Captivating Copenhagen

From the highest of the baroque Vor Frelsers Kirke I may see virtually all of central Copenhagen. The 400 steps up the winding spiral staircase hadn’t appeared too demanding, not even the final 150, which wound across the outdoors of the bell tower.

The previous few steps have been solely simply vast sufficient for one particular person to squeeze up at a time. I squeezed previous a handful of nervous vacationers, who have been clearly having second ideas, and climbed proper to the tippy prime the place I used to be rewarded with the most effective views over Copenhagen – a 360° panoramic view of the town and past.

Copenhagen, Denmark’s design-savvy, food-obsessed capital, is commonly described as one of the crucial habitable cities on the earth. Its comparatively small measurement, fabulous structure, clear harbour, low crime charge, terrific public transport and the world’s finest work-life steadiness, all mix to make this a terrific place each to dwell and go to. Add to the combo, its lovely waterways, picturesque streets, historic buildings, fashionable structure, world-class museums, vibrant nightlife, a craft beer trade that kicked off right here earlier than anyplace else in Europe, 26 Michelin stars awarded to fifteen eating places, and hundreds upon hundreds of bicycles. Danes take high quality of life critically and it reveals. Whether you’re sightseeing, eating, bar-hopping or procuring, and whether or not you prize cleanliness, greenness or inventiveness, Copenhagen appears to excel at nearly every little thing.

All capitals have their basic sights, an inventory of belongings you actually ought to do and see, and Copenhagen is not any completely different. Here’s my listing of locations you shouldn’t miss when visiting this fairy story metropolis.

Historic Nyhavn

Nyhavn is likely one of the most iconic spots in Copenhagen. This vibrant Seventeenth-century waterfront and canal district is understood for its vibrant townhouses and historic wood ships. Originally a bustling industrial port, it’s now a full of life space crammed with eating places, cafes, and bars.

The canal is an actual open-air museum, flanked by historic ships owned by the Danish National Museum and whether or not strolling the cobblestone streets, eating by the water, or visiting the festive Christmas market, the realm is an excellent mix of historical past and appeal.

If you’re hungry name in at Told og Snaps for his or her wonderful vary of smørrebrød (Danish open sandwiches). On the menu you’ll discover basic open-faced sourdough rye bread sandwiches, however with a twist. Amazing combos – suppose curried herring with crimson onions, apple and egg, pan-fried plaice with hand-shelled Greenland shrimps and selfmade remoulade, or heat liver pate with cucumber salad, pickled beetroot and bacon.

Take your cue from the restaurant’s identify, and wash your meal down with snaps (schnapps). You have a selection of conventional flavours or some extra adventurous choices, like walnut, horseradish or browned butter – there are greater than forty flavours to select from!

Sightseeing boat journey

Copenhagen is filled with lovely canals and waterways, and a canal tour is the proper option to see the sights. Jump on at Nyhavn and also you’ll go the Opera House, Black Diamond Library, Amaliehaven, and Our Saviour’s Church.

Continuing on you’ll go via the cosy canals of Christianshavn, stuffed with houseboats and lined with charming previous buildings. Most boat excursions go by Den Lille Havfrue, The Little Mermaid, the image of Copenhagen, sitting on her rock, and that is most likely the simplest option to see her. She is ‘little’ certainly, just one.25m tall, and lots of guests discover her considerably disappointing. (Holders of a Copenhagen Card can depart on a free canal tour from Ved Stranden).

GoBoats are one other nice option to discover the town’s waterways. Hire one for 1, 2 or 3 hours and drive it your self as you select your individual route via the canals.

Wonderful palaces

Amalienborg Palace has been dwelling to the Danish royal household for over 200 years and consists of 4 separate rococo palaces round a big sq..

Two of the palaces are open to the general public, the primary is a museum and within the second you will get a have a look at what the Danish royal residence is like on the within. Don’t miss the altering of the guard, every day, at midday.

Rosenborg Palace dates again to 1606, when it was constructed as a royal summer time home by Christian IV. Nowadays the palace is sort of a time capsule, crammed with 400 years of treasures and artistic endeavors, together with the Crown Jewels. Don’t miss the Knights’ Hall with its coronation thrones and historic tapestries and do end off with a stroll via the king’s gardens, the oldest royal backyard in Denmark.

Christiansborg Palace now homes the Danish Parliament, the Supreme Court, and the Ministry of State. Although a authorities constructing, it’s nonetheless doable to go to the wing that belongs to the royal household together with the Great Hall, which is 40m lengthy with 400 seats.

On prime of a hill overlooking the inexperienced oasis of Frederiksberg Gardens is Frederiksberg Castle, the previous summer time palace of the Danish Royal Family. The palace dates again to the early 1700s and is impressed by the Italian model on the time. There are guided excursions on the final Saturday of each month

Everything you want to plan your journey in 2024

Fabulous streets and squares

Kongens Nytrov is the most important sq. in Copenhagen and is flanked by a few of the most vital buildings within the metropolis – the Royal Theatre, Hotel d’Angleterre and Charlottenborg Palace.

The sq. is the proper start line for exploring Copenhagen, as all of the metro traces converge right here and it’s positioned proper within the coronary heart of the town centre.

At simply over 1km, Strøget is likely one of the longest pedestrian procuring streets in Europe. You’ll discover every little thing right here from high-end Danish design shops to small boutiques and budget-friendly retailers. If searching for basic Danish design, go to Georg Jensen, Royal Copenhagen or Illums Bolighus, to indulge your internal youngster cease off on the LEGO retailer, and if comics and collectables is extra your factor, name in on the Faraos Cigarer retailers.

Snaregade and Magstræde, with their unique cobblestones, are two of the oldest streets in Copenhagen, courting again to the 18th century. Beautiful streets with a higgledy-piggledy array of different-sized homes with brightly painted plasterwork – a great deal of character and nice streets to {photograph}.

Jægersborggade in Nørrebro has gone from dodgy to hip, and is likely one of the most buzzing streets in Copenhagen in the meanwhile – dwelling to round 40 artwork galleries, natural produce retailers, classic garments, ceramics and jewelry designers, in addition to wine bars, espresso retailers and eating places, to not point out a few of the finest espresso round, at The Coffee Collective.

Interesting museums

The Danes care about design, and nowhere is that extra apparent than at Designmuseum Denmark, housed in a renovated 1700s Rococo-style constructing, with three exhibition sections devoted to Design and Crafts, together with a gallery solely of chairs and lamps and one which focuses on Danish silver craftsmanship.

The Ny Carlsberg Glypotek, with its historical marble busts and palm-filled Winter Garden, is positioned close to Tivoli Gardens. Carved marble statues, masterpieces of Danish artwork, Egyptian mummies and collections of Gauguin’s work and sculptures by Degas, that is each a spot to admire the artwork and a peaceable nook to flee the noise of the town.

Dating from 1787, the Medical Museion constructing as soon as housed the Royal Danish Academy of Surgery. Nowadays it’s dwelling to a set of medical curiosities, from preserved physique elements to previous medical gear. At the centre of the museum is the anatomical theatre by which generations of medical college students witnessed dissections of corpses and realized about anatomy. Not one for the squeamish!

Historical landmarks

For greater than 250 years, the folks of Copenhagen have buried their lifeless in Assistens Kirkegård cemetery in Nørrebro. This is Denmark’s best-known cemetery and the ultimate resting place of many well-known Danes, together with Hans Christian Andersen. It’s additionally a lovely inexperienced area to only go to, stroll, cycle or have a picnic.

The Rundetaarn or Round Tower, inbuilt 1642, is Europe’s oldest functioning observatory. The constructing is known for its vast, spiral ramp, as soon as utilized by horses to tug carts of books as much as the college library on the prime. From the highest there’s a placing view of Copenhagen from a viewing platform working across the tower.

The pentagon-shaped Kastellet or Citadel, was commissioned by Frederik III, in 1662 and is likely one of the best-preserved fortresses in Northern Europe. Take a stroll and see the historic windmill, the church, the Commander’s home, and the garrisons. The views of the harbour are wonderful.

While you’re within the neighbourhood, go to Gefion Fountain in Langelinie Park, on the Østerbro harbour entrance. It incorporates a large-scale group of oxen, pulling a plough and being pushed by the legendary Norse goddess, Gefion. It’s the most important monument in Copenhagen and is used as a wishing nicely.

Green areas

Take a stroll via the Botanical Gardens with their assortment of greater than 13,000 plant species, unfold over ten hectares and ensure to go to the gorgeous Nineteenth-century greenhouses. The butterfly home can be price a go to.

The Copenhagen Lakes or Søerneare, are a row of three rectangular lakes curving across the western fringe of the town centre. There are three lakes, Sankt Jørgens Sø, Peblinge Sø and Sortedams Sø, and the paths round them are fashionable with strollers, bikers and runners. Two small islands have been inbuilt Sortedams Sø as breeding grounds for birds. In winter, if the ice is thick sufficient, you’ll be able to stroll on it, and in summer time, you’ll be able to lease a ship bike and go for a paddle. To stroll round all three lakes is about 6.35km.

Tivoli Gardens

If you’re a giant child at coronary heart, head to Tivoli Gardens and admire one of many oldest theme parks on the earth. This well-known amusement park combines manicured gardens and curler coasters and has been attracting guests since 1843.

It’s stated Walt Disney visited and liked the Tivoli Gardens a lot that he was impressed to create Disneyland. You can purchase a ticket for entry simply to the park, or one which covers limitless rides. Both tickets cowl you for the reveals, which vary from ballet and classical music to fireworks on Friday and Saturday nights.

Torvehallerne meals market

Head to Torvehallerne meals market, one of the crucial numerous meals markets in Europe, with greater than 80 retailers, bars, and eateries to select from. Seafood lovers ought to cease by Hav, for chocoholics Summerbird Chocolate’s roasted almonds coated in praline, white chocolate and strawberry mud are wonderful. Nina and Mikkel at Oliviers & Co have an enormous array of olive varieties, unbelievable olive oils, vinegars and condiments. Ma Poule does a brilliant duck rillette roll with mustard and rocket, which you’ll be able to wash down with a glass of wine from Le Petit Vinbar, just some stalls down, or a Danish beer from Mikkeller & Friends.

Hang out with hippies

Christiania is Copenhagen’s different and controversial neighbourhood, based in 1971 when a gaggle of individuals minimize a gap within the fence to an deserted army barracks and took up residence. Christiania has lengthy been well-known for its open hashish commerce. Christiania is open to the general public. You can discover by yourself or ebook a guided tour led by an area Christianite. Do notice there are areas the place you’ll be able to take images and others the place you’ll be able to’t, these are clearly marked.

Eat Danish pastries

No journey to Denmark is full with out consuming scrumptious Danish pastries and there’s no higher means gas a day of exploring, than with a sticky Kanelsnegle, in any other case referred to as a cinnamon swirl. You can discover them in each single bakery, lining the window show instances in all their scrumptious, candy, spiced glory.

Top tip

Before you start exploring Copenhagen buy a Copenhagen Discover Card. The card might be bought on-line or on the airport and covers limitless use of public transport in addition to free entrance to 80+ museums and sights. Alternatively, the Copenhagen Hop card covers admission to 40+ sights within the metropolis centre and Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing busses. (Each paying grownup can embody as much as two kids aged 0-11 freed from cost).