Copenhagen
Copenhagen habour tour with a view of the famous Copenhill.
Little Mermaid bronze staue
When I look back at this trip, I realize it was only a handful of days — two nights in Copenhagen and just a weekend in Stockholm — but it felt like I managed to step into two very different worlds. Both cities have their own rhythm and character, and both left me with memories that I’ll definitely return to one day. And the best part: both Copenhagen and Stockholm are easy to reach from Germany, whether you hop on a short flight or take one of the comfortable long-distance trains heading north.
Copenhagen was my first stop, and with only one full day to explore, I wanted to make the most of it. I set out on foot, wandering through the colorful houses of Nyhavn, the kind of picture-perfect place you’ve seen a hundred times in photos but somehow still feels magical when you’re there in person. From there, I followed the waterfront up toward the Little Mermaid, passing historic ships, quiet parks, and open views of the harbor.
The city really opened up to me from the water. I booked a canal tour with Hey Captain, which turned out to be one of my favorite experiences of the trip. Unlike the crowded tourist boats, this one was small and relaxed — more like being invited onto a local’s boat than taking a tour. We slipped through narrow canals lined with houseboats and modern architecture, and even made it out to Trekroner Fort, a small star-shaped fortress guarding the harbor entrance.
Back on land, I climbed the spiral tower of Vor Frelsers Kirke for a breathtaking panorama of the city. Later I headed to CopenHill, the futuristic ski slope built on top of a power plant. My original plan was to go snowboarding there — how often do you get to snowboard in the middle of a capital city? — but Copenhagen had other ideas. It rained, steadily and endlessly, so I settled for just exploring the site instead.
On the streets of Copenhagen in the evening.
By evening, the city seemed to invite me into its more casual side. I grabbed dinner at one of the food trucks near the Inderhavnsbroen Bridge, watching people come and go on bikes while the rain finally eased. My base for the night was the Generator Hostel, a lively and central spot that made the short stay easy and fun.
Stockholm
Ferres come and go in the city center habour.
The next morning, I boarded a train bound for Stockholm, where the trip shifted from solo exploring to reconnecting with a colleague from university. She was spending some time in Stockholm as a visiting researcher doing some studies at the university, and having a local connection gave my visit a much warmer, more personal feel.
We didn’t waste time. That first night, we went out together and ended up staying out until the early hours, tasting a bit of Stockholm’s nightlife and dancing long after we thought we’d call it a night. Needless to say, the next morning came a little too quickly, but instead of staying in, we decided to escape the city.
We joined a guided tour of the nature reserves outside Stockholm — and it was exactly what I needed. Just a short bus ride from the center, we found ourselves surrounded by forests, lakes, and quiet trails. Walking through the crisp Scandinavian air felt like the perfect reset after the night before, and it showed me another side of the region beyond the city streets.
On my last day, I turned back to Stockholm’s history. We spent time in the old town, Gamla Stan, with its cobblestone streets and colorful facades, before heading to the Vasa Museum. Seeing the 17th-century warship, raised almost perfectly preserved from the sea after centuries, was both impressive and a little surreal. It felt like standing in front of a piece of frozen time.
Looking Back
The trip was short, yes — but it didn’t feel rushed. Copenhagen gave me its canals, its history, and its creative energy, while Stockholm balanced late-night fun with peaceful nature and deep history. Both cities have a way of leaving you with more than you expect in just a few days.
And since they’re both easily accessible from Germany, either by train or plane, they make perfect destinations for a quick getaway. Sometimes you don’t need weeks abroad — just a few days and an open mind are enough to collect a whole new set of memories.
I’ll let my photos tell the rest of the story.