Copenhagen
Visited in June 2009
At a glance
- Country
- Denmark
- Region
- Capital Region of Denmark
- Population
- 667,099
- Best time to go
- May to September
- Main airport
- Copenhagen (CPH)
- Coordinates
- 55.68°N, 12.57°E
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Overview
Copenhagen is a city built around water and bicycles: canals lined with gabled houses, a harbour clean enough to swim in, and cycle lanes that carry more traffic than the roads. It's compact, calm and beautifully designed.
Royal palaces and an old-fashioned amusement park sit alongside excellent restaurants and relaxed neighbourhoods like Vesterbro and Nørrebro. On a long summer evening, it's hard to beat.
Things to see
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Photo: European Commission, CC BY 4.0 Nyhavn
The postcard harbour of brightly painted townhouses and old wooden ships, best early in the morning.
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Photo: European Commission, CC BY 4.0 Tivoli Gardens
A 19th-century amusement park of rides, gardens and twinkling lights in the middle of the city.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Falk2, CC BY-SA 4.0 Rosenborg Castle
A Renaissance castle in the King's Garden, home to the Danish crown jewels.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Julian Herzog ( Website ), CC BY 4.0 Christiansborg Palace
Seat of parliament with royal reception rooms and a tower offering fine views over the city.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Avda, CC BY-SA 3.0 Round Tower
Walk up the spiral ramp of this 17th-century observatory for views across the old town.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Franklin Heijnen, CC BY-SA 2.0 Christiania
A self-governing free town in former barracks, with murals, homemade houses and lakeside paths.
Things to do
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Photo: heb @ Wikimedia Commons ( mail ), CC BY-SA 3.0 Cycle the city
Rent a bike and ride along the harbour and lakes like a local; the city is flat and well signed.
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Photo: Andy Smith from San Francisco, CA, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 Swim in the harbour
Jump in at the Islands Brygge harbour bath on a warm day, with lifeguards in summer.
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Photo: User:Nillerdk, CC BY-SA 3.0 Eat smørrebrød
Open rye-bread sandwiches piled with herring, roast beef or shrimp, a Danish lunchtime classic.
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Photo: Lars Plougmann, CC BY-SA 2.0 Day trip to Louisiana
A superb modern art museum on the coast north of the city, with a sculpture garden facing the sea.
Find tours
Where to stay
Indre By
The old centre, close to everything but pricier.
Hotels in Indre ByVesterbro
Near the central station, with bars, restaurants and the Meatpacking District.
Hotels in VesterbroNørrebro
Multicultural and creative, with good cafés and value.
Hotels in NørrebroChristianshavn
Canals and houseboats, quiet but central.
Hotels in Christianshavn
Getting around
Cycling is the best way to see the city, and the Metro, S-trains and buses are fast and frequent. Harbour buses double as cheap boat tours.
The Metro and trains reach the centre from the airport in about 15 minutes.
When to go
May to September brings long days and outdoor life, with summer the liveliest. Winters are dark and cold, though Tivoli's Christmas season and cosy cafés make December appealing.
Plan your trip to Copenhagen
- HotelsBooking.com
- Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide
- FlightsKiwi.com
- Attraction ticketsTiqets
- Airport parking, lounges and transfersHoliday Extras
- Car hireAuto Europe
- Mobile data (eSIM)AiraloCode DAN9406 for money off
- GuidebooksAmazon
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Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.