fliesdelta

I'll have a 20 hour layover at CPH in late September, I arrive around 2pm and depart the next day at 10am.

What are the options as far as visiting Copenhagen? I realize it'd be a short stay, but I'd hate to just spend the entire time at a hotel near the airport, seeing as I've never been to Denmark.

Milkman

The airport is very close to the city (12kms) and extremely well connected by trains and metro. You are downtown in 15 mins. Certainly a bad idea to lock yourself up at the Hilton Copenhagen Airport with plenty to see and do so close by.

Late September will be chilly but not downright cold. A warm pullover and a light jacket and you're good to go. I dont know what your interests are, but there are plenty of historical sigths downtown, and if you like to venture around, you could jump over the Sweden, a mere 45 mins train ride from the Copenhagen central station. If you're into gastronomy you may want to try some of the avantgarde Nordic kitchen that has made CPH an attraction for foodies. Otherwise there are plenty of options and variety of European, Middle Eastern and Asian food.

So to answer your question, your options as far as visiting Copenhagen are really good.

brentito86

copenhagen is a bit big but you could visit the famous little mermaid statue also tivoli is there if you like amusement parks...the world's oldest wooden roller coaster is in tivoli...when i was there last time there was a water fountain show and also the rides were cheapest if u bought a day pass instead of individual tickets. You can also check out the royal palace....nice place...guards there who are not allowed to move (like in england)...as far as i remember there is a changing of the guard every hour which is always interesting to see imo.

have fun...copenhagen is a beautiful city but a tad expensive so keep that in mind!

helosc

I would take the metro to the station 'Kgs. Nytorv' and just stroll around the pedestrian area and the harbour area. The station is situated so that you have the pedestrian streets, 'strøget' on one side and 'Nyhavn' and the harbour on the other side.
The area with the pedestrian streets have a lot of small side streets and parallel streets that is what you could call the old town.
From 'Nyhavn' you can continue along the waterfront on the harbour promenade 'Langelinje' which will also take you past the royal garden 'Amaliehaven' and the royal palace 'Amalienborg'.

I personally find 'the little mermaid' to be underwhelming. It is tiny and not very impressive.

The staion and surrounding area :
http://www.bing.com/maps/#Y3A9NTUuNj...MlMjBueXRvcnY=

Nyhavn area :
http://www.bing.com/maps/#Y3A9NTUuNj...ZxPW55aGF2bg==

Amalienborg area :
http://www.bing.com/maps/#Y3A9NTUuNj...MlQjhiZW5oYXZu

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strøget

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nyhavn

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Langelinie

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amalienborg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaliehaven

Plenty of places to eat both in 'Nyhavn' and on the pedestrian streets.

ksu

By all means stay at at Hilton at the airport if you find a good rate/ can use miles/points. It will be very convenient when you leave the next morning, and it is a good hotel.

Otherwise I would just take the metro downtown as other have suggested. Look into taking a scheduled water bus. Tivoli is nice, so is just walking around in Nyhavn and the shopping area from Strøget towards Østerport station (which also have trains to the airport)