If you hadn't already been told, I will tell you: Copenhagen is an amazing capital!

Many people think of Hans Christian Andersen and Danish pastry when you talk about CPH or Denmark, but there is obviously much more to this impressive capital than fairy tales and pastry!

I'm a Dane, who has lived in Copenhagen for for 10 years, and figured it was time to share some of the off the beaten track activities and sights in Copenhagen that you do not find in most of the guide books.

Right, let's get to my 5 recommendations for off the beaten track things to do and see in the Danish capital.

1. Parks: The city is dotted with green areas. If you stay in this city you are seldom more than 5 minutes away from a cosy park. If you are spending more days here, then go for a walk in Kongens Have (Kings Garden), HC Orsteds Parken, Botanisk Have (Botanical Garden), or Frederiksberg Have. They are all awesome for enjoying the sun or having a cold beer - that's what the Copenhageners will be doing if the weather is sunny.

2. Norrebro: Norrebro is the most ethnically diverse place in the city and has a very cool vibe to it. There're some very cool streets here for shopping, looking for art or going out. The streets we prefer are Elmegade, Jaegersborgsgade, Blagardsgade, and the cemetery, Assistentens Kirkegaard, where Soren Kierkegaard is buried. Also go see the newly opened 'Superkilen' - a quite impressive square that is painted red.

3. Water: Copenhagen is a city by the sea, and it is possibly one of the few larger cities where you are allowed to swim in the harbor areas - there is also a nice beach. Islands Brygge is one of the up-and-coming neighborhoods in the city, and there is an overwhelmingly popular stretch of grass where people are tanning and chilling out, while jumping in and out of the 'pool' in the harbor. If you are more of a beach person, then go to the beautiful beach park at 'Amager Strandpark'. We are in Scandinavia, of course, so unfortunately we won't see 150 days of beach weather every year, but we try to enjoy the summer, the few months it's there.

4. Malmo: Wait a second, isn't Malmo in Sweden? Yes it is, but it is only a brief train ride across the bridge. A lot of people in Copenhagen see the Swedish neighbor as a suburb and it's a good option for a day-trip of shopping and sightseeing. Prices are a little lower in Sweden, so that's really a great motivation to go, as the Danish capital is known for its high prices.

5. Vesterbro neighborhood: Another area that used to be quite rough, and known for the red light district, but now a hipster paradise with good shopping and cafes. The main area of interest is on Istedgade - a street known for its sex shops and prostitutes in its hay day. It still exists, but is now primarily confined to a few streets close to the Central Station.

I really hope you can use these tips and I wish you a good trip to Wonderful Copenhagen. Below you will find a link to a cool and crazy karaoke bar to enjoy a drink if going out in the Danish Capital.