Hanging About
You can take a quick walk from Langelinie Pier to see the Small Mermaid statue or Amalienborg Palace. Langelinie’s promenade is lined with shops, casual cafes and far more.
There is no purpose to hang about the Freeport Terminal the identical is true of Ocean Quay.
Do not Miss
Sightseeing Tours: An excellent option for common sightseeing is any a single of many bus or canal tours. The almost 3-hour Grand Bus Tour that departs from Town Hall Square contains drive-by views of Tivoli, the Carlsberg Visitor Centre, Christiansborg Palace, the Danish Royal Theater, Nynhavn, Gefion Fountain, Grundtvig Church and Rosenborg Castle. There are quick stops to see the Small Mermaid, the altering of the guard at Amalienborg Palace and the Church of Our Lady. The 1.5-hour-long hop-on, hop-off bus tour involves considerably of the identical, but it gives an on/off choice for these who wish to linger a bit longer at some of the stops. Tickets are excellent for 24 hours or 48 hours of use. For these who favor to tour on foot, Copenhagen Cost-free Walking Tours (three hours extended) meet each day at 11 a.m. and three p.m. on the actions of Town Hall Square and finish close to Amalienborg Palace.
Little Mermaid: The coyly reclining statue is quintessential Copenhagen, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen and sculpted by Edvard Eriksen in 1913. She has been decapitated 3 times and painted red by vandals, but she happily survived all this, due to the truth that her original mold exists, so body components can be replaced if required.
SMK, The National Gallery of Denmark: The most significant museum in the nation, this is exactly where art from the 13th century to the present is exhibited. Functions by Rubens, Rembrandt and Hals share the walls with Eckersberg, Kobke and Hansen. French 20th-century art consists of 20 performs by Matisse. Performs by younger Danish and international contemporary artists are featured in the x-space. (Solvgade 48-50 free admission open Tuesday and Thursday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday ten a.m. to eight p.m., closed Monday)
Tivoli Gardens: Given that opening in 1843, this 20-acre park has delighted guests. Set in the heart of the city, this charming park was mentioned to be Walt Disney’s inspiration for DisneyLand. More than 400,000 flowers (and virtually as many sparkling lights after dark) are a colorful setting for amusement rides (including a higher-speed roller coaster), reside music, 40 restaurants and a fireworks show on Saturday nights. Never miss the Pantomime Theater’s evening performances of ballet and acrobatics, a beloved tradition because 1844. Tivoli is closed from mid-September until April, but opens for a handful of weeks prior to the Christmas holidays with a terrific Christmas industry and the opportunity to channel your inner Hans Christian Andersen by ice-skating on the lake. (Vesterbrogade three open Sunday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight, and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Amalienborg Palace: The four 18th-century French Rococo-style mansions that make up the palace grounds have been the homes of the Danish royal loved ones considering that 1794. Watch the altering of the Royal Danish Guard at noon, when the royal family members is at home. (You’ll know they’re home if the swallowtail flag is flying above the palace.) Capped in black bearskin busbies, the guards begin marching at 11:30 a.m. from the barracks by the Rosenborg Palace the route varies depending upon which royal is in residence. For the Queen, it goes along Rosenborggade, Kobmargergade, Ostergade, Kongens Nytorv, Bredgage, Sct. Annae Plads and Amaliegade. When the princes are residing at the palace, but not as regents, the parade route is along Gothersgade, CHr.IX’s Gade, Kr. Bernikowsgade, Kongens Nytorv, Bredgade, Fredericksgade and Amalienborg. Right after the change, they return along these very same routes back to Rosenborg, accompanied by a band. Guests have access to Christian VIII’s Palace, because Queen Margrethe lives at Christian VII’s. (Kobenhavn 1257 open daily from May possibly to September, ten a.m. to five p.m. closed Mondays from October to April)
Christiansborg Palace: House to the Danish Parliament, the Supreme Court and the Royal Reception Rooms, the palace is a should-see. Take one of the guided tours (day-to-day, noon to four p.m.) to see the Reception Rooms, the Royal Stables, the Great Hall (with the Queen’s Tapestries) and Parliament. Also check out the ruins (everyday, May possibly to September, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. closed Mondays October to April) of the 1167 castle of Bishop Absalon (founder of Copenhagen), located under the palace. (Christiansborg Slotsholmen)
Kastellet: A citadel constructed by King Frederik III in the 1660s and still with some of its original ramparts, this was the city’s primary fortress till the 18th century. For the duration of the Nazi occupation, it served as the Germans’ headquarters. Though the Danish military occupies its buildings nowadays, visitors can stroll the lovely grounds, including the five-point moat. (Langelinie open day-to-day, six a.m. to sunset)
Our Savior’s Church (Vor Frelsers Kirke): If you happen to be up for some physical exercise, trek the 400-step spiral steeple of the Baroque church to take in an incredible city view. Urban legend says the architect jumped from the steeple when he realized the winding staircase curved the wrong way. Save enough time to see the carved organ case. (Annaegade 29 open everyday from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)
National Museum of Denmark: Jam-packed with anthropological artifacts from the Upper Paleolithic period to the mid-19th century, the museum homes the largest collection of cultural artifacts in the country. The Viking stones and helmets are wonderful, as are the 3,000-year-old Lur horns (amongst the oldest musical instruments in Europe) and the 3,500-year-old Sun Chariot. We advocate seeing the Royal Collection of Coins and Medals, also. (Ny Vestergade ten totally free admission open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Rosenborg Castle: The 17th-century Renaissance-style castle was constructed as a summer time property for Christian IV, who ruled from 1588 to 1648. Wait till you see the ivory coronation chairs and Frederik VII’s child shoes. 3 silver lions guard the thrones of the king and queen, surrounded by tapestries that depict historic battle scenes among Denmark and Sweden. Rooms, chronologically arranged, feature royal family artifacts, like Christian IV’s crown — atwinkle with gold, diamonds and pearls — and the crown jewels nevertheless worn by H.M. the Queen on specific occasions. (May: daily, ten a.m. to four p.m. June to August: everyday, ten a.m. to 5 p.m. September to October: daily, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. November to April: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Vor Frue Kirke Church: Be sure to see Bertel Thorvaldsen’s statues of Christ and the 12 apostles at the neoclassical 11th-century church. Visitors are not permitted to enter for the duration of religious services or other events.
Copenhagen Amber Museum: Apart from the biggest chunk of amber in the world, the museum has an exceptional collection of amber embedded with insects, plants and other prehistoric material. There is a shop downstairs exactly where you can purchase high-top quality amber jewelry. (Kongens Nytorv two open everyday, May to September, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. day-to-day, October to April, ten a.m. to five:30 p.m.)
Visit Carlsberg: Got beer? Beyond a brewery tour, this quit pays homage to the renowned Danish beer (launched in 1847) with a sculpture garden, horses in harness and the world’s largest collection of unopened beer bottles from around the globe. Of course there are beer samplings and tastings the brew residence is also a well-liked location to have lunch. (Gamle Carlsberg Vej 11 open every day, ten a.m. to 5 p.m., except Mondays from October to Might)
Danish Jewish Museum: Developed by Daniel Libeskind (who also created New York City’s Freedom Tower at the internet site of the former Globe Trade Center), the museum is located in the former Royal Boathouse built by Christian IV in 1598. Exhibits highlight Jewish life in Denmark, such as culture, art and history, extending back to the initial Jewish immigration 400 years ago. (Access via Proviantpassagen from Christians Borg and Christians Brygge open June to August: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to five p.m. September to Might, Tuesday to Friday, 1 p.m. to four p.m., and Saturday to Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.)
Kronborg: Some say Kronborg is the greatest castle in the country it’s situated about 40 minutes from Copenhagen (reachable by train). The “Elsinore Castle” of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, this UNESCO World Heritage monument was constructed among 1574 and 1585. With its soaring towers and grand ballroom, Kronborg is a single of the most essential Renaissance castles in Northern Europe. In August, it hosts a Shakespeare festival. (open everyday April to Might, 11 a.m. to four p.m. June to August, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. September to October, 11 a.m. to four p.m.)
Open Air Museum: Head to Lyngby, on the outskirts of Copenhagen, to see this lovely reconstructed village, spread out on almost 90 acres. Take into account it good workout to stroll the two miles around the compound. Never-miss exhibits include a half-timbered 18th-century farmstead from 1 of Denmark’s tiny islands, a primitive longhouse from the Faroe Islands and thatched fishermen’s huts from Jutland. (Kongevejen 100, Lyngby open everyday May possibly to June: Tuesday to Sunday, ten a.m. to 4 p.m. July to mid-August: Tuesday to Sunday, ten a.m. to five p.m. mid-August to mid-October: Tuesday to Sunday, ten a.m. to 4 p.m. closed mid-October until Easter, but open weekends for the duration of Christmas season)
Royal Stables: At what have been the actual stables of the Royal Family members given that 1778, you are going to see riders exercising the royal horses on your pay a visit to. Verify out the Harness Room to see old uniforms, an ornate eight-horse harness and the Royal Family’s carriage. Inside the Coach Hall are old but nicely-preserved state coaches and carriages. (Christiansborg Ridebane 12 open every day, 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. in July, ten a.m. to 5 p.m closed Mondays from October to April)
Acquiring About
On Foot: Copenhagen is a excellent walking city, with most of its wondrous sights inside a square mile of its center. A great location to begin a city tour is Town Hall Square the Tivoli Gardens are across the street, and just north of Tivoli is Radhuspladsen, the central city square and the principal terminal for the regional bus network. To the east is the city’s waterfront, such as the canal district of Christianshavn.
By Taxi: There are more than 1,700 government-licensed taxis that service Copenhagen, and most accept credit cards for trips of any length. Just make certain you inform the driver at the onset of your journey. Ask in advance to be confident your driver takes a credit card with out a pin if you’re using a magnetic strip card (typical in the U.S.). You can hail taxis easily enough, and most drivers speak English. Taxi fares improve throughout the evening hours and on holidays. Drivers round up to the next krone, but no other tip is necessary. We advise that you only ride in metered taxis.
By Bus: From the cruise facility at Langelinie Pier, bus #26, which runs every 20 minutes, will take you to the city center. A waterbus near the polar bear statue at the end of the pier can also get you to the center of the city. (A one-day ticket lets you get on and off all day.) Taxis are plentiful for the 10-minute ride in. If you’ve disembarked at Freeport Terminal, take bus #27 to Kongens Nytorv or Radhuspladsen (town square). Taxis are normally accessible, as effectively. If you’re at Ocean Quay, the greatest bet is to take a hop-on, hop-off bus tour of the city. A couple of competing outfits operate these tours, and the cost is roughly $ 20 to $ 25 USD. The tour itself lasts about 90 minutes and includes all the key highlights like Amalienborg Palace, Tivoli Gardens and the Little Mermaid, but you can jump off to explore at your leisure and pick up the next bus at the cease. You might also find a taxi at Ocean Quay that will take you to town, but that is not a certain thing, and you may possibly commit virtually as much on taxi fare as you would for the narrated bus tour.
By Bike: Copenhagen has much more than 1,000 white “City Bikes” that anybody can use within central Copenhagen, year-round, by inserting a coin into the bike’s locking mechanism (1 hour for 25 DKK). Designated bike lanes snake by way of town, and you won’t be alone — there are practically two bikes for each resident of Copenhagen, they say, and it really is one of the most bike-friendly cities in Europe.
By Car: Vehicle rental organizations like Budget, Hertz and Europcar have offices in the city, as properly as at the airport. (Europcar is discounted for holders of the Copenhagen Card.) Check their web sites for precise locations and rates. The cost of parking weekdays from eight a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from eight a.m. to 2 p.m. is determined by zones (red, green and blue), and each has its personal pricing. The farther away, the less costly it will be. (The red zone is 30 DKK per hour, the green zone is 18 DKK, and the blue zone is 11 DKK.) Other occasions are totally free. Parking away from the city center is free for up to two hours. Tickets are purchased from coin-operated meters in the parking places.
From the Airport: Copenhagen Airport is six miles (9 km) from the city’s center. Shuttle buses are usually accessible to cruise ships, but contact your cruise line for far more information. If you arrive at Terminal 3, there are trains to town departing every single 20 minutes take the train to Osterport station. A taxi to Langelinie Pier takes about 25 minutes. Ocean Quay is also about 25 minutes from the airport.
For travelers debarking or embarking there, Copenhagen has one particular of the most handy rail solutions among downtown’s principal terminal (Kobenhavn) and the airport. The ride takes about 15 minutes. For travelers with a day to kill before flying, the rail station gives baggage storage.
Lunching
Copenhagen Street Food Market place: Denmark’s ideal fare is arguably its open-face sandwiches or smorrebrod and its legendary hot dogs, which can be purchased from the several carts scattered throughout the city. Dining at a sit-down restaurant can be pricey there, so you may want to think about grabbing a bite at Copenhagen Street Food Market, a former warehouse and docking location now lined with food trucks for frugal and exciting dining.
Torvehallerne: One more possibility is Torvehallerne, the city’s covered food industry, where food stalls and snack bars supply fresh fare and a lively atmosphere.
Nimb: Attempt Nimb, a beautifully restored historic structure at Tivoli Gardens that houses an upmarket boutique hotel, deli, market, restaurant and brasserie. Aim for the latter, which, even though a bit pricey, gives wonderful views of the grounds. (You may possibly even catch a overall performance while dining on the terrace.) The food is standard Danish with a modern flair.
Fru Nimb Flaeskestegsbod: Looking for something a bit much more simple and quick throughout your day at Tivoli? Pop into Fru Nimb Flaeskestegsbod for one of its tasty, affordable pork sandwiches.
Spcafeen: One more option at Tivoli is Socafeen for Danish sandwiches and cold beer, overlooking Tivoli Lake.
Restaurant Schonnemann: Our pick for the ultimate smorrebrod experience, this neighborhood favourite offers a medley of Danish open-face sandwiches, featuring a dark rye base with toppings like silky gravlax with mustard and dill or curried herring. They recommend you try three or four of these tapas-sized sandwiches and, of course, an aquavit. They’ve been doing this considering that 1877, and they’ve gotten it proper. We suggest lunching on the late side to stay away from crowds. (Hauser Plads 16 +45 3312 0785 open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. closed Sundays)
Noma: Of course you’ve heard of this 1. It really is deemed one particular of the top restaurants in the world and has been rated the absolute greatest in the globe 4 times. Be ready to have your taste buds challenged by Chef Rene Redzepi, who brings nearby cuisine to an elevated level, incorporating ingredients like forest ants (sprinkled atop steak tartar with celery oil) into his 20-course tasting menu. You may possibly encounter squid and fennel served in an ice bowl, rhubarb creme fraiche and sorrel, as properly as other inventive pairings. Service is flawless. Following your meal, tour the kitchens, including the fermentation lab. Yes, it’s pricey — currently 1,700 DKK (about $ 255 USD), such as 25 % VAT — but if you’re a committed foodie, you will agree the splurge is worthwhile. Reservations are accepted three months in advance online at www.noma.dk/reservations/ or by telephone from Mon to Friday, ten a.m. to four p.m. (neighborhood time). (Strandegade 93, Christianshavn +45 3296 3297 open Tuesday to Saturday, noon to 1 a.m.)
