Copenhagen is a city of contrasts. Examples are its historic castles and royal palaces, which unquestionably testify to the importance of the Danish monarchy but coexist with the unique reality of the free city of Christiania, a hippie neighborhood that has achieved semi-legal status as an independent community. The famous Tivoli Gardens, then, stand just a few meters from the Royal Library, a modernist building with a design totally opposite to the shape of the world’s second oldest amusement park.
In Copenhagen’s most important museums, it is possible to set out on the trail of the illustrious figures who have contributed to the nation’s history: from the ancestral Viking past to the present day, events have unfolded before the inscrutable gaze of Copenhagen’s most renowned citizen…. The Little Mermaid.
And if that still doesn’t sound like enough, know that Denmark’s capital city has been recognized several times as boasting the best quality of life. Copenhageners smile even in the face of the coldest weather, ride bicycles and love gardening, following a lifestyle that sets the city apart to such an extent that it has received its own name: the hygge philosophy, or the pursuit of daily happiness in small everyday pleasures.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Denmark has belonged to the European Union since 1973. Therefore, citizens of Schengen area countries can enter Danish territory by showing a simple ID or passport.
- Winter weather in Copenhagen. The winter months in Copenhagen are characterized by very low temperatures, frequent rain and snowfall and few hours of daylight, and thermometers do not exceed zero from December to February.
- Summer weather in Copenhagen. In the summer months, Copenhagen’s weather is milder. Temperatures hover around 20ºC between June and August. In addition to being the time with the best weather, it is also the only time when most of the city’s attractions are open to the public.The best season to visit Copenhagen is summer, when there are more hours of daylight, temperatures become pleasant and all monuments are open. Spring is also a good option for getting to know the Danish capital.
Language in Copenhagen
Danish, the official language of Denmark, is very difficult and totally different from Italian, however, you will have no problem communicating in English in Copenhagen. It is said that Danes generally speak in a very high tone of voice. Since there are many different dialects in Denmark, it is likely that this habit is due to the difficulty of understanding each other.
Business hours in Copenhagen
- Stores in Copenhagen open Monday through Friday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. During the summer months, hours extend until 6:00 p.m. or even later, especially for stores in the city center. Supermarkets in the capital follow a more flexible schedule, opening earlier and closing around 8:00 pm. On Sunday and Saturday afternoons, most commercial stores in Copenhagen remain closed. The best option is to take advantage of the morning for shopping and devote the latter part of the afternoon to leisurely strolling around the city.
- Museum hours in Copenhagen are quite similar to those in other Nordic capitals. They usually open at 10:00 a.m. and close between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m., depending on the season. Many museums also close on Mondays.
Currency in Copenhagen
The official currency of Denmark, as well as Greenland and the Faroe Islands, is the Danish krone (DKK) and its symbol is kr (krone, in Danish).
Coins and banknotes: they are divided into 50 øre (the decimal of Danish kroner) and 1, 2, 5, 10 or 20 kroner. On them we find the effigy of Queen Margaret II and the crown of King Christian V. The banknotes in circulation are 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 kroner, have different colors and the images printed on them represent various Danish bridges.
Cash or card? You can pay by card in all stores in Copenhagen. In stores, museums and restaurants in the Danish capital, card is the most common method of payment. For public transportation you will need. cash.
Where to change money: In the city center you will find ATMs almost everywhere, especially in the more touristy areas, at the station and at Copenhagen Airport. .
Exchange rate (as of October 17, 2023).
1 DKK = € 0.14148 approx.
7 DKK = € 1 approx.
HOW TO GET TO COPENHAGEN
Copenhagen-Kastrup airport (9km from Copenhagen)?
Train
Taking a train from Copenhagen Airport to the center of the capital is a convenient and fast option. Trains connect Terminal 3 to Hovedbanegården (Central Station) station with departures every 10 minutes.
The ticket price from the airport to Copenhagen Station is about 36kr (€4.80).
Metro
The metro is also a good alternative to the train to get from the airport to the city. The price of a simple ride to the center is 36kr (4.80€), the same as the train, but the journey is slightly longer, about 30 minutes.
The main advantage of the metro is its 24-hour service, although at night the frequency is less (every 20 minutes) with compared to daily rides (every 5 minutes)
Bus
It is also possible to travel from the airport into the city using city buses that leave from Terminal 3: Line 5A runs to Copenhagen Central Station, while lines 35 and 36 also serve other parts of the capital.
Tickets are purchased directly on the bus, cost 36kr (€4.80) and must be paid in cash.
Cab
The most convenient, though more expensive, option is to reach the center of Copenhagen by cab. The ride takes approximately 20 minutes and costs about 35€.