The waterside city of
Copenhagen is packed with old-world fairytale charm alongside some of the world's most avant garde architecture. It is a vibrant, modern city with a long and fascinating history, having been the capital of Denmark for nearly 600 years and home to the oldest resident monarchy in the world.
The biggest city in Scandinavia, Copenhagen occupies a pleasant and strategic spot on the Baltic east coast of Denmark's largest island, Zealand, its harbour overlooked by the world-famous statue of the 'Little Mermaid'.
One of the first impressions that strike visitors to this busy, dynamic capital is the cleanliness and orderliness that prevails in its narrow medieval cobbled central city streets and along the picturesque canals in Christianshavn. Most of the myriad attractions for visitors are situated within about one square mile (3 sq km) of flat terrain in the centre, making it easy to explore on foot (or bicycle, which is the vehicle of choice for locals).
Five streets in the heart of the city have been merged to provide the world's longest pedestrian mall, running between Rådhuspladsen and Kongens Nytorv, which are packed with historic gabled buildings, dynamic department stores, stunning shops, restaurants, pavement cafes, theatres, and world-class museums and galleries.
Despite the condensed city centre, Copenhagen is not short on green lungs: parks such as the ever-popular Tivoli Gardens abound in this city, which prides itself on its strict anti-pollution laws and lack of glass and chrome skyscrapers.
The family-friendly city that spawned beloved storyteller Hans Christian Andersen is, indeed, a modern fairy-tale: one of Europe's finest capitals that retains a provincial charm and sense of history along with its cutting-edge efficiency, offering its justifiably proud citizens an extremely high standard of living.
Attractions
The picturesque historic Nyhavn Canal, dating from 1673 when it was built to connect the inner city to the sea, is today colloquially known as the 'longest bar in Scandinavia'. This is because the pretty pastel-painted old townhouses that line the canal are fronted with numerous restaurants, pubs and cafes, full of action and entertainment 24 hours a day. The canal itself is crammed with old wooden sailing ships, adding to the atmosphere. Tourists enjoy not only the hospitality establishments along the canal but also visit the house at No.20 Nyhavn, home of famous fairy-tale writer Hans Christian Andersen, who wrote his first stories here between 1834 and 1838. Andersen later occupied two other houses in Nyhavn.
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Copenhagen is a city with a proud heritage of art and design, well showcased in numerous museums and galleries as well as architecture. Among the most renowned collections are those housed in the popular Museum of Decorative Arts (traces the history of Danish design), the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art (featuring world famous artists), the National Gallery (more than 8,000 works dating from the 13th century to modern times) and the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek (antiquities, French impressionists and contemporary Danish art).
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Copenhagen's world-renowned Tivoli Gardens are ever so much more than just a central city park. The relatively small area in the heart of the city is actually one of the world's most thrilling entertainment complexes, drawing about three million visitors during its five-month summer open season each year. Tivoli dates back to 1843 when Copenhagen was still a fortified city surrounded by tall ramparts and a deep moat. Today the Tivoli Lake is all that remains of the moat, which now reflects the incredible trademark fireworks displays that light the sky over the gardens twice a week. Tivoli is split in two, one section housing the beautiful miniature gardens where more than 100,000 flowers bloom, and the other the theme park with game arcades and thrill rides. Tivoli also boasts a concert hall and open-air stages where dozens of concerts, pantomimes and circus shows, many of them free, are offered during the season.
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The attractive Dutch Renaissance style Rosenborg Castle was designed by King Christian IV and served as his home until he died in 1648. Today the Castle is an important cultural institution, acting as a public museum detailing the history of Denmark's royal family as well as acting as repository for the Crown Jewels and royal regalia, which are kept in the castle cellars and can be viewed by the public. The magnificent castle gardens are a welcome retreat from the city hustle and bustle.
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The rich history of Denmark, from Viking days through to the Second World War resistance movement, is encapsulated in fascinating collections of artefacts housed in a series of museums in and around Copenhagen. The Prince's Palace in the city centre houses the National Museum covering Danish history in general and a collection of international antiquities. The open air museum a few miles north of the city makes for a fascinating excursion with its 100 or so buildings, most relocated from elsewhere in the country, set out to illustrate what life was like in rural Denmark in days of yore. Visitors can get up to date on the history of the city itself in the Copenhagen City Museum, housed in the Royal Shooting Society's palace dating from 1787.
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Freetown Christiania is a partially self-governing neighbourhood in the borough of Christianshavn, Copenhagen, dominated largely by a freethinking 'hippy' culture. Local rules forbid stealing, violence, guns, knives, bulletproof vests and hard drugs. Aside from its cannabis smoking affinity, Christiana is also well known for its inhabitants' love of meditation and yoga, and abroad it is celebrated as a showcase of the progressive and liberated Danish lifestyle. Christiania is considered a Losers' Paradisefor the creative and recreational values widely practised in the area. However, visitors can enjoy the neighbourhood's peaceful green environment and its magical combination of village and metropolitan life.
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The Little Mermaid, basking on a rock at the Langelinie Harbour, is one of Denmark's biggest tourist attractions. The sculpture was put up in 1913, and over a million people visit the mermaid every year. At only about 4 feet (1.25m) high, she is very small, with naked breasts and a fish tail; she seems to be in her true element when the waves crash against her rock. The sculptor, Edvard Eriksen, modelled the mermaid's head after ballerina Ellen Price. When the ballerina wouldn't model in the nude for the body, the sculptor's wife posed for him. There are some similarities between the Little Mermaid and the 'Pania of the Reef' statue on the Napier beachfront in New Zealand, and with Vancouver's 'Girl in a Wetsuit' sculpture.
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When sightseeing in Denmark, the Christiansborg Palace is an architecture or history lover's dream, and a winter snowfall adds to its romantically royal appearance. This is further enhanced by the presence of ruins dating as far back as 1167 AD, when it existed as Absalon's Castle. The complex consists of several different buildings, centred by a neo-baroque core, and is home to important institutions; the Danish Parliament, the Prime Minister's Office and the Supreme Court. The royal family uses the palace church, the Royal Reception Rooms and the Riding Ground Complex. From the front steps of the main castle, there are also some stunning churches within easy viewing distance. This attraction embodies the essence of Danish history, architecture and royalty.
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Legoland Billund, the original Legoland Park, is a holiday must for children visiting Denmark. Opened in 1968, it plays host to numerous visitors from all over the world and is conveniently situated next to the original Lego factory. The features are divided into 'Worlds', including Denmark's iconic Miniland as well as Duplo Land, Imagination Zone, Legoredo Town, Adventure Land, Pirate Land, Lego City and the Knights' Kingdom. With a legendary selection of rides, shops and eateries, Legoland Billund has something to offer to everyone in the family, kids and folks alike!
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The oldest amusement park in the world and one of Denmark's favourites, Bakken Amusement Park has delighted countless visitors since it first opened in 1583. Featuring 34 thrilling rides and roller coasters, a love tunnel, merry-go-round and even dancing, Bakken also has open-air eateries where exhausted families can relax and refuel.
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Boasting more than 300 species of marine life form across the globe, the Denmark Aquarium features over 70 aquariums with the largest containing 85,000 litres of water. Other facilities include a café where visitors can take a break and grab a bite to eat, and there are feeding time shows and even touch pools for the little ones to enjoy.
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The Mystic Exploratorie is a fantastic, yet slightly creepy and somewhat thrilling attraction for kids of all ages to enjoy. Swap heads with the person next to you, try the ghost wheel or try the electric chair if you dare!
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Founded in 1859, the Copenhagen Zoo is one of the oldest in Europe and features an amazing selection of animals from all over the world. Featuring an Elephant House, a favourite with children of all ages, the Copenhagen Zoo is the only zoo outside of Australia to feature Tasmanian Devils. Other notable animals include red pandas, hippos, yaks and camels.
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Featuring almost 300 interactive exhibitions for children of all ages to enjoy, the Eskperimentarium is a hands on science museum that aims to encourage children to take an interest in science while learning and enjoying themselves at the same time. With permanent and temporary exhibitions, visitors can be sure that there is always something fun and exciting for children to enjoy.
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Events
Copenhagen's magical amusement park, Tivoli, is not just a summer fun venue. For the past decade the park has opened for the Christmas season in an extremely festive guise to provide an unforgettable yuletide experience for hundreds of thousands of visitors, young and old. Not only are many of the park's famous rides open for business during the Christmas fun run, but there are the added attractions of thousands of fragrant Christmas trees, miles of fir garlands, candles and electric lights, a skating rink, elves everywhere, Santa Claus of course, and four Christmas market 'villages' where shoppers can find an array of presents in Nordic Village, Alp Village, Forest Troll Town or Old England. Several musical and theatrical productions are offered in the Park's indoor entertainment venues and restaurants serve up traditional Christmas fare.
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| Cultural Harbour Festival |
Copenhagen - The main area for the Cultural Harbour festival is the Harbour Park at Islands Brygge; also Havneholmen and Kalvebod Brygge
Copenhagen's harbour comes alive with the annual cultural festival, four days crammed with dance, music, theatre, art and sports events both on the sea and ashore .Events include regattas, trampoline-diving, evening concerts by the water, workshops for children, a triathlon and much more.
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