Getting around Copenhagen
 

Stopping in Copenhagen on a cruise ship. Have one evening and one day. Can I walk from the port to Tivoli? Can I get to see Fredriksborg Castle, Elsinore, and Kronborg Castles in one day with public transportation? Or is it best to use the ship tours?

Yes, you can walk from the port to Tivoli, but it is quite a distance, or you can take a bus or cab. Cabs are reasonable. A train can take you to Helsingor (Elsinore) and Kronborg castle, and I think a train runs to Frederiksborg Castle. I have been to both several times because I have escorted tour groups there, but with only one day for Copenhagen, I think your time is better spent in the city. If you decide to go to only one castle, Frederiksborg with its historical museum is more interesting, I believe, than Kronborg. You will most likely see Kronborg from your ship; that view is more interesting than a visit. Of course, this is one person's opinion, so take it for what it is worth. I love the ambiance and museums of Copenhagen and never have enough time there.

Mary.. <BR> <BR>Don't miss the Tivoli Gardens. I nearly did a couple of years ago, thinking it was no more than a glorified Amusement Park. <BR>Wrong! <BR>An American I met on the train recommended it, and I'm glad he did, as it is a lovely area, with a great variety of live music from classical to pop via jazz at various open air venues- not forgetting Danish Folk either which was popular. <BR>The main highlights were the floral displays and a great variety of floodlit trees, plus a whole stack of delightful indoor/outdoor dining experiences. <BR>I really liked it.

Yes, Tivoli from Nyhavn is a good walk, but you go right past the National Museum, Thorvoldsen Museum, Stroget shopping district, Round Tower and Our Saviour's Church. In other words, walking from the cruise port to Tivoli is the heart of a lot of Copenhagen. A brisk, purposeful stroll will get you to Tivoli in about 20 minutes. <BR> <BR>Suggested itin: disembark ship, go to the right along the waterfront to Amalienborg the Queen's Residence for changing of the guard and maybe a quick peek inside. Go a bit further along the water for Kodak moments with the Little Mermaid. One or two blocks inland from the Mermaid is the Danish (War) Resistance Museum. Backtrack along the waterfront to Nyhavn (cruise port), then turn right again and walk up Gothersgade to the Kings Gardens and Rosenborg Castle--where the crown jewels are on display (this is a neat little castle, IMO). One block north is the newly-renovated Statens Museum for Kunst (Art). Cut across the gardens back to Gothersgade and cross the street to Norreport Stn. Here you can pick up a bus or take the train (one stop) to Central Stn. which is directly across from Tivoli. Or take the walk through Stroget for shopping, cafes, street performers, and people-watching. Follow Stroget to the right and you will eventually end up at Tivoli. Along the way, pay the 15 kronor to walk the spiral ramp to the top of the Round Tower for great views of the city. Enjoy the rest of the day at Tivoli and meander back through Stroget to Nyhavn to get back to the ship. Oh, and along the way be sure to stop and enjoy a coffee or Tuborg or fisk smorrebrod whenever. Get a table, then one of you go in and order. Danes speak excellent English for the most part, but a "Good morning" or "Good afternoon" is always a nice cue to waitstaff that you're an English-speaker. There's is also a free bike rental programme--look for the bmx-style bikes with ads on the wheels. Pop in 20 kronor coin to unlock and return it to any open lock in the city and 20 kronor pops back out. If you're not used to biking in a large city, just follow the lead of locals. And if walking, GET OUT of the bikeways unless you want to be cussed out in Danish! <BR> <BR>I've been to the other castles, but with only one day, I think you have to choose between castles or city, and the itin. I suggests at least gets you through Rosenborg. Hope it helps.

Thank you for the information on Copenhagen. It was just what I was looking for.

Before you go, ensure that Tivoli is actually open, as it closes for about 5 months of the year. If you wish to see castles, there are 3 in the city itself, but not all open every day. I thought Rosenborg the most worthwhile. If you have time, the National Museum, as mentioned above, has some great Viking-era displays.

We spent two days in CPH as it was the point of embarkation for our cruise to the Baltics, don't miss this wonderful city and its people, it was one of the high points of our trip. Don's itinerary is excellent, there is so much to see in the City, no need to travel further outside. It's a great walking City, we stayed across from Tivoil and walked to Nyhavn; spend some time meandering around here and possibly take a canal boaatride. However, we passed on going inside the castles as the lines were quite long and time didn't permit. <BR> <BR>Have a great trip.