A fishing village founded by the Vikings in the 10th century, Copenhagen prospered over the ensuing centuries to become the de facto capital of the Kingdom of Denmark. By the end of the 17th century, it had become one of the most significant trading hubs in northern Europe.  

Christianshavn retains the feel of a Dutch canal neighborhood.

With the coronation of Christian IV (a.k.a. the Builder King) in 1596, Copenhagen entered a golden age of strong economy and urban development. He commissioning landmarks such as Rosenborg Castle and the Round Tower, and founded Christianshavn, a merchant and residential district inspired by Dutch canals. However, it is to one of his successors that we owe the city’s most iconic site.

Nyhavn

The colorful 17th century buildings  of Nyhavn are  especially popular with tourists.

Immediately upon coming to power in 1670, Christian V ordered the construction of Nyhavn (New Harbor), a 450-meter (1500 ft) long canal to serve as a gateway from the open sea to the center of the Copenhagen. For over 200 years thereafter, Nyhavn remained the hub of the city’s maritime trade. Ships unloaded their cargo, and fishermen their daily catch, merchants lived above their warehouses, sailors came and went. And the harbor was packed with vessels built for every kind of journey.

The Copenhagen Opera House was inaugurated in 2005.

Today, the colorful row of brightly painted 17th-century buildings lining the canal has become one the most photographed destinations of the city. With the many restaurants and cafés along its cobblestone streets, it is a great place to settle for a while, enjoy a local beer and smørrebrød (the traditional Danish open-face rye sandwich), and watch the world go by. Then top your Nyhavn experience with one of the hour-long canal tours departing from the docks for a laid-back look at some of the other popular sites such as the Amalienborg Palace, the Opera House, and The Little Mermaid.

The Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid is eternally awaiting her Prince.

Named for the 1837 fairy tale by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, the bronze statue of The Little Mermaid has been a major tourist attraction since its unveiling in 1913. Longingly gazing at the shore from her rock at the edge of the water, this graceful little statue is a mere 1.25-meter (4 ft) tall. Yet it is considered one of the city’s most iconic landmarks,

She stands just off the Langeline Pier, a pleasant seaside promenade with views of ships and the harbor. However, her presence draws hordes of tourists,  especially in the middle of the day. All the more reason to favor the canal cruise option and meet her from the water.

Amalienborg Palace

Amalienborg is the winter residence of the Danish royal family.

Returning  from your canal tour, it’s an easy 10-minute walk from Nyhavn to the Amalienborg Palace.  Designed by the architect Nicolai Eigtved in the early 1750s, it is considered the most prestigious example of Rococo architecture in Denmark. It consists of four near identical palaces surrounding  an octagonal square punctuated by an equestrian statue of King Frederik V (1723-66), the founder of Amalienborg. Today, it is the winter residence of the Danish royal family.  

If you can time your visit to arrive shortly before noon you will be treated by the changing of the Royal Gard, as they march at 12:00 sharp every day from their nearby barracks to Amalienborg Square.

The Round Tower

The spiral ramp allowed horse-drawn carts to drive up the tower.

Completed in 1642 as an astronomical observatory, the 35-meter (114 ft) high Rundetårn (Round Tower) is considered the oldest functioning observatory building in Europe, and still widely used today by amateur astronomers.  On the floor below the observatory, the Library Hall originally accommodated the University of Copenhagen book collection — hence the unusual spiral access ramp in lieu of stairs, designed to facilitate the delivery of books to the library by horse-drawn carts.

Today the Library Hall houses temporary art exhibits  as well as concerts and other cultural events, and the open rooftop platform is an ideal spot to enjoy panoramic views of the city.

Tivoli Gardens

The Tivoli Gardens entrance is especially festive at night.

No introduction to Copenhagen is complete without at least a walk around the Tivoli Gardens.

Located in the very center of Copenhagen, Tivoli is one of the oldest operating amusement parks in the the world. Inaugurated on 15 August 1843, it has been a popular destination for entertainment and culture ever since, where rides, live music, restaurants and seasonal events invitingly blend together.

The Pantomine Theater is designed for open air performances.

From its beginning it included a variety of attractions: band stands, a theatre and other structures in the style of an imaginary Orient. More permanent buildings were added later. In 1874, the Chinese-style Pantomime Theatre replaced an older, smaller theatre, and the Japanese Pagoda was built in 1900. The Glass Hall, originally built in 1863 as a concert and assembly hall, was destroyed during World War II and replaced in 1946 by the current octagonal glass building by noted Danish architect Poul Henningsen.

The Dæmonen, roller coaster is a major Tivoli attraction.

The rides feature several family-friendly classic carousels and a Ferris Wheel. But for the high adrenaline sensation seekers,  there are two notable roller coasters.  The “Rutschebanen” is a classic wooden roller coaster (circa 1914). It is the second oldest one in the world and one of the few still in existence to require a brakeman sitting in the train to slow it down manually during the drops!  Then there is the intense Dæmonen, opened in 2004. A floorless steel roller that stands 28 meters (90 ft) tall with a 20-meter (66 ft) drop, it features three loops, including a full 360 degree one, and reaches speeds up to 77 kilometers (48 mi.) per hour!

• Getting there — Located on the Oresund Straits, the gateway connecting the North Sea to the Baltic, Copenhagen is easily accessible by plane, train and ferry. By plane — Copenhagen Airport  (CPH) is located just 8 kilometres (5 mi.)  from the city centre and is well-connected to over 183 destinations worldwide, including direct flights to most major European cities. By Train — There are train connections via Hamburg, Germany and Stockholm, Sweden. By Ferry — Copenhagen is also accessible by ferry with several ferry crossings operating from nearby countries such as Germany, Sweden and Norway.
• Getting around —The city center is compact, flat and easily walkable. 
• Visiting — Tivoli Gardens operates seasonally, with distinct opening periods throughout the year. The park typically opens for Easter, followed by its main summer season from late April to late September. It reopens for Halloween in October and again for the Christmas season from mid-November to early January, closing only on December 24. During open periods, Tivoli is open daily from 11:00 am to 10:00 or 11:00 pm, with extended hours until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

A Few Souvenirs

Location, location, location!