Copenhagen in Six Hours
There is so much to see and do in Copenhagen that it is important to plan your trip in detail, especially if you are limited in time as we were, having only six hours in the city to explore.
This meant we left out some very worthwhile sites and attractions that took significant travel time or where we had recently seen something similar; for example, we had just spent half a day at the Berlin Zoo, so skipped Copenhagen Zoo on this trip, although we were sorely tempted by its reputation.
Our first stroll was to Nyhavn, which was originally a busy commercial port for ships from around the world and, typical of scenes shown in pirate-style movies, the area was home to sailors, pubs and ladies of the night. It is the street where famous Danish fairytale writer Hans Christian Anderson lived and wrote many of his stories
Today, the old houses have been restored and the original pubs and shops have been replaced by restaurants and bars that dominate the international image of Copenhagen, with the multi-coloured buildings almost stretching out to both modern and old boats that cater for every tourist need, including many that have been converted to restaurants.
This meant we left out some very worthwhile sites and attractions that took significant travel time or where we had recently seen something similar; for example, we had just spent half a day at the Berlin Zoo, so skipped Copenhagen Zoo on this trip, although we were sorely tempted by its reputation.
Our first stroll was to Nyhavn, which was originally a busy commercial port for ships from around the world and, typical of scenes shown in pirate-style movies, the area was home to sailors, pubs and ladies of the night. It is the street where famous Danish fairytale writer Hans Christian Anderson lived and wrote many of his stories
Today, the old houses have been restored and the original pubs and shops have been replaced by restaurants and bars that dominate the international image of Copenhagen, with the multi-coloured buildings almost stretching out to both modern and old boats that cater for every tourist need, including many that have been converted to restaurants.
Photo by Nick Karvounis
Music and laughter and the joy-filled babble of dozens of languages fill the air, especially at night, and there are plenty of outdoor restaurants to suit every taste. We wandered through the area for about 30 minutes, taking in the sights and atmosphere, then strolled around the edge of the Nyhavn Canal to the main river where we were jolted out of the past by some very beautiful modern buildings, including the Arken Museum of Modern Art where we enjoyed a delicious coffee while we took in the view across the river, which included the equally-modern Royal Danish Opera House (below).
Photo by Kevin Angelo
Having also just spent a day walking around Oslo we decided to simply explore further on foot and there was plenty to see.
As we are Aussies (and naturally showing full respect) we had to check out Mary Donaldson’s pad - meaning of course Amalienborg Palace, the home of former Tasmanian Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and her family. Although the royal family was not in residence, the buzz and excitement from both tourists and Danes alike was worth the trip to experience (Danish people love the royal family).
We also saw the changing of the Danish Royal Guard, which marches daily about two kilometres from the Rosenborg Castle at 11:30am and arrives at the palace at midday.
As we are Aussies (and naturally showing full respect) we had to check out Mary Donaldson’s pad - meaning of course Amalienborg Palace, the home of former Tasmanian Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and her family. Although the royal family was not in residence, the buzz and excitement from both tourists and Danes alike was worth the trip to experience (Danish people love the royal family).
We also saw the changing of the Danish Royal Guard, which marches daily about two kilometres from the Rosenborg Castle at 11:30am and arrives at the palace at midday.
Unfortunately there was “no-one home" on the day we were there. It’s easy to tell if any of the royals are at the palace (apart from the flags ) because the size of the Guard and the musical support depends on who is in residence:
Two popular attractions we did overlook were the Little Mermaid and Tivoli Gardens, again put aside due to time limitations. For a while we “lost” ourselves near the city’s largest shopping area near the Town Hall square in the heart of the city (in reality, I became lost so my wife spent some time looking in the shops, but that’s another story).
Known as Stroget, the area covers half a dozen streets and squares and is one of the largest pedestrian malls in Europe. It was both enjoyable and tiring wandering through the streets, squares and waterways soaking in the city’s atmosphere and checking out the different fashions.
The city squares were full of activity, with thousands of tourists trying to decide which area to explore first while locals go about their daily activities. There were occasional street performers, although we understand on most days they are everywhere.
The only “red flag” we were warned about was just near the City Hall, where con-artists often fleece tourists with the old “guess where the ball is under one of three cups” game, but it was not a problem.
- When the Monarch is in residence it is known as the Kings Watch, or Kongevagt, and the Royal Guard is accompanied by their music band;
- When the Crown Prince or Prince Joachim are in residence in the capacity as Regents it is the Lieutenant Watch, or Lojtnantsvagt and the music accompanying the Guards comprises flutes and drums; and
- If the Guards march without music - which they did during our visit - it is the Manor Watch, or Palaevagt, indicating that there is no-one in residence or, if the Crown Prince of Prince Joachim are there, they are not in their capacity of Regents.
Two popular attractions we did overlook were the Little Mermaid and Tivoli Gardens, again put aside due to time limitations. For a while we “lost” ourselves near the city’s largest shopping area near the Town Hall square in the heart of the city (in reality, I became lost so my wife spent some time looking in the shops, but that’s another story).
Known as Stroget, the area covers half a dozen streets and squares and is one of the largest pedestrian malls in Europe. It was both enjoyable and tiring wandering through the streets, squares and waterways soaking in the city’s atmosphere and checking out the different fashions.
The city squares were full of activity, with thousands of tourists trying to decide which area to explore first while locals go about their daily activities. There were occasional street performers, although we understand on most days they are everywhere.
The only “red flag” we were warned about was just near the City Hall, where con-artists often fleece tourists with the old “guess where the ball is under one of three cups” game, but it was not a problem.
As we discovered in many cities across Europe, history beckoned around every corner and along every side street such as Stork Fountain at Amagertorv Square; the Church of Our Lady where Crown Prince Frederick and Crown Princess Mary were married; and looking across the waterways to Christiansborg Palace, where Norway’s Parliament sits.
One of the most famous landmarks is the world heritage UNESCO site, Kronborg Castle (below left). Regarded as one of the best Renaissance castles in northern Europe it is often referred to as the castle of Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
Also not to be missed in the heart of the city is the 400-year-old Rosenborg Castle (below right) set in the beautiful King’s Garden. Built in the 1600s it epitomises the pomp and pageantry of the Danish royal life between the 17th and 19th centuries, with plenty of royal treasures on display, including the Crown Jewels and the three life-size silver lions and the coronation thrones in the Kinght's Hall.
One of the most famous landmarks is the world heritage UNESCO site, Kronborg Castle (below left). Regarded as one of the best Renaissance castles in northern Europe it is often referred to as the castle of Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
Also not to be missed in the heart of the city is the 400-year-old Rosenborg Castle (below right) set in the beautiful King’s Garden. Built in the 1600s it epitomises the pomp and pageantry of the Danish royal life between the 17th and 19th centuries, with plenty of royal treasures on display, including the Crown Jewels and the three life-size silver lions and the coronation thrones in the Kinght's Hall.
Our final take was that Copenhagen certainly has much to see and do, but if you are stopping off for only a day or a few hours, plan well and prioritise the few places you are going.
And if you are on a cruise, don’t rely on the ship’s shuttle bus system. We “wasted” around two of our precious hours in queues for the bus when a taxi for four people would have been 10 times quicker and cost around the same amount!
And if you are on a cruise, don’t rely on the ship’s shuttle bus system. We “wasted” around two of our precious hours in queues for the bus when a taxi for four people would have been 10 times quicker and cost around the same amount!