From the highest of the baroque Vor Frelsers Kirke I might see nearly all of central Copenhagen. The 400 steps up the winding spiral staircase hadn’t appeared too demanding, not even the final 150, which wound across the exterior of the bell tower.
The previous few steps had been solely simply large sufficient for one particular person to squeeze up at a time. I squeezed previous a handful of nervous vacationers, who had been clearly having second ideas, and climbed proper to the tippy high the place I used to be rewarded with among the finest views over Copenhagen – a 360° panoramic view of the town and past.
Copenhagen, Denmark’s design-savvy, food-obsessed capital, is usually described as some of the habitable cities on this planet. Its comparatively small measurement, fabulous structure, clear harbour, low crime price, terrific public transport and the world’s greatest work-life stability, all mix to make this an ideal place each to reside and go to. Add to the combo, its lovely waterways, picturesque streets, historic buildings, trendy structure, world-class museums, vibrant nightlife, a craft beer trade that kicked off right here earlier than wherever else in Europe, 26 Michelin stars awarded to fifteen eating places, and 1000’s upon 1000’s of bicycles. Danes take high quality of life critically and it reveals. Whether or not you’re sightseeing, eating, bar-hopping or buying, and whether or not you prize cleanliness, greenness or inventiveness, Copenhagen appears to excel at nearly every thing.
All capitals have their basic sights, a listing of stuff you actually ought to do and see, and Copenhagen isn’t any totally different. Right here’s my checklist of locations you shouldn’t miss when visiting this fairy story metropolis.
Historic Nyhavn
Nyhavn is likely one of the most iconic spots in Copenhagen. This vibrant Seventeenth-century waterfront and canal district is thought for its vibrant townhouses and historic wood ships. Initially a bustling business port, it’s now a full of life space stuffed with eating places, cafes, and bars.
The canal is an actual open-air museum, flanked by historic ships owned by the Danish Nationwide Museum and whether or not strolling the cobblestone streets, eating by the water, or visiting the festive Christmas market, the realm is an excellent mix of historical past and allure.
Should you’re hungry name in at Instructed og Snaps for his or her wonderful vary of smørrebrød (Danish open sandwiches). On the menu you’ll discover basic open-faced sourdough rye bread sandwiches, however with a twist. Superb combos – assume curried herring with purple onions, apple and egg, pan-fried plaice with hand-shelled Greenland shrimps and home made remoulade, or heat liver pate with cucumber salad, pickled beetroot and bacon.
Take your cue from the restaurant’s identify, and wash your meal down with snaps (schnapps). You may have a alternative of conventional flavours or some extra adventurous choices, like walnut, horseradish or browned butter – there are greater than forty flavours to select from!
Sightseeing boat journey
Copenhagen is filled with lovely canals and waterways, and a canal tour is the right technique to see the sights. Leap on at Nyhavn and also you’ll go the Opera Home, Black Diamond Library, Amaliehaven, and Our Saviour’s Church.
Persevering with on you’ll go by way of the cosy canals of Christianshavn, stuffed with houseboats and lined with charming outdated buildings. Most boat excursions go by Den Lille Havfrue, The Little Mermaid, the image of Copenhagen, sitting on her rock, and that is in all probability the best technique to see her. She is ‘little’ certainly, just one.25m tall, and lots of guests discover her considerably disappointing. (Holders of a Copenhagen Card can depart on a free canal tour from Ved Stranden).
GoBoats are one other nice technique to discover the town’s waterways. Rent one for 1, 2 or 3 hours and drive it your self as you select your personal route by way of the canals.
Great palaces
Amalienborg Palace has been dwelling to the Danish royal household for over 200 years and consists of 4 separate rococo palaces round a big sq..
Two of the palaces are open to the general public, the primary is a museum and within the second you may get a take a look at what the Danish royal residence is like on the within. Don’t miss the altering of the guard, day by day, at midday.
Rosenborg Palace dates again to 1606, when it was constructed as a royal summer season home by Christian IV. These days the palace is sort of a time capsule, stuffed with 400 years of treasures and artworks, together with the Crown Jewels. Don’t miss the Knights’ Corridor with its coronation thrones and historic tapestries and do end off with a stroll by way of the king’s gardens, the oldest royal backyard in Denmark.
Christiansborg Palace now homes the Danish Parliament, the Supreme Court docket, and the Ministry of State. Though a authorities constructing, it’s nonetheless attainable to go to the wing that belongs to the royal household together with the Nice Corridor, which is 40m lengthy with 400 seats.
On high of a hill overlooking the inexperienced oasis of Frederiksberg Gardens is Frederiksberg Citadel, the previous summer season palace of the Danish Royal Household. The palace dates again to the early 1700s and is impressed by the Italian model on the time. There are guided excursions on the final Saturday of each month
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Fabulous streets and squares
Kongens Nytrov is the most important sq. in Copenhagen and is flanked by a number of the most essential buildings within the metropolis – the Royal Theatre, Resort d’Angleterre and Charlottenborg Palace.
The sq. is the right start line for exploring Copenhagen, as all of the metro traces converge right here and it’s situated proper within the coronary heart of the town centre.
At simply over 1km, Strøget is likely one of the longest pedestrian buying streets in Europe. You’ll discover every thing right here from high-end Danish design shops to small boutiques and budget-friendly outlets. If looking for basic Danish design, go to Georg Jensen, Royal Copenhagen or Illums Bolighus, to indulge your interior little one cease off on the LEGO retailer, and if comics and collectables is extra your factor, name in on the Faraos Cigarer outlets.
Snaregade and Magstræde, with their unique cobblestones, are two of the oldest streets in Copenhagen, relationship again to the 18th century. Lovely streets with a higgledy-piggledy array of different-sized homes with brightly painted plasterwork – a great deal of character and nice streets to {photograph}.
Jægersborggade in Nørrebro has gone from dodgy to hip, and is likely one of the most buzzing streets in Copenhagen in the mean time – dwelling to round 40 artwork galleries, natural produce outlets, classic garments, ceramics and jewelry designers, in addition to wine bars, espresso outlets and eating places, to not point out a number of the greatest espresso round, at The Espresso Collective.
Fascinating museums
The Danes care about design, and nowhere is that extra apparent than at Designmuseum Denmark, housed in a renovated 1700s Rococo-style constructing, with three exhibition sections devoted to Design and Crafts, together with a gallery solely of chairs and lamps and one which focuses on Danish silver craftsmanship.
The Ny Carlsberg Glypotek, with its historic marble busts and palm-filled Winter Backyard, is situated close to Tivoli Gardens. Carved marble statues, masterpieces of Danish artwork, Egyptian mummies and collections of Gauguin’s work and sculptures by Degas, that is each a spot to admire the artwork and a peaceable nook to flee the noise of the town.
Relationship from 1787, the Medical Museion constructing as soon as housed the Royal Danish Academy of Surgical procedure. These days it’s dwelling to a group of medical curiosities, from preserved physique elements to outdated medical gear. On the centre of the museum is the anatomical theatre through which generations of medical college students witnessed dissections of corpses and discovered about anatomy. Not one for the squeamish!
Historic landmarks
For greater than 250 years, the folks of Copenhagen have buried their useless in Assistens Kirkegård cemetery in Nørrebro. That is Denmark’s best-known cemetery and the ultimate resting place of many well-known Danes, together with Hans Christian Andersen. It’s additionally an attractive inexperienced area to simply go to, stroll, cycle or have a picnic.
The Rundetaarn or Spherical Tower, in-built 1642, is Europe’s oldest functioning observatory. The constructing is known for its large, spiral ramp, as soon as utilized by horses to tug carts of books as much as the college library on the high. From the highest there’s a putting view of Copenhagen from a viewing platform working across the tower.
The pentagon-shaped Kastellet or Citadel, was commissioned by Frederik III, in 1662 and is likely one of the best-preserved fortresses in Northern Europe. Take a stroll and see the historic windmill, the church, the Commander’s home, and the garrisons. The views of the harbour are glorious.
When you’re within the neighbourhood, go to Gefion Fountain in Langelinie Park, on the Østerbro harbour entrance. It encompasses a large-scale group of oxen, pulling a plough and being pushed by the legendary Norse goddess, Gefion. It’s the most important monument in Copenhagen and is used as a wishing properly.
Inexperienced areas
Take a stroll by way of the Botanical Gardens with their assortment of greater than 13,000 plant species, unfold over ten hectares and ensure to go to the attractive Nineteenth-century greenhouses. The butterfly home can be value a go to.
The Copenhagen Lakes or Søerneare, are a row of three rectangular lakes curving across the western fringe of the town centre. There are three lakes, Sankt Jørgens Sø, Peblinge Sø and Sortedams Sø, and the paths round them are common with strollers, bikers and runners. Two small islands have been in-built Sortedams Sø as breeding grounds for birds. In winter, if the ice is thick sufficient, you may stroll on it, and in summer season, you may lease a ship bike and go for a paddle. To stroll round all three lakes is about 6.35km.
Tivoli Gardens
Should you’re a giant child at coronary heart, head to Tivoli Gardens and admire one of many oldest theme parks on this planet. This well-known amusement park combines manicured gardens and curler coasters and has been attracting guests since 1843.
It’s stated Walt Disney visited and liked the Tivoli Gardens a lot that he was impressed to create Disneyland. You should buy a ticket for entry simply to the park, or one which covers limitless rides. Each tickets cowl you for the reveals, which vary from ballet and classical music to fireworks on Friday and Saturday nights.
Torvehallerne meals market
Head to Torvehallerne meals market, some of the various meals markets in Europe, with greater than 80 outlets, bars, and eateries to select from. Seafood lovers ought to cease by Hav, for chocoholics Summerbird Chocolate’s roasted almonds lined in praline, white chocolate and strawberry mud are wonderful. Nina and Mikkel at Oliviers & Co have an enormous array of olive varieties, unimaginable olive oils, vinegars and condiments. Ma Poule does a brilliant duck rillette roll with mustard and rocket, which you’ll be able to wash down with a glass of wine from Le Petit Vinbar, just some stalls down, or a Danish beer from Mikkeller & Associates.
Hang around with hippies
Christiania is Copenhagen’s different and controversial neighbourhood, based in 1971 when a gaggle of individuals reduce a gap within the fence to an deserted army barracks and took up residence. Christiania has lengthy been well-known for its open hashish commerce. Christiania is open to the general public. You’ll be able to discover by yourself or e book a guided tour led by an area Christianite. Do notice there are areas the place you may take images and others the place you may’t, these are clearly marked.
Eat Danish pastries
No journey to Denmark is full with out consuming scrumptious Danish pastries and there’s no higher means gas a day of exploring, than with a sticky Kanelsnegle, in any other case often called a cinnamon swirl. You could find them in each single bakery, lining the window show instances in all their scrumptious, candy, spiced glory.
Prime tip
Earlier than you start exploring Copenhagen buy a Copenhagen Uncover Card. The cardboard may be bought on-line or on the airport and covers limitless use of public transport in addition to free entrance to 80+ museums and points of interest. Alternatively, the Copenhagen Hop card covers admission to 40+ points of interest within the metropolis centre and Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing busses. (Every paying grownup can embody as much as two youngsters aged 0-11 freed from cost).
Sarah Kingdom
Sarah Kingdom is a journey author from Sydney, Australia. When she isn’t climbing or touring, she lives on a cattle ranch in central Zambia.
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