A colourful harbour city has been voted the top place for green travel in Europe. Copenhagen, known for its lovely docks and fun nightlife, won the title of ‘best sustainable destination’ in Europe from Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards.
The awards looked at over 100 places to pick the winners. If you’ve ever been to Copenhagen, you might not be surprised it’s number one.
Tripadvisor says, “Copenhagen is one of Europe’s oldest and most popular cities. It’s also one of the cleanest and most metropolitan. The dynamic Danish capital features progressive modern architecture, the must-visit Tivoli Gardens amusement park, stunning palaces, and all the activities and amenities you would expect in a world-class destination. Explore the canals and pretty narrow streets, appreciate beautiful old homes, and find great shopping and people-watching on The Stroget.”
For those who like train trips and want to keep their holiday eco-friendly, getting from the UK to Copenhagen by train is a good choice.
“It’s easy to travel from the UK to Denmark without flying. Take Eurostar and onward trains from London to either Brussels, Cologne or Hamburg, stay overnight, then travel from Brussels, Cologne or Hamburg to Copenhagen next morning,” says The Man in Seat 61. “Or sail overnight to Holland and catch a train from Amsterdam to Copenhagen, A great alternative to an avoidable flight, where the journey becomes part of the holiday. This page explains the routes, trains, fares and how to buy tickets.”
Getting around Copenhagen is a breeze and it’s easy to be green. You can get to any spot in the city using public transport, and they’re even swapping out old diesel buses for shiny new electric ones.
More than half of people living in Copenhagen bike to work, and the city wants to be totally carbon-neutral by 2025. All this biking has changed the city so there are loads of top-notch bike lanes that make cycling around feel really safe, even if you’re not used to riding on that side of the road.
Denmark was the first country to start an environment ministry and kick off wind power back in the 1970s. The Danish people are known for their love of recycling, with public waste bins even having shelves for drink bottles that can be recycled for a few kroner.
This is similar to a system the UK once had but abandoned. The UN has named Denmark the most climate-friendly nation in the world, and the country aims to become ‘Denmark without waste’ by 2050, meaning everything will be recycled or reused.
Copenhagen is renowned for its sustainable accommodation options. Thirty years ago, a group of Danes established the ‘Green Key’ eco-label, indicating that an accommodation provider is making efforts to reduce waste. Today, 70 percent of hotels in the city are eco-certified.
Visiting Copenhagen during winter offers plenty of cosy spots to escape the cold weather. The Danes are famous for hygge – the art of creating warmth and comfort despite the cold. There are also many fantastic tourist attractions worth braving the outdoors for.
One such attraction is Tivoli Gardens, located in the heart of the city. With its tall structures adorned with twinkling lights, it’s hard to miss. The theme park, which opened on 15 August 1843, is the third-oldest operating amusement park in the world.
What could be more fun than spending a chilly Danish evening munching on a classic open sandwich and sipping a litre of beer at one of the park’s cafes, before testing your bravery on one of Tivoli’s thrilling rides?
Or you could visit Christianborg Palace – nestled on Slotsholmen island – surrounded by canals, it’s home to the Danish parliament, prime minister and Supreme Court. You’ll be amazed by the lavish interiors, vibrant art pieces, glittering chandeliers and stunning architecture.
Known as New Harbour in English, Nyhavn is a line of bright houses along the waterfront that form what is likely the most iconic spot in Denmark. These houses are also home to many fantastic restaurants and bars, where you can enjoy tasty traditional food and frothy beer in a laid-back, casual setting.