Address: Vesterbrogade 3

      Hours: 10:00am- 10:00pm

      Tickets: DKK 85

          Rediscover your inner child at the Tivoli Gardens. This 19^th century amusement park is filled with both old and new roller coasters and rides: one of the oldest wooden roller coasters, Rusjebanen, still thrills visitors today, who can also ride the Himmelskibet, the tallest carousel in the world built in 2006.  It is said that Walt Disney wanted his theme parks to imitate Tivoli.  The park also features some lovely gardens and lakes, and it hosts many live, international bands.  Be sure not to miss the Illuminations, an awe-inspiriting light show right before close. The classic Italian form of entertainment, Commedia dell’arte, still exists inside Tivoli in the Pantomime Theatre.  The comedy dates back to Italy in the 16^th century, where a troupe of actors performed improv theatre, using very few props. 

      Address: Dantes Plads 7

      Transportation: bus nos. 1A, 2A, 15, 65E, and 33

      Hours: 10:00am- 4:00pm, closed Mondays

      Tickets: DKK 50, FREE on Sundays

           Founded by the brewer Carl Jacobsen and named after his brewery, the museum contains his personal collection, including contemporary French, Danish, and Mediterranean art. The museum has acquired many more works on art and now contains the largest collection of ancient art in Northern Europe, from areas like Egypt, Greece, Italy, and the Near East

      Address: Frederiksholms Kanal 12

      Hours: Tues.- Sun. 10:00am- 5:00pm, closed Mondays

      Tickets: free

          Once the Prince’s Palace, home to the royal family in the 18^th century.  The museum houses a multitude of works, from Danish prehistory (reindeer hunters and the clothing of a girl buried in 1370 BC) to the Classical and Near East exhibitions, like the Cabinet of Curiosities .  There is also a children’s museum, with “Grandma’s Wardrobe” that lets them try on old fashioned clothing, and a replica of a Viking ship that they may board.

      Address: Kongevejen 100 

      Hours: 10:00am- 5:00pm, closed Mondays

      Tickets: free

          Don’t miss the Open Air Museum, a splendid 86-acre area that takes you back to the time of Hans Christian Anderson in the 19^th century.  Every inch of Denmark, as well as former Danish provinces, is represented in the Open Air Museum, so visitors only need to walk through the remarkable farms, mills, and houses to experience all of Denmark.

      Address: Bertel Thorvaldsens Plads 2

      Transportation: bus nos. 1A, 2A, 15, 26, and 29

      Hours: Tues.- Sun. 10:00am- 5:00pm, closed Mondays

      Tickets: DKK 20, FREE on Wednesdays

          With works almost exclusively from Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1844), a Copenhagen native who created almost 550 sculptures, among other works.  The museum’s structure represents a rebuilding of the Royal Coach House, which previously stood on the site.  On the roof of the building stand a sculpture of Victoria, the goddess of victory, and her four horses; the sculpture represents Thorvaldsen’s conquest through his art.  The sculptures are houses in a multitude of small rooms, so that visitors can reflect on each one. In addition to the paintings and sculptures, the museum contains personal items from Thorvaldsen, including clothing, his tools and a flute.

      Address: Kobmagergade 52A

      Hours: Sept. 21 -May 20: 10:00am- 5:00; May 21- Sept. 20: 10:00am- 8:00pm

      Tickets: DKK 25

          Built under King Christian IV starting in 1637, this round tower became a center for astronomers. The observatory in the tower is the oldest in Europe, and Tyco Brahe, the famous Danish astronomer, first observed the sky here.  If you take the long, winding passage around the tower to reach the top, you can find a wonderful view of the city rooftops.  

          Located in the Christiania area, Pusher Street is where to find dealers, mostly of soft drugs.  While Danish police tend to raid the area often, it hasn’t seemed to deter the  dealers, who parade large bricks of hash on bar and card tables in the street. While the area may be a “hippie haven,” with little tea shops, restaurants, and peace-loving people, backpackers should be careful and aware of their surroundings.

      Address: Sankt Anna Gade 29

      Hours: church closed until May 2009.  Check out the website for opening hours once the construction is finished.

          This large, Baroque church, built of beautiful red brick in the 1680s, serves a large parish in Copenhagen.  The 1698 organ on the west wall of the church is one of the most photographed instruments in the world, whose sound takes you back to the beginning days of the church.  For those with some courage, climb the oak, 400-step spire.  The last 150 steps are outside, and in windy weather, it may shake a little.  But the scary trip is worth it-- the view of the city and the water is one of the best in Copenhagen, so grip your camera tightly and head up the spire.

      Directions: Osterport station

      Tickets: free

          One of the best preserved fortresses in Europe, Kastellet was built under King Christian IV.  Its shape is that of a star pentagram, and the five bastions are named for the king, queen, count, prince, and princess.  Kastellet was supposed to protect a nearby castle, but the castle was never built because of lack of funds. The fortress has its own church, which has holes in the adjacent walls to the fortress; since it was a prison for a time, it allowed the prisoners to follow church services. Kastellet sits right in the harbor and provides wonderful sights in addition to its historical significance.

      Address: Frederiksgade 4

      Hours: Mon.- Thurs. 10:00am- 5:00pm (6:00pm on Wed.), Fri.- Sun. noon- 5:00pm

          This beautiful blue and white marble church boasts the largest dome in Scandinavia- a 31-meter structure that rests on 12 columns.  Admission is free, and it’s worth a stop in, especially since it resides in the main part of town.

      Meaning “new harbor,” Nyhavn was built by Christian V in the 1670s and was once the street where Hans Christian Anderson lived (no. 18).  While the street used to be filled with crude sailors, today it serves as a picturesque walk along the harbor for both locals and tourists.  Lined on the streets are many bars and restaurants, ideal for sitting outdoors, having a glass of wine, and watching the harbor.

      Address: Oster Voldgade 4A

      Hours: Jan.- April 11:00am- 2:00pm; May- Oct. 10:00am- 4:00pm; Nov.- Dec. 11:00am- 2:00pm

      Tickets: DKK 70, DKK 45 students, DKK20 for photo permission

          Built by Christian IV in Dutch Renaissance style, the castle serves as a summer home that would allow him to remain in the city.  The interiors of the castle are well-preserved and contain many objects from the royal collection-- Frederik IV, Christian IV’s great grandson gave up the home, and thus it became the locale for the collections.  One of the main exhibitions in the castle is the set of Crown Jewels.  Visitors may also roam the gardens surrounding the castle, which make for a pleasant afternoon walk.

Flights: Kastup Airport (CPH) is the air hub of Copenhagen, and Ryanair flights are chartered from Sweden’s nearby Sturup Airport (MMX). 

Trains: Students looking to backpack Copenhagen can get there using trains from Berlin (8hr), Hamburg (5hr), Malmo (25min), Oslo (8hr), and Stockholm (5hr).  These trains all arrive at København H. 

Public Transportation:  Buses, S-Togs (subways and trains), and the Metro comprise Copenhagen’s public transportation system.  All three run on a zone system similar to London’s, and you must purchase a two zone ticket (each zone costs 8.50kr).  Bus hours are 5:30am-12:30am; S-Togs run M-Sa 5am-12:30am Su 6am-12:30am, and the metro runs M-Th 5am-12am and 24hrs Th-SU.  You can buy a 24hr pass for around 100kr that grants unlimited access to the bus and trains.  If you are out past the typical hours night buses run 12:30am-5am, but charge double. 

          This vivacious, multicultural and young part of the city hosts countless bars and clubs to stray though. Vesterbro, a former working class district, is now home to the fashion-forward in Copenhagen, with many flourishing designers.

      Address: Frederiksborggade 48

      Hours: every day 10:00am- 10:00pm

          A great place to find a large collection of Danish beers, as well as coffee, food and desserts.  A very laid back place, the bar features music from a record player and a friendly staff.  It’s located right off of Gothersgade street.

      Address: Guldbergsgade 8

      Hours: Wed.- Sat. 9:00pm- 5:00am

      Tickets: Wed. DKK 60, Thur. DKK 30; for live shows, it varies.

          A little more intimate and diverse than your run-of-the-mill nightclub, Rust is situated in the vibrant area of Norrebro, just a little off the beaten path.  They are known for their live music spun by some of Denmark’s best DJs, featuring anything from underground hip hop to indie-rock and electro.  For live concerts after 11:00pm, you have to be 20 years old to enter.

      Address: Svaertegade 5

      Hours: 11:00am- 2:00am, open until 6:00am on Tues., Thurs., and Sat.

          An energetic bar with lots of students and lots of cheap beer located in the city center. What more could you ask for?