Visiting Copenhagen

The magnificint Øresund Bridge is a very impressive piece of architecture. It is also the scenic way of getting from the Danish capital, Copenhagen to the Swedish city, Malmö. Remember to bring your passport and you can fast and easily go by car or train. Trains are going to and from Copenhagen Central Station and Malmö every 20 minutes. One ride takes approximately 35 minutes. 

Below you will find some of the most popular attractions in Copenhagen or Visit visitcopenhagen.com to find more information. Visit Wonderful Copenhagen near the e-poster area to hear more about interesting turist attractions and how to get around in Copenhagen.


Nyhavn

Especially during summer Nyhavn is the perfect place to end a long day. With a cold one on the quay like the locals, or in one of the many restaurants.

Originally, Nyhavn was a busy commercial port where ships from all over the world would dock. The area was packed with sailors, ladies of pleasure, pubs and alehouses.

Today the beautiful old houses have been renovated and restaurants dominate the old port. Nyhavn is filled with people enjoying the relaxed atmosphere by the canal, jazz music and great food. 


The Round Tower

The 17th century tower and observatory Rundetaarn, or the round tower, is the oldest functioning observatory in Europe.

When Christian IV built the tower, Denmark was quite famous for its astronomical achievements thanks to the astronomer Tycho Brahe. When he died in 1601, the King wished to continue Brahe's research and thus the round tower came into being.

It has been a while since the scientists left, but the observatory is still used by amateur astronomers and the many visitors. The observatory is encircled by an outdoor platform from which you have a magnificent view of the old part of Copenhagen.

To get there you need to walk up the spiral walk, which is 268,5 meters long at the outer wall and only 85,5 meters long close to the core of the building. This means that you walk around 209 meters to get to the top, even though the tower is only 36 meters tall.


The Opera

Originally, the Opera was named "The Opera Copenhagen", however the name was shortened to "The Opera" because of the length. The opera located on Holmen in Copenhagen is Denmark's national opera.

It was inaugurated on January 15, 2005 and was designed by architect Henning Larsen with Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller as the initiator, builder and patron.

The A. P. Møller and Wife Chastine Mc-Kinney Møller’s Foundation for General Purposes announced in 2000 that they would donate an opera house to the Danish people. The fund payed for the construction and the Royal Theater was responsible for the operation.

There were two conditions for the donation: The Foundation determined the location and chose the architect. The location was chosen to be on the island Holmen in Copenhagen just opposite Amaliehaven and the royal family's residency Amalienborg. The project began in August 2001 and was presented to the public in October 2001. In October 2002, a revised model was presented with a modified glass facade which was handed over in October 2004 to the Prime Minister on behalf of the Danish state and the Royal Theater.

On January 15 2005, the Opera House opened with a gala.


Walking tour at Nørrebro

If you want to see a local part of Copenhagen with lots of cultural life, kebab shops and cafes, take a trip to Nørrebro. This is my favourite part of Copenhagen and where I grew up. Take the Metro to Nørrebros Runddel. Start by a tour in the beautiful Assistensen’s Cemetary, where Ben Webster, Søren Kierkegaard and H.C. Andersen is buried. Walk to Skt. Hans Torv for a coffee or lunch and Elmegade for shopping. From there walk to the lakes of Copenhagen, where locals enjoy running or a walk and talk. Cross the Dronning Louise bridge where young people are hanging with a nice view of Copenhagen. Walk to Torvehallerne food market for more coffee, snacks or lunch. End the tour by the Nørreport Metro station. If time allows it, there are several other sites worth visiting in walking distance from Nørreport station. For instance, the beautiful Botanical Garden with the lovely Palm House inspired by the Crystal Palace in London.  The 400-year old Renaissance castle Rosenborg built by Christian IV with its beautiful garden (Kongens Have). If you want to continue in the footsteps of Christian IV, you can finish with a trip to the Round Tower with a nice view of central Copenhagen.