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Copenhagen | The 7 most beautiful sights

The last destination of our adventure through Scandinavia was Copenhagen. The capital of Denmark brought back the energy in us, because this city has a lot to offer. Charming streets, beautiful statues, historic buildings, hip tents and a vibrant nightlife! The moment you come home with sore feet and more than 10.000 steps on the counter, you know it's a successful city ​​trip is. There is so much to see! In this article you will find the 7 most beautiful and unmissable sights of Copenhagen.

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1. Nyhavn – the colorful harbour

Colorful merchant houses

This is definitely the most beautiful of the 7 sights and is therefore number 1: Nyhavn, the colorful harbour. Nyahavn (location here) literally means 'new harbour'. It is the 'place to be' in Copenhagen, because the colored merchant houses reflect beautifully over the water and provide a unique appearance. Google 'Copenhagen' and you will see these houses passing by, it is the tourist attraction of the city. Postcard-worthy!

Nyhavn. The colored houses on the harbor | Copenhagen.

Coffee Shop

Especially in the summer, the Nyhavn is bustling with tourists and residents of Copenhagen who want to conquer a spot on the canal. There are many bars and restaurants under the umbrellas of the cute houses. You can enjoy a Danish specialty here. It is also the place where you can brave the vibrant nightlife!

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Sailor's entertainment

In the 17th century, Nyhavn was also the place for sailor entertainment. The sailors went in search of their entertainment in the restaurants and bars and sang loudly and drunkenly along the water. The sailors are gone, but it is still the nightlife area of ​​Copenhagen today. Only more trendy.

2. Strøget – the trendy shopping street

During a visit to Copenhagen you will undoubtedly stroll through the shopping streets. The shopping mall Strøget (Location here) of the city is certainly one of the most beautiful sights in Copenhagen. The atmosphere in the center is nice and the appearance is correct: the tiles, the graceful buildings, the lights and the shops. There is something for everyone; from the most expensive brands to nice normal clothing stores and boutiques. The center is a beautiful long street with a pleasant square and beautiful buildings.

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Strøget, the shopping center in Copenhagen
Strøget, the shopping center in Copenhagen

3.Churchill park

Hot spot for photographers

Churchill Park (Location here) was named after Winston Churchill in 1965 and is the perfect hotspot for photographers. You'll understand why, if you walk just a little past the center to walk into Churchill Park. You can also enjoy jogging, sports or picnicking. It feels like you are experiencing history yourself! The historic bridge, the statues surrounded by water.



The Gefion fountain

The jewel of the Churchill park has to be the Gefion fountain (Location here). The Gefion fountain is a statue, but in my opinion one of the most beautiful sights in Copenhagen, because of the environment and the power of the statue.

The Gefion Fountain in Copenhagen
The Gefion Fountain | Copenhagen

It is a beautiful statue of the mythical Scandinavian goddess Gefion. You may be surprised to see the goddess guiding four oxen violently. The myth goes that the Swedish king promised Gefion that she could keep the land if she could plow it in one night. Gefion then turned her four sons into oxen and plowed the land as quickly as possible. Then she threw it into the sea, and the island was born Zealand. Seeland is the island on which Copenhagen was built, and so we end a piece of city history.

4. The Little Mermaid

Combine a visit to the Churchill park with a visit to the little Mermaid. You can find this world-famous statue near the park (location here). In the summer months you will spot many tourists along the water to photograph the little mermaid.

Famous fairy tale

The Little Mermaid is actually the face of the city. It stems from a well-known fairy tale, written by the Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen. It is called 'den lille havrue' (the little mermaid). The little mermaid saves the life of a shipwrecked prince. She has to give up her beautiful voice and her fish tail in order to marry him.

Carl Jakobsen saw the fairy tale in a Danish ballet in 1909 and was so inspired by her that he decided to commission a sculpture of the mermaid for Copenhagen. And now she looks out over the city, sitting on a rock. It is one of his fairytale characters, and you can find even more of his (other) fairytale characters scattered around Copenhagen!

Small

It is a well-known statue, so actually a must-see. Don't be disappointed though, because the little mermaid is (as the name suggests) a small figurine.

The Little Mermaid | Copenhagen
The Little Mermaid | Copenhagen

Anyway, it remains one of the most photographed women in the world. And this I can imagine, because when I was there there were about 20 to 30 other tourists standing near the statue. They all tried to get the best possible picture of the mermaid.

Personally, I felt that there are other works of art in the city, such as the Gefion Fountain, that are much more powerful, impressive and interesting to look at. Still, it is nice to see the little mermaid in real life.

Social issues

It is interesting to know that the little mermaid is nowadays used for social issues. It is used to communicate political and social issues because it is seen as the face of the city. For example, a burqa was once put on and once she had a headscarf on. She was also beheaded several times. Unfortunately, she is increasingly a victim of vandalism.

5. The Frederik's Church

Inside and out, the Frederik's Church (Location here) beautiful! This round, largely marble, church towers above the city with its green tip. Frederiks Kirke is located near the famous Amalienborg Palace. It is definitely worth visiting the Frederikskerk, not only for the view from the outside and inside, but also the environment in which it is located speaks volumes. Step inside the Frederikskerk to see the special light coming through the windows.

Frederik's Church | Copenhagen
Frederik's Church | Copenhagen

We had planned to find a nice church somewhere in the city where we could enter. When we saw the Frederikskerk and walked towards it, we did not expect that this would be the church! From the outside already so beautiful to see how detailed work has been done. We could walk right in and there is no entrance fee. The inside of the church was at least as beautiful as the building itself. Light, lots of candles, candlesticks and stained glass. Highly recommended!

Inside Frederik's Church | Copenhagen
Inside Frederik's Church | Copenhagen

6. Amalienborg Palace

A short jump from the Frederikskerk and you'll be there in no time Amalienborg Palace (Location here). Another must-see in Copenhagen! You can hardly miss the palace because of the neat garden with beautiful flowers, the knightly statue and the flags above the building. You can already feel the royal atmosphere in the air! The palace cannot be missed during this cultural city trip.

Royal family

Especially if you're a little bit curious about how the Danish royal family lives. It is a museum where you can enter the history of the Danish highnesses. You can admire historical artifacts, paintings, furniture, jewelry and much more at Amalienborg Palace. The palace is the (current) home of the Queen of Denmark, Margrethe ll.

Amalienborg, Royal Palace | Copenhagen
Amalienborg, Royal Palace | Copenhagen

Changing of the Guard

Besides the museum, it is also nice to watch the changing of the guard. There is still talk of traditional Danish royal bodyguards marching through the streets in Copenhagen. They guard the palace of the royal family 24 hours a day. Every day around 12.00 is the changing of the guard. It is definitely recommended to see the changing of the guard in the city after your relaxed morning, and then look for a nice lunch spot somewhere.

7. Langelinie Park: Iver Huitfeldt

Arriving at number 7 of the sights in Copenhagen: the Langelinie park (Location here). The nice thing about Copenhagen is that it also has such beautiful parks. While walking through the greenery, you keep coming across surprising images that make you pause curiously.

Now this is not necessarily the biggest must-see in Copenhagen, but the walk around it made this a fairytale moment. This statue in memory of Iver Huitfeldt towered over the trees, which had already faded to the hues of autumn. The park you walk through is medieval and it is so wonderful to breathe in some nature during a city trip. The statue is located directly on the water, so you can also get a breath of fresh air.

Langelinie Park | Copenhagen
Langelinie Park | Copenhagen


Accommodation tip: City Hub Hostel

Are you traveling on a low budget and/or, for example, traveling through with a backpack? Then you will probably look for hostels. During our trip through Scandinavia we booked many hostels and it City Hub Hostel (click here for prices and availability) was undoubtedly the most fun of them all! In the low season you book a room for 2 people for about 60 euros, so you will lose 30 euros per person.

You have your own 'hub' (room), so no annoying dormitories. It is SUPER modern and there is a cozy common area and bar where you can sit. People enjoy a drink there and it is easy to make contact with other travelers. The entire hostel is like a spaceship, because you can set the lights in your own hub with a remote control. So you have a disco mode, flashing lights. The showers and bathroom are really super-deluxe. We found it very nice to be able to shower so well. You don't get that everywhere while backpacking.

View the photos below for an impression of CityHub Copenhagen.

CityHub hostel in Copenhagen
CityHub hostel l Copenhagen
CityHub hostel in Copenhagen
CityHub hostel l Copenhagen
CityHub hostel l Copenhagen

Closing comments

In short, Copenhagen is a very nice, lively city to visit with many beautiful sights. During our journey through Scandinavia we have visited several capitals and major cities.

If someone were to ask which city I liked best, Copenhagen would be my favorite Oslo. Especially with the colors of autumn, I thought the city was beautiful to walk through. The beautiful, hip shopping center, the charming houses on the harbor, the parks with beautiful statues and the history make Copenhagen a versatile city where you don't have to be bored.

Plan your holiday to Scandinavia here

Ilse

Hi! I'm Ilse, 23 years old. Since a backpacking trip through Scandinavia, my love for travel has grown and so has my bucket list! I fell in love with Norway and have since returned to the beautiful country twice. I have already seen many places in Europe. In September and October I will travel to Indonesia and Thailand, and in March next year I will explore Central America.

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