Exploring a country by car is the best way to see it all. I have seen more variety on a road trip, then by hopping on a plane from city to city. It also allows you to have truly local experiences, with the freedom to stop by smaller villages and cities along the way. And of course there’s no denying you’ll see some amazing scenery and landscapes. This is why we decided upon a Portugal road trip after a 3 day stay in Lisbon.

When planning our trip to Portugal, I knew that I wanted to include driving in our itinerary. So we drove from Lisbon to Porto and made several stops along the way. In this guide we will highlight the perfect journey for Northern Portugal, with stops at Obidos, Monsanto, Douro Valley and more.

Note: We use affiliate links in this post. This helps us to continue providing great content. For more info you can read our full disclosure here.

The Most Charming Portugal Road Trip: Historical Villages

In This Article
Itineraries
Where to Rent a Car
Obidos
Monsanto
Piodao & Douro Valley
Pinhao & Porto
Best Way to Experience Portugal

The charming streets of Monsanto, Portugal

Itineraries

With Portugal being such a small country, you can actually cover a great deal of it in a short amount of time. The drive is also fairly easy and roads are not too crowded, except within the bigger cities. In this guide we will focus on the north and eastern part of the country, since we’ve saved the south for another trip.

Our trip started off in Lisbon where we stayed for a few days, and then rented a car to move on to other areas. First we stopped at Obidos, then Monsanto, a brief day trip to Piodao, Douro Valley, and finally to Porto. Between each place it didn’t take any longer than 3-4 hours, with some being even shorter. The beauty of having a car is the freedom to stop by anywhere you want, and take your time with it. We highly recommend seeing Portugal in this way.

Our car rental from Amoita

Where to Rent a Car

I must admit, after reading so many bad things about renting a car in Portugal I was concerned about it. But then I came across great reviews on Amoita car rental and felt relieved. It’s always an unknown what could happen once you arrive there, but I’m happy to say the experience was smooth and positive. Even better was that they deliver the car to you, in most of the major cities like Lisbon, Porto, Faro to name a few. There’s a small fee, but it’s so worth it.

Because they delivered, it also allowed us to enjoy some time in Lisbon for a few days without paying for a car we wouldn’t use. And we didn’t have to worry about the hassle of picking up at the airport after our flight. Although the cars are a bit older than other rental places, ours was in perfectly good condition. After the full rental, they also picked it back up as well, which was such a time saver!

Obidos is such an adorable village surrounded by beautiful landscapes

Obidos

The first stop on our Portugal road trip was Obidos, a beautifully charming village fairly close to Lisbon. With just a brief hour drive it was the perfect way to start our journey. We were able to enjoy a slow breakfast, explore Lisbon a bit in the morning then headed off around noon.

There are a few routes to get there, but we went via the A8, a straight shot north. The road has tolls, but our car automatically came with an electronic pass, and we were charged for any toll costs after the trip.

Quick Tip
In order to make sure you aren’t overcharged for tolls, try to keep a written tab of all the costs throughout the trip so you have a record of it.

We spent a little over a day here walking around the village and enjoying the slower pace. You’ll fall in love with the quaint streets, adorable artisan shops, and local way of life. Having a car and staying overnight also allows you to enjoy the village without all the tourists who come for day trips.

Read more on our One day guide to Obidos.

The sunsets were unreal from within the village of Monsanto

Monsanto

Next up on on our journey was the unique village of Monsanto. About a 3.5 to 4 hour drive from Obidos, you’ll arrive at one of the most fascinating places here. It’s built on the side of a mountain, which becomes quite apparent as you get closer. One of our goals during this road trip was to explore a few historical villages, and this was one of them.

Although there isn’t much to do here, expect to slow down a bit and enjoy the more simple things in life. We felt as if we had the place to ourselves, especially at sunset. It’s the perfect way to escape the crowds and enjoy a local experience. One of our highlights here was hiking to the Castle of Monsanto at the top of the mountain, and admiring golden hour on the way back down.

Read more about our overnight stay in Monsanto.

The incredible view of Piodao from the mountain roads

Piódão and Douro Valley

Piódão

After a wonderful overnight stay in Monsanto, we were off to our next stop. Piódão is another historical village with quite a striking appearance. Located within the stunning mountains of the Serra do Açor, it’s isolated with nothing else around except gorgeous landscapes. The drive there is an adventure in itself along narrow and windy (and sometimes steep) mountain roads.

All of the homes within the village are made out of schist, a rock formed from mudstone or shale. They look intricately pieced together with bright blue painted doors. As you walk through you’ll go up and down a network of schist stairs and pathways. There is also a spring below to cool off on a hot summer day.

A white church greets you at the entrance and contrasts against all the grey buildings. You’ll also see various souvenir shops and places to eat as well. It’s completely filled with charm and totally worth the day trip, or even an overnight stay. If you’re into hiking there are several trails around the area as well, and other villages to see along the way.

Beautiful views from the road through the Douro Valley

Douro Valley

After our brief time in Piódão, we headed to Douro Valley where we’d be staying the night. Summer isn’t typically the best time to be in this part of the country, but we wanted to get a taste of it and view the scenery. We decided to stay in the little village of Mesão Frio which took us about another 2-3 hours of driving. The journey there took us along the scenic N-108 route along the Douro river. We arrived right before golden hour, and had some time to relax by the pool before dinner.

Our home for the night was at Casa de Canilhas, an old Portuguese manor house with the most stunning views of the Douro river. It was such a great value for what you get, and the delicious homemade breakfast with a view was divine. We didn’t have time to stop at a vineyard with such a brief stay, but the staff gave several great recommendations of where to go.

See more places to stay in Douro Valley.

You can eat nearby in Regua, however we chose to eat within the center of Mesão Frio, a quick 5 minute drive away. We had dinner at Tasca do Zéquinha and got lucky enough to score a table. It’s not a fancy place by any means, but the food was incredible and well worth any wait. We felt like we were having a homemade meal at grandma’s house. The owners were very accommodating and even gave us a few snack samples to try on the way out.

Back at the hotel we were able to lounge outside our room and get a beautiful glimpse of the stars. It was truly a wonderful stay, and if you can stay longer then definitely check out some of the vineyards nearby.

Douro Valley Tour
If you’re staying an extra day, this tour is perfect to see more of the area. It includes a tour of two wineries, a river cruise in a traditional boat, and lunch, a great value for what you get!

View from the train station in Pinhao

Pinhão and Porto

Pinhão

Before heading off to Porto, our final stop on our Portugal road trip, we wanted to do another scenic drive. We decided to take the beautiful N-222 route along the other side of the Douro river in order to stop by Pinhão in the heart of wine country. It was fairly quiet when we arrived, but we parked and decided to take a stroll.

In the autumn during harvest the town is more busy with lots to do, but for now it was fairly sleepy. The train station is quite historic and worth a look for the beautiful azulejo tiles depicting life scenes. You can also take a river cruise and get closer views of the Pinhão bridge. We didn’t have much time so we didn’t do much except walk around and explore. Most of the shops were closed, aside from souvenirs and a few cafes. However we enjoyed our brief time here and would love to come back during the fall!

Will forever remember these sunsets by the water in Porto

Porto

For the last and final stop of our road trip we spent 3 days in Porto. We were set to spend a few days here, although had some day trips in mind. However we fell in love so much that we decided to just stay within the city and never even used the car again. We did do some research and had a few day trips in mind. If you have more time, or want to see more than just Porto, you can head to Aveiro, nicknamed the Venice of Portugal, Coimbra, Braga, and Guimarães. All of these places are within close driving distance and can easily be done in a day trip. Costa Nova in Aveiro has the famous brightly colored striped houses to see. If you’re really into history then Braga or Coimbra would be great choices. We have saved all of these for another trip, along with the south!

The Best Way to Experience Portugal

We hope this gives you inspiration for a northern Portugal road trip. Although we saw a lot, there is still so much more to see throughout the country. It was easily one of our highlights of our 10 day trip and we enjoyed having the freedom to see things at our own pace. Next time you find yourself in this country, definitely make sure to rent a car and hit the road! There’s so much to be discovered within these hidden corners!

Have you been on a memorable road trip? We’d love to hear about it!

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The post Portugal Road Trip Guide: Charming Historical Villages appeared first on Our Travel Soup.

Spending three days in Siem Reap, Cambodia merely scratched the surface of what there is to see there. We truly only got a taste of what this incredible city has to offer. But we experienced a variety of flavors. From deep exploration of a myriad of ancient temples, to the eye-opening communities on the Tonle Sap, we made the most of our three days here. I instantly fell in love with this mystical city, and I’m sure that it will capture your heart as well.

Note: We use affiliate links in this post. This helps us to continue providing great content. For more info you can read our full disclosure here.

3 Incredible Days in Siem Reap Cambodia

In This Article
When to Go to Cambodia
What to Wear in Cambodia
Where to Stay in Siem Reap
Angkor National Museum, Pub Street, Floating Village Tour
Angkor Wat Sunrise and Small Circuit Temple Tour, Pub Street
Banteay Srei, Koh Ker, Beng Mealea, Phnom Bakheng
Angkor Wat Temple and Head Home

A street vendor selling potatoes outside Angkor Wat

When to Go to Cambodia

There are basically two seasons in Cambodia, wet season and dry season. From May to October, the southwest monsoon causes heavy rain during the wet season. There are less crowds during this time and it’s a lot greener. But with the rain also comes more mosquitos and risk for illness. Dry season is typically from November through April, with the best months being December to March. The landscape is less green and lush, but there is minimal rain. The best part? Less mosquitos, which means lower risk for mosquito-borne illness.

We went during February and although crowded, there was barely any rain. We also didn’t see many mosquitos except within the cities. The weather was still hot and humid, but tolerable. If you want to visit an elephant sanctuary in Mondulkiri Province, we recommend to go during dry season. With risks of malaria, it’s definitely the safer bet.

Family photo on the Tonle Sap boat tour

What to Wear in Cambodia

Let’s be honest, Cambodia can get very hot and humid. Like any other tropical climate, it’s best to wear loose fitting clothes. I practically lived in maxi skirts and t-shirts there. I also brought a lot of harem pants, and yoga pants which were so airy and comfortable in the heat. Loose boho style summer dresses are also great.

For our daughter we brought along a lot of summer dresses, loose tops, and capri leggings. We definitely made sure to bring a sunhat as well. For men it’s fairly simple, just t-shirts and shorts! There is also a lot of suitable clothing to buy in the markets, but make sure to check the quality of them as they can rip easily. We actually packed minimally and ended up buying some items while there.

More Tips: How to Prep for Travel to Cambodia.

The entrance to Mane Village Suites in Siem Reap

Where to Stay in Siem Reap Cambodia

Siem Reap is full of hotel options within a wide range of prices. For our trip, we decided to splurge a bit more here. I wanted to have comfortable haven to come back to after a long and tiring day out in the temples.

In the end I booked Mane Village Suites, a beautiful place located within a quiet street not far from Pub Street. Since there were five of us, we chose the family suite and it was so spacious with lots of room to enjoy. There’s a pool surrounded by gorgeous flowers and plants, and a relaxing outdoor dining area. They also have a restaurant with amazing food, both local and western cuisine. Free breakfast is also included with your stay.

The relaxing pool area surrounded by greenery

The lush and green restaurant with relaxing outdoor dining

We absolutely loved the service here. They always had cold bottled water ready upon our return, and we received complimentary foot massages during our stay. I also loved the daily afternoon tea served with sweets. It was such a great way to wind down after being out in the heat. At night when we went to Pub Street, they offered a free tuk tuk ride there. We highly recommend to stay here while you’re in Siem Reap!

Looking for more options? See more.

Day 1: Angkor National Museum, Pub Street, Floating Village Tour

Since we arrived in Siem Reap at night, we didn’t explore until the next day. But this meant getting up bright and early to make the most of our day!

Portrait of Roben, our tuk tuk driver

Tuk Tuk Driver

I wanted our trip to be as stress-free as possible, so I booked a tuk tuk driver in advance. I found Tuk Tuk Roben on the TripAdvisor forums and decided to book since he got raving reviews. He helped to work out a three day temple itinerary for us which really saved us the burden of planning. Although you can easily find tuk tuks everywhere there, it was so nice to have it all taken care of for you. Anything that makes life more convenient while traveling is a win in my book!

A view from the outside of the Angkor National Museum

Angkor National Museum

It was highly recommended that we visit the Angkor National Museum before we head off to the temples. I’m really glad we did because it really helped give context to everything we saw. We learned about Khmer history, Hinduism, Buddhism and how this all relates to the temples. In addition, we also learned a lot about the various kings, when and why they built the temples. The displays explained more about a lot of details repeated through the temples. For instance the animals, the carvings, and the ancient scenes. It was all very insightful and made more sense as we explored later.

Terra admiring the beauty inside of the museum

There are several rooms to explore, but our favorite was the 1000 Buddhas room. On display were the various Buddhas seen throughout the temples. It also depicted and explained several of the poses and what they mean. If you decide to purchase the audio guide definitely plan for it to take a bit longer. There are also several videos playing throughout the exhibits with deeper insight.

Tip: We weren’t allowed to take photos inside the exhibits, so plan to leave your camera at the hotel.

Views from our table at Amok Restaurant

Pub Street: Lunch

After the museum we headed to Pub street to stroll around and have lunch. There are plenty of options available, but we settled on Amok Restaurant. The ambiance was lovely from our table and we enjoyed views of the little alleyways in between. The food was on the pricey side, but quite delicious. It seemed very geared towards tourists, rather than a place locals would go, but it was still good. Once we finished lunch, we did a little shopping then headed back to our hotel to relax.

The Vietnamese floating village on the Tonle Sap

Floating Village Tour: Siem Reap Cambodia

Separately from the tuk tuk tour, I had booked a floating village tour on the Tonle Sap. After researching, we decided to book the Community First Kompong Khleang tour. If you’re into responsible tourism like us, then this will be the perfect choice for you.

The tour takes you on an adventure through Siem Reap Province. You’ll stop at local roadside vendors and snack on sticky rice, Cambodian donuts and other sweets. Once you reach Kompong Khleang you will get a glimpse of the Bridge of Life school, an educational opportunity for local children that is funded by tour proceeds. The tour ends with a beautiful boat ride to a Vietnamese floating village on the Tonle Sap where you’ll watch the stunning sunset. It was a highlight of our trip and a must see while here. If there is no availability on this tour, this one looks like another great option.

More details on our experience: Kompong Khleang Floating Village Tour.

Day 2: Angkor Wat Sunrise and Small Circuit Temple Tour, Pub Street

Millions of tourists flock to Siem Reap, Cambodia every year to see the Angkor Wat temples. This was of course the main reason why we came here too. Seeing all the temples has been on my bucket list for quite some time, so it was surreal to finally see them.

Before the sun came up at Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat Sunrise

First up is the Angkor Wat sunrise. We recommend to save this for at least the second day of your trip. You may want to recover from travel on the first day, and it’s also easier to have your ticket already purchased. It is quite touristy, but it’s an incredible experience not to be missed. Keep in mind that you’ll have to leave your hotel around 4:30am in order to have the best viewing spot. If you’re not as serious about photography and being in front doesn’t matter as much, then you can afford to go a bit later.

Learn more: How to Capture the Sunrise at Angkor Wat.

A monkey sitting on top the roof of Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat

After sunrise it’s a perfect time to explore inside Angkor Wat. Most people head straight for the tower queue, however we explored some of the inside. We spent about an hour walking around and admiring the beauty of such an ancient masterpiece. It’s huge, so it can easily take 2-3 hours to really cover it all. Despite the crowds, there were still some quiet areas with practically nobody around. Seeing all the carvings of the scenes we learned about at the museum was pretty amazing. Take the time to really absorb all the details here, it’s mind-blowing.

Unfortunately our time here was cut short since Terra was pretty hungry, so we decided to eat at one of the restaurants nearby. Because the hotel had packed us breakfast boxes, we only had to order drinks.

Approaching the South Gate of Angkor Thom, notice the demon statues along the right?

Siem Reap Cambodia: Small Circuit Temple Tour

The Angkor Wat temple complex generally consists of two tours, the Small Circuit and Grand Circuit. It’s usually recommended to start with the Small Circuit, then continue with the Grand Circuit the following day. You can also add or remove as you choose, combining temples from both if you have less time here.

The common temples included in this tour are Angkor Wat, South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon, Baphuon, The Terrace of the Elephants and Leper King, Phimeanakas in Royal Palace, Ta Prohm, and Banteay Kdei. Some optional stops are Prasat Kravan and Ta Keo. For our tour we decided to remove a few and added a few in. Read more about the various circuits, including detailed maps.

Explore more: 13 Siem Reap Temples You Must See

View from the top of the stairs of Ta Keo temple

The beautiful reddish tones of Pre Rup Temple

Our Customized Temple Tour

Our tour started with the South Gate of Angkor Thom, then moved on to Bayon. We spent a good 1-2 hours exploring Bayon, admiring the famous faces located on the several towers. It ended up being one of our favorites, and we highly recommend coming in early morning when it’s less crowded.

Next up are three temples all located close to one another, Baphuon and Terrace of the Elephants and Leper King. Due to lack of time, we didn’t spend too much time here. They are quite small and easy to explore in less than an hour if you’re rushed.

Along the way to Ta Prohm we decided to stop at Ta Keo and Pre Rup. These are both optional temples in this circuit, but we are glad we added them in. Pre Rup is actually made out of brick and is a beautiful reddish tone. Ta Keo was fascinating to climb, but you have to be pretty careful since the steps are very narrow and rustic. We spent around 30-45 minutes at each of these.

The fascinating roots overtaking Ta Prohm temple

A more quiet escape from the crowds

Before exploring our last spot of the day it was time for lunch. After eating we then headed to Ta Prohm aka the “Tomb Raider” temple. It’s famous for the overgrown trees interweaving throughout and practically taking over the structure. There are large roots in various spots which tend to be photography hotspots. You should take time exploring some of the more quiet parts too, you’ll be surprised to be the only one there. We spent a few hours here just marveling at the power of nature.

Off The Beaten Path Tour
Finding places without the crowds definitely feels refreshing! Heading to some of the more quiet temples in this photo tour is a nice balance from all the touristy spots. You’ll see Banteay Srei (one of the most gorgeous temples), Kbal Spean, and the Roluos group.

Pub Street comes alive at night

Pub Street

With a long day of temple tours behind us, it was a bit difficult to have motivation to go back out. However after some relaxing at the hotel, we felt recharged. Pub Street is a famous nightlife spot located in downtown Siem Reap. It’s filled with night markets, bars, clubs, and other interesting sights. There’s plenty of street food to try, fried rolled ice cream, and you can even get a foot massage from a tank of fish. It’s quite popular to try bugs here, and most people head to Bugs Cafe. Although we didn’t go there, we sampled some from the street. It really comes alive at night here and is a must-see at least once during your visit.

What to Eat

With there being plenty of food options here it can be pretty overwhelming. I usually search Yelp for tips and reviews, so I did a quick search for some pizza. We had been eating so much Cambodian food, that we wanted to try something different. So we checked out Flying Zebra Pizza. Coming from NYC, we tend to have high standards for pizza. But I must say, the place had really cool vibes inside and the pizza was actually decent. It was fresh, wood-fired, and they had some interesting topping options. For families it’s the perfect spot for a quick and cheap meal.

One thing we’d love to do next time is take a cooking class with a local family. This takes you to a rural village where you learn how to make a traditional meal, a wonderful experience and perfect activity with or without kids!

Made in Cambodia Night Market
There are several night markets in Siem Reap, but Made in Cambodia is one of the best. It’s filled with higher quality items, all handmade in Cambodia. If you’re looking for something more artisan made, this is the place to go.

The gorgeous pink sandstone and details of Banteay Srei

The band playing lovely music in the back of Banteay Srei

Day 3: Banteay Srei, Koh Ker, Beng Mealea, Phnom Bakheng

Banteay Srei Temple

While most people continue with the Grand Circuit for the second day, we decided to explore some of the further temples. We started the day quite early, around 8am and first arrived at Banteay Srei. This temple is also called the “Citadel of Woman” and is made out of a gorgeous pink sandstone.

It’s another one of our favorites and worth the longer trip. The details on it are just stunning and it’s truly a wonder to explore. Afterwards you should make sure to check out the band playing right before the exit. They are land mind victims trying to earn money to support their families. It’s a great opportunity to take a short break and listen to some traditional music.

The epic entrance to Koh Ker temple

Koh Ker Temple

Our next stop was Koh Ker, the further temple of the three and located in Preah Vihear. It’s very remote and located within the northern Cambodian jungle. It’s part of a much larger complex, however we only explored the main area. Koh Ker is a seven-tiered structure made out of sandstone. You can climb all the way to the top and enjoy beautiful views of the jungle all around. It takes about 2.5 hours to get here from Siem Reap, and is much less crowded. You may be the only one here if you come in early morning.

Totally immersed within the jungle, Beng Mealea felt quite untouched

Beng Mealea Temple

After exploring Koh Ker, we headed straight to Beng Mealea. The vibes here were pretty similar to Ta Prohm, but more quiet and untouched. There hasn’t been much restoration here, so it’s fairly close to how it was left. There is a lot of crumbling stone, and vines tangled around. It’s immersed within trees with a lot of greenery and moss covering the structure. It’s beautifully mystical and feels like you’ve just discovered it for the first time. It worked out perfectly to combine all three of these temples in one day.

The gorgeous sunset view from Phnom Bakheng temple

Phnom Bakheng

There are several great places to watch the sunset in Siem Reap. One of the most touristy spots is Phnom Bakheng. Ideally you should start lining up for the queue to go to the top around 4pm. Unfortunately, we did not make it there until around 5pm. There was already a long line by the time we arrived, so the earlier you can get here the better. They only allow 300 people up at a time. I was hesitant to go at first due to how touristy it is, but in the end I’m so glad we went. The views are too incredible to miss! Don’t let the popularity of it keep you from going, it’s something you should see at least once.

View of Angkor Wat temple from the back side

Day 4: Angkor Wat and Head Back Home

Depending on how much time you have before heading back home, you may be able to fit one last thing in. We decided to head back to Angkor Wat to explore what we hadn’t seen yet, this time entering from the back gate. Be aware that if it’s a Buddhist holiday, the tower will not be open, so plan around those days. We were quite bummed since we were hoping to see the views. But instead we had a surprise opportunity to be blessed by a monk in the temple. It’s these random occurrences during travel that make it the best sometimes!

Optional Add-On
If you’ve got some extra time in Siem Reap, you could head into the countryside or do a day trip. Doing a motorbike tour of the rural areas outside of Siem Reap will allow you to see more of the authentic side. This tour takes you through villages, remote temples, and rice fields with gorgeous views of Kulen Mountain!

Siem Reap Will Steal Your Heart

We absolutely loved our time in Siem Reap as part of our 10 day Cambodia itinerary. There’s so much rich culture and history here, that it’s hard not to fall in love. Every temple is unique and there is still much more to see beyond just a few days here. We will always remember those hot and sweaty days exploring the temples, followed by the refreshing cool breeze in our tuk tuks during our nights out to Pub Street. The people are so kind, welcoming and exude strength from such a tragic past. We look forward to coming back here again!

Discover: Why You Should Travel to Cambodia

Have you ever been to Siem Reap, Cambodia? If so, we’d love to hear about your experience here!

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The post Siem Reap Cambodia: The Best 3 Day Adventure appeared first on Our Travel Soup.

I had heard great things about Copenhagen, but it was not on our immediate radar of places to visit. We had just returned from our trip to Morocco, and had a bit of withdrawal, so I kept thinking about where we could go next. Since we didn’t have many vacation days left, we had to focus on one main city instead of an entire country. Ironically not long after, a kids fly free deal for Scandinavian Airlines caught my attention. With Copenhagen being one of the options of places to go, we thought why not? We chose to go over Thanksgiving holiday to gain a few extra days. I’m now delighted to have made such a spur of the moment decision.

We had 5 full days in Copenhagen, not counting travel time. Our style is to pack it all in, so I had high hopes to see everything. It didn’t go fully as planned so I’m going to share our actual itinerary of what we realistically were able to do given energy level and travel with a toddler.

Our short time here also included a brief escape to Bornholm, a little island that is geographically closer to Sweden, but still a part of Denmark. You can choose to either include this or not, and we will also give suggestions on alternate options instead. It truly was a highlight and something we’d like to explore deeper on a return trip.

Note: We use affiliate links in this post. This helps us to continue providing great content. For more info you can read our full disclosure here.

What to Do in Copenhagen: 5 Day Itinerary

In This Article
When to Go to Copenhagen
Is the Copenhagen Card Worth It?
Christiansborg Palace, Walking Tour, and Christmas Markets
Bornholm Island
Tivoli Gardens
Frederiksborg Castle
Walking Tour and Danish Christmas Lunch
Head Back Home

When to Go to Copenhagen

Deciding when to go to Copenhagen depends on the type of experience you want to have. If you’re into doing more outdoors, visiting Legoland and having a full range of activities then visiting during Spring or Summer is best. Definitely go during Fall or Winter if you prefer less crowds. If you want the full festive holiday experience, visiting during November or December is ideal.

We happened to be there towards end of November and absolutely loved being able to see all the Christmas markets and experience the cozy hygge feeling everywhere. It was also magical being able to see Christmas at Tivoli, an experience everyone should have at least once. Overall, anytime is great to visit Copenhagen, or better yet go back during a different season and have a completely different trip.

Exploring the streets in the central part of the city

Is the Copenhagen Card Worth It?

I had heard of the Copenhagen Card for tourists, but wasn’t sure if it was worth buying. After calculating the actual sites we had planned to see with our time, we decided not to get one. Unless you plan to pack in a lot of sites, it may be cheaper not to buy one. Since most of our days were spent walking and exploring, it wasn’t cost-efficient for us. They have a handy calculator on their site, however I did the math on my own based on looking up all the individual costs.

The card is only worth it if you plan to pack in a lot of places per day. However, there are things that can go wrong or happen during the trip. Alternatively, you may want to purchase a 24 hour all zone ticket or Citypass, which you can find more info about here.

An archway on the way to Christiansborg Palace

Day 1: Christiansborg Palace, Walking Tour, and Christmas Markets

This itinerary works well for those who arrive in Copenhagen in the early morning. Getting through immigration was very quick. It was pretty easy to figure out the train into the city. We had a full day ahead to explore, however we were exhausted from travel and running on very little sleep, so our energy was limited. Our hotel check-in was not until 3pm, but we headed there first to place our luggage in the lockers available there.

I had kept the day pretty open, but listed areas of interest to see. You can choose to follow this, or alter to your liking. Instead of strictly following the list, we decided to just start walking and see where it would take us.

Local Tour
Exploring with a local is the best way to experience a new place. This Copenhagen Welcome Tour is the perfect introduction to the city so you can explore with confidence on your own.

The outside of Next Door Cafe

Breakfast/Brunch

I searched on Yelp for some nearby cafes since we were pretty hungry and found one called Next Door Cafe, located in the Indre By neighborhood. It got great reviews, so we decided to give it a try.

The cozy ambiance of Next Door Cafe

The cafe looked so cute from the outside, and the owners were so friendly and welcoming. We also loved how casual it was. You’ll feel so comfortable in the dimly lit interior. We ordered an omelet and pancakes and both were so delicious. It was quite small and cozy and never got too crowded while we were there, perhaps because it was a weekday. Definitely a nice introduction to Denmark, we highly recommend it as a breakfast/brunch option while here.

Inside one of the reception rooms at Christiansborg Palace

Christiansborg Palace

After eating we decided to head to Christiansborg Palace. With a 10am opening time, it was perfect timing to explore for a few hours then move onto other sites. We opted to see the Royal Reception rooms to keep more of the day open for other things. Our total time here was around 1-2 hours, so allow at least that to explore.

Terra with foot coverings at the top of the stairs

Royal Reception Rooms

Before starting your tour, you’ll have to put on foot coverings to keep the floors clean. The entire palace on the inside is beautiful, and there were special Christmas tables on display since it was the holiday season. I absolutely love palaces and castles, so it was quite a delight seeing the exquisite and ornate interiors. The decor was so rich and elegant, with incredible detail!

The Queen’s Library at Christiansborg Palace

One of my favorite rooms was the Queen’s Library, which contains a private collection of books. It was so gold and luxurious, with beautiful blue furniture accents. Terra especially loved the Throne Room and kept asking where can she find the queen! The Dining Hall was also quite interesting, I can’t imagine how cool it would be to be part of such a grand dinner!

Upon exiting you’ll remove the foot coverings. There’s also a souvenir shop if you’re interested in grabbing some things. It’s definitely worth the visit and so lovely seeing a part of Danish history!

The entrance to the Christmas Market at Højbro Plads

Walking Tour: Kongens Nytorv, Amagertorv, Strøget, Indre By

Højbro Plads

Once we finished touring the castle, we walked over the Højbro Plads which was literally right across the street. You can easily spot it by the large Absalon equestrian statue displayed right in the entrance. We stumbled upon the holiday market here, which was such a nice surprise! There were a lot of cute shops, with wonderful smells of food and sweets in the air. We stopped to try a sausage and it was so delicious! It was one of our must-try foods here and a perfect opportunity to grab a snack!

See a full list: Copenhagen Christmas Market Guide.

The heart of Strøget welcomed by the Stork Fountain

Amagertorv

Next to Højbro Plads is Amagertorv also known as Amalger Square. At the entrance is the famous Stork Fountain, a lovely photo opportunity. This is the heart of Strøget, the famous shopping street and one of the longest pedestrian streets in Europe. We walked and explored a great deal of it, and noticed a mixture of both budget and luxury shops. Due to limited time here we decided not to shop much, but there was a lot to see. We definitely made sure to stop at Flying Tiger Copenhagen, since we fell in love with the store in NYC.

Walking along Strøget street

Strøget

During our stroll along Strøget, we also stopped at Lagkagehuset for a kanelsnegle, the Danish version of a cinnamon roll. Such buttery and cinnamon goodness! Here’s a list of more great bakeries to check out while in Copenhagen.

We walked until we finally reached City Hall, and stopped by the Dragon Fountain for some photos. While exploring we also walked past Tivoli and it was nice to see the holiday decor during the day. Since we had plans to spend the day here later in our trip, it was nice to get a view of it during daytime hours.

Torvehallerne Food Hall

What to Eat: Lunch

Torvehallerne is a treasure trove of great eats in Copenhagen. There’s so much to choose from and you can even grab some edible souvenirs to bring back home. It consists of two separate halls and in the center is an outdoor market with fresh produce and other items.

Hallernes Smørrebrød in Torvehallerne Food Hall

With a plethora of options, it was tough deciding what to eat. In the end we chose Hallernes Smørrebrød and grabbed a few options of smørrebrød to share. We wanted to at least try it once, so this was our chance. Another place worth trying here is Grød, for some delicious Danish porridge. We also noticed a smoothie place with healthy options.

Check in area at Steelhouse

Hotel Check-In: Steelhouse Copenhagen

Let’s be honest, hotel accommodation in Copenhagen isn’t cheap, so we chose a hostel option. But after our stay at Steelhouse Copenhagen, I must say, the hostels here are a great choice, and have everything you need. They had lockers for storage, laundry facilities, a kitchen, several lounge areas and just an overall community vibe. There were snacks and drinks available for purchase, which was very convenient as we headed out for a fully packed day.

Our small but functional room at Steelhouse

We booked the twin room for 4 people. It was still quite small, but perfect for what we needed. The beds were surprisingly very comfortable and cozy, and the shower was always hot and functional with plenty of towels provided. We truly enjoyed our stay here and you’ll find it to be a great economical choice during your visit.

Once we checked in, we decided to take a moment to rest. We probably could have squeezed in another neighborhood to check out, but with sunset starting before 4pm, we didn’t have much daylight left. Taking a moment to recharge is just what you need sometimes!

See more: Hotels in Copenhagen

The Christmas market at Nyhavn

Nyhavn and Kongens Nytorv Christmas Markets

It was our top priority to see all the Christmas markets during our visit, especially since they are seasonal. Nyhavn and Kongens Nytorv are two of the bigger markets located conveniently next to each other. We hadn’t actually seen Nyhavn yet, so we decided to head there first. It was quite easy to get to, just a few stops from our hostel and a 5 minute walk from the station.

Beautiful holiday decor along Nyhavn canal

Nyhavn Christmas Market

The market at Nyhavn was absolutely beautiful. You’ll be in awe from all of the lights, adorable festive shops, and smells of spices in the air. The restaurants along the canal were all adorned with holiday decor. The hygge feeling was definitely alive here! There were blankets, table lamps and fires going in the outdoor seating areas of the eateries. We tried gløgg for the first time, which is a mulled red wine served with spices, raisins, and sliced almonds. All the goodies at the bottom soaked up all the flavors and it was such a treat! Seeing all the holiday lights reflected on the water was a heartwarming sight.

The entrance to Kongens Nytorv Christmas market

Delicious mini dutch pancakes

Kongens Nytorv Christmas Market

Kongens Nytorv also called the King’s Square, is one of the main areas in the city. The stunning D’Angleterre Hotel and the equestrian statue of Christian V are situated here. There’s also a plentitude of shops and street foods to try. We decided to have dinner here and munched on some Pork Goulash and pommes frites, along with mini pancakes topped with nutella for dessert. It was all warm and hearty, perfect for a cold winter night.

The village of Allinge in Bornholm Island

Day 2: Bornholm Island

Where to Stay

I wanted to see an area beyond Copenhagen even though we had such little time in Denmark. Some possible options were Aarhus, Odense, Aero Island or Bornholm. I instinctively went with Bornholm and wow what a discovery. I had never heard of this island before, but found it through travel research. Since it was off season there weren’t many hotels open, so we opted for Airbnb called Svaneke Guesthaus.

The backyard area of Svaneke Guesthouse

The guesthouse was such a delight and the owners treated us like family. We had a private room within the top floor of the house with access to a common guest area. Since nobody else was there we had this all to ourselves.

How to Get to Bornholm

Getting here was fairly easy, but took a bit of work and research. The ferry is located in Ystad, Sweden. You can either rent a car and drive, take the train, or do a bus/ferry combo which we found to be the easiest option. I booked the tickets in advance through Bornholmerbussen. The site is in Danish, so you may need to use a translator. The bus leaves from directly in front of Copenhagen Hotel Plaza. To maximize time go with the 6:45am departure, with arrival to the island around 9:30am.

Getting Around

In order to get around the island you’ll need a car. There are buses, but they don’t come often and it will limit your schedule. We had a great experience with Europcar, located right by the ferry port in Rønne. There are only manual cars available though, so if you need automatic you’ll have to rent elsewhere.

Things to Do

The island is quite small and you can drive the perimeter in about 3-4 hours. Dubbed the “Sunny Island” it’s typically very sunny, however we experienced overcast skies during our stay. Since we only had a day here, we chose just a few select sites and saved the rest for another trip.

Hammershus Castle Ruins in Bornholm

There are villages on the water around the perimeter of the island, with some sites in the middle. For this trip we focused on the northern part of the island, since the south is more known for its beaches. During our short stay, we stopped at Allinge, Gudhjem, Hammershus Castle Ruins, Osterlars Round Church and Svaneke. In order to enjoy the island in its entirety you need at least 3-4 nights here. We plan to go back during summer for a longer trip.

The salad bar at Svaneke Bryghus

Dinner

Since it was off-season there weren’t many restaurants open. Our guesthouse hosts kindly offered to book us a table at Svaneke Bryghus, conveniently located near our airbnb. It was a nice stroll through the village to get there and allowed us to see the main square. They had a great selection of food to choose from and every entree included the salad bar, with fresh and healthy options. With it being a microbrewery, there was a fantastic array of craft beers available. The food was pricey, but delicious. It’s definitely a solid option in this area.

Explore more: Getaway Guide to Bornholm Island

Alternate Option
If you choose not to visit Bornholm, you can spend another day touring Copenhagen. You can explore Norrebro and check out Assistens Cemetary, Superkilen Park and admire the beautiful facades. For other day trip options, you can explore Roskilde, Odense, Egeskov Castle, Møns Klint, or a guided tour of Lund and Malmo, Sweden. See more: Things to do in Copenhagen

Strolling around the village of Svaneke

Osterlars Round Church in Bornholm

Day 3: Travel Back to Copenhagen + Tivoli Gardens

Before taking the ferry we had time explore Svaneke and take some photos. We also stopped at Osterlars Round Church since it was on the drive back to Rønne. We then took the same ferry and bus back to Copenhagen. They run only every four hours, so with plans for Tivoli later in the day the 10:30am ferry is the best option. This will get you back to Copenhagen around 1:30pm with time for lunch and relaxation. For more photos and info on our Bornholm getaway, check out our mini guide to Bornholm Island.

Hotel Check-In: Urban House Copenhagen

I typically like to book at least a few different places to stay during our trips. For the remainder of our trip I chose Urban House Copenhagen, another hip hostel with an excellent location. It was about a 3 minute walk to Copenhagen Central Station, a hub that allowed us ease of travel in the city and beyond.

It was a lot more lively and busy here. They had lockers for storage and a digital check-in process. We also spotted a bar here with a few food options for both breakfast and dinner along with some snacks and drinks for purchase.

Our spacious room at Urban House Copenhagen

The room was quite large, and we had 4 bunk beds along with a double bed. It was nice to spread out and have some extra space with a longer stay. We noticed plenty of towels available and everything was very clean.

The outside of Mother restaurant

Lunch

After a brief search for food near the hostel I found Mother, about a 10 minute walk away. When we arrived it was slightly crowded, but not too bad. There was a lunch buffet happening with an hour left to go, so we got there just in time.

A plateful of delicious food at Mother

If you love Italian food like me, then you’ll be in heaven here. There was pizza and several other Italian dishes and salads, as well as cheese with various bread and baked goods. We tried a little bit of everything and we loved the salads the most. Being used to amazing pizza in NYC, we weren’t too impressed with it. It was definitely pricey for what we got, so if you’re in the area it’s worth a try, but don’t make a special trip for it.

The beautiful holiday vibes at Tivoli Gardens

Tivoli Gardens

A trip to Copenhagen isn’t complete without visiting Tivoli Gardens, one of the oldest amusement parks in the world. It’s also inspiration for Walt Disney World, another classic theme park for people of all ages. We were lucky to experience Christmas at Tivoli, a magical and incredible experience you must have at least once in your lifetime.

If you have a Tivoli card, the entrance fee is free, however you’ll still have to pay for rides. If you’re going to ride more than 3-4 rides then definitely go with the Unlimited Ride Pass. They also have a Companion pass for those who are just riding with younger children not able to ride on their own.

The charming carousel at Tivoli

The lines into the park were not too long, in fact it took no more than 10 minutes to get in. Once inside it was pretty crowded, but we were still able to move around comfortably. Certain rides had a longer wait time than others, specifically the Balloon ride and the Carousel.

Dragon boats surrounded by magical holiday decor

Holiday Vibes All Around

The decor was absolutely stunning and it felt like a winter wonderland. We loved browsing the Christmas markets, and there was plenty of glogg, hot cocoa, and food available for purchase. The Christmas tree was stunning and we even saw a train moving around it. Terra was in awe with all the lights and festive feel in the air.

Explore more: Christmas at Tivoli Gardens.

The merry atmosphere inside Groften

Dinner

In order to have a break from the cold I booked a table at Grøften well in advance. I was excited to try the traditional Danish fare served here. The entrance was quite lovely and adorned with holiday decor. We were welcomed with a warm greeting and seated in a more quiet area of the Mellemhaven section, which I had chosen while booking.

Christmas Rice pudding dessert topped with cherries

I absolutely loved the vibe inside, there were Christmas balloons hanging from the ceiling filled with little animals. The area was lit mostly by candles and holiday lights. We definitely felt the hygge with sounds of laughter, joy and chatter. Service was fantastic and the food was quite delicious. We noticed a traditional Christmas menu available, but since we had one booked for the following day we chose other options. Definitely make sure to try the traditional Danish dessert, rice pudding with cherries (so delicious!) Our time here was truly warm and enjoyable and we highly recommend it while you’re at Tivoli.

The grand entrance to Frederiksborg Castle

Day 4: Frederiksborg Castle

We decided to sleep in and recharge for a busy day ahead. This meant that we only had time to see Frederiksborg Castle, located in the charming town of Hillerød. We grabbed some breakfast at the 7-11 in the station before boarding the train. They are quite different in Denmark compared to America. Who know 7-11 could have such healthy and delicious options? We practically lived on the yogurts and bread for breakfast everyday.

The quaint stroll through Hillerød on the way to the castle

Getting to Frederiksborg

We purchased an All Day Zone pass from the red billeter machine in Copenhagen Central Station. It’s under the Tourist option on the screen. You then take the S-Train to Hillerød, which runs every 10 minutes or so. The train ride there is about 45 minutes with a 20 minute walk to the castle. You should definitely take time to walk through the village as it’s quite beautiful, and allows you to see another part of Denmark.

Optional Add-On
If you decide to leave earlier in the morning you can also go to Louisiana Museum, a gorgeous modern art museum located on the coast. Or you could choose to do a Copenhagen Day Tour which includes Roskilde, Frederiksborg and Kronborg Castle.

The cute Christmas market in Hillerød

Hillerød

During our stroll through Hillerød we stumbled upon a small Christmas market. The gorgeous castle was a lovely backdrop behind the picturesque stalls. The buildings were all so cute and quaint. It was definitely a nice quiet break from the city. In the same square was an adorable windmill, with various shops and restaurants surrounding. We perused the market for a bit before heading on our way.

The Castle

Frederiksborg Castle was built by King Christian IV in the 17th century. It has since been restored after suffering from a fire in 1859. The Renaissance charm definitely shined through here.

The beautiful walk along the lake

We walked along a serene lake filled with ducks as we approached the castle. It was seriously straight out of a fairytale! The path was lined with willow trees and the castle occasionally peeked through as you got closer. When we finally reached the entrance we were in awe! It was truly magnificent and quite a sight to see.

Because we woke up late we didn’t have much time to ohh and ahh at everything. The entrance was quite grand and in the front was a large fountain. We didn’t spent too much time outside since we were dying to take a tour of the inside, but there’s much to explore here.

The stunning and intricate chapel inside the castle

Museum of Natural History

The Museum tour depicts 500 years of Danish history through furniture, art, portraits and paintings. We were enamored with how elaborate and detailed each room was. It truly showed the ever-changing styles throughout the years and made us feel as if we we in that era. You’ll love seeing how royalty lived throughout history.

One of my favorite rooms was Chapel, overflowing with gold details and natural light. We must have spent at least 20 minutes in this room exploring and gawking at all its glory. I especially loved seeing the organ and piano up close, both located on each end. You’ll fall in love with every inch of this space.

The ornate Audience Chamber inside the castle tour

Audience Chamber

The Audience Chamber was another highlight. We walked through a beautiful hallway to get there. I was in awe over the gorgeous stucco ceiling covered with paintings, and the grand chandelier. Even the furniture complemented nicely in the space, every detail was considered during restoration.

You should definitely take an inside tour of the castle and get a feel for Danish history. It was fascinating to get a glimpse of how life was during these years, and what it must have been like to live there.

Stunning view of the castle at sunset taken from the gardens

Castle Gardens

We toured the gardens surrounding the castle last, since the inside was only open until 3pm. It was perfect timing because sunset was starting and it meant for magical fairytale views of the castle. What better than to see a glorious castle at sunset? I took this pretty seriously and spent quite a bit of time getting some shots of this prime moment.

Terra posing in the gardens behind the castle

Since it was winter we didn’t see the garden in full bloom, but it was still very beautiful. You should at least take a brief tour here after seeing the inside. You can also exit here to head back to the train station.

See more: Magical Castles in Denmark

Dinner

We had grand plans for dinner, but they never actually happened. You see I wanted to check out Reffen Street Food, but I guess I should have researched more deeply on their opening hours.

The deserted entrance to Reffen Street Food

Reffen Street Food

We actually travelled all the way there and knew something was up when the area was rather deserted. I was slightly creeped out walking through darkness and industrial warehouses (something I would never attempt in NYC!) When we finally got there, we saw deserted food booths, holiday lights, picnic tables, and a huge sign that said Reffen. It looked extremely cool and we were bummed to have missed it. Definitely check it out and pay attention to their hours! I later learned that they close at 6pm on Sunday, and we got there around 7pm, oops!

We noticed something at the bus stop that made us smile through all the disappointment. There was a box with a sign that said “Leftover bread, take some home!” It showed just how truly kind and trusting the Danish are. I definitely wouldn’t touch that bread if I saw that locally.

After our planned dinner fail, I must admit when we got back to Urban House, laziness set in. So we decided to eat right at our hostel. Ironic considering I was hesitant to even go out for dinner, ha!

The view from the top of the Round Tower

Day 5: Walking Tour and Danish Christmas Lunch

Being the last day in Copenhagen I wanted to maximize all that we could see. I knew we couldn’t fit everything on the list, but that just means we save more for another trip! We explored most of the main sites in the city center and they were all conveniently close to each other.

The long spiral walk up to the top of the Round Tower

Round Tower

The first stop on our tour was the Round Tower during the walking tour, also known as Rundetaarn. It’s one of the oldest functioning observatories in Europe and was built in the 17th century. We walked the long spiral path to the top, which made for some cool photos. When we finally reached the top, it made for an incredible 360 degree view of the city. It was nice to see the city waking up to the morning light.

The view of the outside of Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg Castle

Once we finished at the Round Tower, we walked about ten minutes straight over to Rosenborg Castle. We couldn’t go inside since it’s closed on Monday. Exploring the Kings Garden and seeing it from the outside is still worth it. I imagine the gardens are not as lush as it is during spring and summer, but it was still a delight to see. The outside of the castle itself is a beauty!

The adorable windmill at Kastellet

Kastellet

After we finished exploring Rosenborg, we walked back to Nørreport station and took the train to Østerport station. Nearby is Kastellet located about 5 minutes from the station. We only had time to explore the parks around the windmill. It was a nice and peaceful stroll with beautiful views. If you have more time here you should definitely walk up to the windmill and explore the barracks.

The changing of the guards at Amalienborg Palace

Amalienborg Palace

It took ten minutes to get to Amalienborg Palace from Kastellet. We made it just in time for the changing of the guards, which typically occurs around 12pm. It was quite funny to see a crowd of people following the guards around in hopes to get a great shot. I hadn’t originally planned on seeing this event, but it was a happy accident. It makes for some lovely photo opportunities and a unique experience!

Classic view of Nyhavn canal

Nyhavn

On our first day in Copenhagen we had seen Nyhavn at night, but still had hopes to see it during the day. We decided to walk there from the palace. We spent around 30 minutes browsing and shopping for a few souvenirs, then took some photos of the classic view. As many photos I’ve seen of this place, it’s quite amazing to see in person. The colorful building facades reflected so beautifully on the water and we loved seeing all the ships docked here.

One last stop at the Kongens Nytorv holiday market

Lunch

By now we were pretty hungry, but wanted something quick and convenient. We walked over to Kongens Nytorv Christmas Market for some hotdogs and waffles. Coming back here allowed us to browse a bit more and grab some last minute souvenirs. It may have been our second visit here, but I never get tired of the Christmas markets!

The entrance gate to Freetown Christiania

Freetown Christiania

With the sun setting so early, we could only fit in one more area. We chose to see Freetown Christiania since it was vastly different from everything else we’ve seen so far. It took about 15 minutes to get to by bus from Kongens Nytorv area. From there we had to walk into the complex to explore by foot.

Colorful buildings inside the commune

Freetown Christiania is essentially a vibrant hippie community bursting with creativity. It contains unique houses filled with funky art, graffiti and self expression. We noticed a lot of cafes and galleries, and even a horse stable. I’m quite fascinated by the alternative culture of it and the concept of “free rule.” The 900 or so people who live here don’t have to pay taxes and are essentially self-sufficient. It’s a car-free zone, so bikes or walking is a must.

No Photos Allowed

“Pusher Street,” is a famous area within known for it’s sale of hash. We were told “no photos” at the entrance, so I have none to show from here. But it will definitely live on in my memory. We walked past the vendors selling various marijuana products with our toddler in tow. The street was also lined with bright red lanterns, flags, and surrounded by bright urban art.

Street art was everywhere within Christiania

We were amazed to take a brief tour of this place and witness a small community of people thriving on their own. We felt some creepy vibes at times with handwritten messages on wooden boards, decrepit structures, and rustic pathways. I appreciated all the art and creativity here, you can tell the residents have a certain pride here. I’m not sure I would explore it at night, but it seemed most lively in late afternoon.

The cozy holiday interior of Kronborg restaurant

Danish Christmas Lunch

Julefrokost also known as Danish Christmas Lunch is an elaborate party celebrated by either friends, colleagues or family. Although it’s called lunch, it’s technically more so a dinner. There is a lot of talking, laughing, eating and drinking like most parties. Sometimes it ends in dancing and games. I booked this experience at Restaurant Kronborg with the full menu and info here. It’s one of the highly rated restaurants for this event, so it doesn’t come cheap, but it’s an experience you’ll never forget!

One of the first dishes was herring served three different ways

Breads and Fish

We were truly looking forward to this holiday celebration. The affair consisted of many small plates of traditional Danish food. We first had bread with butter and duck lard. We were then served our first course of fish consisting of 3 different types of pickled herring, followed by fried fish, and smoked salmon with eggs. The flavors were magnificent and filled with mixtures of sweet, salty and sour.

Dish with duck and pork meats served with sides of pickles and beets

Meats

After the fish course we were served the meats. First there was duck, liver paté with bacon and mushrooms, and pan-fried pork. This was followed by pork roast and sausage with pickled cabbage and other side complements.

Cheese and Dessert

By now we were quite full, but still had a few courses left. We had various cheeses with fruits and crackers, ending with a rich dessert of rice pudding with almonds and cherry sauce. At the end of the meal the person who found the whole almond got a “prize.” It was such a joyful dining experience that lasted a few hours. Everything was delicious and I always looked forward to the next dish. If you’re in Copenhagen around the holidays, don’t miss out on this festive event.

The cheese plate served before dessert, by now we were so full!

With full and satisfied bellies, we headed back to the hostel for one final night of sleep here. The last night is always so bittersweet, reflecting on your memories there and also dreading the trip back home.

Day 6: Head Back Home

Since our flight was in the morning, we couldn’t fit in any more sites. We had an easy train ride to the airport and through immigration. There’s a lot of shops here for some last-minute souvenirs.

Posing in Magstræde street

We hope you enjoyed our 5 day guide on what to do in Copenhagen. It’s a lovely city to visit, even during the winter! The Christmas spirit is truly alive here during the holidays and made our visit so magical. We look forward to returning during summer season.

Have you ever been to Copenhagen? If so, what other things did you do?

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The post The Best 5 Day Guide on What to Do in Copenhagen appeared first on Our Travel Soup.

The Izu Peninsula is a less travelled area mostly frequented by locals trying to escape from Tokyo for the weekend. It is one of many places to go in Japan that will leave a mark on your experiences there. The food is fresh and exquisite with a lot of local seafood that you cannot have anywhere else. The landscape on the coasts and in between is stunning, with unique sites to see. Onsens are quite popular here and several are located right on the water, making for a beautiful view. Because it’s not as touristy, you’ll generally find it to be less crowded and more affordable.

On the way to Izu is Kamakura, a small coastal town in Kanagawa prefecture. It offers temples, shrines and lots of shopping and street food in the main streets near the station. We stopped here along our journey to Izu, and highly recommend visiting here.

Note: We use affiliate links in this post. This helps us to continue providing great content. For more info you can read our full disclosure here.

Places in Japan: 3 Days in Izu Peninsula and Kamakura

In This Article:
Best Time to Go
Travel on the Peninsula
Kamakura
Ito
Mount Omuro, Jogasaki, Shimoda, Dogashima
Head Back Home

Best Time to Visit Izu Japan

Deciding when to go to Izu is a personal preference, but we found August to be the best month to visit. The weather is generally very warm with low precipitation. With a lot of outdoor activities and hiking, it’s great to be able to do so in nice weather. Lodging is more affordable since it’s a fairly slow time for tourists. Of course seeing all the sites with less crowds is a bonus too.

Spring (March-May) is a high season for tourists, but typically has more rain. You’ll find it to be more crowded during this time, but there may be more available activities. Check for any festivals going on and you may even get lucky to see the sakura (cherry blossoms) which will make for a memorable experience.

September through November has the most rain or snow, so it’s generally not the best time to visit. You’ll find lodging to be most affordable during this time though. If you’re looking for winter scenery with snow, consider going in December, January or February. Visiting an onsen in the cold weather is a must-have Japanese experience.

Traveling Around Izu

By Train

The Odoriko Limited Express train goes from Tokyo to Atami in Izu. You can take it from Tokyo or Shinjuku station. To go further into the Peninsula, the JR Ito line runs from Atami to Ito. Once in Ito you can travel to Shimoda via the Izukyu Line. In the northern part you can also take the Izuhakone Line from Mishima to Shuzenji.

By Bus

The Tokai bus line runs along the coasts and also connecting in between. Depending on what areas you want to go will depend on which bus line you choose. We ended up purchasing a one day pass for Izu Kogen and Jogasaki Coast which allowed us to see several sites around Ito. We also went with the Minami Izu day pass for travel from Shimoda to Dogashima. The buses were pretty reliable and came about 1-2 times per hour. We generally had to be mindful of this and time our activities accordingly.

By Car

You can also choose to rent a car, which generally allows the most freedom. You don’t have to follow a schedule and can even venture into parts not accessible by public transportation. This would be the most ideal choice for those who want to explore more and go off the beaten path.

A garden in the entrance of Hokokuji Temple in Kamakura

Day 1: Kamakura

With Kamakura being in the direction of Izu, we decided to add it on and stop along the way. We were planning to stay overnight in Fujisawa, so that was our first stop. To get there we took the Odakyu line from Shinjuku which took about an hour. There are also several other options for getting there depending on what’s most convenient.

Where to Stay in Fujisawa

We needed a place to stay for just the night, so we decided upon Sotetsu Fresa Inn to keep it economical. It’s essentially a basic business hotel which is usually a good budget choice in Japan. It was also the perfect location, with only a few minute walk from the station.

See more: Places to Stay In Kamakura

Getting to Kamakura from Fujisawa

After leaving our luggage at the hotel, we headed to the station for our journey to Kamakura. The Enoden line (Enoshima Electric Railway) was on our to do list for this trip. It’s a fairly short 35 minute ride, but beautifully scenic as it winds through little residential areas and along the coast. The train itself also has a lot of vintage charm and is a more local experience.

Walking Tour
Sometimes it’s nice to join a tour, especially if you’re short on time. A half-day guided walking tour like this one takes you on a nature hike to a few well-known temples. If you’re a lover of the outdoors, this one is perfect!

Kamakura Daibutsu (The Great Buddha)

Kamakura Daibutsu (Great Buddha)

The Great Buddha was our first stop in Kamakura. It gets quite crowded so expect a bit of chaos the closer you get to it. It was definitely very cool to see such a monumental structure up close. It’s about a 10 minute walk from the Enoden station stop and admission is cheap at 20 yen. We didn’t fully explore the temple, but there’s a lot more to see. We mostly just walked around the area in front as our time was limited here.

The entrance to Hokokuji Temple

Hokokuji Temple

Another place to explore in Kamakura is Hokokuji Temple. The easiest way to get here is by bus, and a short walk from there. It’s located in the eastern part of the city on a hill. As you enter through the gate, you’ll walk through a serene Buddhist garden with statues which sets a nice tone. You’ll then reach the main hall which is pretty small in size compared to most temples. We happened to stumble upon a kyudo (archery) class going on in front.

Statues along the path in the Buddhist garden as you enter the temple

A kyudo or archery class in front of the main hall

Bamboo Temple

Beyond the main hall there’s also a bamboo grove also known as the Bamboo Temple. There’s a certain peacefulness while walking through a tall and thick grove of bamboo accented by patches of moss. Somehow it feels so quiet and soothes the soul. It’s also comforting to be surrounded by so much green, as if you’re alone with nature.

Matcha tea with a view

The path to the tea house within the bamboo grove

There’s a cute path to a tea house where you can grab a cup of matcha with a view of the forest. We definitely recommend doing this as part of the experience! The sounds of the forest are very soothing and there’s a small stream near the tea house.

After having a delicious cup of matcha you can continue on the path which leads to the caves. Inside are believed to be the tombs of the Ashikaga lords with statues on display in the opening. It’s such a wonderful experience walking through and enjoying the beauty of a natural environment.

A small stream next to the tea house, wonderful sounds!

The openings of the caves with the tombs of the Ashikaga lords

Visitor Info

Take Keikyu bus #5, line #23, #24 or #26 from Kamakura station to Jomyoji stop. It’s about a 3-5 minute walk from the stop. It’s free to enter the temple, but to see the Bamboo forest it’s 200 yen or 500 yen with a cup of matcha from the tea house.

Walking along Komachi street

Croquette street food cart along Komachi street

Komachi Street

After our visit to Hokokuji, we headed to Komachi street right by the station to eat. There’s various shops and food stalls to see, so we grabbed some street food to snack on. We also visited a little Totoro shop where we got a few items for Terra. The shop itself was very cute and had all sorts of souvenirs. After hanging around this area for awhile we headed back to the hotel in Fujisawa.

Optional Tour
If you have an extra day in Kamakura, this full-day tour is a great overview of the city. It includes visits to several temples, Komachi Dori Street for food and shopping, and a kimono makeover to end the day!

Pasta dish from New Orleans restaurant in Fujisawa

Dinner

When we got back to the hotel we completed the check-in process and relaxed before dinner. Nearby, we found an Italian restaurant called New Orleans. The restaurant decor was inspired by the city of New Orleans (of course!), and featured various types of pasta. We decided to get a few different ones to share along with a salad. It was very fresh and the flavors were interesting. Pasta in Japan is quite delicious and a must-try during your visit.

If you have more time to spend in Kamakura, here’s a great list of other places to see in the area.

Enoshima Island
If you plan to stay longer in Kamakura, consider visiting Enoshima island. There are beautiful beaches and a shrine to see here as well as other sites. You may get lucky and see a view of Mount Fuji. It takes about 25-30 minutes from Kamakura. See: Places to Stay In Enoshima Island

Day 2: Ito

Early in the morning we headed on our way to Ito, in the Izu Peninsula. It’s a famous onsen resort town on the eastern coast. We were meeting up with our parents to spend a few days exploring around here before traveling down to Fukuoka. There are a few sites in Izu Kogen that we wanted to see so we stayed overnight in Ito as a base.

Strolling around the hilly and narrow streets of Ito

Getting to Ito from Kamakura

To get to Ito from Kakakura you first have to get to Ofuna station. The Yokosuka Line from Kamakura towards Tokyo stops in Ofuna. Here you transfer to the Tokaido Line heading to Atami station. Atami is another popular onsen town in Izu, however we didn’t stop this trip.

Once you arrive in Atami you transfer to the Ito Line towards Izukyu-Shimoda. The total time from Kamakura to Ito is about 2 hours and 20 minutes.

View of the Matsukawa River from our room

Where to Stay

K’s House is an excellent chain of hostels in Japan. They are relatively affordable and very clean, and usually located in convenient areas. It was about a 6-7 minute walk from Ito station.

Our room had beautiful views of the Matsukawa River. The hostel is located right on the river so most rooms have a similar view. The rooms are traditional Japanese style with tatami mats and futons.

There’s a common kitchen area and lounge with free coffee and tea and free wi-fi. There’s also a private and public hot spring bath available for guests as well.

As we arrived they gave a brief tour of the hostel. We then relaxed in our room a bit and enjoyed some tea and sweets.

See more: Hotels in Ito

Seafood shop along the streets

Quiet street with some souvenir shops

Leisure Time

Although it was a bit rainy, we walked around Ito for a bit to check out the city. Since we were there during low season the streets were relatively empty and it was quiet with just a few souvenir shops open. There’s also a lot of seafood shops with local stuff only to this region. There wasn’t too much going on, but it was quite interesting walking down the eerie and empty streets.

Walking towards Tokaikan, a famous former hot spring ryoken in Ito

Tokaikan

Located close to the ryokan is Tokaikan, a former hot spring ryokan that’s now open to the public as a historical site. We only saw briefly from the outside, but inside you can check out the former guest rooms and also use the public baths when open.

Dinner

While walking around Ito, we decided to pick a random spot for dinner. Luckily, with my husband and family around they knew where to go. They picked a small family-owned sashimi spot with fresh local seafood. By now, the rain was quite heavy so it felt cozy to be able to sit inside and relax. There were only a few seating areas with tables in Japanese style. One other family was dining there, so it felt very personal, like we were being served in someone’s home. With it being quite local, I don’t recall the name, but you can’t go wrong trying any seafood place here since it’s known for it.

The best sashimi ever!

Since the menu was only in Japanese, my husband and parents chose the dishes, so they picked various sashimi plates for us to share. It was all so fresh and out of this world and since it was local only to this area it felt even more unique. The sashimi just melted in your mouth and the wasabi was so fresh, sourced from Izu. We also had seafood soup and rice at the end of the meal. After dinner we headed back to the ryokan to get some sleep for an early start the next day.

Day 3: Jogasaki Coast, Mount Omuro, Shimoda, and Dogashima

Surrounding the city of Ito is Izu Kogen, a popular destination with a plethora of sites to see. Our plans for the day included seeing the Jogasaki Coast and hiking along there, as well as Mount Omuro. Since we were heading to Dogashima later that day we couldn’t add any additional sites to our schedule.

Jogasaki Coast

We took the Izukyu Railway train line to Izu Kogen station. From here we took a bus and got off at Izu Kaiyo Koen stop. The bus ride is about 10 minutes and you can walk to Jogasaki from the bus stop. The hike along the coast is fairly easy and the path is well defined. Seeing the coast peeking through the trees as you walk is an amazing site. The rocky cliffs and crystal blue water reminded me of Big Sur in California.

The hike down by the water right along the coast

As you walk along the path there will be points where you can walk to the water. The coast is quite jagged so be careful while walking. It feels so majestic standing there and watching the waves crashing into the cliffs. We spent some time here just listening to the sounds of the water.

Looking down from the bridge

Further along you’ll reach a suspension bridge. It’s pretty high up and tourists come from all over to walk over. It can get quite scary at time as it rocks back and forth. You can get some amazing pictures from up here though.

A view of the lighthouse from the outside

Jogasaki Lighthouse

At the other side of the bridge is a cafe with some food. They had some street foods local to the Izu area, as well as some soft cream flavors that were different than usual, including Mountain Yam, and Shoyu (soy sauce.) There’s also a shop with souvenirs and a lighthouse that you can climb to the top. We went up to see the view and take a few pictures. It was incredible and enabled us to see so much of the coast. After recharging with some snacks and drinks we hiked the same way back to the bus stop to move onto our next stop for the day.

Mount Omuro

Next up on the itinerary is Mount Omuro, a dormant volcano covered with grass. We took a bus from Jogasaki back to Izu Kogen station where we took another bus to get here.

Inside is a crater and you can walk all the way down and also around the entire rim. On a clear day you can see Mount Fuji and the surrounding area of Izu. During our visit it was quite foggy with a light rain, so we unfortunately missed this view.

Walking along the path around the rim

Jizou statues, guardian of travelers, women and children

In order to reach the top you have to take a lift, which takes about 5 minutes. Once we were up there we walked around the entire rim. The fact that we were surrounded by fog made it feel dreamy, as if we were walking in clouds. Although I would have loved to see Mount Fuji, it was actually quite cool to be inside fog on top of the mountain.

Inside the crater you can try archery, or if you’re more adventurous there’s paragliding down the mountain. At the base is a shop with various souvenirs. They also have wasabi ice cream, which I highly recommend to try for an interesting treat. I definitely liked it better than I thought.

View of Shimoda right outside the train station

Shimoda

Shimoda is another onsen resort town right along the coast. It has a huge surf culture with great beaches. There’s a lot of parks and temples to see as well. We only stopped here briefly while waiting to transfer to our bus to Dogashima. Since we were hungry we grabbed some food at a local grocery store to eat while waiting. There’s only a few buses per hour so we had some time to kill. The bus ride to Dogashima takes about an hour.

Dogashima

Dogashima is a beautiful town on the western coast of Izu. It’s known for its tall rocky formations and jagged cliffs with caves. These were formed by volcanic lava long ago. There are site-seeing boats along the coast and into some of the caves, however with a typhoon approaching we couldn’t go. As we arrived it was early evening and the sun was perfectly reflecting upon the water.

Getting to Dogashima

After quite the busy day, we still had travel ahead to Dogashima. We took the bus back to Izu Kogen station, and then took the Izukyu Railway train line bound for Shimoda. The ride is quite scenic along the coast and the trip is a little under an hour.

View of the sun setting over the water from the lounge

Where to Stay

In order to get the best experience, staying at an onsen resort right on the water is recommended. We chose Ryokan Umibe no Kakure yu Seiryu, with stunning views of the rocky coast. As we arrived we were given welcome drinks in the lounge while they took our luggage to our room. There were wide open windows with panoramic views of the water and the sun was starting to set.

See more: Places to Stay In Dogashima

The Room

Afterwards, they gave us a brief tour of the ryokan and took us to our room for tea and sweets. We booked the Junior Suite which comfortably fit all 5 of us. They gave us yukatas to wear during our stay, even one for Terra! The rooms are traditional Japanese style with tatami-mats. They also feature the same wide windows with stunning coastal views.

Terra with her own sized yukata

Communal bath area outside by the water

The private open-air family bath with sliding doors

Sunset view from the private bath

Hot Baths

There are several hot baths to choose from during your stay. There’s a private family style open-air onsen, a large communal public bath with panoramic views and a communal open-air bath right along the edge of the water. The private one requires reservations, so we booked it upon arrival for an hour. It was so nice to unwind and soak while watching the sunset and hearing the sound of the waves.

The kaiseki dinner presentation

Dinner

Typically with most ryokans, dinner is served kaiseki style. Here it was mostly focused on seafood, and made with local and seasonal ingredients. It was quite the grand presentation and I loved being able to sample so many little dishes. Everything was so fresh and delicious and it was the perfect ending to a long day.

Typhoon approaching Dogashima the next morning

Day 4: Head Back Home

We had planned to do some siteseeing around Dogashima before heading back home, but with a typhoon approaching we decided it was best to leave. The view was quite the contrast to the clear skies the previous evening. The rain had already started to fall heavily in the morning, and our only way north was by bus through windy mountain roads. Since our case was an exception, we highly recommend to use today to do a boat tour along the coast and into the caves. We had planned to use this company for the boat cruise.

We hope this inspires you to see Kamakura and the Izu Peninsula if you already haven’t. There are many places to see around Tokyo for the day, and even better for the weekend! Japan is filled with unique beauty, and you’ll enjoy the experience of seeing another unique area.

Have you been to Kamakura or Izu? If so, we’d love to hear more!

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