Copenhagen

Denmark·Europe

Currency

DKK

Language

Danish

Timezone

Copenhagen

Continent

Europe

Our guide

Discover Copenhagen

Copenhagen is a city of canals, bicycles and design. Nyhavn and its coloured façades are the image, but the substance is elsewhere: Rosenborg Castle with the crown jewels, Christiansborg where parliament sits, Amalienborg where the royal family lives, and Christiania, a self-declared free town since 1971 with no equivalent anywhere.

When to go

May to August. Scandinavian summer days are very long and the city lives outdoors. Winter is dark — the sun sets at half past three in December — but it is hygge season, and Tivoli lit up is worth the trip.

Getting around

The bicycle is the default: Copenhagen has more bikes than people and lanes the width of a road. The metro is driverless and runs around the clock. The whole centre goes on foot or on two wheels.

Where to eat

Copenhagen redefined Nordic cooking and Noma — regularly ranked the best restaurant in the world — is where it started; booking runs months ahead. At the other end, smørrebrød, the open sandwich, is everywhere and cheap.

Good to know

The Danish krone is the currency, not the euro. Denmark is expensive, and that dominates a budget far more than admission. Only three halal addresses are listed.

Smart Planning