Two travel guides are required to show you all the charm of Copenhagen. Both guides start at the vibrant Nyhaven canal. During this first self-guided tour, you stroll north along the waterfront and explore the historic landmarks in the Frederiksstaden and Nyborder districts. The second walking tour heads south into the exciting core of Denmark’s capital city.
Nyhaven means new harbor. This moniker was appropriate when the canal was dredged in the 1670s. The waterfront bustled with fishing and cargo ships when most of these row houses were built during the 17th and 18th century. The fourth building from the left is the oldest. No. 9. was built in 1681. After decades of decline, the area was revitalized during the 1970s. The pedestrian streets are now a popular place for locals and tourists.
Nyhavn 3, 1051 København, Denmark
This wooden schooner moored along a quay in Copenhagen is the Activ. The ice-class cargo vessel with 13 sails was built in 1951. What a joy to behold. Equally exciting are the blogs from various crews who have sailed on her in the Baltic and the North Atlantic Ocean. Most noteworthy was the scientific “Expedition to the end of the world” to various polar regions.
Toldbodgade 28B 1253 København K, Denmark
In 1448, Count Christian I became the king of Denmark. To celebrate the 300th anniversary of Danish rule by the House of Oldenburg, King Frederick V commissioned the design of four identical mansions for noble families. The project in Frederiksstaden – the district is now collectively called Amalienborg – was acquired by the king and queen in 1794 when their Christiansborg Palace was destroyed by fire. The palaces still serve as winter residences for the royal family.
Amalienborg Slotsplads 7 1257 København K, Denmark
Levetzau’s Palace was built in 1760 for Count Christian Frederik Levetzau. After it was sold in 1756, this became the home of various royal family members. It was renamed Christian VIII’s Palace when Christian Fredrick became the king of Denmark in 1839. The last descendant to make this his residence was Crown Prince Frederik. He is the current heir apparent to the throne. Levetzau’s Palace is one of four identical slots comprising the Amalienborg complex.
Amalienborg Slotsplads 7 1257 København K, Denmark
When the queen of Denmark is in residence, a marching band and the King’s Guard accompany the Royal Life Guards in a procession starting at 11:30 from the Rosenborg Castle. They arrive at Amalienborg Slotsplads courtyard at noon. Their march music rings through the Frederiksstaden district of Copenhagen.
Bredgade 49 St, 1260 København K, Denmark
Since 1658, the Royal Life Guards have been entrusted to protect Denmark’s monarchy. Each day at noon, this infantry regiment has a ceremonious changing of the guard in the Amalienborg Palace courtyard. Their blue or scarlet uniform always includes the wearing of the traditional bearskin hat.
Amalienborg Slotsplads 7 1257 København K, Denmark
This equestrian statue in the Amalienborg Palace courtyard is a tribute to Frederick V. He was the king of Denmark and Norway from 1746 until his death at 42 in 1766. Despite being dressed here as Roman emperor, his personal accomplishments were minimal. Historians claim he favored drinking and partying. However, he is credited with commissioning the Amalienborg Palace where this work by Jacques François Joseph Saly has stood since 1771. In the background is the dome of Frederik’s Church.
Amalienborg Slotsplads 7 1257 København K, Denmark
The grand entrance to Frederiks Kirche is capped by a copper dome resting on a dozen columns. It rises about 102 feet. Flanking the pediment are statues of religious figures including Moses and Martin Luther. The church is named after King Frederick V. Frederik commissioned the development of the Frederiksstaden District in the late 18th century to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Danish rule by the House of Oldenburg.
Frederiksgade 4, 1265 København, Denmark
The centerpiece of Frederik’s Church is this ornate Baroque altar. Surrounding it (off camera) are twelve frescos by Chresten Overgaard. The paintings represent the Apostles. Frederiks Kirche serves the Evangelical Lutheran community in the Frederiksstaden District. Construction of The Marble Church took about 145 years from 1749 until 1894. Frederik’s Church is located a block west of Amalienborg Palace.
Frederiksgade 4, 1265 København, Denmark
Larsens Plads is a promenade in Copenhagen … the perfect place for a waterfront stroll. Behind this couple are former warehouses built during the 18th century to support the shipping trade. The area’s name is derived from a lumber yard established here in 1801 by Lars Larsen.
Toldbodgade 34 1253 København K, Denmark
The Copenhagen Opera House has a unique Neo-Futurism design. The cultural venue opened in 2004 on the island of Holmen in a section called Dokøen. The half billion dollar construction cost was a gift of the Møller Foundation. Operaen på Holmen is seen here from across the harbor. In the foreground are mooring rings along Kvæsthusbroen quay.
Ekvipagemestervej 10, 1438 København K, Denmark
Copenhagen began as a fishing village in the 10th century. The excellent harbor propelled the city to become a major international trading port. In fact, the city’s original name was Køpmannæhafn meaning merchants’ harbor. This old container crane at Nordre Toldbod is a relic of Copenhagen’s past. But you will still see ships of every size including cruise lines, commercial vessels and pleasure boats. In the background is a battleship in front of a Naval station on the island of Nyholm.
Nordre Toldbod 5, 1259 København K, Denmark
The two Royal Pavilions are a silent reflection of the former importance of the Nordre Toldbod waterfront. A custom house once stood here for collecting shipping tolls. Monarchs also greeted arriving dignitaries at this spot. Most of the historic buildings were torn down in the early 1970s. One of the few that survived is the Port Authority Building built in 1868. These pavilions stand between it and the harbor.
Nordre Toldbod 5, 1259 København K, Denmark
Copenhagen is filled with beautiful and historic sculptures. Then there is an occasional modern and humorous one like Zinkglobal. This is an obvious parody of the famous 1904 bronze statue “The Thinker” by Auguste Rodine. The contemplative figure is constructed with scrap metal and sits on the metallic “The Key to the Future.” The outdoor artwork is displayed at Nordre Toldbod along the harbor. The sculptor is Kim Michael. He refers to himself as TheZinker.
Nordre Toldbod 12, 1259 København K, Denmark
This is a monument to Ivar Huitfeldt and 600 of his men. They heroically died during a Great Northern War sea battle against Sweden in 1704. A relief medallion of the Danish Fleet Commander can be seen at the base of the column which is flanked by four cannons. The monument was created by Vilhelm Dahlerup in 1886. The marble pillar is located in the Langeline park along an esplanade parallel to the port.
Nordre Toldbod 16 1259 København K, Denmark
Victoria stands on an orb atop the Ivar Huitfeldt Column. The Roman winged goddess symbolizes victory over death during a war or battle. It seems appropriate the statue towers over a monument to sailors who lost their life during the Great Northern War. Artist Ferdinand Edvard Ring created the sculpture in 1886.
Nordre Toldbod 16 1259 København K, Denmark
In 1837, Hans Christian Anderson wrote a fairy tale about a mermaid who longed for the love a prince. The story has been retold in various media including a ballet at the Royal Theater in Copenhaugen. When the son of Carlsberg Brewery owner saw it, he asked the ballet star Ellen Price to pose for sculptor Edvard Eriksen. This statue along the Langelinie promenade at the water’s edge became iconic almost immediately after being unveiled in 1913.
Langelinie 19 2100 København Ø, Denmark
This tree-lined waterway is Churchillparken, an almost five acre public park in Copenhagen. As you might expect, its namesake is the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Winston Churchill. The grounds used to encircle a 17th century fort named Kastellet. Churchill Park is just one of several relaxing green spaces you can enjoy in an otherwise bustling city.
Churchillparken 7, Frihedsmuseet, 1263 København K, Denmark
This massive water fountain is in Churchill Park. It celebrates a Norse myth of when the Goddess Gefion was told by Swedish King Gylfe that she could have all of the land she could plough in 24 hours. By turning her four sons into oxen, she was able to create the island of Zealand where Copenhagen is located. The Gefion Springvandet monument was the gift of the Carlsberg Brewery Foundation to celebrate their 50th anniversary.
Churchillparken & Langelinie, 1263 København K, Denmark
This image of the Norse goddess Gefjion is at the summit of a major water fountain in Chruchillparken. She is best known for creating the island of Zealand. She is also associated with virginity. According to legend, all those who die chaste become her attendant. The statue by Anders Bundgaard was unveiled in 1908.
Churchillparken & Langelinie, 1263 København K, Denmark
Nearly 78% of the country’s population are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark. So, it is unusual to find a church of a different denomination. St. Alban’s is devoted to the Church of England. It was consecrated in 1887. Often referred to as the English Church, its namesake is Saint Alban. He was a Roman Britain soldier who was beheaded for his Christian faith during the 3rd century.
Churchillparken 11, 1263 København K, Denmark
These yellow row houses are part of a barracks complex built for the Royal Danish Navy in 1641. Nyborder means new small houses. The residents were non-officers and their families. A second stage of two-story buildings was added at the end of the 18th century. Today, these historic structures are still homes to military personnel but some are occupied by civilians.
Sankt Pauls Gade 28 1313 København K, Denmark
Copenhageners love their bicycles. Approximately 50% commute each day by bike. There are an estimated 560,000 bicycles among a population of 520,000. With all of this traffic, it is not surprising to learn cyclists enjoy their own lanes and stop lights. This bike is leaning against a yellow Nyborder house built for the navy during the early 17th century.
Sankt Pauls Gade 28 1313 København K, Denmark
This red brick church in the Nyborder district was built in 1877 based on architect Johannes Emil Gnudtzmann’s design. The impressive clock and bell tower are seen here from St. Paul’s Square. The Lutheran Church of Denmark has about 2,600 parishioners.
Gernersgade 33, 1319 København K, Denmark
Several major architectural projects were commissioned in Copenhagen during the 17th century. Most were designed in the Dutch Renaissance style. A classic example is the Rosenborg Castle built in 1624. The slot served as a royal residence from 1624 until 1710 plus two other short times during Copenhagen’s history. The Resting Lion, which pre-dates 1673, is one of two matching sculptures. They protect a small pedestrian bridge leading from The King’s Garden.
Øster Voldgade 4A, 1350 København, Denmark
Christian IV was the king of Denmark from 1588 until 1684. His reign of 59 years was the country’s longest. The crown of Christian den Fjerde is showcased among other Danish Crown Regalia in a basement vault of The Treasury located in Rosenborg Castle. The crown was crafted by Didrik Fyren in 1596. The gold, cut diamonds, pearls and other gemstones weigh about 6.4 pounds.
Øster Voldgade 4A 1350 København K, Denmark
This structure adjacent to the Rosenborg Slot was built during the 17th century as the barracks for the troops of King Christian V. For 100 years, from 1885 until 1985, it was used by the Royal Life Guard. They are an infantry regiment tasked with protecting royal properties. Today, only the guards who are on active duty stay here.
Gothersgade 100 1123 København K, Denmark
Inside this impressive Italian Renaissance structure is Statens Museum for Kunst. Since the National Gallery of Denmark opened in 1896, the collection has grown to over 250,000 pieces of Danish, European and French art. The pieces date from the 14th century until modern times. The artists range from masters like Henri Matisse to contemporary ones with promising talent. Admission is free.
Sølvgade 48, 1307 København, Denmark