CopenhagenDenmark · Ferry Destinations

All About Copenhagen

Copenhagen is a hard-to-describe capital. Purely because there is so much going on that it becomes impossible to put it into any specific category. Having superlative design aesthetics and rich heritage, Copenhagen displays an architecturally contemporary mindset with its roots firmly intertwined with the concept of sustainable living. With the ‘happiest people in the world’ living here, there is an omnipresent sense of warmth and camaraderie greeting every visitor stopping by this Danish capital city. Guaranteeing avant-garde culinary experiences, museum excursions, hipster cafes, and attractions for the entire family, Copenhagen is also an unmissable city holiday destination. Taking a ferry to Copenhagen is easy, just use Ferryscanner to compare ferry companies and book ferry tickets.
 

Routes and Ferries to Copenhagen

A laidback enjoyable route is via a ferry from Oslo, Norway to Copenhagen. Only DFDS has boats covering this 17-hour journey. Thus, remember to pre-book your ferry tickets to Copenhagen via Ferryscanner in advance to avoid disappointment. Copenhagen is also a permanent fixture on most Scandinavian cruise itineraries.

Fly into Copenhagen, and you’ll arrive at the city airport situated 8km from the center. Major domestic and international airlines connect the world to Copenhagen Airport. Planes are arriving from New Delhi, Vienna, Alicante, Barcelona, Dubai, Cairo, and from as far away as Beijing. The metro ticket from the airport to the city costs €5, whereas a taxi ride costs €40. Some intercontinental travelers from Romania, Poland, Serbia, and North Macedonia prefer flights to Malmö Airport, 50 minutes away from Copenhagen.

Trains and buses from Europe and neighboring Scandinavian countries are frequent. A bus ride from Germany comes at around €30. While a train from France will set you back by €100 on average.
 

Ports of Copenhagen

The Port of Copenhagen is a historic harbor, and the largest in Denmark, comprising seven distinct piers with separate terminals for cruise vessels, ferries, and cargo ships. The company operating the docks also manages Malmö Port across Øresund, creating a busy sea hub for trade and leisure ships.

The DFDS ferry terminal of Copenhagen is central to the port with a 20-minute travel time to the city center. Recent years have seen massive expansion and refurbishment in the port area. Some newer developments have added modern residential and entertainment venues to the site.
 

Best Beaches

People often do a double-take at the mention of beaches in Copenhagen. It is an undoubtedly cold region. Even in the summer months of June to August, temperatures don’t go above 22°C (71.5°F). Still, the locals love the sun and will take upon any opportunity to jump into the water. As should you, when touring around Copenhagen.

Bellevue Beach

Bellevue Beach is of as much interest to beachgoers as it is for design enthusiasts. A complex planned by the famous Danish architect Arne Jacobsen, the 700-meter sandy strip is a 30-minute bus ride from the city center and a favorite among the locals. Walk around here, and you’ll appreciate the subtle genius of Jacobsen’s earliest works visible in the design of the beachside cabins and the lifeguard tower. For swimmers, the water here has a dark green shade because of the seaweed. Other than that, it is transparent. Strollers and sunseekers can lounge on the wooden jetty and the bordering garden, play volleyball, and enjoy a yummy snack from one of the food stalls nearby. A small section in the north of the beach is typically occupied by naturists.

Amager Beach Park

It feels like everyone in Copenhagen waits for the sun to shine just so they can drop everything and head to Amager Beach Park. Reachable by metro, just take the M2 line to the Amager Strand station in zone 3’. The sandy stretch is 4.5km long with sandy dunes and a separate lagoon for kids to splash around in the water without worrying. Those interested in thrilling activities can kayak, kitesurf, swim, ride a bicycle, rollerblade, run, or even dive around Amager. Oh, and the sight of giant Øresund Farm windmills in the background is a novel Instagram worthy photo-op.

Islands Brygge

Spend a few minutes at Copenhagen’s most famous and central harbor bath, and you’ll understand the kindness of the locals. The swimming pool is a design marvel as it creates distinct sections for different people. Locals come here to read a book in the sun, take a work break, or have a picnic with friends. The bath itself has a shallow pool for children to play, a deeper lap pool for serious swimmers, and a springboard to jump into the water. Free showers, impressive city views, and proximity to cafes make Islands Brygge an exciting proposition for a day out in the open. Island Brygge mainly operates from May to September, with only the occasional resident using it in the winter.

Sandkaj

In complete contrast to the livelier Islands Brygge, Sandkaj, a public bath in the newly developed Nordhavn district, has a distinct, almost homely appeal. Primarily a residential area, apartment blocks border the pool with a long wooden boardwalk ideal for sunbathing. Sandkaj is open 365 days a year, unless the water quality is not good, and has a string of cafes and bars nearby. Although no lifeguards are on duty, changing rooms make it simpler to go for an impromptu swim.

Hornbaek Beach

Considering how well-planned and design-conscious the Danes are, there is rustic pleasantness in visiting Hornbaek Beach, a natural seaside escape without any significant amenities. Located 50km north of the city, the drive to the strand is worth the trouble for its soft sand, rolling sand dunes, and uncrowded atmosphere. Set alongside Hornbaek Harbour, there are designated barbeque areas and a playground for children here. If you’re in Copenhagen on August 14th, Midsummer’s Day, visit the beach. You are sure to find a memorable party featuring music and exciting events for all ages.
 

Neighborhoods

Not surprisingly, every neighborhood in Copenhagen has an inimitable character brought about by its location, historical significance, or present-day attitude of the residents. From the uber-classy shopping districts to the culturally vibrant boroughs, with so much to see and do in Copenhagen, take a moment and choose wisely the neighborhoods you wish to visit, if in town for a short period.

Frederiksberg

Copenhagen’s classiest neighborhood is where you will find broad sidewalks lined with stylish cafes and boutique shops displaying the very latest in international fashion. The posh residential area has several grand gardens, of which Frederiksberg Park is a favorite with families. Copenhagen Zoo is next door, and the ice rink outside the park has a lively atmosphere during the winter months.

Nyhavn

A must-visit spot in Copenhagen, tourists crowd the streets of Nyhavn to view its charming multicolored houses. The canal-side neighborhood is definitely photo-worthy. However, it is also a place to enjoy a lovely cup of coffee while leisurely watching boats come and go. The one-time home of author Hans Christian Andersen, Nyhavn has been a film location in many movies. Including Alfred Hitchcock’s Torn Curtain.

Christianshavn

Colorful houses, boat tours in the canal, and the chance to leave from the center are reasons to visit Christianshavn. However, this island neighborhood is the heart of the Danish culinary revolution, making it an essential stop for every gourmand visiting Copenhagen. Among the restaurants in the area is Noma, the best in the world; it has continued to impress ardent food lovers with its ingenuity year after year. Undici, on the other hand, is an atmospheric Italian restaurant that transports you to a farm in Tuscany. And if not in the mood to fine-dine, try No.2, the ‘little brother’ of the two Michelin starred AOC.

Freetown Christiania

The most interesting place to visit in Copenhagen is the autonomous district of Freetown Christiania. A community of roughly 1000 international inhabitants, it came into existence in 1971. Infamous for its police raids due to cannabis stalls, the commune is otherwise safe, free to explore, and is a vivid free-thinking space known for its street art and cafes. Since they have specific rules, like no photos, it is best to visit Freetown Christiania as part of a group tour.

Vesterbro

If Freetown Christiania makes you feel uneasy (although it shouldn’t), go with the mellower yet equally hipster district of Vesterbro. The up-and-coming neighborhood is full of charming cafes, seductive dive bars, and vintage stores selling retro clothing. The Carlsberg Brewery is a must for beer connoisseurs or those interested in knowing more about beer production. While you can spend a lazy afternoon walking around the cobblestoned streets of Værnedamsvej, known as ‘Little Paris’, do make it a point to hit Tivoli on the edge of Vesterbro. Tivoli claims to be the second oldest park in the world and has amusement rides for everyone, including a 1914 wooden rollercoaster.
 

Transportation Around Copenhagen

To travel around Copenhagen, you will need to use public transport. The good part is that it is readily available and budget-friendly. Taxi drivers can be a little choosy when picking up passengers, so book your cab in advance with an established service provider rather than ordering it at the last minute. The Metro and bus are the most convenient. Spend a few minutes understanding the different zones and then buy the tickets based on the zone you wish to visit.

The Copenhagen City Card is an excellent option for tourists wanting to save money on transport. It includes unlimited travel on buses, trains, metro, water buses, and free entry into over 80 museums. Available in 24, 48, 72, and 120-hour denominations, the card is a real bargain. Keep in mind two children under 12 can travel for free with every adult cardholder.

For a fun excursion without paying anything extra, take one of the four harbor buses covering various locations in Copenhagen. Use your regular bus tickets on the water bus to see the city from a scenic vantage point.

Bycyklen is a brilliant local initiative that allows anyone to pick up electric bicycles from different city spots. A pre-installed touchscreen tablet on the bike lets you create an account, pay for your trip, and even helps guide you with directions and other useful information. There’s nothing more exciting than sightseeing around Copenhagen on a bike. On Ferryscanner you can easily compare prices or ferry companies and book cheap ferry tickets to Copenhagen.