Sightseeing Copenhagen
Where would you like to start? Copenhagen has so many great tourist attractions it will be difficult to choose what you really don’t want to miss during your citybreak. Copenhagen is full of great palaces, extraordinary churches and impressive towers. At least make sure you visit the Amalienborg Palace, the Vor Frelsers Church and the Round Tower. Or what about the Freetown Christiania? Wherever you go in Copenhagen you will be amazed by the city’s overwhelming atmosphere and beauty!
Amalienborg Palace
Since 1794 the Amalienborg palace is used as the residence of the Royal Family. The palace consists of four impressive rococo style buildings designed by the royal architect Nicolai Eigtved. The palaces are named after the following Danish monarchs; Christian VII, Frederic VIII, Christian IX and Christian VIII. The four palaces are built around a square with in the middle the equestrian statue of Frederic V. The Frederic VII Palace and the Christian VII Palace are open to the public, but the opening hours are limited. One of the biggest attractions at this tourist site is the change of the guards, which takes place every day at 12:00.
Frederic’s Church
In the 17th century the ambitious King Frederic wanted to built the biggest dome of Europe. But his ambitions didn’t correspond with his financial means. Therefore it was necessary to cease the construction of the church. Only 150 years later the construction continued, but the Frederic’s church never became the biggest dome of Europe. But even though, the Frederic’s church is still worthwhile visiting during your citybreak Copenhagen. The church is built in an admirable neo-baroque style and is surrounded by sculptures of several saints and Danish theologians.
Christiansborg Palace
The Christiansborg Palace is located on an isle in the middle of the city centre. The palace is home to the Danish Parliament. The current palace dates back to 1906, but replaces former palaces that were destroyed in a fire in 1794 and 1884. The contemporary palace is designed by Thorvald Jørgensen. At the wonderful Christiansborg Palace you can have a look at the Knights\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\' Hall, the chapel, the royal stables and the Theatre Museum in the Court Theatre.
Little Mermaid
The Little Mermaid is one of the most famous fairytales of the Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen (1804-1875). The story was first published in 1837. The statue of the Little Mermaid is made by the sculptor Evard Eriksen and was officially unveiled in 1913. The city of Copenhagen and the sculpture of the Little Mermaid have a long history together. But this history has not always been a happy one. The poor Little Mermaid sitting on a rock at the Langelinie in the Copenhagen harbor has at various times been decapitated, dismembered or covered with paint.
Vor Frelsers Church
You have to look twice to belief your own eyes looking at the Vor Frelsers Church because of the 90 meters high strangely twisted bell tower. The construction of the Vor Frelsers Church was commissioned by King Christian V in 1696. The Danish name of the church, the ‘Vor Frelsers Kirke’, means ‘Our Savior’s Church’. Inside the church you can admire an impressive baroque altar and a beautiful organ.
Round Tower
In the middle of the city centre near the best shopping streets you will find the Round Tower or Rundetårn. The tower belongs to the Trinitas Kirke and was built between 1637 and 1642 in order of Christian IV. The tower has a special helical corridor without any steps, in order that the tower was accessible by horse and carriage. On top of the Round Tower you have a beautiful view over the city. Here you will also find the oldest and still working astronomical observatory in the world. The Round Tower was designed by the architect Hans Steenwinckel.
Nyhavn
On most covers of travel magazines and tourist guides about Copenhagen you will see a photo of the colorful houses at Nyhavn. This part of the city can be seen as a true symbol of Copenhagen. This harbor with the colorful townhouses at the waterfront dates back to 1673. The Nyhavn connect the Kongens Nytorv with the harbor front near the Copenhagen Opera House. The beautiful town houses at the Nyhavn are home to lots of cafés and restaurants with great terraces. Therefore Nyhavn is also known under the nickname: the longest bar in Copenhagen. In the canal of Nyhavn you can have a look at wonderful old wooden ships.
Freetown Christiania
You have probably never seen something like the extraordinary Freetown Christiania in Copenhagen. Freetown Christiania is a self-proclaimed autonomous neighborhood. You can also describe it as a little town within the city of Copenhagen. Christiania was founded 1970 when a group of squatters occupied abandoned military barracks. The government didn’t intervene and saw it as a ‘social experiment’. Today Christiania is still home to over 800 people. Christiania is especially known for its open cannabis trade in the streets, mainly in the famous Pusher Street. There are many conflicts between the government and the community of Christiania about the legal status of the neighborhood and the cannabis trade. In Christiania you will find creative buildings with amazing graffiti paintings, stands with all kinds of hippie related products and lots of cafés, restaurants and music venues.
Assistens Cemetery
The Assistens Cemetery came first in use in 1760. It’s a beautiful cemetery where lots of famous people are buried like the writer Hans Christian Andersen, the philosopher Søren Kierkegaard and the painter Christen Købke. The Copenhageners use the Assistens Cemetery as a park to have a walk, play with the children or to relax in the grass.