Cycling around Copenhagen is free… and a great way to explore the city! Simply put a 20 kroner coin in one of the many bike racks scattered around and enjoy. When you return the bike, you get your deposit back.

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Have a look at the statue on Bispetorv, it is opposite Vor Frue Kirke.

Go round the back of the statue so you are facing the church, check out the frieze. How to get on in the Danish church! Turn down Studiestræde and you are in the old latin Quarter of Copenhagen.

Bispetorv on Nørregade

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A heavyweight on the jazz scene, the Copenhagen Jazz Festival takes over the city like few other events. For 10 bad-ass, funkarythmic days each July, every form of jazz can be heard at dozens of locations throughout the city.

Big names feature regularly, but the best thing is the portable stages that can be found on every square in town, allowing music to waltz through the air wherever you wander.

Ten days every July (2006: July 7-16).
Check the English site at:
festival.jazz.dk/start.asp?l=2

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In rare moments of Southern European mimickry - usually on sunny Sundays - Copenhageners stroll along the chain of lakes just north of the city centre. A year-round pursuit and an aesthetic one.

The Lakes are quite obvious on the map of the city.

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In the winter many squares are transformed into skating rinks - in the good-old fashioned sense. Lazy circles, rosy cheeks, laughing kids.

Two of the best bets are the Kongens Nytorv in the centre of town and Frederiksberg Gardens.

It's free, but skate rental will set you back 40 kroner or so.

Kongens Nytorv - city centre.
Frederiksberg Gardens - ten minute bike ride from the central station.

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It's a mouthful in Danish - Gråbrødretorv - but that is easily translated as Grey Friar's Square. A cobblestoned pocket in the centre of town with cafés and restaurants for all tastes. Or just relax on the bench under the tree.

A short walk from all things central.

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No guide to Copenhagen can fail to mention Christania. For many years it has ranked as the most visited 'attraction' after Tivoli. In 1972 a group of people squatted in an unused military area just south of the city. They established a self-governing, independent community and it flourished. Many houses were built, businesses set up and even daycare institutions established.

Often called Europe’s greatest social experiment and with big names like Bob Dylan on the support list, Christiania is facing a bleak future. The right-wing government has shut down the famous Pusher Street, which sold hash and pot in colourful booths and is threatening to reclaim the area for development. Development meaning expensive flats and offices on the prime real estate.

Nevertheless, Christiania soldiers on. Great cafés, restaurants and one of the city’s hottest concert venues are to be found within her fences.

Located in the Christianshavn neighbourhood.
20 min. walk from the city.

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A long line of famous Danes are buried here. Among those known abroad are Hans Christian Andersen, Soren Kierkegaard and Niels Bohr.

It's an oasis in the middle of the noisy Nørrebro neighbourhood and has been used as a park for decades.

If you visit in the summer don't be suprised to see half-naked locals lounging on blankets in the sun.

A wonderful graveyard in all seasons.

Located along Nørrebrogade - the long, yellow wall is it. Bus 5A will take you there from the centre or it's a 30 min. walk up Nørrebrogade.
Open 8-16 (winter) and 8-20 (summer).

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Wondering what those strange-looking bikes chained to bike racks are? They're free transport opportunities. Pop in a 20 krone coin - just like a shopping trolley - take the bike and ride. You can deliver it back to any other bike rack in the city centre. There is a limit to how far outside the centre you can ride but the fully-adjustable bikes have a map on them. Understand the Copenhageners by riding alongside them. Be warned, however... stick to the right, just like driving. Obey the traffic signals. Just like driving a car.

All over town. Costs 20 kroner in deposit - based on a shopping trolley system.
Web: www.bycyklen.dk/

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From outside it's a big, impressive old building. But it's what's inside that counts.

The Town Hall is beautiful and church-like inside. Check out the Wedding Rooms - the murals on the walls are worthy of a religious building. But this is where Copenhageners get hitched in secular fashion. Show up on Saturday and witness the atmosphere in the waiting area. It's magic. Hey, why not sneak in with a large wedding party? Nobody will notice. My wife and I are still wondering who those two ladies in all our wedding photos are.

The Town Hall is, not suprisingly, located on the Town Hall Square or Rådhuspladsen.

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You’re never pressed for space even in the tourist season. But if off the beaten track is the goal then rent a bike and ride out to Frederiksberg Gardens. It’s ten minutes from the Central Station to these relaxed gardens. The same paths and canal that the upper classes escaped to in the Danish Golden Age. Hans Christian Andersen and his fine friends promenaded here and you, too, can take a slow motion sail along the canal below the castle.

Head west along Vesterbrogade, turn right when the road forks and continue along Frederiksberg Allé. At the end of the road is the Gardens.

Bikes can be rented at the Central Station, next to Track 13.
Prices start at 75 kroner per day.
www.rentabike.dk/English/firstpage.htm

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It’s secret mostly because Google Earth’s satellite photos are so outdated that it doesn’t even exist. Copenhagen’s new riviera, Amager Strandpark, was inaugurated this year and puts a massive recreation area with beaches, lagoons and outdoorsy pursuits within a 15 minute bike ride from the city. A man-made island juts out into the sea towards Sweden from the island of Amager just to the south of Copenhagen and will undoubtedly be a popular summer destination. Copenhagen doesn’t lack great beaches. There are long stretches to the south and trendy beaches to the north, but the new beach is an impressive attempt to create new, exciting areas for recreation close to the city.

Located along Amager Strandvej on the island of Amager.
Reached by metro to Lergravsparken station and a 15 minute walk along Øresundsvej or by bus #12 from the Town Hall Square or the airport.
www.amager-strand.dk/ServiceMenu/English

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Even in a modern design utopia on the cutting edge of technological progress it’s still a treat to see marching soldiers. At the Queen’s palace, Amalienborg, the changing of the guards takes place every day at 12 noon. The whole bearskin hat, snapping of the heels thing is always enjoyable. It’s amusing to see a group of soldiers carrying loaded machine guns with an ambling policeman armed with a little pistol as their minder.

Amalienborg Palace is on Amaliegade or entrance from Toldbodgade along the harbour.
kongehuset.dk/artikel.php?dogtag=k_en_pal_ama
Every day at 12

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The term ‘view’ is relative in a city that banned skyscrapers by referendum in the 1970s. To get a bird’s eye view you’ll have to do a bit of climbing. Rundetårnet, or the Round Tower, is a landmark in the city centre.

Another option is the spire of Our Saviour’s church in the Christianshavn neighbourhood is unique in that the spiral staircase is on the outside of the spire. If your boots are made for walking you’re all set.

Our Saviour Church (Vor frelsers kirke)
Sankt Annægade 29, Christianshavn
www.vorfrelserskirke.dk/frontpage.htm
Admission is free

The Round Tower (Rundetårn)
Købmagergade 52A
Tel: (+45) 33 73 03 73
rundetaarn.dk/
Prices: 20 kroner for adults and 5 kroner for kids

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