Earlier in January while finishing up my time studying abroad in England, Andrew, and I visited Copenhagen for a few days to visit a friend and experience Denmark’s capital city. After exploring a good deal of the city, I have compiled a list of my top 8 things to do, see, and eat in Copenhagen, Denmark. Be sure to hit these top spots, especially if you are visiting for a short time!
1. Visit Nyahvn
This famous quay, translated as “New Harbour,” was previously a bustling commercial port. Now, many of the colorful houses that line the water are restaurants where you can sample some Danish foods, including Smorgasbord. Also, Hans Christian Anderson, the author of fairy tales including “The Princess and the Pea” and “The Little Mermaid,” lived in three of the houses (no. 20, no. 67, and no. 18) at various points in his life.
2. Go on a Canal Tour
We took a canal tour leaving from Nyhavn that toured the harbours and canals around Copenhagen, passing by the Copenhagen Opera House, the Little Mermaid Statue, Amalienborg Palace, Christiansborg Palace, and The Old Stock Exchange, among many other famous buildings. The tour was about one hour long, and it was only about $15 per person. It was a great way to see most of the city.
3. Try an Open-Face Sandwich
Make sure to try an open-face sandwich, or Smørrebrød, at least once while you’re in Copenhagen. We ate ours at the outdoor seating of the restaurant Nyhavn 37 right next to the canal. My sandwich held lettuce, chicken salad, onion, and chorizo, and Andrew’s sandwich held smoked salmon, avocado, and cottage cheese.
4. Eat at Pizzeria Lucas
In 2019, Pizzeria Luca was named the 5th best pizzeria in Europe by an Italian organization. Located on the Gammel Strand, it serves pizza, made from dough that rests for 72 hours before being cooked and served, as well as antipasti, pasta, and an array of beverages. The restaurant has great staff and a fun, relaxed environment, making it great for a night out.
5. Walk up the Rundetaarn
The Rundetaarn, or Round Tower, was built in the 17th century by Christian IV and is the oldest functioning observatory in Europe. There is an admission fee to the tower, but it is very inexpensive at less than $4 for an adult ticket (those older than 15 years). You can walk up the sloping floor to the top of the tower onto an outside viewing deck with a great panoramic view of the city. There is a Library Hall within the tower that now houses art, history, culture, and science exhibitions. There is also a small glass floor in the hollow central column of the tower on which you can stand and see to the bottom, but you have to find and climb into a small alcove that you may miss on first glance.
6. Visit Tivoli Gardens
Tivoli Gardens opened in 1843 and is the second oldest amusement park still in operation (the oldest is Bakken, which is also in Denmark). It is one of the more expensive attractions in Copenhagen at around $20 for those 8 years and older (this entrance fee does not cover the costs of rides), but it is a beautiful park, especially at night when the thousands of lights are turned on. We went while the holiday decorations were still on display, including a Christmas tree covered in Swarovski crystals. There are many shops, stalls selling drinks and food, as well as themed restaurants across the Gardens.
7. See the Rosenborg Castle
Built in the early 17th century by the Scandinavian King Christian IV, Rosenborg Castle displays the Crown Jewels along with many other royal artifacts. The gardens on which the castle sits, called the King’s Garden (Kongens Have), also known as Rosenborg Castle Garden, are free to roam, but you need to purchase tickets to go inside the castle.
8. Visit the Little Mermaid Statue
Inspired by the fairytale written by Hans Christian Anderson, the statue of a mermaid turning into a girl sits on top of a pile of rocks on the shore of the water off of the Langelinie (a long promenade with piers), across from the Kastellet, which is a star-shaped military fortress. I was surprised by how large the statue actually was; she is the size of a small girl (1.25 meters tall) rather than a small doll-sized statue that I envisioned.
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