Top Ten Attractions
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The Little Mermaid
The symbol of Copenhagen, a four-foot high statue that’s been sitting on a rock by the waterside at Langelinie since 1913. http://www.copenhagenpictures.dk/mermaid
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Tivoli Gardens
A fairy-tale amusement park with exotic buildings, a lake, fountains and beautiful beds of flowers. http://www.tivoli.dk
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Amalienborg Palace
Four 18th century French-style mansions round an octagonal square, built as the winter home for the Danish royal family. http://www.copenhagenet.dk/CPH-Amalienborg
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Carlsberg Brewery
One of the world’s oldest and largest breweries. Contains an historical museum and tasting room. http://www.carlsberg.com/info
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The Round Tower
Built as an observatory in 1642. There’s a 209-metre spiral ramp and a great view of the city from the upper platform. http://www.rundetaarn.dk/engelsk
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Rosenborg Castle
Built in the early 1600s as a pleasure retreat for the king, now a museum housing the crown jewels and other royal memorabilia. http://www.rosenborgslot.dk
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Boat trip
A tour on the old canals is a big attraction and an experience not to miss. http://www.visitcopenhagen.com/composite-1271
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Strøget
Reputedly Europe’s longest pedestrian shopping street. Also a popular venue for street performers.
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The Sea Forts
Three artificial islands at the entrance to the harbour, built as part of the defence against attacks from the sea. http://www.visitcopenhagen.com/tourist/what_to_...
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The Lakes
Three artificial lakes that now provide a popular place for a walk, a jog or a picnic. http://www.visitcopenhagen.com/tourist/what_to_...
Eating and Drinking
In the past few years, an array of inventive, modern and stylish restaurants has opened in the city, many of them with French or Italian influence, transforming Copenhagen into a major gourmet destination. As for Danish food, nothing is more typical than smørrebrød, an open-faced sandwich that ranges from very basic fare to elaborate sculpture-like creations. Typically, it’s a slice of rye bread topped with either roast beef, tiny shrimps, roast pork or fish fillet and finished off with a variety of garnishes. Although smøørrebrød is served in most restaurants at lunchtime, it’s cheapest at bakeries or at specialized takeaway shops found near railway stations and office buildings. Also distinctively Danish is the koldt bord (cold table), a buffet-style spread of cold foods including salads, cold cuts, smoked fish, cheese and vegetables. Generally, the most prominent top-end restaurants serve what’s dubbed ‘Danish-French’ cuisine, a creative fusion combining the flavorful sauces that characterize French fare with the addition of fresh Danish vegetables and seafood. The official Copenhagen website for visitors has a detailed run-down of the city’s various eating options: www.visitcopenhagen.com/tourist/...
Bakeries abound in Copenhagen, all selling those sinfully rich breakfast pastries – flaky, butter-laden and with a dollop of icing or jam. So synonymous with the country are they that they’re known around the world simply as ‘Danish.’
In terms of beer, Carlsberg and Tuborg labels are the undisputed home-town favorites. Beer can be ordered as draught, lager, light beer, dark lager or stout. The most popular spirit in Denmark is the aquavit, which is traditionally downed in one followed by a beer chaser. A popular liqueur is Peter Heering, which is made of cherries and sipped straight or served over vanilla ice cream.
Shopping
Though you will find most of the major international retail names on Copenhagen's main pedestrian shopping street, Strøget, the beauty of shopping in Copenhagen really lies in its small neighborhood shops, many of them quirky and unique. Most charming of all, you will find that many of Copenhagen's shops are located in beautiful historical buildings and medieval streets. Most of the main shopping areas are within easy walking distance of each other, and you will often find that similar types of shops are located near one another, lending entire streets a unifying theme. Apart from Strøget, other prime shopping strips include Kronprinsensgade and surrounding streets for designer labels and cutting-edge fashion, and streets such as Elmgade, Blågårdsgade and Ravnsborggade in Norrebro for street wear, edgy and vintage fashion and retro Danish home wares. There are two impressive department stores in the center of the city - Det Ny Illum and Magasin du Nord. Det Ny Illum is situated halfway down Strøget at Amagertorv. It has a spectacular interior and a marvelous glass dome. Magasin du Nord is situated opposite the Royal Theatre. Fisketorvet is Copenhagen's first major shopping mall, located beside the harbor on the outskirts of the city center. Here there are shops and restaurants galore, and a multiplex cinema. All summer, flea and antique markets are held throughout the city. Here junk rubs shoulders with the odd unrecognized gem, and you may be lucky enough to find a real bargain here. Frederiksberg and Israels Plads flea markets are less pricey than the market at Gammel Strand, but Gammel Strand's ambiance is unbeatable with its canal-side setting and outdoor cafés.
Night Life
Copenhagen's cafés and bars, many of them half submerged in cellars or located in picturesque historical buildings, range from traditional to trendy and serve everything from gourmet food to Danish staples such as frikadeller (meat balls) and smørrebrød (open sandwiches), usually at very reasonable prices. Virtually all cafés and bars serve alcohol and food, and most stay open until very late, while some even transform into clubs with DJs playing on Friday and Saturday nights. Copenhagen's discos and clubs do not tend to get going until after midnight, so many clubbers choose to spend time in the city's super-hip pre-club bars, such as Stereo Bar and Ideal Bar. On top of this, many of Copenhagen's venues develop as each evening progresses, from bar to restaurant to club. Danes don’t mind queuing for a club (or for anything else, come to that) and popular places may see you scuffing the sidewalk for a while until you make it past the face/fashion control. Some clubs and bars allow you to book a table if your party contains more than a few people – a good idea. The free entertainment publication, Nat & Dag, lists concerts, club schedules and café events in detail; it can be picked up at the tourist office, Use It (www.useit.dk) and various clubs and cafes.
