About Copenhagen
Copenhagen is Scandanavia’s largest city and the capital of Denmark. Originally a fishing village in the Viking era, it was fortified in 1167 and became the capital in 1445. Strategically placed at the intersection of Scandanavia and the Baltic region, it is now a financial and commercial hub for the Nordic countries.
Getting to Copenhagen
Copenhagen airport is 9km from the city centre. The Metro (M2) has a journey time of 15 minutes to the city centre. There is also a bus service (45 minutes) and a taxi journey taking 10 minutes. There are 4 train stations in the city, the main one being Central Station (Bernstorffsgade 16).
Here are a few places of interest in the city:
D’Anglaterre Hotel (Kongens Nytorv 34) – 5-star accommodation in the centre of Copenhagen, way above my usual standard of the hotel as there is not much change from £500 for a one night stay. It goes without saying the food and drink selection is excellent. Under different circumstances, I would probably stay at the Tivoli Hotel (Arni Magnussons Gade 2).
Restaurant Schønnemann (Hauser Plads 16) – A traditional Danish lunch restaurant, the best place to eat in Copenhagen if you want authentic Danish food, with an extensive array of schnapps to accompany each meal. Advanced booking is required, as it tends to be extremely busy.
The King’s Garden (Øster Voldgade 4A) – Established in the 17th century, there are lovely grounds not far from the busy shopping streets. Take a stroll to the northeastern corner of the park for a great view of Rosenborg Castle. Housing the Crown Jewels, Venetian glass and porcelain, it is well worth a visit. There are guided and audio tours available.
Tivoli Gardens (Vesterbrogade 3) – The second oldest amusement park in the world with an antique roller coaster. There are various cultural events throughout the year, along with the rides you would expect in an amusement park. It is recommended going during Halloween or Christmas to see the decorations. An all-inclusive package (including food) costs 555kr (75€) for adults and 430kr (58€).
Nimb Brasserie (Bernstorffsgade 5) – A restaurant next to Tivoli (French cuisine with a Danish twist!), the dinner menu is typically 3 courses for 595kr (80€). If you exit the restaurant and go into the park, you can see how beautifully it lights up at night.
Carlsberg Brewery (Gamie Carlsberg Vej 11) – Almost like a small town, the Carlsberg complex covers a large area with the brewery, the old brewery and a business centre. The old brewery is the most interesting with tours and tastings.
Nyhavn – A busy area in Copenhagen that stretches along both sides of a canal (a bit like Amsterdam) with rows of colourful buildings including pubs and restaurants with outside terraces. The Tipsy Mermaid (Havnegarde 50), is a bar on a boat where you can drink craft beer.
The Little Mermaid Statue (Langelinie) – The most famous statue in Copenhagen was a gift to the city from Carl Jacobson (the founder of Carlsberg), and it was inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale. She sits at the entrance to the harbour and welcomes visitors to the city. Take a walk along the waterfront at sunrise and see the statue in the sunshine before the crowds arrive!
Christiania – Founded in 1971 on a disused military site, Christiana is an area of Copenhagen that operates independently from the government, a cultural exploration of a free society, do not take pictures when you are there and be on guard, but definitely a different experience.
Amalienborg Palace ( Amalienborg Slotsplads 5) – An 18th-century palace and the home of the Danish royal family, not as formal as Buckingham palace but they do have a changing of the guard! The Amalienborg Palace Museum is close by if you want to find more information on the history of the Royal Families of Denmark.
Kronborg Castle (Kronborg 2C) – A 16th-century castle with beautiful grounds. A one-hour train journey north out of the city. Elsinore in Shakespeare’s Hamlet was based on this castle. You can see Helsingborg in Sweden just over the strait.
A brief look at Copenhagen, quite an expensive place to visit, but if you do your research and travel at the right time of the year, it is well worth the effort.
