Copenhagen, Denmark — Things to Do
Sightseeing in Copenhagen
Attractions in Copenhagen are a mixture of living history and fun frivolous activity. Copenhagen is one large attraction in itself, as many of the cobblestone streets and rows of old Danish houses are much like they have been for centuries. Yet Copenhagen is adding ever more modern attractions to the heap of historic ones.
The unusual European habit of visiting unremarkable statues continues in Copenhagen as the Little Mermaid in Langelinie harbor is the city's most sought after, and often first, sight. Don't be disenchanted for long, as better attractions await in unique neighborhoods, grand museums, and entertainment that can easily be reached on foot and are mostly centralized in the city center.
A walk along Nyhavn Canal reveals the best of historic Copenhagen with old but well-preserved architecture and wooden boats showcasing the city's maritime history. The streets are full of shops and entertainment with a carnival-like appeal. To delve deeper into Danish history the National Museum at the Prince's Palace is a central Copenhagen attraction, as is The Copenhagen City Museum. There are dozens of museums in Copenhagen, offering everything from Old Masters at the Ordrupgaard art museum to the Tycho Brahe Planetarium.
Often-overlooked attractions in Copenhagen are the city's beaches, which have excellent facilities, though they can be crowded in fine weather. Of course, no visit to Copenhagen is complete without idling in the Tivoli Gardens or playing in its famous theme park.
Visitors can buy the Copenhagen Card, which gives them free entry to over 60 museums and attractions, free rides on public transportation, and discounts in many restaurants and shops. The cards are available in 24 hour and 72 hour varieties, and adult cards cost 31 euros and 62 euros respectively. You can buy the card at the airport or at many tourist offices around Denmark.
Shopping in Copenhagen
A day of shopping in Copenhagen is something to behold, as it is often a spectator sport for those without large amounts of money to spend. The most notable place to browse and spend is the Stroget, which comprises five streets and 2 miles (3.2km) of pedestrian shopping heaven. Copenhagen's main stores can be found along here as well as cafés for weary shoppers to stop and refuel.
At the top end of the Stroget, shoppers with a penchant for designer labels can splurge at Prada, Chanel and Versace among others. Magasin du Nord, Scandinavia's largest department store, can be found in this area too.
Bredgade and Læderstræde are popular areas for antiques, although you'll be hard-pressed to find true bargains. Ravnsborggade has many antique stores as well, along with a number of independent fashion boutiques.
Nørrebro Flea Market on Nørrebrogade and the market on Israels Plads are the biggest and oldest flea markets in Copenhagen. They run from April to October, and stock a myriad of items, from souvenirs and antiques to complete junk.
There is, of course, the obligatory souvenir shopping one must do when in Copenhagen, and Lego can be scooped up for a song here while Scandinavian Crystal and Royal Copenhagen porcelain are not to be forgotten.
Shops in Copenhagen are mostly open from 9.30am to 5pm or 6pm from Monday to Friday and from 9am to 4pm on Saturdays. Very few stores will open on Sundays, even supermarkets. VAT in Copenhagen is sky-high at 25% and is added on to the price of all consumer goods and services. Non-European Union visitors can apply for a partial tax refund of 18% on goods to the value of a minimum of DKK300, which must be spent in one store.
Visitors can also purchase goods from shops that participate in the Global Refund shopping program by showing their passport. These stores can be identified by the Global Refund logo displayed in their window. Shoppers are given a check showing the refund they are owed which can be claimed at the point of departure when leaving the country.
Copenhagen Nightlife
Nightlife in Copenhagen has a couple of gears and the real party doesn't rev up until very late at night. To jumpstart the evening, most wait the night hours away in a huge variety of popular cafés and bars that usually serve both food and drinks. These can range from renovated historic buildings with new edgy décors to newly built and fashionable cafés.
Hybrid bars are a perfect way to begin the night as they change themes and almost reinvent their venue several times in a single night. This lets patron enjoy easy listening music and nice meals before late night DJ's take over with a dance club atmosphere.
Those looking for more culture than party may look to the 150-year-old Pantomime Theater, which stages commedia dell'arte productions with free admission. The modern Tivolis Koncertsal offers classical entertainment from opera to symphonies. You can often find last-minute discounted tickets at the ticket kiosk across from the Nørreport train station at the corner of Fiolstræde and Nørre Voldgade.
For those that venture on in the early morning, the night clubs are just waking up. Venues pop up and disappear quickly in Copenhagen which gives a fresh variety of choices although old favorites, like once popular jazz clubs, are abandoned. However certain areas of the city such as Nyhavn and Boltens Gaard are long time Copenhagen nightlife districts that can always promise great venues. These often stay open until five in the morning when it isn't too far to begin again.
For updated listings of what's happening in Copenhagen, pick up a free copy of Copenhagen This Week at the tourist information center.
Attractions for Kids
Visitors traveling with children to Copenhagen will find an abundance of fantastic and exciting attractions geared towards children, making this a wonderful city for the whole family to enjoy.
A trip to Copenhagen must include a visit to Tivoli Gardens, which boasts beautiful miniature gardens, a theme park with arcade games and rides, and even open-air stages where plays and concerts take place. Another great attraction on warm sunny days is the Bakken Amusement Park, the world's oldest amusement park. The Nature Playground, located at Valbyparken, is also a must for day out in the sunshine and fresh air, and a good place for a picnic.
On colder days when outdoor activities with kids are not an option, head off to the Denmark Aquarium, or for something a little more frightening, the Mystic Exploratorie is a fantastic place for kids to be thrilled and perplexed, as is the Eskperimentarium. For toddlers, the Kompan indoor playground is a wonderland of slides, balls and bright colors to be explored.
