Cruise to Copenhagen - Europe’s most vibrant city

Copenhagen retains is popularity as the favourite cruise destination in Northern Europe. It recently won the award as Europe’s Leading Cruise Destination (World Travel Awards). What is it that makes the Danish capital so popular that it has now triumphantly brought home this coveted award for the 5th year running?

Let’s take a closer look at was makes the Danish capital so popular with cruise passengers:

- It is so easy and quick to get there.
- Many cruise companies start their Baltic or Scandinavian cruise programmes in the UK. Others start or end in Copenhagen, giving the opportunity to add a couple of nights to explore the city in more details or time to see more of Denmark.
- You can fly to Copenhagen from most UK airports and the flight time is less than two hours.
- From the airport it takes just 12 minutes by train to city centre or you can also use the brand new Metro underground network.

Cruise Passengers arriving by sea do so at either the Freeport Terminal from where there is a shuttle service into town or at Langelinie Pier. Both piers have taxi services for quick and easy transport to city centre. From Langelinie there is a regular bus service or just a 30-40 minute walk to the city centre.

And what a walk that is:
As you stroll along the quayside you soon come upon the most famous sight in Denmark; the charming bronze statue of the Little Mermaid. She has now been greeting visitors since 1913. We see her, as the Hans Christian Andersen story tells us, the moment she has just for the first time, risen above the water’s surface and as resting on a rock she is falling in love with the Prince she has just saved from drowning.

Having had your photographs taken, just move on and soon on your right you see the Royal Palace, or rather four palaces making up Amalienborg, home of Queen Margarethe ll. From the Palace courtyard, you have the best view across the water to the new Royal Opera House hosting world class music and ballet performances throughout the year.

Your next stop on this interesting route is Nyhavn. The New Harbour, well it was back in the 17th century – is filled with restaurants and outdoor cafes. If you feel hungry by now, this is the place to stop for the traditional Smorrebrod lunch, open Danish sandwiches, topped with the most scrumptious delicacies you can ever dream of. These are best taken with, of course, a glass of Carlsberg beer.

New attractions in this area are the new National Theatre, built right on the waterfront, an ideal place to pop in for a coffee and take in some fantastic waterfront views. The best choice for those interested in fusion food and cool surroundings is the Conran designed Art Deco style Custom House, offering a choice of 3-4 restaurants and equally great views.

What great fun this is:
From Nyhavn you can hop on a 50-minute canal sightseeing tour. This is the easiest way to discover the best of the old and the new of this magnificent capital. From your comfortable seat you take in some of its most iconic buildings and sights like i.e. the picturesque Christianshavn area, the Black Diamond, (new black granite extension to the Royal Library) the Parliament and the old Stock Exchange. In the summer season free City Bikes are provided together with a map for those feeling like seeing the city from two wheels.

No cruise holiday is complete without a few hours for local shopping. In Copenhagen, head straight for the longest pedestrian street in Europe, Stroget. In the centre, at Amagertorv Square you can find the most Danish of shopping experiences, the Royal Copenhagen flagship store. This fine porcelain emporium is flanked by George Jensen silver ware on one side and Illums Bolighus for the best of Danish and international interior design on the other.

Do make time to explore the pretty squares and side streets around Stroget, as this is where to find the more individual and quirky Danish designer goods as well as great restaurants and bars very popular with the locals.

After this you will have a pretty good idea of what Copenhagen looks like and what great sights it has on offer. But what about the people? Who are the Danes? At the National Museum you can follow the history of the Danes and the nation’s important events over the last 900 years.

For some more visual inspiration, visit one of Copenhagen’s many quality art collections. Both the National Gallery (Statens Museum for Kunst) and Carlsberg Ny Glyptotek are centrally located. The area around Bredgade street and Kongensgade street are the best for smaller private galleries and quality classic Danish interior designs.

What an end to a fabulous day this is:
Your day will have a fairy-tale ending, as you step into the magical Tivoli Gardens, Denmark’s favourite attraction since 1843. It offers a range of restaurants and bars, including the recently opened NIMB hotel and restaurants. The establishment is run by the Logismose family, who in the well-stocked shop sells some of the best delicatessen to be found in Denmark. A great place from where to bring back some mouth-watering snacks for the next part of your journey. A visit to Tivoli is also about romantic strolls around the Tivoli Lake, live music and entertainment for all ages.

10 top things about Copenhagen:

1. The Little Mermaid
2. Amalienborg Palace
3. The New Opera House
4. Nyhavn area
5. Canal Tour
6. Royal Copenhagen shopping
7. Tivoli
8. More Michelin star restaurants than any other city in Scandinavia
9. First Class Museums and Art Galleries
10. Easy to get to

For more detailed information, log on to Visitcopenhagen.com.

For a one stop shop for all you need to know about a cruise to Copenhagen including list of shipping lines, log on to Cruisecopenhagen.com.