Copenhagen Life and Visitor Travel Tips

(Copenhagen, Denmark)

The capital of Denmark for some 500 years, life in Copenhagen is good and well worth experiencing. This is a friendly and welcoming city, with many leading companies based both within the city and outside, particularly around the harbour. As a result, the skyline of Copenhagen has changed greatly over the years, although still features many prominent church spires.

When arriving, think seriously about purchasing a Copenhagen Card, which provides savings at some 60 attractions, along with free travel onboard public transport. However, since the card is relatively expensive, many will find it more economic to simply pay as you sightsee, rather than trying to cram everything in with this card.

Useful Contact Details

The Wonderful Copenhagen tourist office can be found just a short distance to the north of the Central Station and also extremely close to the Tivoli Gardens on Vesterbrogade. This is a useful place to pick up your free copy of 'Copenhagen This Week', which explains in detail all of the current events and latest attractions. Also onsite are a range of Danish maps, such as the 'Kraks Citykort over Kobenhavn', including a number of maps of central Copenhagen with keys for all of the main attractions, together with endless brochures and an accommodation-booking service.

Wonderful Copenhagen (Copenhagen Tourist Office)
1 Gammel Kongevej, Bernstroffsgade 1, Copenhagen, DK-1610, Denmark, DK
Tel: +45 03 325 7400
Fax: +45 03 325 7410
Website: www.visitcopenhagen.com / www.wonderfulcopenhagen.dk
Email: woco@woco.dk

Language and Dialect

The spoken and written language of Denmark and therefore Copenhagen is Danish (Dansk). Trying to learn a few Danish phrases before you arrive in Copenhagen will undoubtedly make your time here all the more enjoyable, although an increasing number of Danes do now speak English, particularly those who are involved within the tourist trade. Here are a few Danish phrases to help you get a feel for this language:

• Yes / No - Ja / Nei
• Hello - Hei
• Do you speak English? - Taler de engelsk?
• Where is a cheap hotel? - Hvor ligger det et billigt hotel?
• What is the address? - Hvad er adressen?
• Do you have any guest rooms available? - Har I ledige vaerelser?
• What time does the bus arrive? - Hvornar ankommer bussen?
• Where is the bathroom? - Hvor er badevaerelset?

Dos and Don'ts / Tourist Traps

• Banks and Money - banks are in good supply all around the city centre, although if you are looking to get some Danish Krone, then one of the Forex exchange offices will generally offer a better rate
• Eating and Drinking - stay away from the main drags in Copenhagen, since the restaurants and bars simply target tourists and are overpriced. Head down the side streets or ask a local if you wish to experience the real Denmark, and not a rather plastic facade
• Email and Internet - the best place to access the Internet is at the Hovedbiblioteket (public library) on the Krystalgade, within the Latin Quarter
• Little Mermaid (Den Lille Havfrue) - whilst the Little Mermaid statue may be one of Copenhagen's most famous landmarks, it is a fair way from the city centre and extremely small, so don't be too disappointed if you make the effort to visit it and try to soak up the atmosphere of the harbour as a whole. Bear in mind that on a boat trip you will only be able to see the statue from behind, since it faces the actual shore
• Telephones - plenty of phones can be found in many public places, including both railway stations and shopping centres
• Tivoli Amusement Park - if you are holidaying in Copenhagen during the summer, then pay a visit to the Tivoli Amusement Park at the weekend, when evening fireworks displays and laser shows are always crowd pleasers
• Travel Agencies - students and youths looking for information about budget travel in Copenhagen should pay a visit to the branch of Kilroy Travels on Skindergade, or STA Travel at Fiolstraede