Destination Insight: Copenhagen

Copenhagen for Business Travellers

 

Copenhagen is a key business hub for Nordic countries, thanks to its prime location, its commercial ports and excellent transport links to other Scandinavian commercial centres such as Sweden's Malmo and Oslo.

Many banks and other financial institutions are based here, while the city's research and development sector is booming and busy telecoms and biotech sectors are strongly represented also.

Of course once you're finished conducting your business, there are plenty of ways to make the most of the city. Here's a selection of some of our favourite things to see and do in 'wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen.'

See the Little Mermaid

 ‘Little’ is very much the operative word here, as the mermaid is only 1.25 metres tall, so it can be frustratingly easy to miss. Copenhagen's most famous icon, the bronze and granite statue inspired by the Hans Christian Anderson fairytale of the same name, made by sculptor Edvard Eriksen and gifted to the city in 1913 by brewer Carl Jacobsen, can be found on Langelinje Pier on Copenhagen' harbour. It makes for an ideal spot for that all-important 'just arrived in Copenhagen' selfie.

Marvel at Modern Architecture

Copenhagen is jam packed with impressive buildings and structures, if you know where to look. Among the city’s many modern architectural masterpieces are the Black Diamond, an extension to the Royal Library, the hyper-modernist Royal Opera House and Royal Danish Playhouse, and the newly-opened Amager Bakke / Copenhill, a futuristic artificial ski slope and recreation space built on top of a waste management facility, topped by a giant chimney blowing smoke rings. It’s an instagramer’s paradise.

Splurge on a Smorrebord Platter

Scandinavian cuisine may not be the most feted in all the world, but there are certain things they do very well and this is one of them.  A smorebord is quite similar to the Swedish smorgasbord. It's a large, tasty sharing platter laden down with fish, eggs, cheese, bread and salads.

Expect generous helpings of remoulade, pickled herring, raw beef, crisprolls and rye bread. The ideal, light business lunch that's best experienced shared with a new friend or client, perhaps washed down with a glass of aquavit.

Tivoli Gardens

If you’re feeling that familiar post-meeting slump, try livening yourself up with a bracing turn in Tivoli Gardens, a famous and historic amusement park just by the City Hall.

The beautifully-designed amusement park was established back in 1843 and since then everyone has passed through its inviting gates, from the likes of Denmark's own Hans Christian Anderson to Walt Disney. Rides range from the classic century-old Roller Coaster to the head-spinning Vertigo and new virtual reality game the Demon.

Plus there are live outdoor music events throughout the week year-round, covering the full gamut of genres, from rock to classical and jazz, so it’s still worth the admission if rides are not your thing.

Esplanade Walk

Copenhagen offers an attractive harbourside walk, chock full of eye-catching architecture, boats and other waterfront scenery. The best time to do this is around dusk to experience a majestic sunset which frames horizon the perfectly.

Fancy a longer, invigorating run or walk along the waterside? Try the Copenhagen Harbour Circle for size. This 13km stretch takes in houseboats, harbour baths and scores of unique developments, giving you plenty of motivation to keep going and make further discoveries along the way.

If you spend any time in central Copenhagen you can’t really miss the imposing 17^th century Round Tower (or Rundetaarn, as the Danes call it). Europe’s oldest surviving observatory stands proud at some 36 metres high. Stand on the 25-metre high floating glass floor if you dare and peer into the tower’s central core.

Don’t worry, the glass is 50mm thick and can take a load of 900kg per square metre apparently, so just go easy on those Danish pastries before you scale it! Entrance costs 25 DKK or is free with the Copenhagen Card.

Exlore Vesterbro

Trendy Vesterbro was once Copenhagen’s Red Light District but don’t let that put you off. These days the area's perfectly safe, and it's also home to dozens of cool theatres, bars, restaurants and shops, along with a host of cultural attractions.In particular, check out the Centre of Photography and the hip Galleri Bo Bjerggaard, in the Vesterbro's Meatpacking District.

Getting to Copenhagen

Six airlines fly direct to Copenhagen from the UK, including BA, SAS and low cost carriers Easyjet, Norwegian and Ryanair. UK airports offering direct flights include Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham, Glasgow and Manchester.

The direct flight time is around 1 hour 50 minutes.

Copenhagen Airport is just 8 KM away from the city centre. The Metro will take you from the airport to central Copenhagen in only 20 minutes.

Getting Around Copenhagen

Public transport in Copenhagen is reliable, punctual and easy to navigate. The Metro runs through the night, there are regular buses (The A buses run every 3-7 minutes, while the less frequent, S Buses are faster, express services) and there are overland trains too.

You can buy a Citypass for either 24 or 72 hours of travel which covers you across the board, from 80 Danish Kroner.

Of course the city centre is pretty compact, making it very easy to navigate on foot.

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