Routinely voted as having the best quality of life in the world, Copenhagen is one of Europe’s most attractive cities. Compared to sprawling metropolises like London and Paris, the Danish capital is small, with a population of around one million people. But visitors to the city shouldn’t be fooled by its seemingly miniscule size. In truth, it’s buzzing with exciting events, world-class restaurants and fantastic sights at every turn, as a city break in Copenhagen will make clear in a matter of minutes.

If you’ve never been to Copenhagen before, make a shortlist of its main attractions and ensure that you see them all during your trip. Perhaps the city’s most famous monument is its Little Mermaid statue. The story of the Little Mermaid, made famous by the 1989 Disney film, was written by Danish author Hans Christian Anderson. The statue, which sits on a rock in Copenhagen Harbour, is surprisingly small but still worth a visit as it is one of the city’s most famous landmarks.

Copenhagen’s architecture also presents tourists with a majestic selection of buildings to explore. The dome of the Marble Church dominates the skyline of Frederiksstaden, an area of the city that’s known for its buildings. Also worth a visit here is Amalienborg Palace, the winter home of the Danish Royal Family, which was constructed in the mid-18th century. Other major sights include the baroque Church of Our Saviour, Christiansburg Palace, City Hall, and the “dragon spire” of the old Stock Exchange – so called because it is said to resemble the shape of four dragons’ tails entwined together. Among the city's more modern architectural offerings, the Metropolis building and the Copenhagen Opera House are must-sees.

But Copenhagen isn’t just about buildings. Indeed, its parks are among the most celebrated in Europe. The King’s Garden (the garden of Rosenborg Castle) is the oldest park in the city, and is reportedly its most visited. The garden has been regularly landscaped since 1606, and attracts 2.5 million visitors a year. The Botanical Gardens are also well known for their 19th century greenhouses, and Frederiksberg Garden is a particularly popular place to spy wildlife in the city – in particular the elephants at neighbouring Copenhagen Zoo, who reside in an elephant house designed by Norman Foster.

Copenhagen can be an expensive place, so it’s important to budget accurately before you set off on a break. However, if you’re trying to cut down your travel costs, don’t ignore the city because of its pricey reputation. With a bit of forward planning, Copenhagen hotels can be secured at reasonable and affordable prices, and flights from major hubs like London are often cheaper when they are booked in advance. This will leave you with more money to spend in Copenhagen's globally renowned bars, cafes and restaurants – like the incomparable Noma, ranked Best Restaurant in the World in 2010 and 2011.

Fiona Roy writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.