Copenhagen walking tour & city guide

Nyhavn and the center

Nyhavn, a canal lined with colorful 17th-century houses and old wooden ships, is the city's postcard view. Strøget, one of Europe's longest pedestrian streets, crosses the center. Amalienborg Palace, home of the royal family, has a daily changing of the guard.

Tivoli and beyond

Tivoli Gardens, opened in 1843, is one of the oldest amusement parks in the world. The Little Mermaid statue sits on the waterfront, and Rosenborg Castle holds the crown jewels. Christianshavn has canals and the spiral tower of the Church of Our Saviour.

A day in Copenhagen

Rent a bike, as most locals do, and start at Nyhavn, the colorful 17th-century harbor lined with old wooden ships. Ride along the harbor to the Little Mermaid statue and Kastellet, a star-shaped fortress, then visit Amalienborg Palace for the changing of the guard at noon.

In the afternoon, explore Rosenborg Castle and its crown jewels, or climb the spiral ramp of the Round Tower. In the evening, visit Tivoli Gardens, one of the oldest amusement parks in the world, or the free town of Christiania, with its colorful self-built houses.

Good to know

Copenhagen is one of the most bike-friendly cities on Earth, with wide cycle lanes everywhere. The metro runs 24 hours and connects the airport to the center in 15 minutes. In summer, locals swim in clean harbor baths right in the city.

Copenhagen is expensive, but street food markets, like Reffen on Refshaleøen, offer affordable meals. The city is at its best from May to September, when the days are long and the harbor is full of life.