Copenhagen houses photo courtesy of Styg Nygaard.

Back in February, we toldyou the most important facts that you need to know about trans-Atlantic budgetairlines. However, we forgot to mention one important detail: the long layover.Norwegian Airlines is an infamously cheap option for traveling to continental Europe, but unless your final destination is one ofit's six hubs, be prepared for a long delay along the way in exchange for those cheap fares.

However, there's a lot to be happy about for travelers lucky enough totouchdown in Copenhagen (one of the hubs). This compact city offersgorgeous sightseeing, some of the friendliest locals on the planet, and ablissfully efficient public transit system -- all of which make a long layover in theDanish capital a breeze.

The Shortest Distance between Two Points Is the Metro:

Copenhagen’s famous “Little Mermaid” statue photo courtesy of brando.n.

Given the Nordic reputation

for all things clean and precise, it will come as no surprise that traveling between

the airport and the city is simple, and relatively enjoyable. It’s only a 15-minute ride on the metro

to Kongens Nytorv, in the center of the city. The price of the one-way journey

is about $5.

Say "God Morgen" with Actually Danish Danishes

Pastry case photo courtesy of Photocapy.

When Americans

unthinkingly refer to their sickeningly-sweet, pre-packaged morning pastries as

Danishes, they’re committing a grave epicurean sin. Thankfully, a long layover

in Copenhagen is a fine way to atone for this wrongdoing.

Visitors to Copenhagen

are spoiled for choice when it comes to bakeries, but one of our favorites is

Reinh. Van Hauen. This storied little shop has been around for almost 140 years

and is currently operated by a father-and-son duo. The Danish pastry as we know it actually originated in Austria, where thin layers of sugar- or butter-laminated dough have been part of the viennoiserie baking tradition for centuries. By the mid-19th century, the Danes adopted the flaky, slightly crispy yet slightly chewy Danish that’s inspired a million poor imitations.

Only a five-minute walk from

the Kongens Nytorv Metro station, Reinh. Van Hauen has racks of pastries that — upon first glance — certainly look like those sad

sugar-glazed disks lining continental breakfast buffets across the world. Trust

us, though, that’s where the similarities end. To really hammer home that sugar rush, the bakery slings excellent coffee as well.

Take in Colorful Culture around Nyvahn

Nyvahn canal photo courtesy of Kyle Valenta.

A quick search for information on Copenhagen is likely to come back with rows of images of colorful houses lining the city’s harbor. Those photos are of Nyvahn, and it’s every bit as photogenic as social media implies. Dating back to the 17th century, quaint sailboats dock

along the narrow canal, and the streets on either side are lined with colorful, classically Danish three- and

four-story buildings. This is to say

nothing of the sidewalk cafes up and down the canal, where a mix of locals and travelers kick back

their Tuborgs and Carlsbergs.

During its heyday, Nyvahn was known for drunken sailors and plenty of scandalous behavior. These

days it’s a far more mannered part of town, right near institutions like the

Amalienborg Palace and Royal Danish Theater. Depending on how long your

layover is, a one-hour guided canal tour might be an option. Plenty of

companies run boat tours that depart from Nyvahn, passing sights like the

famous Little Mermaid statue, commemorating the work of Hans Christian

Andersen, and Our Saviour’s Church, with its iconic corkscrew spire.

For those who prefer their culture on land, the Charlottenborg Palace sits along the canal’s

western edge. Built in 1754, it’s home to the Royal Danish

Academy of Art and the Kunsthal Charlottenborg, one of the city’s finest

contemporary art spaces. Stepping into the palace’s mossy cobblestoned

courtyard provides an immediate hush from busy Nyvahn. Inside, the juxtapositions

continue, as frequently mind-bending installations sit next to sash windows and

towering ceilings lined with crown molding. There’s also a quaint cafe and an

excellent bookstore.

Shop Your Way through Town

Laederstraede photo courtesy of Maria Eklind.

When we visit hotels, one of our favorite

design trends is Scandinavian chic — though it’s maybe not quite accurate to call it a trend, as the classic style has proved to last. This simple aesthetic is sexy, clean, and timeless — and Copenhagen happens to be one of Scandinavia’s capitals of minimalist cool. Most tourists will head to Stroget, a series of linked pedestrian avenues

that are lined with a mix of luxury and high-end retailers. Some boutiques are Danish,

but many might feel a bit too familiar to the international traveler.

For wares that are more

authentically local — and a walk that’s a bit calmer than what can be had on Stroget

— stroll Laederstraede instead. The road begins just west of Nyvahn, and this semi-pedestrianized strip is home to a

dizzying array of bespoke outlets. You’ll find everything from antiques to

locally designed clothing to sharp graphic art to stylish home-goods shops. From here, cut north around City Hall, Tivoli Gardens, and the train station to make your way for lunch in trendy Veseterbro.

Brunch or Lunch in Hipster Heaven

Bang & Jensen photo courtesy of Kieran Lynam.

Here’s the tea: Like any

good up-and-coming neighborhood, Vesterbro is equal parts shady and chic. At

the east end of the neighborhood near the train station, there are sex shops

and signs warning against hiring sex workers. At the other end are galleries,

design shops, and cafes galore. Discussions of ethics and culture aside, it

makes for a fascinating area of contrasts, and everything is — of course —

bounded by quaint little streets and charming historic buildings.

The bulk of Vesterbro’s

shops and cafes line Istedgade, a street running southwest from the train

station. Picking a lunch or brunch spot might be a little overwhelming in this foodie neighborhood,

but we love Skank. It’s exactly the charming cafe most travelers to Europe

have in mind when they arrive, with chunky wood tables, hip decor, and cheerful staff (that speaks almost perfect English — as do many

Copenhagen residents). Go for the “morgen” plates, the brunch options that are served

until late on the weekends. Available in two sizes, the dishes come as an array of

small plates including eggs, fruit, house-made breads, local cheeses, fresh

jams, and confections.

There are plenty of other

options to choose from in Vesterbro, including Kul, which fuses Danish culinary

traditions with Southeast Flavors, or old-school hipster dive Bang & Jensen. Want

something even more traditional? Opt for a smorrebrod — open-face sandwiches — at local institutions like unpretentious Cafe Dyrehaven or funky

Mad & Kaffe — both on Sonder Boulevard. For those who have even more time

to kill, check out the exhibitions at the city’s famed V1 Gallery.

Related Links:

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