Copenhagen
Editor's Rating - 4 Stars
Copenhagen draws millions of tourists each year, who come to experience a lively city with a rich history and a warm welcome. During the day the city offers a number of must-see attractions, melded with a friendly cafe-culture, and at night there's a buzzing live music and bar scene.
Editor's Top Tip
The compact city is ideal for a rewarding walking tour, especially if you arrive by cruise ship at Langelinie quay. A suggested route would be something along the following:
Starting from Langeline Pier
Walk south along Langelinievej to
Kastellet
Follow Esplanaden, turn left onto Bredgade and visit
The Design Museum
Medicinsk Museion (medical museum)
Den Russiske Kirke (the Russian Church),
Frederiks Kirke (the Marble church)
Charlottenborg Palace
Head sout-east to
Nyhavn
Continue along Tolbodgade to
Amalienborg Palace
Head back to the waterfront and Amaliehaven Garden
Follow the waterfront north to
The Little Mermaid
Continue to Langelinie Pier
Location Of Copenhagen's Top Attractions On A Map
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Things To See
The Little Mermaid
Son of the Carsberg brewery founder, Carl Jacobsen approached the sculptor Edvard Eriksento to craft a 'Little Mermaid', taking inspiration from the heroine of H.C. Andersen's fairy tale of the same name. The bronze statue was first displayed in 1913 at the Langelinie waterfront, a short distance from the Langelinie cruise quay.
Amalienborg Palace
Amalienborg is an impressive of four enormous palaces around one square, Christian VIII's Palace (also known as Levetzau' Palace), Christian IX's Palace (also known as Schack's Palace), Frederick VIII's Palace (also known as Brockdorff's Palace) and Christian VII's Palace (also known as Moltke's Palace). In 1794 the palaces were acquired by the Danish king, and have been used as the royal winter retreat ever since. You can tour the Amalienborg Museum to experience some sumptuous royal salons reconstructed to reflect the period 1863 to 1947.
Nyhavn
The 17th century era Nyhavn canal side neighborhood is well known for its colorful period townhouses. It's so gorgeous, the area is often used as a backdrop for films, both historical and modern. Throughout summer crowds of tourists visit to experience the waterfront atmosphere while eating and drinking at the multitude of bars and restaurants.
Rosenborg Castle
The grandiose Rosenbourg Castle was constructed in the period 1606-34 as a summer royal palace. After Frederik IV, Rosenborg was only used as a royal official residence on two occasions, after the fire which demolished Christiansborg in 1794, and during the time of the English offensive against Copenhagen in 1801. Four floors of opulent apartments are open for the tourist to see providing you a perspective of the life and times of the early Danish royals.
Strøget
Copenhagen's most extensive shopping area is based on Stroget in the heart of the city. Be sure to make time to check out the streets either side of Stroget which are lined by lots of arty and unusual shops.
If you enjoy all things art, don't miss the Statens Museum for Kunst with its impressive collection including Danish and Nordic Art 1750-1900, European Art 1300-1800 and Danish and International Art after 1900. Most of the museum apart from traveling special exhibitions is free to visit.
Cruise Information
Cruise selection guide Copenhagen cruises.