The Øresund Bridge is Scandinavia's most ambitious building project ever, linking Copenhagen in Denmark and Malmö in Sweden.
The bridge has three sections: a 2.5-mile tunnel, a 2.5-mile man-made island and a five-mile cable-stayed bridge. It took six years to build and will be officially opened on July 1 by Queen Margrethe of Denmark and King Carl Gustaf of Sweden. The first road traffic will cross at 11pm the same day, rail traffic a day later. Car toll is 230kr (£20) and a single crossing by train 60kr (£5.25).
Despite the recent football riot, Copenhagen is one of the most laid-back cities in northern Europe. With almost constant sea breezes and many green spaces, it often doesn't feel like you're in a major European city. There's also a lack of traffic - everybody cycles or takes the excellent public transport.
Copenhagen is a liberal place - dope smoking, while illegal, is mostly tolerated, although the police will bust you if you are too open. There is a booming sex industry in the backstreets of Vesterbro, and the Gay scene claims to be second only to San Francisco.
Copenhagen is Scandinavia's party town. Weekday evenings can be spookily quiet, but at weekends the city really gets moving. Many places stay open until 5am, and most people start their evenings at midnight.
The two major drawbacks are the weather and prices: even in mid-summer it can be cool and wet, while a half -decent three-course meal can set you back about £35.
• 11.45kr = £1. Transport from Copenhagen Airport: train 18kr, 15mins; taxi 125kr 25mins. Tourist office: Bernstorffsgade 1, tel: 33 11 13 25, www.visitcopenhagen.dk
Best places to visit
Glyptotek
Dantes Plads 7
Impressive collection of Etruscan, Roman, Danish and French art.
Open: Tues-Sun 10am-4pm; 30kr/free Wed & Sun.
www.glyptoteket.dk
Tivoli
Vesterbrogade 3
The world-famous pleasure garden has colourfully-lit, well-tended lawns, boating ponds, fairground rides and a concert hall.
Open: mid-April to Sept, daily 11am-midnight.
Admission: mid-June to mid-Aug, 49kr; other times 39kr. Rides from 10kr.
www.tivoli.dk
Christiania
Badsmandstræde
A huge squat dating from the early 70s, it epitomises Danish liberalism. Pusher Street can be intimidating, so head for the greener areas situated on the old city bastions.
Where to stay
For budget accommodation, contact the tourist office which has a huge list of rooms in private homes for as little as £15 per person per night.
DGI Byens Hotel
Tietgensgade 65
Pure Scandinavian hi-tech minimalism. Good location near the central station.
Cost per night: 1,395kr.
Tel: 33 29 80 50.
www.dgi-byen.dk
71 Nyhavn
A luxurious renovated wood-beamed warehouse in the middle of the old docks.
Cost per night: 1,500kr.
Tel: 33 43 62 00. www.71nyhavnhotelcopenhagen.dk
Skt Jørgen
Julius Thomsens Gade 22
Quiet family hotel close to the lakes that ring the city centre.
Cost per night: 600kr.
Tel: 35 37 15 11.
www.hotellist.dk/st.jorgen
Bars and clubs
Rabes Have
Langebrogade 8
The oldest bar in Copenhagen - since 1632 - this bohemian bar offers everything a local pub should.
Open until midnight, daily.
Musen og Elefanten
Vestergade 21
A combination of heavy rock and powerful Elephant beer poured from a carved elephant trunk.
Open: Sat-Thurs 5pm-2am, Fri 3pm-5am.
Pussy Galore's Flying Circus
Skt Hans Torv 30
Exotic cocktails and outdoor seating on one of Copenhagen's hippest squares.
Open: Mon-Fri 8am-2am Sat-Sun 9am-2am. www. pussy-galore.dk
Rust
Guldbergsgade 8
Multi-faceted venue with a very hip nightclub.
Open: Wed-Sat 11pm- 5am. Admission: 30-50kr.
www.rust.dk.
Copenhagen Jazzhouse
Niels Hemmingsensgade 10
Copenhagen's premier jazz venue. On club nights, live Blue Note gives way to a mix of R'n'B and Soul.
Club nights Thurs-Sat 6pm-5am.
www.jazzhouse.dk
Food
Konrad
Pilestrædet 12
A sharp, ultra-chic restaurant serving excellent modern Scandinavian cuisine - with prices to match.
Tel: 3393 2929.
Open: Mon-Wed noon-midnight, Thurs until 1am, Fri & Sat until 4am, Sun closed.
David's
Sølvgade 91
A gem of a take-away. The Mediterranean-inspired food is fantastic - orders take 30 minutes, so phone ahead. It's near the lakes, a great setting for alfresco summer dining.
Tel: 3313 8056. Open: Tues-Fri 6pm-9pm.
Glyptotek
(see above)
Combine a visit to one of the city's best art museums with a wonderful lunch in the steamy and fragrant winter gardens. Pricy, but their pickled herring and sour cream is the best.
La Glace Conditori
Skoubogade 3
A quaint tea house. Find a seat, point out what you want, pay at the counter and a charmingly prim waitress will bring exquisite Danish pastries.
Open: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat opens at 9am, closed Sun.
