Copenhagen was recently named the ‘most liveable city in the word’ by Monocle magazine. While this statement is something that residents of Copenhagen are sure to be familiar with, visitors to the city will also soon discover that it has a lot to offer them as well. If you’re thinking of booking some flights to Copenhagen, here are just a few of the things that make the capital of Denmark so special.

Excellent transportation system

Copenhagen boasts an extremely comprehensive public transportation network, which means that visitors to the city and those who live their find getting around simple and fun. Public transportation options include an extensive bus and rail services as well as the recently added Metro system. Public transportation services are both frequent and very reliable, while the exceptional single ticket system allows passengers to pay once and then transfer between different forms of transportation whenever they wish in order to get around the city. The Metro system currently consists of 17 different stations, while commuter trains cover most areas of metropolitan Copenhagen. Exploring the city by taxi is also fairly affordable, whether hailed on the street or ordered by phone.

Stunning design

Copenhagen’s modern architecture has been expertly designed so that it complements the older structures well. Lovers of ancient architecture will find plenty of impressive buildings to admire including Rosenborg Castle, Christiansborg Palace and the impressive National Museum. When it comes to modern design, areas such as the Tivoli Gardens and the large theme park that can be found in their centre are a real treat, while visitors can get a feel for the Danish love for design by exploring the Museum of Decorative and Applied Art, which is known locally as the Kunstindustrimuseet. 

Fabulous restaurants

People who love to dine in style will really be spoilt for choice by Copenhagen’s eateries. There are numerous restaurants, cafes and other types of eateries scattered throughout the city where people can enjoy some of the finest elements of Danish cuisine such as beef hash served with a fried egg, ketchup and béarnaise sauce and a special and very filling dish of mashed potatoes that is served covered with rich gravy featuring small pieces of beef and other types of meat that is known as ‘millionbøf’. Copenhagen also contains a large number of excellent international restaurants, which cater to people of all tastes. Some of the most popular types of international cuisine in Copenhagen include Italian, Mediterranean, Indian and French.

Some of the finest restaurants in Copenhagen can be found in luxurious hotels such as the Hotel D’Angleterre, the Radisson SAS Scandinavia Hotel, the Hotel Admiral and Hotel Fox. While eating out in Copenhagen can be a rather extravagant affair, people who are on a tight budget will still be able to enjoy the best of local cuisine by taking advantage of the city’s café culture and taking a seat at a pavement café. Lunchtime is the perfect time to sample delicious Danish cuisine as a large number of leading restaurants offer special fixed menus that allow diners to enjoy an unforgettable three-course meal and sample some of the dishes that make Danish cuisine truly special without breaking the bank.

Of course, this is just a small selection of the things that make Copenhagen a great city to live in and visit. Other things that set Copenhagen apart from other cities are the friendly people, the city’s rich culture and its broad spectrum of interesting attractions. If you have never visited the city of Copenhagen, this is the perfect time to plan a trip.

Duncan Jones is a freelance travel writer.