Copenhagen, Denmark
Located on two islands, Copenhagen is Denmark's capital with an urban population of about 1.2 million people. Since the completion of the Øresund Bridge (which connects Copenhagen with Malmö, Sweden), Copenhagen’s metropolitan population is close to 2 million people. Following Stockholm, it is the second largest metropolitan area in Scandinavia. At the southern tip of Scandinavia, Copenhagen brings together Scandinavian culture and Central European climate (with temperatures around 20-25 °C during the conference). Besides being a multi-cultural city in which many foreigners live and work, Copenhagen is an attractive tourist destination all year long. The attractions range from the famous Little Mermaid, to the Tivoli Gardens (one of the world’s oldest amusement parks), and to Nyhavn (Copenhagen's famous 17th century waterfront).
Travel Information
You will be responsible for arranging and funding the cost of your transportation to and from your local airport. Upon arrival to Copenhagen, please see below for airport transportation options. Please make note that taking a taxi is the more expensive option versus the various public transport opportunities listed. Copenhagen has one major airport (CPH; more information at: http://www.cph.dk/en/), which is located still within the city limits of Copenhagen and about 8 km away from the city center. Traveling between Copenhagen airport the city center is fast, easy, and reasonably cheap. Below you can find an overview of transport options (mostly depending on where in the city you want to go):
Metro M2 (DKK 36, ~US$ 6.60, ~4.80 €)
The Metro runs in frequent intervals (normal operation: one train every 5 minutes).
Tickets can be bought at the station (cash, major credit cards) or online; more information at: http://m.dk/Bus 5A (DKK 36, ~US$ 6.60, ~4.80 €)
The Bus runs in frequent intervals (normal operation: one bus every 5-10 minutes).
Tickets can be bought at the station (cash, major credit cards), online, or in the bus (cash); more information at: http://www.rejseplanen.dk/Øresundtog (DKK 36, ~US$ 6.60, ~4.80 €)
The Øresundtrains runs in frequent intervals (normal operation: one train every 10-20 minutes).
Tickets can be bought at the station (cash, major credit cards) or online; more information at: http://www.rejseplanen.dk/Taxis (~DKK 240, ~US$ 44.00, ~33.00 €)
Taxis are located outside each terminal and do not need to be prebooked.
Prices include VAT and tip. Taxis accept cash and major credit cards; more information at: http://www.dantaxi.dk/ (Danish only)
Note: the tickets for Metro, Busses, and the Øresundtrains are the same and can be used in any public transportation in Copenhagen.
Selected Hotels
As a popular tourist destination, Copenhagen has numerous hotels. Below you can find a list of select hotels that are conveniently located, so that you can take the Metro to the conference venue.
Nyhavn 71 (4 stars): This hotel is located directly at Copenhagen's famous 17th century waterfront (Nyhavn). From there, you can enjoy many of the sighhts in Copenhagen. You can reach the conference venue by taking the Metro from Kongens Nytorv (a 5-minute walk from the hotel) to either Islands Brygge (Line M1) or Amagerbro (Line M2). More information at: http://www.71nyhavnhotel.com/
Hotel Opera (3 stars): This hotel is located directly behind Copenhagen's Royal Danish Theatre (Det Kongelige Teater). Like staying at Nyhavn 71, you can enjoy many of the sighhts in Copenhagen in this area. You can reach the conference venue by taking the Metro from Kongens Nytorv (a 5-minute walk from the hotel) to either Islands Brygge (Line M1) or Amagerbro (Line M2). More information at: http://www.operahotelcopenhagen.com/
Hotel Danmark (3 stars): This hotel is located directly behind Copenhagen's famous amusement park (Tivoli). From here, you have short distances to both the city center and the harbour area. You can reach the conference venue by taking the bus lines 12 and 33 from Rådhuspladsen (Copenhagen's town hall, a 5-minute walk from the hotel) to Amager Fælledskole (Line 33) or Islands Brygge (Line 12). More information at: http://www.brochner-hotels.dk/our-hotels/hotel-danmark/
Wakeup Copenhagen (2 stars): This lower-budget hostel is centrally located in Copenhagen from where you can reach most of the sights within the city. You can reach the conference venue by taking the Metro from Kongens Nytorv (a 5-minute walk from the hotel) to either Islands Brygge (Line M1) or Amagerbro (Line M2). More information at: https://www.wakeupcopenhagen.com/
Conference Venue
The conference will be held at the southern campus of the University of Copenhagen (see map above). As design is one of Copenhagen's (and Denmark’s) core values, the campus features a unique, modern architecture providing a fruitful and inspiring environment for students and faculty. Its many lecture halls and seminar rooms can host a varying number of people. Catering will be provided through the university's own catering service. For the paper sessions, we have an auditorium available that can house 150 attendees. The open architecture of the recently established KUA 2 (the newest addition to the campus) is an inviting place for discussions and will be used for the demo session. Both metro lines (M1: DR Byen, Islands Brygge; M2: Amagerbro) connect the campus to Christianshavn, Kongens Nytorv and Nørreport (the three stations inside the city center) in 5 minutes or less.
Local Attractions
Copenhagen is a popular tourist location, and the weather during the time of the conference should easily allow for outdoor sightseeing. To find a complete overview of all the possibilities Copenhagen has to offer, please refer to the official Visit Copenhagen website. Below you can find a list of our recommended attractions (texts taken from Visit Copenhagen):
Nyhavn: Nyhavn was originally a busy commercial port where ships from all over the world would dock. The area was packed with sailors, ladies of pleasure, pubs and alehouses. No. 9, Nyhavn, is the oldest house in the area dating back to 1681. The design of the house has not been altered since that time. Many of the houses lining the quays of Nyhavn have been the homes of prominent artists. Hans Christian Andersen used to live in no. 20. This is where he wrote the fairy-tales 'the Tinder-Box', 'Little Claus and Big Claus', and 'the Princess and the Pea'. He also lived twenty years in no. 67 and two years in no. 18. More information at: http://nyhavn.com/.
Tivoli Gardens: When Tivioli opens its doors in 2014, the famous wooden roller coaster turns 100 years. In that occasion, the roller coaster will be transformed into its orginal look. The new design will consist of two mountain tops of which the largest is 26 metres above the gardens. In addition there will be an artificial waterfall with a total drop of over 20 metres on the roller coaster's side. The waterfall will give the feeling of travelling in the mountains. The reconstruction will contribute to the on-going development of Tivoli and will enhance the guests' experience. More information at: http://www.tivoli.dk/en/.
The Little Mermaid: Unveiled on 23 August 1913, The Little Mermaid was a gift from Danish brewer Carl Jacobsen to the City of Copenhagen. The sculpture is made of bronze and granite and was inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale about a mermaid who gives up everything to be united with a young, handsome prince on land. Every morning and evening she swims to the surface from the bottom of the sea and, perched on her rock in the water, she stares longingly towards the shore hoping to catch a glimpse of her beloved prince. More information at: http://www.mermaidsculpture.dk/.
The Carlsberg Brewery: Carlsberg is among the largest tourist attractions in Copenhagen and now you have the opportunity to get closer to the roots of Carlsberg, the history and the beer. The Old Carlsberg Brewery from 1847 has been converted into a modern centre for visitors covering 10,000 m2. In the courtyard is a smaller replica of the Little Mermaid Statue that Carl Jacobsen donated to Copenhagen. More information at: http://www.visitcarlsberg.dk/.
Strøget: Strøget is 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. The stretch is 1.1 kilometers long and runs from City Hall Square (Rådhuspladsen) to Kongens Nytorv. Strøget is a nickname from the 1800s and covers the streets Frederiksberggade, Nygade, Vimmelskaftet and Østergade and Nytorv square, Gammeltorv Square and Amagertorv Square. More information at: http://www.kcc.dk/.