Copenhagen
Capital Of Denmark, Traditionally Founded In 1167; Nyhavn, Christiansborg, Rosenborg And Amalienborg, Harbour Baths And One Of The World'S Great Cycling Cities · Copenhagen, Capital Region of Denmark
Copenhagen (Kobenhavn) is the Danish capital, traditionally dated to 1167 when Bishop Absalon fortified a small trading harbour on the Oresund. Today it is a compact, flat, walkable city of canals, copper spires and royal palaces, famous for bicycles, clean harbour water you can swim in, New Nordic food and a design culture that shows up in everything from lamps to bus stops. First-time visitors come for the painted gabled houses of Nyhavn, the crown jewels in Rosenborg Castle, the changing of the guard at Amalienborg, the parliament and royal reception rooms of Christiansborg, the free town of Christiania, Tivoli, the Stroget shopping streets and the harbour baths at Islands Brygge. Almost everything central is within a 30-minute walk or a short bike or metro ride. The honest caveat: it is one of the most expensive cities in Europe - a simple lunch, a beer or a museum ticket costs noticeably more than in most capitals - and the Little Mermaid, its most famous statue, is small and usually surrounded by tour groups.
Copenhagen, from Nyhavn and Christiansborg to Norrebro and the harbour, Copenhagen, Capital Region of Denmark, Denmark
The city is open all year. Museums and palaces typically open daily in summer and close one day a week (often Monday) the rest of the year, with shorter winter hours - check each current schedule. The changing of the guard at Amalienborg happens daily around midday. From Copenhagen Airport (Kastrup) the metro reaches Kongens Nytorv in about 15 minutes and trains reach Central Station in about 15. Book ahead: Rosenborg time slots in summer, restaurants with a name, harbour tours in July, and anything on a public holiday.