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17 Top Things To Do in Copenhagen, Denmark
- Authors
- Name
- Jonathan Chum
- @jchum
Introduction
Copenhagen is a city that's full of life and energy. It's a beautiful place to visit, with lots of different things to see and do. If you're visiting Copenhagen soon or have been before, I've compiled a list of my favorite things to do in this wonderful city!
Freetown Christiania
Freetown Christiania is a self-governing community of 850 residents that was established in 1971. It's known for its cannabis trade and hippie culture, as well as its colorful houses and small shops.
Located in the Christianshavn district of Copenhagen, Freetown Christiania is a popular tourist attraction for both locals and travelers alike. There are plenty of things to see and do here! Make sure you don't miss out on anything by reading our guide below:
The Copenhagen Zoo
The Copenhagen Zoo is one of the most popular places in Denmark and it's a great place to learn about animals. Located in the center of Copenhagen, you can easily reach it from anywhere in the city.
The zoo has more than 1,000 mammals, birds, and reptiles that you can see when you visit. There are also lots of activities for children like an adventure playground or a small train that takes them around the park.
You can also feed some of the animals at certain times during your visit which is another fun activity for children at this zoo!
Nyhavn
Nyhavn is the oldest harbor in Copenhagen and was built in 1618. It's one of the most famous streets in this city, and it's an excellent place to eat and drink. The Nyhavn Canal runs through the center of Copenhagen, running from Kongens Nytorv (King's Square) to Amalienborg Palace on Slotsholmen Island.
The canal was originally built as a moat for protection from foreign invaders like Sweden, who were still around at that time. Nowadays that defensive purpose has been replaced by residential blocks along both sides with restaurants and cafes sitting right next to each other along its entire length, making it a very popular spot for tourists who want an authentic experience when visiting Copenhagen
National Museum of Denmark
The National Museum of Denmark is located in the center of Copenhagen and offers free entry to its collection. The museum holds a large collection of coins and banknotes, as well as art and artifacts from all periods. You'll find everything from ancient Egyptian sarcophagi to modern paintings by Danish artists like Carl Johan Bonnesen, Vilhelm Hammershoi, and Peder Severin Krøyer.
The museum also houses an extensive ethnographic collection with objects dating back thousands of years---from primitive stone tools made by early humans to the traditional clothing worn by indigenous tribes today (including garments made out of elephant skin!).
Christiansborg Palace
The palace is the home of the Danish Parliament, and it's open to the public. The Rococo structure was built between 1731 and 1745, and in its heyday was a venue for balls, concerts, operas, and masquerades---and even served as an asylum for mentally ill people. Today you can tour its many rooms (some are used by parliamentarians during meetings), or just see it from outside as you walk along Frederiksgade.
Stroll Around Tivoli Gardens
Copenhagen's Tivoli Gardens, an amusement park located in the center of the city, is a great place to spend an afternoon. The park offers plenty of things to do at all hours of the day, including concerts and fireworks at night. There's also a fun fairground with rides for children and adults alike. The gardens are open daily throughout most of the year; however if you'd like to visit during wintertime (November through April), be sure to check their website for operating hours before making your travel plans!
See the Little Mermaid
Copenhagen is full of modern, beautiful sculptures and statues that can be enjoyed by both locals and tourists alike. The Little Mermaid, however, is not only iconic to Copenhagen but also to the entire world. It's an absolute must-see if you want to experience the city in all its glory!
From the Harbor
The statue sits right next to Christianshavn's harborfront, so it's easy for anyone who wants a good view of her without having to worry about getting lost or paying for entrance into any museums (which are also worth visiting). You can see her from almost anywhere along this area - just make sure not too many boats are obscuring your view!
On a Boat Ride
There are plenty of boat rides that will take you around Copenhagen's harbor and past both Amalienborg Palace and The Little Mermaid herself! Many of these tours provide commentary about sights that may interest tourists like yourself - after all, these are some of Europe's most famous landmarks! And don't forget: if your tour takes place during sunset hours (or any other time during which there isn't much sunlight), then you'll get a bonus: seeing how beautifully lit up everything looks when bathed in soft light instead of harsh sunrays hitting directly overhead every day at noon with no clouds blocking out what little warmth they provide us, earthbound mortals, with our trusty solar panels keeping us warm through winter months ...
Visit Christiansborg Palace
The Christiansborg Palace is a must-visit for visitors to Copenhagen. Though it's not open to the public (the only way to get inside is if you're an MP or member of the royal family), this impressive building occupies an important place in Denmark: as the home of the Danish parliament, it sits at the heart of Copenhagen and serves as a symbol of democracy and freedom.
Not only does it have great historical significance, but there's also plenty to see inside. The palace's Royal Rooms are filled with priceless antiques, paintings, and sculptures collected by Danish kings throughout history; you'll even find some items dating back to the Middle Ages! But perhaps most impressive of all is Christiansborg Castle Garden---a beautiful green space that features sculptures by famous artists like Rodin, who was commissioned by King Frederik VII in 1854 after seeing his work at an exhibition in Paris.
Take a Canal Tour
One of the best ways to see Copenhagen is from its many canals, which wind their way through the city. The canals were originally built as a means of transporting goods into and out of the city, but over time they became something more: a defining feature that shaped urban planning and helped define Copenhagen as an independent city-state during times when it was ruled by other countries.
The canal tours that are offered in Copenhagen allow you to see some iconic sights from unique angles, like this statue of Hans Christian Andersen:
Explore Freetown Christiania
Christiania is a self-proclaimed autonomous neighborhood of Copenhagen, Denmark. It was founded in 1971 when residents occupied some abandoned military barracks as part of an alternative lifestyle project. The area has since become a popular tourist attraction for its bohemian charm and reputation for being a bit rough around the edges (which can make it feel more dangerous than it is). Christiania is known for its colorful houses, which are painted in bright colors---the orange house pictured above is one of the most famous buildings in Christiania.
There are several things to do while exploring Freetown Christiania:
Walk around Christiania's cobblestone streets, admiring its colorful buildings
Shop at Copenhagen's only marijuana shop (they sell seeds and cannabis products)
See the Changing of the Guards at Amalienborg Palace
The Changing of the Guards at Amalienborg Palace is one of Copenhagen's most iconic traditions. Every day at noon and 3:00 pm, you can watch as soldiers in traditional Danish military uniforms perform a review ceremony in front of Amalienborg Palace. This free event is popular with tourists and locals alike, so be sure to arrive early if you want a good spot!
Hike to the Top of the Rundetårn
Rundetårn is a round tower in central Copenhagen, Denmark. It was built as an observatory by Christian IV in 1642 and was the first high building in the city. This wooden observatory was replaced by a stone tower at the end of the 18th century. The current Rundetaarn was constructed in 1841--1842 after a design by Vilhelm Tvede on Kalvebod Bastion, just south of its original location at Bremerholm (English: Brewer's Island). The new observatory was inaugurated on 19 October 1842 with great festivities including fireworks and concerts with music by Ludwig van Beethoven.
In 1915 it hosted Denmark's first broadcasting station and since then has been used as a television transmitter for Danmarks Radio (DR). In 2004 Copenhagen Municipality sold DR-Nyhederne (DR Newscast) to TV2 which now uses it for its news broadcasts from DR.
Visit Rosenberg Castle
If you have time for just one sightseeing stop, I would recommend Rosenberg Castle. The Renaissance castle was built in the mid-16th century for Christian IV of Denmark and is situated on Slotsholmen, opposite Christiansborg Palace. Today it houses the National Gallery of Denmark.
The castle has a very exciting history that is reflected in its architecture: It has been destroyed by fire many times; when it burned down during World War II, parts of its collection were moved to another location while others were given shelter at Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen before being returned to their rightful place here after the war ended.
See Nyhavn from a Boat
After a long day of walking around Copenhagen, you're probably looking for some way to relax. From Nyhavn, you can see the entire city from a boat. It's also a great place to eat and drink with friends, or just sit quietly on your own and enjoy the views. The canal was built in 1670 as part of King Christian V's plan to turn Copenhagen into an international port city. Today, it remains one of the most popular sites for tourists who want to see the city from a different perspective than usual:
The colorful buildings lining Nyhavn are some of Copenhagen's oldest structures (they date back to the 17th century), making this area particularly special among tourists who love architecture!
Watch the Sunset from Gefion Fountain
If you're looking for a good place to watch the sunset, look no further than Gefion Fountain.
The fountain is located in the center of Copenhagen and has become a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. It's also perfect for taking photographs and videos because it has an interesting shape that can make your shots stand out!
There are plenty of other places around Copenhagen where you can watch the sunset too, but if you only have time to see one location then this should be it!
Conclusion
Copenhagen is a wonderful city to visit and there are so many things to do in Copenhagen. You can take a cruise of its canals, visit the zoo or take in some culture at the National Museum. If you want to see something historical some castles and palaces date back centuries. Whatever your interests are there will be something for everyone! We hope this article has given you some ideas on what to do during your stay in Denmark's capital city