Many of the restaurants are a bit steep - buy a beer from a store nearby instead, and enjoy the view from the quay.
Much of Copenhagen’s Old Town was destroyed by a terrible fire in 1728: Nyhavn survived the conflagration. Home to beloved Danish author Hans Christian Andersen for 18 years, it was once rather a seedy dockland, notorious for its prostitution and rowdy sailors.
After the advent of bigger ships in the early 20th century, Nyhavn’s use as a port began to dwindle; in the 1960s a rejuvenation campaign was begun, and the quay, once used as a parking area, was pedestrianised in 1980. The waterfront’s beautiful houses were renovated and its historic importance recognised; today it is popular with locals and tourists alike.
Nyhavn’s painted townhouses and sumptuous mansions now overlook many a good quayside restaurant, bar and outdoor café - as well as an excellent ice cream and waffle parlour.
The harbour is particularly lovely in summer when its colourful northern side is bathed in sunlight, making for great photo opportunities; at Christmas it’s a top destination for yuletide Danish delicacies, with festive market stalls galore. A waterside stroll down Nyhavn is the perfect end to a day of Copenhagen sightseeing.
Experience the grandeur of Denmark's beautiful capital city, Copenhagen, a city that effortlessly blends rich history with modern charm, on this half-day walking tour of the city's highlights.
On your private highlights tour, you will:
Copenhagen, a former humble fishing village, became the magnificent capital of Denmark in the 15th century. Copenhagen is steeped in history and is home to one of the oldest royal families in the world –spanning back to the Vikings. It is a city of majestic palaces and cobblestone streets, with stunning views toward the sea and a certain iconic statue of the Little Mermaid.
History and modernity intertwine seamlessly in this innovative city – and you’ll learn all about the politics and green revolution of Denmark as you stroll around the highlights of the city – including royal palaces, the cathedral and university, the waterfront and the political and commercial heart of the city.
Enjoy the vibrant buzz of central Copenhagen and get the best recommendations for great places to eat from your local expert guide.
Enjoy a full-day private walking tour of beautiful Copenhagen, the historic, cultured, and contemporary capital of Denmark. Copenhagen is known for its stunning architecture, unique geography straddling two islands, the grandeur of its royal history, and its contemporary cool culture.
On your private tour, you will:
Copenhagen, Denmark’s capital city, is known as one of the coolest contemporary capitals in the world, with its unique geography sitting on the coastal islands of Zealand and Amager, offering spectacular views throughout the day. The Öresund Bridge provides a link to Malmo in southern Sweden. It is also famous for the grandeur of its historic royal architecture.
With your private guide, you will spend the day exploring the highlights of this fascinating and beautiful city. Explore the Amalienborg Palace and Gardens, the winter home of the Danish royal family, where you may catch the traditional pomp and ceremony of the Changing of the Royal Guard. The palace also boasts some of the most impressive Rococo architecture in Europe.
After admiring the iconic Little Mermaid sculpture, you will then venture inside the Kastellet, a mightily imposing star fortress; built in the shape of a giant pentagon, which has successfully warded off enemy attackers for centuries. You will then head over to Nyhavn, where you will have the pleasure of experiencing a delicious traditional Danish lunch, characterised by fresh, local ingredients.
From here your tour will continue its royal theme as you journey into the impressive 17th-century Rosenberg Castle built by one of the most famous Scandinavian kings, Christian IV. Here you will have the chance to enter the stunning Knights’ Hall with original coronation thrones and three life-size silver lions standing guard!
Rosenberg also houses an exquisite collection of Flora Danica and one of the world’s finest Venetian glass collections in the world. A short distance from Rosenborg is the stunning Christiansborg Palace, the seat of the Danish Parliament, the Prime Minister’s office and the Supreme Court.
Your day-long tour ends on a high note: with a visit to Copenhagen’s 17th-century Round Tower, an iconic landmark in the city with the oldest Observatory in Europe.
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