Copenhagen

Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark and the country’s largest city. It lies mainly on the islands of Zealand and Amager, beside the Øresund Strait, which separates Denmark from Sweden. The city’s position by the sea helped it develop as an important port and trading centre.

Copenhagen has a temperate maritime climate, with cool summers, relatively mild winters and precipitation spread throughout the year. The city is also known for its extensive cycling infrastructure and efficient public transport. It is Denmark’s main political and economic centre, and it has important universities, cultural institutions, businesses and government buildings.

In 2024, the municipality had about 659,000 residents, while the wider urban area was considerably larger. The city’s history reaches back to the Middle Ages. A settlement grew around a natural harbour, and Copenhagen became an important royal and commercial centre over time. The University of Copenhagen, founded in 1479, is one of the country’s oldest institutions of higher education.

Among its best-known places are the historic centre, Christiansborg Palace, the Round Tower, Nyhavn and the Little Mermaid. Copenhagen has long been closely connected with the sea, but its modern identity also reflects urban planning, cycling, public transport and efforts to reduce environmental impacts.