Copenhagen - Denmark

[KebabMeister]

Anyone been to Copenhagen?  I'm considering going there alone at the beginning of November for a couple of nights.  I often check for European cities and for the dates I want, the flight to Copenhagen is really cheap.

What is there to see?  Rough prices for bars/restaurants?  Must do's/don'ts?  Do the locals speak English or German?

I've seen this thread - http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Travel/Question82768.html but just need a bit more info.

Thanks for any info!

[Buenchico]

Every time I try to post this response, AnswerBank throws up an error message. Experience has shown that splitting it into 2 parts might help so here goes:

I took a Ryanair flight from Stansted to Malmo a few weeks back (�0.01 each way!), just for a day trip. I had about three hours in Malmo then caught the train to Copenhagen and had about 6 hours there. So, I'm hardly an expert on Copenhagen but at least I've got a feel for the city.

Basically, if you've got the chance of cheap flights then I'd definitely recommend giving it a try. It's a very compact city centre with everything in walking distance. There are plenty of bars and restaurants and some interesting shops. Prices seem reasonable (e.g. you can get a basic meal for around a fiver) although bar prices might appear rather high, but no dearer than, say, Paris).

If you're flying into Copenhagen airport, then your transfers into the city centre will only cost a few pounds. Trains run every 20 minutes. Westbound services take you into Copenhagen Central station (about 15 minutes) but Eastbound services take you over the Oresund Bridge into Malmo in Sweden (about 20 minutes) so you can visit 2 countries in one trip. Because I landed at Malmo, rather than Copenhagen, I can't quote exact fares but the whole journey from Sweden (Malmo) to Denmark (Copenhagen) only costs about �6.50.

[Buenchico]

2nd bit ! :

On leaving Copenhagen Central Station, simply turn left and walk to the first main crossroads to find the Tourist Information Office. They've got loads of free maps, brochures, leaflets, etc and staff who are genuinely helpful.
Directly opposite Copenhagen Central station is one of the entrances to the Tivoli gardens. OK, when you analyse it, it's nothing much more than an up-market funfair but it's still got some good (if pricey) restaurants and bars plus stage performances of everything from classical music to heavy rock. (Tivoli is open all day but most of the action takes place in the evening. Like it or lothe it, it's probably Denmark's most famous tourist attraction. Entry, without ride tickets is about �7).

Hoping this helps,

Chris

[KebabMeister]

Thanks for the reply Chris, it's much appreciated.  I literally only seriously considered Copenhagen last night because the flight was far cheaper than usual.  I'll be flying from Munich to Copenhagen and it'll cost �135 (90 quid-ish).

I'll spend a bit more time looking more info up but as I'll be going alone I want to make sure there's plenty of interesting things to do on my own (more fun with company).  It's interesting to read that Malmo/Sweden is so close.... I may consider that too.

[kaktus]

HI kebabmeister. I live in Copenhagen so hopefully I can give you some answers :0)

What to see: There are the usual suspects as castles and churches take a look at Amalienborg where the queen lives or Rosenborg where the crown jewels are. One of the best things about Copenhagen (in my opinion) is all the towers, when you walk through central Copenhagen be sure to look up as most of the houses have some spectacular towers on top, maybe not very tall towers but very neat. If you like that kind of thing a trip to Runde T�rn (the round tower) is worth a visit as you can have a look at the roofs of Copenhagen from the top.  As Buenchio says Copenhagen has a very compact city centre (only a tad over 1 million citizens in Copenhagen) so everything actually is in walking distance and if you want to go somewhere that isn't, the public transportation works quite well. The main shopping street is Str�get and has a lot of nice shops I actually think it is the longest pedestrian street in Europe. It starts at Kongens Nytorv a very nice square with the royal ballet and ends at R�dhuspladsen (City Hall Square) which is very close to the central station. The botanical garden is very nice but might not be so great in November . I don�t think Tivoli will be open, unless you are traveling in late November where the Christmas market may have opened, that is very nice and be sure to be there after dark because of the Christmas lights. I�m not sure of �don�ts�, what kind of stuff to you normally like to see/do?

[kaktus]

Prices: I think they are pretty much like London prices.

Language: Pretty much everybody speak English and if you happen to stumble upon somebody who don�t you can count on somebody being able to translate nearby. More than 50 percent are supposed to have learned German in school; I wouldn�t count on being able to speak German with half the population though.

Ask all the questions you like, I�ll be happy to answer them and I can only say that Copenhagen is a GREAT city, but of course I could be biased�

[kaktus]

Just read the other thread, I didn't exactly say something new...  Well What do you like to do? Maybe I can come up with a better answer than the one I already gave :)

[KebabMeister]

Thanks the answers kaktus! :)

What public transport is there?  Trains? Underground? Trams?  Buses?  Is there a ticket that I can buy for 3 days that's valid for everything? 

What's good typical Danish food?  Could you recommend a couple of dishes that are like the local speciality?

As for what things do I like... I like old buildings, parks, the harbour sounds/looks really nice, basically anywhere that I can relax! :)

And is it worth going to Malmo for a day?  I maybe tempted to stay another day if I do that?

[kaktus]

Public transport: Buses, trains, underground (which is new and clean but not yet very far reaching) and something called s-trains. The s-trains are like the underground just above ground, they criss-cross the city and will get you practically anywhere within Copenhagen and the nearest suburbs. I'm pretty sure you can buy a ticket for 72 hours. I know you can buy a ticket that lasts for 24 hours and is valid for all zones. Like London there is a zone system and if you stay within Copenhagen I would recommend just buying a card for two zones (zone one and two) as that is all you will need. If you would like to go outside Copenhagen you can limit it to one day and buy a 24 hour ticket. This will get you to Hiller�d and Roskilde, which are cities I have mentioned below.

Food: The typical Danish food is very heavy and a lot of the traditional food involves pork. Since you are arriving in November I would go for pork roast with crackling and red cabbage, It is really great on a cold day. Another typical thing would be the Smorgas bord, I'm not sure it is called that in England or it's just the Americans that use it. In Denmark it is called Sm�rrebr�d or H�jtbelagt Sm�rrebr�d, it means an open sandwich, it is basically a piece of bread with lots of stuff on it. The bread is Rye bread of a type I have never seen anywhere but Denmark and that along with something called Leverpostej (some kind of liver pate, doesn't taste like liver at all) is what we  Danes miss when abroad, so go for that too when you need some lunch! If you want to treat yourself to a really traditional sm�rrebr�d's lunch go to Ida Davidsen's restaurant

[kaktus]

If old buildings and parks are what you like you should definitely go to Copenhagen! Amalienborg and Rosenborg are very nice, as I said above, they have very nice gardens. Rosenborg is just across the road from the Botanical Garden. Very close to these two gardens is Runde T�rn, take a look at the tower and the Trinitatis chuch right behind it, which in my opinion is one of the most beautiful churches in Copenhagen. Kongens Nytorv (The king�s new square) has some magnificent buildings and is right next to Nyhavn (New Harbour) which is actually a very old harbour and used to be dodgy, now it is very posh with lots of restaurants and some sweet buildings right next to one of the channels. You can also walk to the Little Mermaid from the city centre. It will take you max an hour and probably more like 30 minutes. Take Kronprinsessegade it runs along Rosenborg Castle and look at Nyboder where the naval officers used to live and walk trough Kastellet, now a park used to be some kind of defense system, down to the Little Mermaid. When you are there take a look at Langelinie where all the big cruiseships are.

Take the s-train back from �sterport Station or walk back by Store Kongensgade where Ida Davidsen's restaruant is :0)

If you would like a trip out from Copenhagen I would recommend Hiller�d to take a look at Frederiksborg Castle and the royal garden. It is my favourite castle and park and very very beautiful. Hiller�d is 30 minutes in S-train from Copenhagen. Another Daytrip could be Roskilde to see the Viking Boats and Roskilde Cathedral where all the kings and queens are buried. Roskilde is 40 minutes by regional train from Copenhagen.

.

[kaktus]

I�ve never been to Malm� but from what I hear it is very sweet with trees all and cute buildings.  Sweden is cheaper than Denmark and there should be good shopping. Like Danes, Swedes are good at English so language shouldn�t be a problem at all. So all in all I think I would recommend a daytrip to Malm�.

I could go on and on, so ask away if you would like more information!

 

ps. You can recognise the s-trains station by a big red and white sign with an s in it, but practically all train stations in Copenhagen are s-train stations, so they should be easy to find.

[KebabMeister]

Thanks again for the info!

The S-Trains sound like the S-Bahn's I'm used to in Munich, Germany.  We have U-Bahn as well (underground) as well as trams and buses.

The food you describe also sounds like what I'm used to in Germany.  Everything here seems to be pork orientated the pork crackling sounds like 'schweineshaxe'.  We have rye type bread too, is it very heavy (literally!!)?

Thanks again, if I think of more questions I'll definitely ask them! :)

[kaktus]

Yep and yep and yep. I guess it is logical that German and Danish food is very similiar. I don't think that schweineshaxe and the pork roast I'm talking about is exactly the same but close. You could try "stegt fl�sk med persillesovs" instead of pork roast. it's pork with a parsley sauce and tastes great. I'm not raised on traditional Danish food except for the rye bread but man I love "stegt fl�sk..." :)

And you just ask all the questions you want!

[kaktus]

re food. I thoguht about what to eat and I think that Sm�rrebr�d is obvious but I suddenly thought of two "musts" regarding food. Obviously you shoould go into a bakery and buy a Danish, I mean what else :0) Second you should visit a P�lsemand, a place where you get hotdogs. I think the way there're done is unique. If you want to try a Danish hotdog look for these white things on wheels placed all over the city. Go for one with Steff Houlberg on it as they're the best. They look like  this

[KebabMeister]

Thanks.

I'll decide tomorrow (Monday) whether I'm going to go or not.  I'm 99% certain I'm going! :)

[KebabMeister]

Just looking at hotels, there's the Ibis Crown Hotel, Ibis Triton Hotel and Ibis Star Hotel that look reasonable.  Do you know these?  Any good?  Also the Hotel Astoria.  I'm looking at under 600 DKK per night includinig breakfast.  These hotels are apparently a couple of minutes from the main station and next to the Tivoli.

I'm looking at getting into Copenhagen at 11am on 1 November and then departing 6pm on 3 Nov.  What are the must see things to fit in during this time, in other words an itinery to fit the important things in?

Incidently, are Maersk Air good?

[kaktus]

Must admit I don't know any of the. Vesterbrogade, where the Crown hotel is situated, is a big road and there could be some noise if your room is on the "street side", the two others (and partly the crown) is where the red light district used to be. So don't be surprised if you see some sex shops or some alcoholics. I've been there many times at night on my way to clubs or the central station and never experienced something bad, so don't worry! Well that was a lengthy way to say I have no clue what hotel to choose...
Ok here is a shot at what you could do:
You'll be in at the central station at approx. 12 o'clock.  Since the three hotels you booked is literally one minute from the central station you could be on your merry way at 1 pm. Btw if you chose the crown hotel go to exit straight ahead when you come up from the stairs, the two others go to the exit to your left. The exit to the right will take you straight to Tivoli which you can enjoy from the outside as it will be closed ;0)
Get some lunch at a p�lsemand, as said above they're all over the city, I even think there is one at the airport. If you would like to get a feel of the city take a stroll down Str�get from the City Hall square. If you�re up for it you could go to The National Museum, right now they have an excellent exhibition on the Bronze Age and Northern European Sun worship, when I was there a month ago there was a Viking rune stone exhibition which was quite good as well. The museum also has a great display of church ornaments and art.  The National Museum is close to Christianborg and B�rsen. Christiansborg is the parliament called Folketinget and a castle surprisingly enough named after a king called Christian probably the fourth. B�rsen is the old Stock Exhange and easily recognized by its spiral tower and red colour. For supper go to the small streets criss -crossing behind Str�get. There are also lots of pubs to visit in that area.

[kaktus]

The second day you should try the walk to the Little Mermaid I described above, even if you don�t want to see the little mermaid it�s very nice. Before you do that go through the old Latin Quarter, you might have been there for supper the day before. Look at you map and go down St. Peters Str�de, stop at the St. Peter Str�de baker and get a �cinnamon snail� - a pastry that tastes excellent. Go to the Round Tower and enjoy the view, take a look at the botanical garden and Rosenborg castle and then go for a walk to the Little Mermaid.  You could then either go to Hiller�d or Roskilde from �sterport Station, you can find both S-trains and regional trains there or you could go back into the city center. Depending on how much walking you like you can either take the train, go back by Store Kongensgade to Kongens Nytorv or take the longer route where you walk around (some of ) the lakes. If you look at a map you�ll know what I mean. In the afternoon you can either hit some more castles and museums such as Amalienborg, Glyptoteket, or churches such as Vor Frelser (Our Saviour) or Vor Frue (our Lady), the latter are the Copenhagen Cathedral. You can read about many of them here and find something in your taste. On the last day go for some shopping along Str�get and/or take a walk in Vesterbro the area your hotel is in. It has many quirky shops and restaurants that can be quite fun. I hope you have really good time and obviously you can do the above in any sequence you like, Copenhagen is very compact so any order will do :0)

M�rsk air is fine, last year I flew with them to London and have nothing to complain about.

[kaktus]

arghh. I write my answers in word with very nice paragraphs and look what they end up like.

The missing link in post two is this one :0)

[KebabMeister]

Thanks once again!  If I ever bump into you I'll be buying you a drink! :)

I've decided to stay in the Triton hotel.  Overall it's costing �300 for the flight and hotel for two nights.  Not bad at all! :)

[kaktus]

aww thanks! I'm glad I could help.

I actually just thought of one my favourite places, it's a square called Gr�br�dretorv, it's just off Skindergade, you should be able to find it on a map. It has a five or so restaurants and one called Sporvognen that is pretty funny because it is build as an old cable car. The restaurant itself is not as good as it used to be but you can get a decent burger and some pretty good fried potatoes. The square is wonderful with an old chestnut in the middle and sweet old buildings all around the square. You should go there for lunch or supper!

Have a wonderful time and please tell how it went when you're home again!

x