"A pleasant time in a pleasant city" Copenhagen by SonOfLusus

My time in Copenhagen was filled with pleasant surprises. What is usually still a dark, cold city in April, was a warm, almost summer-like, sunny place. Locals were all out celebrating this unusual good weather, some of them already in tshirts and even having ice cream as they strolled down the unavoidable Stroget, a pedestrian mall. To top it off, on the following day I caught an annual tradition by accident. Everyone seemed to be carrying a small Danish flag, and I assumed it to be a national holiday. It was actually the Queen's birthday and I joined the crowds by the Royal Palace for the queen's salute from her window, without even knowing what was going on. This all made my Copenhagen experience much more memorable, although I would have had a pleasant enough time without it. Copenhagen is a very enjoyable, relaxing city to visit, and a great introduction to Scandinavian culture.

My Top 5 Personal Favorite Copenhagen Experiences

1. Having a drink by the Nyhan Canal, lined with a picturesque row of pastel buildings and the meeting point of both locals and tourists.

2. Walking down Stroget, probably the world's longest shopping street, with stops for the street entertainment and drinks at the cafes.

3. Visiting the big domed Marble Church followed by a stop at the Royal Palace, Amalienborg Slot.

4. Taking a look at the famed Tivoli amusement park to find out why it is the city's most famous attraction.

5. Asking myself "I walked this far for this?" as I looked at the world's most overrated sightseeing attraction, the tiny statue of the Little Mermaid. But who can leave Copenhagen without this experience?

• Pros:Safe, friendly, small capital city.
• Cons:A little expensive, and usually cold weather, although for me it was great! :-)
• In a nutshell:A lively city for a short break in Northern Europe.