København

København

DK
Population613,288
Copenhagen (Danish: København [kʰøpm̩ˈhɑwˀn] ) is the capital and most populous city of Denmark, with a population of 1.4 million in the urban area. The city is situated on the islands of Zealand and Amager, separated from Malmö, Sweden, by the Øresund strait. The Øresund Bridge connects the two cities by rail and road. Originally a Viking fishing village established in the 10th century in the vicinity of what is now Gammel Strand, Copenhagen became the capital of Denmark in the early 15th century. During the 16th century, the city served as the de facto capital of the Kalmar Union and the seat of the Union's monarchy, which governed most of the modern-day Nordic region as part of a Danish confederation with Sweden and Norway. The city flourished as the cultural and economic centre of Scandinavia during the Renaissance. By the 17th century, it had become a regional centre of power, serving as the heart of the Danish government and military. During the 18th century, Copenhagen suffered from a devastating plague outbreak and urban conflagrations. Major redevelopment efforts included the construction of the prestigious district of Frederiksstaden and the establishment of cultural institutions such as the Royal Theatre and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. The city also became the centre of the Danish slave trade during this period. In 1807, the city was bombarded by a British fleet during the Napoleonic Wars, before the Danish Golden Age brought a Neoclassical look to Copenhagen's architecture. After World War II, the Finger Plan fostered the development of housing and businesses along the five urban railway routes emanating from the city centre. Since the turn of the 21st century, Copenhagen has seen strong urban and cultural development, facilitated by investment in its institutions and infrastructure. The city is the cultural, economic, and governmental centre of Denmark; it is one of the major financial centres of Northern Europe with the Copenhagen Stock Exchange. Copenhagen's economy has developed rapidly in the service sector, especially through initiatives in information technology, pharmaceuticals, and clean technology. Since the completion of the Øresund Bridge, Copenhagen has increasingly integrated with the Swedish province of Scania and its largest city, Malmö, forming the Øresund Region. With several bridges connecting the various districts, the cityscape is characterised by parks, promenades, and waterfronts. Copenhagen's landmarks, such as Tivoli Gardens, The Little Mermaid statue, the Amalienborg and Christiansborg palaces, Rosenborg Castle, Frederik's Church, Børsen, and many museums, restaurants, and nightclubs are significant tourist attractions. Copenhagen is home to the University of Copenhagen, the Technical University of Denmark, Copenhagen Business School, and the IT University of Copenhagen. The University of Copenhagen, founded in 1479, is the oldest university in Denmark. Copenhagen is home to the football clubs F.C. Copenhagen and Brøndby IF. The annual Copenhagen Marathon was established in 1980. Copenhagen is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world. Movia is a public mass transit company serving all of eastern Denmark except Bornholm. The Copenhagen Metro, launched in 2002, serves central Copenhagen. Additionally, the Copenhagen S-train, the Lokaltog (private railway), and the Coast Line network serve and connect central Copenhagen to outlying boroughs. Serving roughly 2.5 million passengers a month, Copenhagen Airport, Kastrup, is the busiest airport in the Nordic countries.

Places to Explore

Curated experiences in København

Copenhagen Contemporary

Copenhagen Contemporary

Dyrehavsbakken

Dyrehavsbakken

Dyrehavsbakken (lit. 'Animal Park Hill'), commonly referred to as Bakken (lit. 'The Hill', to distinguish it from Dyrehaven, a royal …

Superkilen

Superkilen

Superkilen is a public park in the Nørrebro district of Copenhagen, Denmark. The park is designed to bring immigrants and …

Vor Frelsers Kirke

Vor Frelsers Kirke

The Church of Our Saviour (Danish: Vor Frelsers Kirke; [vɒ ˈfʁælsɐs ˈkiɐ̯kə]) is a baroque church in Copenhagen, Denmark, most …

Operaen

Operaen

The Copenhagen Opera House (in Danish usually called Operaen, literally The opera) is the national opera house of Denmark, and …

Statens Museum for Kunst

Statens Museum for Kunst

The National Gallery of Denmark (Danish: Statens Museum for Kunst, also known as "SMK", literally State Museum for Art) is …

Louisiana Museum of Modern Art

Louisiana Museum of Modern Art

The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, also known as the Louisiana, is an art museum located north of Copenhagen, Denmark. …

Frederiksberg Have

Frederiksberg Have

Frederiksberg Gardens (Danish: Frederiksberg Have) is one of the largest and most attractive greenspaces in Copenhagen, Denmark. Together with the …

Kastellet

Kastellet

Kastellet (Danish pronunciation: [kʰæˈsteˀlð̩]; transl. "The Citadel") is a citadel located in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is one of the best …

Botanisk Have

Botanisk Have

The University of Copenhagen Botanical Garden (Danish: Botanisk have), usually referred to simply as Copenhagen Botanical Garden, is a botanical …

Zoologisk Have København

Zoologisk Have København

Copenhagen Zoo (Danish: København Zoo) is a zoological garden in Copenhagen, Denmark. Founded in 1859, it is one of the …

Rundetårn

Rundetårn

The Round Tower (Danish: Rundetårn) is a 17th-century tower in Copenhagen, Denmark, one of the many architectural projects of Christian …

Nationalmuseet

Nationalmuseet

The National Museum of Denmark (Nationalmuseet) in Copenhagen is Denmark's largest museum of cultural history, comprising the histories of Danish …

Christiansborg Slot

Christiansborg Slot

Christiansborg Palace (Danish: Christiansborg Slot, pronounced [kʰʁestjænsˈpɒˀ ˈslʌt, kʰʁæs-]) is a palace and government building on the islet of Slotsholmen …

Amalienborg

Amalienborg

Amalienborg (Danish pronunciation: [æˈmɛˀljn̩ˌpɒˀ]) is the official residence for the Danish royal family and is located in Copenhagen. Frederick VIII's …

Rosenborg Slot

Rosenborg Slot

Rosenborg Castle (Danish: Rosenborg Slot) is a renaissance castle in Copenhagen, Denmark. The castle was originally built as a country …

Nyhavn

Nyhavn

Nyhavn (Danish pronunciation: [ˈnyˌhɑwˀn]; New Haven) is a 17th-century waterfront, canal and entertainment district in Copenhagen, Denmark. Stretching from Kongens …

Den lille Havfrue

Den lille Havfrue

The Little Mermaid (Danish: Den lille Havfrue) is a bronze statue by Edvard Eriksen, depicting a mermaid becoming human. The …

Tivoli

Tivoli

Tivoli Gardens, also known simply as Tivoli (Danish pronunciation: [ˈtsʰiwoli]), is an amusement park and pleasure garden in Copenhagen, Denmark. …

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