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If a trip to Europe is in the cards for you this year, take a moment to pause before hitting the ‘book’ button.
Do you really want to struggle with the crowds in Barcelona? Battle for beach space in the Algarve? Or are you ready for a different, cooler kind of European experience?
Copenhagen could be the answer you are looking for.
Denmark’s capital has always been a popular choice among travelers, but by 2024 we could see it become one of the trendiest destinations on this historic continent.
This is why:
King of cool
There’s no doubt that Copenhagen is one of the coolest cities in Europe, and I’m not just talking about the dress sense of its residents or the selection of sleek bars and good restaurants.
Being located in Northern Europe, the city enjoys pleasant summers that do not suffer from the sweltering hot summers of countries like Greece or Spain.
Average temperatures for July and August are at a comfortable 65F, meaning you can enjoy fun in the sun without cooking.
Heading to slightly cooler destinations in the summer is a trend that has taken off in recent years, so expect places like Copenhagen to become even more popular.
The connection with the US has never been better
Copenhagen Airport saw one impressive 27 million passengers will open in 2023, bringing it almost back in line with pre-pandemic tourism figures.
More interestingly, it appears that American travelers are turning their attention to the Danish capital, with more than a million passengers traveling between the city and the United States last year.
You can fly non-stop to Copenhagen from as many as 8 locations in the US, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington DC, Boston, Miami, New York (JFK) and Newark – with one-way mid-season flights just $450 for a return ticket.
Hidden gems abound
Far from the obvious sights and attractions of Copenhagen, there are some relatively easy-to-find hidden gems that will have you feeling like a local in no time.
Take advantage of Copenhagen’s excellent metro system and take a trip to Amager Strandpark.
This small but beautiful beach is actually a small island just off the coast, but you can reach it on foot from the Amager Strand metro station.
Here you will find beautiful walking and cycling paths, jetties for going on the water and facilities such as cafes and toilets.
Another great coastal attraction to visit is CopenHill, a dry ski slope built on top of a power station.
In summer it is also great for walking.
If you’re looking for a trendy place to spend an evening, look no further than the Meatpacking District.
This former industrial area is a short walk from the central station.
The former meat processing warehouses have been converted into a range of cool bars and stylish restaurants. My personal recommendation is Warpigs Brewpub.
A lot will happen in 2024
If you’ve had Copenhagen on your bucket list for a few years but never managed to tick it off, 2024 might just provide the perfect excuse to do so.
From June 27 to 29, the city will host the annual World Coffee Championships at the Bella Center, bringing together leading specialists from around the world to celebrate all things roasted coffee.
2024 will also be the first year that the new attraction, Home of Carlsberg, is open to the public.
This visitor experience allows travelers to learn the story of the famous beer brewer who started in the city way back in 1874.
Also new this year are five new metro stations in the Copenhagen Metro, opening soon and connecting the city center with cool suburbs like Sydhavnen.
Underrated destination for digital nomads
It certainly won’t be the first country that comes to mind, but Denmark is actually a very underrated place to live as a digital nomad.
Americans can stay for up to 90 days without more than a tourist visa, and English is very widely spoken, especially in Copenhagen.
It also scores very highly for safety and is the second safest country on the 2023 Global Peace Network, while its internet connection, infrastructure and co-working spaces are all also of a very high standard.
The only real downside is that it’s not the cheapest place to stay – but if you fancy some nomadic luxury, there are few better places in Europe to do that than Copenhagen.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
