Let’s start with this – Copenhagen is an extremely photogenic city, for Instagrammers.

While it has world-class architecture, gorgeous cobblestone streets and famous sights, it also has a sketchier, grittier side that only the most avid iPhoneographers will appreciate. I know I did!

A café/thrift shop full of original trinkets.

Street art, much?

“The future is female.” YOU BET! ;)

I took these three shots right around where I was staying, close to Rosenburg Palace Gardens. The area was particularly rich in street art, funky coffeeshops and restaurants, which only made my Instagram addiction that much worse! It was a very lively neighborhood, perhaps my favorite in the city.

The panoramic view from the Rundetarn

The omnipresent bikes of Scandinavia.

My new friend at the Royal Stables.

Christianborg Palace, the Rundetarn, Kongens Nytorv and Tivoli Gardens are mandatory stops for any tourist in Copenhagen, that goes without saying. And with reason!

They all represent something different, and give a unique perspective about the city in a way that no guidebook – or no Wikipedia research – can compete. I feel that because I was staying in a relatively tourist-free zone, which I explored gladly, that my visit to Copenhagen was a good balance of touristy and off-the-beaten-path. I saw the main sights, but I also enjoyed places locals hang out at.

Magical Tivoli Gardens

My favorite thing about Denmark now.

Daytrip in Odense

Once I felt “I did what I had to do” in Copenhagen, I asked around for a daytrip outside the city, and every time, Odense was the answer.  An hour later, I was a the train station on my way there.

It’s the city where famed author H.C. Andersen was born (Little Mermaid, anyone?) , and the area around his museum is absolutely gorgeous! Ancient streets and colorful houses always make for a pretty scenery, and in this case, it didn’t disappoint.

A sample of the world’s largest bottle collection at Carlsberg Brewery.

Perfect end to a perfect day.

I also visited the famous Carlsberg Brewery, which I had heard good feedback about. Honestly, I only went because of that, because as you know, I’m not a big fan of the brew. Or any brews, for that matter.

But the brewery is informative, modern, and quite frankly, super interesting, even for the non-aficionados – not unlike Guinness’ counterpart in Dublin. It gives a whole new perspective on Carlsberg, which isn’t just a beer, but a part of Copenhagen’s identity and history. Did you know that Carlsberg is the only brewery to have been appointed official suppliers to the royal Danish family?

And most importantly, yes, the beer really does taste better on site!

Have you been to Copenhagen? What did you think of it – gritty, artsy, beautiful?