The Taste of Copenhagen: Biking, Coffee First and the Little Mermaid

It’s finally Spring! One of the best season in Copenhagen (Cph), Denmark. I’ve been staying in Cph (the zone that is far away from the city center) for a month for my study. Finally I can say that I am at least settled down. Some basic checklist I did in my first month in Denmark: arrange my room, purchase a bicycle, familiarize myself to the transportation, apply for residence permit (CPR, health card, NemID, etc.) open a bank account, access in Bibliotekerne, register to a free Danish class, cook a ‘somehow Danish dish’, party (hmmmm), survive the first month of the Spring semester, join organizations, apply for jobs (it’s not that easy as you may think, mostly they need student part-time workers to be good in Danish!) and many more.

Today I decided to go around the city center with my jeepney plus its new friend, my bicycle in search for good coffee, food and little mermaid. 😀

Roam around Copenhagen with your bicycle

click the photo for a higher resolution

Copenhagen is world-famous for its biking culture and now officially the first Bike City in the World. Last year, it was also voted the ‘Best city for cyclists’ and the ‘World’s most liveable city’. You can easily purchase brand new and second-hand bikes in Cph but make sure to deal with good sellers and check the quality of your chosen bike before getting it. Guide article before purchasing bike in Denmark: Click Here Check the serial number to be sure it’s not a stolen second-hand bike: Politi App . The trains in Cph has a dedicated place for bikes parking and it’s convenient to carry because of the available elevators. Today, I have Rejsekort Card to go around the city and used Rejseplanen App to plan my route. There’s also some CPH City Bikes (white bikes in the photo) that you can rent around Cph if you are not planning to purchase one. And don’t forget to buy your lock and secure your bicycle in all places! I definitely enjoyed the city by biking or just walking.

COFFEE FIRST COPENHAGEN delicious Estate Coffee

I can say that this is the best coffee experience I ever had in Cph. The coffee shop was known for being one of the most favorite of Denmark’s locals and tourists. It was first called Estate Coffee and now called Coffee First run by very friendly owners Sasha and Erly. They served really great coffee, aromatic beans plus great ambiance of the shop. If it’s your first time in Denmark and you love coffee, this is a must go-to-experience so you will discover why locals loved it!

Coffee First specialties

Aside from the great atmosphere, great espresso, croissant and many more, they have very kind and warm smiling staff. Lucky to meet the owners of the said coffee shop, Sasha and Erly. If you happen to meet the owners, they will personally prepare the coffee for you with class and elegance. Indeed, a down to earth vibe for groups, as well as people who want to get their work done and at the same time get served with the best coffee in the city. Coffee First Address: Gammel Kongevej 1 1610 København V
http://www.coffee-first.dk | coffeefirst@coffee-first.dk | +45 33250522

Travelling in the City Center in Airplane Mode

Finally! Biking in the city center. I went to Tivoli Gardens amusement park in central Copenhagen offers rides, games, musicals, ballet, and major concerts which is close in the winter and will be open again on April. The most awaited Sakura Festival will happen on April 29 and 30 in its 10th anniversary and the 150th anniversary of Danish-Japanese diplomatic relations. I was able to visit one of the most famous destinations in Copenhagen, Nyhavn, the 17th-century waterfront, canal and entertainment district of the city. While walking around the center I met some locals and tourists (mostly Asians we even have some photos, they are from Malaysia, Hongkong and Korea!). I also realized that I saw more bikes than cars while travelling the whole day. Life in Copenhagen is lived in the saddle of a bicycle, everybody does it!

Looking for the Mermaid without GPS

For some reasons, I decided to trust my own instinct while travelling the whole city. I wanted to converse with the people, meet tourists and travel by bike without GPS. And yes, in many moments I got lost and I found myself situated in a far away island. Buuttt hola! I did it, I saw the little mermaid before dawn, finally!

“At Langelinje Pier you will find one of Copenhagen’s most famous tourist attractions: The sculpture of The Little Mermaid. 23 August 2013 she turned 100 years old. Unveiled on 23 August 1913. The Little Mermaid was a gift from Danish brewer Carl Jacobsen to the City of Copenhagen. The sculpture is made of bronze and granite and was inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale about a mermaid who gives up everything to be united with a young, handsome prince on land.Read more “