I packed a small bag in Munich and told my family I had studying to do. In fact, I was going to Sweden to see my best friend, who was on an Erasmus exchange in Lund. I did not yet know that he would become my husband. At that moment, a winter weekend together was reason enough to go.
The journey brought snow, a stretch of sea between Denmark and Sweden, little streets lit after dark and a Copenhagen evening that felt like a celebration. Lund gave us a quieter base; Copenhagen gave the return journey a whole extra chapter.
We made this journey before becoming parents, visiting the friend who would later become my husband.
The journey was part of the weekend
I travelled overnight from Munich towards Copenhagen, then continued through Malmö to Lund. It was a long way for a short visit, but time and money shaped that choice. Watching the whiteness give way to water on the crossing made the distance feel worthwhile.
For a new trip, plan the long-distance journey and the Denmark–Sweden connection separately. Öresundståg publishes a Lund–Malmö–Copenhagen timetable and a journey planner. Buy the appropriate ticket before boarding; tickets are not sold on the train. If using a regional transport app, activate its ticket before the original departure time. 1 2
Give an overnight arrival room to breathe. We rested before exploring Lund, which meant much of our first walk happened after dark. A shorter first day can be a better beginning than arriving tired and immediately chasing a full itinerary.
Lund after dark: the cathedral and the small streets
Lund’s appeal was its scale. The cathedral and university buildings gave us landmarks, but the small streets made us want to keep walking. Hjortgatan, with its little houses and warm light in the windows, was one of the places that stayed with me.
Inside the Romanesque cathedral, the astronomical clock and the figure of the legendary giant Finn in the crypt reward a closer look. The cathedral’s own account identifies both as visitor highlights. Plan an interior visit around worship and leave time to look without hurrying through. 3
The university area is close enough to become part of the same central walk. Choose a few streets around the cathedral and Lundagård, then return for a warm break. In winter, keeping one daytime walk and another short evening look gives the town two different moods.
The advantage of visiting a friend
A friend’s student life showed me another side of Lund. We went ice skating, where families were out enjoying the weekend too. The ordinary outing was as memorable as a famous building: it let me join the rhythm of the place rather than only look at it.
Our accommodation was tied to that personal visit. For your own budget, compare a confirmed room in Lund with one in Copenhagen, including the rail trips and the time spent returning at night. Staying across the water is useful when the complete plan works, rather than simply because one room looks cheaper.
If you want a structured alternative to another outdoor walk, Kulturen is near the cathedral. This is an option for a new visit, rather than something we did on that weekend. Its grounds mix historic buildings and outdoor space; the operator describes cobbles, high thresholds and a stepped tunnel, with an assisted alternative between sites. 4
A Copenhagen walk before the journey home
Before returning to Munich, we spent a day in Copenhagen. From the central station area, our route took us towards City Hall Square and Strøget, then Kongens Nytorv and Nyhavn. Moving between those places was part of the pleasure: a square, a shop window, then the canal and its colourful houses.
Nyhavn was a natural place to slow down. The wooden boats and waterfront buildings gave us plenty to look at without needing another admission ticket. We also included Christiania and the Little Mermaid on our visit. For a first day, choose those as possible extensions according to your interests and energy.
A workable short visit keeps the station–centre–Nyhavn walk as its core, then chooses one substantial extra. Leave time for a meal, collecting luggage and reaching your departure platform. A final evening attraction needs its own buffer if you are travelling onward the same night.
Tivoli was about the atmosphere as well as the rides
Tivoli was one of the reasons I wanted to visit Copenhagen. Its winter lights and festive setting made it feel special even beyond the rollercoasters. I remember wanting time to enjoy being there, rather than immediately deciding what to ride next.
For today’s booking, distinguish admission from rides. Tivoli sells an Entrance ticket, a Ride Pass and a combined package; the Ride Pass alone does not include entrance. Tickets are date-specific, so choose the actual visit date and whether your group wants the gardens, rides or both. 5
Match your visit to an advertised opening season. The Christmas programme is seasonal. For younger children, Tivoli lists food- and milk-warming facilities at Rasmus Klump’s World. 5 6
A short trip with room for what matters
For a similar three-day shape, use the arrival day for rest and a short Lund walk, give the next day to Lund and a chosen activity, then allow Copenhagen its own day. Reverse the order if that fits your transport better. The point is to give each city a proper place in the weekend.
The most useful budget choices are the ones you will notice throughout the day: a convenient base, a realistic transport plan, warm breaks and one paid attraction you actually want. Our reason for travelling was personal, and the towns became part of that story.
We returned to Germany with another place we wanted to revisit together. For more walks shaped by a personal occasion, read about our four days in Paris or rediscovering Munich’s Old Town. Our Bavarian Christmas-market memories follow a different winter outing.
Plan the visit
Know before you go
Lund Cathedral
- Plan your time
- Give the cathedral and neighbouring streets one unhurried outing, with a warm break afterwards.
- Booking & access
- Plan around services and any guided visit you choose; use the cathedral calendar for a specific event.
The astronomical clock and the legendary Finn figure in the crypt are highlights identified by the cathedral.
Kulturen — an optional Lund outing
- Plan your time
- Choose it instead of extending an already cold outdoor day. Give the museum its own part of the plan.
- Booking & access
- Choose the museum visit or event first; ask staff about the route if you need an alternative to steps.
Cobbles and high thresholds affect some historic buildings. The tunnel between sites has steps; staff can assist with the Green Gate alternative.
Öresundståg connection — Lund Centralstation
- Plan your time
- Build a buffer between the cross-border train and a separately booked onward departure.
- Booking & access
- Buy before boarding. Regional-app tickets must be activated before the original departure time.
Use the Lund–Malmö–Copenhagen timetable and journey planner for your date. The map link points to Lund’s station.
Tivoli Gardens
- Plan your time
- Treat Tivoli as the main paid outing for that part of the day, with time to enjoy the atmosphere.
- Booking & access
- Select a date-specific Entrance ticket, Ride Pass or combined package. Ride Pass alone does not include admission.
The gardens have opening seasons. For younger children, the operator lists a baby-changing room with food- and milk-warming facilities at Rasmus Klump’s World.
Visitor information checked 19 October 2026. Timing suggestions are our planning advice.
Good to know
A couple of useful questions
Should we base ourselves in Lund or Copenhagen?
Choose around your main activities and onward journey. Lund suited our visit to a friend and gave us a quieter base. Compare accommodation and cross-border rail travel together before treating either option as cheaper.
Can we buy the cross-border train ticket after boarding?
No. Öresundståg says you need a valid ticket before boarding. Activate tickets bought in regional transport apps before the original departure time. 1
Does a Tivoli Ride Pass include entrance?
No. Admission and rides are separate products; a combined package includes both. Choose the date and product for your actual visit. 5
Sources and useful links
References for the practical information in this article:
- Öresundståg — buying and activating tickets ↗
- Öresundståg — current route timetables ↗
- Lund Cathedral — architecture, clock and crypt ↗
- Kulturen — planning, location and accessibility ↗
- Tivoli Gardens — ticket products and family facilities ↗
- Tivoli Gardens — Christmas season information ↗
Information checked on 19 October 2026.
