The Danish capital is a charming, welcoming place of a manageable scale and can seem more like a large village than the nation’s first city. Just 30 minutes drive from the border with Sweden, Copenhagen’s harbor offers visitors the chance to stroll or dawdle along the cobbles of its many pedestrian streets and lanes before tucking in to one of Denmark’s world-famous pastries.
Facing east towards the rising sun, the harbor is where fishermen once set out for sea. These days, the moorings are more likely to attract groups of students drinking beers than any hearty sailors, with the numerous pubs and taverns lining the waterfront catering to tourists. Nonetheless, the harbor is a great place to relax and can be used as the first step in a walking tour of the city.
Stroget is a pedestrian shopping street that begins near the harbor. Aside from providing a fix for shopping junkies, it can be used as an artery to many of the city’s sights. Tivoli Gardens is just west of Radhuspladsen and is sure to amuse visitors of any kind. Its style is a throwback to pre-industrial Europe, with wooden roller coasters and carnival style attractions. Also not far from Stroget is Amalienborg Palace to the east, the winter residence of the Danish royal family. Located in Fredriksstad, it’s a fitting centerpiece for the Baroque styled district.
Highlights
Nyhavn: the ‘New Harbor’ is a good place to soak up the atmosphere with a beer or enjoy a meal at one of the many restaurants, preferably during the warmer summer months.
Nyhavn Canal: connecting the harbor to the center of the city, this trendy waterway continues the sprawl of cafés and bars, with a few historical sights along the way.
Stroget: the longest shopping street in Europe will satisfy anyone looking for haute couture, department stores, local shops or street performers.
Tivoli Gardens: from classical music performances to rickety merry-go-rounds, Tivoli’s charms are undeniable.
Amalienborg Palace: the buildings here have housed many monarchs over the centuries and the Classical and Rococo architecture are certainly fit for any king.
The Little Mermaid: is one of the most recognized Hans Christian Andersen characters which still exists today in bronze, looking out to sea from a small perch on the waterfront in Kastellet.