Copenhagen with children: where to go and what to see

<p> Check into the <a href="http://www.kongarthur.dk/" target="_blank">Hotel Kong Arthur</a>, perched just off the river. Five minutes from the Metro, this central hotel boasts a spa, truly huge rooms and delish buffet breakfast to set you up for the day. Family rooms are currently on special offer with a family of four paying 138DKK a night, including breakfast.</p> <p> &pound;1 = 9.32314 DKK.</p>

<p> Before your trip, book a Copenhagen card online and have it sent to your home. You can use it on the Metro and to gain entry to various attractions throughout the city. You select the start date and time and how long you want it to run, and <em>voil&agrave;</em><em>,</em>you&rsquo;re on your way around the city. It&rsquo;s best to have it arrive at home before you fly so you can hop on the metro from the airport without having to faff. It gets you into 65 museums and places of interest, along with canal tours, the metro and bus. A 72 hour card is 470DKK, and each adult card includes two children up to nine years for free - result! Get yours at <a href="http://www.visitcopenhagen.com/book-your-stay/copenhagen-card" target="_blank">Visitcopenhagen.com.</a></p> <p> &pound;1 = 9.32314 DKK.</p>

<p> Rumour has it, <a href="http://www.tivoli.dk/composite-3351.htm" target="_blank">Tivoli Garden</a>, which is bursting with fairground rides, attractions, picnic spots, open air theatre space and countless cafes and restaurants, inspired Walt Disney to create Disneyland. But please don&rsquo;t let that put you off, it&rsquo;s a haven of fun-filled activities, whatever your fairground threshold. Head there for the afternoon, enjoy the rides and go for dinner. After dark the garden lights up with a twinkly lights around the lake. Free entry with a Copenhagen Card.</p> <p> &pound;1 = 9.32314 DKK.</p>

<p> Hop on a bus (with your handy Copenhagen Card) and take a trip to Copenhagen Zoo where bears breeze around, giraffes have a gander at inquisitive guests and all manner of other weird and wonderful creatures potter around. Prices start from 110DKK for adults and 50DKK for children. For opening hours and directions, visit the zoo online at <a href="http://uk.zoo.dk/VisitZoo.aspx">Uk.zoo.dk. </a></p> <p> &pound;1 = 9.32314 DKK.</p>

<p> Head to <a href="http://dkks.dk/english" target="_blank">Rosenborg Castle</a> for a truly stunning residence, where real guards still patrol the grounds. Originally built as a (quite frankly enormous) summer house in 1606, the castle is surrounded by gorgeous gardens and houses the crown jewels to marvel at. Seriously impressive stuff. Free with a Copenhagen Card, but you need to leave big bags and buggies at the ticket desk.</p>

<p> It&rsquo;s safe to say if you haven&rsquo;t been aboard a bike in Copenhagen, you haven&rsquo;t truly experienced the city. The saying (apparently) goes, &lsquo;some children are born with a silver spoon in their mouth, Copenhagen children are born with a bike between their legs&rsquo;. So never fear if you have a nervous cyclist, the city is well equipped for young, old, novice and experienced riders. Book with Copenhagen Tours, and climb aboard for a three hour tour of the city. Prices vary (see website<a href="http://rickshaw.dk/"> Rickshaw.dk</a>), but baby seats for little ones, tow buggies for toddlers and child bikes for older kids are all available. Kids will marvel at the colours and vibrancy of Christiania, a hippy free town founded in 1971. The tour takes in the colourful area and river side tracks for a spot of peace and quiet away from the city.</p>

<p> Head to Strandgade on the canal, be brave and hop into a kayak for a different way to explore the city. It&rsquo;s two to a kayak and children between ten and 15 go with an adult, over 15s can have their own. Don&rsquo;t be put off if you&rsquo;re a novice, the kayaks are easy to manoeuvre, and your guide is on hand to give you a push and pull if all else fails. Fetching waterproof waders are providers, but remember your waterproof jacket to go over the top and prepare to be splashed&hellip;.</p> <p> <a href="http://kajakole.dk/" target="_blank">Kajakole.dk.</a></p>

<p> Stop for lunch at <a href="http://www.pederoxe.dk/" target="_blank">Peder Oxe</a> and try the traditional Danish dish of sm&oslash;rrebr&oslash;d, a open flat sandwich pilled high with a whole heap of toppings. Peder Oxe offers three sandwiches for 139DKK, with all courses half price for children, and a special kids menu if sandwiches aren&rsquo;t their bag that day. The caf&eacute; has plenty of space for big families, and the open plan, wooden floor is buggy approved. A warm welcome guaranteed.</p> <p> &pound;1 = 9.32314 DKK.</p>

<p> Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) offer direct flights to Copenhagen from London Heathrow/Manchester/Birmingham and Aberdeen&nbsp;starting from &pound;74 one way, including taxes and charges. There&rsquo;s a 25 per cent discount for children aged between two and 11*, a kids&rsquo; corner in the airport longue, free stroller use at the airport and free toys, including a nifty toy plane, on board. To book visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.flysas.co.uk/" target="_blank" title="blocked::http://www.flysas.co.uk/">Flysas.co.uk</a>&nbsp;or call 0871 2267760.</p> <p> *The child discount applies only to the airfare and not the final price with taxes and fees.</p>

<p> If you&rsquo;re heading to the city with grandparents and get the night off, head to <a href="http://www.brdr-price.dk/" target="_blank">Brdr. Price</a>, the newest restaurant in Tivoil for five star dining, a menu to die for and celebrity guests aplenty. Hilary Clinton recently dinned there with her entourage no less.</p>

<p> Make a canal tour with <a href="http://www.stromma.dk/en/CANALTOURS/" target="_blank">DFDS Canal Cruises </a>your first port of call in the city. The tour takes around an hour, and you can usually rock up just before each departure (three times an hour) and still get a window seat. The tour takes in the main waterways and tourist sites, and gives you a real feel for the city and let&rsquo;s you get your bearings on arrival. Tours are in Danish, French and English. Free with a Copenhagen Card, and 70DKK for adults, 40DKK for 6-11 year olds and under fives go free. Look out for the Little Mermaid statue around 40 minutes into the tour, it&rsquo;s a true Copenhagen icon, with plenty of photo opps.</p>