The cruise ship Viking Star docked at port in Copenhagen.Credit:Getty Images
Sail on in
The Kattegat,the sea that connects the North and Baltic seas,narrows as you sail towards Copenhagen. Denmark is on one side,Sweden on the other and castles serve as a reminder of a confrontational past. As you approach the city,your ship dodges wind farms and an island fortress. It isn’t the most scenic approach,but silvery Scandinavian seas add ethereal beauty if the sun is shining.
Berth rites
Copenhagen has three cruise terminals. Nordre Toldbod is closest to the city centre (two kilometres) and takes small luxury ships. Langelinie (three kilometres) is for mid-sized ships and has a few quayside facilities but no terminal. The fit can walk from either into town via an old fortress,the Little Mermaid and waterfront promenades. Oceankaj (Ocean Quay) is for the biggest ships,and at seven kilometres from the city centre,requires a shuttle transfer or public transport.
Going ashore
The garden around Copenhagen’s Rosenborg Castle,featuring a statue of Queen Caroline Amalie.Credit:iStock
Colourful,cobbled Nyhavn harbour is a good place to start. Then check out royal residence Amalienborg,where the guard changes at noon,and Rosenborg Castle,which houses the crown jewels and has pretty gardens. Nearby is the terrific National Gallery of Denmark. Other worthy museums include the National Museum,Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek for modern French and Danish art and superb antiquities,and the David Collection,one of Europe’s most important repositories of Islamic art. Families will enjoy Copenhagen Zoo,the science-oriented Experimentarium City and Tivoli Gardens,an old-fashioned amusement park.