Popularly known as Pedestrian Street, Strøget came into existence in 1962. This car-free pedestrian zone was created by the city council to manage the ever-expanding traffic around Copenhagen’s major shopping areas. It extends all the way to Kongens Nytorv from the Town Hall Square.

Walk along Strøget and you will find many interesting historical squares and a maze of small streets on either side. This is Copenhagen’s medieval part that extends to a length of 3.2 km. It is also the longest and oldest pedestrian street system in the world. Tourists visiting Copenhagen never miss the experience of walking along Strøget.

You will find a variety of outdoor sidewalk cafes, restaurants, fast food eateries, gift stores, art galleries, specialty shops, departmental stores, theatres, street entertainment, museum and much more. Whether you visit this street in the day time or during the night, you will find it bustling with activity.

Some of the most popular tourist attractions close to Strøget include the Lure Blowers, Tivoli, Town Hall, Cinemas and Glyptotek-Vesterbrogade on the west entrance. On the eastern end, you will find many shops selling branded merchandise. Enjoy a unique and exciting shopping experience!

Tip:
Make sure to make a detour down one of the crossing side-streets, and avoid most of the restaurants.

Copenhagen has so many statues, but not that many fountains. The Stork Fountain can be found as one wanders along the Amagertorv square, with its fine inlaid Italian granite stonework and its numerous old buildings – the oldest of which dates back to 1600. A highlight for shoppers seeking porcelain and modern Danish design, the square also holds the city's first ever public toilets – still free and very clean (look for the stairs to the underground).

Built in 1888, the Stork Fountain was a present to Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Louise in connection with their upcoming silver wedding anniversary. A popular meeting spot for locals and tourists, it is decorated with various aquatic plants and in the basin, frogs spewing water. On a shelf on the pedestal stand three storks ready to take flight.

Since 1950, it has been a tradition that midwives dance around the fountain as part of their graduation ritual. The key here, of course, would be to time your trip around the summer solstice (or Midsummer), when graduates come by the truckload (not an expression – via actual trucks!) to dance around, and wade/swim in the fountain. Grab a table with a good view of the fountain in the evening, and wait for the show to start!

***HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN'S COPENHAGEN***
The most familiar tale about the stork's role in bringing babies, written by H. C. Andersen, was first published in 1838. They storks know "the pond in which all the little children lie, waiting till the storks come to take them to their parents. The prettiest little babies lie there dreaming more sweetly than they will ever dream in the time to come. All parents are glad to have a little child, and children are so pleased with a little brother or sister." This is probably why the Stork Fountain among the most famous fountains in this part of the world.

The seat of Danish government today, housing all its three wings – Parliament, Supreme Court, and Prime Minister's office, this site is considered the birthplace of Copenhagen, as it comprises the ruins of the city's original 12th-century fortress (now literally under visitors' feet). Dating from 1928, the current palace is the sixth building to stand on the spot in 800 years, after a series of fires and reconstructions. Despite its relative recency, the majesty here is excellent, with all of the furniture, tapestries and exhibits in excellent condition. Paper slippers are put on to protect the beautiful parquet floors.

If you have the Copenhagen Card for tourists, admission to the royal reception rooms (as well as the nearby stables, kitchen, and underground ruins) is free. Highlights of the experience include the Queen's china collection; her ornate ceremonial library; and the Great Hall, which today is adorned with tapestries chronicling Denmark's history. The detail in the hand paintings that cover every square inch of some of the rooms is simply amazing.

If you don't have the Copenhagen Card (or don't want to pay to get in), it is still possible to walk around the courtyard and go up the tower (Copenhagen's tallest), where a nice observation area looks over the city on all sides. There's even a small elevator that takes groups of 8ish at a time to the top, so definitely do this, if nothing else.

Why You Should Visit:
The library is the stuff of dreams, and one could easily spend an hour looking at the modern tapestries.

Tip:
Always look out for the free English hour-long tours included in your ticket (they are at 3pm each day but also at different times in the weekends: 12pm/2pm), unless you'd rather wander the rooms on your own, reading the descriptions.

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am–5pm (June); Tue-Sun: 10am–5pm (July–March)

Of the four bridges spanning Frederiksholms Kanal, the most notable is Marble Bridge which provides access to Christiansborg's riding grounds. The old main entrance and one of few surviving features of the first Christiansborg Palace which burned in 1794, this rococo-style bridge was paved with Norwegian marble, hence the name.

The pavilions were every bit as magnificent as the bridge. They were covered with sandstone from Saxony, and sculptor Johan Christof Petzoldt richly decorated the concave roofs with the royal couple's back-to-back monograms and four figures on each roof symbolising the royal couple's positive traits. All works were finished in 1744.

Seen from the shaded banks of the canal, the restored bridge, with its elegant arches, is one of Copenhagen's most attractive sights. For amusement, watch the tourist boats, which barely fit between its pillars, trying to make the corner.

This cultural history museum is the largest in Copenhagen and displays Danish and foreign culture histories, with varied exhibits from across the world.

Here, you will be particularly impressed by the coverage of Danish history over the last 14,000 years. Enjoy learning all about the works of art created in this country that dates back to the Middle Ages. Browse through an interesting collection and learn all about the Ice Age reindeer hunters, coins from ancient Greece and Rome, Danish coins dating back to the Viking period and much more.

The National Museum is also known for its varied and extensive collection of artifacts from ancient cultures including Egypt, the Near East, Italy, and Greece. Do not miss out the collection of objects excavated in 1957 from the Tell Shemshara in Iraq. The Danish pre-history section, renovated in 2008, will take you right back to those ancient times.

Tip:
After paying your entry fee, be sure to find out when a free one-hour tour of the museum's 'greatest hits' is available in your language.

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 10am-5pm

Inspired by the Siena City Hall in Italy, yet draped, inside and out, in Danish symbolism, this building and its huge tower were constructed in National Romantic style by famous architect Martin Nyrop in 1905. On approaching, you will be impressed with its front decorated in rich ornamental style, where polar bears symbolize the giant Danish protectorate of Greenland. Standing just over the door is the gilded statue of the city's founder, Bishop Absalon, who drove out pirates and built a fort to guard the harbor, turning a wretched fishing village into a humming seaport some nine centuries ago.

Enormous functions fill the interior's grand hall (freely open to the public), while the marble busts of four celebrated local boys – fairy-tale writer Hans Christian Andersen, sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen, physicist Niels Bohr, and the building's architect, Martin Nyrop – look on. Downstairs are national archives dating back to the 1270s, popular with those researching their family roots. As you leave, pop into the amazing World Clock (opposite the info desk), built between 1943-55 – the mother of all astronomical clocks in function and precision. Its displays include lunar and solar eclipses, positions of the stellar bodies, and a perpetual calendar, in addition to the time across the world's time zones. The clock's fastest gear completes a revolution every ten seconds and the slowest – every 25,753 years!

Tip:
Free to see the main hall, which is stunning but there's a small fee to go up the tower.
They escort you in groups and the times are 11am / 12:30pm / 2pm; Saturdays at 12pm.
As the building is central, the views are great and the viewing platform is square and large.
Alternately, you are free to join a guided tour in English at 1pm (weekdays) and at 10am (Saturday).

Opening Hours:
Daily: 9am–4pm

Located in central Copenhagen, and very close to the train station for those traveling into town, Tivoli is the original inspiration for Walt Disney World – and it shows. The lovingly tended grounds and gardens are picturesque and the rides are both kid- and adult-friendly – a wonderland of rides, games, restaurants, marching bands, funny mirrors and roulette wheels. Tickets are both "pay as you go" and a "pay once for all" type fee, which is affordable for every budget and worth it just to see Danes – young and old – at play. In the summer months they have firework shows every Saturday at 23:45 (11:45pm) and if you don't want to stay all day, just have your hand stamped so you can re-enter at a later time.

Tivoli is actually the second oldest, still operating, amusement park in the world; second only to another park also in Denmark. The wooden roller coaster, Rutschebanen (or as some people call it, Bjergbanen – "The Mountain Coaster"), built in 1914, is one of the oldest of its kind still operating in the world: an operator actually controls the ride by braking so that it does not gain too much speed while descending the hills! Another roller coaster, The Demon (Dæmonen), features an Immelmann loop, a vertical loop, and a zero-G roll all during the ride time of just one minute and forty six seconds. A well-known swing ride, The Star Flyer, opened in 2006, offers panoramic views of the city from a 80-metre (260 ft) elevation.

Apart from these exciting rides and a few thrilling towers, Tivoli is a venue for performing arts, counting among the major cultural hubs in Copenhagen. So even if you are not interested in the rides, there is plenty of space just to walk around, admire the prodigious flowers and large fountains, catch a free concert, or try a wide range of different foods: Mexican, Asian, Sushi, Italian, French, Danish, sandwiches/burgers, etc.

Why You Should Visit:
Supposedly this was the template that inspired Walt Disney to create his theme parks!
Fun to walk around in even if you don't go on any rides – a lovely way to spend time with friends.

Tip:
Great to come a bit before sunset so you can see the place both in daylight and illuminated in the evening.
You can also take your own food and drink in a bag – they don't check them (and it's rather expensive inside).

Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 11am–11pm; Fri,Sat: 11am–12am (Apr 4 – Sep 22 / Oct 11 – Nov 3 / Nov 16 – Jan 5)

Built on the personal collection of Carl Jacobsen, whose father founded the Carlsberg Breweries, this world-class museum houses many captivating artifacts from the ancient world, along with some fine art from our own times (Jacobsen died over a century ago, so one can imagine the exhibits have changed somewhat since then).

There are whole rooms full of ancient naked people sculpted from bronze and marble but also an incredible collection of Auguste Rodin's works, considered to be the most important outside France. However, the museum is equally noted for its paintings that include an extensive display of French impressionists and Post-impressionists (Monet, Manet, Degas, Cézanne, Van Gogh, Picasso, Pissarro, Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec, etc.) as well as a robust selection of the Danish Golden Age.

What is more, the wings of the museum are built around a very soothing, Victorian-style garden, rich with greenery and sculpture, under a translucent glass dome. If you can afford some extra time, it's always a nice place to relax for a while and enjoy coffee or lunch – especially in the winter, as you can be in nature and enjoy the warmth.

Why You Should Visit:
To enjoy a surprisingly good collection in a gorgeously modified building (the open rooftop affords great views of the city!). There is also a magnificent palm garden with many benches, ponds, a delicious café, and some horticultural wonders.

Tip:
Pick up a floor plan as you enter to help navigate the somewhat confusing layout. Take breaks to go through a wing at a time. You will need breaks, as the place is huge in an unexpected way.
Keep in mind that Tuesdays are free, so perhaps you could go multiple times to make sure you see it all. Additionally, they frequently have (free) classical music concerts at their concert hall, so try to catch one.

Opening Hours:
Tue, Wed, Fri-Sun: 10am–5pm; Thu: 10am–9pm

One of the uniquely designed churches you must visit on your trip to Copenhagen is the Church of Our Savior. Constructed in baroque style, it is most famous for its helix spire with an external winding staircase that can be climbed to the top, offering extensive views over central Copenhagen. It is also noted for its carillon, which is the largest in northern Europe and plays melodies every hour from 8am to 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. The 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 are made of sandstone. The tile frieze on the sandstone cornice adds to the elegance. Do not miss out the tall, arched windows between pilasters made of iron and glass.

Why You Should Visit:
The church itself is beautiful and its architecture – particularly the famous spiraling bell-tower – is worth a visit on its own.
However, the main attraction is the possibility to climb on that tower – on the very top, if you wish!

Tip:
There is no elevator and climbing up the steep, narrow staircase is pretty tough. Bring a bottle of water. You can also decide to stay on the topmost platform: views are already beautiful from up there.

Opening Hours:
[Church] Daily: 11am-3:30pm (closed for sightseeing during services)
[Tower] Mon-Sat: 10am-4pm; Sundays & Holidays: 10:30-4pm (Feb 23–Apr 30); Mon-Sat: 9:30am-7pm; Sundays & Holidays: 10:30-7pm (May 1–Sep 30)
The tower is closed from December 16th through February

Amaliehaven also known as Amalie Garden is situated in central Copenhagen’s Frederiksstaden neighbourhood between the water front and the Amalienborg Palace. This small park was gifted to the city by the A.P. Moller and Chastine McKinney Moller Foundation in 1953.

The park was first created over an ancient shipyard established by Lars Larsen, a rich ship owner in 1802. Jean Delogne, the Belgian landscape architect designed this garden that was inaugurated in 1983.

The park is rectangle shaped with a large fountain at the center. The design is symmetrical and is exquisitely complemented by the naturally flowering plants. You will find two levels of the garden extending on either sides of the central fountain. One side of the garden is enclosed by the street and the other by walls and shrubs.

You will also find a stunning variety of flowers and plants in this garden. The effect is amazing with natural shapes of flowers contrasting the park’s geometric layout. If you visit Amaliehaven in April, you are extremely lucky as you will find the Japanese cherry trees in full bloom. These trees are indeed the highlight of this park.

All sculptures you find here are sculpted by Arnaldo Pomodoro, the famous Italian sculptor. There are four attractive abstract columns and water features that sprinkle jets of water.

Amalienborg Palace is the official residence of the Danish Royal Family. This palace complex features four rococo palaces constructed between 1750 and 1758. All 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.

In the 1980s the palace was restored as residence for the Crown Prince, storage facilities for the Queen’s Reference Library and a museum for the Royal House of Glücksborg. The museum features private royal apartments from 1863 to 1947 including original fittings and furnishings.

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.

Why You Should Visit:
Considered as one of the best examples of the Rococo architecture style, this complex is beautifully preserved and feels more intimate than its European counterparts.

Tip:
Arrive at midday for the changing of the guard, an interesting display that takes around 10 minutes.

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am-5pm (Jun 1-Aug 31); 10am-4pm (May 1-May 31 / Sep 1-Oct 31); 10am-3pm (Apr 13-Apr 22 / Dec 26-Dec 31); Tue-Sun: 10am-3pm (Feb 25-Apr 12 / Apr 23-Apr 30 / Nov 1-Dec 22)

Established by King Christian V in the 1670s along with Kongens Nytorv (the downtown main square), Nyhavn ("New Harbor") is a recently gentrified sailors' quarter. With its exquisitely constructed townhouses made of bricks, wood and plaster, the whole stretch is a wonderfully colorful place to hang out. Go to the south of Nyhavn and you'll find huge, lavish mansions along the canal, or just work your way through the maze of trendy cafés, jazz clubs, and tattoo shops.

Fancy a drink? Take your beer out to the canal and feel like a local, or take a walk down Nyhavn all the way to the end, where you will find Skuespilhuset (part of the Royal Theatre) and its reasonably priced bar/café, with good quality service and one of the best views in town (of the harbour, the new Opera House, and other things, too). Those with tired feet may alternatively opt to take an hour-long boat tour, usually booked just at the entrance to the harbor.

***HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN'S COPENHAGEN***
The Danish author lived in the area for quite a while, back when it was was most notorious for sailors, beer and prostitution. Between 1834-38, he wrote his first stories ("The Princess and the Pea", "The Tinderbox") on the 2nd floor of the bright red building at #20, and ended up occupying two other canal-front houses over four decades – one of which is right next door at the mustard-colored #18. Both houses are best viewed from the bridge midway along the canal. His longest lodging stint, however, was at #67, where he lived on and off between 1848-65. The bottom floor of the white building is now a café.

Why You Should Visit:
Perfect picturesque place to end a long day. You can do as the locals do: enjoy a beer/coffee from a nearby store, rest your feet at the quayside and enjoy the view.

Also known as the Marble Church, Frederick’s Church is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Copenhagen – especially for its dome which is the largest in Scandinavia. This dome spans 31 meters and is supported by 12 columns.

Along with all other structures in Frederiksstaden district, the church was built to commemorate a member of the House of Oldenburg’s 300 years coronation jubilee celebrations. It was designed and erected by architect Nicolai Eigtved in 1740. King Frederick V laid the foundation stone in 1749. Eigtved died in 1754 due to which construction was hit by budget constraints and had to be stalled.

Johann Friedrich Struensee discarded the original plan in 1770 and the church remained incomplete for a while in spite of many efforts. For the next 150 years, the edifice remained in ruins. Carl Frederik Tietgen eventually got prominent architect Ferdinand Meldahl to design the church in its final form and financed its construction. Due to financial restrictions, the original plans for the church to be built almost entirely from marble were discarded, and instead, Meldahl opted for construction to be done with limestone. The church was finally opened to the public on August 19, 1894.

A series of statues of prominent theologians and ecclesiastical figures, including one of the eminent Danish philosopher Kierkegaard (who, incidentally, had become very critical of the established church by the end of his life), encircles the grounds of the building.

Why You Should Visit:
This church really has the wow factor; as beautiful inside as it is out (also, rather unique and unusual as it is circular inside).

Tip:
The dome can be visited – for a small fee – every day at 1pm sharp in summer but only at the weekend (Sat/Sun) in winter. Very impressive view from above!

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 10am-5pm; Fri-Sun: 12-5pm
Free admission

One of the most impressive and well-preserved fortifications in Northern Europe, Kastellet, as it is called, has bastions at the corners and is designed in the form of a pentagram. As you enter its grounds, you will find a number of buildings including a windmill and a church. This historic site which also serves as a public park is frequented by locals and tourists alike.

It was in 1626 that King Christian IV started construction of Kastellet. Economic constraints forced him to drop his grand plans of building a large castle here. King Frederik III, his successor continued with the construction which was later extended by Henrik Ruse, the Dutch engineer after the Swedish siege between 1658 and 1660.

Kastellet was built as an effort by Copenhagen to defend itself against England in the 1807 Battle of Copenhagen. A.P. Moller and Chastine McKinney Mollers General Fund made possible a complete renovation of Kastellet between 1989 and 1999. Currently, it is owned by the Danish Defence Ministry and the area is used by Defence Intelligence, Danish Home Guard, Chief of Staff, Royal Garrison’s Library and the Defence Judge Advocate Corps.

Locals visit Kastellet to enjoy a pleasant walk on a sunny day. Tourists visit this fortification for its rich heritage and children love to play around with the birds and animals here.

Why You Should Visit:
The high walls of the fortress offer a lovely view of the harbor, and the fact that half of it is still a working base means it's kept in tip top shape.
Very pleasant area to take a quiet stroll or run, and with a charming windmill to boot!

Tip:
Can get windy on a cold day so do cover up.

Opening Hours:
Daily: 6am-10pm

On your trip to Copenhagen, take time off to visit the harbor where you will find the Little Mermaid statue. This statue is the icon of Copenhagen and is visited by tourists from across the world. The unimposing statue is based on one of Hans Christian Anderson’s fairy tales.

After enjoying a ballet on this fairy tale at the Royal Theatre, Carlsberg founder’s son Carl Jacobsen commissioned the statue in 1909. It was modeled after none other than Ellen Price, the prima ballerina (well, partly, at least).

The statue is made of bronze and was painstakingly created by expert sculptor, Edvard Eriksen. Unveiled in 1913, the statue has Ellen Price’s head and Eline Eriksen, the sculptor’s wife’s body.

The Little Mermaid statue surprisingly weighs only around 175 kg and is 1.25 meters tall. Its small size is a surprise for first-time visitors who expect to see something grand and huge.

Why You Should Visit:
To watch people fall into the water as they try to get a photo with the statue (this happens more often than you'd think).

Tip:
The perfect spot for taking a picture is from the promenade overlooking the statue to the left. It's a great photo op, not only of the mermaid but the Copenhagen harbour behind.