Copenhagen Travel Guide

TRAVEL GUIDE, COPENHAGEN Created :

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Until fairly recently, Copenhagen was not cool. Socially progressive – yes. Design conscious – certainly. But hip? It felt too refined, conformist and, dare we say it, dull, to be fashionable.

In the past decade, however, the city has come out of its shell, like the quiet secretary shaking out her hair (but leaving on her black-rimmed glasses) to become the most desirable woman in the office. And its ‘moment’ shows no signs of abating. Danish food is now in the international spotlight, a reservation at Noma as coveted as an original Arne Jacobsen chair, and Copenhagen’s bourgeois reputation has been seen off by cutting-edge art, fashion and music scenes, seeded in gritty neighbourhoods such as Vesterbro.

For all its innovation, at the heart of Copenhagen’s character lies an innate sense of quality, subtlety and fairness. You can see it in the city’s architecture: a considered, people-friendly blend of historic and contemporary buildings, cobbled streets and waterways. An aesthetic sensibility runs through its veins – the humblest cafe looks fit for an interiors magazine, toddlers are better dressed than you and, at night, residents leave their curtains open so passers-by can admire the ‘hygge’ (or stylishly cosy) scene within.

Nowhere’s perfect, of course. Aside from the multicultural Nørrebro, it’s a pretty white city and there remains a certain level of conformity. The weather can be shocking. It’s expensive, although no worse than London or Paris. Nonetheless, Copenhagen's new-found position as Europe's coolest city looks safe for the forseeable future.

FAST FACTS

  • Nearest Airport: Copenhagen Airport
  • Best Time to Visit Copenhagen: June-August,
  • Currency: Danish krone
  • Languages: Danish, English

Get to know Copenhagen(2 Featured Guides)

Hotels in Copenhagen(3 Featured Guides)

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Restaurants in Copenhagen(2 Featured Guides)

Places to visit in Copenhagen(2 Featured Guides)

The numerous places to visit in Copenhagen offer something for all kinds of travellers. Take out time to explore the Amalienborg Palace that continues to house the present monarch of the country and catch a glimpse of the changing of the guards’ ceremony, while you’re here. Take a tour of the Christianborg Palace (which is also referred to as one of the city’s icons), survey the Royal Library, or capture majestic views of the city atop the Round Tower—Copenhagen’s astronomical observatory. Do not forget to visit the city’s most iconic statue the Little Mermaid, modeled after the character from the Hans Christen Anderson’s classic of the same name. Culture vultures can also have their fair share as they explore attractions such as National Gallery of Modern Art, Hirschsprung Collection and Ny Calrsberg Glyptotek. Cobbled streets, red-roofed houses, candle-lit cafes and a history to boast about a tour of Copenhagen is a must for all travellers.

Things to do in Copenhagen(2 Featured Guides)

Shopping in Copenhagen(3 Featured Guides)

  • Shopping in Copenhagen for the style savvy

    If you’re wondering what to do in Copenhagen after you’ve explored all the tourist attractions and taken in the sights, head out for some world class retail therapy that will satiate even the most style savvy shoppers. From boutiques showcasing the work of Danish designers (local designer Henrik Vibskov is known for his avant garde creations that are more of an acquired taste), and shops packed with trendy apparel and accessories, to retail spaces combining design, art and fashion all under the same roof, and department stores stocking the entire range of international fashion brands—you can shop till you drop.

  • Copenhagen’s best shopping hubs

  • Copenhagen shopping for hopeless spendthrifts

Nightlife in Copenhagen(2 Featured Guides)

Itineraries(1 Featured Guide)

  • 36 hours in Copenhagen

    The mystique of Copenhagen is multifaceted, but for many, it begins with food. The Danish capital is the standard-bearer for New Nordic cuisine, a movement sustained by a society that encourages homegrown talent, in this case chefs experimenting with local ingredients. But the well-tuned city, with its network of bike paths and ample green space, supports a wide variety of creative endeavors.

  • 72 hours in Copenhagen

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