This is the third in our series of blogposts on accessible getaways abroad, and this time we are headed to Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen. It is, without doubt, one of the most accessible cities in Europe.
When you consider that a third of Danes in the city use bikes on a daily basis, it is no surprise that so much of this fantastic city has been designed with wheels in mind. You’ll find it a simple and straightforward place to get around, with ramps in all the right places and accessible public transport links across the city.
Here is our pick of just some of best things to see and do while you are there.
Enjoy some world class Danish design
If there is one thing the Danes are famous for (along with their Swedish cousins of course), it is great design. The Designmuseum Denmark is a real celebration of this and is well worth a visit. It is a great place to explore the history of the Danish design tradition, and includes everything from contemporary furniture to ceramics and textiles. It also has a wonderfully peaceful garden and cafe if you need to take a break. You are able to take your wheelchair or scooter onto the ground floor of the museum, and although there is no access yet to the first floor, there is more than enough that is fully accessible to keep you busy. You can park in accessible bays outside, although you will need to get a sign to display in your vehicle from the reception.
Say hello the Little Mermaid
One of Copenhagen’s most iconic sights, the Little Mermaid is free to visit and completely accessible. Just head along Langelinje Pier and follow the crowds to find her. The story behind the statue really couldn’t be any more Danish: it was donated to the people by a brewer, Carl Jacobsen (who also founded Carlsberg), and was inspired by the famous Hans Christian Andersen story. It is a hugely popular attraction, but it is an important part of the city’s history and a must-see. To beat the crowds and the selfie-takers, we recommend paying her a visit early morning or in the evening.
Enjoy a traditional Danish lunch
While you’re down near the water (to be fair, you’re never far from it in Copenhagen), take the time to go and enjoy some traditional Danish lunch. While there are plenty of places to choose from we recommend Fyrtøjet in Nyhavn. It is easily accessible to all and the food is out of this world. We recommend the smoked herrings, but really you can’t go wrong.
Explore the halls of the Amalienborg Palace
Of course, we recommend you catch the famous changing of the guard at the Amalienborg Palace, which takes place at 12 every day. But the palace and museum themselves are also well worth exploring. The Danish royal family have links to most of the royal families of Europe, and if you are a history buff you will have plenty to keep you interested. The palace and the museum are stuffed full of treasures: one of our favourites is the imposing statue of Ogier the Dane, a figure from the ancient Danish sagas. There is level access into the museum and palace and throughout, thanks to a lift to the upper floors.
Did you know?
The Little Mermaid’s head has been stolen three times. Someone also tried to blow her up in 2004!
Getting to Copenhagen
If you are traveling from the UK, there are regular flights to Copenhagen from the London airports, as well as Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh. Copenhagen airport is very well equipped for those of us with different mobility needs. One of the best features of the airport is the accessible Assistance Centre, which has pretty much everything you need to rest and relax before or after your flight. It has an accessible loo, lifts, comfortable seats and a place to sleep if you need to.
It also couldn’t be easier to get from the airport to the city centre. It only takes around 20 minutes on the accessible Metro or train routes. For more information on general accessibility on public transport in Copenhagen, visit here.
A great place to start planning your trip to the Danish capital is at the official Wonderful Copenhagen tourist board site, here.
Travelling with scooters
The great news for those of you travelling abroad is that Quingo Scooters are all approved for air travel by IATA so you won’t have any problems taking them on the plane. That said, it is always well worth getting in touch directly with any train, bus and airlines you want to use just to double check their rules on scooters before you go. For more handy tips on travelling with your scooter by air, take a look at our page here.
Share your accessible getaways abroad with us
Do you have any accessible getaways abroad recommendations? In Europe or perhaps further afield? If you do, we’d love to hear from you, so drop us a line and we’ll feature them.
About Quingo Scooters
The Quingo Scooter range features six models to suit your needs and budget. New models are now available from just £22/week on our new contract hire scheme which includes all servicing and maintenance, Insurance, Roadside Recovery, Call Outs and Consumables including Batteries and Tyres. For more information on this or the latest Quingo Scooter range, please visit our website. Alternatively, if you have any Service questions you can always contact us or call customer services on 01582 430 900.
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