What to do in Copenhagen - Things to see and places to go in Copenhagen while on a short trip

Here are, according to us and our local team, the things to do and see in Copenhagen in order to get the real vibe, real essence of the city.

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1. Of course you could do all of the following or just register to our cultural scavenger hunt!

2. Take a look to this map of the city, to have a real idea on how it is built and organized.

3. Nyhavn Harbor 

 To the rear of Amalienborg lies Nyhavn (New Harbor), which is flanked by a street of the same name. At the end of the harbor, an anchor serves as a memorial to Danish sailors who lost their lives in World War II. Nyhavn was once a disreputable quarter of the city, but now, with its brightly painted gabled houses, many containing restaurants or cafés, it's a particularly charming part of Copenhagen that features in countless images of the city. Idyllic museum ships lie at anchor, including a lightship (Fyrskib) dating from 1885. From Nyhavn, hydrofoil and catamaran services operate to Sweden, as well as sightseeing trips around the harbor and along the canal.
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 4. Christiansborg Palace

 On the tiny island of Slotsholmen is the Danish seat of government and an attraction that should be top on any visitor's agenda. Christiansborg boasts more than 800 years of history and today, the palace is home to the Parliament, the Prime Minister's Office, and the Supreme Court. In addition, several parts are still used by the Royal House, although thankfully, much is open to the public. Occupying the site where Bishop Absalon built the earliest fortifications of the city in 1167, the ruins of the bishop's castle and the medieval fortress were discovered when the present palace was under construction. They can now be seen by visitors. Get Google maps directions>







5. National Museum of Denmark

  An easy ten-minute walk from Tivoli along Vestergade brings you to the National Museum (Nationalmuseet), a must-see attraction for anyone with an interest in Danish history and culture. Some impressive runic stones are on display, and the Danish history collection includes a sun chariot (cult object in the form of a cart) that is more than 2,000 years old, Romanesque and Gothic church fittings, Danish porcelain and silver, and collections of antiquities and coins. The ethnographical collection, including items from Greenland, gives an excellent impression of life among the Eskimos. Other areas covered include Asia, Africa and Oceania as well as the culture of the Indians. Here, you'll also find the Prince's Palace (1744), a Rococo building influenced by the French style of the period. Around five-minutes' stroll from the National Museum, Thorvaldsen's Museum is also worth a visit to view spectacular works from this famous Danish sculptor.
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6. Amalienborg Castle

 
Less than one and a half kilometers from Rosenborg in the Frederiksstaden quarter, you'll find Rosenborg's sister palace, Amalienborg, along with its serene waterfront gardens. The four palaces facing onto the square were originally built as homes for the nobility, but were taken over by the Royal Family after a fire at Christiansborg in 1794. The palace takes its name from Queen Sophie Amalie who had a sumptuous summer retreat on the site, which also burned down in 1689. The area was designed to be a model society with the King as focal point and the aristocracy (the four palaces) surrounding him. Today, Queen Margrethe II and her family occupy the upper story of Christian IX Palace, and the Moltke Palace is used for official purposes. The soldiers of the Royal Guard with their bearskins and blue (on festive occasions red, white, and blue) uniforms are a unique symbol of the city. Get Google maps directions>

7. Kastellet & The Little Mermaid

Head along the waterfront from Nyhavn to Kastellet (less than two kilometers) and take in the iconic statue and surroundings. Kastellet is the former Citadel of Frederikshavn, the oldest parts of which date from 1625. The Citadel buildings are well maintained and well worth exploring. The Little Mermaid (Den lille Havfrue), which you'll see from the shore, is the official emblem of Copenhagen. The bronze sculpture, created by Edvard Eriksen in 1913, is based on a theme from one of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales, which tells the tale of a mermaid who once came up out of the depths of the sea because she'd fallen in love with a prince. Sadly, as the prince didn't reciprocate, she was forced to leave the human world and return once more to the sea. Get Google maps directions>


8. Rosenborg Palace


 Less than ten-minutes' walk from the Round Tower and now home to some of Denmark's greatest cultural treasures, the castle was originally built by Christian IV as a pleasure palace. Inhabited by the royal family until 1720 and after that used as a summer retreat, the castle and contents became a museum in 1838. In the basement are the Danish crown jewels and royal regalia. Of particular interest are the Marble Room, a Baroque reception room, and the Knights' Hall with the Coronation Throne (used between 1871 to 1940), as well as the famous Rosenborg Tapestries, which have adorned the walls since 1693. Exquisite porcelain is also on exhibit, including the famous Flora Danica service. Get Google maps directions>


9. Town Hall Square

Busy Town Hall Square (Rådhuspladsen) is dominated by Copenhagen Town Hall (built between 1892 and 1905), which is based on a mix of Italian Renaissance and medieval Danish architecture. For marvellous views, you can climb the tower; at 106 meters high, it is the tallest in the city. The building itself is richly adorned with sculptures and paintings. Above the main entrance is a figure of Bishop Absalon in gilded copper, and in the Great Hall are busts of Danish notables such as Martin Nyrop (1849-1921), the architect who designed the building, the sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1840), Hans Christian Andersen (1805-76), and the physicist Niels Bohr (1885-1962). The World Clock at the main entrance was designed and constructed by Jens Olsen in 1955 and shows not only the time and date, but also various astronomical constellations. Get Google maps directions>

 Ana is our Copenhagen local representative, we asked her what an ideal day of leisure in Copenhagen could look like, what she would suggest doing from early morning to late at night
Here is what she suggests. Don't hesitate to contact Ana on Twitter @bigcitychase #Copenhagen #questionforAna if you have questions for her, we may publish your conversation in this blog if she thinks it might be useful to other Copenhagen visitors.

 Ana from Copenhagen for Big City Chase Copenhagen : 

"Hello, my name is Ana, I am from Copenhagen and always lived here