Top Attractions in København

Gråbrødre Torv

Gråbrødretorv square is one of the busiest and most popular areas in the city, with its many indoor and outdoor restaurants. Many outdoor summer events take place here, especially during the Copenhagen Jazz Festival. For tourists, the pedestrian Gråbrødretorv can be difficult to find because it is surrounded by houses. Many of the lopsided, half-timbered houses on Gråbrødretorv go as far back as 1730. Others were built after the British bombardment in 1807. The name of the square originates from the cloister of Gråbrødre, which was located on it from 1238 to 1530. Before that, it was called Ulfeldts Square after the Lord Chancellor Corfitz Ulfeldt. After his treason against his brother-in-law Frederik III, a monument of infamy was raised to him in the middle of the square, and in 1841 the square's name was changed to Gråbrødretorv.

Sweden Tour

The Sweden Tour consists of a nine-hour bus trip to Sweden. The bus departs from Rådhuspladsen and drives to Helsingør, where 20 minutes on the ferry takes you to the Swedish city of Helsingborg. After a little sightseeing, the bus continues to Lund, the old Swedish university town from the Middle Ages, founded by the Danish king in 1020. You take a look at the cathedral and at the university there. The next stop is Malmö, with possibilities for shopping or sightseeing. To end the trip, the bus crosses the Øresundsbroen bridge to Copenhagen, over the newly built 16km combined tunnel and bridge.

Den Lille Havfrue

Copenhagen's most famous tourist attraction, the Little Mermaid sits on a rock overlooking the harbour. Created by Edward Eriksen in 1913 who was inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's fairytale. The model for the Mermaid was dancer Ellen Price. The statue's head was stolen in 1964 and although police hunted for several years, neither the perpetrator nor the head were found. The head has been replaced by a replica but jokers still occasionally try to saw it off.

Fælledparken

Fælledparken is a big, popular park in the middle of Copenhagen. Fælledparken, also called Fælleden, has for generations been used for big popular meetings and demonstrations like those held on 1 May. In Fælledparken you find the national football stadium, Parken; just outside the park there are public football grounds. Huge lawns in the park, hold many musical events (rock, jazz, classical)in summer. Playgrounds, a swimming pool, a sensory house for blind people and a dance tent.

Kongens Have/Rosenborg Slotshave

The oldest park in Denmark, Kongens Have, was laid out when Christian IV commissioned the building of Rosenborg Castle in 1634. Some parts of the original Renaissance garden are intact. The Baroque 18th century brought several lovely lime tree-lined paths; the 19th century saw the park re-landscaped according to English ideals. Dozens of stunning sculptures adorn the park including one of Hans Christian Andersen, who found inspiration for his fairy tales here. Gardens are open until sunset.

Københavns Havn

The best way to see the harbour is by going on one of the Canal Tours. On these trips the tourist is presented with many sights that are located along the Copenhagen waterfront. Admire the castles including Christiansborg and Amalienborg, charming old areas like Nyhavn and Christianshavn, churches such as Holmens Kirke and Marmorkirken, and modern buildings like the headquarters of A. P. Møller or the Black Diamond. The harbour of Copenhagen stretches from Nordhavn and Frihavnen deep into the heart of the city. From as far back as the 1930s, the harbour has been strongly criticized. However, with newer initiatives, like the new building work at Frihavnen, the harbour is becoming a recreational area for the people of Copenhagen.

Østre Anlæg

Østre Anlæg was originally part of the moats of Copenhagen. The park was laid out in 1871 in the style of an English garden. In Østre Anlæg you find Statens Museum for Kunst with its white marble annexe, and the Hirschsprung Collection. You will also find flowerbeds, statues and monuments.

Københavns Rådhus

The Town Hall is a popular building, located at Rådhuspladsen (the Town Hall Square). Designed by Martin Nyrop, the Town Hall was constructed in the years 1892 to 1905, the model for it being the town hall in the Italian town of Sienna. The building is also reminiscent of Danish Medieval architecture. The Town Hall is decorated with a large number of sculptures, and a 350 foot tall tower, from the top of which you get an excellent view over Copenhagen. The Town Hall is home to the representatives of Copenhagen, but it is also used when a Head of State from a foreign country pays a visit.

Frihavnen

Frihavnen forms the outer part of the Copenhagen Harbour. Way back, the biggest ships docked in at Frihavnen before setting out on long voyages to Port Said and the East. After having finished the day's work, men living in Copenhagen went to Frihavnen on their bikes in order to take part in the adventure, maybe catch a hawser and tie it to a bollard. Today Frihavnen has become a fashionable area, with cafés and expensive shops. Now it is mostly cruisers and a few war ships that dock at Frihavnen.

Strøget

Buses, trams, cars and bicycles were banned in 1964 to allow for the thousands of shoppers, that walk down this open air market. The cheap end is at Rådhuspladsen, with simple bars and burger joints, but things get more expensive further down with stores like Gucci and Birger Christensen. Some come here to shop, others just to see and be seen. Walking down Strøget is always an experience; Denmark's national poet, Klaus Rifbjerg, summed it up in a song titled Imagine Walking Down Strøget Dressed In Your Light Blue Pyjamas.