Accommodation in Copenhagen

With cobble-stoned paths and whimsical buildings, Copenhagen has an old-world atmosphere. It’s said to have inspired some of Hans Christian Andersen’s best loved fairy tales, including the Little Mermaid. Today, the city is part of a modern fairytale - the Danish Crown Prince Frederik and his Australian-born commoner wife Princess Mary reside in the Amalienborg Palace with their family.

Copenhagen is widely regarded as one of the world’s most livable cities.

• The World Happiness Report in 2013 found that Copenhagen was the happiest city in the world.
• 55% of people in Copenhagen cycle to and from work, so the city is extremely bicycle-friendly.

Copenhagen has several beautiful inner districts. Indre By is the medieval city centre, and is both conveniently located and a great little area for exploring. The old red light district, Vesterbro has gentrified significantly in recent years to become a hipster’s heaven. It’s easy to find cool bars, design studios and fine dining, and it’s all only a short walk away from the city centre. Christianshavn is also close to the city. It’s a popular area for families and young professionals, and features 19th century houses alongside modern warehouse conversions. Close to the port and crisscrossed by canals, it also has a lovely maritime feel. Østerbro is a great place to stay with kids - it’s one of the greenest districts of Copenhagen with several parks and is also close to the site of the famous Little Mermaid statue, sure to be a hit with any Disney fans in the family.

Perched on the edge of the Øresund Strait, Copenhagen feels like a small city, but there are endless streets and nooks to be discovered. Take a walk or join a guided tour through Indre By - surrounded by pretty lakes, the area is pedestrian friendly and packed with old churches and monuments. Old and new Denmark are represented here, with the Amalienborg Palace, seat of the royals since 1794, and the Dansk Design Centre, a showcase of modern Danish design. To while away an afternoon perusing stores and sipping coffee, head to Christianshavn, where you’ll also find ample spots to enjoy a local beer by the waterside. In Østerbro check out the iconic Little Mermaid Statue at Langelinie promenade and admire the upmarket galleries of this polished district. Explore the 21-acres of Tivoli Gardens, the second oldest amusement park in the world, and visit at night to see the pleasure gardens illuminated by 111,000 lights: a truly magical sight.

Even before Copenhagen’s Noma won the crown of ‘Best Restaurant in the World’, Copenhagen was a foodie favourite. Chefs here favour seasonal, organic produce and despite the city’s expensive reputation, there are places to eat to suit every budget. At the top end are some of Europe’s finest restaurants, many of which fuse traditional Nordic cuisine with international fare. For a cheap snack, find a ‘Pølsevogne’, or street-wagon, and try a delicious Danish hot-dog. The city is also home to lovely cafes serving up nourishing soups and tasty smørrebrød (open-faced sandwiches), great for warming up in the winter. In summer, head to one of the delis or fresh food markets to stock up on supplies for a picnic in parklands or by the canals. At night, the locals favour ‘bodegas’, the traditional Danish pubs with wooden interiors, fairly priced beer and a convivial atmosphere. Alternatively, go the hipster route at a designer small bar in Vesterbro or Christianshavn.

Scandinavia’s largest airport, Kastrup Airport, is just south of Copenhagen. The 24 hour metro takes just fifteen minutes to shuttle between the airport and the city centre. It is also easy to arrive in the city by train - there are excellent links with the rest of the country, and night trains arrive direct from cities such as Amsterdam, Cologne and Prague. However, like so many northern European capitals, by far the best way to explore the city is by bicycle. Even in terms of Scandinavian cities, Copenhagen is known for its commitment to cycling, and famously the city has more bikes than inhabitants. The city centre is relatively compact and the sights can easily be accessed without needing to use public transport. Copenhagen also has the biggest cruise ship port in the area, and many cruises aimed at the fjords of Norway or the islands of Sweden begin in the city.