Strøget

Europe's long shopping mile

Strøget is Copenhagen's main pedestrian axis and, at around 1.1 kilometres, one of the longest car-free shopping streets in Europe. Strictly speaking, the name isn't an official street name at all but a 19th-century nickname. In fact, Strøget is a sequence of several streets – Frederiksberggade, Nygade, Vimmelskaftet and Østergade – along with the squares Nytorv, Gammeltorv and Amagertorv. It runs from Rådhuspladsen (City Hall Square) to the elegant Kongens Nytorv, cutting right through Indre By, Copenhagen's old town centre.

Wander a little further and you'll rarely stay only on the core streets: the connected pedestrian network in the city centre also extends along Købmagergade, Fiolstræde and Jorcks Passage.

From traffic experiment to pedestrian zone

On 17 November 1962, Strøget was closed to cars on a trial basis – a bold experiment at a time when car-friendly urban planning was the norm across Europe. The trial worked, and in 1964 the pedestrian zone became permanent. Over the following decades the car-free network was extended several times (1968, 1973, 1992). Strøget is still regarded today as a pioneer of the European pedestrian street and a forerunner of the cycling- and pedestrian-friendly city Copenhagen later became known for.

From budget shopping to luxury

The mix of shops shifts along the route: near the western end at Frederiksberggade you'll find chain stores and budget shops, and the further east you go towards Kongens Nytorv, the more upmarket it gets – all the way to flagship stores of Danish brands and international luxury houses. In between sit the major department stores Illum and, on the adjoining Kongens Nytorv, Magasin du Nord.

Individual shops don't share a single set of opening hours. Typical hours run Monday to Friday roughly 10:00–18:00 (sometimes later on Fridays) and Saturday around 10:00–17:00; Sunday is mixed, with some shops closed and others open. If you're heading for a specific shop, it's worth checking its hours in advance.

More than a shopping street

Strøget is the natural spine for a stroll through the centre, even without any shopping plans. On Amagertorv, street performers regularly appear – acrobats, magicians and musicians. This is also where the Stork Fountain stands, while the older Caritas Fountain sits on Gammeltorv at the western end. Many of the city's top sights lie right on the route or just a short detour away: the Round Tower, Copenhagen Cathedral, and at the eastern end Kongens Nytorv with neighbouring Nyhavn.

A practical note: around Rådhuspladsen, the tourist board warns of con artists running shell/cup games. If someone on the street offers you a bet or a game of chance, keep walking.

Getting there & practical tips

Strøget begins at Rådhuspladsen, giving it a location as central as it gets. The metro stations Rådhuspladsen (M3/M4, at the western end) and Kongens Nytorv (M3/M4, at the eastern end) mark both ends – handy if you want to walk the length of the street in one direction without doubling back. From Copenhagen Central Station it's only a few minutes on foot.

• Best time: morning, shortly after the shops open, before the crowds build up. During Advent it's beautifully lit but very busy.
• Accessibility: Strøget itself is flat and paved throughout, and is considered good for wheelchair users. Away from it, expect cobblestones across the historic centre.
• Toilets: public loos directly on the street are scarce; the easiest option is to use the department stores (Illum, Magasin) or a café.
• Duration: the walk itself takes 30–45 minutes; with browsing, breaks and detours, allow one to two hours.

Strøget pairs well with almost any itinerary in Indre By – say, a visit to the National Museum of Denmark or a detour to Nyhavn. For more on what's worth seeing, check the guide to Copenhagen's top attractions.