I used to be born and bred in Copenhagen, and have lived right here for many of my life (other than some years spent in Berlin and New York Metropolis). That is my residence and I might navigate the town with my eyes closed.
Dwelling overseas allowed me to mirror on Danish tradition and what makes Copenhagen distinctive. For instance, the widespread bike tradition, which was a part of my on a regular basis life and one thing I thought-about to be fully regular till I lived elsewhere.
Earlier than you go to Copenhagen, listed here are the highest issues that you could know.
Mix in by carrying Scandinavian designs
Scandinavia is understood worldwide for its style. From big names together with H&M, &Different Tales and Cos, to the smaller, however tremendous stylish manufacturers reminiscent of Ganni, Samsøe Samsøe and Rains, there are various shops to select from. Put on your Scandinavian style items to mix in with the locals. Additionally, be sure to convey weather-appropriate outfits, together with a water-resistant jacket.
The metro is the most cost effective technique to get from the airport
Copenhagen’s environment friendly driver-less metro runs straight from the airport to the town heart in lower than quarter-hour, making it the obvious transportation selection whenever you arrive at Copenhagen Airport. A metro ticket will price you 34 DKK.
You’ll be able to see the very best of Copenhagen in three days
Copenhagen is a small metropolis with quick distances between the sights. Plan effectively and you would get to know the Danish capital in simply three days. Nonetheless, if you wish to discover Copenhagen in a extra native and genuine method, you’ll be able to simply spend longer right here, visiting different close by cities reminiscent of Helsingør for Kronborg Fortress (Elsinore Fortress in Shakespeare’s Hamlet) or the world-famous trendy artwork museum, Louisiana in Humlebæk.
Copenhagen doesn’t must be tremendous costly
Copenhagen is not typically thought-about to be an affordable vacation spot, however there are many alternative ways to go to the town on a price range. From touring museums and artwork facilities to stress-free in gardens and wandering by way of cool neighbhorhoods, there are even issues you are able to do which might be fully free.
Danes eat every part with a knife and fork
Danes love their knife and fork and can eat every part with them, even a burger and a pizza, which will be fairly amusing to foreigners. Be happy to make use of your arms if consuming a burger with cutlery appears too awkward for you. With regards to eating etiquette and desk manners, Danes are taught from a younger age to comply with sure guidelines, reminiscent of not placing your elbows on the desk and the best way to place the knife and fork to sign to ready employees that they’re completed consuming.
Solely vacationers hand around in Nyhavn
Whereas Nyhavn, with its colourful, fairy-tale homes, is certainly one of Copenhagen’s hottest points of interest, often locals do not hang around right here. Nonetheless, paying Nyhavn a go to, taking an image and having fun with the surroundings remains to be a should. If you wish to spend extra time, skip the touristy eating places and have a espresso or beer whereas sitting on the facet of the canals the place the ships are docked. It’s also possible to take pleasure in a break within the courtyard of Apollo.
All the time take a sip after cheering
Danes like to cheer throughout dinners and do it a bunch of instances all through a meal in good firm, notably when ingesting alcohol. When cheering, say Skål! (“cheers” in Danish), and be sure to take a sip of your drink earlier than placing your glass again down.
Danes are often very relaxed…
Too relaxed, some would say. This habits is linked to Danish humor which tends to be very “darkish”, ironic and satirical, and it additionally signifies that Danes have a really informal strategy in direction of swearing. The f-word shouldn’t be thought-about harsh the identical method as in different international locations and is utilized in some ways within the Danish language when talking informally between associates merely to emphasise particular factors.
…besides on the subject of timeliness
Punctuality is a cornerstone in Danish tradition. Some Danes even imagine that displaying up on time means being a couple of minutes early. That is carefully tied to the tradition of Danish politeness of not losing one another’s time. Which means when you’re assembly up with a Dane, and also you’re very late (by greater than quarter-hour), they could let you know that every part is okay, however in actuality they take into account it impolite.
Biking is critical enterprise
Bikes outnumber automobiles in Copenhagen and you’ll probably be wowed by the biking tradition. In case you actually wish to mix in, you hop on a motorbike to take you from A to B. Nonetheless, there are some vital bike guidelines to comply with when you don’t wish to anger your fellow riders. Take into account that biking is, for locals, primarily a mode of transportation and never one thing they’re doing for enjoyable. Typically, keep off the larger bike lanes throughout rush hour (7:15–8:45 am and three:30–5 pm). All the time keep to the far proper of the bike lane. In case you brake, sign forward of time by placing your left hand within the air, and use your arms to point when you’re making a flip.
Drink the faucet water
The water in Copenhagen (and Denmark) is so clear that residents swim within the metropolis harbor all 12 months spherical, and have entry to a few of the finest ingesting water on the planet – straight from the faucet. To assist scale back plastic waste and avoid wasting cash, convey a reusable water bottle with you and fill it up at your lodging or at certainly one of the city’s free drinking fountains.
Copenhagen is the most secure metropolis on the planet
In 2021, the Economist’s Safe Cities Index named Copenhagen because the most secure metropolis on the planet, as a result of low crime charges and a excessive stage of belief amongst individuals, which is a vital a part of Danish tradition. When you can at all times be within the unsuitable spot on the unsuitable time, there may be typically no want to fret about your security in Copenhagen. As with wherever else, take common precautions reminiscent of not flaunting your pockets or valuables in public.
112 is the emergency quantity
If something have been to occur in your journey to Copenhagen, 112 is the emergency quantity that may join you to the police, hearth and ambulance providers.
