Things to do in Copenhagen, Denmark

The diminutive stature of this bronze-cast Hans Christian Andersen heroine hasn’t prevented it from becoming Copenhagen’s most iconic landmark, the subject of countless vacation snapshots and postcards since its installation on Copenhagen’s waterfront in 1913. Both loved and ridiculed, this long-suffering maiden – cast in her human form – has endured political actions and artists’ happenings in addition to the indignities of sightseers. In 2010, The Little Mermaid was used to promote the Denmark brand internationally and physically shipped for exhibition at the World Expo in Shanghai.

Since 2000, the Danish – or “New Nordic” kitchen has been regarded as among the world’s best, a modern reinterpretation of traditional Danish cuisine that uses seasonal, local produce to be organic and climate-friendly. Few visitors to Copenhagen will succeed in dining at world’s best restaurant noma, but that doesn’t mean missing out on a lunchtime “smørrebrød” plate of herrings on rye or a sample of the city’s best kitchens at covered gourmet market Torvehallerne Kbh. Come in August for annual culinary festival Copenhagen Cooking and see what the world’s media are salivating over.

Attracted by a...  

Read the full list of five »

The diminutive stature of this bronze-cast Hans Christian Andersen heroine hasn’t prevented it from becoming Copenhagen’s most iconic landmark, the subject of countless vacation snapshots and postcards since its installation on Copenhagen’s waterfront in 1913. Both loved and ridiculed, this long-suffering maiden – cast in her human form – has endured political actions and artists’ happenings in addition to the indignities of sightseers. In 2010, The Little Mermaid was used to promote the Denmark brand internationally and physically shipped for exhibition at the World Expo in Shanghai.

Since 2000, the Danish – or “New Nordic” kitchen has been regarded as among the world’s best, a modern reinterpretation of traditional Danish cuisine that uses seasonal, local produce to be organic and climate-friendly. Few visitors to Copenhagen will succeed in dining at world’s best restaurant noma, but that doesn’t mean missing out on a lunchtime “smørrebrød” plate of herrings on rye or a sample of the city’s best kitchens at covered gourmet market Torvehallerne Kbh. Come in August for annual culinary festival Copenhagen Cooking and see what the world’s media are salivating over.

Attracted by a more liberal attitude to issues like racial tolerance and free thought, American jazz musicians made Copenhagen their home in the 1960s and the city has been synonymous with jazz ever since. The center of the scene was Jazzhus Montmartre, and its key players included Dexter Gordon, Ben Webster and Kenny Drew. In addition to the city’s handful of top-notch jazz clubs, an international jazz festival is held every July, when jazz of all genres spills out onto the city streets in open-air concerts and happenings.

The autonomous Free Town Christiania was founded in 1971 on the site of an abandoned military camp and has continued its existence for over four decades, lending Copenhagen its reputation as a liberal, free-thinking capital. The Danish state, that has always owned and tolerated Christiania, has recently opted to rethink its relationship with the Free Town and in 2011 an agreement was reached whereby residents would be able to buy back the area from the state – thus ending four decades as an officially-tolerated squat.

The image of pretty painted houses perched on the canalside is the archetypal Copenhagen scene. The city is ringed by canals, which is maybe why so many people mistakenly assume it is in Holland. Most popular are: Nyhavn, a former sailors’ haunt transformed into a lively summertime tourist trap, Gammel Strand, where a street market adds a lively air during the summer, and those around Christianshavn, an area so filled with canals it has earned the nickname of “Little Amsterdam”. Guided canal tours are some of the most popular activities for Copenhagen’s summertime visitors.

Progressive, beautiful and eminently livable, Copenhagen constantly gives the world reason anew to marvel at Northern Europe. Denmark's capital has traditionally enjoyed a low profile, but as it grows in population, courts cutting-edge businesses, and facilitates a link between itself and neighboring Sweden, it increases in prominence and demands attention from business and leisure circles alike.

Originally a fishing village, Copenhagen evolved into a major port of trade after being fortified in 1167. In 1660, then, it became a royal city, when Frederik III declared himself absolute monarch. His father, Christian IV, had been a proponent of culture and made great strides in bolstering the city architecturally. It's from this era that such landmarks as the Rundetårn (Round Tower) and the Børsen (Stock Exchange) date. In the 18th century, two devastating fires forever altered the landscape of the city, destroying as much as two-thirds of it. Even with such injury, Copenhagen managed to hold onto its character. Now, its charming medieval layout and well-proportioned buildings impart the capital with plenty of Old World appeal.

Today, as in past centuries, a location at the entrance to the Baltic Sea places...  Read more »

Progressive, beautiful and eminently livable, Copenhagen constantly gives the world reason anew to marvel at Northern Europe. Denmark's capital has traditionally enjoyed a low profile, but as it grows in population, courts cutting-edge businesses, and facilitates a link between itself and neighboring Sweden, it increases in prominence and demands attention from business and leisure circles alike.

Originally a fishing village, Copenhagen evolved into a major port of trade after being fortified in 1167. In 1660, then, it became a royal city, when Frederik III declared himself absolute monarch. His father, Christian IV, had been a proponent of culture and made great strides in bolstering the city architecturally. It's from this era that such landmarks as the Rundetårn (Round Tower) and the Børsen (Stock Exchange) date. In the 18th century, two devastating fires forever altered the landscape of the city, destroying as much as two-thirds of it. Even with such injury, Copenhagen managed to hold onto its character. Now, its charming medieval layout and well-proportioned buildings impart the capital with plenty of Old World appeal.

Today, as in past centuries, a location at the entrance to the Baltic Sea places Copenhagen at a commercial crossroads. The city sits partially on Denmark's largest island, Zealand, and partially on Amager, another island that rests in the Øresund, a busy waterway separating Denmark from Sweden. In 2000, the strait between the two countries was permanently bridged, and now, the nations are only minutes away from each other — another boon to international trade and tourism.

While commerce has long been a Copenhagen strength, in recent years, the composition of business has changed. While traditional industries included machinery and ship metalworking, biochemistry and communications now rank among the area's high-profile fields. In addition, major corporations flock to the city to establish European headquarters, especially companies like Dell and Nokia. On the luxury front, notable Danish products include beer, furniture, porcelain, and silver.

Aside from industry, Copenhagen caters to quality-of-life pleasures. The city's compact, easily-navigated center welcomes visitors and residents, plying them with incredible architecture, enticing restaurants, and convivial bars and clubs. Underlying all the physical appeal is a wide-reaching Danish hospitality that puts tourists immediately at ease. Folks are quick to offer assistance and proudly introduce new-comers to classic Scandinavian cuisine, clean-lined Danish design, and singular treasures like Tivoli (the city's signature amusement park) and the Rundetårn, which offers awesome city views.

And although Copenhagen doesn't make a dramatic show of flash and spectacle, it boasts something much more attractive — an authenticity of spirit and joy in living that are practically tangible. You only need stroll through the city, lounge in a park, shop along Strøget, or relax in a café to see the pleasure Copenhagen's people carry with them daily. It's the same sort of fairy-tale excitement that native son Hans Christian Andersen cultivated in his stories of magic and reconciliation, which are still being read and enjoyed decades later.

So, while Copenhagen isn't as well-known a destination as more grandiose Continental capitals, it's a terrific place to experience northern Europe's allure. Efficient, clean and fun, it links the cosmopolitan flair of Scandinavia's largest city to the village-like charm of an easy-going northern town with character to spare and nothing but promise ahead.