Portray of the Destination
Copenhague is the biggest city in Scandinavia, its dimension is perfect to make a tour around the main tourist attractions walking or cycling, an habitude there.
Tours usually start at the Radhuspladsen (Town Hall Square), from where one of the largest pedestrian streets in Europe is taken. This artery, called Stroget, is 2 km (1.24 mi) and shelters all the city commercial and social life and is the best way of getting to know the Copenhagen world.
Some of the main attraction are the monument to the Little Mermaid, a sculpture that pays homage to a character from a Hans Christian Andersen story who is half girl and half fish. The public park Kastellet is the green lung of the city, it is ideal to relax as it offers grasslands or relaxing lagoon banks. The birds’ singing blend with the pealing of the bells of the Skt. Albans Church.
Another very lively street, full of tourists is Nyhavn, perhaps the most picturesque one due to the great variety of colours of its austere buildings. It offers a bohemian atmosphere with its cafes and its open-air market. Another interesting visits are to the main palaces, churches, gardens, museums and the Tivoli amusement park.
We would like to thank the Denmark Tourism Board for the information and pictures provided.
Visit:
www.visitdenmark.com
Geography
Most of the Copenhagen surface stretches along the eastern coast of Zealand. The smaller part of the city, called Christianshavn, is located on the Amager isle. Both zones are linked by bridges. The city faces to the south the Fehmarn Belt (a strait separating Fehmarn from Lolland), to the west the North Sea, to the east the Baltic Sea and to the north the Straits of Kettegat and Sund. The Sund Strait leads to the neighbouring Swedish city of Malmö.
Climate
As in all the northern Europe countries, the Copenhagen climate varies along the year. Winter is cold and rainy with abundant snowfalls and frost. Spring weather is variable, sunny and pleasant days or cold and rainy days. During summer, temperatures are milder and the sky is clear. It is important to take into account that February is the coldest month of the year and the average temperature is -4ºC (24.8ºF), whilst July is the hottest month with an average temperature of 16ºC (60.8ºF) but some days reaching 30ºC (86ºF).
When to go
Summer is the perfect season to enjoy all the attractions offered by the city and stroll around it.
History
Until the mid 12th century, Copenhagen was a small fishing village. In 1167, after coming into the possession of the Bishop Axel Absalon, it acquired importance thanks to the commercial activities of its port and, subsequently, it received municipal rights. In 1443, Christopher III of Bavaria turned it into the capital city of Denmark. In 1658 and 1659 it underwent the Swedish besiege and in 1728 and 1807 it was bombed by England.
During the World War II, Copenhagen was occupied by the German troops that stayed there from April 1940 until May 1945. Then, free from invaders, it became the current splendid metropolis.
Traditions
One of the most popular Danish festivities is the Summer Solstice Festival, on 23rd June. Throughout the country, bonfires are lighted and people gather to drink and sing. The Fastelavn is another tradition that points the beginning of Lent, which even though it is abolished since the Reform, the celebration was preserved and today is enjoyed by children and their parents.
The Medieval Festivals recover then ancient Viking traditions. The most popular one is the Fredrikssund, organised during the summer. The Copenhagen Jazz Festival, in July, and the Culture Night, on 15th October that features museums and art galleries throughout the night are also important events in the city.
Gastronomy
The Denmark traditional cuisine stands out due to its originality. One of the most typical dishes is the “Smorrebrod” which is and exquisite canapé filled with meat, herring or prawns. There are many kind of delicious cheeses and oysters are quite requested by tourists at restaurants. Fish dishes are quite tempting: cod in mustard sauce and soused raw salmon. Denmark is popular for elaborating one of the most delicious puff pastries which with fruit, custard or meat are quite tasty.
Basic Dictionary
YES: Ja, NO: Nej, HELLO: Hej, GOOD-BYE: Fardel, GOOD MORNING: Godmorgen, GOOD AFTERNOON: Goddag/God eftermiddag, GOOD NIGHT: Godaften/godnat, PLEASE: Vaer så venling, THANK YOU: Tak, YOU ARE WELCOME: Selv Tak, I’M SORRY: Undskyld, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND: Jeg forstar ikke, HOSPITAL: Hospital, PHARMACY: Apotek ZERO: Nul, ONE: En, TWO: To, THREE: Tres, FOUR: Fire, FIVE: Fem, SIX: Seks, SEVEN: Syv, EIGHT: Otte, NINE: Ni, TEN: Ti, ELEVEN: Elleve, TWELVE: Tolv, THIRTEEN: Tretten, FOURTEEN: Fjorten, FIFTEEN: Femten, SIXTEEN: Seksten, SEVENTEEN: Sytten, EIGHTEEN: Atten, NINETEEN: nitten, TWENTY: Tyve, THIRTY: Tredive, FORTY: Fyrre, FIFTY: Halvtreds, SIXTY: Tres, SEVENTY: Halvfjerds, EIGHTY: Firs, NINETY: Halvfems, A HUNDRED: Et Hundred, A THOUSAND: Tusind, A MILLION: En milion. MONDAY: Mandag, TUESDAY: Tirsdag, WEDNESDAY: Onsdag, THRUSDAY: Torsdag, FRIDAY: Fredag, SATURDAY: Lørdag, SUNDAY: Søndag. ENTRY/EXIT: Afgang/Ankomst, FAR/NEAR: Langt/Nærheden, LEFT/RIGHT: Venstre/Højre, UP/DOWN: Op/Ned, TAXI: Taxi, BUS: Bus, BREAKFAST: Morgenmad, LUNCH: Frokost, DINNER: Aftensmad, WINE: Vin, DESSERT: Dessert, MENU: Menu, THE BILL, PLEASE: Jeg vil gerne have regningen? DO YOU SPEAK ENGLISH?: Taler du spansk?, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND: Jeg forstår ikke, HOW MUCH IS IT?: Havd koster det?, WHAT TIME IS IT?: Hyad er klokken?
Currency
Danish Krone. There are banknotes of 1000, 500, 200, 100 and 50 krones and coins of 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 krones. 1 krone is equivalent to 100 ore or cents. There are also coins of 50 and 25 ore.
Currency Exchange
1 Danish Krone (DKK) = 0.13 Euro (EUR)
1 Danish Krone (DKK) = 0.99 Pound Sterling (GBP)
Prices
Prices in Denmark are high, as in many European countries.
Useful Info
Official nameCopenhagen (Kjobenhavn)
CountryDenmark
Time Zone+1 GMT
Official LanguageDanish
Population1,354,000 inhabitants
Political RegimeConstitutional Monarchy
Public holidays
March-April: Holy Week; 16th April: Queen's Day; 7th May: Prayer Day; 20th May: The Ascension Festivity; 5th June: Constitution Day.
Religion
Most of the population is member of the Lutheran Church of Denmark even though there is freedom of worship and inhabitants can practise their own creed in their corresponding temple. Denmark is a very tolerant country and this is essential for the quotidian life, respect is the basis of the coexistence.
Religion91% Protestans, 9% Catholics and Jews
Safety
There are no danger whatsoever when strolling along the streets, the visitor is just recommended to take into account the general precautions given when travelling anywhere.
Visa
Tourists from the European Union countries do not need Visa to get to Denmark, neither those citizens from the United States. Most of the Latin American citizens are requested visa to enter the country.
Clothing
It is recommended to wear warm clothes even during the spring and summer seasons. In winter, comfortable and very warm shoes are advisable.
Electricity
220 volts, AC, 50 Hz.
Radio and Television
TV channels: Danks TV1, Danks TV2, Danks TV3, DS4, Kanl 1 and TV1000.
Radio stations: Jubii Hit Radio, NRJ, Radio Denmark, Copenhaguen Calling, Sol Radio 2 and Uptown Radio.
Telephone
The Denmark phone code is 45. There are no regional codes. The main phone operators are Sonofon (
www.sonofon.dk), TeleDanmark (
www.teledanmark.dk) and Orange (
www.orange.dk).
Police112
Ambulance112
Fire Brigade112
Tourist health care services112
Newspapers and Magazines
Newspapers: Berlingske Tidende, Ekstra Bladet, Politiken and Dagbladet Information.
Magazines: Se & Hoer, Billed Bladet, Euroman and Mad og Bolig.
Postal Service
Post offices are opened from 9:00 to 17:30 from Mondays to Fridays. Some of them open on Saturdays from 9:00 to 12:00. Telegrams can be sent by phone by dialing 112.
Health Care Services
Denmark has an excellent health care network. The Danish Social Security covers tourists’ health assistance expenses in case of emergency cases. Nonetheless, in some cases, part of the treatment should be paid. Medicines and dental services are not covered.
Before travelling, take into account that there are many medicines that perhaps require prescription whilst it is not required in the rest of Europe. Denmark has signed a cooperation agreement in terms of health assistance with the rest of the European Union countries, so a E111 document must be showed when asking for such assistance.
Airport
The local airport has three terminals, it is located eight km to the southeast of the city.
Address: Lufthansboulevarden 6, 2770 Kastrup. Tel: (0) 32 31 32 31; Fax: (0) 32 31 31 32. Web:
www.cph.dk. E-mail:
cphweb@cph.dk.
The Danish airlines are Scandinavian Airlines (web:
www.sas.se) and Maersk Air (web:
www.maersk-air.com). Other companies operating in the Copenhagen airport are: Iberia, Spanair, Aerolíneas Argentinas, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Continental Airlines, United Airlines, British Airways, Air France and Lufthansa.
The journey from the airport to the city takes 12 minutes by train.
Public Transport
The capital of Denmark has a unique transport system which includes underground, bus and railway services, so they can be accessed with just one ticket. Another option, is travelling around the city by taxi although citizens and tourists’ preferred means of transport is the bicycle which can be hired in many establishments. Special bicycle tracks are available.
Railway
It is possible to reach the main European cities by train from Copenhagen. Within the country, the Lyntogs trains link the most important cities. They are operated by the Danish State Railways (Tel: 7013-1418; e-mail:
dsb@dsb.dk; página web:
www.dsb.dk).
Also the new trains Intercity, known as IC3 provide an excellent service. Children under 10 years old do not pay tickets. There are reduced fares for people over 65 and for groups over 8 people.
The Englanderen service is also at the tourists’ disposal, it is a means of transport combining ship and train to connect Esbjerg and Copenhagen. It also connects with other ferryboats to travel to other European cities.
Bus
The most economic way to reach Copenhagen from any point of Europe is by bus. Eurolines is the most important company which covers the regional destinations. The HT ((Hovedstadsomradets Trafifkselskab) buses cover the whole city. The bus station is located in Radhuspladsen (Town Hall Square).
Car
There are no toll motorways in Denmark although there are phones connected to an emergency system called Falk which works 24 hours/day.
The speed limit is 110 km/hr (68 mi/hr) on motorways, 80 km/hr (50 mi/hr) on state roads and 50 km/hr (31mi/hr) on urban areas. The fines for exceeding the speed limit are quite severe and should be paid then and there. In case this is not possible, the vehicle would be impounded. Driving licenses from abroad can be used in Denmark. For EU citizens it is recommended to travel on their own car.
Any further doubt can be asked for to the Denmark Motoring Association (tel: 4593 0800; fax: 4527 0993; E-mail:
fdm@fdm.dk; página web:
www.fdm.dk). Denmark is connected to Europe through the Jutland Peninsula which can be accessed by the E-45 motorway from Germany.
Car Rentals
Avis: Tel: 33-268-080. Web:
www.avisworld.com. E-mail:
info@avis.dk Hertz: Tel: 33-179-020. Web:
www.hertz.com Europcar: 33-559-900. Web:
www.europcar.com. E-mail:
booking@europcar.dkAll these agencies have an office at the local airport.
Ship
Copenhagen can be reached by ferry from Norway, Sweden, Poland, Faroe Islands, the Baltic States, Finland, Germany and United Kingdom. The most important shipping companies are Scandinavian Seaways, Flyvebádene, Color Line and Stena Line. With regard to cruises, the following companies also get to Copenhagen: Scandinavian Seaways, Royal Viking, TVI Lines, Lindblad Travel, Lauro, CTC, Norwegian Cruises/Union Lloyd and Norwegian American.
Destination Tourism Office in Spain Spanish embassy in the destination Taking pictures See climate
www.worldweather.orgCurrency converterwww.xe.com/uccA dinner20 Euros
A coffee2.60 Euros
The taxi2.60 Euros when the meter starts running.
