From the highest of the baroque Vor Frelsers Kirke I might see nearly 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 exterior of the bell tower.
The previous couple of steps had been solely simply large sufficient for one particular person to squeeze up at a time. I squeezed previous a handful of nervous vacationers, who had 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 usually described as one of the habitable cities on the earth. Its comparatively small dimension, fabulous structure, clear harbour, low crime fee, terrific public transport and the world’s greatest work-life stability, all mix to make this an important place each to stay and go to. Add to the combo, its stunning waterways, picturesque streets, historic buildings, trendy structure, world-class museums, vibrant nightlife, a craft beer trade that kicked off right here earlier than wherever else in Europe, 26 Michelin stars awarded to fifteen eating places, and 1000’s upon 1000’s of bicycles. Danes take high quality of life severely and it reveals. Whether or not you’re sightseeing, eating, bar-hopping or buying, and whether or not you prize cleanliness, greenness or inventiveness, Copenhagen appears to excel at nearly the whole lot.
All capitals have their basic sights, an inventory of belongings you actually ought to do and see, and Copenhagen isn’t any totally different. Right here’s my checklist of locations you shouldn’t miss when visiting this fairy story metropolis.
Historic Nyhavn
Nyhavn is among the most iconic spots in Copenhagen. This vibrant Seventeenth-century waterfront and canal district is understood for its vibrant townhouses and historic wood ships. Initially a bustling business port, it’s now a energetic space crammed with eating places, cafes, and bars.
The canal is an actual open-air museum, flanked by historic ships owned by the Danish Nationwide Museum and whether or not strolling the cobblestone streets, eating by the water, or visiting the festive Christmas market, the world is an excellent mix of historical past and allure.
Should you’re hungry name in at Informed og Snaps for his or her superb vary of smørrebrød (Danish open sandwiches). On the menu you’ll discover basic open-faced sourdough rye bread sandwiches, however with a twist. Wonderful combos – suppose curried herring with purple onions, apple and egg, pan-fried plaice with hand-shelled Greenland shrimps and do-it-yourself 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 could 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 stunning canals and waterways, and a canal tour is the right option to see the sights. Soar on at Nyhavn and also you’ll cross the Opera Home, Black Diamond Library, Amaliehaven, and Our Saviour’s Church.
Persevering with on you’ll cross by the cosy canals of Christianshavn, filled with houseboats and lined with charming previous buildings. Most boat excursions cross by Den Lille Havfrue, The Little Mermaid, the image of Copenhagen, sitting on her rock, and that is most likely the best option to see her. She is ‘little’ certainly, only 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. Rent one for 1, 2 or 3 hours and drive it your self as you select your personal route by the canals.
Fantastic palaces
Amalienborg Palace has been residence 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, day by day, at midday.
Rosenborg Palace dates again to 1606, when it was constructed as a royal summer season home by Christian IV. These days the palace is sort of a time capsule, crammed with 400 years of treasures and artworks, together with the Crown Jewels. Don’t miss the Knights’ Corridor with its coronation thrones and historic tapestries and do end off with a stroll by the king’s gardens, the oldest royal backyard in Denmark.
Christiansborg Palace now homes the Danish Parliament, the Supreme Courtroom, and the Ministry of State. Though a authorities constructing, it’s nonetheless potential to go to the wing that belongs to the royal household together with the Nice Corridor, which is 40m lengthy with 400 seats.
On prime of a hill overlooking the inexperienced oasis of Frederiksberg Gardens is Frederiksberg Fort, the previous summer season palace of the Danish Royal Household. The palace dates again to the early 1700s and is impressed by the Italian type on the time. There are guided excursions on the final Saturday of each month
Every part you could plan your journey in 2024
Fabulous streets and squares
Kongens Nytrov is the biggest sq. in Copenhagen and is flanked by a number of the most vital buildings within the metropolis – the Royal Theatre, Resort d’Angleterre and Charlottenborg Palace.
The sq. is the right place to begin 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 among the longest pedestrian buying streets in Europe. You’ll discover the whole lot right here from high-end Danish design shops to small boutiques and budget-friendly outlets. If looking for basic Danish design, go to Georg Jensen, Royal Copenhagen or Illums Bolighus, to indulge your interior baby cease off on the LEGO retailer, and if comics and collectables is extra your factor, name in on the Faraos Cigarer outlets.
Snaregade and Magstræde, with their unique cobblestones, are two of the oldest streets in Copenhagen, relationship again to the 18th century. Lovely 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 among the most buzzing streets in Copenhagen for the time being – residence to round 40 artwork galleries, natural produce outlets, classic garments, ceramics and jewelry designers, in addition to wine bars, espresso outlets and eating places, to not point out a number of the greatest espresso round, at The Espresso Collective.
Fascinating 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 historic marble busts and palm-filled Winter Backyard, 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.
Courting from 1787, the Medical Museion constructing as soon as housed the Royal Danish Academy of Surgical procedure. These days it’s residence to a set of medical curiosities, from preserved physique elements to previous medical gear. On the centre of the museum is the anatomical theatre during which generations of medical college students witnessed dissections of corpses and realized about anatomy. Not one for the squeamish!
Historic landmarks
For greater than 250 years, the individuals of Copenhagen have buried their lifeless in Assistens Kirkegård cemetery in Nørrebro. That 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 house to simply go to, stroll, cycle or have a picnic.
The Rundetaarn or Spherical Tower, inbuilt 1642, is Europe’s oldest functioning observatory. The constructing is known for its large, 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 putting view of Copenhagen from a viewing platform operating across the tower.
The pentagon-shaped Kastellet or Citadel, was commissioned by Frederik III, in 1662 and is among 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.
Whilst 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 biggest monument in Copenhagen and is used as a wishing properly.
Inexperienced areas
Take a stroll by 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 widespread 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 possibly can stroll on it, and in summer season, you possibly can lease a ship bike and go for a paddle. To stroll round all three lakes is about 6.35km.
Tivoli Gardens
Should 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 cherished the Tivoli Gardens a lot that he was impressed to create Disneyland. You should buy a ticket for entry simply to the park, or one which covers limitless rides. Each 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 numerous meals markets in Europe, with greater than 80 outlets, bars, and eateries to select from. Seafood lovers ought to cease by Hav, for chocoholics Summerbird Chocolate’s roasted almonds lined in praline, white chocolate and strawberry mud are superb. Nina and Mikkel at Oliviers & Co have an enormous array of olive varieties, unimaginable olive oils, vinegars and condiments. Ma Poule does a brilliant duck rillette roll with mustard and rocket, which you’ll wash down with a glass of wine from Le Petit Vinbar, only a few stalls down, or a Danish beer from Mikkeller & Mates.
Hang around 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 may discover by yourself or e-book a guided tour led by a neighborhood Christianite. Do observe there are areas the place you possibly can take images and others the place you possibly can’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 gasoline a day of exploring, than with a sticky Kanelsnegle, in any other case often called a cinnamon swirl. You’ll find them in each single bakery, lining the window show circumstances in all their scrumptious, candy, spiced glory.
High tip
Earlier than you start exploring Copenhagen buy a Copenhagen Uncover Card. The cardboard 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. (Every paying grownup can embrace as much as two kids aged 0-11 freed from cost).
Sarah Kingdom
Sarah Kingdom is a journey author from Sydney, Australia. When she just isn’t climbing or touring, she lives on a cattle ranch in central Zambia.
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