Top 30 Copenhagen Attractions, Denmark

Copenhagen is a city of restless cyclists, summer cultural festivals and the birthplace of the beloved Hans Christian Andersen. Indeed, locals have long preferred two-wheeled transport to a car and ride a bike in any weather and in any clothes, and the number of cultural events in the Danish capital is so great that you will have to make a difficult decision where exactly to go.

A large number of ancient castles and historical monuments are concentrated in the Danish capital, but the city can also please you with masterpieces of modern architecture. What is the “black diamond” of the city library and the breathtaking building of the oceanarium worth.

Copenhagen is all atmospheric regions. A historical spirit hovers over Nyhavn, freedom and fun are registered in Christiania, and an active and purposeful student fraternity rules in Nørrebro.

What to see and where to go in Copenhagen?

The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.

Mermaid

A small sculpture in the port of Copenhagen (height - 125 cm), depicting the famous character of the fairy tale G.Kh. Andersen. The writer lived and worked in Copenhagen. The monument was created by the master E. Erikson at the request of the founder of the Carlsberg beer company, K. Jacobsen. It is believed that the sculptor's wife, a famous ballerina from the Royal Theater, was the model for The Little Mermaid. Over time, the statue has become a symbol of the city and all of Denmark.

Nyhavn

Nyhavn or in translation “New Harbor” is a city canal with a length of just over 1 km. It was dug at the end of the 17th century under King Christian V. The area that grew around the canal was chosen by sailors and adventurers. Until 1980, it was a troubled place. The local Red Light district was located here, and a respectable citizen with a tight wallet was better off staying away from Nyhavn. Since the restoration, the area has become a popular tourist attraction.

Fountain Gefion

The fountain was built in honor of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Carlsberg brewery and presented as a gift to the city. The sculptural group was created at the end of the 19th century; it depicts the characters of a famous legend. According to legend, the Swedish king Gulfe promised the goddess Gefione a gift of land that she could plow in one night. The goddess turned her sons into bulls and, together with them, cultivated the territory, which later became Denmark.

Strøget street

Pedestrian street, which is considered one of the longest in Europe. Strøget architecture is a harmonious blend of historical structures and modern buildings. Several city attractions are concentrated here. As in all cities of the world popular with tourists, this place is lined with restaurants, cafes and shops aimed at guests of Copenhagen. From the 60s. the street became pedestrian.

Copenhagen City Hall

An architectural structure of the early 20th century, designed by M. Nyurop. The main building element of the facade is red brick. The Town Hall is crowned by a 105-meter tower, to the top of which 300 steps lead. The interior is decorated with an astronomical clock by J. Olsen. They show not only the phases of the moon and periods of solar activity, but also contain the church calendar.

Christiansborg

The castle is located on the island of Slotsholmen (King's Island). It was erected on the site of a fortress of the XII century. Christianborg was built in the middle of the 18th century under King Christian VI in the Baroque architectural style. Until the end of the century, it was the royal residence, but after the fire, the royal family moved to Amalienborg. The building was restored in the 19th and 20th centuries, due to which new extensions appeared in the architectural ensemble. Today, Parliament sits in Christianborg.

Rosenborg Castle

The complex is located on the territory of the Royal Garden. It was erected in the first half of the 17th century under King Christian IV. The ruler even created several drawings for the project himself. Rosenborg was supposed to become a summer residence, but the monarchs did not live here permanently, but only arranged official receptions. In 1838, a museum was organized on the territory of the castle, where the treasures of the Danish crown are exhibited.

Amalienborg Palace

The architectural complex of the 18th century, consisting of four buildings and an adjacent square. Each building bears the name of a Danish monarch. The predominant architectural style of the buildings is rococo. The palace square is decorated with a sculpture of the ruler Frederick V. Amalienborg hosts the official residence of the royal family and a public museum where you can admire the interiors, rich decoration, furniture, sculptures, paintings, clothes and household items.

Fortress Kastellet

Fortified building of the 17th century, which still has the status of a military facility. There is nothing left of the fortress walls, but embankments, ancient cannons, and barracks have been preserved. There is no full access to the territory of the fortress, as soldiers still live here. The fortress is surrounded by a park with a picturesque baroque church, an old windmill and other attractions.

Church of Grundtwig

Construction of the XX century, built in the style of expressionism, mixed with late Gothic. The creator of the project, J. Klint, tried to combine the architectural features of traditional Danish churches with new progressive elements in his creation. Due to its unusual and interesting architecture, the church is one of the most popular in Copenhagen. The temple belongs to the Lutheran community of Copenhagen.

Church of the Savior

Protestant temple with a spiral bell tower, 400 steps lead to the top. The gilded bell dome is crowned with the figure of Christ. The observation deck offers a magnificent view of the Old Town and Copenhagen Bay. The church was built in the 17th century under Christian V, an ardent supporter and patron of the Lutheran teaching. The architect Lambert von Haven worked on the project.

Frederick's Church

The temple began to be built in the 18th century in a pompous Baroque style, but the work dragged on for almost 150 years due to lack of funds. At the end of the 19th century, it was possible to find the necessary amount and complete the construction, but the expensive Norwegian marble had to be abandoned and cheaper limestone was used. The church is crowned with a huge dome with a diameter of 31 meters. The temple is named after King Frederick V, as the monarch himself laid the first stone in its foundation.

New Carlsberg Glyptothek

A collection of works of art organized at the end of the 19th century on the basis of the collection of C. Jacobsen, the founder of the Carlsberg company. The museum's funds contain many masterpieces: works by Gauguin, Degas, Renoir, Manet and other famous painters. There is also a rich collection of Rodin sculptures and icons. The building itself is a picturesque architectural structure with rich decor and decoration of the Renaissance.

National Museum of Denmark

The largest museum in Copenhagen, which contains exhibits dedicated to the history of Denmark. Items from the Stone Age, the Viking Age, the Middle Ages, and the New Age are exhibited here. Of the interesting specimens: the Trunnholm chariot, stones with ancient runic signs, golden horns from Gallehus. The collection is housed in an 18th century palace. The museum often triples themed exhibitions.

State Museum of Arts

An art gallery that grew out of the private collection of Christian IV. The building for the museum was erected at the end of the 19th century in the style of the Renaissance. In 1998, another building was built, which was connected to the old one with the help of a covered gallery. The State Museum of Arts exhibits several thousand paintings, sculptures, engravings, drawings and sketches. Among the masterpieces are paintings by Titian, Michelangelo, Matisse, Rembrandt, Picasso, Modigliani.

Thorvaldsen Museum

The museum is located in the heart of Copenhagen on the island of Slotsholmen. It is dedicated to the famous Danish artist and sculptor B. Thorvaldsen. The master lived outside Denmark for more than 40 years, but returned to his native land to die. The building was erected in the middle of the XIX century in a strict classical manner. The collection of the museum contains the works of the master, created by him in different periods. His grave is located in the courtyard of the building.

Carlsberg Beer Museum

The exposition is located in the old building of the Carlsberg factory, which is no longer in operation. On the territory of 10 thousand m² there are all kinds of machines and installations for the production of foamy drink, steam engines, boilers, barrels. You can also inspect the clothes of workers and cutlery. The museum has a bar where tourists can taste several dozen varieties of Carlsberg and Tuborg beer.

Experimentarium

The modern museum is an attraction dedicated to scientific and technical research. Here you can independently set up experiments, touch all the exhibits, study various natural phenomena. For example, you can test your friends on a real lie detector, play with optical illusions, organize your own "home" volcano or tornado. The experimentarium will be especially interesting for children.

Copenhagen Opera House

The theater building was erected in the 2000s. at the expense of a private foundation and given as a “gift” to the state (in any case, the investor returned almost the entire amount spent as a tax benefit). The grand opening of the stage took place in 2005 in the presence of Queen Margrethe II and Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen. The opera "Valkyrie" by R. Wagner was chosen as the premiere production, where the main part was performed by Placido Domingo.

Royal Theater of Denmark

One of the oldest theaters in the country, founded at the beginning of the 18th century. The first building stood for only 6 years, after which it was destroyed by fire. Restoration began in 1748. Since then, the theater has been rebuilt several times. In 1874, a new building was built, as the old one was hopelessly damaged due to constant "improvements". The theater has two venues - the main one for dramatic performances and an additional one for ballet and opera.

Royal Danish Library

The library is located in a building of modern architecture on the embankment. It received the unofficial name "black diamond" because of its shape and deep, rich, shiny black facade under the sun's rays. The library is considered one of the largest book collections in the world. The funds contain all printed exhibits in Danish, which have been published since the end of the 15th century.

National Aquarium of Denmark

Oceanarium "Blue Planet", consisting of 70 pools, which are home to several thousand representatives of marine fauna. It is the largest and most technically equipped in all of Northern Europe. The architectural complex of the oceanarium is a real masterpiece of modern urban planning. Every year, the aquarium is visited by several hundred thousand people; it is one of the top 10 most popular attractions in Copenhagen.

Round Tower

An old observatory of the 17th century and part of the complex of university buildings. Several centuries ago, famous Danish astronomers P. Horrebow and O. Römer worked here. The tower is mentioned in one of the tales of G.Kh. Andersen. In the upper tier of the building there is a planetarium, where a wide spiral staircase leads. One of the engravings on the wall depicts Tsar Peter I, who climbed the tower on horseback in 1716.

Bursen Exchange Building

Copenhagen Stock Exchange founded by Christian IV. The building was built in the Renaissance style. The high 56-meter spire, made in the form of intertwining dragon tails, symbolizes the union of Norway, Denmark and Sweden. On the first floor of the exchange there was a warehouse, and on the second floor there were trading floors. At the beginning of the 20th century, the building was stormed by the unemployed, but no major damage followed. Today, the exchange is used for cultural events, dinners and receptions.

Øresund bridge-tunnel

The bridge connects the Danish capital with the Swedish city of Malmö. It allows the movement of automobile and railway transport. The building was erected in 1999, the official opening took place in 2000 in the presence of the royal couple - Margrethe II and Carl Gustav XVI. The bridge is toll-free. Significant discounts are set for residents who commute daily from Malmö to Copenhagen (or vice versa).

Botanical Garden

The garden is located near Rosenberg Castle and is adjacent to the Royal Gardens. It covers an area of ​​10 hectares. On a fairly impressive part of the territory there is a covered glass gallery, reminiscent of London's Crystal Palace in design. The botanical garden contains plants from all over the world - from representatives of the harsh northern flora to delicate tropical flowers.

Tivoli Park

Amusement and amusement park, one of the oldest and best in Europe. According to some tourists, Tivoli is even more interesting than Disneyland Paris. On the territory of the park there is a concert hall, which regularly hosts classical and rock music festivals, its own hotel, a pantomime theater and many expensive restaurants. Here you can ride the old carousels, watch free street performances and admire the fireworks.

Free City of Christiania

An area within the city limits of Copenhagen, separated from the capital by a series of houses and walls. Christiania is known for the fact that complete “freedom” reigns here, that is, light drugs are legally sold and consumed. Creative personalities, bohemians, freedom-loving fighters for justice and other extraordinary people live here. The police regularly fight for order in Christiania and try to resettle the area, but the authorities fail.

Dierhavsbakken amusement park

Direhavsbakken was organized in the 16th century. It is the second most popular among locals and tourists after Tivoli. As in other similar parks, there are many standard rides and carousels. Fairy-tale characters entertain adults and children at theatrical performances, families have picnics in the shade of green lawns, and the folk spirit of Denmark hovers over the alleys.

Copenhagen Zoo

The zoo was organized in the middle of the 19th century and is considered one of the oldest in Europe. Animals are collected from all over the world and kept in suitable climatic conditions. Especially for children, there is a “Rabbit Town” on the territory, where small visitors play, ride ponies and eat ice cream. The zoo is located near the historic center of Copenhagen.