Cruises from Copenhagen

Copenhagen is a city in Denmark, and the tourism authorities boast that you can walk the entire city in a day. While this may be true, you certainly cannot see everything that the city has to offer in a day. Copenhagen is home to more than 60 museums, as well as theatres, gardens, castles, ancient churches, a planetarium, outdoor café dining and the New Harbour. There are enough things to see and do in Copenhagen to keep you busy for more than a week’s holiday!

When you are getting ready for your trip to Copenhagen, don`t forget to go online and order your Copenhagen card, called the CPHCard. For DKK 10 (just over US$2) you get a card that allows you free train, bus and metro transportation, including to and from the airport. With the card you can get free admission to 60 or so of Copenhagen’s museums and attractions, and discounts on other tourist sites, restaurants and car rentals. Order your CPHCard at least two weeks in advance so it can be posted to you and you`ll receive it well before you leave for your trip.

Once you`re in Copenhagen, one of the first things you will notice are the cobblestone roads and the eclectic combination of old and new, intermixed throughout the city. Copenhagen was founded back in 1167 when a bishop built a fortress there on Slotsholmen. You can still find many of the medieval castles and buildings standing in Copenhagen to this day. Right along side of the medieval buildings are new shops and café eateries, where you can enjoy a spot of alfresco dining.

If you want to go shopping in Copenhagen, make sure you set aside an entire day just for this. Strøget, Europe’s longest pedestrian street, is famous for the different mix of shops, cafés and fine dining. Looking for souvenirs? Strøget has plenty of shops selling crystal and amber, for which Copenhagen is famous. You can also shop for high fashions and visit fun little shops that sell unusual items you won`t find back at home.

Next, plan a day on the water. At Copenhagen’s Nyhavn, the New Harbour, you can walk along the docks and canals or take a canal trip around the city by boat.

Copenhagen prides itself on being a friendly place. The city welcomes diversity and is especially welcoming of the gay and lesbian community. The first gay bar opened in Copenhagen more than 80 years ago, the Centralhjørnet, and is still in operation today. In 1948, the National Association for Gays and Lesbians was founded; it was the first association of its kind anywhere in the world. Denmark was the first country in the world to recognise, support and offer same sex marriage; this was back in 1989. You’ll find the gay scene condensed to the city’s old town.

It doesn’t matter who you are or who you love; you will be welcomed by the friendly people of Copenhagen. Just don’t believe them when they tell you that you can see the city in a day on foot. You`ll need at least a week or two to see enough of Copenhagen, and then you may not want to leave.