Car Hire Copenhagen - Mini guide to Copenhagen

Denmark’s capital city has a rich history and is Scandanavia’s biggest city. Its location on the Øresund at the entrance to the Baltic sea has given it great importance over the centuries, yet it retains a down-to-earth low key character, with few high rises. It’s easily walkable and has a unique charm.

The sweeping Rådhuspladsen (main square) is difficult to miss, and it connects the old pedestrianised town to the newer, neon clad grid. Beside it is Copenhagen's Latin Quarter, brimming with pedestrians, cafes and bookshops, and home to the University. It’s dissected by Copenhagen’s most famous shopping street, Strøget. This windy, pedestrianised street is lined with medieval buildings, notably the Rundetårn – a 17th C observatory tower open to the public. Other attractions include the Kultorvet plaza and 12th C Vor Frue Kirke and Kongens Nytorv, a lively square were Strøget terminates.

Opposite Kongens Nytorv is the colourful Nyhavn canal area, lined with restaurants and bars in perfectly restored buildings (reminiscent of Amsterdam). Nearby is modest Amalienborg Palace - home of the royal family for more than 200 years.

Rosenborg Slot is a Dutch Renaissance-styled former Royal residence on the edge of Kongens Have (King's Gardens), today it Is full of priceless jewels and royal booty. Slotsholmen is technically an island, from which the country is run. It features the palatial government offices of Christiansborg Slot, Folketinget, the parliamentary chamber and De Kongelige Repræsentationslokaler. Excellent museums include Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek and Nationalmuseet.

Hans Christian Andersen’s modern Copenhagen is lively by night, unhurried and relaxed by day with the character of a much smaller ‘town’. It’s also famed for its magnificent Tivoli gardens, the world’s oldest amusement park.