Since it’s been the capital of Denmark for more than 600 years, Copenhagen has a rich cultural and historical tradition that charms virtually anyone who is lucky enough to roam its streets. Situated on the eastern coast of Denmark, Copenhagen is also that country’s largest city; there are more than 1.7 million people living here. As a port of call, Copenhagen is excellent due to how easy it is to walk around and due to its enviable number of attractions. Indeed, the only trouble with visiting Copenhagen is narrowing down what you want to see and do while there.
Sightseeing & Things To Do
From the iconic sight of the Little Mermaid to the countless number of well preserved historic buildings and museums, Copenhagen is a wonderful place to experience a solid bit of key European history while on a cruise. The city is so saturated with enticing attractions that missing out on it would truly be disappointing. Make it a point to get off the cruise ship and try out some of the local fare, pick up something special at one of the fine shops or simply roam around the easily navigable streets. Copenhagen truly is a real treat for anyone who is lucky enough to visit it.
Thanks to its long, rich history, Copenhagen has a bevy of excellent attractions for curious cruise ship passengers to enjoy. From the educational to the downright quirky, consider visiting the following sights when in Copenhagen:
The Copenhagen Amber Museum
Amber is a truly fascinating substance and there are few places in the world where you can see more excellent examples of it than at the Copenhagen Amber Museum. In addition to stunning examples of jewelry made with amber, there are also plenty of amber pieces on display that hold prehistoric insects – some of which just might contain dinosaur blood!
Amalienborg Palace
A single mansion simply wasn’t enough for the Danish royal family, which is why the Amalienborg Palace consists of four separate mansions. This place has been the home of the Dutch royals since the year 1794. You can take an interesting tour of the place, or check out the changing of the guards if the Royal Family is in residence.
The Little Mermaid
The statue of the Little Mermaid is, perhaps, the most enduring and well known symbol of Copenhagen. Make it a point to stop by and at least have your picture snapped in front of this world famous statue.
Tivoli Gardens
Sprawled out over approximately 20 acres, the Tivoli Gardens are a sumptuous feast for the eyes – as well as an entertainment mecca. More than 100 restaurants – and plenty of amusements – dot the landscape of this well-designed and well-maintained Copenhagen institution.
Shopping
In order to get as much shopping done in as little time as possible, head over to the center of Copenhagen and visit the Strøget. This is a massive pedestrian mall where you can find virtually anything imaginable – and then some. Some of the best examples of top of the line Scandinavian shops are here, and you can load up on local fashion items and other merchandise without having to crisscross all over the bustling city.
Best Souvenir To Bring Back To the Cruise Ship
If you want to bring home a souvenir that is distinctly Dutch and undoubtedly from Copenhagen, try to snap up a bit of Georg Jensen silver. This is a staple in terms of the goods of Copenhagen, and you can find reasonably priced pieces at shops in the city.
Eating – Sample the Local Cuisine
Dining is a unique and memorable experience in Copenhagen, as the finest examples of Dutch cuisine are well represented across the city. Don’t leave without trying Smørrebrød, the popular local open faced sandwich that is made on rye bread. These are also convenient because you can easily walk along while eating one, in order to conserve precious time while in port. Every conceivable sort of combination of ingredients is available, so take your pick! No matter what you settle on, it is bound to be fulfilling and lip-smacking.
When, Where, and How
When To Go
With flowers planted and blooming all around the city – and the longer daylight hours make exploring much easier – the summer months are the best time to be in Copenhagen. June, July and August are unquestionably the most pleasant times to be at this port of call; if you do arrive during winter, be sure to bundle up!
Where You’re Docked
Although there are two cruise terminals at Copenhagen’s port, the vast majority stop at Langelinie Pier. This is a cruise passenger’s dream come true, as it is bursting at its seams with lovely shops, restaurants and other nice places. Better still, it’s a short ten minute walk from the city and all of its attractions. The other port – the Freeport terminal – isn’t nearly as convenient or easy to visit.
Which Cruise Ships Go Here?
Many of the most popular cruise lines have itineraries that feature stops at Copenhagen. A couple examples of the major cruise lines that stop in Copenhagen are P & O Cruises, Disney Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises and Fred Olsen Cruises. However, there are many other choices in terms of ships, dates, days in port and at sea when it comes to Copenhagen.