Copenhagen - the capital of Denmark - has attractions and sights to suit every taste and interest. We have picked a few must-see spots.
The Little Mermaid
Hans Christian Andersen wrote a fairy tale about her, Disney produced the movie, and Copenhagen maintains a statue in her honour. The Little Mermaid continues to be the most popular tourist attraction in Denmark and one of the most photographed statues in the world.
Based on Hans Christian Andersen?s fairy tale
In 1909 the founder of Carlsberg, Brewer Carl Jacobsen attended Hans Beck's and Fini Henriques' ballet -The Little Mermaid - based on Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale by the same name.
Deeply impressed by this performance the brewer asked sculptor Edvard Eriksen (1876-1958) to create a sculpture. The bronze statue was unveiled at Langelinie on 23 August 1913 as a donation from Brewer Jacobsen to the City of Copenhagen.
Tivoli
Tivoli, the highly popular amusement park, was founded in 1843 and is a beautiful, romantic park with la unique atmosphere.
Tivoli Gardens are situated only few minutes walk from the City Hall Square in the centre of Copenhagen and offers everything a tourist may desire from a fairytale garden: 32 restaurants, 26 amusements, 400.000 flowers, 110.000 lamps, concerts, artiste shows and the Tivoli Boys Guard.
Amalienborg Palace
Amalienborg Palace, the royal couple's winter residence, is a major architectural work and probably the most outstanding piece of Rococo architecture in Denmark.
Amalienborg comprises four palaces and was originally conceived as town mansions for families of the nobility at the beginning of the 1750's. In 1794, after the fire at Christiansborg Castle, the mansions came into the possession of the Royal Family.
At Amalienborg Palace the Royal Guard is on duty for 24 hours. The relief takes place every day at 12 o'clock noon.
The National Museum
The National Museum is Denmark's largest museum of cultural history. The museum's main domicile is a classical 18th century mansion near 'Strøget' at the center of Copenhagen. The National Museum is the museum for all Denmark, where you can follow the history of the Danes right down to the present day. And you can get around the world from Greenland to South America.
The museum's do-it-yourself guides only take an hour, and make it easy to get an overview of the 10,000 square metre exhibition area.
The National Gallery
Statens Museum for Kunst, the Danish national gallery, is the only place in Denmark which features 700 years of Western art and cultural history under one roof. The museum houses a large collection of Danish and international paintings, sculptures, drawings, and installations. The museum is located in central Copenhagen near the Nørreport and Østerport stations.
Strøget
Copenhagen's largest shopping area is centred on Europe's longest pedestrian shopping street, Strøget, and the streets that surround it.
Strøget is Denmark's premier shopping street. International titans like Prada, Max Mara, Louis Vuitton, Cerutti, Mulberry, Chanel, Marlboro, Karen Millen, Hermès and Boss are represented at the Kgs. Nytorv end of Strøget, but if you are shopping on a budget, head further down the pedestrian street, where you will find excellent value clothes in shops like Hennes & Mauritz.
Strøget is also a popular venue for street performers.
Canal tours
A tour on the old canals is one of the biggest tourist attractions and an experience you should not miss. The boats take you through all parts of the old city and pass many of the most famous sights.
Round Tower
The Round Tower was built on the initiative of King Christian IV (1588-1648). The tower was the first stage of the Trinitatis complex, which was to gather three important facilities for the scholars of the seventeenth century: an astronomical observatory, a student's church and a university library. The tower was completed in 1642.
The Tower is built in the old Latin Quarter and right in the heart of Copenhagen.
A 209-metre-long winding passage leads to the platform and the Observatory at the top of the tower from here you have a magnificent view over the old town, house roofs and church towers.