From its origin as a humble fishing village, to the glittering capital of the Danish Empire and Scandinavia's pre-eminent city, Copenhagen's one thousand year history is discovered in its sumptuous palaces, medieval streets, 17th-Century canals, copper-roofed town houses and atmospheric cobbled squares. Today Copenhagen is a happening city, busily turning itself into a dynamic and trendy metropolis, attracting attention with everything from exciting architecture to design, art and shopping. New fashion houses, food temples, trendy boutiques and music venues are shooting up all over the city.
Copenhagen's historic city center is a maze of narrow streets and cobbled squares, each graced by at least one cafe from which to observe the world passing by over the rim of a coffee cup. Much of the city's architectural splendor remains perfectly preserved, including ancient castles and palaces, but among the picturesque remnants from the Middle Ages you will also find pleasant oases of greenery, attractive shopping opportunities, great and different museums along with typical
earteries.
From the shops of Strřget, the ramshackle delights of Christiania and the cutting edge art at Arken, to the student-Bohemian quarter of Pisserenden, you will pick up groovy bargains or discover the stunning array of well known Danish designer's articles. For exciting nightlife head straight for the "golden triangle" which includes fashionable places like Café Victor, Dan Turell, Café Ketchup and Etcetera, the haunts of Copenhagen's beautiful crowd. Or visit the area around Skt. Hans Torv in Nřrrebro with places like Sebastopol, an archetypal modern Copenhagen cafés with slightly younger clientele.
But, if you want a taste of what is really happening in Copenhagen, visit its cafés. The young at heart meet here for inventive drinks, creative food and to catch up on the latest gossip and news. Choices range from traditional café food like salads and burgers, to the creative and unconventional fusion dishes now popular at many cafés. Of course, you can always just grab a coffee and watch Copenhagen go by.
