Copenhagen, places to visit?

Charming and vibrant city in Northern Europe

Tradition, fashion and modernity: in Copenhagen you feel it everywhere. Far from the typical chaos of modern metropolis, this a charming place to explore. It is famous for its modern architecture and innovative design. Its buildings harmoniously blend tradition and modernity, featuring many works by renowned architects such as Bjarke Ingels.

The city is crossed by numerous canals, reminiscent of those in Amsterdam, adding a picturesque touch. Nyhavn is Copenhagen's most famous canal, with its charming harbor area surrounded by colorful houses, restaurants, bars, and cafes. It's a captivating place where you can stroll along the docks, enjoy a panoramic view, and savor local cuisine.

Connected to Nyhavn is the Christianshavn neighborhood, crisscrossed by several canals with enchanting floating houses and colorful boats. Copenhagen's harbor is a vital part of city life, contributing to the lively atmosphere of the area. Besides being a significant center for maritime activities, it is surrounded by restaurants, bars, and shops, making it a popular spot for leisurely walks, enjoying sea views, and indulging in delicious dishes.

Copenhagen is the seat of the Danish royal family, and its royal palaces, such as Rosenborg Palace and Amalienborg Palace, are worth a visit.

The Rosemborg Palace

Rosenborg Palace, set in a beautiful park, houses the Danish Crown Jewels and Royal Treasures, including the royal crown, scepter, and orb of Christian IV.

In addition to the Royal Jewels, the palace features a series of splendidly furnished rooms, including the Throne Room, Mirror Room, and Knights' Hall. These rooms are richly adorned with period furniture, portraits, and art objects. The palace is surrounded by a charming Italian-style garden, open to the public during the summer months. The garden is a pleasant place for walks and relaxation.

The Amalienborg Palace

The Amalienborg Palace is nowadays the real house of the Royal Family: everyday at noon there is the guards’ changeover, with the army band’s soundtrack whenever the Queen is in the Palace.

Amalienborg is a notable example of Danish Rococo architecture, consisting of four identical palaces (one open to the public as a museum) arranged around a square known as Amalienborg Slotsplads. At the center of the square stands an equestrian statue of King Frederick V, erected in 1771.

The old town of Copenhagen

Indeed, the true magnet for tourists is the old town’s heart, a maze of beautiful buildings and shops of every kind. Most of those streets are closed to cars and traffic, and they represent the perfect link between the old and modern Copenhagen. It is also the right place to go if you’re a shopping fanatic: the Stroget is a real must, playful with its street artists and folksingers. The inner alleys hide many antique shops. It may sound strange, but shopping in Copenhagen is a relaxing and creative experience.

The districts of Copenhagen

Any district is shaped in different and peculiar features: avantgarde and underground in Larsbjornsstraede, arts and contemporary design in Amalienborg, malls and fashion boutiques on the Stroget, while Kronprinsensgade is the HQ for the young danish fashion stylists.

The district called Christiania, an ex military area transformed in the 70’s in a “free town” by Hippies. It’s a model of free society, a sort of living utopia, still managed by protestors and outsiders.

The Mermaid of Copenhagen

A shot to be taken beside the famous Mermaid is a right to any tourist: you can reach the statue from Amalienborg square, through Amalienhaven up to the seaside. Nyhavn, the ancient port, is on the way and now is a funny district, tipped with cafès and clubs.

The museums of Copenhagen

The city have got plenty of museums, you just choose by your own tastes, but if you want to know better both Copenhagen and Denmark we suggest to pay attention to the Nationalmuseet, the country’s museum of national history, and the Statens Museum for Kunst, the danish National Gallery.

You cannot leave Copenhagen if you haven’t been to Tivoli Gardens, a historical fun-fair, full of shows and restaurants: the ideal place to spend a memorable night out.

Dishes of Danish cuisine

The traditional Danish lunch is smørrebrød, an open buttered rye sandwich and then seasoned with different ingredients, from herring, to raw or smoked meat, seafood and egg. Try the ålesuppe (eel soup) and the grønkålsuppe (green cabbage soup). Famous are also the Danish butter biscuits, the spandauer (puff pastry with cream or jam and icing) and the kanelsnegle (puff pastry swirls with cinnamon and sugar).

Text by Michela Damiani - Updated by Alisè Vitri

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Where to sleep in Copenhagen

Copenhagen is a welcoming city and offers different possibilities for accommodation.

To find the ideal hotel and the best offers you can do a search for the stars but also for districts or landmarks.

STARS

Hotels for stars, differentiated by type of services:

DISTRICTS

Hotels in the districts

LANDMARKS

Hotels in tourist areas

Amalienborg Palace

Christian IV's Brewhouse

Church of Our Saviour

Christmas Market

City Hall

Danish Design Centre

National Gallery of Denmark

Rosenborg Castle

National Museum of Denmark

AIRPORT

Hotels near the airport

Copenaghen Airport CPH

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WHERE TO GO in Copenhagen

Monuments in Copenhagen

THE ROYAL FAMILY RESIDENCE

Amalienborg Palace is the winter home of the Danish Royal Family. The Palace is made up of four grand palaces on a square, this is a chance to get up close to Danish Royalty, Danish princes and princesses and may even spot the Queen. Every day at around 12.00, it is possible to see the changing of the Royal Guard that cross the city marches from Rosenborg Castle to Amalienborg Palace ready to take up their post at Queen Margrethe's door.

THE LITTLE MERMAID

Symbol of the Danish city, the sculpture of The Little Mermaid of Copenhagen, is one of Denmark's most famous tourist attractions. The sculpture is made of bronze and was inspired by the protagonist of the famous fairy tale written by Hans Christian Andersen in 1837. Since 1913 in her place, on a small rock, bid travellers welcome to Copenhagen Harbour. Only 125 cm high and 175 kg, the Little Mermaid was originally a gift to the city by the brewer Carl Jacobsen, the founder of the Carlsberg Brewery.

THE ROUND TOWER

The 17th century tower, Round Tower, is the oldest functioning observatory in Europe. When Christian IV built the tower, Denmark was quite famous for its astronomical achievements thanks to the astronomer Tycho Brahe. The observatory is encircled by an outdoor platform from which you have a magnificent view of the old part of Copenhagen.

Museums of Copenhagen

THE NATIONAL MUSEUM

The National Museum of Denmark is located in the Prince’s Palace, which was built by Nicolai Eigtved between 1743 and 1744. The Gallery consists of a wide corridor that linked many rooms with exhibitions from the Stone Age, the Viking Age, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and Modern Danish History. The National Museum boasts a very large ethnographical collection, a collection of classical, near eastern antiquities and a toy museum.

THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF DENMARK

The National Gallery of Denmark (Statens Museum for Kunst) is Denmark’s largest art museum, featuring outstanding collections of Danish and international art from the past seven centuries. Apart from the permanent collection in the rooms, the museum also shows temporary exhibitions.

Excursions in Copenhagen

NATIONAL AQUARIUM DENMARK - BLUE PLANET

The Blue Planet - Denmark's Aquarium is Northern Europe's largest aquarium and offers a unique experience for children and adults. The new building has five "arms" from the center of the aquarium and give the visitors a feeling of being under water. The Ocean Tank, which is the biggest aquarium where hammerhead sharks swim together with moray eels. The Coral Reef shows colourful fish and other animals that live in the corals.

TIVOLI GARDENS

Located in the heart of Copenhagen, Tivoli amusement park is the most visited in the world. Opened in 1843, inside there are the rides, attractions, performances and culture. An oasis of fun for adults and children even at Halloween and Christmas where the atmosphere becomes unique and special. For the more adventurous, the park offers the world's tallest carousel seats and exciting roller coaster.

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