Extreme Weekend Adventure: Packing Two Countries into 72 Hours
Extreme day trips, or EDTs, have seen a significant rise in popularity in recent years, with travellers leveraging budget airline fares to explore European destinations in a single day. For this journey, the concept was adapted into an 'extreme weekend,' spanning 72 hours across two countries and three hotels. The itinerary included museums, dry-slope skiing, Nordic saunas, pastel-hued architecture, beach strolls, hemp-infused beer, and even karaoke in lively spots.
Day One: Copenhagen
The adventure commenced at Copenhagen Airport, where a 72-hour Copenhagen Card was activated, offering unlimited transport and access to over 80 attractions. First stop was Designmuseum Danmark, featuring exhibitions like Japan Modern Poster and Danish Modern, which showcases an impressive collection of uniquely designed chairs. The walk to the metro allowed for sightseeing at iconic sites such as Nyhavn's colourful houses and Frederik's Church.
Next, a 15-minute metro ride led to Nordhavn, a regenerated harbour district. Accommodation was at Hotel Frihavnen, a chic space converted from an indoor shooting range, with cosy, cleverly designed rooms in bold colours and modern amenities. After settling in, a visit to Sauna Hos provided relaxation through hot rooms and cold plunges, including an outdoor dip in near-freezing water.
Evening dining began with a snack at ESSE, an intimate restaurant by chef Matt Orlando, followed by dinner at SILO on the 17th floor, offering 360-degree views and French-Italian cuisine with a modern twist. Highlights included fermented potato bread and glazed beef fillet.
Day Two: Copenhagen to Malmö
After a morning coffee and cardamom cake at Atelier September, a 40-minute train ride over the Øresund Bridge connected Copenhagen to Malmö. Tickets cost around 299 kroner (£23) for two one-way fares, with the bridge crossing offering misty sea views. Malmö Central Station impressed with its sleek design and amenities, including a fish tank in the toilet wall.
Accommodation was at Clarion Hotel Malmö Live, a high-rise with Scandi-style rooms and panoramic views from the Sky Bar. Malmö proved highly walkable, with attractions like beaches, museums, and quirky stops such as liquorice boutiques. Lunch at Malmö Saluhall featured global street food in a bustling setting.
The afternoon included visits to the Design Center and the Disgusting Food Museum, where exhibits like stinky tofu and century eggs tested limits, and a wheel of disgust offered tasting prizes. A highlight was the opening of surströmming tins, releasing a pungent smell. Later, a stroll at Ribersborgsstranden beach provided fresh sea air, followed by dinner at Ruth's, serving cod fillet with samphire, and nightlife at Kappa Bar Malmö with karaoke.
Day Three: Back to Copenhagen
The final day began with a return train to Copenhagen and check-in at Kanalhuset, a boutique property along Christianshavn Canal, featuring spacious apartments with retro Danish interiors. Exploring Christianshavn revealed picturesque canals and soft-toned buildings, leading to Freetown Christiania, an anarchist commune with colourful murals, political art, and hemp-infused beer from Christiania Bryghus.
An hour-long ski session at CopenHill on a dry slope built atop a waste-to-energy plant offered a fun, humbling experience. Later, the Museum of Optical Illusions provided quirky photo ops, and the Botanical Garden featured a Butterfly House. Evening entertainment at Mojo's Blues Bar included live performances, ending with a communal dinner at Kanalhuset.
While the trip was packed, some attractions like Tivoli Gardens and Rundetaarn were missed due to a relaxed pace. For extended stays, recommendations include visiting Lund or Helsingborg from Malmö. Overall, this extreme weekend proves that with careful planning, a two-country Scandinavian adventure is highly achievable in 72 hours.
