Copenhagen is famous for its sleek design aesthetic. To experience it for yourself, visit Illums Bolighus or Royal Copenhagen stores to find furniture, home goods and more characterized by an appealing functional aesthetic.
Danish Danes embrace their own version of coziness known as hygge in late winter, even with shorter days and tours available at palaces and museums remaining open for tours.
The Little Mermaid
The Little Mermaid stands as one of Copenhagen’s iconic tourist attractions, unveiled on a rock in Langelinie harbor and unveiled in 1913. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s most celebrated fairy tale about a mermaid who longs to become human and falls in love with human, Hans Christian Andersen’s melancholy yet hopeful fairy tale serves as a testament to perseverance and hope; its tale provides comfort to anyone who has experienced feeling rejected in love by those they cared for most – an epilogue that reminds them it tells them it can happen again later!
Carl Jacobsen, founder of Carlsberg beer brand, commissioned Edvard Eriksen to design a statue. Inspired by an amazing ballet performance of this tale at Royal Danish Theatre, Carl wanted to present Copenhagen with this special artwork as a thank you. At first, Eriksen wanted his sculpture modeled after ballerina Ellen Price from ballet production of this story; however she refused to pose nude so Eriksen ended up modeling her after his own wife instead.
The Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen is one of the most visited attractions and has become an icon for the city since her creation. She has survived much since, such as being cut off with a hacksaw in 1964 and again sawn off by drunken sailors in 1998 (this time by means of alcohol abuse), yet was revived later that same year and remains one of its main tourist draws today.
Tivoli Gardens
Tivoli Gardens was opened for business in 1843 and remains an unforgettable fantasy world today, captivating visitors with amusement rides, pavilions, carnival games, theatres and an open-air stage – not forgetting a large concert hall! Tivoli Gardens come alive after dark when illuminated by colored lights and its clock tower resembles that of a Disney film!
The park offers around 30 rides designed for both children and adults alike. Rides range from the soothing carousel to adrenaline-charged Demon roller coaster – there is something here for every age and taste! Additionally, discover whimsical alleyways lined with lights, signs and playful details between rides!
Tivoli changes with each season, from cozy winter vibes and hearty Christmas cheer to nostalgic summer days filled with nostalgia and spooky Halloween spirit. If visiting, early morning visits are best to avoid crowds; weekends and public holidays (particularly Danish and Swedish holidays) should also be avoided for optimal experiences.
If you need an overnight accommodation option, Tivoli Gardens offer several of Copenhagen’s finest hotels – Nimb Hotel stands out with its Nordic decor and rooms overlooking the park; additionally it offers several Tivoli packages which include admission.
Nyhavn
Nyhavn (pronounced new-how-van) is Copenhagen’s iconic landmark, located along the water’s edge and lined by old wooden ships and multicolored townhouses from 17th-century Copenhagen harbors. This 17th-century harbor is frequently filled with both tourists and locals.
Once upon a time, Nyhavn was an active port where merchant ships docked. It became well known for being a “red light district,” with sailors frequenting bars and restaurants along its sunny side for alcohol and sexual encounters. Nowadays it serves as a picturesque waterfront promenade where people stroll leisurely along while sipping cocktails and taking in its stunning surroundings.
Houses don’t just sport vivid hues for aesthetic reasons – historically, sailors would use different hues to identify their homes in low lighting conditions. Now these vivid facades serve as charming reminders of Denmark’s rich past and link modern-day Copenhagen back to its roots.
Nyhavn is best-known as the home of Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, best-known for creating The Little Mermaid and Snow Queen stories. Andersen lived at different homes along the canal such as Nos. 18 and 67 while his statue stands on Langelinie promenade nearby. Nyhavn can easily be reached via metro and bus (Kongens Nytorv station) tours or canal tours – making it ideal as an entryway into Amalienborg Palace or Round Tower tours!
Amalienborg Palace
Amalienborg Palaces are home to the Danish Royal Family. Although originally constructed to house noble families, when Christianborg Palace burned down in 1794 the Danish Royals made Amalienborg their permanent residence and have made it their permanent home ever since.
Every palace in Frederik V’s complex was named for one of his sons and designed by one architect: Nicolai Eigtved – who also designed Frederikskirken Church within this complex. Eigtved worked quickly yet systematically, producing monumental architecture quickly.
Eigtved was responsible for designing the Frederiksstaden quarter and creating guidelines to ensure maximum consistency of architectural style across its buildings. Sophie Amalienborg, which had been constructed between 1667 and 1673 for Queen Sophie Amalie of Brunswick-Calenberg was destroyed during an opera performance due to fireworks set off accidentally, due to fire.
Amalienborg Palace can be reached by car, bicycle, Segway or foot. A guided tour can also be booked. A highlight of any visit to Amalienborg Palace is witnessing the changing of the guard, held daily regardless of weather conditions and offering visitors an excellent chance to witness some of Denmark’s finest soldiers dressed in traditional bearskin hats – an extremely popular attraction!
Gefion Fountain
Gefion Fountain (Gefionspringvandet) is an iconic landmark in Copenhagen depicting Norse mythology. Situated near Kastellet and Langelinie in Nordre Toldbod, its location makes for a remarkable sight at night when illuminated by blue lights.
The fountain depicts Norse goddess Gefion holding a plow with four oxen pulling it. Each of the four oxen are staring forward and water is spraying from behind their nostrils – emphasizing their power to pull. Their large hooves and tails symbolize their size while Gefion holds onto her whip to show authority as their master.
This fountain, designed and created by Danish artist Anders Bundgaard from 1897-99, was inaugurated on July 14, 1908. It depicts the Norse legend of how Gefyon created Zealand – which later became Copenhagen. This tale can be found both in Ragnarsdrapa from 9th century Skaldic poetry recorded in Prose Edda as well as Ynglinga Saga from 13th century Heimskringla written by Snorri Sturluson.
The fountain in Copenhagen is one of the top tourist spots. Notable for its beautiful and symbolic qualities, this site should not be missed on your tour through Amalienborg Palace, Little Mermaid or Tivoli Gardens.
Frederick’s Church
At Amalienborg Palace’s opposite corner stands an exquisite church that is truly impressive to see. Affectionately known as the Marble Church due to the extensive use of marble in its construction, it boasts the largest dome church in Scandinavia at 31 meters in diameter with 12 columns resting beneath its dome – likely drawing inspiration from St Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
Frederiks Kirke is one of Copenhagen’s most striking churches, serving as the centerpiece for Frederiksstaden and known more commonly by locals as Marmorkirken (Marble Church).
As Copenhagen expanded beyond its medieval borders in the 17th and 18th centuries, Nicolai Eigtved designed Frederick’s Church plans. Unfortunately, due to Christian VII’s death and subsequent accession into office, construction stopped abruptly in 1770.
Denmark’s Finance Minister sold Carl Frederik Tietgen the unfinished church and square for 100,000 Rigsdaler in 1890, after which Tietgen hired Ferdinand Meldahl to design it. Due to financial constraints, original plans had to be modified due to limited funds – limestone blocks instead of marble were chosen instead for construction of this church which opened officially 145 years after its initial stone was laid – serving as both place of worship, venue for royal ceremonies, and gathering spot for citizens in Copenhagen.