Copenhagen

Currency

Denmark kept the krone and did not adopt the euro. Some tourist spots accept euros at a poor rate. Denmark is close to fully cashless — a card covers essentially everything.

ATMs & cards

Danske Bank and Nordea machines are the standard. Cash is rarely needed at all, so one modest withdrawal usually covers a whole trip. Decline conversion.

Denmark is close to cashless, so one modest withdrawal usually covers a whole trip.

Wherever you are: if the machine offers to charge you in your home currency, decline. That is dynamic currency conversion and the rate is set by the ATM's operator, not your bank.

Safety

One of the safest cities anywhere. The main thing to learn is bike lane etiquette: stay right, signal with your hand, and never walk in the cycle lane — Danes will not slow down.

Our own assessment, not a sourced index.

Entry & visa

Health & emergencies

Required to enter

No vaccinations are required for entry from Europe or North America.

Worth having

• Routine vaccinations up to date

Getting treated

EU/EEA and Swiss visitors are treated on the same terms as residents with an EHIC or GHIC card; UK visitors use a GHIC. Everyone else pays, and travel insurance is worth having for the repatriation cover rather than the treatment. Call 1813 in the Copenhagen region before turning up at a hospital with something non-urgent.

Orientation, not medical advice. Entry rules change and what you need depends on your own history and where you have been — check with a travel clinic or your national health service four to six weeks before you go.

Food tip

Copenhagen is expensive, but smørrebrød at lunch and the street food halls at Reffen or Torvehallerne keep costs sane. Tap water is excellent — never buy bottled.

Getting around

• Bike — the defining way to move, Donkey Republic and city rentals everywhere, protected lanes throughout
• Metro — driverless, runs 24 hours, connects the airport to the centre
• S-train — regional network reaching the suburbs and beaches
• Walking — the centre around Strøget and Nyhavn is compact
• Airport: Metro M2 to Kongens Nytorv (15 min, ~36 DKK)

Must-see

Things to do

• Rent a bike for the whole stay
• Swim in the harbour baths at Islands Brygge
• Visit Tivoli Gardens after dark
• Explore Christiania
• Eat through Torvehallerne market
• Take the canal boat tour

Nearby day trips

Say a few words

Danish

• HelloHejhi
• PleaseVenligstVEN-leest
• Thank youTaktak
• Yes / NoJa / Nejya / nye
• Excuse meUndskyldOON-skool
• How much is it?Hvad koster det?va KOS-ter deh
• The bill, pleaseRegningen, takRY-ning-en tak
• Cheers!Skål!skoal

There is no everyday word for "please" — politeness rides on tone and on tak.

Religion

Lutheran, and largely secular

The Folkekirke is the state church and most Danes are nominally members, but weekly attendance is among the lowest in Europe.

Do's and don'ts

Do

• Take your shoes off when entering a home
• Make eye contact and say skål before drinking
• Be on time; lateness is read as disrespect
• Learn the bike lane rules if you cycle — signal by hand and stay right

Don't

• Do not walk in the cycle lanes; this is the single most common visitor mistake
• Do not boast or flash money — Jante Law disapproval of standing out is real
• Do not expect small talk from strangers; it is not unfriendliness
• Do not tip; service is included and rounding up is plenty