The capital of Scandi-cool, Copenhagen exerts an effortless appeal for visitors who flock here to tour its royal palaces, dine on innovative cuisine in trendy Michelin-starred restaurants and let their hair down in the many bars and clubs. This is a city where the majority of locals prefer to get around by bike and where hygge (happiness) not wealth is the main measure of worth. Not necessarily something you’d expect from the descendents of Vikings but, as the Danes say history has not been kind to the reputation of those in horned helmets. Don’t believe it?.
Areas & Neighbourhoods in Copenhagen
Indre By - Almost entirely surrounded by water, the historical centre of Copenhagen is where most visitors choose to stay, with a wide range of dining options and attractions, including museums, art galleries, the Tivoli Gardens and the four classical mansions that make up the royal residence, Amalienborg.
Christianshavn - The canals of Christianshavn are lined with colourful houseboats, old-school bodegas and funky eating establishments. Here you’ll also find the offbeat independent neighbourhood of Christiania with numerous independent cafes and art galleries.
Vesterbro - Just outside the city centre, Vesterbro once suffered from a troubled reputation, but is now rapidly evolving into one of Copenhagen’s hippest locales where you can sip craft beers, shop chic boutiques, or sunbathe on an artificial beach.
Frederiksberg - Actually a distinct municipality within Copenhagen, Frederiksberg is an upscale neighbourhood centred around the baroque 17th century palace, and the extensive landscaped gardens in front that form one of the city’s best parks.
Nørrebro - If you came to get down, then Nørrebro is where you want to be. Late-night bars, all-night clubs and a vibrant street atmosphere demonstrate why Copenhagen is the capital of Nordic nightlife.
Things to See in Copenhagen
The Little Mermaid statue, a celebration of one of Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen’s most famous works, is an iconic Copenhagen sight in the Østerbro neighbourhood. The Blue Planet is the largest aquarium in northern Europe with several zones housing an immense display of marine life, from otters and hammerhead sharks to anacondas and piranhas. See a side of Copenhagen culture that often goes under the radar with a guided tour of Christiania, the best way to understand and explore this free-living community.
Things to Do in Copenhagen
Join the locals with a city bike tour, a fun and not especially strenuous form of sightseeing. If you’re happier on four wheels rather than two, you can always take a seat on a hop-on, hop-off bus tour that takes you around Copenhagen’s key landmarks in a convenient manner. A more unique way of discovering what makes the city tick is by joining a Happiness and Hygge Tour, which by explaining Copenhagen’s cafe culture, its social housing system and flourishing green movement, attempts to pin down the hard-to-define concept of hygge, or national happiness. But perhaps happiness is best found in the evenings at Tivoli Amusement Park, full of exciting and family-friendly rides, restaurants serving traditional Danish meals, and a fairytale setting when the lights go on.
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