A WEEKEND IN COPENHAGEN

Trips to Copenhagen offer up a Winning Pick and Mix of Colourful History, Vibrant Street Art and Waterfront Landscapes.

A City by the Water

Originally a Viking fishing village, Copenhagen’s now Denmark’s much-loved capital city – and it still throws a lot of its weight behind its waterfront setting.

The colourful harbour in the Nyhavn district is one of the city’s most photographed spots – it’s instantly recognisable for its vintage boats and rainbow-painted cafés. Dig a little deeper, and you’ll find this Scandinavian gem’s got a vibrant arts scene and a whole lot of history behind it, too.

Something for Everyone

Each of Copenhagen's neighbourhoods has something different to shout about, from the cool nightlife in gritty Vesterbro to the charming tree-lined boulevards in Frederiksberg.

Elegant Østerbro stands out for its parks and shopping. And if candy-hued townhouses and picturesque canals are what you’re after, you’ll find plenty of them in Christianshavn – a district made up of a small cluster of islands.

Heaps of History

Copenhagen’s home to one of the oldest monarchies in the world, so it’s got its fair share of castles and royal palaces. And history buffs will be pleased to hear that museums are easy to come by, too.

You can nose around reconstructed 17th-century houses at the Open Air Museum, spy ancient art collections at Glyptotek, or delve deeper into the city’s 800-year past at the Museum of Copenhagen.

Art all Around

Art lovers will be in their element here. The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art’s a must-see – it’s packed with famous works from the likes of Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein. But you only have to wander Copenhagen’s streets to clap eyes on some masterpieces.

The Little Mermaid statue by the waterfront’s become one of the city’s most famous landmarks, and the Vesterbro area’s peppered with bold, bright wall murals.

Nightlife

Classical concerts, sophisticated cocktail bars, and kitsch cabaret – take your pick. The Copenhagen nightlife scene delivers on all these fronts and many more.

From swinging seats and Asian-inspired cocktails at a sushi skybar to a Mad Man-esque lounge that's big on akvavit and snaps. Bear in mind that many venues close on Monday nights, but things gradually liven up as the week goes on and by the time you get to the weekend, everywhere is in party mode with bars and clubs open well into the early hours.