Copenhagen at Christmas

🎄 Copenhagen Christmas Adventure

December 16-20, 2025 | Family of 7

✈️ Flight & Hotel Info

Outbound - Dec 16 Flight D83513 | LGW 11:15 → CPH 14:05
Return - Dec 20 Flight EZY8722 | CPH 19:20 → LGW 20:25
Hotel Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers
Near Ørestad Metro (15 mins to city center)
⚠️ Important All food vegetarian | Krish has severe nut allergy (coconut, walnut, pecan, cashew, hazelnut, sesame, pistachio)

🌱 Exclusively Vegetarian/Vegan Restaurants

1. Bistro Lupa (Green Michelin Star)

Location: Melchiors Plads 3, Østerbro

Modern plant-based bistro with à la carte and set menus. Seasonal, locally-sourced food with natural wine pairings. Part of The Ark Collection.

Best for: Dinner (can accommodate nut allergies with advance notice)

Price: €€€ (Set menu ~600-800 DKK)

2. VeVe (Michelin-recommended)

Location: Wildersgade 56, Østerbro (old warehouse)

Vegetarian fine dining with world-inspired dishes. 6-course seasonal tasting menu in intimate setting (30 guests only). Can be made fully vegan.

Best for: Special dinner for adults

Price: €€€ (850 DKK menu)

3. RizRaz

Location: Kompagnistræde 20 (city center)

Mediterranean all-you-can-eat vegetarian buffet! Hummus, falafel, salads, and more. Very family-friendly and affordable.

Best for: Lunch with kids

Price: € (89 DKK lunch, 99 DKK dinner)

4. Souls

Location: Nørre Farimagsgade 63 OR Melchiors Plads 3

Healthy plant-based bowls, burgers, and rice paper rolls. Fresh, colorful, Instagram-worthy food. Casual atmosphere.

Best for: Lunch or casual dinner

Price: €€ (90-130 DKK per dish)

5. SimpleRAW

Location: Gråbrødretorv 9 (between Kongens Nytorv & Nørreport)

Mostly raw, mostly vegan restaurant. Cozy minimalistic space with poke bowls, burgers, and fresh dishes. Hidden entrance down stairs.

Best for: Light lunch

Price: €€ (90 DKK)

6. Morgenstedet (in Christiania)

Location: Inside Freetown Christiania

Vegetarian restaurant with fully organic menu blending global cuisines. Lower prices than typical Copenhagen restaurants. Unique hippie commune setting.

Best for: Lunch or dinner when visiting Christiania

Price: € (Very reasonable)

⚠️ Restaurant to AVOID for Krish: ARK Restaurant (Green Michelin Star) - While this is Copenhagen's most famous vegan fine dining restaurant, their website explicitly states they CANNOT accommodate severe nut allergies that require an EpiPen. Many dishes contain nuts (cashew, macadamia, hazelnuts). Skip this one despite the hype.

Day 1 - Tuesday, Dec 16

Arrival & Evening Exploration

14:05 - 16:00

Arrival & Check-in

Metro from CPH Airport to Ørestad station (15 mins). Check into hotel and rest after journey.

17:00 - 19:30

Nyhavn Christmas Stroll & Dinner

🚇 Metro: Ørestad → Kongens Nytorv (20 mins)
Nyhavn at Christmas

Copenhagen's iconic colorful harbor - magical at Christmas with lights reflecting on water. Gentle first evening in the city.

⭐ Dinner: RizRaz (nearby at Kompagnistræde 20)
All-you-can-eat Mediterranean vegetarian buffet - perfect first meal where everyone can choose what they like. Clearly labeled, kid-friendly, and Krish can easily avoid nuts at the buffet.

Day 2 - Wednesday, Dec 17

Tivoli Gardens Christmas Magic

10:30 - 16:00

Tivoli Gardens - Christmas Season

🚇 Metro: Ørestad → København H (10 mins). Exit directly to Tivoli.
Tivoli Gardens

The highlight for kids! Winter wonderland with thousands of lights, Christmas market, rides, and shows.

⭐ Must-Do Activities:
  • The Carousel, Flying Trunk, Dragon Boats (perfect for ages 5-8)
  • Christmas market stalls with decorations
  • Hot chocolate & æbleskiver (Christmas doughnuts)
  • Evening: Stay until dark to see illuminations

Lunch: Wagamama inside Tivoli - Asian noodles, curries, vegetarian gyoza (can accommodate nut allergies)

💰 Cost: Entry ~195 DKK adults, 100 DKK children. Multi-ride tickets: 275 DKK. Buy tickets online in advance.
16:00 - 17:30

Strøget Shopping & LEGO Store

🚶 5-min walk from Tivoli

Europe's longest pedestrian street. Visit LEGO Store (huge hit with kids!), browse for souvenirs, Danish design shops.

18:00

Dinner: Souls

Healthy plant-based restaurant near Nørreport. Colorful bowls, burgers, fresh food. Very family-friendly.

Day 3 - Thursday, Dec 18

Royal Copenhagen & Harbor Life

10:00 - 12:00

Rosenborg Castle & Crown Jewels

🚇 Metro to Nørreport, then 5-min walk (25 mins total)
Rosenborg Castle

Beautiful Renaissance castle with real crowns and royal treasures. Kids love seeing actual crown jewels. Compact visit (1 hour).

Cost: 130 DKK adults, children under 17 FREE

12:30 - 13:30

Lunch: Torvehallerne Food Market

🚶 5-min walk from Rosenborg

Copenhagen's premier food market. Everyone chooses what they want!

⭐ Vegetarian Options: Gorm's Pizza (veggie pizzas), The Organic Boar (falafel wraps), Laura's Bakery (pastries), GRØD (porridge with toppings - great for kids!)
14:00 - 16:00

Little Mermaid & Kastellet Fortress

🚌 Bus 26 from Nørreport (15 mins)

Quick photo with famous statue, then explore star-shaped fortress. Kids can run on ramparts safely - open green space perfect for burning energy.

16:30 - 18:00

Nyhavn Christmas Market

🚶 15-min scenic harbor walk

Browse Christmas stalls - decorations, Danish crafts, seasonal treats. Hot chocolate, æbleskiver, gløgg (mulled wine for adults).

18:30

Dinner: SimpleRAW

Cozy minimalistic vegan restaurant near Nyhavn. Poke bowls, burgers - fresh and delicious.

Day 4 - Friday, Dec 19

Interactive Museum & Christiania

10:00 - 12:30

Experimentarium Science Center

🚇 Metro to Forum, then bus (35 mins)
Science Museum
⭐ My Top Pick for Kids!
Interactive science center with 18 exhibitions. Perfect for ages 5-8. Touch everything! Hands-on experiments, bubbles, water play, building activities. Plan 2-3 hours.

Cost: 210 DKK adults, 135 DKK children | Café on-site with veggie options

Alternative: Blue Planet Aquarium

🚇 Metro to Kastrup (20 mins from hotel)

Northern Europe's largest aquarium - ocean tunnel, touch pools, feeding shows. Great if kids prefer animals.

Cost: 210 DKK adults, 115 DKK children

15:00 - 17:00

Christiania Freetown

🚇 Metro to Christianshavn (20-30 mins)

Unique self-governing neighborhood. Car-free streets, colorful houses, art installations. Fascinating cultural experience showing alternative lifestyle. Kids find it interesting and different.

Family Note: Safe during day. Stick to main areas, avoid Pusher Street cannabis market. Keep kids close.
17:30

Dinner: Morgenstedet (in Christiania)

Vegetarian restaurant inside Christiania. Fully organic, global cuisine blend. Very reasonable prices. Unique atmosphere in converted space.

Optional Evening

Return to Tivoli for Evening Lights?

If kids want more magic, Tivoli is even more spectacular lit up at night. Check if your tickets allow re-entry.

Day 5 - Saturday, Dec 20

Final Morning & Departure

09:00 - 11:00

Breakfast & Checkout

Leisurely breakfast, pack up. Store luggage at hotel for final few hours.

11:00 - 14:00

Last Shopping & Lunch

⭐ Option 1: Magasin du Nord
Historic department store on Kongens Nytorv. Danish design, toys, Christmas decorations, souvenirs. Food hall with veggie options for lunch.

Option 2: Field's Shopping Center (near hotel)

15-min walk from Crowne Plaza. Denmark's largest mall - convenient for luggage. Many lunch options.

16:30 - Airport

Depart for Flight

🚇 Metro: Ørestad → CPH Airport (15 mins)

Flight EZY8722 at 19:20. Safe travels home!

🎯 Essential Tips

Transportation

  • Copenhagen Card: Unlimited transport + free entry to attractions (Tivoli, Rosenborg, museums). Calculate if worthwhile for your activities.
  • Apps: "DOT Mobilbilletter" for tickets or "Rejseplanen" for journey planning
  • Metro runs 24/7 - clean, safe, efficient

Food & Allergies

  • For Krish's nut allergy: Always say "allergi mod nødder" (allergy to nuts). Danish restaurants take allergies seriously.
  • Vegetarian: "Jeg er vegetar" (I am vegetarian), "Uden kød" (without meat)
  • Most restaurants have English menus and allergy info
  • Safe bets: Buffets where you can see ingredients, simple pasta dishes, plain pizzas
  • Traditional to try: Æbleskiver, smørrebrød (ask for veggie), Danish pastries, hot chocolate

Weather & Packing

  • December weather: 0-5°C. Bundle up!
  • Warm coats, hats, gloves, scarves essential
  • Layer up - indoor spaces are very warm
  • Waterproof jackets/umbrellas for rain
  • Comfortable walking shoes

Money

  • Currency: Danish Krone (DKK). £1 = ~8.8 DKK
  • Credit cards accepted everywhere
  • Budget: ~500-800 DKK per person daily (meals, transport, activities)
  • Tipping: Service included, but rounding up appreciated

With Kids

  • Excellent baby-changing facilities everywhere
  • Pharmacies: "Apotek" - well-stocked
  • Supermarkets for snacks cheaper than restaurants (Netto, 7-Eleven, Føtex)
  • Pace yourself: Skip activities if kids tired - flexibility is key!

Have a Magical Christmas in Copenhagen! 🎄✨

Balanced itinerary with kid-friendly activities, Christmas magic, and manageable travel times. Adjust as needed based on energy levels!