Copenhagen is one of Europe’s most desirable travel destinations. Its easy lifestyle, gorgeous architecture and residents who are always ranked among the world’s happiest makes it hard not to love this capital city.
With its green infrastructure and abundance of outdoor spaces, Copenhagen is a prime example of a sustainable city. It has a strong focus on maintaining and improving the quality of its water supply and reducing urban heat islands.
Nyhavn
Nyhavn is one of the most iconic sights in Copenhagen. It’s lined with colorful townhouses and old sailing ships lining the water.
It was a working harbour for centuries, but it was also the seedy side of Copenhagen. Pubs, drunken sailors and brothels made it a notorious hangout.
The famous Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen stayed here in three different houses – number 18, 20 and 67 – while writing some of his classics like The Tinderbox, Little Claus and Big Claus and The Princess and the Pea. It’s worth a visit to take in the beautiful views from the canal and to get a bite to eat in the local cafes along the quay.
Palaces and Castles
One of the best things to do in Copenhagen is visit the city’s palaces and castles. Whether you’re visiting on your own, with a group of friends or family, there are plenty to choose from.
Kronborg Castle is one of the most famous. It’s the place to go if you want to see some beautiful architecture and a stunning view of The Sound, the body of water that separates Denmark from Sweden.
The castle has been in use since the 12th century and was originally a fortification. It was built by Bishop Absalon of Roskilde.
Water
The water in Copenhagen harbour is renowned for its purity. New bathing facilities are available for citizens and tourists, and all the water goes through a series of quality checks each day.
The City of Copenhagen has a long-term strategy to ensure that a dependable supply of pure water is available for the citizens. This involves conservation and a water tax that provides a strong incentive for the Danes to use less water, which means fewer resources are needed for drinking and sanitation purposes.
The Copenhagen water supply company, HOFOR, has taken the lead in developing a series of underground reservoirs that retain rainwater and sewage until it reaches four wastewater treatment plants. The waste is then directed to the sewer system rather than poured directly into the harbour.
Cycling
Getting around Copenhagen on a bike is the easiest and fastest way to reach almost anywhere in town. This is a result of Denmark’s commitment to cycling and its efforts to make it the logical choice for most people.
It’s a testament to the city’s success in promoting walking and biking that nearly half of all trips to work and school are made by bike.
Copenhagen’s urban planners have done much to improve cycling infrastructure, including wide cycle paths and cycle bridges. In addition, Copenhagen has ambitious goals to increase its modal share of cycling from 34% to 50% by 2025.
Street Food
Street food is a huge part of Copenhagen’s culture and you can find it everywhere. In fact, picnics are a common way to spend time with friends in the city and you can often find people dining outdoors in public spaces like parks and gardens.
The biggest street food hub in Copenhagen is Paper Island, a small harbour on the Inner Harbor Bridge across from Nyhavn. It’s a massive cluster of international food stalls housed in and around an old warehouse.
Another popular location is Reffen, a new street food market situated in Refshaleoen, a new district in Copenhagen’s industrial harbour. It hosts 54 food stalls that offer flavours from all over the world.
Vegetarian Restaurants
If you’re a vegan, then Copenhagen is an excellent place to go for delicious and healthy food. You can find a whole host of restaurants offering vegan dishes within the city limits.
You can dine like royalty on various tasting menus or have a simple casual meal at one of these vegan-friendly restaurants in Copenhagen. Some also have vegan desserts on offer, too!
A popular place to eat in Christiania is Morgenstedet, which serves organic vegetarian food. They serve a selection of salads, hot meals and homemade soup.