New Harbor-with all its bright colors, wooden ships, and a dash of nautical nostalgia-is by far Copenhagen’s most photogenic waterfront. Here, 17th-century Danish townhouses line up like they’re auditioning for a postcard.

Built between 1670 and 1675 under the direction of King Christian V-using a workforce of Danish soldiers and captured Swedish war prisoners-New Harbor was designed to boost trade with the Dutch. In reality, however, it quickly became Copenhagen’s go-to district for beer, brawls, and brothels. Trade and trouble? Why not both?

In his turn, the famed Danish author Hans Christian Andersen also called New Harbor home for a whopping 18 years. He first moved into Number 20, the red house, in 1834. Then, he shuffled over to Number 18 and eventually spent his longest stretch lounging around Number 67 from 1848 to 1865. Basically, he was living that prime canal-side real estate life before it was cool.

After World War II, the harbor’s hustle slowed to a crawl, and the area nearly faded into obscurity. But the 1960s gave it a second act. In 1977, the Veteran Ship and Museum Harbor dropped anchor, and by 1980, the quay was pedestrianized-aka, turned into the selfie paradise and café haven we know today.

Take a stroll now, and you’ll spot all sorts of restored museum ships moored along the canal-each one with enough maritime drama to fill a Netflix series. At the far end of the harbor sits the Memorial Anchor, quietly honoring Danish sailors lost in World War II.

Wander a bit further south, and things take a modern turn. Jazz clubs, tattoo parlors, trendy cafés, and enough open-faced sandwiches to keep your Instagram busy for hours.

Tip:
If you're on a tight budget or just pretending to be Danish, skip the overpriced bar scene. Grab a beer or coffee from a convenience store, plop yourself down at the quayside, and soak in the view. For something classier, head to the Royal Playhouse at the far end-great drinks, decent prices, and panoramic views that will make your camera weep with joy.

And hey, if your feet are screaming for mercy, you can always hop on a boat tour right at the harbor entrance. One hour of effortless sightseeing and zero walking required.

Christiania is a popular "anarchist commune" and "partially autonomous intentional community" in Copenhagen. It is spread over 7.7 hectares (19 acres) in the borough of Christianshavn and houses about 850 to 1,000 residents.

Christiania has been a source of controversy since its creation in a squatted military area in 1971. Its cannabis trade was tolerated by authorities until 2004. Since then, relations between Christiania and Danish authorities have been strained. Since the beginning of the 2010s, the situation has been normalized and the common Danish law now applies there.

Christiania is considered to be the fourth largest tourist attraction in Copenhagen (and it has half a million visitors annually), and abroad it is a well-known "brand" for the supposedly progressive and liberated Danish lifestyle. Many Danish businesses and organizations also use Christiania as a showplace for their foreign friends and guests. The purpose is to show something Danish that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

The people in Christiania have developed their own set of rules, independent of the Danish government. The rules forbid stealing, violence, guns, knives, bulletproof vests, hard drugs and bikers' colors. Additionally, within Christiania itself, no private cars are allowed. However, some 100+ cars are owned by residents and need to be parked on the streets surrounding the Freetown. After negotiating with city authorities, Christiania has agreed to establish parking areas for residents' own cars on its territory. As of 2005, parking space for only 14 cars had been established within the area.

Tip:
Come here to see another part of Copenhagen, but best to not come on your own!

Christiansborg Palace is where Danish democracy, royal pomp, and a bit of architectural resilience come together. This place isn’t just a palace but the unicorn of government buildings. It’s the only structure in the world that houses all three branches of government: the Parliament, the Prime Minister’s Office, and the Supreme Court. Talk about multitasking...

The current palace is the third on this site. The original castle built by the city's founder, Bishop Absalon, stood here since 1167. Its remains, along with those of its successor – Copenhagen Castle – have been excavated and are now visible in the subterranean section at Christiansborg. After suffering two major fires, in 1794 and 1884, the palace was rebuilt in a historicist Neo-baroque style by 1928.

Often called "the Castle of the Realm" or simply "the Castle", Christiansborg is also used by the Danish monarchy, hosting dignitaries in its lavish Royal Reception Rooms, holding ceremonies in the Palace Chapel, and presumably waving regally at horses in the Royal Stables.

Speaking of horses-here’s a bit of drama. King Christian IX's equestrian statue at the Riding Ground Complex, unveiled in 1927, caused controversy. The horse model for it was sourced from Hanover, Germany, thus causing discontent among Danish breeders.

Owned by the Danish Government, parts of Christiansborg are open to the public. If you have a Copenhagen Card for tourists, admission to the royal reception rooms (as well as the 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, adorned with tapestries chronicling Denmark's history.

But even if you don't have the card, no problem. You can still wander the courtyard and head up the Tower-Copenhagen’s tallest. The views are impeccable. The elevator-tiny but mighty. And the security check is mildly official.

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

The New Carlsberg Glyptotheque (Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek), commonly known simply as The Glyptotheque (Glyptoteket), is the sculpture museum that features the private art collection of Carl Jacobsen (1842–1914), the son of the founder of the Carlsberg Breweries.

The museum contains over 10,000 artworks spanning ancient Mediterranean cultures and modern European art, including the largest collection of Auguste Rodin's sculptures outside France. It also boasts numerous paintings by French Impressionists and Post-Impressionists (such as Monet, Manet, Degas, Cézanne, Van Gogh, Picasso, Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec, etc.), as well as Danish Golden Age artists, complete with the extensive collections of Greek, Roman, Etruscan, and Egyptian antiquities.

Carl Jacobsen, a dedicated art collector, amassed a wealth of antique, French, and Danish sculptures during his life, which were initially displayed in his private villa's winter garden in 1882. As the collection outgrew its space, in 1888, Jacobsen donated all of it to the Danish State and the City of Copenhagen, contingent on them providing a suitable exhibition facility. A new location was chosen near Tivoli Gardens and opened on May 1, 1897.

Celebrated for its architectural elegance, the building harmoniously blends art with its structure. Featuring the historicist Dahlerup Wing with its Venetian Renaissance style and the neo-classical Kampmann Wing, it also includes a connecting Winter Garden and the minimalist Henning Larsen Wing, used for prestigious events.

What is more, the museum's wings 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.

The Glyptotek Auditorium regularly hosts classical concerts featuring notable artists, as well as other cultural events including poetry readings and debates. Known for its excellent acoustics, the venue also accommodates rehearsals and performances by musical ensembles.

Why You Should Visit:
To enjoy a surprisingly good collection in a gorgeously modified setting (the open rooftop affords great views of the city!), plus the 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 one 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.
The on-site classical music concerts are frequently free too, so try to catch one.

Conveniently located in central Copenhagen, very close to the train station (for those traveling into town), Tivoli Gardens is the original inspiration for Walt Disney World – and it shows. The lovingly tended grounds – a wonderland of rides, games, restaurants, marching bands, funny mirrors, and roulette wheels – are picturesque and equally friendly for both kids and adults.

Tivoli is actually the second oldest, still operational amusement park in the world; the oldest one is also in Denmark. The wooden "Mountain" Roller Coaster (Bjergbanen or Rutschebanen) was built in 1914; its 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” vertical loop and a zero-gravity roll – all in one ride that lasts one minute and 46 seconds. Also of note is The Star Flyer swing ride, opened in 2006, offering panoramic views of the city from an 80-meter (260-foot) 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, Japanese, Italian, French, Danish, or regular street food like sandwiches/burgers, etc.

Tickets are both "pay as you go" and "pay once for all", which is affordable for every budget and worth it just to see the Danes – both young and old – at play. In the summer months they have fireworks displays every Saturday at 11:45 pm and if you don't want to stay all day, just have your hand stamped so you can re-enter at a later time.

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), as it's rather expensive inside.

Copenhagen City Hall, designed by famous architect Martin Nyrop and inspired by Siena's Town Hall in Italy, stands prominently on City Hall Square. The hall was inaugurated in 1905, showcasing the pinnacle of national romanticism in Denmark.

The building is marked by a striking facade decorated in rich ornamental style, featuring among other elements the roof statues of polar bears symbolizing the giant Danish protectorate of Greenland. A golden statue of Bishop Absalon, the city's founder, presides over the central balcony, while the clock tower, reaching 105.6 meters, marks one of Copenhagen's tallest structures. The tower clock, a notable feature, chimes daily at noon and during New Year's Eve at midnight.

The City Hall's architectural complex comprises three aligned buildings connected by longitudinal structures. The hall is linked via tunnels to the nearby buildings, ensuring a blend of historical elegance and modern functionality.

The interior layout includes meeting rooms, a wedding hall, and a banquet hall used by the municipality. At its heart lies the Town Hall Garden, open to the public during summer months and accessible from Hans Christian Andersen Boulevard. The front entrance boasts a glass mosaic depicting Copenhagen's coat of arms, commemorating the city's historical privileges and the City Hall's inauguration.

Inside the building, looking down on the inner grand hall (which is open to the public) are the marble busts of four celebrated locals: fairy-tale writer Hans Christian Andersen, sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen, physicist Niels Bohr, and the building's architect Martin Nyrop. Downstairs are the national archives dating back to the 1270s.

As you leave, check out the amazing World Clock (opposite the info desk), the supreme mechanical astronomical chronometer in terms of function and precision. Built between 1943 and 1955, 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, while the slowest – every 25,753 years!

Tip:
The main hall is free to enter, whereas to go up the tower you'll have to pay a small fee.
They escort you in groups at 11 am / 12:30 pm and 2 pm on weekdays and noon on Saturdays. You can join a guided English tour at 1 pm (on weekdays) and 10 am (on Saturdays).
As the building is central, the views are great and the viewing platform is square and large.

The Round Tower – Copenhagen’s answer to the question: “What if we made a giant architectural cinnamon roll… but for science?” This 17th-century spiral of brick in the heart of the Danish capital was “cooked up” by King Christian IV as part of his grand architectural project, originally intended as an observatory for the astronomer genius Tycho Brahe.

Back in the 1600s, Europe was getting really into astronomy. The Round Tower came with its own academic library, the Trinitatis Church, and a university chapel. The spiral ramp was so strong and wide that one could easily ride a horse or even drive a carriage up and down it. Apparently, some kings did actually, including Russian Tsar Peter the Great. Because stairs are for the common folk...

Now, if you're a fan of Hans Christian Andersen, you're gonna love this. The Round Tower pops up in “The Tinderbox.” That’s the one where a soldier meets a witch, climbs into a hollow tree, and finds three coin-filled vaults guarded by increasingly horrifying dogs. The biggest of which has eyes “the size of the Round Tower.” Subtle product placement, Hans...

Today, tourists from all corners of the Earth climb its 7.5-turn helical corridor just to snap that perfect panoramic selfie of the city. Because it’s not just a tower but a slow-motion ascent into Danish history, science, and surprisingly chic art installations.

As you wind your way up, your first pitstop is a gallery space featuring contemporary art that occasionally makes you question your understanding of gravity. Then it’s on to the bell loft – because what's a tower without a good ol’ bell room? And finally, the key attraction: the observatory itself, complete with a 360-degree view of Copenhagen. There’s even a thick glass platform near the top – for the brave souls who enjoy standing on transparent floors and peering into the abyss.

Tip:
There’s a cozy café nearby for a crowd-free coffee break, a blessedly clean toilet halfway up, and a souvenir shop with actual quality stuff – not your usual tourist tat. So take your time, bring your curiosity, and maybe leave the horse at home...

Stroget, a pedestrian thoroughfare in the heart of Copenhagen, is renowned as one of Europe's longest shopping streets, extending over 1.1 kilometers. Initially known as Ruten until the late 19th century, the street has been a fashionable hub in the Danish capital since its layout was established in 1728 following a major fire. The architecture along Stroget mainly dates from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with the oldest building erected in 1616.

Stroget is renowned for its extensive shopping opportunities. It hosts a wide range of shops, from international brands to local boutiques, offering fashion, design, jewelry, and more. It's a shopper's paradise and attracts both locals and tourists alike.

Throughout the day, especially during weekends and holidays, Stroget comes alive with street performers, musicians, and entertainers. This adds to the lively atmosphere and creates a festive mood.

Numerous cafés, restaurants, and bars line Stroget, offering a variety of cuisines and refreshments. It's a great place to stop for a meal or a coffee break while soaking in the bustling ambiance.

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.

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.