Copenhagen Tips

Copenhagen is safe, friendly, and compact. You can get almost everywhere on foot, but note that this is a city where pedestrians always wait for the walk sign — even in the middle of the night, with no oncoming traffic. New York-style jaywalking is not done.

If you’re feeling fit, there are plenty of bicycle lanes, plus 1,300 free city bikes (a 20 kroner coin—about $3.70—unlocks a free bike from its stand and the coin is refunded when the bike is returned).

Most stores are closed on Sunday and the town feels sleepy, though Illums Bolighus and Georg Jensen are still open.

Virtually all Scandinavians are effortlessly bilingual, if not trilingual. Nowhere else in Europe can a visitor feel more at ease chatting in English. In fact, the average Dane is usually easier to understand than an average London cab driver. Don’t bother buying a phrase book as Danish pronunciation is fiendishly difficult. “Tak,” the Danish word for thank you, is all you really need to know.

The city’s most famous historical figure is Hans Christian Andersen, who wrote The Little Mermaid, The Ugly Duckling, and The Little Matchgirl, among many other tales. Other literary locals include Isak Dinesen, author of Out of Africa, whose home is now a museum 15 miles north of the city.

Cabs are expensive, but drivers are polite and competent. Throughout Scandinavia taxis take credit cards. Tipping is not necessary, but it’s much appreciated if you do round the amount up.