Copenhagen

Discover Denmark's capital with its enchanting culture and educational family experiences

See world-famous tourist attractions such as Tivoli Gardens, Amalienborg Palace and the Little Mermaid or enjoy the fantastic restaurants, modern architecture and the city's eco-friendly lifestyle with bicycles and water park that has made it one of the world's best big cities to live in. Today, Copenhagen is home to around 1 million inhabitants and is built around the city's historic Indre By, hip districts with modern cultural offerings and peaceful suburbs - and as a true metropolis, there's something for everyone. If you're into art and history, check out the Arken, Glyptoteket or the National Museum. For a holiday of fun and frolic, head to Tivoli and the amusements of the Bakken.

When you landed in Copenhagen in the Viking Age, the city was just a small fishing village surrounded by green cattle fields. You wouldn't see the city one day becoming the capital of the Danes, let alone an international metropolis, but when King Valdemar gave Archbishop Absalon control of the city in the 12th century, something happened. A castle was built, a church and the town grew as a natural centre between Roskilde and Lund, the two most important cities in the kingdom at the time. As the Reformation swept through Denmark, and the Roskilde priesthood lost its influence as a result, Copenhagen rose as Denmark's capital and led the country through important historical events. Wars with the Hanseatic League and England and the plague had disastrous consequences for Denmark and Copenhagen in particular, but each time the city rose again and new, beautiful neighbourhoods like Christianshavn and Frederiksberg were built, along with delightful buildings like the Round Tower and Marble Church.

The city's modern history begins in the 1800s, when world-famous figures such as Kierkegaard and HC Andersen both resided in the city. HC Andersen came to the city in 1819 and lived most of his years in the capital in various apartments in Nyhavn, which today houses splendid restaurants and bars. He was also a frequent visitor to the National Theatre, which still puts on riveting performances. Since then, other Copenhageners and newcomers like Niels Bohr, with his important lectures at the University of Copenhagen, Arne Jacobsen, with his eye for functionalist aesthetics, and Karen Blixen, with her writing in the groves north of the city, have helped make Copenhagen and Denmark famous in the wider world.

Today, the city's cultural pulse is still high with diverse music festivals like Distortion and Copenhagen Jazz Festival. As well as a number of other events with international appeal such as Copenhagen Fashion Week, held two weeks a year in February and August, CPH:PIX, Copenhagen's international film festival, held in April, and Copenhagen Pride.

Copenhagen's different neighbourhoods are also diverse. Discover, for example, freaky Christiania and the beautiful maritime canals of Christianshavn, the fine, historic atmosphere of Frederiksberg and Indre By or the vibrant youth culture of Nørrebro with wild concerts and multicultural eateries.

Throughout the city, you'll find green breathing spaces where you can slow down and digest the day's adventures. For example, see the wildlife at Amager Fælled and Dyreparken, or take a stroll along the paths in the Botanical Gardens and Kongens Have in the inner city. Also enjoy the silence along the beautiful green ramparts around Citadellet and Christianshavn.

Pack the car and take your family or partner on a colourful and history-steeped holiday through the streets of Denmark's beautiful capital.