Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is known as the trendy yet traditional birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen. Tourists from all over the world have come to love Copenhagen for its vibrant way of combining tradition and innovation. Travellers to Copenhagen discover the city’s uniqueness, its ability to combine the most contradictory qualities: serenity with bustle, modernity with antiquity. The city has an incredible array of museums, Andersen’s fairy tales and cycling. Copenhageners cycle everywhere, alone and together, in all weathers and whatever they wear.
The most comfortable weather conditions in Copenhagen are definitely in summer: around +20°C with little chance of rain. So it’s worth spending at least one weekend in Copenhagen in summer. A small family holiday in Copenhagen is also recommended. The Danes are a nation that loves children and children are most welcome. The Danish capital has plenty of cultural events and things to do for children too.
The Danish capital is home to ancient castles and historical monuments, but you can also spend a day exploring modern architecture. Copenhagen has areas with a different atmosphere. Nyhavn has a historic spirit, while freedom and fun prevail in Christiania and Norrebro is alive with an active and determined student population.
On weekend breaks, Copenhagen has many almost unmissable places to visit. The city’s famous buildings demand a visit, such as Amalienborg Palace. This is the residence of the Danish royal family and one of the most beautiful buildings in Denmark. The rococo style palace complex forms a square with its facades. The palace is guarded by royal guards. Every day at noon, an honorary guard leaves the barracks for Amalienborg to change guard. The march takes place to marching music and always attracts a crowd of spectators.
Christiansborg Palace is another magnificent building to visit. This is the political centre of the state: the Danish Parliament, Supreme Court and royal receptions are all housed in this building. Some of the rooms are open to visitors: the hall where the royals receive the heads of state of other countries, the ruins of the medieval castle that used to stand on this site, the palace chapel where members of the royal family are crowned and baptised, the theatre, the stables, the library and the rooms where the parliamentarians sit.
Copenhagen has more than six dozen museums on different subjects. The National Museum is the largest cultural and historical museum in Denmark. It covers a huge layer of the country’s history and culture, dating back to the Stone Age. Nearby is the Glyptotek Gallery, which has amassed amazing collections of paintings and sculptures from around the world. You can also visit the Post and Television Museum, the Guinness World Records Museum, the Naval Museum, the Viking Ship Museum, the Museum of Jokes and Pranks “Believe it or Not”, the Experimentarium, etc.
The city also has many beautiful temples and churches, large and charming parks, delightful harbours, idyllic streets where you can ride your bike or just walk along. You will be delighted and surprised by the charm of the city.
The first thing that comes to many people’s minds about Copenhagen is the Little Mermaid, one of the city’s most beautiful symbols. The bronze Little Mermaid sits on a rock in the harbour, on Langelin Pier – silent and still, but so beloved around the world.
If a night is your time, don’t stay at the hotel. Copenhagen has some interesting places where you can have fun until the morning. Copenhagen offers a nice variety of nightlife, even though it’s not a very big city. There are bars, concerts and parties in nightclubs. The fun starts on Thursday night and continues on Friday and Saturday. On Sundays, people relax, wake up and get ready for the working week, so many clubs are closed on Sundays.
If you don’t like crowds, start your evening early. After midnight, the crowd is usually full of fun-loving people everywhere, enjoying a drink and getting pretty loud. At discos, be prepared for crowds, noise and loud music. Jazz clubs are the place to relax and unwind to the sound of live jazz. In summer, you can enjoy a wide range of jazz events.
Copenhagen’s shopping opportunities won’t get shopaholics confused, but they will if you translate the city’s name – Copenhagen is a port for merchants. The Danish capital’s shopping district is small but very famous for its Scandinavian flavour and ‘hygge’. Shopping in Copenhagen is never boring, you can find and buy lots of interesting products here and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the city. Dozens of popular shops are concentrated on Stroget, one of the longest pedestrian streets in the city.
Fashion Week takes place every year in August, when you can buy shoes and clothes at great discounts. You’ll find small boutiques, upmarket designer shops and several shopping centres. There is also a wide range of souvenir shops; the promenade also has a wide variety of restaurants. As you walk along the promenade, you will see many sights, such as the Church of the Virgin, St. Nicholas Church and the old town hall building.
If you’re looking for something unusual, you might want to visit the Latin Quarter, where you’ll find many shops by Danish designers, or go to Jægersborggafe, one of the most important and popular places in Copenhagen today.
Airlines: many airlines fly to Denmark. Many airlines fly to many countries.
Airport: Copenhagen Airport, Kastrup
Flight time: 2 h 30 min
Distance from the airport: 20-30 min (approx. 10 km)
Language: danish
Time difference: -1
Population: about 602 000
Passport: you must carry a passport valid for the duration of the trip or an identity card issued after 1 March 1999.
Currency: Danish krone (DKK)
Tip: It is common to give around 10 – 20% of the amount of the bill.
Water: tap water is drinkable.
Electricity: 220 – 230 V. Generally, sockets are similar to those in Finland.
Copenhagen is home to one of the oldest monarchies in the world and is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. You can learn a lot about the city and its culture by visiting the local sights with a guide. But get to know the city and its atmosphere outside the tourist attractions and you’ll get to know the real Copenhagen.
1. Feel Copenhagen’s special charm as you cruise through the city’s canals. Take a boat trip to Nyhavn to enjoy the colourful canal-side houses. Hans Christian Andersen lived in three of these houses.
2. Those who like to explore the city on foot will appreciate the beautiful old Danish houses, the inviting and cosy terraces of the promenades and the great and relaxed atmosphere of the Nyhavn area. A special treat is walking the streets during the Christmas market, when the decorated historic area becomes a land of fairy tales.
3. Make the most of Tivoli Gardens. Copenhagen has one of the oldest amusement parks in Europe – Tivoli. Open since 1843, it is the third most popular in Europe. Tivoli Park was the inspiration for Walt Disney when he decided to open his first Disneyland. Note the numerous stunning floral arrangements and at weekends – fireworks.
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