’s a classic shot at Tunnel Log
Tip: The tunnel is 8 feet (2.4m) high, make sure your vehicle will fit before driving though it!
5. Bear spotting
Black bears live in Sequioa National Park. American Black Bears have a misleading name, because they may be black, brown, cinnamon or blonde in color.
Tip: Meadows are a great place to spot bears in Sequioa National Park, especially in Spring. In fall you might see bears high in oak trees getting fat on acorns.
Just Near Yosemite
Sequoia National Park borders with Kings Canyon National Park, making it a convenient double attraction. But then again it’s just down the road from Yosemite National Park, making it great triple attraction. Now you know the Top 5 Attractions in Sequoia, but there are so many more awesome sights to see in this part of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
We were offered so many tips on ‘out of the way’ places to see, but we ran out of time. My best tip is to ask a local “so what’s your favourite part of Sequoia National Park?”. Chances are they will suggest a place which is not a popular tourist attraction. If you have the time, and the inclination for adventure, this is the way to see your own special part of Sequoia National Park.
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Botanical Gardens are among our favourite attractions – they’re usually free and stunningly beautiful. Copenhagen Botanical Garden is located right in the middle of Copenhagen. And guess what – it is free and stunningly beautiful.
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Why Visit the Botanical Garden?
Botanical Gardens may not be high on your list of tourist attractions. For our family it is high on the list wherever we go. Here are some of the reasons we love visiting Botanic Gardens:
Botanical Gardens are normally free entry. We are always on the lookout for free activities during vacation time. It’s true that some of the best things in life are free!
You can bring your own picnic lunch. Indeed you can enjoy a picnic in a divine setting.
There are wide open spaces and lots of walking paths, meaning you get some good exercise.
The plants are beautiful specimens and gorgeous to look at. We love to admire beauty in plants.
For anybody into photography, it’s a wonderful excursion to fill up your photography portfolio.
It’s great to teach kids about nature and the wonders of God’s creations.
Botanical Gardens are perfect places to find peace, tranquility, and to recharge your soul.
Doesn’t if feel great to just get back to nature, and feel the earth, water and plants?
Overview of Copenhagen Botanical Garden
The garden covers a whopping 10 hectares in area, which massive considering the central location. Although the garden has been around since about 1600, it’s been moved twice and ended up in the current location back in 1870. I’m not exactly sure how you would move a botanical garden, but apparently they did… twice.
The correct name for this garden is the University of Copenhagen Botanical Garden. Furthermore it is part of the Faculty of Science of the University of Copenhagen. Not only is it a wonderful recreation area, it also has important scientific purpose, for it houses the only gene bank for wild plants of the area.
Copenhagen Botanic Garden is famous for the huge glasshouse complex (conservatory), dating back to the 1870’s. The entire conservatory is 3,000 square meters in area. Impressive.
There are 27 glasshouses in total, but the one they all come to see is the massive Palm House which was built in 1874. It is a monumental structure, and as the name implies it is filled with palm trees in a hot, humid tropical climate. At 16 metres tall, you can climb to the top inside the Palm House using a beautiful cast-iron spiral staircase. To be sure it looks like something out of a Jules Verne movie set.
The Palm House is open 10am to 3pm daily, and closed on Mondays through winter.
Arctic House
In case the Palm House is not amazing enough for you, try the special Arctic greenhouse. In fact it has special air-conditioning that re-creates environments for arctic plants. Surely you will want to bring a good jacket for that one!
Being centrally located, the garden is within walking distance from practically anywhere, if you’re staying in central Copenhagen.
Otherwise you might like to catch a train there. In this case Nørreport Station is just across the road from the Copenhagen Botanical Gardens. With this in mind you can catch S-Trains, Metro and Regional trains, for Nørreport is a major station.
The address is:
Botanisk Have
(Botanical Garden)
Gothersgade 128
1353 Copenhagen K
Tip: Rosenborg Castle and Kings Garden are right across the road. With this in mind, why not make it a double header and see them all in one day.
Visiting the Garden
Copenhagen Botanic Garden is open to the public and is free to enter. In addition you can find a lovely cafe near the entrance to the Palm House. The food is light and fresh in a home cooked style; healthy and delicious.
Garden opening times are:
8:30 am to 6:00 pm from 1st April to 30th September.
8:30am to 4:00pm from 1st October to 31st March.
When you enter you will be able to pick up a free guide map of the Garden. There are also some useful map signs at the front entrance.
Tip: If you would like a guided tour you can organise one by sending and email to this address: rundvisning@snm.ku.dk
Nice but Chilly Dining in the Outdoor Cafe
You’ll Be Glad You Visited
I am sure you’ll be glad you visited Copenhagen Botanical Garden. Surely the fresh air and the tranquility will leave you feeling invigorated. Especially surprising because it’s in the heart of a bustling city. Copenhagen is full of surprises!
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Just 3 km north of the Old City Centre in Bucharest is the museum precinct. Here you’ll discover that some of the top things to do in Bucharest are in fact museums. There’s the Natural History Museum, Geology Museum, and a Romanian Peasant Museum. We took a trip to the Natural History Museum and were completely blown away with what we found.
Top Things To Do In Bucharest are Museums
We’ve been to loads of museums around the world. Our son just loves science, and we take him to many museums to satisfy his insatiable curiosity. We have been to a few natural history museum, and this one is the best one we’ve been to. The displays are pure quality, and the range is outstanding.
Friendly giraffe outside the museum
If you have children and you’re visiting Bucharest then I urge you to consider this museum as one of your more interesting things to do in Bucharest. In fact, we rated this the second best attraction after the Palace of the Parliament. Your kids will be so happy, and it’s a nice distraction from the usual communist landmarks that are the normal sightseeing things to see in Bucharest.
The front facade of the museum
As usual you need to pay the entry fee, which is a mere 20 Romanian Lei for adults and 10 Lei for children. This is remarkably cheap as far as museums go. Actually the entrance fee had me worried, making me think it might be museum with sub-standard or run down displays. But what we found next blew our minds.
The front desk where you pay the entrance fee
Entering the Natural History Museum
As you enter the museum you head down to the basement to start with. This is full of stuffed animals of the marine variety, and you get to see fish, sharks and all sorts of little creatures from all across the world. Each display is set up for a particular area of the oceans.
A walrus skeleton
After you’re finished in the basement and head up to the ground floor, and are treated to 2 and 4 legged displays. Once again these are grouped into different countries or regions of the world. For example a Papua New Guinea display is full of a variety of stuffed animals and birds from Madagascar, in a very realistic diorama of the habitat found in that country. The displays are amazingly lifelike, for of course they are showing real stuffed animals.
A magnificent display from Papua New Guinea
As you head up to the next level you start getting into the bigger wild animals, like moose and deer. There’s also a fantastic display of fossils and prehistoric life which is set up in a giant cave like room. As a centerpiece there’s a huge atrium with giant skeletons of extinct elephant like creatures called deinotherium.
A deer family
Finding All the Bugs
There also is a giant insect section which focuses on diversity of insects. This is huge collection exhibiting a dazzling selection of inspect and arachnid specimens to freak out over. There’s a really interesting section on social insects like wasps and bees, and realistic displays depicting how they work together.
Part of the dazzling display of bugs
As you head up to the top floor you make it into the human section, and see different human indigenous races and dioramas in their natural settings. This floor is very educational for kids and adults alike, for it also shows cutaway sections of all parts of the human body, and some outstanding displays what show how humans work. It is a great anatomy lesson for all to enjoy.
Learning about human anatomy
There are also some great displays of unusual micro-biological organisms like germs, bacteria‘s and DNA. Once again there are some great lessons on how cells work as well as germs, bacteria and DNA. As well as big information boards there are many three-dimensional models to explain each topic in the utmost detail.
Organisms and DNA displays
Covering the Planet
Overall you will be awestruck with this museum. It seems to cover every habitat on the planet at some point. And it also seems to cover every aspect of human genealogy and biology and a child friendly manner. The level of detail in the displays is simply breathtaking.
Learning about indigenous humans from around the world
There is no way you can see this museum in less than two hours, and you probably should allow 3 to 4 hours to do it justice. One thing lacking is a café, but don’t worry there’s a Starbucks and probably lots of other cafés just around the corner.
A leopard going in for a kill
The souvenir shop was also quite lacking, full of educational kids toys, but very little in the way of souvenirs showing the name of the museum. But they do have lots of interesting rock samples and insect specimens for sale.
Some giant skeletons on display
Bucharest Natural History Museum Rating
If you have kids who love science this museum is not to be missed. My 11-year-old son rated it 10 out of 10. He says “ This museum is magnificent and great, and I think is the best museum I’ve ever been to in my life”. Fair call.
Skeletons of the ape variety
I rated it 9.5 out of 10, only because it was lacking a café, and I kind of felt like a cuppa after our long walk through the museum. So put this fascinating museum on your list of things to do in Bucharest.
A large extinct dinotherium
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Copenhagen is a long way from anywhere! This is Viking Country… Scandinavia!
How to get to Copenhagen
Our departure point was Amsterdam, which is one of the closest European cities to Copenhagen. However the bus trip to Copenhagen is a whopping 15 hours. Flixbus tickets are only about 50 Euros on GoEuro.com, however we couldn’t cope with 15 hours on a bus.
Fortunately we picked up some cheap flights on Norwegian Air using Skyscanner.com, which worked out only slightly more expensive than bus tickets. Our final cost was around 80 Euros each including luggage.
Leaving Copenhagen Airport
Copenhagen Airport was one of our least enjoyable airports in Europe. We found the simple task of catching a train to the city extremely difficult. English instructions were non existent, information desks were nowhere to be seen, and the only staff we found sent us around in circles. Self serve ticket machines were plentiful but proved difficult to navigate, and queues were 15 minutes long to access the vending machines.
It took us about 1.5 hours to exit the airport and finally board a city bound train. If you are going to Copenhagen Airport, do yourself a favour and research exactly how to purchase tickets to get to your next stop. You’ll be glad you did.
Tips:
If you are going to Copenhagen Central Station, its local name is Kobenhavn H.
If you are going to Copenhagen Central Station, don’t catch the Metro. Instead catch the Airport Train operated by DSB (Danish Public Transport Corporation). For more information check the DSB website.
If you are going to Narreport Station, catch the Copenhagen Metro.
Where to Stay in Copenhagen
Copenhagen was equal with Amsterdam as our most expensive accommodation in Europe. We chose the Star Hotel because it was conveniently located next to the Central Train Station. This turned out to be a great choice for budget accommodation.
On our first night we also learnt how expensive dining can be. A simple Thai meal at a local restaurant set us back about 75 Euros for 3 people. Whilst you can find some reasonable priced take away dining options, restaurants can easily break the budget.
Getting Around Copenhagen
Most of our time in Copenhagen was spent on foot. This is because most of the main attractions were within 30-40 minute from our hotel. It is a fascinating city to walk around in with amazing Architecture everywhere you look. I’d call it a foot friendly city.
Because we were located near the Central Train Station we also caught some trains. We found the DSB train system difficult to navigate in Copenhagen Central Station. Ticketing machines are difficult to understand, and the cost to use the trains is quite expensive compared to other European cities. We quickly learnt to prefer walking wherever possible.
9 Awesome Things to Do in Copenhagen
Shopping in the City Centre
Fact: Strojet, the main shopping street in Copenhagen is 1.1km long, and one of the longest pedestrian streets in Europe.
The city centre of Copenhagen is a shopping paradise, so long as you are not looking for bargains. The atmosphere is buzzing, the layout is historic and interesting, and there are loads of interesting shops to check out. We also found quite a few public squares with live music and entertainment. Strojet the pedestrian street is a tourist attraction in itself.
Clarc and Ramon on Strojet
Souvenir Shops
If souvenirs are your thing then fear not – there are countless souvenir shops dotted all along Strojet.
Lego Store
Denmark is the original birthplace of Lego. It stands to reason that our favorite shop was the Lego shop. Prices were fairly consistent with what you would pay for Lego elsewhere. There are some great Lego large sculptures on display, and the variety of Lego in the store is astonishing.
Also in the Lego Store is a mix’n’match section where kids can make up their own Lego figures to purchase from thousands of combinations. There’s also a ‘Pick and Build’ section where you choose your own bricks from a huge rack. You will never hear the end of it if you neglect to take you Lego fan/kids to the Copenhagen Lego Store!
It’s no secret that I’m a fan of Castles in Europe. I’ve been known to dedicate whole days to castle tours, like Heidelberg Castle, Karlstejn Castle and Eltz Castle. So I was very excited when I saw Castle Island on the map in Copenhagen, also called Slotsholmen.
Castle Island centrally located in the harbour of Copenhagen and easy to walk to. We did go and check out the castles there, however they were not the medieval castles with knights and armour that I’m such a fan of.
The Castle Island version is more like Royal Palaces and Parliamentary type buildings. Be sure to take the free tour up to the top of the tower of Christanborg Palace for stunning views of Copenhagen.
Christianborg Palace on Castle Island
Rundetaarn – The Round Tower
Just a few minutes walk from Castle Island is the Round Tower. This is remarkable medieval style tower which is cheap to enter and fun to climb. It has a spiral path most of the way up to the top, and has marvellous views over Copenhagen from the top.
Facts: There’s a house dating back to 1681 in the famous Nyhavn waterfront and canal district – No.9. Hans Christian Andersen once lived in No.20.
The Nyhavn canal must be one of the most photographed locations on the planet. I have seen it countless times in all manner of travel magazine, as well as all over Instagram. And with good reason, this place is probably one of the most photogenic urban landscapes on the planet.
You can easily spend several hours here as one side is lined with bars and cafes. You will find plenty of places for a quiet ale, or a noisy one. Anything from live music bars to ice creameries, with all sorts of dining and entertainment options in between.
Nyhavn Canal Cruise
No trip to Nyhavn is complete without a canal cruise. There is a terminal with a ticketing booth with several different cruise options. We purchased our tickets on the cheaper Canal Tours Grand Tour of Copenhagen, which cost roughly 11 Euros each for a 1 hour cruise along the canals.
Here you can see Copenhagen from a completely different watery angle. It’s also an easy way to see the famous mermaid statue.
This is the no-stress way to see the famous Little Mermaid
Copenhaven Botanical Gardens
We love nature, and we love Botanical Gardens. Copenhagen has one of the prettiest Botanical Gardens we’ve encountered, especially because we visited in Autumn with plenty of bright orange an yellow trees offering some spectacular Autumn scenery. There’s also a large Conservatorium with a hot and humid tropical palm garden, and free entry.
Copenhagen Botanical Gardens
Rosenborg Castle
Opposite the Botanical Garden is the famous Rosenborg Castle. This is a great place just to hang out for an hour or two. Be sure to take some time to admire the stunning royal gardens. You can also pay for an internal tour of the castle.
Rosenborg Castle
Kronborg Castle (The Real Hamlet’s Castle)
If you want to step up the authenticity a little, why not take a 1 hour trip up the coast to see the real ‘Hamlet’s Castle’. This is a UNESCO World Heritage site and well worth the visit. There is also plenty to see in this little coastal town. It’s quite easy to access via the train network, or you could opt for an organised tour.
Note: You can also book an awesome organised tour to Kronborg Castle by clicking HERE.
Although Copenhagen has so much to see and do, we figured that since it is so close to Copenhagenn then a visit to Sweden is a must. In fact, it’s a simple matter of catching a train from Central Station across the border.
You will undergo a passport check along the way aboard the train but nothing too difficult. We opted for Lund, which we found to be a much more interesting place to visit than Malmo.
Getting off the Copenhagen Train at Lund
How Long Should You Spend in Copenhagen?
Let me start by saying that there this city is loaded chock full of historic sites. Our 5 days seemed way too short to absorb it all. It really depends on your budget because Copenhagen is such an expensive place to visit.
I do recommend 5 to 7 days if you want to really find out what Copenhagen is all about. You should also factor in a day trip to Sweden, and another to another part of Denmark like Kronborg Castle.
Denmark is one of the happiest cities on Earth. Vikings live here. Scandinavia begins here. Your European adventure deserves just a little piece of Denmark, don’t you think?
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Did you know that Lonely Planet voted Copenhagen as the Number 1 city to visit in 2019. And we couldn’t agree more. This gateway to Scandinavia is dripping with history, and amazing, cheap attractions to visit. If you’re planning to visit, first check out this Quick Travel Guide to Copenhagen.
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Best Places to Visit in Copenhagen
Copenhagen is a very compact city, and most sightseeing can be done on foot, or on bicycle. Here are our picks for the best things to do in Copenhagen:
Nyhavn Canal: That oh so instagramable colorful canal build centuries ago, but now a modern mecca for foodies and party goers. Nyhavn Canal has such a colorful history.
Rosenborg Castle: Next to the Botanical Gardens and easy to get to, Rosenborg Castle is just near the city centre. You can take an inexpensive tour through this amazing castle, or enjoy wandering around the King’s Gardens for free.
Christianborg Castle: On Castle Island, an amazingly scenic island near the city centre. Christianborg Castle also houses the Parliament, and the tower offers fantastic views and is certainly one of the best places to go in Copenhagen.
Stroget: The name of the long shopping street running through the city centre. It is famous for being one of the longest shopping streets in all of Europe, at 1.1km long.
Tivoli Gardens: Voted by Trip Advisor Peoples Awards 2018 as the 8th best amusement park on the planet. Tivoli is some 170 years old, and right near the city centre for one of the most fun things to do in Copenhagen.
Canal cruises: These are unusually cheap for this expensive city, and are hands down the best Copenhagen tours. Canal Cruises normally take 1 hours and leave from Nyavn Canal, one of the most popular Copenhagen tourist spots.
Day Trips from Copenhagen
If you have some more time up your sleeve there are some amazing Copenhagen day tours to surrounding areas:
Hamlet’s Castle: This castle is only about an hour north, and can easily be reached catching the train.
Sweden: The neighbouring country of Sweden is easily accessible by catching the train, and is less than 1 hour away. Malmo is our recommendation, a beautiful historic university town called Lund just across the border. Alternatively travel to Malmo, which is even closer.
Best Places to Stay in Copenhagen
Let’s get one thing straight. Copenhagen is expensive. You should book well in advance, and look for discount rates. If you are wondering where to stay in Copenhagen, here are the most popular places according to your travel requirements:
Norrebro: Tourists
Indre By: Nightlife
Latin Quarter: Budget
Nhavn: Family
Vestebro: Trendy
Budget Accommodation
Cabinn City is a budget Hotel close to Copenhagen Central train station, and the Tivoli Gardens amusement park. It’s also in a fairly central location so it’s easy to walk to all the best places to visit in Copenhagen.
Mid Range
Hotel Maritime is an affordable family friendly hotel just a short stroll from the famous Nyhavn Canal.
Affordable Luxury
71 Nyhavn Hotel is an old 4 star hotel located at the junction of Nyhavn Canal and Copenhagen Harbour, made out of renovated warehouses from the 1800’s. This is an amazing location along the biggest tourist attraction in town, making it one of the best places to stay in Copenhagen.
Shop Around for a Great Deal
You definitely should shop around for a heavy discount on your accommodation. This Booking.com deals finder is a great place to start.
Things to Do in Copenhagen - Canal Cruise From Nyhavn
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Budapest is one of the up and coming travel hot-spots in Europe. It is known as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, with the Danube River splitting the cities of Buda and Pest. There is so much to like about Budapest, from thermal baths to castles and palaces. If you’re considering a vacation to Budapest then check out this Quick Travel Guide to Budapest.
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Fun Things To Do in Budapest
Much of Budapest has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, namely the banks of the Danube and the Castle Quarter. This city is spectacularly beautiful, and so easy to explore. Here are some of the best things to do in Budapest:
Parliament Building: Sounds kind of boring right? But the Budapest Parliament Building is built in a Gothic Revival style, and is one of the biggest buildings in this part of Europe.
Fisherman’s Bastion: Almost directly across the Danube River from the Parliament Building is the Fisherman’s Bastion, a beautiful neo-gothical building with spectacular views of the east side of the Danube River (Pest). Fisherman’s Bastion is right next to the “Disneyland Church” which is visible from all over Budapest.
Grand Palace: Visiting the castle district is of the best Budapest activities. Part of this is the Grand Palace on the opposite side (Buda) of the river from the city centre. You can make a day trip of touring this spectacular complex, with many fine attractions including the National Art Gallery.
Boat Cruise on the Danube River: Most of the best sights in Budapest are built along the Danube River. And so the best way to do a Budapest city tour is to take a boat cruise along the river. Most Cruises are approximately 90 minutes long, and there are many dining cruise options to choose from.
Thermal Baths: Budapest is well known for it’s abundance of thermal baths throughout the city. The thermal baths are some of the hottest Budapest tourist spots, literally.
Day Trips from Budapest
The entire area has a rich Ottoman and Austrio-Hungarian history. Here are some of the best day trips or weekend trips from Budapest.
Old Village of Holloko: This UNESCO World Heritage attraction is a living time machine. Holloko is the best preserved example of a traditional settlement from the 17th and 18th centuries. Just 1 hour away from Budapest, there are plenty of tour options available to visit Holloko.
Esztergom: This city on the Danube River is just 60km from Budapest. Esztergom was the capital of Hungary until the 13th century, and is one of the oldest towns in Hungary. This historic town is bursting with colourful history and mind blowing scenery like Castle Hill.
Best Area to Stay in Budapest
Budapest is a reasonably priced city to find accommodations, such that you should be able to get a great hotel right in the city centre. The Belvaros (Pest) area is the best area for tourists, it runs along the east side of the Danube River from Margaret Bridge to Liberty Bridge. Here you will find loads of great shopping, dining and attractions.
Cheap Accommodation in Budapest
The City Hotel Pilvax is right in the middle of the action in downtown Pest. It is close to the river and Elizabeth Bridge, offering great access to the Buda side of the river.
Mid Range
We highly recommend the Zenit Budapest Palace, a mid priced hotel with chic decor and incredible breakfasts. In my opinion this is the best place to stay in Budapest. Reasonably prices yet classy. Hot tip: there’s an amazing local bakery right next door.
Affordable Luxury
Budapest is a great place to splurge on some luxury accommodation, as it is cheaper than you will find in most other European cities. A great one to try is the Sofitel Budapest Hotel, with an immaculate view across the Danube river to the Grand Palace. And it’s right near the best shopping and cafe areas.
Shop Around for a Great Deal
We always recommend shopping around for a great deal on accommodation, and the Booking Deals Finder is a great place to start. Booking.com
Travel from Budapest to Vienna
Wondering where to go next? I recommend you travel from Budapest to Vienna; it is an easy journey by train when you know how. To learn all about how to do it read this arcticle.
Quick Travel Guide to Budapest
Plan Your Trip to Budapest
Read More about Budapest
Budapest Ultimate 2 Day Itinerary
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Vienna to Prague by Bus
Budapest to Vienna by Train
Budapest Royal Palace
Budapest Big Bus Tour - Hop On / Hop Of
Geneva to Budapest via Brussels
Arriving in Geneva France
Would you like a free copy of our Ultimate Bucket List?
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