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What to see and do in Copenhagen
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THE LANDMARKS
It may be the world's most disappointing city icon when seen from up close, but the tiny monument to
THE LITTLE MERMAID has a certain charm in its waterfront location.
Join the other tourists taking a picture of it, and walk back to the center of the city to see the
Amalienborg Palace Museum.
It is named after Queen Sophie Amalie who had it built in the 17th century, today housing part of the royal collections
from Rosenborg Castle (see below). In the center of the courtyard is an equestrian statue of the king, while the street that runs through it
leads to the domed MARBLE CHURCH (officially called "Frederik's Church"). Inspired by St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, its dome is the largest
in Scandinavia and was built in the 18th century.
MODERN ART
Located just outside Copenhagen is the Arken Modern Art Museum, housing modern art from Danish, Scandinavian, and international artists. Check out the latest exhibitions on the website.
About 35Km north of the city is another modern art collection, that of the Louisiana Modern Art Museum. It displays a wide range of works by artists like Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and Pablo Picasso, and as one of Denmark's most popular cultural attractions should not be missed by admirers of modern art.
CLASSIC ART
Carl Jacobsen was the art-collecting son of the founder of the Carlsberg brewery. His collection now makes up the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, a museum with classical Egyptian, Roman and Greek antiquities, and Golden Age Danish art. Its Rodin sculptures are considered the most important of their kind outside France, and there are also works by impressionists such as Monet, Renoir, and Degas.
Also worth a visit is the National Museum. Although it was meant to be a home to the Danish royal family in the 18th century, its building was turned into the exhibition space about the country's culture, going from prehistory to the present day.
STRIKING ARCHITECTURE
Copenhagen's modern icon is its eye-catching Opera House, standing by the water's edge. Opened in 2005, it was one of the most expensive opera houses ever built, costing over 500 million US dollars.
The BLACK DIAMOND building will also grab your attention, an extension of the Royal Library. This glassed structure opened in 1999 to much controversy over its size and style, but everyone seems to have accepted and gotten used to it by now.
ANCIENT SITE
Rosenborg Castle is a popular tourist attraction thanks to its garden (the country's oldest royal garden) and displays of the royal collections inside (which include the crown jewels). It was built in Dutch Renaissance style in 1606 as a country summerhouse and served as a royal residence until the early 18th century.
CITY LIFE
More than visiting museums and landmarks, Copenhagen is a city to be enjoyed outdoors. That may be surprising when you remember its mostly cold and dark days, but there are few other cities with such an attractive street life.
Start with a stroll down the bustling STROGET, Europe's longest pedestrian shopping district.
It is just a short walk away to the NYHAVN, a picturesque waterfront area lined with colorful houses and many bars and restaurants with outdoor tables.
Famous Danish author Hans Christian Andersen lived in this neighborhood at the time when the city's most visited attraction was open to the public.
That's the Tivoli Gardens, a 19th century amusement park that inspired Walt Disney to create
Disneyland. Its 1914 wooden roller coaster is still operating today, and there's also the world's tallest carousel which opened in 2006.
TOURS & DAYTRIPS
Go on a Tour of Copenhagen, for organized sightseeing or daytrips to nearby attractions.
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