Copenhagen between palaces, museums and harbor

At the heart of Copenhagen lies Tivoli Gardens, the world's third-oldest amusement park. It offers 30 exciting rides; the number may change over time. This amusement park sits alongside the historic sights that also shape the city's character. When planning your visit, it helps to decide in advance whether your focus will be rides, art and history, or experiences by the water.

Palaces, museums and city history

The National Museum of Denmark takes visitors through several eras: its exhibitions include Danish prehistory, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, as well as the history of Denmark from 1660 to 2000. The museum provides a free audio guide app for iOS and Android; its availability may change. This adds an extra listening perspective to the museum's wide-ranging historical offerings.

The Thorvaldsens Museum focuses on Bertel Thorvaldsen's work and collections. The museum houses his sculptures, models and drawings, and features permanent exhibitions on the antiquities collection, the plaster cast collection and his sculptures. The three exhibition themes are clearly distinct: ancient objects, casts and original works each offer a different way to explore the collection.

Amalienborg is the royal family's residence and consists of four identical palaces. They surround an octagonal square, at the center of which Saly's equestrian statue depicts Frederik V. Public tours are held at Christian VII's Palace; check the current tour dates before visiting. Rosenborg Castle is located in the King's Garden in the heart of Copenhagen. Its collection includes royal treasures, while the Danish Crown Jewels are kept in underground vaults.

Christiansborg Palace also brings together different layers of history. Visitors can see the state rooms and the ruins beneath the palace, including a medieval wall. A series of tapestries in the palace depicts 1,000 years of Danish history. As visiting arrangements may change, it is advisable to check the latest information before your visit.

The Round Tower combines architecture with views: it is considered Europe's oldest functioning observatory building. Its spiral ramp leads to a 360-degree view over Copenhagen. The bright hall also hosts concerts, lectures and activities for children and adults. The Little Mermaid offers a different focus: the sculpture, created by Edvard Eriksen in 1913, sits on a rock in the water at the Langelinie Pier. It is about a 15-minute walk from Østerport Station; walking time may vary slightly depending on the route.

Harbor, leisure and nature experiences

In Nyhavn, colorful 17th-century houses define the harbor scene. Canal tours depart from here; operators and schedules may change, so it is worth checking the dates in advance. Hans Christian Andersen is also connected with the neighborhood: the Danish fairy-tale writer lived in three different houses in Nyhavn.

Reffen on Refshaleøen is a street food market and cultural gathering place. It offers around 35 food stalls and four creative workshops. It operates seasonally, and the scope and offerings may change. It is therefore advisable to check the latest dates and options before visiting.

Visitors looking to combine exercise and nature can follow themed cycling routes that lead to nature experiences; guided nature experiences are also available. The harbor has swimming zones and harbor baths. Access to the water and operating conditions may change, so check the current conditions before swimming.

CopenHill adds the opportunity to ski and snowboard in the heart of Copenhagen. Paths and stairs lead to the top; the shortest route from the foot to the summit is about 450 meters long. Events and weather may affect access. The facility also has an 85-meter-high climbing wall with obstacles along the way up; access to the climbing wall requires the appropriate certification. Check the latest conditions before visiting.

When looking for a hotel in Copenhagen, you can use your travel plans as a starting point: museums and historic buildings offer a different focus from harbor life, rides or sports.

Discover more destinations: Gentofte, Frederiksberg, Allerød Municipality, Hørsholm Municipality, Fredensborg, Brøndby Municipality, Gribskov Municipality, Gladsaxe.

For the overview of the wider region: Capital Region of Denmark.