Alice Bzowska talks us through her favourite attractions in the beautiful city of Copenhagen, the pearl of Scandinavia.
Copenhagen, or the ‘Merchant’s Harbour’ as it translates to, is steeped in rich history dating back to the 11th century, and this lively yet relaxing port town is oozing with character from the brightly coloured townhouses lining the banks of the canal to the strong aromas of the unique delicacies wafting out of quirky cafes. With an exciting shopping district, historic architecture and a dynamic and varied nightlife, visiting Copenhagen for a short city break in spring is perfect as the temperatures east of the North Sea slowly begin to rise and the streets come alive with people sipping on the most famous beverage of the city – Carlsberg.
With plenty of must-see attractions it can be tricky making decisions on where to go and what to see in Copenhagen. Having spent an incredible few days there, I fell in love with its friendly people and distinctive vibe, and got a good sense of what the city has to offer. Here is my selection of the top five Copenhagen attractions.
History
The most picturesque place in Copenhagen is the 17th century Nyhavn ‘NewPort’ harbour. This is where the bulk of the stunning coloured townhouses are clustered, most of which have now been turned into a brilliant assortment of cafes, bars and restaurants, and also where the historical wooden sailing ships are moored. Nyhavn was established in 1670 by King Frederik V to link the inner city with the sea, and the trading out of the port enabled Copenhagen to grow into what it has become today.
Catching an hour-long canal tour from here is a great way to soak up the local history as many places of historical interest are pointed out along the way, including the house of children’s fairy-tale writer Hans Christian Andersen who wrote stories such as The Ugly Duckling and The Emperor’s New Clothes. Perhaps his most famous is The Little Mermaid, and the iconic statue of this lonely yet beautiful creature can be seen from these canal tours.
The Memorial Anchor is also located in Nyhavn and commemorates the thousands of Danish sailors who served and died during WWII. Dating from 1872, official ceremonies are held annually to commemorate the fallen, and on other days, buskers playing sweeping melodies on violins and guitars can be heard by the anchor.
Architecture
Copenhagen is home to some incredible architecture and the baroque Church of Our Saviour with its unusual corkscrew spire is one of the most unique. Whether you admire the structure from afar or choose to climb the spiral to the top for magnificent views over the city, the church is an iconic part of the Copenhagen skyline and should not be missed.
The Rundetårn or Round Tower is another stunning piece of architecture well-worth visiting. This 17th century tower was a project by Christian IV and was originally designed and constructed as an astronomical observatory. Today, the tower houses collections of art and historical artefacts, and is mostly used by tourists to see panoramic views of the city.
Food
Traditional Danish food simply has to be tried whilst in Copenhagen, and Smørrebrød, open sandwiches that are as visually tempting as they are delicious, is definitely something to sample. Translating from Danish to ‘bread and butter’, Smørrebrød consists of several toppings – from smoked eel to Danish brie – on a piece of buttered rye bread. This is an essential part of Scandinavian cuisine and these tasty sandwiches are best tried at the Nyhavn harbour. Sitting outside and watching the ships sail by can be done all year round as most of the little cafes provide blankets for customers to drape themselves in to keep off the chill!
To splash out, visit the world’s number one restaurant as voted by Restaurant Magazine, Noma, the only eatery with 2 Michelin stars to its name. Reinventing traditional Nordic cuisine and located in a quirky warehouse in the Christiansavn part ofCopenhagen, Noma has a unique atmosphere with an absolutely incredible menu.
Museums
A cultural and historical hub of Scandinavia, Copenhagen has countless museums that are worth visiting. Kunstindustrimuseet, or the Danish Museum of Art & Design to you and I, houses a large collection of art by famous Danish designers such as Jacob Jensen and Kaare Klint. With a gorgeous courtyard and a tasty café, you can make a day out of a trip to this museum while soaking up some of the national design work.
Another brilliant museum is the Museum of Copenhagen. Detailing the history of this fascinating city from the 12th century to the present day, it features a host of exhibitions and displays including a large model of the Copenhagen in medieval times.
Nightlife
Copenhagen has a lively night scene, with countless clubs and bars in which to grab a drink and dance with the locals. Famous for its jazz scene, the Copenhagen Jazz House is one of the key jazz settings in the world, let alone Denmark. With live musicians taking to the stage on weekends, from new talent to established acts, a visit to Jazz House should be on the cards for lovers of this smooth and funky genre.
Although not a nightclub or a bar, Tivoli Gardens is one of the oldest amusement parks in the world and turns into a live outdoor concert venue on Friday evenings. Internationally famous groups from The Cardigans to Alphabeat have performed on stage here, and with lots of places to eat, drink, dance and even try out a rollercoaster, Tivoli has it all.