By air
Copenhagen (CPH), ~8 km
Europe · Denmark
Copenhagen, Denmark
Harbour baths, bicycles and hygge
Getting there
Best time to visit
May to September — long days
Don't miss
Nyhavn
Tivoli Gardens
The Little Mermaid
Rosenborg Castle
Things to do
Nyhavn
Cycling the city
Tivoli Gardens
A swim in the harbour
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: kallerna · CC BY-SA 4.0
What to pack
Layers, a rain jacket
A quieter corner
The Superkilen park in Nørrebro
Questions travellers ask
What's the ideal time for Copenhagen?
May to September, for the long days. Pack layers and a rain jacket.
What are the classic Copenhagen sights?
Nyhavn, Tivoli Gardens, the Little Mermaid and Rosenborg Castle. Get around by bike, and take a swim in the harbour.
Where can I find good food in Copenhagen?
Street food on Reffen, plus smørrebrød and pastries.
Is there a lesser-known spot in Copenhagen?
The Superkilen park in Nørrebro.
About Copenhagen
- Coastal
Where it is
Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark, on the eastern shore of the island of Zealand and partly on the island of Amager, facing Sweden across the Øresund strait.
History
Copenhagen's founding is traditionally dated to 1167, when Bishop Absalon built a fortress on the islet of Slotsholmen; its name, København, means merchants' harbour, and it became the Danish capital in the early 15th century. King Christian IV added landmarks such as Rosenborg Castle and the Round Tower in the 17th century, and the city was rebuilt after great fires in 1728 and 1795 and a British bombardment in 1807.
People
Copenhageners speak Danish, and cycling is part of daily life in one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world. Hygge, the Danish idea of cosy togetherness, shapes the city's cafés and homes, and smørrebrød, open sandwiches on rye bread, is a lunchtime tradition.
Known for
- Nyhavn's colourful harbourfront
- Tivoli Gardens
- The Little Mermaid statue
- Cycling and harbour swimming
- New Nordic cuisine and smørrebrød
Did you know?
Tivoli Gardens, opened in 1843, is the second-oldest amusement park still operating in the world; the oldest, Dyrehavsbakken, lies just north of the city.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.