Copenhagen is the royal capital on Nordic block. With almost nine centuries glory in its belt, Copenhagen is one of the important cities in modern civilization. A wide range of culture, entertainment and shopping can really make you confused about what things to do in Copenhagen, yet is waiting for you in this stunning capital of Denmark. You will probably have the smoothest urban experience in this city. It is a youthful innovative city with a rich historic background. It is a city that you can call a perfect example of classic modernization.
Not many cities in the world has retained its archaic beauty in the pace of modernization. It is one of those rare cities that will rejuvenate you with its friendly streets, unique café culture, superb restaurants and mind blowing architectures. If you have a healthy appetite, then you must know that this is the place where the much-acclaimed Nordic food revolution began.
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10 Things to Do in Copenhagen:
If you are not still convinced, then the city’s multiple world’s best restaurant award winning New Nordic pioneer Noma will be enough. This is the city where fairy tales are not faded away, this is the city where peace and joy are in every corner and this is the city where you always love to come.
Now to get the best essence of Copenhagen, you must check our list of the top things to do in Copenhagen. Let’s find, what to do in Copenhagen?
10. Kastellet & The Little Mermaid
Visiting Danish capital without seeing the little mermaid is like visiting India without seeing the Taj Mahal. So visiting the Little Mermaid should be on the list of things to do in Copenhagen. Incorporate with the fairy tell of the same name by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, this little statue has become the iconic symbol of the city and a major Copenhagen attractions since 1913. The significance of the Little Mermaid to Copenhagen is just like the Statue of Liberty to New York or Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro.
This remarkable statue was commissioned by Carl Jacobsen in 1909. The sculptor Edvard Eriksen created the bronze statue by modeling Ellen Price, a Danish ballerina and actress. But the statue did not enjoy a tranquil environment over the period and faced a series of vandalism and became frequently a center of political protest. It lost its arm and beheaded several times in the process. Currently, thirteen undamaged copies of the statue are available around the world.
The Little Mermaid is not the only attraction in Kastellet. This part of the city has its own significance. Dated back to 1625, this former Citadel of Frederikshavn is the oldest part of the city. The backdrop of the Little Mermaid makes it more scenic and if you know the fairy tale behind the Little Mermaid, it will become more significant to you. Visiting this place is one of the best things to do in Copenhagen.
Also Read: Top 10 magnificent statues around the world
9. Rosenborg Palace
Let me assure you that Rosenborg Palace is not those places that most of us have a luxury to visit very often. Visiting the Palace is one of the best things to do in Copenhagen. It is one of finest example of renaissance castle. Originally built as a country summerhouse in 1606 for Christian IV, it has become a major Copenhagen attractions over the period. It is one of the many projects of King Christian IV and regarded as one of the first kind of the Dutch Renaissance style. Until 1710, it was used as a royal residence. It enjoyed its former pride as the royal residence twice in the time of emergency later. It is some of the places to visit in Copenhagen that you should not miss.
The Palace was open to public in 1838 soon after it has been declared as state property. This Palace has an extensive collection of Royal artifacts. The history lovers will find this place one of the best things to do in Copenhagen. The main attractions of this artifacts are the Crown Jewels and the Danish Crown Regalia. Another main attraction of this Palace is Kongens Have (“The King’s Garden”). It is the oldest Royal garden in this country and is a real treat for the Danish people. This visitor friendly Palace should be always on top of the best things to do in Copenhagen.
Also Read: Top 10 ancient fairy-tale castles
8. Strøget Shopping Mile
Strøget Shopping Mile is the longest pedestrian street with a wide range of shops. This is the place where you will find almost everything you want, from budget friendly to the most exclusive brand in the world. Taking a stroll on the street of Strøget is one the best things to do in Copenhagen. There is no way you could miss this place. World famous brands like Prada, Max Mara, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Mulberry are here. Budget is not a problem to shop in this street.
Apart from exclusive expansive brand, there are many shopping stores affordable to the general people. Almost all the tourists visiting Copenhagen come to this place for shopping. But shopping is not the only thing Strøget is famous for. You will find a variety of boutiques, cafés, and restaurants in this place. It has been called one of the fun places to stroll in the world. So, it is not an exaggeration if I tell you it is the best places to visit in Copenhagen. There are some of the most beautiful sights and attractions of Copenhagen that we recommend not to miss while you come to shop here. The crowd may be a little annoying but once you adjust, you will feel okay. Visiting this shopping street is one of the top things to do in Copenhagen.
7. Amalienborg Castle
Visiting Amalienborg Castle is no doubt one of the best things to do in Copenhagen. It is only one and a half kilometers away from Rosenborg Palace. So you can just walk one palace to other in a short time. The main feature of Amalienborg Castle is that it is made four identical buildings. These buildings are known as Christian VII’s Palace, Christian VIII’s Palace, Frederik VIII’s Palace and Christian IX’s Palace. The interior design of these buildings are however different. In the center of these four buildings is a monumental equestrian statue of Amalienborg’s founder, King Frederick V.
Originally built for four noble families, this palace was eventually bought by the royal family. It was used as a winter residence for the royal couple. If you have a dilemma to choose about what to do in Copenhagen, visiting the two royal palaces in a day should be one of the best things to do in Copenhagen. One remarkable things about this castle is its changing of the royal guard. There are three types of watches you will see here: King’s watch, lieutenant watch and palace watch. The place is full of elegance and a worth to keep in the list of what to see in Copenhagen. Visiting Amalienborg Castle is one of the best things to do in Copenhagen.
6. The Round Tower (Rundetårn)
The Round Tower has a special reputation in the scientific world as its name is connected to the famous astronomer Tycho Brahe, the predecessor of Kepler. Built in 1642, this 36 meter high tower was built as an observatory tower. It is famous for its riders’ staircase, a 7.5-turn helical corridor leading to the top, and for the wide-ranging views it affords over Copenhagen.
Visiting this historical tower is one of the top things to do in Copenhagen. It is now used as a public astronomical observatory and gained a great fame as a historical monument. It is one of those monuments in Europe that symbolizes the scientific rise in Europe in early 17th century. It is a cylindrical tower built in masonry of alternating red and yellow bricks. The back side of the tower is attached to the Trinitatis Church, although it has never served as Church. This should be always on the list of what to see in Copenhagen.
Hans van Steenwinckel, the most prominent architecture in Dutch Renaissance left his signature style of design in this tower. It is the oldest working observatory tower in Europe although it is not used by professional astronomer anymore. The new addition of the tower is the floating glass floor. Visiting the Round Tower is on of the best things to do in Copenhagen.
5. Nyhavn Harbor
This is without a doubt should be on top of the list of best things to do in Copenhagen. It is a 17th-century waterfront and entertainment hub in Copenhagen. During summer time, this is one of best places to visit in Copenhagen. This place was busy with sailors, pub and ladies of pleasure. But now this is one of those places that should be enlisted in what to see in Copenhagen. The place is now renovated with classy restaurants and beautiful houses. It has the oldest house in the city, dated back to 1681.
You can see the original design of 17th century as the design of the house is not altered. The place has a laid back nature filled jazz music and great food. This is one of the most favorite places to visit in Copenhagen for artists, poets or writers for its reclusive environment. This is the place where famous Danish fairy-tale writer, Hans Christian Andersen used to live for 20 years and wrote some of the best fairy tell in history. The place looks completely hypnotic in the time of Christmas. If you are lucky enough to visit Copenhagen, then don’t miss the Nyhavn Harbor. A Christmas by the canal is truly a rare experience. This should be on top of the best things to do in Copenhagen.
4. Statens Museum for Kunst
The National Gallery of Denmark has an extraordinary collection of Danish and Nordic art. It has a great significance in western art and cultural history. Visiting this museum is one of the top things to do in Copenhagen. If you are an art connoisseur, you will find this museum very intriguing and should always be on your list of what to do in Copenhagen. It features almost 700 years of Danish and international paintings, drawings, sculptures and other arts. The old building was built in 1896 and designed by the architect Vilhelm Dahlerup.
This gallery has about 9000 paintings and classified into different sections. These are European art, Danish and Nordic art, French art, Danish and International art and the royal collection of graphic art. Coming to this place is undoubtedly one of the top things to do in Copenhagen. This museum has some of the most famous and amazing paintings in the world. If you love arts, visiting this gallery is one of the best things to do in Copenhagen for you.
Some of the best artworks in this museum are Saint Christopher, by Donato Bramante, Abduction on a Unicorn, by Albrecht, Venus and Cupid, the Honey Thief, by Lucas Cranach the Elder, Apollon and Diana punishing Niobe by Killing her Children, by Abraham and so on. This is obviously one of a major Copenhagen attractions.
3. National Museum of Denmark
It is not a good idea if you leave Copenhagen without visiting National Museum of Denmark. This is one of the best things to do in Denmark. The museum was originally built as a royal place for Danish Crown Prince Frederik V and Crown Princess Louise. A short distance from Strøget, this is the largest museum of cultural history in Denmark. People who love art, culture, history and archeology, visiting this place is the best things to in Copenhagen. You can know a lot of things about Nordic culture, civilization and mythology.
It covers 14,000 years of Danish history which is incredible by any means. By this way, it has a great documentation on prehistoric time. It also has focused on various other sides like, ethnology, archaeology numismatics, ethnography, natural science and religions. The museum will give you a distinctive idea of different ages and times. One section of the museum is solely dedicated to the children. It has made an attempt to entertain and enlighten children about history and culture. It is not possible to visit the museum entirely in a day.
A guided tour could be more helpful for you. Some of the most amazing Danish collections are 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. Visiting the museum is one of the best things to do in Copenhagen.
Also Read: Top 10 most famous museums around the world
2. Christiansborg Palace
There is no way to miss the wonderful Christiansborg Palace while visiting in Copenhagen. It is the most important place in Denmark. It is the seat of the Danish Parliament , the Supreme Court of Denmark and the Danish Prime Minister’s Office. Located on the tiny island of Slotsholmen, it should be always on top of the best things to do in Copenhagen list. It has the rarest exquisite combination of three eras of Danish architecture although it was the result of two serious fires. The three classic combinations are baroque style, Neo-baroque style and neoclassical style. Although it is the power house of Denmark, several parts of the palace are open to the public.
The most attractive and visited parts of the palace are Royal Reception Rooms, Parliament Wing, Ruins under the palace, The Palace Chapel, Riding Ground Complex and the tower. There are so many places to visit in this palace that you might want to come again in your visit Copenhagen. The most interesting place in this palace is probably the Great Hall. Here you will see unique tapestries of queen. These tapestries will show you 1000 years of Danish history. Visiting Christiansborg Palace is one of the top things to do in Copenhagen.
1. Tivoli Gardens
I can tell you easily that you will not find more beautiful place than Tivoli Gardens in your visit Copenhagen. No wonder why it is on top of the list of things to do in Copenhagen. Founded in 1843, this amusement park has become the national treasure of Denmark and has been gaining international fame day by day. People like Hans Christian Andersen and Walt Disney set their foot on this amusement park for its extreme innovative features. If you visit Tivoli Gardens, you can’t distinguish this place from fairy tale anymore.
There are entertainments and magical beauty in every corner of the place. It will reconnect you with your sweetest memories of fantasy and give it a robust twist. In a word, you can call this place magical. Visiting this place is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Copenhagen. It is always new, full of color and full of life. It will rejuvenate you no matter what your age are or how broken you feel. This amusement park dances with color in special occasions like Halloween, Christmas and New Year. It should be always on top of your list of what to do in Copenhagen.
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