Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen or Kobenhavn, is a city full of history and culture. Here you can find colorful buildings, fun amusement parks, delicious food, and prosperous gardens. But, if that isn’t enough to entice you to visit, maybe these beautiful pictures of the city will. Take a look at 22 inspiring pictures of Copenhagen to help you plan your next trip.
Nyhavn
If you’ve ever heard of Copenhagen or seen pictures of it, you’ve likely seen these fun colorful buildings. These buildings are in Copenhagen’s old harbor, Nyhavn. This historic area is in the heart of Copenhagen so it’s super easy to access. Walk along the cobblestone streets to see the city’s colorful 18th-century townhouses and relax at one of the many restaurants or cafes in the area.
Meanwhile, you can even enjoy a bit of history here as old wooden ships are still moored in the canal and there are plenty of great museums you can stop it. The popular author Hans Christian Andersen also used to live in this area so you can stop by his old dwellings.
Rosenborg Castle
One of the nicest castles in Copenhagen is Rosenborg Castle, built during the Dutch Renaissance in 1606. Every room is unique and features rich decorations that people of any age can admire. Explore the Knights’ Hall with its coronation thrones and the old king’s private living areas. You can also find an impressive Venetian glass collection.
Also, if you love gardens, Rosenborg Castle has a stunning one. Explore the fun hedges in the King’s Garden and marvel at the beautiful statues throughout.
Frederiksborg Castle
Another beautiful castle in Copenhagen is Frederiksborg Castle, built in the early 17th century. You can find the castle on three small islets in Castle Lake, making the surrounding area alone a beautiful sight.
The architecture inside, particularly in the chapel, is stunning. You’ll feel like there should still be royalty walking around when you visit. The interior of the castle is not the only beautiful part. Frederiksborg Castle has a great garden surrounding the complex. It houses small lakes, shrubberies, trees and flowers meant to impress any visitor.
Frederik’s Church
Frederik’s Church, better known as the Marble Church, is a beautiful building to visit. Built in 1894, this church is still functional for services and especially weddings. As this is still an operating church, it’s important to be respectful if you visit. Head to the top of the dome for a magnificent view of Copenhagen.
Grundtvig’s Church
If you aren’t tired of churches yet, paying a visit to Grundtvig’s Church is a great stop. It’s not as ornate as Frederik’s Church, but its architecture is certainly unique. It is actually a gothic cathedral from 1940 that is 249 feet tall. You can see just how tall the building is when you enter and notice the stunning high ceilings.
This is the place to go if you want to experience a traditional Danish service in English with hymns, preaching and readings for anyone to enjoy.
Enjoy the Architecture
Although we’ve touched on some of Copenhagen’s unique architecture a bit already, there’s still plenty to see. For example, Kronborg Castle, better known as Hamlet’s Castle, is another great castle that we can’t miss mentioning. It has its nickname as it is the actual castle that Shakespeare set Hamlet in, making it the perfect place for literary lovers. You’ll even get great views of nearby Sweden when you visit.
A bit different than any of the traditional European architecture we’ve looked at is Freetown Christiania. It is a pedestrian-only, hippie neighborhood in the city. It is an autonomous neighborhood with completely separate laws from the Danish government. Here you can find tons of unique crafts, intricately painted buildings, live music, restaurants and cafes.
If you’re interested in museums, the Louisiana Museum of Art or Glyptoket Museum are two of our favorites. At the former, there is a unique indoor and outdoor space full of unique modern art. You’ll also get a great view of the ocean so it’s even worth a visit for those who aren’t crazy about art. Secondly, at the latter, you will find ancient Greek and Roman sculptures, modern art and a great view of Copenhagen.
Another great building to see is Amalienborg Palace, where the queen resides. Every day at 12 pm you can witness the changing of the Royal Guard which consists of a parade of musicians, drummers, and 36 guards.
For those who just want to walk around the city, Stroget is the place to go. Stroget is the longest pedestrian-only street in Europe and you can easily find it in Downtown Copenhagen. You can find everything at Stroget from luxury brands to well-known shops and quaint cafes for when you’re tired.
The Little Mermaid Statue
Aside from the stunning architecture, Copenhagen is well-known for its Little Mermaid statue. The statue is based on the fairy tale of the same name by Hans Christian Andersen and has been in Copenhagen since 1913. The statue is a bit further out from Downtown Copenhagen but it’s worth a visit.
Tivoli Gardens
If you’re tired of all the sightseeing, no trip to Copenhagen is complete without a visit to Tivoli Gardens. Don’t be fooled by the name, it’s no garden. Tivoli Gardens is one of the best theme parks in the world simply for the history as it is also the oldest theme park in the world.
Just because it’s old, doesn’t mean Tivoli Gardens has nothing to offer. The open-air park has tons of rides, games, restaurants, dance halls and theatres to keep you and your family busy all day. There’s even an aquarium and Japanese garden inside! Head to Tivoli Gardens on a Friday night to enjoy their stunning firework display.
In conclusion, 22 pictures of this beautiful city are not enough. Therefore, you need to head to Denmark to see it for yourself, we promise you won’t regret the trip!