Copenhagen, capital of Denmark, offers visitors a wide choice of culture and entertainment---everything from international-class museums, sophisticated cultural venues and cuisine from every part of the world to lush parks, street entertainers and even two of the oldest amusement parks in the world. Travelers of every taste and budget will find much to do in Copenhagen, with almost all of it linked by convenient train and bus lines.
Copenhagen has a lot for the discerning art lover in its larger museums, starting with the famed collections of the Danish National Gallery and Ny Carlsberg Glypotetekits, both centrally located in the city. More contemporary tastes will be satisfied by the Arken Museum of Modern Art and by modern architecture, such as the new Opera House or the Royal Library, nicknamed the "Black Diamond."
Parts of Amalienborg, the Danish royal palace, are open to the public, complete with a changing of the guard at noon every day. History buffs will be pleased by the downtown Nationalmuseet, which focuses on Danish history, including Viking gear. Guided history tours are also available citywide.
For a truly unusual slice of Danish culture, visit the city-within-a-city called Christiania, with its colorful houses and bohemian atmosphere. "Christiania is a fascinating ramshackle world of moats and earthen ramparts, alternative housing, cozy tea houses, carpenter shops, hippie villas, children's playgrounds, peaceful lanes, and people who believe that 'to be normal is to be in a straightjacket,' " travel writer Rick Steves writes.
Copenhagen has numerous restaurants that have won Michelin stars, most of them within easy distance of the city center. "Inventive, modern and stylish new restaurants have opened in the city, many of them with French, fusion or modern Nordic influence, transforming Copenhagen into a major gourmet destination," Visitcopenhagen.com notes.
"However, you can still enjoy classical café grub and a truly Danish hot dog in the sun," Visitcopenhagen.com continues. You can also feast in bakeries, pizzerias and Middle Eastern-style places serving shawarma, which are just about everywhere in the city.
For shopping, the pedestrian mall Stroget in the city center sports many boutiques, and nearer to the airport is Fields, one of the largest malls in Northern Europe. Copenhagen also plays host to a number of longstanding flea markets (check local English-language publications for times and locations).
Tivoli, right in the heart of downtown, has been an amusement park since the 19th century, and more amazingly there's an older one in greater Copenhagen---Bakken, north of the city. Both still offer family-friendly fun, as does the Copenhagen Zoo, one of Europe's oldest. Visitors can also enjoy the city via boat tours on its many canals or in the harbor. Bicycle tours are also a good way to see the city as residents do, since Copenhagen is one of the greenest cities in the world.
Copenhagen has a diverse nightlife, including music venues of every sort and bars and nightclubs. Most are age-restricted and don't really come alive until the wee hours.
Finally, there's the Little Mermaid. The world-famous statue, inspired by the Hans Christen Andersen tale, is on a rock at the edge of Copenhagen Harbor. It isn't as large as many visitors expect, but it's charming all the same and thought to be one of the most photographed statues in the world.
