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DANNY KANE famously crooned: “Wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen, salty old queen of the sea”, and it’s easy to see why when you arrive in the Danish capital. This charming city is criss-crossed and surrounded by an array of canals, lakes and the sea.
The city is actually built on an island, but a road bridge to Sweden, completed in 2000, now links it to Scandinavia, the Baltic and the rest of mainland Europe.
Although modern Copenhagen is the largest city in Scandinavia, it retains a friendly small-town atmosphere that is instantly appealing, complete with fairytale houses, narrow
 The Danish royal family live at Amalienborg Slot |
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streets and delicate spires.
The medieval city centre is perfectly scaled for strolling, and modern planners have pedestrianised many areas. Couple that with a visitor-friendly culture, English speaking locals and one of the most famous breweries in the world and you have the perfect weekend break.
A visit to the world famous Tivoli gardens is a must. This green oasis is charming, if a little bizarre, with a lake, rides, theatres and magnificent flowerbeds. Don’t miss the Tivoli Boys Guard, who parade through the gardens at 5.30pm and 7.30pm on weekends and public holidays, with a full orchestra, stagecoach and horses!
Next to Tivoli is Copenhagen’s leading gallery, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, funded by the brewery. There’s an extraordinary collection of ancient sculpture, as well as works by Paul Gauguin, a selection of Impressionists and 30 of Rodin’s sculptures. Nearby is another world-class museum, the Nationalmuseet with its excellent Prehistoric, Medieval and Renaissance departments and a Children’s Museum.
Europe’s longest shopping street features all the main international chains and designer boutiques, interspersed with cafés and restaurants. Magasin du Nord, the largest department store in Scandinavia, is situated on Kongens Nytorv.
Intriguing second-hand and antique shops are thick on the ground in the Sankt Hans Torv area, while flea markets abound at Israel Plads and Gammel Strand every Saturday.
The pretty canal of Nyhavn, lined with bars and restaurants, is the departure point for sightseeing cruises. It was here, 150 years ago, that Hans Christian Andersen wrote many of his fairy stories. Look out for the famous Little Mermaid statue, which sits on the Langelinie docks.
The island of Slotsholmen is the ancient heart of the city. History buffs will love this quarter. It is packed with important buildings, including Christiansborg Slot, a former royal palace that now houses the Parliament, as well as the Supreme Court, the Royal Stables, the Armoury Museum, and the modern Black Diamond, home of the national library.
Further north is Frederiksstaden, with its wide, straight streets, dotted with churches, palaces and museums. Here you will find Amalienborg Slot, the Danish royal family’s abode, comprising four rococo royal palaces. A raised flag shows if the first family is at home.
Ten minutes inland, the Rosenborg Palace sits regally among lovely gardens. The nearby National gallery has a vast collection depicting 700 years of Danish art, plus pieces by Van Gogh, Matisse, Picasso and many Dutch masters.
Across the water is Christianshavn, bohemian area full of canals and home to Christiania, the ‘free city’, which has been squatted since the 1970s. You can take a guided tour of this strange social experiment.
Vesterbro was once the red light district, but is now home to the Carlsberg Brewery, which has free tours to show visitors the mixing, brewing and bottling processes and ends with a tasting session for thirsty visitors – an intoxicating experience!
Experience the exquisite craftsmanship behind Royal Copenhagen porcelain and see how Flora Danica tableware is made during a tour of the Royal Scandinavia Porcelain Factory in Frederiksberg. It is housed in one of the oldest and most beautiful buildings in Copenhagen, a Renaissance house dating from 1616.
Experimentarium, Denmark’s science centre, opened in 1991, in the old Tuborg Brewery bottling hall. Visitors of all ages can interact with approximately 300 light, sound and water exhibits. The centre also stages science demonstrations, workshop activities and special exhibitions.
Visitors can experience over 500 outstanding world records, from the tallest man to the most poisonous frog, and try what it feels like to drive at 500kph or take on the world’s best fighter.
You can fly direct to Copenhagen from Faro. Contact your local travel agent for prices on flights and hotels in this charming capital.
PDM Verdict
If you fancy some culture, relaxation and, of course, probably the best beer in the world, we recommend a city break to
wonderful Copenhagen.
