Northern Europe’s snuggly capital is none other than Copenhagen. Take the metro from the airport to the city. Then, get ready to be charmed by the plethora of iconic attractions and experiences. You can explore on foot, a bike or a boat!
Ten of Copenhagen’s must-see landmarks are listed below, but it’s best to familiarise yourself with the city’s surroundings beforehand.
Get to know the neighbourhoods
Østerbro
The easygoing and trendy area is speckled by green spaces, such as Copenhagen’s largest park, Fælledparken. The national stadium can be found here, along with exciting shopping and The Little Mermaid statue (more about her below). Not to mention, the colourful facades that Copenhagen is full of, especially in Østerbro. Visit the residential areas of Brumleby and Kartoffelrækkerne with their charming townhouses from the middle of the 19th century.
Nørrebro
Day in and out, this multicultural is packed with tons of activities to unwind. Hans Christian Andersen's grave in Assistens Cemetery is lovely for a drink on the grass during the day. As soon as twilight hits, hit the bakeries and bars via a short walk past the lakes from Nørreport station.
Vesterbro
Looking for an edgier feel? Vesterbro used to be the Red Light District, but it now boasts eclectic shops, diverse restaurants, and gritty bars. You can check out Meatpacking District to discover more.
City Centre
A knot of streets and alleys is not to be dreaded. Copenhagen’s city centre has almost everything, from royal palaces, gardens, and shopping to the old Latin Quarter. Best part is, you can simply walk or cycle to each site!
Now that you have a better picture of Copenhagen, it’s about time to get on to the must-see attractions.
Amalienborg Palace
The Queen resides in Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen. The palace consists of four separate rococo palaces around a square. Two are open to the public; a museum where you can view almost 400 years of royal history in art and a closer observation of the Danish royal residence from within. The changing of guards occurs every day at noon.
Tivoli Gardens
Over 4 million visitors stop by the park every year, making it the most popular attraction throughout Denmark. From the wonderful atmosphere, the wild rides, and the eateries, to the concerts, Tivoli opens year long even on major holidays.
Strøget
Copenhagen’s shopping street, Strøget, offers budget options, independent shops, and some of the world's most exclusive brands. This central pedestrian street - which happens to be one of the longest pedestrian streets in Europe - is at the centre of Copenhagen's major shopping area, which also caters to food cravings. A few classic Danish designs worthy of note are Georg Jensen, Royal Copenhagen, and Illums Bolighus.
Canal tour
Don’t wish to move on land? Get on a kayak or a boat to sightsee Copenhagen from a different perspective. Nyhavn or Christiansborg is a good start for your canal tour. You can grasp the Opera House, The Black Diamond Library, and The Little Mermaid sitting on her rock. Christianshavn's cosy canals are full of houseboats and lined with endearing buildings.
Christiania
For those willing to instil an open mind, stop by Christiania. Enthralling cafes and restaurants are yours to choose from after strolling around the sanctuary of a former social experiment in the 70s.
The Round Tower
Europe's oldest functioning observatory resides in Copenhagen and it’s called the Round Tower. Amateur astronomers normally utilise the facilities since the 17th century, but you can look in on a stunning view of the city from a viewing platform running around the tower. Simply climb up the spiral ramp that was once used to transport carts of books dragged by horses.
The Cisterns
This subterranean water turned into an art gallery is an underground museum of modern glass art from Denmark and worldwide. It’s located in Søndermarken, beside the Frederiksberg Gardens.
Amagerbanen
Go bike at the old railroad, Amagerbanen. Once one of the old railroads in Copenhagen, merely 1.5 km of its rail remains at the present day. Not to fret - the railroad is looked after thus trolleys can ride through a magical tunnel of leaves.
The Little Mermaid
Danish brewer Carl Jacobsen gifted The Little Mermaid made of bronze and granite to the city on 23rd August 1913. The sculpture was inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s famous fairytale about a mermaid who gives up everything to be united with a young, handsome prince on land. After watching a ballet performance at the Royal Danish Theatre, Jacobsen deeply admired the character and performance to the point of authorising sculptor Edvard Eriksen to create a sculpture of the mermaid. Now, you can view it in the water at Langelinie Pier.
Perch’s Thehandel
One of Copenhagen's oldest stores, established in 1835, hasn’t changed much of its original English colonial-style interior. You can find a collection of high-quality products here.