Copenhagen

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DESTINATIONS denmark copenhagen

Copenhagen

Often ranked among the best cities to live in, Copenhagen is a Nordic haven where the concept of 'hygge', embracing cosiness and contentment, permeates every corner. Copenhagen's charm lies in its ability to foster both the cutting-edge and the timeless, offering a multifaceted experience that appeals to the modern adventurer and history enthusiast alike. Jump on a bike and wander through its charming neighbourhoods, discover innovative architecture, savour world-class cuisine, and recharge your batteries in one of its many green spaces.

The City

Copenhagen is an ancient city, full of beautiful historic buildings and many points of interest. The ramparts and walls surrounding the city centre were demolished around the middle of the nineteenth century. This allowed Copenhagen to assume the peculiar architectural structure characterised by narrow stone streets that lead directly to the city centre and which are the background to numerous shops and bars. In recent years, Copenhagen's historic architectural heritage has been enriched with modern and contemporary buildings. An example of these are those designed by the Danish and French architects Bjarke Ingels and Jean Nouvel, who gave a new touch to the old-fashioned style of the city. Copenhagen is also known for its relaxing atmosphere. Denmark’s capital effortlessly captures the essence of ‘hygge’, a Danish term that encapsulates a sense of cosiness, comfort, and contentment. The city's charming streets, picturesque canals, and stylish yet welcoming spaces contribute to the overall hygge atmosphere. Locals and visitors alike savour moments of relaxation in cosy cafés, enjoy leisurely walks through parks, and appreciate the warm, convivial ambience of Copenhagen's many restaurants and bars.

Sustainable City

Copenhagen is often mentioned as one of the most environmentally conscious cities in Europe, if not the entire world. The Danish capital hopes to achieve carbon neutrality by 2025 and has already taken a number of steps toward this ambitious goal. A notable stride in this direction involves the rapid transition of buses from diesel to electric power, delivering not only a positive impact on air quality but also a reduction in noise pollution. In addition, the city is prioritising the development of dedicated biking lanes to encourage sustainable transportation — subsidised prices for electric bikes are making the switch from cars even more attractive. Copenhagen maintains a commitment to sustainability, with approximately two-thirds of its hotels being eco-certified. These certifications ensure the adoption of best practices in sustainable energy, food, and design. Additionally, the city's dining scene aligns with eco-friendly principles, with many restaurants offering organic food options to conscientious consumers.

Do & See

Copenhagen is an old city with historic buildings, royal castles, beautiful parks and harbours, and plenty of attractions and activities to keep even the most eager tourist busy. The city centre is characterised by charming architecture and narrow curving streets. But within recent years Copenhagen has supplemented its architectural heritage with new, world-class architecture. It is easy to explore the city and get around, and many sights are within walking distance from one another. You can always catch a bus or take the metro to get around, or rent a bike and travel the Danish way.

Dining

Copenhagen is the leading gastronomy capital of Scandinavia. The city has more Michelin restaurants than any neighbouring country. Copenhagen is also home to Noma, which was awarded as the World's Best Restaurant three years in a row. Whether you are into bistros or Michelin-starred restaurants, there is plenty for you in Copenhagen. The restaurant scene is among the world's most distinct and innovative, and it caters to all budgets. When dining out, try the much-appraised Nordic kitchen at least once. It is known for being of high quality and with a focus on using local and seasonal products.

Cafés

Curious about Danish cakes and pastries? When in Denmark, you have to try a real Danish — or wienerbrød, as it is called here. They are sold in many varieties at bakeries and cafés all over the city. The oldest patisserie in Copenhagen is 'Conditori La Glace', which was founded in 1870. Amongst many mouth-watering cakes and pastries, you will find the classic Sports Cake, which consists of crushed nougat, whipped cream, a macaroon bottom and caramelized choux pastry. There is nothing better than to grab an ice cream cone to go on a nice summer day. Denmark is famous for its dairy products, and you will understand why when you try local ice cream. By the way, did you know that Danes are one of the most ice cream-eating people in the world? The average Dane eats 10 litres of ice cream a year.

Bars & Nightlife

Whether you want to dance till the sun comes up or just have a beer or two with some friends, Copenhagen has plenty of establishments to choose from, ranging from laid-back bars to posh upscale clubs. Copenhageners love to go out — especially on the weekends. Cocktails are popular, and you'll find several bars where you can enjoy a skilfully crafted drink. However, If you're more of a beer person, Copenhagen offers various pubs, bars, and breweries, too. Each neighbourhood has its own favourite spots, and, apart from downtown, Vesterbro and Nørrebro are the places to be after sundown.

Shopping

Copenhagen is great for shopping, both because of the variety of the shops and because the city is compact. Start your shopping trip in the Inner City (Indre By). On Strøget, you'll find most of the big chain stores and more exclusive shops. Stroll down the small streets parallel to Strøget and Købmagergade where you'll find vintage shops, Danish designers such as Wood Wood, Malene Birger and Henrik Vibskov, and small jewellery and ceramics shops. Streets outside the Inner City that are worth checking out are Istedgade, Gl. Kongevej, Elmegade, Jægersborggade and Østerbrogade.

Tourist Information

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