Copenhagen, a former Viking stronghold, is one of the oldest cities in Europe and is the capital of Denmark. Most of the city is situated on the Island of Sjaelland with the remainder on the tiny island of Amager. There is now a toll bridge and a tunnel joining Copenhagen to Malmo in Sweden.
Copenhagen is a pleasant lively city, small and compact and a perfect destination for a short city break.
Copenhagen is a very attractive city with architecture ranging from medieval to rococo. There is a ban on high rise buildings in the city which makes it very pleasing to the eye. A city break to Copenhagen offers interesting museums and monuments, outstanding shopping, excellent restaurants and a lively nightlife.
Copenhagen has broad appeal attracting both young and older visitors. The vibrant nightlife is enjoyed by the eighteen to thirty age group and it is a popular destination for stag and hen weekends.
The holiday season lasts from May to September when the temperatures can be pleasantly warm although, like England, there is always the possibility of rain.
Copenhagen is an appealing city with lots to interest visitors. Modern architecture does not over power the older city because of the prohibition of multi-storey buildings. The colourful terraces along the canal banks have a charm of their own. The compact nature of Copenhagen enables the visitor to do most of their sightseeing on foot.
The Little Mermaid, a small reminder of Denmark’s Hans Christian Anderson, sits in the harbour. It has been the victim of vandalism over the years including decapitation and amputation.
There are many fine buildings including Christiansborg Palace which is the seat of government, the Amalienborg Palace which is the home of the royal family and Borsen, the former stock exchange. There are also a number of world class museums.
Tivoli, the famous amusement park is a very popular attraction with both Danes as well as visitors. It is quite expensive as there is an entry fee which is not inclusive of rides. It is a very pretty area with lakes and gardens as well as the usual hair-raising rides.
Copenhagen is a very cycle friendly city with many lanes and tracks devoted to cyclists. The beaches around Copenhagen are easily accessed by taking a short cycle ride.
A Copenhagen city break has much to offer visitors with its good looks, its tasty food, inviting shops, lively nightlife and friendly people. Who could ask for more?
There is much to entertain visitors in the summertime in Copenhagen. Apart from the numerous pubs and beer gardens, clubs and discos, there is the annual Jazz Festival. At this time the streets come alive with entertainers from musicians to magicians and from jugglers to dancers. There is also a casino that remains open until four in the morning.
Copenhagen claims to have the longest pedestrian shopping street in Europe. The closer the street, Stroget, gets to Kongens Nytorv the more exclusive the shops become. They sell some exquisite porcelain and crystal as well as jewellery and a wide range of other luxury goods. There are many pavement cafes along the way where you can stop and rest. Grabrodretorv is a good place to search for books and antiques although there are not many bargains to be found.
There are many fine restaurants in Copenhagen including no fewer than ten with Michelin stars. They serve a wide range of international cuisine catering for most tastes. Lunch time sacks of the Danish open sandwich, ‘smorrebrod’, are good value and very tasty.
