One of the popular tourist destinations in Copenhagen, the City Hall is situated in the center of the city on The City Hall Square. The City of Copenhagen’s Lord Mayor and the Municipal Council are both headquartered in this building.
Inspired by the Siena City Hall, Italy, this building was designed and constructed in National Romantic Style by famous architect Martin Nyrop in 1905. As you enter the building you will be impressed with its front decorated in rich ornamental style. Do not miss out the statue of Absalon on the top of the slim, tall clock tower above the balcony. Apart from this statue, you will also find the Jens Olsen’s World Clock here.
Prior to being brought to its present location, the City Hall had stood at Gammeltory/Nytorv from 1479 until it was destroyed by the famous Copenhagen fire of 1728. Following this, another City Hall was erected, designed by J.C. Krieger and J.C. Ernst, which was again burnt by fire in 1795.
Before the present version of the City Hall was adopted, another hall was constructed by C.F. Hansen in 1815. This hall today serves as Copenhagen’s city court. Do not miss a visit to the ornately constructed City Hall on your trip to the Danish capital.

A trip to Copenhagen is indeed incomplete without a visit to the famous 18th Century Church Helligaandskirken. This Church is in existence since it was founded by the Holy Ghost Abbey and continues to serve the city as an ancient place of worship. Helligaandskirken, the church of Holy Ghost was once a monastic church. It was reconstructed in 1732 after being destroyed by a fire in 1728. Today it stands amidst a busy shopping district. Franciscan monastery was founded in 1238 and was the first abbey in Copenhagen. The new Helligaandskirken was originally used as a workroom and hostel serving travelling monks. This monastery has since seen numerous expansions and continues to be a part of the city’s central life for over 250 years. As you enter this building, you will find a large exhibition room facing Strget. This hall formerly served as a hospital and today exhibits modern art. In the Church’s coir, you can find a font by eminent sculptor Thorvaldsen. You can visit this church on any weekday between 9 am and 1 pm and on Saturdays up to 10 am. Tourists from across the world throng this church that has the only completely preserved medieval building in the city. This building is used for Record Fair and is the only surviving building from those bygone times.

The famous 17th century tower known as Rundertarn is located in Central Copenhagen, Denmark. Also known in English as the Round Tower, it was constructed to serve as an astronomical observatory as a part of Christian IV’s architectural projects. Tourists from all over the world come especially to enjoy the expansive view of Copenhagen from the top of the tower that can be climbed through its 7.5 turn helical corridor.
Astronomy grew to be very important in 17th century Europe and this led to the mushrooming of many observatories. The first observatory was established at Leiden, the Dutch Republic in 1632. Round Tower observatory came into existence only five years later and was originally referred to as STELLÆBURGI REGII HAUNIENSIS.
Today, Rundetarn is a historic monument and a public astronomical observatory offering stunning views of the city. In the olden days, the Round Tower consisted of an academic library, the Trinitatis Church and a university chapel where scholars spent their time. A part of the Trinitatis Complex, Rundetarn is a first purpose built facility of the Copenhagen University Library.
Walk along the ramp of the tower to access the Library Hall above the church. This hall is always bustling with activity as regularly plays host to exhibitions and concerts in its capacity as an active cultural venue.

Charlottenborg is a Dutch Baroque style palace constructed for Ulrik Frederik Gyldenlve between 1672 and 1683. In 1700, the palace was bought by Charlotte Amalie, Queen Dowager. As you visit the palace, you will find that the main building faces Kongens Nytorv. It was constructed by C. F. Hansen in 1827 and features the Antiksalen and Fest Halls.

Today, Charlottenborg, named after the famous widow Queen Charlotte Amalie, has an extensive collection of art and literature displayed in its library. It is also where the Royal Danish Academy of Art operates from. Established and emerging artists aspiring to showcase their talent hold exhibitions here.

One of the most famous exhibitions held at Charlottenborg is Forårsudstillint, the spring show. This exhibition is a host to artists who display their crafts, paintings and architecture. Artists from around the nation send their work here which is reviewed and if chosen, displayed at this exhibition.

Another art show, namely the Efterårsudstillingen, is held in autumn. This exhibition displays works of eminent artists who are specially invited. Charlottenborg holds curated shows and at least five exhibitions each year. Do not miss a visit to this popular tourist attraction on your trip to Copenhagen.

Amalienborg Palace is the official residence of the Danish Royal Family. This palace complex features four rococo palaces constructed between 1750 and 1758. All four palaces are built around the octagonal square where you will find King Frederik’s equestrian statue. King Frederik ruled Norway and Denmark between 1723 and 1766 and was instrumental in the construction of Frederiksstad of which Amalienborg palace is a part.

Land for the palace was acquired by King Christian IV who ruled Norway and Denmark between 1577 and 1648. Queen Sophie Amalie, King Frederik III’s consort constructed the first palace in this waterfront area between 1669 and 1673. This palace was destroyed by fire in 1689.

King Frederik IV constructed the second royal palace at Amalienborg during his rule between 1671 and 1730. This was a two storied small summer residence that featured a charming French garden. It was named Sophie Amalienborg.

King Frederik V, in his effort to create a separate city outside Copenhagen, constructed Frederik’s City or Frederiksstad that featured exclusive homes for the noble families and aristocrats. All buildings were in Baroque style. Later on, additions were made to these buildings in rococo architectural style. Make sure you include Amalienborg Palace in your itinerary when you visit Copenhagen.

One of the greatest builders and architects of Copenhagen, King Christian IV constructed the Old Stock Exchange building. This is the oldest building in the city that served as a trade and financial center. The Danish stock market functioned in this building till 1974 after which it was relocated to modern facilities.
King Christian IV constructed this impressive building right at the entrance of Copenhagen where it continues to serve as a prestigious landmark. The building stands as a testimony to the wealth and development of the city and was especially built to impress foreign as well as Danish merchants arriving from the sea.
The building was mortgaged to Jacob Madsen, a Danish merchant by King Christian IV to pay off his debts. King Frederik III bought back the building which was again sold by King Frederik VII in 1857 to the Merchant’s Guild.
The Old Stock Exchange remained with the Merchant’s Guild and gained in popularity as the oldest preserved building in the city. Since 1987, this building has been serving as the Danish Chamber of Commerce.
You will find an amazing spire with four dragons in this building designed in Dutch Renaissance Style. The three crowned spear at the end of the twisting tails represents the friendship and cooperation between Denmark, Sweden and Norway. The Old Stock Exchange building is 60 meter tall and is the only building that has survived all of Copenhagen’s great fires.

Christiansborg Palace is located in central Copenhagen on the Slotsholmen islet. This palace serves as the Danish Supreme Court and the Danish Prime Minister’s Office apart from being the functioning center of the Danish Parliament. Parts of the palace such as the palace chapel, Royal Reception Rooms and the royal stables are used by the royal family.
Christiansborg Palace is thus home to Denmark’s judicial power, legislative power and executive power. Currently this Danish State owned palace is run by Palaces and Properties Agency. Since the first castle was constructed on this site in 1167, it underwent many reconstructions and refurbishments.
All buildings constructed here right from the early 15th century continued to serve as the home of central administration. Danish kings resided here till 1794 after which it functions as the seat of parliament since 1849.
Two fires destroyed the palace during the course of time, one in 1794 and the other in 1884, as a result of which you can find three different Danish architectural influences in the building. You will find the palace’s main portion constructed in the Neo-baroque style. The present version of the palace was completed in 1928. Today tourists from across the world come here to enjoy the unique ambience and atmosphere at this famous palace in Copenhagen.

One of the most impressive libraries in the Nordic countries is the Royal Library in Copenhagen. This is Denmark’s national library and is also used by the University of Copenhagen. At this library you will find a rich collection of historical treasures collected meticulously from the 17th Century. Generous donations through ages have helped sustain this library that has on display the first ever Danish book. This book was printed in 1482 and is a part of an extensive collection that includes almost all books printed in this language.
King Frederik III founded the library in 1648 and stocked it with an extensive European work collection. After it was opened to public in 1793, this library became a part of the University Library following the merger in 1989.
The Natural and Health Sciences Faculty Library joined the Royal Library through another merger in 2005. Today the library has an impressive collection that covers all subjects. It is spread over four sites each specializing in a subject.
The main library is at Slotsholmen in Copenhagen harbor. Royal Library specializing in humanities is located at Amager, one that specializes in law and social sciences at Gothersgade, central Copenhagen and the one specializing in health and natural sciences is located at Norre Alle.

One of the uniquely designed churches you must visit on your trip to Copenhagen is the Church of Our Savior. This church is constructed in baroque style and is well known for its unique cockscrew spire. On your visit to the church, you can enjoy amazing views of central Copenhagen from the top where you will reach by climbing the external winding staircase.

The largest carillon in northern Europe can be found in this church. The carillon continues to play once every hour starting 8 am till midnight. The first version of this church was a temporary structure constructed by Christian IV in 1617 to serve Christianshavn on Amager Island.

The present Church of Our Savior was constructed in Lambert Van Haven design over a period of 14 years and opened in 1695. It was only in 1732 that a permanent altar was built here. Spire was constructed by architect Lauritz de Thurah who abandoned the original Van Haven design. This spire approved by the king was completed in 1752.

As you enter the church compound you will be impressed by the Greek cross layout and the Dutch baroque style construction. A granite foundation made of colourful yellow and red tiles support the walls.

Tuscan order pilasters segment the facade. Capitals and bases of this facade is made of sandstone. Tile frieze on the sandstone cornice adds to the elegance and style. Do not miss out the tall, arched windows between pilasters made of iron and glass.