Think Hans Christian Andersen’s storyland meets modern-day technology and design, and you’ve got a grasp of Copenhagen’s culture. Denmark’s capital stays true to its traditional roots while throwing a bit of contemporary motif in the mix. Whatever the reason for booking flights to Copenhagen – quiet resorts or eclectic nightlife, the opera or the cinema, castles or sidewalk cafes – you can find it here.
Copenhagen is flanked with narrow streets and little houses under a skyline of tall modern buildings. Between the contemporary architecture and the 17th-century buildings lies the greenest city in Europe. It’s not likely you’ll fly to Copenhagen on a hybrid jetliner, but once you’re in the city air-pollution laws take flight. Copenhagen enforces strict commuter rules – bikes outnumber cars and the Tivoli (one of the world famous “green spaces”) is a central attraction to Copenhagen travelers. Take a deep breath after your Copenhagen flight at one of the city’s open-air restaurants and cafes.
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Considering Copenhagen’s northern location, the climate is milder than you may expect. January and February are the coldest months with daytime temperatures typically around freezing. However, the high humidity and cloudy weather can make it feel colder.May to September are comfortable months, with summer temperatures in the upper 60s. The humidity is much more comfortable, but there are some cloudy and rainy days. The heaviest precipitation is July to December.
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Peak Season:
May through August is the most popular time to visit Copenhagen and when most Copenhagen flights and hotels are booked. Most Danes are on vacation during the month of July, so the city is littered with tourists and travelers.
Off Season:
Copenhagen experiences cold and rainy winters. This can be a good time to book cheap flights to Copenhagen, but be prepared to stay indoors. The weeks before Christmas can be a delightful time to visit Tivoli. Much of it is closed, but there are some shops and restaurants open and Danish theater.
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Buses, trains and taxis provide transport to Copenhagen city center. A free shuttle bus departs from outside all the terminals every ten minutes between 6am and 11.30pm daily. There are also several local bus routes servicing the airport. Train tickets are available from the ticket office above the railway station in Terminal 3. Taxis can be hired from outside all arrival areas; fares include VAT and tips, and can normally be paid for by credit card.
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Most of Copenhagen’s sights are in its compact center. There are traffic-free walkways throughout the city, and the Stroget is the longest and oldest pedestrians-only street in Europe. Add to that the flat terrain, parks, gardens, and canal-side promenades, and you have a city well-suited for strolling.
Bicycling is very popular, and the bike paths are excellent. Bike rentals are available, and the summer City Bike program has 1500 bikes available for free throughout the city. Look for bikes with ads painted onto their solid wheels. You make a deposit to unlock the bike. When you are finished, lock the bike to get your deposit back.
Driving is manageable in Copenhagen. However, parking spaces are expensive and hard to fine, the one-way streets are confusing, the local drivers aggressive, and bicyclists always have the right of way.
The public transportation system is very good. The driverless metro system connects the east and west of Copenhagen through the city center and in 2007 will connect the airport to the city. Trains and buses are also available, and the harbor buses (ferries) travel the canal.
Taxis are available but expensive. They can be hailed, picked up at taxi stands, or called.
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- If you want to go to a few museums or galleries and use the public transport, buy a CPHCard. It gives you free entry to 60 museums, free transport on the bus, train or metro and discounts on many other attractions. A 24-hour or 72-hour card is available, and you can buy it before you travel from Copenhagen’s tourist site – the card will be posted to your home address so you’ll be able tot use it as soon as you arrive in the city.
- The statue of The Little Mermaid has become one of the most famous of Copenhagen’s attractions. The bronze sculpture by Edvard Eriksen, based on the mermaid of the Hans Christian Andersen story, was unveiled in August 1913 and has since become one of the most photographed monuments… For a more unusual view, take a boat tour of the city – the boats travel the canals and the sea and show you most of the major monuments to be found.
- Don't board your Copenhagen flight back home without having a beer first. The Carlsberg Breweries and Visitor Center are located near the Danish capital. Within the breweries is a museum and, recently opened, the Jacobson brewhouse, where you can see beer being made. The center is open Tuesday to Sunday between 10am and 4pm.
- Copenhagen is just half an hour from the Swedish city of Malmo, and the journey there is stunning. Hire a car, or join a tour, and head across the huge Oresund Bridge that joins Denmark and Sweden. At 26,000 feet, it is one of the longest bridges in Europe.
- The Guinness World Records Museum, on the main shopping street in Stroget is a popular destination for adults and children. The museum illustrates some of the world records, with a statue of the world’s tallest man at the doorway to welcome you in. Other exhibits include statues of the world’s heaviest man (featured in front of a very large cake) and the man with the longest moustache alongside interactive challenges, such as testing how hard you can punch or discovering what it feels like to accelerate from 0 to 315 mph in a real dragster.
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