Captivating Copenhagen (København)

Copenhagen or København, the premier capital of Northern Europe, is Scandinavia's most fantastic and largest city; and the centre of the most dynamic region in Europe, the Øresund Region. Although steeped in traditions that go back to the time of the Vikings, Copenhagen is on the cutting edge of 21st century technology, transportation, education and social welfare. Copenhagen is a major regional centre of culture, business, media and science. Life science, information technology and shipping are important sectors, and research & development plays a major role in the city's economy. Its strategic location and excellent infrastructure, with the largest airport in Scandinavia. The city is one of Europe's oldest capitals with a royal touch - the monarchy in Denmark is the oldest in the world. Copenhagen is situated on the islands of Zealand and Amager. The town is big enough to be a metropolis with shopping, culture and nightlife par excellence, yet still small enough to be intimate, safe and easy to navigate. Overlooking the Øresund strait with Sweden just minutes away, it is a cultural and geographic link between mainland Europe and Scandinavia. This is where old fairy tales blend with flashy new architecture and world-class design; where warm jazz mixes with cold electronica from Copenhagen's basements. You'll feel you've seen it all in a day, but could keep on discovering more for months. Copenhagen has repeatedly been recognized as one of the cities with the best quality of life and is also considered one of the most environmentally friendly places on earth. The water in the inner harbour is clean and safe for swimming. 36% of all citizens commute to work by bicycle. It is in the top 10 most expensive cities in the world too, as per Forbes list of 2010. If you are looking for an earthy, hard-core travel experience look elsewhere. Copenhagen is clean, safe and ridiculously easy to get to know, the locals all speak superb English and the transport system is excellent. Please remember it's koh-pehn-HAY-gehn not koh-pehn-HAH-gehn.

 

Some General Information

Country : Denmark

Official Language : Danish

Religion : Evangelical Lutheran ( a form of Christianity )

Currency : Danish Krone ( DKK )

Time Zone : + 1 Hour GMT

Temperature : Copenhagen, as in the rest of Denmark, has four distinct seasons. The best time to visit is definitely the warm period from early May to late August. Summers bring temperatures averaging around 68F (20C), while in mid-winter temperatures hover just above or below zero. Rainfall is moderate too, but spread throughout the year, so showers are possible in any season. Grey skies are the norm rather than the exception in Copenhagen.

Sightseeing : Copenhagen is a wonderfully compact city with an efficient public transport system. This is why even if time is short, you can quite easily get a feel of the place and see most of the city and its many sights and attractions. On a short visit you will also get time to visit a museum or two and to go shopping. Town Hall Square, The Little Mermaid, Tivoli Gardens, Amalienborg Palace, Nyhavn, Bredgade & Amalienborg, Copenhagen’s Bridge Quarters, Gammel Strand and Slotsholmen, Langelinje, Strøget’s little alleyways, Strøget - from the Town Hall Square to Kongens Nytorv (The King’s New Square) are some of the sights of Copenhagen.

 

Getting There

Copenhagen Airport ( CPH )

Originally the airport was called the Kastrup Airport, after where the airport is located. The official name of the airport is still Copenhagen Airport, Kastrup is only to distinguish it from the smaller airport by the Danish capital, Copenhagen Airport – Roskilde. Kastrup is the largest airport in Scandinavia. Copenhagen Airport, Kastrup is the main international airport serving Copenhagen, Denmark and the Øresund Region. It is located on the island of Amager, 8 kms south of Copenhagen city centre. It is one of the oldest airports of Northern Europe and the largest airport of the Scandinavian / Nordic countries. The airport handles 60 scheduled airlines and serves nearly 60,000 passengers everyday. It is also the busiest airport in the Nordic countries. Copenhagen Airport has four terminals. Terminal 1 is used for all domestic flights. Terminals 2 and 3 handle international flights (both Schengen and non-Schengen) and share a common airside passenger concourse as well as the arrivals section - which houses customs and baggage claim and is physically located in Terminal 3. The newest terminal, CPH Go, dedicated to low-cost carriers opened the 31st of October 2010. So far EasyJet is the only airline operating from this terminal. An all new Terminal 4 is currently being planned. There are left luggage-baggage storage facilities in each terminal at Copenhagen Airport. All kind of baggage and luggage items can be stored for up to one month at reasonable prices. Opening hours: Every day 5 am - 10 pm. Unfortunately - the maximum rental period for baggage lockers at the airport are 72 hours. The shopping centre at Copenhagen Airport offers you a wide range of famous Scandinavian and international brands. Explore the Atrium, the new 2,700 square metre tax free shopping area where you can find everything your heart desires. The Hilton Copenhagen Airport is a five star hotel with all the facilities you could wish for at hand. The airport has facilities for the disabled, cloakroom, baggage storage, meeting point and meeting facilities, lounges, nurseries, internet facilities, post office and many more amenities.

Address : Copenhagen Airports A/S, Lufthavnsboulevarden 6, Postbox 74
2770 Kastrup, Denmark.

Phone: + 45 3231 3231, Fax: + 45 3231 3132

 

Tourist Information

Information desks are located in the arrivals and transit hall areas of Terminals 2 and 3, and there is a Visitor Center (with great tourist information) located in Terminal 3. Additionally the ones below are centres too.

1. Wonderful Copenhagen Tourist Information : Bernstorffsgade 1, 1577 Copenhagen V, Tel. (+45) 7022 2442, Fax (+45) 7022 2452.

2. Swedish Tourist Board : Skindergade 38, 1159 Copenhagen K, Tel. (+45) 3330 1360.

3. Meet The Danes – Nyhavns Tourist Information : Nyhavn 65, 1051 Copenhagen K, Tel. (+45) 3346 4646.

 

Travel Tips

1. Although English is wide spoken and understood, Danes have a tendency to speak at a snappy clip that often requires them to repeat things to bewildered listeners. The Danes have become infamous for being closed and tight lipped, bordering the outright rude. So while it is by no means impossible, you will still be hard pressed to find a Dane readily engaging in casual conversations with strangers.

2. Danes have a very high tolerance for drunk behaviour, provided it takes place in the weekends. Drink a glass or two of wine for dinner during the week, and you can be mistaken for an alcoholic, but down 20 pints on a Saturday night, and puke all over the place, and everything will be in order. There is no legal drinking age in Denmark, although a legal purchase age of 16 is in effect in shops and supermarkets, and 18 in bars, discos and restaurants.

3. Drivers in Denmark, drive on the right side of the road. Danes drive by the rules, and they have every expectation that pedestrians do the same. Therefore, it is important to obey Walk/Don't Walk signals and avoid jaywalking in cities, simply because cars will not slow down since you're not supposed to be there.

4. Don't bathe alone. Don't get too far away from land. Swim along the coast rather than away from it. In some areas undertow is a danger, and kills a number of tourists every year, but will mostly be signed at the beach. On many beaches, flags inform of water quality. A blue flag means excellent water quality, green flag means good water quality, red flag means that bathing is not advised. A sign with the text "Badning forbudt" means that bathing is forbidden. Obey these signs, as it often means that the water is polluted with poisonous algae, bacteria, or chemicals, or that there is a dangerous undertow.

5. Denmark is a very safe country, with almost no risk of natural disasters or animal attacks. Compared to most other countries crime and traffic are only minor risks, and most crime visitors are likely to encounter is non violent pickpocketing.