City breaks can be the perfect getaway, and when the opportunity arose to visit Copenhagen I jumped at the chance.

Not only because it was somewhere I had not previously been, but also because my only knowledge of Denmark was that it was famous for its bacon, and that the former Manchester United goalkeeper, Peter Schmeichel, was a Dane.

So with the excitement that comes with wanting to discover a new part of the world, I headed off on a 90-minute flight to the Danish capital.

Prior to the flight I had chance to relax in Leeds Bradford International Airport’s Yorkshire Premier Lounge, putting me in a holiday mood before we had even left the ground.

My accommodation for the trip was the Kong Arthur Hotel, located just by the Copenhagen Lakes; a row of three rectangular lakes curving around the western margin of the city’s centre. After a hearty breakfast, consisting mainly of Danish bacon – what else? – I was keen to get to know my surroundings.

This proved to be a very easy and pleasant experience, when asking the hotel staff and locals how far certain destinations were I was assured that everything is close by in Copenhagen. Armed with my Copenhagen card, a travel card that can be bought at a number of locations, I could travel unlimited on buses, trains and the metro, as well as getting free entry into a number of attractions in the city. The other option, when in Copenhagen, is to do as the locals do and travel by bicycle. Cycling in Copenhagen is the way to get from A to B and the city has been adapted superbly to make sure cyclists are taken care of, with extra wide cycle lanes and secure bike storage facilities around every corner.

If shopping is on your to-do list, the place to be is Strøget – the world’s longest pedestrian street, so you can shop until you drop.

An alternative way of seeing the city is using the harbour bus, and yet another chance to use my Copenhagen card for free travel. Taking in famous landmarks such as the Parliament Borgen, Christians Harbour and, of course, The Little Mermaid, before finishing in Nyhavn, the trip lasted about an hour.

My final destination, Nyhavn, is a must see for anyone visiting Copenhagen. By day it is bustling with activity in the harbour and the brightly coloured buildings offer a great choice of places to eat, drink and soak up the scenery. Go back at night and the atmosphere is relaxed yet vibrant, with locals and tourists alike enjoying the waterside location, looking out on the many historical wooden ships. On a chillier evening the option to sit outside is still one I would encourage and is helped by the various bars offering blankets to late night revellers to enjoy one more drink under the stars.

Looking for a place to eat in Copenhagen serves up a number of appealing choices. The stand-out choice would be Noma, the critically acclaimed restaurant that has been voted the World’s Best Restaurant for the fourth time. If your budget doesn’t stretch that far two restaurants that I visited won’t break the bank and are well worth a visit. Firstly, there is Host. Here the focus is on raw materials from the Nordic kitchen. The food not only tastes great but looks amazing.

The other one to try is Koefoed. This restaurant plays homage to Bornholm, using ingredients and produce from the Danish island. The knowledge and passion of the staff about the philosophy of what they are doing, and the warm and friendly atmosphere mean this is a must-go place to enjoy some beautiful food after a long day sightseeing. One dish to try in any restaurant would be herring, but don’t forget your drink of schnapps prior to this fish course, as I am told by the people of Copenhagen, the schnapps is drunk to show the fish the way to go.

A 40-minute train ride out of the city centre will bring you to North Sealand, an area in the Danish Riviera. It’s such an attractive place, the Danes count it as one of the country’s top holiday destinations. While there, I had the chance to visit Kronborg Castle, or Hamlet Castle, as it is more commonly known – well worth a visit for the stunning architecture alone. What made this trip really special was a guided tour by an actor who took us around the grounds telling the story of Shakespeare’s tragic Danish prince Hamlet along the way. If it’s more culture you’re after then a trip to the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art showcases works by Danish artists with some more familiar names such as David Hockney and Henry Moore thrown in.

Before I knew it, it was time to board my flight back to the UK. A weekend break was never going to be long enough to explore everything Copenhagen has to offer, but that gives me the perfect excuse to go back.