Copenhagen: A Gateway to Northern European Culture

One of the most popular travel destinations in recent times is Northern Europe. Among the countries in this region, Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark located just north of Germany, is frequently praised by those who visit it. Ranking in the top 10 safest cities and one of Europe's most developed cities, Copenhagen is a pleasant place to visit with its modern and vibrant cultural environment and rich history. As the capital of Denmark, one of the world's happiest countries, Copenhagen's name means "merchant harbour" in Danish, and the city's history dates back to the 1020s. Although the city officially entered records in 1020, it is believed to have been used since the Stone Age and the Viking era. For this reason, while exploring the city, you can also experience the history and culture of the Vikings and Nordic countries. Until the 12th century a modest fishing village, the city was fortified with medieval walls and towers, becoming a bustling urban centre. Kastellet, a well-preserved star-shaped fortress remaining from this period and standing as proof of Copenhagen's strategic importance, is among the structures through which you can still witness the remnants of this medieval past. Over the years, Copenhagen has maintained its strategic significance while transforming into a modern metropolis. If you wish to explore this modern metropolis, you need to consider weather conditions. Being a Nordic country, we must mention that winters will be cold. If you are not greatly affected by the cold, you can certainly visit with proper clothing, but it would still be better to prefer spring and summer months. Regarding budget, compared to other European cities, Copenhagen is somewhat more expensive. For this reason, proper planning and budgeting are necessary.

Must-See Places in Copenhagen

The Little Mermaid: The Little Mermaid Statue, the most iconic symbol of Copenhagen, was inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale and has enchanted visitors since 1913. Elegantly sitting on a rock along the coastline, it is impossible to finish a Copenhagen visit without taking a photo in front of the mermaid statue. Nyhavn: A picturesque canal lined with colourful buildings, Nyhavn is a charming vibrant waterfront area. Originally a bustling commercial port, the area has transformed into a lively space filled with restaurants, bars and historic ships. The adjacent houses in this area beautifully reflect the city's general architecture. One of the most notable buildings in the area is number 9, built in the 1680s and remaining unchanged to the present day. Another structure attracting visitors' attention is number 20, the house where Andersen, famous for his tales, lived. You can spend part of your visit photographing the beautiful views in Nyhavn and sitting in cafés. You can also shop on Stroget, a shopping street located around Nyhavn. Tivoli Gardens: One of the world's oldest amusement parks, Tivoli Gardens dates from the 19th century. Operating between April and September, Tivoli Gardens reflects the city's vibrant identity with vintage roller coasters and live entertainment programmes. Particularly for families with children, it should be included in your itinerary. Christiansborg Palace: Serving as the seat of the Danish Parliament, the Prime Minister's Office and the Supreme Court, Christiansborg Palace is a political and historical centre. The palace also houses remnants of previous castle structures that provide a fascinating glimpse into the city's past. Amalienborg Palace: If you wish to see different architectural styles, you can visit Amalienborg Palace, built in Rococo style. Constructed as a summer palace, this structure also houses a museum. At the same time, as the royal family still lives within this palace, it is an interesting point for tourists. Rundetarn: Built in the 17th century, Rundetarn is a spiral tower constructed for astronomical observations, and from the top of the tower you can be enchanted by the city's panoramic views. National Museum of Denmark: Historically very rich, the museum was actually built in 1973 as the "Prince's Palace" and currently serves as a museum. Where you can learn much about Danish history and culture, the museum houses numerous objects and artefacts from the Stone Age, Middle Ages, Renaissance periods and Viking history. DesignMuseum Denmark: Denmark is particularly successful in design and architecture, which you can experience while exploring the city. For this reason, when in Denmark, you can visit DesignMuseum Denmark to see various designs and modern art. However, I recommend checking the exhibitions on the date you will visit. Exhibitions that might be wonderful for those interested may not be as appealing to you. Royal Danish Library: If you enjoy visiting libraries, you should definitely visit the Royal Danish Library. The largest library in the Nordic countries, entry to the Royal Danish is free and it has a view overlooking Nyhavn. A place you can drop by to get lost among the books and while enjoying the view. [caption id="attachment_159155" align="aligncenter"] Royal Danish Library[/caption] Free Town Christiania: "Free Town Christiania" is among the most interesting places to visit in Copenhagen. In this area, European laws are not accepted and its own created laws are applied. In 1971, a group of hippies and artists settled in this area and after a prolonged negotiation with the government, they began living freely in this district. A group still continues to live in the area and events and concerts can be organized in this district. You can freely explore the area by following the rules indicated by signs. If there is an event during your visit, you can attend.

Food and Drink

For me, one of the most important things when exploring a city is the food… I love experiencing a city's cuisine and different flavours. Nordic countries are famous for their fine dining restaurants. In Copenhagen, you can taste the traditional flavours of Danish cuisine, and you can also experience fine examples of the Scandinavian cuisine that has become quite popular recently. Copenhagen is particularly famous for its excellent restaurants. This is because of Noma, which was chosen as the world's best restaurant four times and is located in Copenhagen. With Noma's influence, a wonderful wind has been stirring in Copenhagen's gastronomic scene. However, Noma has decided to close its doors for transformation at the end of winter 2024, so there is a limited time to experience it. If there is also a long waiting list for reservations and for this reason you plan to visit, reservations must be made well in advance. But there are many different fine dining restaurants in Copenhagen. Among the various luxury restaurants offering different experiences you can visit are: Alchemist, Selma, AOC, Vækst and Høst. If you are a coffee lover, you must try the coffees at Coffee Collective when you visit Copenhagen. Many people cannot get over the taste of the coffee they drink here. You can even take a few packages of coffee from here and put them in your suitcase to brew at home.

Denmark's Famous Flavours

Open-faced sandwiches known as smørrebrød are local favourites of Danish cuisine. Once consumed by farmers for lunch, these open sandwiches are quite popular in Copenhagen today. Open sandwiches consist of a slice of rye bread topped with fish or meat, vegetables and sauce added on top. Rød Pølse: Known as red sausage, this sausage is the star of the sausage sandwich culture in the city. You can find sausage sandwich shops throughout the city. Frikadeller: This flavour, which we can call Danish-style meatballs, is among the popular recipes of traditional Danish cuisine. Usually these meatballs are served with boiled potatoes and vegetables. In Danish cuisine in general, meat, potatoes and boiled vegetables are consumed. Herring: Although red meat is the first preference of Danes, herring is also among the proteins widely consumed. Herring, which stands out in Danish food culture as a rich source of nutrition, should definitely be tried. There are also various street food markets in Copenhagen. By visiting these markets, you can taste local and international flavours. A unique blend of history, modernity and cultural richness, Copenhagen is a dream destination for travellers seeking a pleasant and engaging experience. The city offers a wide range of activities from historic iconic structures to contemporary attractions. Whether you are strolling through cobbled streets, admiring historic castles or tasting the flavours of Danish cuisine, Copenhagen leaves a pleasant impression on visitors.   Sources https://blog.biletbayi.com/kopenhagda-ne-yenir.html/ https://www.oggusto.com/gastronomi/kopenhag-restoranlari https://tr.euronews.com/2023/01/09/dunyanin-en-iyi-restorani-secilen-nomakapanma- karari-aldi https://oitheblog.com/2017/02/13/kopenhag-yeme-icme-rehberi-danimarkamutfagina- hizli-bir-giris/ https://oitheblog.com/2017/02/10/kopenhag-gezi-rehberi/ https://www.flypgs.com/sehir-rehberi/kopenhag-gezi-rehberi https://ontrailstore.com/blogs/trail-of-us/kopenhag-gezilecek-yerler https://www.getyourguide.com/tr-tr/rundetarn-yuvarlak-kule-l3827/   Prepared by: Nilsu Kotil