AMALIENBORG

Originally built for four noble families, the four palaces of Amalienborg occupy four of the side of the Octagonal courtyard. When Christiansborg Palace burnt down in 1794, the four palaces were bought by the royal family and became known as Christian VII’s Palace, Christian VIII’s Palace, Frederick VIII’s Palace and Christian IX’s Palace.

Still used by the royal family today, you can visit Christian VIII’s Palace to view the elaborate interior. If you are there around noon you can witness the changing of the guard, when the soldiers march from Rosenborg Castle down to Amalienborg.

DON’T MISS:

• The chance to see inside one of the four palaces and view the opulent interior.
• The changing of the guard which takes place throughout the octagonal courtyard.
• The small quayside garden of Amaliehaven with its central fountain.
• The nearby Marble Church with its striking green dome.

PLAN YOUR VISIT:

• Tickets are Kr. for 18 years old and over, Kr. 65 for students and free for under 18s.
• Open at least 10:00 to 15:00 for most of the year with longer hours in the summer months and closed on Mondays off-season. Please see here for full details.
• A combination ticket with Rosenborg Castle is Kr. 160.
• Entrance to this attraction is on the Copenhagen Card.

Amalienborg Slotsplads 7, 1257 København | +45 33 12 21 86 | Attraction 1 on Map Below

CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR

There are plenty of churches around the world which you can climb the domes or towers of for great views of the city, but what makes the Church of our Saviour different is that the steps up the tower spiral around the outside.

The church was inaugurated in 1695, but the famous tower was not finished until 1752. The king then climbed the tower’s 400 steps, 150 of them outside, at a ceremony to when the tower opened.

Photo by Guillaume Capron / CC BY 2.0

DON’T MISS:

• The interior of the church, especially Tessin’s altar.
• The thrill of climbing to the top of the tower on the outside.
• The wonderful views across Copenhagen.

PLAN YOUR VISIT:

• Entrance to the church is free.
• Entrance to the tower is Kr. 35 from the end of Feb to April and Oct to Mid Dec and Kr. 50 May to Sep.
• The church is open 11:00 to 15:30 every day.
• The tower is open 10:00 to 16:00 Mon to Sat and 10:30-16:00 Sun and bank holidays. Due to the external stairs, the tower is closed during rain and high winds and it is closed for winter from Mid Dec to Feb.
• Entrance to this attraction is on the Copenhagen Card and Copenhagen City Pass.

Sankt Annæ Gade 29, 1416 København, Denmark | +45 32 54 68 83 | Attraction 2 on Map Below

TIVOLI GARDENS

Founded in 1843, Tivoli is one of the most famous amusement parks in the world and was visited by none other than Walt Disney several times before he opened Disneyland. Situated right in the heart of Copenhagen, sandwiched between the central railway station and the city hall, it’s a compact theme park with a rich history.

Offering something for everyone, from rides for thrill-seekers to gentler rides and rides for kids, the whole park is beautifully decorated for the season. After dark, thousands of colourful lights transform the park and there are shows aplenty during the day to keep everyone entertained.

DON’T MISS:

• Ride one of the world’s oldest wooden rollercoasters and one of only seven in the world which has a brakeman on every train.
• Just wander around and enjoy the scenery, especially if you are visiting during a seasonal opening when the park is decorated.
• Loop the loop on the Demon.
• Enjoy The Flying Trunk which depicts Hans Christian Andersen scenes during the ride.

PLAN YOUR VISIT:

• Entrance tickets are Kr. 130 for 8 years old and over, Kr. 60 for children aged 3-7 and free for under 3s. These tickets just allow entry to the park, enjoying any of the rides is an additional cost.
• Entrance tickets which include unlimited rides are Kr. 383 Mon-Fri and Kr. 391 Sat/Sun.
• Tivoli is not open year-round, it is open for the summer season from Apr to Sep, but also opens for special seasons such as Halloween and Christmas, please click here for full opening details.
• Entrance to this attraction is on the Copenhagen Card and Copenhagen City Pass. However, this does not include enjoying any of the rides which are an additional cost.

Vesterbrogade 3, 1630 København V, Denmark | +45 33 15 10 01 | Attraction 3 on Map Below

KASTELLET

Kastellet is a 17th-century fortress in a typical of the time, star formation. Still used partially as a military installation to this day, it is predominantly a public park with space for residents and visitors to walk the ramparts and enjoy the open space.

The Kastellet fortress was supported by a ring of bastioned ramparts that surrounded Copenhagen, but only the ramparts in Christianshavn, which are in Freetown Christiana, remain today.

DON’T MISS:

• Walking the ramparts and enjoying the open space and views of the moat.
• View the 19th-century Dutch-style windmill which was built to replace one destroyed by a storm.
• The two entrance gates, King’s Gate and Norway Gate.
• Just to the east of King’s Gate, the Gefion Fountain showing the Norse Goddess and four oxen ploughing the sea.

PLAN YOUR VISIT:

• There is no charge to enter Kastellet.
• Open every day from 06:00 to 20:00 and until 22:00 Apr to Sep.
• Kastellet remains an active military installation, so please keep to marked paths and public areas at all times.

Gl. Hovedvagt, Kastellet 1, 2100 København | +45 72 81 11 41 |  Attraction 4 on Map Below

THE ROUND TOWER

While many cities have towers which you can climb, or if you are lucky, ride, to the top for expansive views, the unique thing about the round tower is that instead of stairs, you continually ascend a spiral ramp to get to the top. Though the ramp doesn’t get right to the top, there are a few steps, it makes for an interesting way to climb a tower. And the views across Copenhagen from the top are well worth the effort of the climb.

DON’T MISS:

• The views across Copenhagen.
• Taking a peek up into the observatory that lies at the very top up a few additional steps.
• The exhibition spaces in the roof of the church, accessible from partway up the tower.
• Taking a moment in the attached Trinitatis Church.

PLAN YOUR VISIT:

• Tickets are Kr. 25 for 16 years old and over, Kr. 5 for children aged 5-15 and free for under 5s.
• Open at least 10:00 to 18:00 all year, except 24th/25th December and 1st January. Extended opening from Apr to Sep until 20:00.
• The observatory is open 18:00 to 21:00 Tue/Wed from Oct to Mar.
• This attraction is on the Copenhagen Card.

Købmagergade 52A, 1150 København | +45 33 73 03 73 | Attraction 5 on Map Below

FREETOWN CHRISTIANA

Freetown Christiana was founded in 1971 when people moved into the abandoned military base, taking advantage of minimal security, and began building a community there. Famous for many years because of the “Green Light District” that sold cannabis, the area today still houses around 900 people. The originally squatting has been replaced with ownership of the land they live in, but the whole area retains an independent vibe.

Photo by Kenji Ross / CC BY- SA 2.0

DON’T MISS:

• Walk around and take in the unique vibe.
• Take a walk on the ramparts, some of the finest surviving 17th-century defence works in the world.
• Enjoy the colourful murals and sculptures.
• Taste some of the many foods available inside Christiana.

PLAN YOUR VISIT:

• There is no charge to enter Christiana and it is open at all times.

Freetown Christiania, Christiania, Copenhagen Municipality | Attraction 6 on Map Below

ROSENBORG CASTLE

Originally built as a summerhouse in 1606, Rosenborg castle is now home to an incredible collection of beautiful objects. The highlight of which has to be the stunning Danish Crown Jewels which can be viewed in the treasury underneath the castle.

The incredible mirror cabinet, constructed when mirrors were extremely expensive is a good example of the opulence of the castle. The Knights Hall, or long hall, as it was originally known, holds the Danish throne, guarded by three silver lions in a huge and richly decorate hall.

DON’T MISS:

• The Danish Crown Jewels.
• The Knights Hall.
• The Mirror Cabinet.
• The sheer quantity of incredibly beautiful items that occupy every room.
• The King’s Garden

PLAN YOUR VISIT:

• Tickets are Kr. 115 for 18 years old and over, Kr. 75 for students and free for under 18s.
• Guided tours are available showing the best of the castle for Kr. 155 and behind the monarchy for Kr. 140.
• Open at least 10:00 to 15:00 for most of the year with longer hours in the summer months and closed on Mondays off-season. Please see here for full details.
• A combination ticket with Amalienborg is Kr. 160.
• This attraction is on the Copenhagen Card.

Øster Voldgade 4A, 1350 København | +45 33 15 32 86 | Attraction 7 on Map Below

LITTLE MERMAID

The Little Mermaid has become one of the most famous statues in the world and is an iconic symbol of Copenhagen. The statue is based on the famous Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale of the same name who lived in Copenhagen. Built just off-shore near the area of Langalenie, the statue was unveiled in 1913 and is just 1.25 m tall, much smaller than you might expect.

PLAN YOUR VISIT:

• The statue is free to visit is viewable at any time.
• You can see the statue from the other side by taking a canal tour.
• The less well-known Genetically Modified Little Mermaid can be found a few hundred yards further up Langelinie at Langelinie Allé 17, 2100 København

Langelinie, 2100 København Ø | Attraction 8 on Map Below

CHRISTIANSBORG PALACE

Christiansborg Palace is the home of the Danish Parliament, the Supreme Court, as well as being used by the Danish Royal Family for official engagements. This makes it the only building in the world which houses all three branches of a countries government.

The current building is the third with the same name to built on the same site and buildings have existed here since the first of which was constructed in 1167. You can visit the ruins of the initial building, Absalon’s Castle by viewing the ruins under the present-day palace.

DON’T MISS:

• The Royal Reception Rooms which are still used by the Danish Royal family today.
• The Royal Kitchen with its huge array of copper cookware.
• The ruins of Bishop Absalons castle on which the present palace was built.
• The Royal Stables which house the royal horse that draw the State Coach.

PLAN YOUR VISIT:

• Tickets are Kr. 95 for the reception rooms and Kr. 60 for the stables, kitchens and ruins or Kr. 160 for a ticket for all four. Students get Kr. 10 off a single ticket or Kr. 20 off the combo ticket. Entry is free for under 18s.
• Opening hours are different for each area:
  • Royal Reception Rooms are open every day 09:00-17:00 Apr to Oct and Tue to Sun 10:00-17:00 Nov to Mar.
  • Royal Kitchen and the ruins are open every day 10:00-17:00 Apr to Oct but are closed on Mondays Nov to Mar.
  • The Royal Stables are open every day 13:30-16:00 Apr to Jun and Aug to Oct, 10:00-17:00 in July and Tue to Sun 13.30-16:00 Nov to Mar.
• Open 10:00 to 18:00 every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day; closes at 16:00 on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. For more details click here.
• Entrance to each part of the castle is in a different place, click here for a map of the palace.
• This attraction is on the Copenhagen Card and Copenhagen City Pass.

Please note opening hours are subject to change if the facilities are needing for official engagements.

Prins Jørgens Gård 1, 1218 København | +45 33 92 64 92 | Attraction 9 on Map Below

CANAL TOUR

A canal tour is a great way to see Copenhagen from a different perspective. The tours take around an hour and have a commentary about what you are seeing provided in multiple languages. As you tour the harbour you will see many sights including the Little Mermaid, which you see from behind.

DON’T MISS:

• The Little Mermaid from a new perspective.
• The Marble Church through the courtyard of Amalienborg.
• The dragon tail spire of the Børsen.
• The many and varied boats moored along the canals.

PLAN YOUR VISIT:

• Tickets are Kr. 50 for 15 years old and over, Kr. 20 for children 3-14 and free for under 3s.
• Open 10:00 to 15:00 every day. Until 17:00 in Sep/Oct, 18:00 in Apr/May/Jun and 20:00 in Jul/Aug.
• Boats depart between 2 and 5 times an hour depending on demand.
• This attraction is on the Copenhagen Card and a similar tour is on the Copenhagen City Pass.

Holmens Bro, 1060 København & Nyhavn, 1051 København K | +45 32 54 41 02 | Stations are 10 & 11 on Map Below along with the route the boats follow.

MAP

The map below shows all the above attractions in Copenhagen in relation to the cruise terminal.