Copenhagen

J

jpa66

Jan as in "Jan and Dean"
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Circumstances have aligned that will find my wife and I in Copenhagen in a few weeks. I've never been there, and she's only been there once, for a couple of days. The trip is just for some much-needed R&R, and we have no agenda.

I'm just looking for some suggestions anyone might have for a few neat things to do. We're definitely going to ride bikes/do a bike tour, go to the Tivoli, and the big Market, but that's all we've really got planned. We're staying in an apartment in the old center, near the University, I believe.

We both love to bike and hike, and I (of course) will be taking my camera(s) with me (and a watercolor set and sketchbook, as well). I'm sure that the city is interesting and beautiful.

And since neither of us know the language, I'm assuming that English is fine? (Although we always attempt to speak the native language wherever we go). I can understand "traveller's German" (but even that has been awhile) but that's about it for Northern European languages.

Any suggestions of cool/unusual/laid back things to do are welcomed.

Thanks,
Jan
 
There are some very interesting areas of urban renewal and development outside the center. I found the city to be one of the most expensive places I've ever traveled. The famous Danish sandwiches make a good and affordable lunch, especially if you get them in a grocer or bakery rather than a restaurant. And by they way, EVERYONE I encountered spoke perfect English.
 
Yeah, don't worry about the language, Denmark is near the top in Europe with regards to English fluency. Nobody would expect you to even try to speak Danish, and most people would directly switch to English out of politeness. Hell, even as a Swede who can read Danish perfectly fine I stick to English, because Danish pronunciation is notoriously difficult and English just makes it easier for everyone.

If you're at all interested in beer then check out one of the two Mikkeller bars (Mikkeller is a famous microbrewery) or the bottle shop Ølbutikken (øl = beer!).

This is a decent guide to interesting things and places: http://www.likealocalguide.com/copenhagen
 
andersju said:
Yeah, don't worry about the language, Denmark is near the top in Europe with regards to English fluency. Nobody would expect you to even try to speak Danish, and most people would directly switch to English out of politeness. Hell, even as a Swede who can read Danish perfectly fine I stick to English, because Danish pronunciation is notoriously difficult and English just makes it easier for everyone.

If you're at all interested in beer then check out one of the two Mikkeller bars (Mikkeller is a famous microbrewery) or the bottle shop Ølbutikken (øl = beer!).

This is a decent guide to interesting things and places: http://www.likealocalguide.com/copenhagen
Click to expand...

Thanks! Definitely interested in beer! Also interested in any possibly decent wine shops, but realize that beer is the beverage of choice there.

And I'm glad that the language won't be a barrier.
 
Copenhagen --
- Tivoli is a must if it is still open (main season is until 9/21)
- A short bus ride takes you to the wonderful modern art museum Louisiana.
- Restaurants at the harbor
- Tour of the Royal Palace
 
raid said:
One bottle of beer may set you back $8.
Click to expand...

In a bar it may also be $4 - it depends very much on where you go, and what quality of beer you're after. Nyhavn (touristy) will be a lot more costly than Nørrebro, for example (I recommend visiting both areas).

The most economical and sometimes nicest way is to get beer (or wine!) from a supermarket or a bottle shop and find a suitable bench or park. Drinking in public is legal and very common.
 
There's Christiania as well.

And depending on how long you stay, 20 minutes train ride across the bridge to Sweden to check out Malmö at the same time.
 
Yes, the Tivoli is a definite (we'll be there before it closes for the season). And thanks for the suggestion for a day trip to Malmo - I didn't realize how close the two cities are. We'll be in Copenhagen long enought for a day trip.
 
jpa66 said:
Yes, the Tivoli is a definite (we'll be there before it closes for the season). And thanks for the suggestion for a day trip to Malmo - I didn't realize how close the two cities are. We'll be in Copenhagen long enought for a day trip.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure if Malmö in itself is worth a day trip, but if you go there you've been to Sweden too! And the train ride over the bridge across the Sound between Denmark and Sweden is kind of cool.

Someone mentioned the freetown Christiania in the centre of Copenhagen, that's worth visiting. But I believe the inhabitants (and drug dealers) aren't very fond of being photographed. You should keep that in mind.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freetown_Christiania

If you're into old Leica stuff, the best place is Photografica, just off Strøget. But their prices are rather high.
http://www.photografica.com/?language=en

Don't miss the art museum Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek (yes, there is a connection to Carlsberg beer!).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ny_Carlsberg_Glyptotek

If you're into modern architecture, you must see the new Royal Danish Library, called The Black Diamond. Here's also a book store and the National Museum of Photography. As well as an excellent restaurant, Søren K.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Diamond_(library)
http://www.soerenk.dk/

I'd also consider taking the train to Roskilde, there's a medieval cathedral which is the burial site for Danish monarchs and a World Heritage Site, as well as the Viking Ship Museum.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roskilde
http://www.vikingeskibsmuseet.dk/en/

I'd also take a stroll in Christianshavn.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianshavn

Strøget (the pedestrian area) and Nyhavn are kind of tourist traps, but I guess you want to see them anyway :)

Enjoy your stay and try out Tuborg Classic and Carlsberg Porter (the latter if you like dark beers)!
 
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