People close to me know that I enjoy staying longer in places but at the same time, I don’t plan my itineraries. I do very little research about the places I visit & I always go for spontaneous plans. I enjoy how each destination surprise me with their good & bad sides. The 2019 solo trip to Europe I mentioned above was not an exception. I flew to Europe alone with no plans at all; I only had hostel & flight bookings. I didn’t even know how to go to Amsterdam Centraal from Schipol Airport or how to go to my hostel from the airport. I had the same level of spontaneity throughout the trip & I’m glad I survived!
Having close to no research about travelling around Europe, some things surprised me when I was there. I want to share these 10 things you should know so you’ll be ready for your own Euro trip.
Sparking Water is a thing!
Yes, it’s not just water in Europe. It’s either sparkling water or still water & they love the first one more. I am not a fan of sparkling water but guess what? I kept getting it. I went to an Albert Heijn supermarket in Amsterdam on my first day & accidentally brought 2 big bottles of sparkling water. It took me days to finish these 2 bottles. I can’t just throw the water away because it was damn expensive. It took me 9 days to finally check every single bottled water I buy – to make sure it’s still water.
Beer is cheaper than water in Czech Republic!
Pilsner UrquellHolbaKutná Hora Lager
Yes, you read that right! Beer in Czech Republic is cheaper than still or sparkling water in terms of cost per liter. It’s not a secret that Czechs love beer. In fact, they consume more beers per capita than any other country in the world! They’ve been record holders in this category for years! All the 0.5L of beers I bought in Czech Republic range from 28 Kč to 37 Kč while a 0.3L bottle of water costs 30 Kč to 35 Kč. Well, I always went for the beer when I was there. 😂
Bring Small Euro Bills
Many shops & establishments in the Netherlands & Belgium don’t accept Euro bills higher than €50; some even accept only up to €20. First, it’s hard to give change for high-value notes like €100 & €200. Second, these high-value Euro notes were associated to crimes in the past. Third, it’s also risky to bring these big notes while walking around on a daily basis. I had trouble using my €100 notes in supermarkets & restaurants in Amsterdam & Brussels. They won’t accept it. To be sure, just bring Euro notes up to €20 when flying to Euro-accepting countries.
Money Changers Charge High Convenience Fees
Money changers in Europe, particularly Euro-accepting countries, charge high convenience fees. I tried to change my €100 note in Amsterdam & only got about €94 back. I read somewhere that they charge around 5.5% for every transaction. It’s a complete opposite here in the Philippines where money changes don’t charge any other transaction fees. Don’t worry, most money changers in Czech Republic don’t charge these fees. It pays to always ask the money changer for their fee before transacting with them. It’s also best to research online for the money changer that gives the best exchange rate in the city where you are visiting.
Bring Credit & Debit Cards
Don’t forget to bring a credit card & a debit card when going for a Euro trip. While most places still accept cash, there are some that prefer card payments. Most establishments in Copenhagen, including hotdog stands & street food carts, prefer payments using credit & debit cards. Copenhagen metro stations don’t have ticket booths; they have ticket vending machines that only accept cards for payment. The ticket vending machine in Brussel-Central doesn’t accept cash & credit cards, only debit cards. Most restaurants, supermarkets & convenience stores all accept credit cards as payment.
Avoid EuroNet ATMs
EuroNet ATMs are found everywhere in Europe & in the world. Please avoid using these ‘worldwide ATMs’ no matter how conveniently located they are. This ATM charges high usage fees & conversion rates. It’s always best to go for the local banks when getting cash. Don’t forget to call your bank to inform them of your trip, also to avoid denied transactions abroad.
It’s always useful to have at least one credit card & one debit card when going around Europe – just don’t use these cards on unnecessary purchases.
Always Pay in Local Currency
You always get the best value of your purchase or meal if you pay using the local currency. Shops, banks & establishments usually have a higher on-the-spot exchange rate if you’re paying on your own currency. Always opt for the local currency when the staff asks you which to charge to your card.
Toilet Use Comes With A Fee
Say goodbye to free use of toilets when you’re in Europe. Restaurants, cafes & even fast food outlets like McDonalds charge people for using their toilets. Toilet use costs 50-cents – around ₱30 in Philippine peso equivalent to a sundae from McDonalds Philippines. Expensive, right? Some cafes & restaurants have their toilet door codes in the bottom parts of the receipt. People have no choice but to buy something from the establishment. You want to get rid of these toilet fees? Join SANDEMANs New Europe walking tours. Each walking tour has a 15 to 20 minutes break in a cafe or restaurant. The use of toilets during these breaks are free-of-charge.
Cross Borders Like Domestic Destinations
Brussels to PraguePrague to Copenhagen
Crossing borders from one Schengen state to the other is like going / flying to a domestic destination. Inter-Schengen flights only ask for your identification cards or passports during check-in. Bus drivers only ask for your bus tickets & not your passports. People don’t need to clear immigration when going from one Schengen state to the other. I only went through immigration upon arrival in Amsterdam Schipol Airport in Netherlands & before flying to Singapore from Copenhagen Airport. There are literally no border controls within the Schengen zone.
Plan But Don’t Aim To See Everything
Europe is a big continent – it has many countries with big cities & small towns. It is impossible to go & see everything a city or country has to offer in a 4-day visit. I already spent 4-5 days each in Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic & Denmark & mind you, I haven’t seen everything. Yes, I took day trips outside the main cities but I heard there are a more beautiful unknown places that can be visited.
My tip for you is to plan out the places you want to see in every city you’re planning to visit but don’t aim to see everything. It’s also better to stay longer in a country or city than staying just for a day or two (like how travel agencies plan out itineraries) not to rush things but to enjoy & see more of every place.
Every city or country is different & it’s cool. As tourists / travelers, it’s always good to know something about the places / countries you’re visiting. It helps in conditioning your mind & wallet on what to expect. To be honest, I was shocked by the money changer convenience fees & pay-per-use scheme of toilets but at the same time I was happy with the cheap Czech beer.
I hope the list above helps you in your planned trip to Europe in the future. Do you have any questions or clarifications on anything mentioned above? Please don’t hesitate to post them in the comments section below. You may also send these questions via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com. I’ll get to them as soon as I can.
Thanks for joining me in today’s set of Tuesday tips! Don’t forget to check out the individual posts about Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic & Denmark under the Going Solo in Europe category. This post officially marks the end of the 2019 Europe trip content in this website. I had fun sharing them to all of you; I hope the posts help you in one way or another. Until the next Tuesday Tips post!
Last October to November 2019, I flew to Europe all by myself for 19 days & went around Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic & Denmark. I never thought this trip that took 7 years to plan would finally happen & that I would do everything alone & DIY – no help from any travel agency, consultant or whatsoever. If you’ve been following me the last few months, I’ve shared every single detail of this Euro trip from city itineraries, flight reports, to hostels & even local food. You can find all posts under the Going Solo in Europe category.
BelgiumCzech RepublicDenmarkNetherlands
Going to Europe for a long trip like this is not a cheap trip to do. Some people spend hundreds of thousands on airfare & accommodation & add probably another hundred for food, pocket money & tours. I didn’t have that much savings for this kind of expensive trip so I did a lot of research to make it happen in a relatively affordable budget. AND I DID IT! I flew to Europe for 19 days around 4 countries including airfare, accommodation & a 12-hour Singapore stopover for less than ₱120,000 all in. Let me share with you how I made this trip of a lifetime possible.
Disclaimer: There are ways to make this trip even cheaper than what I spent – staying in cheaper hostels, taking low-cost carriers / buses with cutting trips, etc. – but I wanted to make it special (as a first time) & splurged a bit on some parts like food (& beers), high-rated hostels & better transportation options. Also, I only chose to visit 4 countries instead of hopping on from one country to the other after a day or two to have a better appreciation of every country / city. I am not a fan of rushed trips; I enjoy staying longer in one place or country.
I took the risk & booked a return ticket to Europe with Singapore Airlines during their January promotion with BPI Credit Cards. I got the economy class ticket from Manila to Amsterdam via Singapore & Copenhagen to Manila via Singapore for only 719.23 USD. The ticket includes 30-kilogram baggage allowance on all sectors, in-flight meals & snacks, personal entertainment screens & their 5-star Singaporean hospitality. My BPI credit card charged me ₱37,669.40 including foreign transaction fees. Not bad for a ticket to Europe considering it’s with Singapore Airlines, right?
Months before the trip, I figured out the route I’ll take & the countries I’ll visit. Then, I booked air tickets for my inter-European transfers. Train tickets were more expensive & would take a few changes while bus trips, even if cheap, will take ages & a few transfers before you reach the next city / country. I paid €67,40 for a plane ticket from Brussels, Belgium to Prague, Czech Republic on Brussels Airlines. I booked another ticket from Prague, Czech Republic to Copenhagen, Denmark on Czech Airlines for 1,588 Kč. Both tickets include 23-kilogram check in baggage. I got charged ₱4,000.85 & ₱3,658.88, respectively for these 2 tickets.
I booked these 3 tickets without a Schengen tourist visa. Some people don’t recommend this, but I took the risk & did it. I was confident that time that I will be granted visa for this trip & luckily, I got one.
Accommodation
Accommodation in Europe is not cheap. A dormitory bed in a hostel costs about €30 to €40 a night, depending on the room configuration & location. Hotels & private rooms are more expensive. I can’t afford them. I booked my hostels 4 months into the trip. All these hostel bookings had free cancellation options if I don’t push through. I became picky with the hostels I’ll stay with since it was my first time in Europe. I stayed in popular & high-rated hostels found in central & well-recommended locations.
I stayed with Generator Hostel in Amsterdam (₱8,885.82 for 4 nights – paid in Philippine Peso), Sleep Well Youth Hostel in Brussels (€122 for 4 nights – paid during check-in), DREAM Hostel in Prague (1,790 Kč for 4 nights – paid via credit card on check-in) & Steel House in Copenhagen (US$ 116.24 for 4 nights – paid via Agoda). I paid ₱26,117.54 for 16 nights in these 4 countries – roughly ₱1,632.25 per night in Philippine Peso or €28,49 per night in Euros. I think I still got a good deal from these hostels! It would’ve been cheaper if booked my stay at least 8-10 months before.
Travel Insurance
Schengen tourist visa applications require a travel insurance with up to €30,000 medical coverage for the duration of the trip, some even up to 15 to 30 days after the trip. I got my travel insurance coverage online from Standard Insurance; I got their Travel Protect Policy which covers up to €37,500 medical coverage for 19 days. I paid ₱1,918 for the 19-day coverage.
Traveling around Europe alone isn’t easy. I made sure I was connected to the internet for the whole duration of the trip. I bought an internet sim card from Pinoy Traveler’s Unlimited Data Sim Card on Facebook. The sim card was operated by Three UK & it included 12 GB of 3G/4G data & unlimited call & text in Europe & UK & 9 GB of 3G/4G data outside Europe & UK for 30 days. The sim card cost ₱1,600 with free shipping. The data, call & text services worked well during my stay in Singapore, Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic & Denmark.
Travel Tax
All Philippine passport holders are required to pay a travel tax of ₱1,620 before going out the country for holiday. I paid the travel tax right before I checked in for my flight from Manila to Singapore.
Daily Budget & Unexpected Expenses
I mentioned in my Europe thrift hacks post that I set a daily budget of €40 for food, transportation & entrance fees. I spent more in some days but I was traveling on a €30-€35 per day budget. There were days where I had to buy last-minute museum tickets (Heineken Experience & Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam), join guided tours (Canal Tour in Amsterdam, Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam & Marken in Holland & Kutná Hora in Czech Republic) & go on side trips (Utrecht, Bruges, Ghent & Český Krumlov) which cost me more. I also bought last-minute train & bus tickets in Belgium & Czech Republic – the downsides of not following an itinerary.
North HollandBrugesKutná Hora
I splurged on beers in all 4 countries; I paid more for food in Denmark (food there is expensive) but I’m happy I still had about €120 cash left at the end of the trip. I counted all my expenses from pocket money, to credit & debit card transactions & debit card withdrawals for 19 days. I spent ₱34,327.78 (around €600) for 17 full days (travel days not included) on food, transportation, walking tours, entry tickets, guided tours & beers – about €35 per day on average.
Singapore Stopover
Chicken rice fix in SGThe Jewel at Changi
My flight from Manila to Amsterdam had a 12-hour layover in Singapore. I took this time to meet 2 friends – one for lunch + milk tea & one for early dinner. I also used this time to walk around the beautiful city, check out a city library & walk around The Jewel at Changi Airport. I spent around S$50 (₱1,859.4 conversion that time) on this 12-hour stop – food, drinks & transportation included.
Summary of Expenses
After all the costs & numbers mentioned above, let’s see how much I actually spent for the trip.
Exchange rate at the time of trip: €1 = ₱57.3 Exchange rates of purchases & withdrawals vary. There you go! I spent ₱117,092.85 pesos for a 19-day trip around 4 European Countries – Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic & Denmark – with air tickets, accommodation costs & a 12-hour Singapore stopover included. If you’ll include the transportation expenses during the visa application process, to & from the airport when I left & arrived, it’ll be somewhere around ₱118,500 – still less than ₱120,000!
Don’t get me wrong, ₱117,092.85 is a very big amount but we’re talking about a 19-day trip to Europe here flying with one of the world’s premium airlines – Singapore Airlines & visiting first world & expensive countries like Netherlands, Belgium & Denmark. I couldn’t believe this when I listed all my expenses after the trip. I wanted this trip to be fun, memorable & spontaneous & I’m happy it turned out to be a trip of a lifetime. This solo trip to Europe is so far my longest, most expensive & most memorable experience I’ve had in my life. Every single peso spent was worth it!
Blog List
In case you’re interested in the posts about this trip, check out the blog list below.
Thank you for joining me in today’s Euro trip summary. I’ve made use of the pandemic to finish all the posts about this trip. It’s a shame that my next planned trip to Europe this October won’t push through, but it won’t stop me from planning my next trip to this beautiful continent. We may all be stuck in our own homes but we’ll surely go back to the time when travelling is safe & sound. It’s never too late to give up on your dream trips to Europe! Make use of this downtime to research about the cities & countries you want to visit & plan out the route you’ll take.
Czech RepublicDenmarkBelgiumNetherlands
Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? Is there anything you want to ask how I planned the trip in general? Or maybe how I did it? Feel free to post your questions in the comments section below. You can also send it via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com.
Feel free to follow me on my social media channels for more information on cheap fares, thrift hacks & fun itineraries – Facebook & Instagram. I’ll finish the post with this.. I DID IT – 19 DAYS AROUND NETHERLANDS, BELGIUM, CZECH REPUBLIC & DENMARK FOR LESS THAN ₱120,000 ALL IN & I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT TOO!
Travelling around Europe has always been a dream since I started exploring places in 2012. Every year, I will always plan to make this dream Europe trip for the following year. It took 7 years for this dream trip to happen. Last October 2019, I flew to Europe (via Singapore) alone & explored the Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic & Denmark for 19 days. It was not a cheap trip but not too expensive as well. Every Euro, Czech Koruna & Danish Krone I spent was worth it. You may check out my posts about this Europe trip of a lifetime under the Going Solo in Europe category.
Allow me to share with you how I managed to save money & spend lesser than the usual. Here are 11 thrift hacks I found useful in my Euro trip last year.
Take Advantage of Airline & Credit Card Deals
Right before the Covid-19 pandemic, major airlines & banks offered credit card exclusive airfares & deals to the airlines’ network. These promotions happen throughout the year but the best ones are offered in the 1st quarter (January to March) of every year. Some people recommend to book plane tickets after getting your visa. Tickets at these times are already expensive. If you have an extensive travel record & good trip intention, I tell you to risk it.
I booked my plane ticket to Europe from Singapore Airlines & BPI’s Online Travel Fair. I paid US$ 719.23 for a return trip with Singapore Airlines on this route – Manila to Singapore, Singapore to Amsterdam, Copenhagen to Singapore & Singapore to Manila. I paid ₱37,669.40 in peso, including foreign currency transaction charges for a full-service experience on a 5-star premium airline. It was worth the risk.
Book Accommodations Early
Booking accommodations early give you access to the nicer & cheaper options. Booking platforms also offer early bird discounts which you shouldn’t let go of. One thing to note here –always go for the option with flexible booking terms such as free cancellation, no pre-payment or pay at the hotel / hostel. I booked my hostels a bit late for my trip & the cost has almost doubled. If only I booked my hostels earlier, I could’ve saved more. I tried booking for an upcoming / cancelled trip to Europe 9 months away & imagine, I’ll only pay around ₱11,000 for 12 nights around Germany, Austria & Hungary. Yes, it can be that cheap!
Generator AmsterdamSleep Well Youth Hostel BrusselsDream Hostel PragueSteel House Copenhagen
It may take some research & a physical appointment with VFS but applying for your own Schengen tourist visa will save you the handling fees charged by travel agencies. Read blogs & posts on how to apply for a Schengen tourist visa. Next thing you’ll know, it’s already your appointment day. Don’t worry about getting the visa on its release. You can arrange delivery by courier for a few hundreds.
Our generation is very dependent on internet connection. I think it’s a good & bad thing – but more of a good thing when you’re travelling around Europe. It’s easier to find places through maps, to book online tickets last-minute, to get online recommendations & to keep contact with loved ones back home at any time of the day. It’ll save you cost because you won’t take unnecessary taxi trips & you won’t get lost. Make sure to always check the sim card features & its coverage. Also, it’s always better to buy a sim card here in the Philippines than in the airport of your arrival. Internet sim cards in Europe area freaking expensive.
I bought my internet sim card from Pinoy Traveler’s Unlimited Data Sim Card on Facebook. I paid ₱1,600 for a plug & play 30-day UK-Europe-World data sim card which had 12 GB of 3G/4G data & unlimited call & text in Europe & UK & 9 GB of 3G/4G data outside Europe & UK. The data sim card worked well throughout the trip – in Singapore, Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic & Denmark. The sim card automatically connected to the network partner in every country. It was a good product with an extensive coverage.
Check For Online Ticket & Tour Discounts
It pays to check the museum or online tour websites for discounted tickets. Most companies offer discounted early bird tickets or last-minute promotions to those who want to join on the spot. Believe it or not, I got my Heineken Experience ticket for €18, from the usual €20 ticket bought on site. I also got a discounted guided day tour trip to Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam & Marken from Get Your Guide. The tour was originally priced at €35 to but I only got it for only €28. I booked the tour last-minute, the night before the tour itself.
Here’s the Heineken Experience ticket I bought online for €18, instead of the usual €20.
Got this Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam & Marken guided tour for €28 at Get Your Guide website.
My friends told me that some tour companies & museums even have more discounted tickets if you book your tickets earlier. Ultimately, weigh in the cost of doing it by yourself through public transportation or by private guide versus the cost of joining a guided tour. Go for the guided group tour as long as you get a good deal out of it.
Enjoy Hostel Buffet Breakfasts
Food in Europe, in general, is expensive. An affordable meal can cost you around €10 without drinks. One thing I did on this trip is to enjoy hostel buffet breakfasts. Some hostels in Europe offer their buffet spread for affordable rates. These buffet spreads include bread, cereals, cold cuts, cheese, & drinks such as coffee, tea or juice. Generator Amsterdam offered their buffet breakfast for €7,5 while Dream Hostel Prague has them for €4,5. Sleep Well Youth Hostel Brussels guests have access to free buffet breakfast (which was really nice) while Steel House Copenhagen sold breakfast bags (with bun, juice & energy bar) for around €6,5.
Generator Amsterdam’s BreakfastSleep Well Brussels’ Free BreakfastDream Hostel’s BreakfastSteel House Copenhagen’s Breakfast Bag
Avail of any breakfast promotion or offering your hostel has – it’s way cheaper (unless you have time to cook your own food) than what’s outside. It’ll also help you kick start your day right.
The Supermarket Is Your Best Friend
One of the things I always do when I am in a new place is to go to supermarkets. I mentioned these in my blogs about the things I miss doing in Japan, tips in saving money in Melbourne & going around Singapore on a budget. These groceries sell everything for a better price – cheaper than what you pay in specialty shops, food stalls & restaurants. It is also the best place to buy bottled water & beer.
This bottle of juice + 4 croissants cost me only €2.90-ish in Albert Heijn. Awesome breakfast deal!!
I didn’t avail of the hostel’s breakfast one morning because I left early for a group tour. I dropped by an Albert Heijn supermarket & got myself 4 croissants & 1 big bottle of juice for less than €3. Great deal, right?
Set A Daily Budget
It helps to set a daily budget for long trips like this. It helps you control your day-to-day expenses & stretch your pocket money. Daily budgets vary from one country to the other, depending on how expensive the country is.
I set a daily budget of €40 per day for my 2019 Europe trip. That daily budget doesn’t include the accommodation costs which I already paid days before the trip. Believe it or not, it worked! I usually avail the hostel’s breakfast in the morning, then have late lunch somewhere (mostly local food) and have street food & beers for dinner. The daily budget also included transportation costs & if possible, museum entrance fees. I spent more than €40 on some days, but I was at €30-€35 in most days.
Join Walking Tours
Free, or should I say, tip-based walking tours are popular in Europe. Various companies run daily walking tours around the city through independent & professional tour guides. At the end of every walking tour, the joiner can give any amount (no specific amount required by the guides) on what he / she thinks is the value of the tour. Typical tip is €5 to €10 per tour. Joining these walking tours will save you from joining overpriced private or city group tours priced at €20 to €25 per person.
Brussels Walking TourBruges Walking TourGhent Walking Tour
I joined a number of walking tours on this trip – Amsterdam, Brussels, Bruges, Ghent, Prague, Český Krumlov & Copenhagen. All the guides are friendly & they speak good English. They also give recommendations on where to go & what to do in the city.
Take Buses Instead of Intercity Trains
European cities & countries are well-connected by intercity (IC) trains. One can literally hop on a train in Amsterdam & arrive in Paris after a few hours. One can also board a train in Paris & wake up in Vienna the following day. However, fares on these trains are expensive. A 2-hour IC train trip from Amsterdam to Brussels can cost up to €60 if you buy it last-minute.
Good thing Europe has a wider network of buses that run in between cities. Bus companies such as FlixBus, BlaBlaBus, Eurolines, RegioJet & National Express run trips between cities at affordable cost. The same 2-hour Amsterdam to Brussels trip on FlixBus only cost me €12. It can even be cheaper if you book tickets earlier & not last-minute. These buses guarantee each passenger a seat & even has 20-kilogram allowance for luggage.
Walk & Enjoy The Feeling of Getting Lost
The best way to explore every city in Europe is by walking. Most cities have local tram networks & subways but nothing will beat the feeling of walking around & getting lost in an unknown place. You’ll see many beautiful historic buildings, walk through preserved parks & see the daily lives of locals. You’ll learn to appreciate each place more when you walk around it at your own pace. There’s no need to spend extra euros for these tram, subway & bus rides.
NetherlandsBelgumCzech RepublicDenmark
I never walked as much as I did in this trip to Europe. I would usually skip taking the tram, bus & subway rides & instead walk 2-3 kilometres per way at my pace, while enjoying the local scene. The cold weather helped me not get exhausted easily. I got lost a lot of times but I enjoyed it & I let my foot take me to wherever it’ll take me. I ended up seeing hidden beautiful streets, peaceful & preserved reserves & picturesque landmarks.
These hacks helped me a lot throughout my 19 days trip around Europe. It saved me euros, spared me from expensive tour deals & prevented me from spending too much on one thing. At the end of the day, it all falls to extensive research & careful trip planning. Having been to Europe & spending less compared to what a usual tourist still proves my point that no matter how expensive one place is, there will always be ways to make it affordable.
What personal travel hacks can you share to me? Do you also book your tickets & accommodations way in advance? How do you go about planning your itinerary & your modes of transportation? Share some of your travel hacks in the comments section below. Do you have any questions about those mentioned above? You may also post them in the comments below or you can also send them to me via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com. I’ll answer them as soon as I can.
Day 14 of 19 – I arrived in Copenhagen, Denmark from Czech Republic. After spending days around Amsterdam, Brussels & Prague, I am in Copenhagen – the last stop of this memorable 19-day solo trip around Europe. I had bittersweet feelings landing in this beautiful Scandinavian capital. It’s another country to add to my list; the first Scandinavian country I’ve been to. It’s one of the happiest countries in the world with one of the happiest citizens. I’ve heard great things about this city & country. It is also the last of 4 countries in this Europe trip of a lifetime.
Hello from Rosenborg Castle Grounds!! One of the very few photos of me (in it) in Copenhagen.. 🇩🇰
You might ask why am I chose Copenhagen of all places to be the last stop of this trip. First, it was the cheapest way out of Europe when I booked my ticket with Singapore Airlines. Second, I took this chance to personally meet Mads, a Danish good friend of mine I virtually met during my HTC fanboy days with Elevate. Mads is based in Aalborg, Denmark’s fourth biggest city, but flew in to Copenhagen to meet & take me around Copenhagen. We had nothing but great times walking around the city & me being like a local for 2 full days. To Mads, thank you!
This is Nyhavn with its iconic colorful buildings – defo my favorite place in Copenhagen, Denmark.
My stay in Denmark was not as busy & eventful as my stays in the Netherlands, Belgium & Czech Republic. I didn’t go outside of Copenhagen & decided to just relax & walk around the city. It was the last few days of my trip so it was the perfect time to slow down, live like a local & enjoy the remaining time in Europe. Join me as I share with you below details about my last few days in Copenhagen.
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital of Scandinavian country Denmark. It is the country’s biggest & most populous city; it is also the country’s center of government, business, trade, finance & economy. The city started as a Viking fishing village in the early centuries & has evolved into a religious & trading town under the influence of Bishop Absalon. In the 1400s, the city became the official capital of Denmark & home of the royal family. Denmark, with Copenhagen as capital, flourished during the time of Christian IV. He created new cities, opened up trade & started companies that can trade to foreign entities. Copenhagen survived natural & man-made disasters & territorial battles throughout the years & emerged now as Scandinavia’s most important city.
Sunset view from the Round Tower observation deck. Beautiful place to see the the majestic sunset.
Denmark is one of the Schengen states & is also a member of the European Union. The country’s official currency is Danish Krone with kr. (with period) as sign & DKK as code. The same currency is being used by the Faroe Islands & Greenland. Conversation rate is 1 euro is to roughly 7.5 kr. For a budget traveler like me, Denmark is an expensive city to visit. The country has a different vibe compared to the others I’ve been to but is surely worth a visit. I felt super safe & secured when I was in this country compared to the other ones I’ve been to. People are very friendly, accommodating & happy in general. No wonder they’re consistently in the happiest countries in the world list.
All my 4 nights in Copenhagen were spent in Steel House Copenhagen. This New York-inspired luxury hostel in Vesterbo is owned & managed by ARP-Hansen Hotel Group – Copenhagen’s biggest hotel group. I wrote about my experience in Steel House Copenhagen in my latest hostel of the day feature. Check out my feature & review about the hostel here.
Going Around Copenhagen
Copenhagen is a tourist-friendly city. Majority of the places to visit can be reached by walking. The city also has a very efficient & modern subway system that goes to almost all areas of the city. Another way to go around the city is by cycling. Danish people, like Dutch people, use bicycles in their daily lives. Tourists can rent bicycles from hostels & shops.
Random but very clean street & canal in Copenhagen. Their canals have crystal-clear waters! 😍
I was travelling on budget & was not in a hurry so I walked a lot during my time in Copenhagen. Every day, I walk out of the hostel, go to different places, explore tourist destinations & walk back to the hostel at night. I remember one time when Mads & I took the automated subway from Nørreport Station to Christianshavn Station on our way to Christiania. Believe it or not, that 3-minute subway ride cost me 21 DKK (₱160-ish). Expensive, right? Yes – but we took it because we were running out of time. It’ll take us 35 minutes to walk to Christiania. It was a good experience, though!
Copenhagen Walking Tours
Just like what I did in Amsterdam, Brussels & Prague, I joined SANDEMANs New Europe’s walking tours around Copenhagen. SANDEMANs New Europe offers 5 group tours & 3 private tours around Copenhagen. I joined the free (well you know it’s tip-based) tour in the morning with our guide Bryony. We started the tour in Rådhuspladsen, then walked through the old streets of Copenhagen, to Christianborg, then Nyhavn & finish off at Amalienborg. Bryony shared to us the history of the city – how it started before & how it evolved into what it is now. These free walking tours run daily at 11:00 am (English & Spanish) & 2:00 pm (English only) & takes about 2 – 2.5 hours. This walking tour has a 15-minute coffee & toilet break in Espresso House near King’s New Square. Again, this walking tour is only tip-based & there’s no required amount from the joiners.
After the free walking tour, I joined the Must-See Copenhagen Tour: The Untold Stories also with Bryony. She took us around the Copenhagen landmarks that were not visited by the previous tour – The Little Mermaid, Rosenberg Castle, Kastellet, Gefion Fountain, Nyboder & finished in front of Copenhagen Cathedral. She also told us stories about battles between the Danes & Swedes, about the Norse gods & goddesses & some notable figures in Danish history. This tour costs €16 & starts at Espresso House – Østerport Station. It runs every Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday & lasts for 2 to 2.5 hours. You may get your tickets from SANDEMANs website or during the free walking tour break.
This is the afternoon view from the helix viewpoint of Church of our Savior in Christianshavn, DK.
For me, these walking tours are the best way to know a cities & places you visit. These experienced tour guides share everything they know about a place’s history, culture, politics & even arts. Most free walking tours are tip-based; there are also some who ask for a small tour fee. These tours also help freelance professional tour guides earn for a living.
Places To See Around Copenhagen
Copenhagen has a long list of places to visit. Believe it or not, I didn’t get to see all sights in my 3 full days of walking around the city. These are the ones I’ve been to:
Copenhagen Central Station
Copenhagen Central Station, Københavns Hovedbanegård or København H in local language, is the city’s main train station & is also the largest train station in Denmark. It is the city’s gateway to domestic & international rail routes. It is the main hub of DSB, Danske Statsbaner, Denmark’s largest railway company.
City Hall Square
City Hall Square, Rådhuspladsen as locals call it, is a public square in the center of Copenhagen. It is in front of the Copenhagen City Hall & is an important venue for local celebrations & events. SANDEMANs New Europe’s free walking tour meets & starts in this square.
Copenhagen City Hall
Copenhagen City Hall, Københavns Rådhus in Danish language, is the city’s seat of government. This old building that I initially thought of a as a church is found in the City Hall Square, in the middle of Copenhagen.
Tivoli Gardens
Tivoli Gardens is a famous amusement & theme park in the center of Copenhagen. This is the second-oldest operating theme park in the world. It only opens during tourist-heavy seasons such as summer & winter. Unfortunately, the theme park was closed during my visit. It was due to open a day after my flight out of Copenhagen. Locals say Walt Disney got his Disneyland idea from this theme park – unsure how true this claim is. I’d love to visit Copenhagen again in the future just to go inside & try the rides of Tivoli Gardens.
Magstræde
Magstræde is one of the oldest streets of Old Town Copenhagen. This beautiful street has colorful old & preserved houses which existed way back in the early days. It is only one of the remaining streets which have the original cobblestones.
Amalienborg Palace
Amalienborg Palace is the Royal Family’s winter residence. The castle has 4 identical palace buildings in an octagonal courtyard with the iconic King Frederick V statue in between. You will know if the members of the royal family are in if the Danish flag is up. Luckily, it was up during our walking tour. Bryony, our tour guide, told us that The Crown Prince sometimes waves to the people from his window.
Christiansborg Palace
Christiansborg Palace houses the Danish Parliament, the Prime Minister’s Office as well as the Supreme Court of Denmark. This palace also has the Royal Reception Rooms, Royal Stables & even the Royal Chapel used by the Royal Family. Our free walking tour group saw 2 royal horses being trained & fed during our visit to the palace grounds.
Christiansborg’s Tower offers a beautiful view of Copenhagen skyline. Access to the view deck is free of charge. Too bad I didn’t have time to visit this observation deck. I heard queues can be long at times.
Rosenborg Castle
Rosenborg Castle is a castle built by Christian IV in the 1600s. It is found within the King’s Garden in the center of Copenhagen. This castle now functions as a museum housing royal artefacts & historical collection.
Frederik’s Church
Locally known as Frederiks Kirke, Frederik’s Church is a Lutheran church in Copenhagen. It is also known as the Marble Church (Marmorkirken) & is found near the Amalienborg Palace. It has one of the largest church domes in Denmark & in Scandinavia.
Round Tower
The Round Tower, Rundetårn as locals call it, is Europe’s oldest functioning observatory. It was built by Christian IV in the 17th century to continue the astronomical studies started by Tycho Brahe. The tower has a spiral way up (no stairs) – used before to bring heavy materials up to the observatory through horses & carriages. The tower has an open-air observation deck which tourists can access for 25 DKK.
View from the Round Tower open-air observation deck. You’ll also see Strøget on the botton left.
Strøget
Strøget is Copenhagen’s longest & most famous shopping street. This street has almost all kinds of shops, cafes & restaurants the locals & tourists need or want. It’s a nice place to observe Danish locals & their everyday lives.
The Citadel
The Citadel, Kastellet in local language, is Copenhagen’s fortress constructed in pentagon-shape. It used to protect the city from Swedes & international invaders. The citadel still functions as a military area at the same time a public park where locals & visitors can have a walk.
The Little Mermaid
If Brussels has Manneken Pis & Singapore has Merlion, Copenhagen has the famous Little Mermaid statue. Known as Den lille Havfrue in Danish, this bronze statue was made after Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale. This iconic statue is found on a rock by the Langelinie promenade.
Gefion Fountain
Gefion Fountain, Gefionspringvandet in local language, is a fountain structure that depicts Norse goddess Gefjon with large animals. The statue was donated by Carlsberg Foundation to the Copenhagen city government on the brewery’s 50th anniversary. The fountain is located near The Little Mermaid & beside St Alban’s Church.
St Alban’s Church
St Alban’s Church is an Anglican church in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is found near the Kastellet, the Little Mermaid & beside the Gefion Fountain.
Nyboder
Nyboder is a row of heritage yellow houses built by Christian IV in the former Naval barracks of Copenhagen. These houses were built to accommodate the increasing Royal Danish Navy & their families.
Nyhavn
Nyhavn is is one of Copenhagen’s popular tourist destinations. The row of colorful heritage buildings by the harbor makes this place unique. The harbor was built during the time of Christian V & it served as the docking place for market goods & seafood. Nowadays, the colorful builders are all cafes, pubs & restaurants. It still functions as a harbor for selected canal tours. This is one of my favorite places in Copenhagen. I can literally sit on one side & look at the colorful houses / buildings all day.
King’s New Square
The King’s New Square, locally known as Kongens Nytorv, is a public square constructed during the time of Christian V. On one side, the square is in the end of Strøget, Copenhagen’s famous shopping street. The other side of the square is also the end of Nyhavn; one side also has the Royal Danish Theatre.
Royal Danish Theatre
The Royal Danish Theatre, Det Kongelige Teater in local language, is Denmark’s most famous performing arts institution. Located at the King’s New Square, this theatre hosts operas, ballet performances, concerts & even plays.
Freetown Christiania
Freetown Chrstiania, known locally as Fristaden Christiania, is a self-governing community which considers themselves independent of Copenhagen, of Denmark & of European Union. It is a place in Copenhagen where illegal things are legal, if you know what I mean. It’s a cool & hippie place to visit – just to visit. Mads & I went to this place just to see it. People were harmless but they offered weed to all passersby, including us. We said no, of course.
Church of Our Savior
Just a few meters from Freetown Christiania is Church of Our Savior. Locally known as Vor Frelsers Kirke, this baroque church is famous for its helix tower accessed through an open-air staircase. Mads & I went up this viewing point & saw stunning views of Copenhagen.
Warning! The helix structure & external staircase becomes smaller as you go up. In the end, only 1 person can stay & at some point, you need to give way to those people going up or going down. Entrance fee to the viewpoint range from 35 DKK to 50 DKK, depending on season.
Gråbrødretorv
Gråbrødretorv is a small & quiet public area just off Strøget. The square has restaurants, shops & offices around & has a tree in between with seating spaces.
Torvehallerne
Torvehallerne is an urban fresh food market near Nørreport Station in Copenhagen. This market is the place to have local snacks including Danish pastries & the famous open-face treat smørrebrød.
Copenhagen Christmas Market
Copenhagen’s Christmas Market in Nyhavn – those small white huts sell food & Christmas goods.
Copenhagen’s Christmas Market opened on my second to the last day in the city. The market was in Nyhavn & sold everything from socks, to beanies, Danish food & drinks & a lot more. We went around every shop & tried all possible food we can try. The booth owners offered free taste of the treats they’re selling. It was a fun experiencing a Christmas market – definitely a memorable in this first solo trip to Europe.
Copenhagen has its own beauty, isn’t it? The city has a different vibe compared to the other ones I’ve been to in this trip. Have you been to Copenhagen or other cities in Denmark? What do you think of the city? How was your trip around the city? Share your experiences in the comments section below. You may send your questions, if any, to contact@thewkndtravel.com. To be honest, I feel like I want to move Copenhagen after visiting the place. I know it is expensive but it is a great city to live in.
One last look at Nyhavn. This is the other side of the famous harbor – still beautiful & colorful. 🇩🇰
And just like that, my journey around Europe is over. This Copenhagen post will be the last post about cities on the Going Solo in Europe series. I still have P’s Lists & Flight Reports coming up related to this trip so please stay tuned. Thank you very much for joining me in this trip of a lifetime. I am already excited to go back there & to explore new countries.
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Spending 4 full days in Czech Republic was memorable, fun & relatively cheap. I easily fell in love with the country’s main city & small towns, people, culture & food. Prague has the most picturesque streets, Kutná Hora has the most interesting church & Český Krumlov has the quaintest small-town vibe. While walking around these places, I also took the time to try some dishes that are very Czech in origin & nature.
Vepřo Knedlo Zelo, or Roasted Pork with Cabbage & Dumplings in English, is Czech Republic’s national dish. This consists of roasted pork loin with fermented cabbage & bread dumplings. It’s not the tastiest dish (kinda bland imo) but its elements complement each other’s tastes.
I had this dish for lunch at Hospoda Na Louži during my day trip to Český Krumlov. It cost me 195 Kč – around €7 or ₱380++ in our local currency. Its price was not bad; it’s already a nice meal in a decent restaurant.
Guláš
Guláš, or Goulash in English, is another famous beef stew dish in Czech Republic. Although the dish originated from Hungary, the Czech people made their own version beefier but milder in taste & with lesser vegetables. The dish is at times made with beer & is served with the famous Czech bread dumplings.
I had a special goulash meal during our lunch in Kutná Hora. I ordered Restaurace Dačický’s Wild Boar Goulash with Gingerbread Dumplings for 219 Kč – close to €8 or ₱430++ in our local currency. This dish was very tasty; it had a very thick but mild sauce. The price was acceptable considering Restaurace Dačický is one of the nicest restaurants in town.
Trdelník
Trdelník is a popular tourist snack in Czech Republic, particularly in Prague. It is a spit cake made from dough rolled around a stick & grilled. Once cooked, it’s topped with sugar. Some shops offer it with ice cream & other fancy toppings. Our tour guide told us that this dish originally came from Slovakia / Hungary but was well-adopted by the Czechs.
Just like Belgian waffles, Trdelník is best enjoyed without any topping. I already forgot how much one cost but it’s not that much. I bought from the stall in-front of Havelský Market on my way from the Old Town back to DREAM Hostel Prague.
Czech-Style Sausages
Plain Czech sausage
Czech sausage with all toppings
Sausages in long buns are a thing in Prague, especially around Wenceslas Square. The sausages are served in long buns. The customers then go to the side to add in mustard, mayonnaise or ketchup. These sausages became my favorite dinner dish after long walks around the city. Each sausage in a bun cost from 80 Kč. It’s best paired with a bottle or can of soda.
Bonus – Czech Beer!
Czech people love beers. They love it up to the point where they consume more beers than most countries in the world. On top of the beer culture, Czech beers are very cheap – way cheaper than bottles of water or juice. The most famous beer they have is Pilsner Urquell, the pilsner-style beer from the town of Plzen. Other Czech beers include Holba, Kozel, Krumlov Light & Kutná Hora Lager.
Holba
Kozel
Krumlov Light
These beers cost around 35 Kč to 39 Kč per 500 mL bottle in restaurants – that’s around €1,2 to €1,4 or ₱70 to ₱78 in our local currency. Take note these half liter beers can be cheaper in supermarkets & groceries. For reference, a small bottle of beer in Amsterdam & Brussels costs €4. Beers in Czech Republic are really cheap. To be honest, I had more beer than water during my 4-day stay in this country.
Pilsner Urquell
Kutná Hora Lager
And that’s about it! There are still other interesting Czech dishes but I didn’t have time to try them. I got busy walking around Prague & the towns of Kutná Hora & Český Krumlov, eating those cheap but tasty Czech sausages for dinner & drinking local beers every after meal or snack. Which of the dishes mentioned above got your attention? Is there something that stood out that you want to try it as soon as possible? Share your thoughts in the comments section. Do you have any question about those mentioned above or about Czech Republic in general? You may send them to me via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com.
These sausages placed in a long bun became my staple dinner during my time in Czech Republic 🇨🇿
If you want to know more about my 19-day European trip, check out the articles & posts under the Going Solo in Europe category. Everything about the trip is under that section. Thank you for joining me in today’s P’s List! Join me in the next post as I take you with me to the lovely country of Denmark.
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