Baltic Bliss

The hub of activity and the main dining areas are situated at and around Europe’s longest pedestrian street, called Stroget. The entrance to Stroget is approximately 30 minutes walk from the Langelinie Pier and one hour walk from the Freeport. Stroget runs from Kongens Nytorv square to Radhuspladsen (Town Hall Square), about one mile.

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September 2003 - Michael, the bartender at the trendy Copenhagen cafe Dan Turrell’s, had no qualms about telling me where to go. See, I had explained to Michael how as editor of a cruise magazine, I had come to Copenhagen to explore the shoreside attractions and activities that cruise passengers must see and do. Wanting help, he leaned across the bar with a “let’s see” look on his face.

“You’re going to see the Glibte,” he said, in the lazy manner that Danes drop letters and occasionally whole syllables, making the language incomprehensible to foreigners. Pronounce anything phonetically, despite the extra letters in the alphabet, and you will fail. Bjorn, for example, is pronounced BEE OX, with a sharp ending of the letter X.

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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.

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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

Copenhagen is ideally suited for getting around on foot or by bicycle. Cruise passengers arrive at one of three places in Copenhagen: the airport; or for those arriving by sea, Langelinie Pier or Freeport Terminal.

No matter where you arrive, you will soon see at least some of Copenhagen’s 2,500 free “City Bikes.” Anyone can pedal away on a city bike simply by inserting a Danish 20-kroner coin into the bike’s locking mechanism. Lock the bike upon return at any of 110 bike-parking stations to retrieve the coin. Or just lean the bike against a wall for someone else to use.

City bikes are hard to miss. Painted bright blue or rousing red, they carry “billboard” advertisements on their frames, Coca Cola, for example. Cruise passengers will find city bikes parked near the Langelinie Pier, in the direction of the Little Mermaid. To locate the bikes, ask at the pierside Cruise Copenhagen Information Center.

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A few key points that you should keep in mind if you are cruising to or from Copenhagen:

• Most cruise passengers arrive in Copenhagen at one of three places: Copenhagen Airport (Copenhagen serves as the initial port of departure for many cruises); or for those arriving by sea, Langelinie Pier or Freeport Terminal.
• If your cruise is departing from Copenhagen, we suggest you arrive at least a day before your cruise so that you can take in the sights before setting sail. Ideally, arrive two days early to see more of what Copenhagen has to offer.
• If you spend an extra day or two in Copenhagen, make sure you see our section on the Copenhagen Card, a money-saving program that provides free or discounted admission to attractions and transportation within greater Copenhagen.
• PLEASE NOTE: Prices and exchange rates mentioned here are approximate. Rates may vary.
• Be sure to visit Ralph Grizzle’s Coming To Copenhagen

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