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Leader in contemporary art

Copenhagen, a city of wide avenues, stately palaces and impressive warehouses, is a feast for the eyes. The Danes are famous for their unfailing eye for style: as one would expect, this hip Scandinavian capital is dressed to perfection. And the creative Danish character has delivered art and culture of the highest calibre for decades.

Arts & Culture

Charlottenborg

Kunsthal Charlottenborg

Address 2 Nyhavn is the location of a huge brick palace: Kunsthal Charlottenborg. This lovely building is one of the largest museums for contemporary art in Europe and was the previous location of the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. It hosts varied art exhibitions by both Danish and international artists. Entrance is free on Wednesday evenings after 5 pm. A tip is to buy an ‘Art & Water’ ticket which lets you visit the museum and take a tour on the canal.

The garden of the Louisiana Museum

Louise, Louise and Louise

Lovers of 20th-century art will feel their hearts beating faster in the stunningly situated Louisiana Museum, just north of Copenhagen. Art, nature and architecture merge in perfect harmony on the shores of the Sound, the strait between Denmark and Sweden. The wide, light halls do justice to the world-famous paintings of Picasso and Francis Bacon as well as sculptures by Alberto Giacometti. The Louisiana owes its name to the original owner of the property, whose three wives were all named Louise.

The ARKEN Museum

Ark for contemporary art

At the age of 25, Søren Robert Lund won the award to design the striking ARKEN Museum of Modern Art which opened in 1996. The concrete colossus is located practically in the sea, some 15 kilometres south of Copenhagen. It pays homage to the ocean with its ship-like design. The impressive permanent collection comprises around 300 pieces by artists such as Damien Hirst, Wolfgang Tillmans and Olafur Eliasson. Especially worth a look is Din blinde passager bv Olafur Eliasson, a 90-metre tunnel which surrounds visitors in thick mist. The museum café provides spectacular views over the Bay of Køge.

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Arts & Culture

Culinary

Shopping

Copenhagen is the fashion capital of Scandinavia, as its stylish inhabitants show every day. Clothing plays an important role in the lives of the Copenhageners, who brave the cool climate in the most beautiful and warmest creations. The Danish fashion industry is flourishing like never before and there are countless successful designers for you to discover.

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The charming neighbourhood of Latinerkvarteret owes its name to the university which has been located here for centuries. And while the name may make you think of the Latin Quarter in Paris, this hidden area of central Copenhagen has a character all of its own. In addition to the university buildings, the Latinerkvarteret boasts hip record shops, quirky comic book stores and many second-hand boutiques.

Arts & Culture

Danes are rightfully proud of their most famous export product: Danish design. Clean lines and simple forms create shapes that are loved for their simplicity and the way they exude class. Denmark’s global reputation in the field of design rests largely on the principle of ‘form follows function’.

Culinary

Smørrebrød is Denmark’s classic lunch dish. Although it literally means ‘sandwich’, in practice the Smørrebrød is so much more. The Danes take their ingredients very seriously, which results in delicious bite-size combinations.

Culinary

Authentic, fresh, innovative and healthy: these are the characteristics of the New Nordic Cuisine, the gastronomic revolution which has redefined northern cooking over the last decade. Its epicentre has been Copenhagen, where top chefs from Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland met in 2004 for high-level discussions. At stake was the future of Nordic cuisine, which they decided needed to return to its roots.

Culinary

Beer has a 5000-year history in Denmark and is therefore closely tied up with Danish culture and history. The Vikings were crazy about it: they drank practically nothing but light beer, which was healthier than water at the time. Beer brewing continues to flourish in Denmark today and the average Dane drinks 80 litres a year.

Arts & Culture

The history of Nyhavn is almost as colourful as the famous gables along the quay. Ships, sailors and a lot of booze have marked the history of this harbour. Drinking beer is still the preferred pastime: on a sunny day all of Copenhagen seems to come out for a glass of cold Carlsberg on the quay. But there is much more to Nyhavn.

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Strøget is the longest car-free street in the world and the most popular shopping area in Copenhagen. But in addition to a large number of shops, Strøget also offers numerous other attractions and is the perfect place for an afternoon stroll.

Arts & Culture

Amalienborg is the winter home of the Danish Royal family, located right in the centre of Copenhagen. The complex consists of 4 palaces and is a wonderful example of the popular Danish rococo style. Two of these palaces are open to the public. Amalienborg is protected by the royal guard and the daily changing of guards in the streets of Copenhagen draws hundreds of spectators.

Arts & Culture

The mermaid who traded in her tail for legs out of love but had to give up her voice to the evil sea witch. Everybody knows the fairy tale of the Little Mermaid. Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen wrote the story in 1836. As a tribute, there is a sculpture of the Little Mermaid at the Langelinie Quay in Copenhagen.

Arts & Culture

Christiansborg is located on the small island of Slotsholmen, in the harbour of Copenhagen. Originally this was the home of the royal family, but after a fire in 1794 the family moved to Amalienborg. This is now the seat of the Danish parliament and the Court. The Danish premier also has his office in the former palace.