COPENHAGEN CITY GUIDE - THINGS TO SEE AND DO See inside for details about getting around, sightseeing, shopping, nightlife and more Welcome to Copenhagen Copenhagen is the epitome of Scandi cool. Modernist lamps light New Nordic tables, bridges buzz with cycling commuters and eye-candy locals dive into pristine waterways. Danish Design: Only here does the morning rush of cyclists look more like a runway show on wheels. Forget Milan; when it comes to style, it's hard to beat Copenhagen. Few people’s have such a knack for effortless cool, driven by a reverence for simplicity, detail and understated beauty. This is what drives everything from Copenhagen's hip streetwear labels and its world-famous furniture and lighting, to its grassroots ceramics and glassware. Together they have created a city of endless visual pleasure; a place where even the most mundane activities are laced with a sense of quiet wonder and delight. Enviable Liveability: When cities seek enlightenment, they commonly look to Copenhagen. The hometown of architect Jan Gehl – one of the world's leading authorities on sustainable urban planning – the Danish capital regularly tops world liveability lists. This is one of the globe's greenest, cleanest, most sustainable urban centres, a place where cycling is serious transport, where buses and the metro run frequently and around the clock, and where the harbour is clean enough for a bracing dip. Leaving the sprawl to cities like Melbourne and LA, Copenhagen wisely keeps things compact and accessible, making it really easy to explore. Cultural Riches: From Viking treasures in a former prince's palace to iconic Danish chairs in a one-time baroque hospital, Copenhagen's cultural offerings are rich and eclectic. Look around royal palaces crammed with blue-blood jewels and art, muse on the world's largest collection of Danish Golden Age paintings, or get up close and personal with the finest collection ancient Egyptian sculpture in northern Europe. Also did we mention Scandinavia's largest collection of Islamic art, tucked away in a collector's neoclassical mansion? The weather may be a little unpredictable, but with so many indoor marvels, who's complaining? Shopping Shopping in Copenhagen can be done anywhere in the city and every neighbourhood has it's own special shops. The city centre offers all the big brand names, like Prada, Gucci, Zara and H&M, while other neighbourhoods offer smaller shops like Naked, Whyred and much more. Take a look of some of the most essential shopping streets, below. Strøget is Copenhagen's aorta and one of Europe's longest pedestrian streets with a wealth of shops, from budget- friendly chains to some of the world's most expensive brands. At some point during your stay in the city, you will without a doubt end of here. The 1.1 kilometre stretch covers the streets Frederiksberggade, Nygade, Vimmelskaftet and Østergade and runs from City Hall Square to Kongens Nytorv square. Brands like Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Mulberry are at the end of the street facing up to Kongens Nytorv. If your budget is a little tighter, you will find shops like H&M and Zara closer to City Hall Square. Strøget is more than shopping, however. Look up and down the side streets and you will see several of Copenhagen's beautiful sights as well as street entertainers. Elmegade is a popular and vibrant side street to Nørrebrogade and Sankt Hans Square in Nørrebro. The street buzzes with activity and is known for its small creative boutiques, bars, take away’s and cafes. In Elmegade, the atmosphere is relaxing and cozy - just like in Værnedamsvej and in Jægersborggade - many young people and students hang out with friends on the sidewalk, outside the cafes or at benches at Sankt Hans Square. Also young families with children and girlfriends with prams meet for a chat and a cup of coffee at The Laundromat Café or outside Kaffebar. Many Copenhageners really do love Elmegade so go visit it while you are in Copenhagen, feel the lively but relaxing atmosphere and find out if you love it too! The street Jægersborggade in the Nørrebro neighbourhood is one of the hippest and most buzzing streets in Copenhagen at the moment. This small residential street is home to around 40 art galleries, organic produce shops, vintage clothes, ceramics and jewellery designers, as well as wine bars, coffee shops and restaurants. Here you will find the Michelin-starred restaurant Relæ, not to mention some of the best coffee around, at The Coffee Collective, which is a specialty micro roastery and coffee consulting company. World Barista Champion and twice national champion Klaus Thomsen is behind The Coffee Collective. On Jægersborggade you will also find the only caramel cookery in Copenhagen, Karamelleriet, Meyers Bakery, Ro Chokolade, Manfreds wine bar and the underground wine bar Terroiristen. The street is not to be missed if you want to experience a youthful and grass root vibe. Shopping Centres Copenhagen offers a variety of department stores and shopping centres, which usually stay open beyond normal business hours. You will find classic department stores as well as modern ones that offer everything from shopping to cinemas. ILLUM is Copenhagen's premium department store. A shopping paradise, offering everything from fashion and beauty to home décor and design. Besides this it caters to the quality conscious foodie and everyone who likes their coffee with a nice view. The basement is home to the Italian food chain, EATALY which is perfect for grocery shopping of the finest, Italian food and produce. You can also feast on their authentic pizza, pasta, wine and other specialties. The Rooftop is another way to satisfy your tastebuds before continuing your shopping spree or sightseeing. Enjoy the views from the balcony. From here you have unrivalled views of Christiansborg Palace, Strøget and Amagertorv right below. You will find many in store shops in ILLUM such as Acne, Paul Smith, Armani and Won Hundred. The beauty department is full of all the international brands as well as a large collection of organic skin products. The department store is situated perfectly in the heart of Copenhagen right where the pedestrian streets Strøget and Købmagergade meet. Field's Scandinavia's largest shopping and entertainment centre, is located right by the Ørestad Metro Station. "Fields of Fashion" offers leading Scandinavian and international fashion designs, shoes and accessories in more than 140 stores. "Fields of Living" includes a Magasin store, featuring the very best in fashion and home designs. Natuzzi represents the best of Italian home furnishings and décor. "Fields of Pleasure" is located on the 2nd floor. Here you will find a vast variety of restaurants and cafés, a children's playland, a Fun Golf course and much more. Flea markets in Copenhagen Every year, the streets of Copenhagen are filled with clothing, furniture and 'hygge', when the flea markets take place throughout especially the spring, summer and autumn. Flea markets in Denmark are not only about finding the best deals, but also about the great atmosphere. Here are some of the best ones. 'Loppemarked i Ravnsborggade’ - Where: Ravnsborggade, 2200 København N. Ravnsborgsgade is a charming street in the heart of Nørrebro and it is usually only occupied by antique shops. This changes when the street transforms into one big flea market, 'Loppemarked i Bella’ - Where: Bella Center, Center Boulevard 5, 2300 København S Copenhagen's biggest flea market is held at Bella Center Copenhagen. Here, you can find anything antique or second hand. 'Onkel Dannys Loppemarked’ - Where: Onkel Dannys Plads 1, København V This flea market is named after the square on which it is held. It's one of Vesterbro's best markets with everything from vintage clothing, hats, children’s clothing, LP's and art. 'Loppetorv på Frederiksberg’ - Where: Smallegade 1, 2000 Frederiksberg This flea market is a great place to visit, if you are looking to update your wardrobe, as this is the flea market selling the most clothing in Copenhagen. Frederiksberg is a more posh area of the city, and the clothing standards follows. The market features its own hotdog-stand and beer-tent. 'Kongens Nytorv Market’ - Where: Kongens Nytorv Kongens Nytorv, one of Copenhagen’s most historic squares, is the ideal place if you’re on the lookout for vintage Royal Copenhagen porcelain, crystal glass, Danish ceramics, design objects and much more. 'Rita Blå's Lopper’ - Where: Kbh Volume; Enghavevej 80-82, København SV This flea market started in 2009 as a small market in the Meatpacking District. Today, it is known for its good atmosphere, varying locations and high quality second hand products at affordable prices. Free things to do in Copenhagen There’s a lot of free things to do in Copenhagen, The Little Mermaid, Christiania, Nyhavn, The Botanical Garden and all the other public gardens and parks of Copenhagen, here are some options; At 106 metres, the Christiansborg Palace tower is the highest tower in Copenhagen, and it offers a magnificent view of the city's rooftops. It is free to access the tower, and if you want to add some spice to the experience, you can dine in The Tower's restaurant. Christiansborg Palace was once the home of kings and queens, but after one of several great fires, the royal family moved to Amalienborg Palace in the late 1800's and never returned. The Tower was constructed as part of the third, and present-day, Christiansborg Palace, which was built during 1907-1928. Today Christiansborg, also known as Borgen, houses the Danish parliament, in June 2014, the tower opened to the public, which means everyone can access the tower free of charge and experience the magnificent views of Copenhagen.