Introduction to Copenhagen
Copenhagen combines historic charm, contemporary architecture, world-class gastronomy, and ranks high in quality of life-surveys, making it a popular destination for city breaks, events, and meetings.
In the Danish capital, you can ski down the roof of a waste-to-energy plant, take your bike on car-free bicycle bridges, and go for a dip in the harbours’ 10 public bathing zones or visit the nearby beaches.
In Copenhagen, you will find a vast variety of cultural institutions, entertainment, gastronomy, shopping, sports, and much more.
The city consistently scores top marks in world rankings for its livability, enterprise, and gastronomy, and is an internationally recognised knowledge hub for key industries. It is a frequent top-scorer on the UN World Happiness City Index too and, in short, a popular place to both live, work and visit.
In the summer of 2024, Wonderful Copenhagen launched the initiative CopenPay, a program that rewards tourists for their actions.
As we like to say – don’t just come here, become here.
Facts about Copenhagen
- Originally a Viking fishing village established in the 10th century in the vicinity of what is now called Gammel Strand, Copenhagen became the capital of Denmark in the early 15th century.
- The population of the Copenhagen area is approximately 1,408,575 as of 1 January 2026 (in all of Denmark, it 6,032,094 as of September 2026)
- In addition, Copenhagen is the 2nd largest city in Scandinavia, extending over an area of 90 km².
- It is the focal point of the cross-border Øresund Region, the Nordic region's largest metropolitan region.
- The city is the cultural, economic, and governmental centre of Denmark, one of Northern Europe’s major financial centres, and home to global players within e.g., ITC, pharmaceuticals, and cleantech.
- Copenhagen is easy to navigate by metro, train, and bus. The city’s bus fleet is increasingly electric, while all harbour buses have operated electrically since 2020. Visitors can use the Copenhagen Card for free public transport and access to attractions.
- Copenhagen Airport is also the main air hub in the Nordics, and the city’s metro system is connected to the airport too.
- Easy to get around, naturally, Copenhagen is voted the world’s most cyclist-friendly capital. Every day, the locals cycle an astonishing average of 1.4m km on the city’s 397 km of bike paths and cycle superhighways, as 45% of the Copenhageners take their bike to work or school.
- Copenhagen Harbour has undergone a large transformation in the past 25 years - from a former industry harbour to a recreational area. Today, there are 10 designated swimming areas, and you can go for a dip for at least 350 days a year. This will improve even more, as an extensive infrastructure is being established to catch further heavy rainfall in the coming years.
- The capital also holds a position on the Global Liveability Index Top 10 (for best living conditions) and ranked 1st in 2026.
- Copenhagen leads the way at the Michelin Guide Nordic Countries with a total of 31 stars awarded to 21 restaurants in 2026.
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