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C – Attractions & Things To Do
Copenhagen is a city with much charm, as reflected in its canals, narrow streets, and charming houses that have stood for hundreds of years.The country of Denmark consists of one peninsula and more than 400 islands. Copenhagen is situated on the east coast of Denmark’s largest island, Zealand. Copenhagen has been the capital of Denmark for nearly 600 years and is also the largest city in Scandinavia.
Bicycles spin alongside automobile traffic, and in the early morning in the pedestrian streets of the city the air is filled with the aroma of freshly baked bread and newly scrubbed storefronts. A prominent point of orientation in the city is the main rail station, Central Station, which is bordered on the west by the primary hotel district and to the northeast by the ever popular Tivoli Gardens. Just north of Tivoli is Rådhuspladsen, the central city square and the main terminus for the local bus network. To the east is the city’s waterfront, including the canal district of Christianshavn.
The flat terrain of the city center of Copenhagen invites walking or bicycling. The tangles of cobbled one-way streets are interesting in themselves! Between April and September, the city provides over 2000 bicycles which can be borrowed from one of the over 150 racks located at strategic points. A coin deposit unlocks the rack. The coin is refunded when the cycle is returned.
Copenhagen is not divided into single-purpose districts, so people work, play, shop, and live throughout the central core of this multi layered, densely populated capital. Most sights lie within this one square-mile center. Copenhagen, has the longest pedestrian mall on earth. The mall, Strøget, (pronounced ‘stroll’ and meaning ‘stripe’) was completed in 1962 and serves as a model for pedestrian malls all over the world. It is an amalgamation of five streets: Frederiksberggade, Nygade, Vimmelskaftet, Amagertorv and Ostergade. It runs through the center of the city between Rådhuspladsen and Kongens Nytorv, the square at the head of the Nyhavn canal. The mall is filled with fascinating reminders of Denmark’s past as well as department stores, shops, restaurants, theaters and museums.
The most affordable way to see Copenhagen is with a Copenhagen card. Choose one for a 24, 48 or 72 hour period and enjoy free travel by public transportation and free entry into more than 60 museums and attractions in the greater Copenhagen area, as well as discounts on many others.
For sightseeing beyond the city there is an excellent and efficient public transportation system. Trains and buses operate from 5 am to midnight. After that, night buses run every half hour from the main bus station at Rådhus Pladsen to most areas of the city and surroundings.
There are many green spaces within and around the city center, with large parks and gardens in which to relax and enjoy the day. Be sure to try a cruise through the canals of Christianshavn, and give a nod in the direction of the Little Mermaid. Architecturally, Copenhagen has more than its share of interesting sights, from the administrative palace of Christianborg Slot on the island of Slotsholmen to the fascinating steeple of the Gothic style Vor Frelsers Kirke.
Denmark and its capital, Copenhagen, have one of the highest standards of living in the world. Copenhagen is a family friendly city of excellence. It is a city with museums, cultural attractions, a lively nightlife, cafés, restaurants, and entertainment of the highest caliber. It is among the finest of European capitals
Area:
35 sq mi
Population:
1,650,000
Country:
Denmark
Language:
Danish is a difficult language for visitors, (except for those from Norway and Sweden), to understand, and to speak. Danes are excellent linguists, however, and almost everyone, except perhaps elderly people in rural areas, speaks English well.
Time Zone:
Denmark operates on Central European Time–1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and 6 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (+2 in summer) This translates to Copenhagen being 6 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. . When it is noon in Copenhagen; it is 6am in New York City. Daylight Savings Time is observed from the end of March to the end of September.
Telephone area code:
none; the country code is 45. This two-digit number should precede any call made to Denmark from another country. Danish phones are fully automatic. Dial the eight-digit number; there are no city area codes. At public telephone booths, use two 50-øre coins or a 1-krone or 5-krone coin only. Don’t insert any coins until your party answers. You can make more than one call on the same payment if your time hasn’t run out. Remember that it can be expensive to telephone from your hotel room. Emergency calls are free.
Average Temperatures (In Fahrenheit):
| High | Low | |
| January – March | 41F | 28F |
| April – June | 66F | 36F |
| July – September | 68F | 50F |
| October – December | 52F | 32F |
When to Go:
Most travelers visit Denmark during the warmest months, July and August, but there are advantages to going in May, June, or September, when the city is less crowded and many establishments offer off-season discounts. However, few places in Denmark are ever unpleasantly crowded, and when the Danes make their annual exodus to the beaches the cities have even more breathing space. Many visitors avoid the winter months, when days are short and dark and when important attractions, including Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens, are closed for most of the season. It’s worth noting, however, that winter holidays are beautiful and Tivoli does re-open for a time with its special Christmas market.
Packing:
It is wise to pack a folding umbrella and a lightweight raincoat, as unexpected showers are the norm year round. Pack casual clothes. Comfortable walking shoes are essential. If you have trouble sleeping when it is light or are sensitive to strong sun, bring an eye mask for sleeping and dark sunglasses for outdoors. Summer provides extra hours of light, extending into nighttime hours.
Passports & Visas:
All U.S. citizens, even infants, need only a valid passport to enter any Scandinavian country for stays of up to three months.
National Holidays:
New Year’s Day Jan. 1
March or April (varies) Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Monday
April 25 Common Prayer (Great Prayer Day)
May (date varies) Feast of the Ascension
May (date varies) Pentecost Monday
June 5 Constitution Day (shops close at noon)
Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and St. Stephen’s Day Dec. 24, 25, 26.
Currency:
Denmark is part of the European Union, but the unit of exchange is still the krone (DKK)
Changing Money:
Almost all banks (including the Danske Bank at the airport) exchange money. After normal banking hours, Den Danske Bank exchange is open at the main railway station, daily June to August 7 am-10 pm, and daily September to May, 7 am-9 pm.
Cybercafés:
Internet access is provided in hotels and at many cybercafés in the area:
Customs:
Upon leaving Denmark, U.S. citizens who have been outside their home country for 48 hours or more are allowed to take home $400 worth of merchandise duty free, if they have claimed no similar exemption within the past 30 days. If you make purchases in Denmark, keep your receipts.
Taxes:
All hotel, restaurant, and departure taxes and VAT. In Denmark these taxes are known as MOMS (pronounced mumps). These are automatically included in prices. VAT is 25%; non-EU citizens can obtain a refund of roughly 20%. The more than 1,500 shops that participate in the tax-free plan have a white tax free sticker on their windows. Purchases must be at least DKr300 in purchases per store, but need not necessarily be purchased all at the same time. Items must be sealed and unused in Denmark. At the shop, you’ll be asked to fill out a form and to show your passport. The form can then be turned in at any airport or ferry customs desk, where you can choose a check or charge-card credit. Keep all your receipts and tags; occasionally, customs authorities do ask to see purchases, so pack them where they will be accessible.
A 25% MOMS is included in your hotel and restaurant bills, service charges, and entrance fees, as well as on repair of foreign-registered cars. No refunds are possible on these items.
Dentists:
During regular business hours, ask your hotel to call the nearest English-speaking dentist. For emergency dental treatment, go to Tandlægevagten, Oslo Plads 14 ( 35-38-02-51), near Østerport Station and the U.S. Embassy. It’ is open Monday to Friday from 8am -9:30pm and on Saturday, Sunday, and holidays from l0am – noon. Be prepared to pay in cash.
Doctors:
To reach a doctor, dial 33-93-63-00 from 9am – 4pm, or 38-88-60-41 after hours. The doctor’s fee is payable in cash. Virtually every doctor speaks English.
Drug Laws:
There are severe penalties in Denmark for the possession, use, purchase, sale, or manufacturing of drugs.
Electricity:
To use your U.S.-purchased electric-powered equipment, bring a converter and an adapter. The electrical current in Scandinavia is 220 volts, 50 cycles alternating current (AC); wall outlets take Continental-type plugs, with two round prongs.
Embassies:
All embassies are in Copenhagen. The embassy of the United States is located at Dag Hammarsjölds Allé 24, DK-2100 København ( 35-55-31-44
Emergencies:
Dial 112 to report a fire or to call the police or an ambulance. State your phone number and address. Emergency calls from public telephones are free (no coins needed).
Hospital Emergency Rooms:
Rigshospitalet (Blegdamsvej 9, tel. 35/45-35-45). Frederiksberg Hospital (Nordre Fasanvej 57, tel. 38/34-77-11).
Late-Night Pharmacies:
Steno Apotek (Vesterbrogade 6C, tel. 33/14-82-66) and Sønderbro Apotek (Amangerbrogade 158, tel. 31/58-01-40) are open 24 hours a day.
Eyeglass Repair:
The largest and oldest optical chain in Denmark is Synoptik, Købmagergade 22 ( 33-15-05-38), with 80 other branches throughout Denmark.
Laundry/Dry Cleaning:
There are laundromats in all neighborhoods, some independent, others part of the Vascomat and Möntvask chains.
Libraries:
Try the Københavns Bibliotek (Copenhagen Library), located at Krystalgade 15 ( 33-73-60-60). Open Monday to Friday from 10am to 7pm, and on Saturday from 10am to 2pm, has a large collection of English-language publications.
Newspapers:
Foreign newspapers, particularly the International Herald Tribune and USA Today, are available at the Central Railroad Station in front of the Palladium movie theater on Vesterbrogade, on Strøget, and at the newsstands of big hotels.
Radio & TV:
There are no English-language radio or TV stations broadcasting from Denmark. Only radios and TVs with satellite reception can receive signals from countries such as Britain. News programs in English are broadcast Monday to Saturday at 8:30am on Radio Denmark, 93.85 MHz. Radio 1 (at 90.8 MHz VHF) features news and classical music. Channels 2 and 3 (96.5/93.9 MHz) broadcast some entertainment, light news items, and light music. Most TV stations transmit from 7:30am to 11:30pm. Most films (many of which are American) are shown in their original languages, with Danish subtitles.
Religious Services:
Please telephone for hours of services:
St. Ansgar’s Roman Catholic Church
Bredgade 64
33-13-37-62
The English Church of St. Alban’s (Anglo-Episcopalian)
on Langelinie
39-62-77-36
The American Church (Protestant and interdenominational)
at the U.S. Embassy, Dag Hammarskjølds Allé 24
35-55-31-44
The Synagogue at Krystalgade 12.
33-12-88-68
The International Church of Copenhagen
(affiliated with the American Lutheran church) holds services at
Vartov Church
Farvergade 27
Across from the Town Hall.
39-62-47-85
International Calls:
Dial 00, then the country code (1 for the United States and Canada, 44 for Great Britain), the area code, and the number. It’s very expensive to telephone or fax from hotels, although the regional phone companies offer a discount after 7:30 PM. It’s more economical to make calls from either the Copenhagen main rail station or the airports.
For an international operator, dial 113; for a directory-assisted international call, dial 115. To reach an AT&T operator dial 80-01-0010; for MCI, 80-01-0022; for Sprint, 80-01-0877.
Tipping:
Tipping is not expected in Denmark. A service charge is included in bills for hotels, bars, and restaurants. Taxi drivers round up the fare to the next euro but expect no tip. Tip hotel porters, per bag.
Water:
Tap water is safe to drink throughout Denmark. Mineral water is readily available.
Arriving & Departing:
By Plane
Copenhagen (formerly Kastrup) Airport (32-54-17-01), is 7 1/4 miles from the center of Copenhagen. Air-rail trains link the airport with the Central Railway Station in the center of Copenhagen. The ride takes only 11 minutes, and is reasonably priced. Located underneath the airport’s arrivals and departure halls, the Air Rail Terminal is a short escalator ride from the gates. It is equipped with more than 30 check-in counters, ticketing offices, information desks, restaurants, and fast-food chains. You can also take an SAS bus to the city terminal. Even cheaper is a local bus, no. 250S, which leaves from the international arrivals terminal every 15 or 20 minutes for Town Hall Square in central Copenhagen. Taxis are also available.
From New York, flights to Copenhagen take 7 hours, 40 minutes.
From London to Copenhagen the flight takes 1 hour, 55 minutes.
By Car
The E-66 highway, via bridges and ferry routes, connects Fredericia (on Jylland) with Middelfart (on Fyn), a distance of 10 miles and farther on to Copenhagen, another 120 miles east. Farther north, from århus (in Jylland), there is direct ferry service to Kalundborg (on Sjælland). From there, Route 23 leads to Roskilde, about 45 miles east. Take Route 21 east and follow the signs to Copenhagen, another 25 miles. Make reservations for the ferry in advance through DSB (tel. 33/14-88-80).
By Ferry
From Sweden there are frequent ferry connections to Copenhagen, including several daily ships from Malmö, Limhamn, Landskrona, and Helsingborg. There is also a high-speed craft from Malmö.
By Train
Hovedbanegården (central station) is the hub of the DSB network and is connected to most major cities in Europe. Intercity trains leave every hour, usually on the hour, from 6am to 10 pm for principal towns in Fyn and Jylland. Find out more from DSB Information (tel. 33/14-17-01). You can make reservations at the central station and at most other stations.
Getting Around:
Copenhagen is small, with most sights within its square-mile center. Wear comfortable shoes and explore it on foot. Or rent a bike. An efficient mass transit system is available.
By Bicycle
Bicycles are well suited to Copenhagen’s flat terrain and are popular among Danes as well as visitors.
Contact:
Københavns Cyclebørs (Track 12, Copenhagen main train station, tel. 33/14-07-17),
Danwheel-Rent-a-Bike (Colbjørnsensgade 3, tel. 31/21-22-27), or
Urania Cykler (Gammel Kongevej 1, tel. 31/21-80-88).
By Car
A car is not the best means of transportation for enjoying the sights of central Copenhagen. Parking spaces are at a premium and, when available, are expensive. A maze of one-way streets, somewhat aggressive drivers, and bicycle lanes make it even more complicated. If you are going to drive, choose a small car that’s easy to parallel park, bring a lot of small change to feed the meters, and be very careful of the cyclists on your right-hand side: They always have the right-of-way.
Mass Transit
The Copenhagen Card offers unlimited travel on buses and suburban trains, admission to more than 40 museums and sights around Sjælland, and a reduction on the ferry crossing to Sweden. You can buy a card, valid for either 24 or 48 hours, at tourist offices and hotels.
Trains and buses operate from 5 am (Sunday 6 am) to midnight. After that, night buses run every half hour from 1 am to 4:30 am from the main bus station at Rådhus Pladsen to most areas of the city and surroundings. Trains and buses operate on the same ticket system and divide Copenhagen and surrounding areas into three zones. Tickets are validated on a time basis: On the basic ticket, you can travel anywhere in the zone in which you started. A discount klip kort, good for 10 rides, costs DKr75 and must be stamped in the automatic ticket machines on buses or at stations. Get zone details from the 24-hour information service (tel. 36/45-45-45 for buses, 33/14-17-01 for S trains).
By Taxi
The computer-metered Mercedes and Volvo cabs are available when they display the sign fri (free); Taxis can be hailed or picked up in front of the main train station or at taxi stands, or by calling 31/35-35-35.
A joint zone fare system includes Copenhagen Transport buses and State Railway and S-tog trains in Copenhagen and North Zealand, plus some private railway routes within a 25-mile radius of the capital, enabling you to transfer from train to bus and vice versa with the same ticket. Basic Fares–A grundbillet (basic ticket) works for both buses and You can buy 10 tickets for a reduced rate. Children 11 and under ride for half fare; those 4 and under go free on local trains; and those 6 and under go free on buses. You can alsopurchase a ticket allowing 24-hour bus and train travel through nearly half of Zealand; it’s half price for children 7 to 11, and free for children 6 and under.
Discount Passes
The Copenhagen Card entitles you to free and unlimited travel by bus and rail throughout the metropolitan area (including North Zealand), 25% to 50% discounts on crossings to and from Sweden, and free admission to many sights and museums. The card is available for 1, 2, or 3 days. Children 11 and under are given a 50% discount. For more information, contact the Copenhagen Tourist Information Center.
Eurail passes (which must be purchased in the U.S.) and Nordturist Pass tickets (which can be purchased at any train station in Scandinavia) can be used on local trains in Copenhagen.
Students who have an International Student Identity Card (ISIC) are entitled to a number of travel breaks in Copenhagen. A card can be purchased in the United States at any Council Travel office (for the office nearest you, call 1- 800/GET-AN-ID).
For information about low-cost train, ferry, and plane trips, go to Wasteels, Skoubogade 6 ( 33-14-46-33), in Copenhagen. Monday to Friday from 9am to 7pm and Saturday 10am to 3pm.
Neighborhoods:
Tivoli Gardens
These amusement gardens were built on the site of former fortifications in the heart of Copenhagen, on the south side of Rådhuspladsen. Some 160,000 flowers and 110,000 electric lights set the scene. Built in 1843, Tivoli is made up of a collection of restaurants, dance halls, theaters, beer gardens, and lakes.
Strøget
This pedestrians-only street begins at Rådhuspladsen. The most interesting parts are Gammeltorv and Nytorv, old and new squares, lying on either side of Strxget. They’re the sites of fruit and vegetable markets, as well as stalls selling bric-a-brac and handmade jewelry. The word Strxget doesn’t appear on any maps. Instead, Strøget encompasses five streets: Frederiksbrerggade, Nygade, Villelskaftet, Amagertorv, and Øtergade.
Nyhavn
This is the harbor area, now one of the most elegant sections of the city. It is the site of the deluxe hotel d’Angleterre and many prestigious restaurants. The Royal Theater stands on Kongens Nytorv.
Indre By
This is the name given to the Old Town, the heart of Copenhagen. Once filled with monasteries, it is a maze of old streets, alleyways, and squares. If you cross Gammeltorv and Nørregade, you’ll be in the university area, nicknamed the Latin Quarter, as in Paris. The Vor Frue Kirke (cathedral of Copenhagen) is found here, as is the Rundetern (Round Tower).
Slotsholmen
This island, site of Christiansborg Palace, was where Bishop Absalon built the first fortress in the city in 1167. Today it’s the seat of the Danish parliament and the site of Thorvaldsen’s Museum, among others. Slotsholmen is linked to Indre by bridges. You can also visit the Royal Library, the Theater Museum, and the Royal Stables. The 17th-century Børsen (stock exchange) is also here.
Christinashavn
This was the new town ordered by master builder Christian IV in the early 1500s. The town was originally constructed to house workers in the shipbuilding industry. Visitors come here today mainly to see the Danish Film Museum on Store Søndervoldstræde, and Vors Frelsers Kirke, on the corner of Prinsessegade and Skt. Annfgade. Sightseers can climb the spire of this old church for a panoramic view.
Christiania
An anarchists’ commune founded in 1971, when students occupied army barracks; it is now a peaceful community of nonconformists who run a number of businesses, including a bike shop, bakery, rock club, and communal bathhouse.
Vesterbro
The main street of this district, Istedgade, runs west from the main rail depot in the center of town. It passes through various neighborhoods. At first, the blocks are lined with rather respectable hotels but they soon give way to Copenhagen’s red-light district.. In the 1990s, many immigrants to Copenhagen, especially those from Turkey and Pakistan, settled in the neighborhood, filling it with indigenous craft shops and ethnic restaurants.
Nørrebro
Adjacent to Vesterbro , Nørrebro is also rich in artisan shops and ethnic restaurants, especially Turkish and Pakistani. This area has been a blue collar neighborhood since the middle of the 19th century. However, the original Danish settlers have long since departed, replaced by immigrants who are not always greeted with a friendly reception in Copenhagen. The area also abounds in artists, students, and musicians. There are many second-hand clothing stores in this area, especially around Sankt Hans Torv. Antique shops offering an often unidentified mix of authentic antiquities and reproductions also fill the area.. On Saturday mornings a popular flea market opens along the wall of Assistens Kirkegerd, to the west of Nxrrebrogade.
Frederiksberg
If you head west from the inner city along Vesterbrogade, you will reach the residential and business district of Frederiksberg. It grew up around Frederiksberg Palace, constructed in the Italianate style with an ocher façade. A park, Frederiksberg Have, surrounds the palace. To the west of the palace is the Zoologisk Have, one of the largest zoos in Europe.
Dragør
Dragør is a fishing village south of the city that dates from the 16th century. Along with Tivoli, this seems to be everybody’s favorite spot. Walk its cobblestone streets and enjoy its 65 old red-roofed houses, which have been designated as national landmarks.
Øresund Region
On July 1, 2000 Denmark and Sweden finally put centuries of rivalry, war and national differences behind them with the opening of the Øresund Fixed Link. The project consists of a 10 mile long bridge, tunnel and man made island connecting Copenhagen and Malmö, on the south coast of Sweden. The emerging Øresund Region can be viewed as a pilot project for the accelerating European integration process. The new Øresund Bridge between Denmark and Sweden is set to generate further growth on both sides of the Øresund Straits. There has been discussion of a separate town, Ørestad, to be established in the area, but much more work remains before matters of governance, cost and responsibility for services, and taxation can be determined. However, the project will become a reality step by step, and will evolve as the third largest city development project in Europe
C – Attractions & Things To Do
Carlsberg Brewery Visit
100, Vesterfælledvej
45 33 27 13 14
Bus 6 from Rådhuspladsen
Free 90 minute tours are offered Mon-Fri at 11am and 2pm.
Visitors are escorted through the brew houses and along the production line. Each tour ends with guests sampling the products. The factory produces 3 million bottles of beer a day.
The Little Mermaid
Langelinie on the harbor
Bus 1,6, or 9.
A life-size statue inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s story, The Little Mermaid, one of the world’s most famous fairy tales. The statue was sculpted by Edward Eriksen and rests on rocks just off the shore. In 1964 and in 1998, the mermaid’s head was stolen. The original mold still exists, and it is possible to recast the bronze and restore missing body parts. In the latest assault, this was not necessary. The missing head turned up at a local TV station, delivered by a masked figure. The mermaid is without question one of the most photographed women in Copenhagen.
Arbejdemuseet (The Workers Museum)
Rømersgade 22
33-93-25-75
July 1-Nov 1 daily 10am-6pm. Off-season Tues-Sun 10am-6pm
Bus: 5, 7, 14, 16, 17, 24, 43, or 84
Admission charged.
www.arbejdermuseet.dk
This museum traces the working class of Denmark from their struggles beginning around 1850 up to the present day. It’s not just about the labor movement, however; it recreates various times and eras. For example, there is a reconstruction of a Danish street in the 1800s, complete with a tram. There’s also the re-creation of an apartment that was once inhabited by a worker in a brewery, along with his wife and eight children. The furnishings and artifacts are authentic. The museum is a tribute to the working class, depicting the struggle of laborers to make a living and provide for their families. The museum also has a 19th-century-style restaurant serving old-fashioned Danish specialties and a ’50s-style coffee shop.
Amalienborg (Amalia’s Castle)
Amalienborg Castle
33/12-21-86
Dkr 40. Jan.-Apr. and Nov.-Dec., Tues.-Sun. 11-4; May-Oct., daily 10-4.
The four identical Rococo buildings occupying this square have housed the royals since 1784. The Christian VIII palace across from the queen’s residence houses the Amalienborg Museum, which displays the second division of the Royal Collection (the first is at Rosenborg Slot). In the square’s center is a magnificent equestrian statue of King Frederik V, which reputedly cost as much as all the buildings combined.
Changing of the Guard (At Noon)
Amalienborg
http://www.kongehuset.dk/ (in Danish only)
Every day at noon, the Royal Guard and band march from Rosenborg Slot through the city for the changing of the guard. At noon on Queen Margrethe’s birthday, April 16, crowds of Danes gather to cheer their monarch, who stands and waves from her balcony. On Amalienborg’s harbor side are the trees, gardens, and fountains of Amalienhaven.
Christiania
Prinsesseg. and Badsmandsstr.
www.christiania.org
An anarchists’ commune founded in 1971, when students occupied army barracks, it is now a peaceful community of nonconformists who run a number of businesses, including a bike shop, bakery, rock club, and communal bathhouse.
Christiansborg Slot (Christiansborg Castle)
33/92-64-94
Admission charged.
May-Sept., daily 9:30-3:30, Oct.-Apr., Tues., Thurs, and weekends 9:30-3.
Bordered by canals on three sides, this massive granite castle is where the queen officially receives guests. From 1441 until the fire of 1795, it was used as the royal residence. Even though the first two castles on the site were burned, Christiansborg remains an impressive Baroque compound. The castle’s best known feature during the Middle Ages was the Blå Tårn (Blue Tower) which was used to house prisoners of note. One of the best known was Eleonore Christine, daughter of Christian IV, who was suspected of being part of her husband’s treason plot.
The present-day copper roofed structure with its neo-baroque granite and concrete façade, looks more like a town hall than a castle. Its central tower is the tallest in Denmark at 358 feet.
Christiansborg
33/92-64-91.
Free, open to the public
Sun. 12-4.
While the castle was being rebuilt at the turn of the century, the Nationalmuseet excavated the ruins beneath it. This dark, subterranean maze contains fascinating models and architectural relics.
Folketinget (Parliament House)
33/37-55-00
Admission free
May-Sept., Mon.-Sat., tours hourly (except noon) 10-4; Oct.-Apr., Tues., Thurs., and Sat., tours hourly (except noon) 10-4
Kongelige Repræsantationlokaler (Royal Reception Chambers)
33/92-64-92.
Admission charged: guided tours only.
May-Sept., English tours daily at 11, 1 and 3; Oct.-Dec. and Feb.-Apr., Tues., Thurs., Sat. and Sun., tours at 11 and 3
You’ll be asked to remove shoes or boots and put on slippers furnished by the Museum, to protect the floors
Højesteret (Supreme Court)
Call first to double-check the opening hours, which vary.
The governmental buildings are on the site of the city’s first fortress which was commissioned by Bishop Absalon in 1167. The guards at the entrance are knowledgeable and willing to answer questions.
Den Kongelige Afstøbningssamling (The Royal Cast Collection)
Vestindisk Pakhus
Toldbodgade 40
33-91-21-26
Bus: 1, 6, or 9
Admission charged. Free Wed.
Wed-Tues 10am-4pm, Sat-Sun 1-4pm Closed on other days
Founded in 1895 as part of the Royal Museum for Fine Arts, the Royal Cast Collection was moved in 1984. Its permanent home is in the Vestindisk Pakhus, a rebuilt warehouse overlooking the harbor of Copenhagen, close to Amalienborg Palace. It is one of the largest and oldest cast collections in the world, comprising arouund2,000 plaster-casts modeled after famous sculptures from the past 4,000 years of western culture. The best known original works from antiquity and the Renaissance are now scattered all over the museums of the world, but here they are represented by their casts. Egyptian sphinxes, gold from Atreus’ treasury, Venus de Milo, the Pergamon altar, and marble sculpture from the temples of the Acropolis in Athens are among the treasures. Most of the collection was made between 1870 and 1915 by leading European plaster workshops.
Frederikskirken (better known as Marmorkirken: the Marble Church)
Frederiksgade 4
33-15-01-44
The Church is open: Mon-Tues and Thurs-Fri 11am-2pm, Wed 11am-6pm, Sat 11am-4pm, Sun noon-4pm.
The Dome is open: June 15-Sept 1 daily 11am-12:45pm; Oct-May, Sat-Sun 11am-12:45pm
Bus: 1, 6, or 9
Admission free to church.
Admission charged to dome.
This two hundred year-old circular church, with its green copper dome, one of the largest in the world, is a short walk from Amalienborg Palace. After an unsuccessful start during Denmark’s neo-classical revival in the 1750s, the church was finally completed in Roman baroque style in 1894. Its exterior was begun in Norwegian marble, but finished in Danish limestone to conserve funds. Outside, the church is surrounded by statues of notable Danes including Grundtvig and Kierkegaard.
Frihedsmuseet (Resistance Museum)
Churchillparken
33/13-77-14.
Free.
May-Sept. 15, Tues.-Sat. 10-4, Sun. 10-5; Sept. 16-Apr., Tues.-Sat. 11-3, Sun. 11-4.
Evocative, moving displays commemorate the heroic Danish resistance movement, which saved 7,000 Jews from the Nazis by hiding them and then smuggling them to Sweden. The homemade tank outside was used to spread the news of the Nazi surrender after World War II
Holmenskirken
at Holmens Kanal
33-13-61-78
May 15-Sept 15 Mon-Fri 9am-2pm, Sat 9am-noon
Bus: 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 10, 31, 37, or 43
Admission free
Built in 1619, this royal chapel and naval church lies across the canal from Slotsholmen, next to the National Bank of Denmark. Although the structure was converted into a church for the royal navy in 1619, its nave was originally built in 1562 when it was first used as an anchor smithy. By 1641 the ever-changing church became predominantly Dutch Renaissance in style, an architectural style that is maintained to this day. main doorway was brought here from Roskilde Cathedral in the 19th century.
Inside, is a baroque altar of unpainted oak and a carved pulpit by Abel Schrøder the Younger. Both of these artifacts date from the mid-17th century. In the burial chamber are the tombs of some of Denmark’s best known sea heroes. This is the church in which Queen Margrethe II chose to take her wedding vows in 1967.
Københavns Bymuseum (Copenhagen City Museum and Soren Kierkegaard Collection)
Vesterbrog. 59
33/21-07-72
Bus: 6, 16, 27, or 28
Admission charged, except free on Fri.
May-Sept., Wed.-Mon. 10-4; Oct.-Apr.,Wed.-Sun. 1-4.
A collection in which Copenhagen’s history is set forth, is found in this 17th-century building in the heart of Vesterbro. Outside is a meticulously maintained model of medieval Copenhagen. The permanent exhibition presents the history of Copenhagen in artifacts and pictures. A smaller separate department is devoted to the father of existentialism, Sören Kierkegaard ‘s (1813-55) drawings, letters, books, photographs, and personal belongings.
Kongens Nytorv (King’s New Square)
This square has lost much of its charm due to an outbreak of Dutch Elm disease in 1998 that felled its trees. It is, however, still lined with some of the city’s finest buildings. The square was built on the site of the former ramparts that ringed the city in an arc all the way from Rådhuspladsen.
A mounted statue of Christian V dominates the square. Crafted in 1688 by the French sculptor Lamoureux, he is ludicrously depicted as a Roman emperor astride his horse. Every year, at the end of June, graduating high school students arrive in horse-drawn carriages and dance beneath the statue.
Kongelige Bibliotek (Royal Library, library annex, and Concert Hall)
Christians Brygge 8
33-93-01-11
Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 10am-7pm ; closed Sun.
Bus: 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, or 9.
Main building: Admission free
Exhibits: Admission charged.
Charge for concerts varies.
The Royal Library, which reopened in late 1998, dates from the 1600s and is the largest library in Scandinavia. Housed in a classic building with high-ceilinged reading rooms and columned hallways, it is a grand and impressive place. It holds some 2 million volumes, everything from sagas of Viking journeys to America ( before Columbus allegedly discovered the already inhabited continent), and enough prints, maps, and manuscripts to keep the most intense scholar busy for several lifetimes. The library owns original manuscripts by such beloved Danish writers as Hans Christian Andersen and Karen Blixen (more widely known as Isak Dinesen).
The library was closed while a vast black granite annex(known locally as “The Black Diamond”) was added to accommodate the output of Danish works since World War II. Today the library stretches all the way to the waterfront. As a national library, Kongelige Bibliotek owns the world’s most complete collection of works printed in Danish, some going as far back as 1482. After viewing the interior of the library, enjoy a stroll through its formal gardens, which contain a fish pond and a statue of philosopher Sören Kierkegaard.
Louisiana Museum for Moderne Kunst (Louisiana Museum for Modern Art)
Gammel Strandvej 13, 49/19-07-19.
Drive north on motorway E47/E55, or take the train and walk 10 min. north of the station.
Combined train and admission tickets available at the station
Daily 10-5, Wed. until 10.
www.louisiana.dk
The elegant seaside town of Humlebæk, located 19 mi. north of Copenhagen, is home of this outstanding modern art museum famed for its stunning location and architecture as much as for its collection. It is surrounded by a large park. Housed in a 19th-century villa surrounded by dramatic views of the Øresund waters, the permanent collection includes modern American paintings and Danish paintings from the COBRA (a trend in northern European painting that took its name from its active locations, COpenhagen, BRussels, and Amsterdam) and constructivist movements. Paintings are displayed from several of Picasso’s periods, as well as many from the Pop Art movement of the 1960’s. Be sure to see the haunting collection of Giacomettis backdropped by picture windows overlooking the Sound.
In the gardens are sculptures by Calder, Henry Moore, Joan Miro, Max Ernst and Giacometti. The gardens are very popular with children, who also enjoy the special exhibit area called Bornehuset (The Children’s House), which was designed just for them.
The Louisiana holds regular lectures, film screenings, and concerts, and is known for its outstanding “superstar” exhibits six times a year.
Musikhistorisk Museum og Carl Claudius’ Samling
(Musical History Museum and Carl Claudius’ Collection)
Åbenrå 30
33-11-27-26
Fri-Wed 1-3pm
Bus: 5, 7, 14, 16, 17, 24, 31, 42, 43, 50, 84, or 184
Admission charged
The museum is contained in three 18th century houses and offers a journey through the history of musical instruments in Europe from 1000 to 1900. Exhibits are grouped around a theme, and as you view them you’re treated to special recordings. The overall emphasis of the museum is on the effect music has had on Danish culture. Sometimes the museum is the venue of special concerts.
Nationalmuseet (National Museum)
Ny Vesterg. 10
33/13-44-11.
Admission charged.
Tues.-Sun. 10-5.
www.natmus.dk
This brilliantly restored 18th-century royal residence, contains some of the finest rooms in the city. It was extensively modernized in recent years. It has housed what is regarded as one of the best national museums in Europe since the 1930s. Extensive collections chronicle Danish cultural history from prehistoric to modern times . Included is one of the largest collections of Stone Age tools in the world. Egyptian, Greek, and Roman antiquities are on display. All exhibits have English captions.
The children’s museum, with replicas of period clothing and “please touch” exhibits condenses the rest of the museum into something understandable to children 4- 12. In addition to their special area, children enjoy the whole museum, as it is engaging throughout.
Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek (New Carlsberg Sculpture Collection)
Dantes Plads 7
33-41-81-41
Tues-Sun 10am-4pm
Bus: 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, or 10
Admission charged for adults; free for children; free for everyone Wed and Sun
www.glyptoteket.dk
On Sundays from October to March, the museum hosts a variety of musical events. The Glyptotek, behind Tivoli, is one of the most important art museums in Scandinavia. Founded by the 19th-century art collector Carl Jacobsen, of the Carlsberg Brewery family, the museum comprises two distinct areas: modern and antiquities. The modern section has both French and Danish art, mainly from the 19th century. Sculpture, including works by Rodin, is on the ground floor, and works of the impressionists and related artists, including van Gogh’s Landscape from St. Rémy, are on the upper floors. Egyptian, Greek, and Roman art are on the main floor, and Etruscan, Greek, and Cypriot art are on the lower floor. A conservatory separates the two areas.
The Egyptian collection is outstanding. A favorite of many is a prehistoric rendering of a hippopotamus. Fine Greek originals (headless Apollo, Niobe’s tragic children) and Roman copies of original Greek bronzes (4th-century Hercules) are also displayed, as are some of the noblest Roman busts–Pompey, Virgil, Augustus, and Trajan. The Erruscan art display (sarcophagi, a winged lion, bronzes, and pottery)
In 1996 the Ny Glyptotek added a French Masters’ wing. This wing, constructed of white marble and granite, is situated in the inner courtyard, which can only be reached through the Conservatory. In a climate- and light-controlled environment, there is a collection of French masterpieces that includes works by Manet, Monet, Degas, and Renoir, as well as an impressive collection of French sculpture, such as Rodin’s The Burghers of Calais, and one of only three complete sets of Degas bronzes. The display features Cézanne’s famous Portrait of the Artist, as well as about 35 paintings by, Paul Gauguin who married a Danish woman in 1873.
Nyhavn (New Harbor)
This harbor-front neighborhood was built 300 years ago to attract traffic and commerce to the city center. Until 1970, the area was a favorite haunt of sailors. Now the bustling, colorful, Dutch-style canal is lined with cafés, bars and restaurants and old time sailing ships from the Nationalmuseet’s collection. Many of the old buildings have been well preserved and help to retain the harbor’s authentic 18th-century maritime atmosphere.. Hans Christian Andersen lived at various times in the Nyhavn houses at numbers 18, 20, and 67.
Orlogsmuseet (Royal Naval Museum)
Overgaden Oven Vandet 58
32-54-63-63
Tues-Sun noon-4pm
Bus: 2, 8, 9, 28, 31, or 350S
Admission charged.
This museum in Sökvasthuset, the former naval hospital, opens onto Christianshavn Kanal. It traces the history of the Danish navy, and, in fact, of this whole maritime nation. More than 300 model ships, many based on designs that date from as early as the 1500s, are on display. Some of these model vessels were designed and constructed by naval engineers as prototypes for the construction of ships that were later launched into the North Sea. The models are wide ranging: some are fully dressed, with working sails, whereas others are cross-sectional with their frames outlined. Many naval artifacts are also displayed. There is a display of navigational instruments and the propeller from the German U-Boat that sank the Lusitania. Also displayed are naval uniforms worn by Danish officers and sailors over the decades.
Rådhus (City Hall)
Completed in 1905, the mock-Renaissance building dominates Rådhus Pladsen (City Hall Square), the hub of Copenhagen’s commercial district.
Rådhus Place
33/66-25-82.
Tours
Weekdays 9:30-4, Sat. 9:30-1. Tours in English weekdays at 3, Sat. at 10.
Tower tours Mon.-Sat. at 3, also June-Sept. at 10 and 11.
Call to confirm hours.
Completed in 1905, Rådhuset has been the site of numerous elections; home to many governmental administrations; the site of occupation by the Germans during World War II; and the center of welcome for the returning football heroes from the 1992 European Championships.
Besides being an important ceremonial meeting place for Danish officials, the intricately decorated Rådhus (the façade and roof are lined with statues, gargoyles, and individually crafted stone and iron figures) contains the first World Clock. The multidialed, superaccurate astronomical timepiece has a 570,000 year calendar and took inventor Jens Olsen Verdensur 27 years to complete before it was put into action in 1955.
The interior of the building is beautifully decorated. Higghlights include busts of HC Andersen, the physicist, Niels Bohr, Professor Nyrop, and sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen. The library, banquet hall, the mosaic floors, chandeliers, reliefs, intricate brickwork and painted ceilings all merit attention.
Diagonally across Rådhus Pladsen, on top of a corner office building are a neon thermometer and a gilded barometer. On sunny days there’s a golden sculpture of a girl on a bicycle; if it will rain, a girl with an umbrella appears.
Rådhuset is also a venue for exhibitions and concerts.
Rosenborg Slot (Rosenborg Castle)
Øster Voldg. 4A,
33/15-32-86.
Admission charged.
Jan.-Apr. and Nov.-Dec., Tues.-Sun. 11-2;
May – Sept., daily 10-4; Oct., daily 11-3.
www.kulturnet.dk/homes/rosenb/
This Dutch Renaissance castle contains ballrooms, halls, and reception chambers, yet has a feeling of “home.” It was the favorite residence of King Christian IV. Denmark was going through a period of economic depression toward the end of his reign, so the King literally pulled up the drawbridge and escaped the harsh realities of the outside world.
Thousands of objects are displayed inside: toys, architectural tricks, inventions, art objects and jewelry, gathered from around the world. the castle basement was a source of pride to the King. In it, his personal orchestra would perform, their music rising through a complex system of pipes connected to his living quarters. The basement now contains the Treasury, the repository of the Crown Jewels.
Rosenborg was a royal residence up until 1838, when these collections were opened to the public, along with many rooms which had remained intact over several generations from the time of Christian IV (1588-1648) to Frederik IV (1699-1730). The 24 rooms currently on display offer an insight into the lives of Renaissance kings that is perhaps unparalleled in Europe. In recent years, electricity has been installed. This has dispelled some of the natural gloom that one associates with castles, but doe illuminate the treasures to advantage.
The castle’s setting is equally welcoming: it is in the middle of the Kongens Have (King’s Garden), amid lawns, park benches, and shady walking paths. In 1849, when the absolute monarchy was abolished, the royal castles became state property, except for Rosenborg, which is still passed down from monarch to monarch.
Rundetårn. (Round Tower)
Købmagerg. 52A,
33/73-03-73.
June-Aug., Mon.-Sat. 10-8, Sun. noon-8; Sept.-May, Mon.-Sat. 10-5, Sun. noon-5.
Observatory and telescope mid-Oct.-Mar., Tues.-Wed. 7 PM-10 PM; mid-June-mid-Aug., Sun. 1-4.
www.rundetaarn.dk
Down one of the side streets (Købmagergade) of the Stroget is the Rundetårn. Built in 1642 under the direction of Christian !V for the astronomer Tycho Brahe, the red brick tower was originally intended as an observatory for the nearby university. It is still the oldest functioning observatory in Europe. The Round Tower is unique for its cobbled spiral walkway which winds 686 feet almost to the top of the tower, 114 feet above the city. There are only a few stairs at the very top. Halfway up is an exhibition space. Trinitatiskirke was built in 1637 and has a baroque altar by Friedrich Ehbisch as well as a three faced rococo clock. The observatory at the top of the tower is often open with an astronomer on hand to explain what is seen through the telescope.
Instead of climbing the stout Round Tower’s stairs, visitors scale a smooth, 600-ft spiral ramp on From its top, you enjoy a panoramic view of the twisted streets and crooked roofs of Copenhagen.
Statens Museum for Kunst (The National Gallery of Art)
Sølvgade 48-50
33 74 84 94
10-5 Tues., Thurs.-Sun. 10-8 Wed. closed Mon.
Free to all Wed.
Admission charged other than Wed. for visitors 16 and older.
www.smk.dk
Founded in 1824, the national Gallery had its origins in royal collections from centuries earlier. During the 19th century, the collection was based in Christiansborg Slot, until a fire necessitated moving it to the currently specially designed building designed by Vilhelm Dahlerup. The museum’s main focus is Danish art. This is well represented from the Golden Age of the early 19th century , back through the works of its 15th – 18th century forerunners. On the ground floor is the children’s art museum with hands-on displays.
Teatermuseet
Christiansborg Ridebane
18 33-11-51-76
Wed 2-4, Sat-Sun noon-4pm
Bus: 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 31, 37, or 43
Admission charged.
Theater buffs flock to this museum in the Old Royal Court Theater, which dates from 1767. King Christian VII had it constructed as the first court theater in Copenhagen. At one time Hans Christian Andersen was once a ballet student here. In 1842 the theater was modernized and given its present look, but the curtain went down on it for the last time in 1881.
It opened as a museum in 1992. The museum traces the history of the Danish theater from the 18th century until modern times. The public has access to the theater boxes, the stage, and the old dressing rooms. Some of the great theatrical performances of Europe, from Italian opera to pantomime, reportedly took place on the stage here. Photographs, prints, theatrical costumes, and even old stage programs tell the story, beginning with Ludvig Holberg and going up to the present day.
Tivoli Gardens
Vesterbrogade 3
33-15-10-01
Daily 11am-midnight Seasonal Info: Closed mid-Sept to Apr
Bus: 1, 16, or 29
Admission charged. Rides extra.
Since it opened in 1843, this 20 acre garden and amusement park in the center of Copenhagen has been a resounding success. It is, in fact, the jewel of Copenhagen’s family attractions, and Denmark’s biggest tourist draw. It features thousands of flowers, a merry-go-round of tiny Viking ships, games of chance and skill (pinball arcades, slot machines, shooting galleries), and a Ferris wheel of hot-air balloons and cabin seats. There’s even a playground for children.
An Arabian-style fantasy palace, with towers and arches, houses more than two dozen restaurants in all price ranges, from a lakeside inn to a beer garden. Take a walk around the edge of the tiny lake with its ducks, swans, and boats.
A parade of the red-uniformed Tivoli Boys Guard takes place on weekends at 6:30 and 8:30pm, and their regimental band gives concerts on Saturday at 3pm on the open-air stage. The oldest building at Tivoli, the Chinese-style Pantomime Theater with its peacock curtain, stages pantomimes in the evening.
Copenhagen’s best-known attraction, conveniently located next to its main train station, attracts an astounding number of visitors: 4 million people from May to September. Tivoli is more sophisticated than a mere funfair among its many attractions, are frequent classical, jazz, and rock concerts. Fantastic flower exhibits color the lush gardens and float on the swan-filled ponds. Try to see Tivoli at least once by night, when 100,000 colored lanterns illuminate the Chinese pagoda and the main fountain.
The park was established in the 1840s, when Danish architect George Carstensen persuaded King Christian VIII to let him build an amusement park, rationalizing that when people amuse themselves, they forget politics.
Tivoli Museum
Vesterbrogade 3
33-15-10-01
Apr 24-Sept 13 daily 11am-6pm. Off-season Tues-Sun 10am-4pm S-train to Central Station
Admission charged.
Some 150 years of Europe’s most famous amusement park are revealed in this offbeat museum spread across three floors. Models, films, 3D displays, pictures, posters, and original artifacts reveal how the Danes and their foreign visitors had harmless fun over the decades. Opening in 1993, the museum became an instant hit with Tivoli devotees. It’s a great idea to come here if you have only one chance to visit Copenhagen in a lifetime, and Tivoli has shut down for the year at the time of your visit. Tivoli has hosted many legendary performers over the years: everyone from Marlene Dietrich to a flea circus that ran for 65 years. Their appearances are documented in the museum. Children will delight in the rides of yesterday.
Vor Frue Kirke (Copenhagen Cathedral)
Nørregade
33-14-41-28
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
Bus: 5
Free admission
This Greek Renaissance-style church, built in the early 19th century near Copenhagen University, features Bertel Thorvaldsen’s white marble neoclassical works including Christ and the Apostles. The funeral of Hans Christian Andersen took place here in 1875, and that of Sören Kierkegaard in 1855.
Von Frelsers Kirke (Church of Our Savior)
Skt. Annægade 29
31-57-27-98
Mar-Aug daily 9am-4pm; Sept-Nov daily 9am-3pm; Dec-Feb daily 10am-2pm
Admission charged to tower;
Church admission: free
This Palladian Dutch baroque church with an external tower staircase was built by architect Lambert van Haven for Christian V in 1682. The 295 foot high copper and gold spire can be seen from most parts of the city center, and is a Copenhagen landmark, dominating the Christianshavn area. Inside, is a splendid baroque altar, richly adorned with cherubs and other figures. There is also a lovely font and richly carved organ case. The spire is open to anyone who wants to navigate the 400 or more steps, which spiral narrower and narrower as they reach the summit
Overview:
Art galleries have never been particularly child friendly, or even interesting for children. In Copenhagen, this problem has been addressed and corrected. Many attractions are family oriented, and most contain a special area of interest to children. Copenhagen is a perfect city for visiting children.
No trip to Copenhagen would be complete without a visit to Tivoli (it’s open from mid April to mid September). Right in the middle of town, Tivoli offers both the fun of the fair, the peace and tranquility of a park and the ambience of the many open air cafes, restaurants and bars. It’s a real wonderland for children of all ages, with its marooned pirate ship, roller coaster rides, shooting galleries, and the Valhala Castle, home of The Nordic God, Odin, who welcomes children to the Valhala Restaurant.
For more rides and amusements, just out of town lies Bakken, (open from late March to late August, with free admission). A well established pleasure park situated on the wooded outskirts of Dyrehaven. The child friendly restaurant is the perfect place to relax after Bakken’s notorious roller coaster.
As a visitor with children in Copenhagen it’s not difficult to keep both yourself and them entertained. There are now many children friendly museums, where it’s designed to be interesting both for you and the kids. The National Museum for example features a special children’s section.
National Gallery’s (Statens Museum for Kunst) new Children’s Gallery. The idea behind the new addition of the art museum is to teach children the values in art, but on their own terms. Featuring selected original works from the permanent collections, workshops and a theater, the Children’s Gallery gives children an insight into various creative processes.
For the more scientifically minded there’s the Experimentarium, a collection of hands-on installations and exhibitions demonstrating the wonders of natural science. Crazy mirrors, water wheels, computer rooms, logic puzzles, and so on.
The Kids´ Pavillion is for children aged 3-6. Continuing the scientific theme, there’s the Tycho Brahe Planetarium. In it’s impressive building at the end of the city’s string of lakes, the Planetarium boasts an Omnimax theatre, which projects a hemispherical image within its dome. As you sit in the reclining seats, it’s impossible not to physically experience the movie; be it an underwater safari or a trip on a roller coaster.
Copenhagen is also the proud owner of a major Zoo. Probably the most popular are the Monkey House, Children’s Zoo and the Night Zoo where day is turned into night. Just outside the city lies
Denmark’s Aquarium with it’s spectacular tropical and sea-water landscape tanks filled with fish and aquatic mammals from all over the world.
If you take one of the Water Buses, you can hop off at Langelinie for a closer look at the grand cruise liners moored there and the Little Mermaid.
A spectacular trip along the North coast leads to Lousiana Museum of Modern Art. Situated right on the coast, the gardens, beach and the special children’s house, make it an ideal destination.
A perfect way to round off the day could be a visit to Vandkulturhuset in DGI-town, Copenhagen’s new sports and cultural centre. Vandkulturhuset includes a new swimming pool with lots of fun for children: young and old. Take a swim in the pool formed as a super-ellipse, play in the children’ s pool or the water park with diving and climbing areas, or relax in hot water baths with spa, etc.
Among Copenhagen’s many parks, Frederiksberg Have is particularly suitable for children. It’s a park for football, rounders, kites and general fun. There’s even a boat trip around the park’s canal system. In the center of town are: Kongens Have (Rosenborg Castle) and the Botanic Gardens. They are peaceful places to take an ice-cream or a hot dog from one of the street stalls. Close to the international Football Stadium is another park, Fælledparken, with its outdoor pavilion café and wide open spaces.
Attractions:
Bakken Amusement Park
Dyrehavevej 62, Klampenborg
39-63-73-00
Daily 1pm-midnight Closed late Aug to late Mar
S-tog: Klampenborg train from the Central Railroad Station to the Klampenborg station (about a 20-minute ride); then walk through the Deer Park or take a horse-drawn cab
Free admission
On the northern edge of Copenhagen, about 7 1/2 miles from the city center, this amusement park was created years ago. It’s a local favorite, featuring roller coasters, dancing, the tunnel of love, and a merry-go-round. Open-air restaurants are plentiful, as are snack bars and ice-cream booths. Proceeds from the amusements support this unspoiled natural preserve. There are no cars allowed: only bicycles and horse-drawn carriages.
Denmark’s Aquarium
Strandvejen, in Charlottenlund Fort Park, Charlottenlund
39-62-32-83
Mar-Oct, daily 10am-6pm; Feb, Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm
S-tog: Line C to Charlottenlund.
Bus: 6
Admission charged.
Opened in 1939 north of Copenhagen along the Øresund coast, this is one of the most extensive aquariums in Europe. Its large tanks are famous for their decoration. Hundreds of salt- and freshwater-species are exhibited. One tank houses piranha from South America.
Eskperimentarium (Hands-On Science Center)
Tuborg Havnevej 7, Hellerup
39-27-33-33
Daily 10am-5pm
S-tog: Hellerup or Svanemøllen.
Bus: 6, 21, or 23
Admission Charged; free for children 3 and under
Located in the old mineral water-bottling hall of Tuborg breweries, this museum has a hands-on approach to science.. Visitors use not only their hands but all of their senses as they participate in some 300 exhibitions and demonstrations divided into three themes: Humans, Nature, and The Interaction Between Humans and Nature. Visitors hear what all the world’s languages sound like, make a wind machine blow up to hurricane force, check their skin to test how much sun it can take, dance in an inverted disco, or visit a slimming machine. Families can work as a team to examine enzymes, make a camera from paper, or test perfume. Exhibits change frequently.
Louis Tussaud Wax Museum
H. C. Andersens Blvd. 22
33-11-89-00
Apr 29-Sept 13, daily 10am-11pm; Sept 14-Apr 28, daily 10am-6pm
Bus: 1, 2, 16, 28, 29, or 41
Admission charged.
Now a part of Tivoli, the Louis Tussaud Wax Museum is a major commercial attraction in Copenhagen. It features more than 200 wax figures–everybody from Danish kings and queens to Leonardo da Vinci. Children can visit the Snow Queen’s Castle, or watch Frankenstein and Dracula guard the monsters and vampires.
Tycho Brahe Planetarium
Gammel Kongevej 10
33-12-12-24
Daily 10:30am-9:30pm
Bus: 1 or 14
Admission charged, depending on the show, for Omnimax films
The marvel of the night sky, with its planets, galaxies, star clusters, and comets, is created by a star projector using the planetarium dome as a screen and space theater. Named after the famed Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe (1546-1601), the planetarium also stages Omnimax film productions. There’s an information center and a restaurant.
Zoologisk Have (Copenhagen Zoo)
Roskildevej 32, Frederiksberg
36-30-25-55
Daily 9am-6pm
S-tog: Valby.
Bus: 6, 18, 28, 39, or 550S
Admission charged.
With more than 2,000 animals from Greenland to Africa, this zoo boasts spacious new habitats for reindeer and musk oxen as well as an open roaming area for lions. Take a ride up the small wooden Eiffel Tower, or walk across the street and let your kids enjoy the petting zoo. The zoo is mobbed on Sundays.
Nationalmuseet
10, Ny Vestergade
45 33 13 44 11
This brilliantly restored 18th-century royal residence, contains some of the finest rooms in the city. It was extensively modernized in recent years. It has housed what is regarded as one of the best national museums in Europe since the 1930s. Extensive collections chronicle Danish cultural history from prehistoric to modern times . Included is one of the largest collections of Stone Age tools in the world. Egyptian, Greek, and Roman antiquities are on display. All exhibits have English captions.
The children’s museum, with replicas of period clothing and “please touch” exhibits condenses the rest of the museum into something understandable to children 4- 12.
In addition to their special area, children enjoy the whole museum, as it is engaging throughout.
Louisiana – Museum of Modern Art
13, Gl. Strandvej
45 49 19 07 19
The elegant seaside town of Humlebæk, located 19 mi. north of Copenhagen, is home of this outstanding modern art museum famed for its stunning location and architecture as much as for its collection. It is surrounded by a large park. Housed in a 19th-century villa surrounded by dramatic views of the Øresund waters, the permanent collection includes modern American paintings and Danish paintings from the COBRA (a trend in northern European painting that took its name from its active locations, COpenhagen, BRussels, and Amsterdam) and constructivist movements. Paintings are displayed from several of Picasso’s periods, as well as many from the Pop Art movement of the 1960’s. Be sure to see the haunting collection of Giacomettis backdropped by picture windows overlooking the Sound.
In the gardens are sculptures by Calder, Henry Moore, Joan Miro, Max Ernst and Giacometti. The gardens are very popular with children, who also enjoy the special exhibit area called Bornehuset (The Children’s House), which was designed just for them.
Eskperimentarium
Tuborg Havnevej 7, Hellerup
39 27 33 33
9-5 Mon,Wed.-Fri. 9-9 Tues., 11-5 Sat., Sun.
Admission charged.
Bus 6,21,650S
Located in the former mineral water bottling plant of the Tuborg Brewery, this museum has a hands on approach to science. Untamed forces such as earthquakes, floods and hurricanes demonstrate that the Earth is alive and constantly changing. Dynamic Earth is a new. exhibition on this Amazing and Turbulent Planet that provides us with both food and energy
March/April:
The Night Film Festival takes place in Copenhagen from late March-mid-April and features a vast number of films in their original language. www.natfilm.dk
Denmark has a proud tradition as a film nation. In recent years, international attention has particularly been focused on such outstanding directors as Bille August and the founders of the much-acclaimed Dogme films; directors Lars von Trier, Thomas Vinterberg, Søren Kragh-Jacobsen, and Kristian Levring The flourishing Danish film world is centered on Copenhagen, which is the base for most film companies and major first-class cinemas.
At this festival, audiences can watch handpicked top-quality films from countries that rarely feature in cinemas, such as Asian films, which are always well represented. The festival also screens a number of new films that are premiered later in the cinemas, and also re-runs old classics and cult films.
April 16:
The Queen’s Birthday is celebrated with the royal guard in full ceremonial dress as the royal family appears before the public on the balcony of Amalienborg Castle.
May:
Copenhagen Fashion & Design Festival; Copenhagen City Center (33 55 74 80). Every year, the city’s leading fashion shops and designers take over the city to celebrate the very best in Danish and foreign fashion design
Late May:
Swingin’ Copenhagen jazz festival in Swingin’ Copenhagen focuses on more traditional jazz and also takes place in the clubs, concert halls, streets, and squares of the city. Further information is available on www.swingin-copenhagen.dk
May:
Copenhagen Carnival includes boat parades in Nyhavn and costumed revelers in the streets.
May-August:
The Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen open with rides, concerts, and entertainment. Special activities and concerts are planned for the 145th anniversary of the Tivoli Guard.
June:
The Roskilde Festival is held on the last weekend in June in a huge field near the city of Roskilde, half an hour’s drive from Copenhagen City. It is becoming more and more popular. The 70,000 tickets available are usually sold out long before the program is published. It is one of the biggest rock events in the world.
The Roskilde Festival is a huge party, where people eat and drink in vast quantities. Apart from the concerts, there are hundreds of stalls selling everything from jewelry and clothes to massage and tattoos. There is a computer café, cinema, theatre, dance hall, and much more. The festival mainly attracts a young crowd from all over Europe.
In recent years, more attention has been given to safety and security. www.roskilde-festival.dk
June:
Images of Asia is a cultural festival taking place in Denmark in the second half of 2002 in the cities of Copenhagen, Århus, Odense and Ålborg. The festival aims at fostering cultural understanding and cooperation between Denmark and partners in Asia, and will address the issue of Images by providing a platform for dialogue among makers and creators of images, artists, scholars, critics, NGOs, educators, media, business and the general public.
The festival continues a tradition of Images festivals in Denmark, based on a concept where art institutions, NGOs, media and cities work jointly to develop the project with partners outside Denmark. Previous festivals include Images of Africa (1991, ’93 and ’96) and Images of the World (2000).
Images of Asia will coincide with the ASEMIV, which also takes place in Copenhagen, Denmark, in the second half of 2002, where Denmark chairs the European Union’s Council of Ministers.
July:
The Copenhagen Jazz Festivals. This festival is held for ten days in July. Copenhagen has a long tradition as a jazz metropolis. Over the years, many of the great international jazz musicians have been based permanently in Copenhagen. Together with the city’s own wealth of skilled professional jazz musicians, this has created a unique environment for jazz that can be experienced live every day, all year round, in Copenhagen. During the Copenhagen Jazz Festival, jazz comes bubbling out of every corner of the city.
Squares, parks and a wide range of cafes and clubs are involved in the biggest jazz event of the year, featuring around 450 concerts. Many of the concerts are free. The festival has become immensely popular and attracts jazz fans not only from Denmark and its neighboring countries, but also from countries as far away as China and Australia. Throughout the years, Copenhagen Jazz Festival has presented a line of important international artists. (33 93 20 13, fax 33 93 20 24) www.cjf.dk.
August:
Between the 7th and 10th, the Cutty Sark Tall Ship Race brings more than 100 ships to the Copenhagen harbor.
August:
The Copenhagen International Ballet Festival is held every summer in Frederiksberg, a few minutes outside the city of Copenhagen. This is the venue for the annual summer festival, featuring the Copenhagen International Ballet Group, founded by Danish ballet dancer Alexander Kølpin, with principals and members from the New York City Ballet, Ballet Béjart, Lyon Opera Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet, and the Hamburg Ballet. The ballets are always staged outdoors in beautiful surroundings in the atrium courtyard of The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University. Here audiences can experience the well-loved classics as well as completely new works, under the wonderful night sky. (33 32 52 52) www.xproduction.com
Mid-September-Mid-December:
The Kulturbro 2002 biennial. To celebrate the birth of the new Danish-Swedish region – the Øresund Region, an extensive cultural biennial has been founded. This biennial was launched in 2000 as a celebration of art, design, music, theatre, and dance in the Øresund Region. More than a hundred Danish and Swedish museums, galleries, theatres, concert halls, and dance stages hosted a vast number of special exhibitions, plays, and performances, whose common aim was to draw international attention to the cultural potential of this new region. The next celebration will be in 2002.
For further information on Kulturbro 2002, contact:
Wonderful Copenhagen
tel: 33 55 74 00
fax: 33 55 74 10
or by visiting www.kulturbro.com
First week of November:
A few years ago the Copenhagen Jazz Festival gave rise to an offshoot, which has become another important part of the city’s musical scene; Copenhagen Autumn Jazz. Includes indoor jazz concerts at a number of the city’s best venues.
December and January:
Tivoli’s Christmas Market
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