A Complete Weekend: My Expenses on a Lavish Trip to Copenhagen

In our Complete Weekend series, writers share their expenditures from a recent escape. This time, Chamidae Ford reveals how much she spent during a long weekend in Copenhagen, Denmark.

I just enjoyed a sunny weekend in Copenhagen—a city famous for its breathtaking architecture, iconic design, and thriving food scene—alongside my friend and colleague Ann Douglas. As I planned this short trip, I aimed to indulge in delicious cuisine and pick up a few souvenirs (or perhaps a bit more).

Coming from New York, I recognize that my perspective on what's considered overpriced versus 'normal' can be a little warped. Nonetheless, I'm ready to lay bare my spending to give insight into the costs of a fun weekend in this vibrant city, rather than relying on a currency converter app.

Pre-trip expenses

My aim was to keep pre-trip expenses to a minimum. Since I was already in Dublin for work, I booked a short flight to Copenhagen for 679kr.

For accommodation, I wanted a hotel that felt vibrant and emphasized design, truly immersing us in Copenhagen's atmosphere. I also sought a central location to minimize travel time to key attractions. We opted for 25 Hours Hotel in Indre By, a more expensive choice but perfectly situated, and we shared the room cost. Our three-night stay totaled 5408kr, meaning my share came to 2704kr, which I covered using credit card points I'd saved up.

Pre-trip expenses: 697kr

On-site expenses

Friday

Airport transfer: We arrived in Copenhagen around 4:30pm, and one of the city's best features is how easy it is to travel from the airport to downtown! In contrast to London, Paris, or New York, which can be costly and time-consuming, this transfer was affordable (30kr) and quick, taking about 20 minutes to reach my hotel.

Activities: With an 8pm dinner reservation (it's essential to book ahead; walk-ins aren't common in Copenhagen), we spent a few hours enjoying the early evening, wandering the charming streets, and marking spots to explore the following day.

Apertivo: We paused at Little Green Door, a cocktail bar by the canal, for a pre-dinner drink. We each had a gin and tonic, totaling a staggering 131kr (262kr for both). After paying, I realized this weekend was going to cost more than I had expected.

Dinner: That evening, we enjoyed a meal at the cozy yet lively Lilo Vinoria, a stylish wine bar serving Italian-inspired dishes and a wide array of drinks. I’m not sure if it was because I had only a single croissant that day or because I was transitioning from a week of pub food in Dublin, but this meal felt like everything I had been craving.

We shared the burrata with yuzu marinade, walnuts, and jalapeños, along with the pork and veal rosemary polpettes. Ann Douglas and I each savored plates of the freshest, most vibrant pea and asparagus risotto. Throughout dinner, I sipped on a dry martini, which was nice but left me yearning for the Dirty Martini at Long Island Bar in Brooklyn. My portion of the meal came to 471.85kr.

Total: 632.85kr

Saturday

Breakfast: On this lovely Saturday, with the sun shining, we sought a hearty breakfast—I needed more than just a croissant to fuel my day. We found Coffee Room, where I enjoyed scrambled eggs with chives, crispy bacon, toast, avocado, freshly squeezed orange juice, and an Americano for (237kr).

Activities: My top priority was shopping. Having heard about the city's vintage stores and admired the stylish locals, I was determined to return home with a few treasures from my trip.

We visited Mads Nørgaard, a Copenhagen brand known for its iconic striped shirts that are incredibly comfortable. I purchased a pink-on-pink, striped long-sleeve shirt, which I ended up wearing the very next day for (299kr). After that, we explored a few vintage shops, but the standout was O-S-V Second Hand, where I found a chic brown boatneck top adorned with polka dots and a white midi skirt for 599kr for both items.

We visited a beautiful glass shop called Studio Arhoj, recommended by Dinogo Planet writer Verona Farrell in her article, Copenhagen in 5 Shops. I left with several gifts for friends and a little something for myself for (599kr).

Having spent a good amount of my budget, we decided it was time to start exploring the sights. We opted to purchase the Copenhagen Card (CPH Card), which covers all public transport and entry to most of the city’s key attractions. We strategically bought it in the afternoon of day two to get the most out of it. The card costs €100 for 48 hours (746kr). It even included a boat tour through the canals, allowing us to cruise around the city while soaking in some history and enjoying the sunny weather. The hour-long tour gave us a glimpse of the iconic Little Mermaid statue as well.

Lunch: For lunch, we stopped at a hot dog stand, where I had a spicy dog topped with onions, relish, ketchup, mustard, and a herby aioli. So tasty! (45kr).

Activities: After our quick meal, we made our way to the Copenhagen Design Museum (included with the CPH Card), which featured an exhibit on the local supermarket chain Irma. The exhibit explored the brand's design journey since it was founded in 1886. I opted to skip the gift shop this time—my credit card needed a break after the morning's shopping spree.

Dinner: That evening, we took the bus (CPH Card) to a restaurant where we indulged in a tasting menu at Mirabelle Spisería, a cozy Italian eatery in inner Nørrebro. The food was delightful but not necessarily unforgettable. We shared crispy arancini, flatbread drizzled with olive oil and mozzarella, burrata topped with pistachios and capers, and a refreshing salad of cod and citrus, which I particularly enjoyed. We also tried cacio e pepe (cheese and pepper pasta) and brown butter sage ravioli, paired with some lovely glasses of Nero wine.

My portion of the dinner tab was 536kr.

Total: 3061kr (yikes!)

Sunday

Breakfast: We visited Lagkagehuse, where I indulged in a kanelsnegl (cinnamon roll) alongside an Americano for (90kr).

Activities: Today, we were heading out of the city to the Lousiana Museum of Modern Art (CPH Card)—this was the one activity everyone recommended, and I must say they were spot on. It’s about an hour-long train ride, a gentle way to start the day while enjoying a glimpse of the Danish countryside. We followed the signs from the station for a 10-minute walk to the museum, arriving just in time for the 11am opening.

We spent two hours wandering through the museum, which showcased a variety of exhibits, from Dominican-American artist Firelei Báez and her striking multimedia works that delve into the black diaspora and folk tales to the expressive pieces of French artist Chaïm Soutine. The museum itself is breathtaking, featuring glass walls and a central sculpture park. Set on a hill overlooking the water, it became the highlight of my trip. I even bought a Báez print to take home for (350kr).

Lunch: Once back in the city, we immediately sought out Gasoline Grill for lunch. Known for its incredible burgers (and long queues), we decided to wait as everyone insisted it was worth it.

The classic cheeseburger was truly memorable at (100kr). The bun was toasted just right, giving each bite a satisfying crunch, while the never-frozen meat was perfectly seasoned throughout the cooking process. Ann Douglas and I stood against a brick wall in silence, fully immersed in the experience. Given the quality, it felt like a bargain (NYC often charges $28 for a burger) and was absolutely worth the wait.

Activities: After lunch, we visited Rosenborg Castle (CPH Card), where we marveled at the crown jewels, majestic halls, and elegantly decorated rooms. While it may not rival Versailles, it's an intriguing historical site right in the city center. The castle's surrounding park is breathtaking, and it was thrilling to see the tulips in full bloom.

Dinner: For our last evening, we chose Mediterranean cuisine and headed to Vesterbro for a meal at Delphine. It had a trendy, Instagram-friendly vibe, but the food was excellent, and the atmosphere was lively.

We started with tzatziki and flatbread, which were refreshing and light. The lamb was succulent and flavorful, while the prawns were a bit small but perfectly seasoned. I prefer crispy french fries, and they didn’t disappoint, but the real star was the watermelon feta salad, featuring mint, firm green tomato chunks, onion, olives, and a splash of vinegar. It was simply perfect.

I spent 490kr for my portion of the meal.

Total: 1030kr

Monday

Breakfast: On our last morning, we visited Holms Bager for coffee and a pastry (63kr) before returning to a couple of shops to pick up items we had been contemplating (334kr), including another Mads shirt and more treasures from the Studio Arhoj glass shop. We mostly relished our final moments and soaked in the early morning tranquility of the city.

Airport transport: We took the train back to the airport, and our CPH card, in its final hours, still covered the fare.

Lunch: Before my 8.5-hour flight, I grabbed an unimpressive sandwich at Joe & the Juice for (85kr), but hey, it’s airport food—what can you really expect?

Total: 482kr

The grand total: 5902.85kr

All in all, it was a pricey weekend, largely because of my penchant for shopping and enjoying lavish dinners. Limiting myself to alcohol only during dinner saved me quite a bit in the end, as I often stuck to just one drink each day.

The Copenhagen Card is a great asset for those on the go, but we didn't fully capitalize on its value since we ended up doing more wandering and shopping than sightseeing.

Here’s some expert guidance to assist you in planning your trip to Copenhagen.

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