Baltic Bliss

You could spend a week in Copenhagen and feel as though you did not get enough. In fact, any time spent in Copenhagen leaves visitors wanting to return. This wonderful Danish capital ranks among Europe’s most vibrant cities. From charming outdoor cafes along the beautiful harbor Nyhavn to Europe’s longest pedestrian street, Stroget, and Tivoli, an amusement park and gardens dating back to 1843, Copenhagen offers visitors much to see and do.

You can cover a lot of Copenhagen’s central tourist attractions on foot or by bike (the city even makes free city bikes available that anyone can use).

From the main cruise pier, Langelinie, the city center is only about a 30- to 45-minute walk (ask directions from the pierside Cruise Information Center), and by walking, you’ll pass Copenhagen’s best-known attractions: the Little Mermaid, the symbol of Copenhagen in the form of a bronze statue of a character from a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale; Amalienborg Palace, the royal residence since 1751 where you can see the changing of the guard if you pass at noon; and Nyhavn (pronounced “New Hound” without the “d” at the end), with its colorful old wooden schooners lining the canal.

At Nyhavn, you can hop a 50-minute canal cruise to see Copenhagen from the perspective of the water with a 60-minute guided canal tour (tours depart hourly from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.).

From Nyhavn walk across Kongens Nytorv square at the end of the harbor to join Europe’s longest pedestrian street, Strøget (swallow the “g” when pronouncing the name.)

The locals refer to Strøget as the “walking street.” This is the heart of Copenhagen, and along its main thoroughfare, as well as the adjacent alleys, you’ll find great shopping and dining. Be sure to stop in at the Cruise Lounge, situated at the square Amager Torv (you’ll know you’re there when you see the crane fountain). Show the wait staff proof that you’re a cruise passenger (your boarding card, for example) for complimentary coffee or tea.

You’ll find some of the city’s most popular shops adjacent to the Cruise Lounge: Illums Bolighus, featuring Danish design, and the flagship stores of Royal Copenhagen porcelain and Georg Jensen silver - all purveyors to Her Majesty The Queen of Denmark. Should you make a purchase, you can leave it at the cruise lounge to pick up later. Near the airport, visit Scandinavia’s largest shopping mall, Field’s.

Whether you’re in Copenhagen for the day or several days pre- or post-cruise, be sure pick up a Copenhagen Card, which gives you free entrance or discounts to Copenhagen’s most popular museums and attractions. The card is valid for either 24 or 72 hours. You may purchase cards at Copenhagen airport, at major train stations and at most hotels.

With the card, you’ll gain free entrance to attractions such as the National Museum (highly recommended) and the Thorvaldsens Museum, featuring sculptures by Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1844), one of Europe’s most renowned artists in his day. Among the attractions and activities where reduced rates are offered: Canal Tours and Open Top bus tours.

Open Top Tours leave from Langelinie Pier approximately every 20 minutes. These are sightseeing buses that you may hop on and off as you please. The tour around the city takes about 80 minutes. Purchase tickets from the bus driver.

Cruise ships also arrive at Freeport Terminal. Should your ship call here, it’s about an hour’s walk into the city center. Best to jump on a shuttle into the city center.

All of this activity will leave you famished, and even if you’re not hungry, you’ll be tempted by Copenhagen’s wonderful restaurants. It’s futile to make specific recommendations - there are so many good restaurants in Copenhagen - but you must at least try the Sport Cake or another dessert at Konditori La Glace, near Strøget, and for a traditional Danish dinner, go to Peder Oxe, situated on one of the city’s most beautiful squares, Grabrodretorv (Grey Friar’s Square), just off Strøget.

For lunch, be sure to try the Scandinavian specialty, Smorrebrod, an open-faced sandwich of sorts, as Told & Snaps, at Nyhavn.

Copenhagen has many hotels in or near the city center. Most cruise lines offer pre- and post-cruise packages that include transfers and accommodations. The beauty of these packages is that they offer seamless travel experiences. But if you’re planning on your own and want a recommendation, one of my favorites is the Radisson SAS Royal.

If you Have a Few Extra Days

Copenhagen is on the island of Sealand. The attractions below are also on Sealand and easily reached from Copenhagen. None, in fact, are more than an hour away by train. Your Copenhagen Card will give you free train or bus transportation and free or discounted admission to most of these attractions.

North Sealand

• Helsingør, better known as Elsinore, is the home of Kronborg Castle, the inspiration for the setting of Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
• Frederiksborg Castle at Hillerød is the traditional coronation site for Danish monarchs. Dating from the 16th century, the castle features ceremonial rooms and a museum.
• The Karen Blixen Museum at Rungsted is the home of the Danish author of Out of Africa and many other works. Under the pen name Isak Dinesen she wrote most of her books here. The house is filled with her personal belongings, including souvenirs of her days in Africa. For lunch, try the Smorrebrod at Rungsted Kro.
• Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Humlebæk is a haven for art lovers, featuring the work of the world’s great 20th- and 21st-century artists. Known for its innovative exhibitions, both small-scale and large, the museum is surrounded by a pleasant park and sculpture garden

West Sealand

• Korsor is home to the Great Belt Bridge and Nature Center, where you’ll find exhibitions about the largest construction projects in Danish history.
• For a historic look at the town, visit Kongegaarden, a manor house that has hosted kings while they awaited favorable weather for sailing across the Great Belt.
• Roskilde, a short trip west of Copenhagen, is known for its Viking Ship Museum. The museum came about after a cache of Viking ships were discovered submerged in the fjord beside the city. The ships, along with a wealth of information about Viking seafaring history and skills, are displayed in the main hall. The newest addition is Skuldelev 2, an 11th-century Viking warship that was fully reconstructed in 2004. Be sure to watch the film about how all the ships were recovered and restored.
• Roskilde Cathedral is the traditional burial place of Danish monarchs. The red brick Gothic structure, built in the 12th and 13th centuries, was expanded over the centuries in unusual ways, making it a delight for historians and architecture aficionados.

South Sealand

Arken Museum for Modern Art in Ishoj is part gallery, part concert hall, with wonderful views of the flat sandy beach and the Bay of Koge.

If you really want to get out of town, hop a train and cross the beautiful Oresund Bridge to Malmo, Sweden. The trip from Copenhagen Central Station takes just 35 minutes.

Be sure to visit Ralph Grizzle’s Coming To Copenhagen