« DENMARK • Discover Denmark

Discover magical Copenhagen & Denmark

Once the seat of Viking raiders and later a major north European power, Denmark has evolved into a modern, prosperous nation that is participating in the general political and economic integration of Europe. However, the country has opted out of European Union's Maastricht Treaty, the European monetary system (EMU), and issues concerning certain internal affairs.

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» Amalienborg Palace

Amalienborg Palace is the winter residence of the Danish royal family in Copenhagen. It consists of four identical palace exteriors with rococo interiors that create an octagonal courtyard. A majestic equestrian statue of Amalienborg's founder, King Frederick V, lies in the center of the courtyard, created by French sculptor Jacques-Francos-Josephy Saly. Amalienborg was originally built as manor houses for four noble families; however, when Christiansborg Palace suffered fire damage in 1794 …

» Carlsberg Brewery Museum (Carlsberg Bryggeri)

The Carlsberg Brewery was established in 1847 by J.C. Jacobsen. The visitor's center showcases the history of Danish beer and has dioramas to illustrate various processes involved with brewing. After a self-guided tour in the museum you walk through a garden and stables with Jutland dray horses. In the courtyard there is a smaller replica of the Little Mermaid Statue that Carl Jacobsen commissioned for Copenhagen. You can enjoy an authentic glass of beer in the brewery …

» Charlottenborg

Charlottenborg is the official exhibition gallery of the Royal Danish Academy of Art and is the biggest venue for contemporary art in Copenhagen. The palatial residence was constructed in the 17th century for Ulrik Frederik Gyldenløve. Queen Dowager Charlotte Amalie bought the Baroque palace in 1700, and her name has been affixed to it ever since. Charlottenborg presents 4 - 5 exhibitions per year. It has become famous for its open submission spring exhibition …

» Christian's Harbor (Christianshavn)

Christianshavn is a man-made island neighborhood in Copenhagen. It was established in the early 17th century by King Christian IV as a military fortification and center for commerce. Divided by a network of canals, it is often compared to Amsterdam in style. Christianshavn used to be a working-class neighborhood in the 20th century, but it has since evolved and now is considered to be quite a lively, diverse, and trendy neighborhood. Its streets branch out from the main canal …

» Christiania

Since being taken over by squatters in 1971, Copenhagen’s Christiania neighborhood has become the city’s most infamous district, a self-proclaimed independent state, home to around 1000 permanent residents and notorious for its legal cannabis trade. The unique community was founded by a group of freethinkers, who have run the tax-free, self-governed commune for over 40 years. Located in an abandoned military barracks, many of the free city’s houses were built by the residents …

» Christiansborg Palace

With a history dating back over 800 years, the Baroque Christiansborg Palace is one of the capital’s most iconic landmarks, set on the island of Slotsholmen in Copenhagen harbor. For a long time, Christiansborg Palace was the principal residence of the Royal Family but despite their relocation to Amalienborg Palace in 1794, the palace remains at the center of Danish rule, housing the Danish Parliament, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Danish Supreme Court …

» Copenhagen Cruise Port

Over 300 cruise ships call every year at the port in Copenhagen, which was named Europe’s top cruise destination each year from 2004 to 2008. The largest city in Scandinavia, Copenhagen is a charming capital with 17th and 18th century architecture and winding cobblestone streets. Also home to one of the world’s oldest monarchies, the port is a great starting point for cruises to the Baltic countries, St. Petersburg, and even the British Isles and Greenland …

» Copenhagen Zoo

With a history dating back to 1859, Copenhagen Zoo is one of the oldest zoological gardens in Europe and one of the country’s top tourist attractions. The animal inhabitants of the 11-hectare park span all corners of the globe, including rhinoceros, giraffe, zebra and lions, alongside a number of rare and endangered species like red pandas, polar bears and amur leopard. Visitors can marvel at local wildlife in the dedicated Nordic area, where reindeer, muskox, brown bears …

» Fredensborg Palace

Originally built as a hunting retreat for Frederick IV in 1719, the grand Fredensborg Palace now serves as the summer residence of the Danish Royal family, as well as a popular location for Royal weddings, anniversaries, birthdays and state visits. Less than an hour from Copenhagen, the palace makes an easy day trip from the capital, often coupled with a tour of North Zealand’s many castles, but the palace interiors are only open to the public by guided tours in July …

» Frederiksborg Castle

With its gabled facade dramatically mirrored in the surrounding Palace Lake and its quadruple towers framed by landscaped Baroque gardens, Frederiksborg Castle (Frederiksborg Slot) is one of North Zealand’s most undeniably beautiful castles. Although originally built by King Frederik II in 1560, the majority of the present-day Frederiksborg dates back to 19th century restorations funded J. C. Jacobsen, founder of the famous Carlsberg brewery …

» Hard Rock Cafe Copenhagen

Copenhagen’s branch of the international Hard Rock brand is ideally located just outside the main entrance to the magical Tivoli Gardens and acts as the perfect fast-food antidote to over-excited children who have over-exerted themselves on the rides. It’s also a stone’s throw from the main, pedestrianized shopping drag of Strøget and the edgy nightlife district of Vesterbro. The glass-fronted restaurant has a psychedelically orange and matt black ground-floor bar in which to sample Danish beers …

» Kronborg Castle

Immortalized in print as the setting for Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the imposing fortress perched on the northeastern shores of Zealand, is often better known as its literary alter-ego, Elsinore, and is one of Denmark’s most visited attractions. With its dramatic seafront location and towering Renaissance façade, it’s easy to see why Shakespeare was inspired by Kronborg Castle (Kronborg Slot) and in 2000 the magnificent royal abode also became a UNESCO World Heritage site …

» National History Museum

A pristine Renaissance palace in the middle of a lake that has been repurposed as the National History Museum is a fairytale look into the past. Frederiksborg Slot was constructed for King Christian IV from 1602 - 1620 and was the site of Danish royal coronations through 1840. Today, it offers a look into the historical splendor of knights, royalty and national honor, along with royal furnishings and elegant gardens. This spectacular former fortress is spread out over three small islets on a lake …

» Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek

Opened in 1888 to house the extensive private collection of art enthusiast Carl Jacobsen (best known for founding the famed Carlsberg brewery), the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek is one of Copenhagen’s most prominent art museums. Displaying over 10,000 works split over two departments, the museum’s works span over 3,500 years of art and history. While the ancient art department features Greek, Egyptian, Etruscan and Roman antiquities …

» Rosenborg Palace

The Danish castle, Rosenborg Slot, was built between 1606 and 1633 in the Dutch Renaissance style, typical of Danish buildings of the time, by architetual innovator King Christian IV. Now the castle contains a museum exhibiting the Royal Collections, heirlooms representing the span of royal Danish culture from the late 16th to 19th century. Some of these artifacts belonged to the nobility and the aristocracy in the past. The castle became state property and was opened to the public in the1830s …

» Round Tower

The Rundetårn (or 'Round Tower' in English) is perhaps the best place in Copenhagen to enjoy panoramic views of the city’s skyline with its fairytale old town and many spires. The observation deck is located 35 meters (115 feet) above street level, offering an expansive view of inner Copenhagen. The tower was built by King Christian IV, the famous architectural innovator of Denmark, to be an astronomical observatory. A wrought iron lattice runs along the edge of the platform, featuring Christian IV’s monogram …

» Slotsholmen

Slotsholmen is an island in the harbor of Copenhagen. One of the most notable and impressive buildings on it is Christiansborg Slot, a Neo-Baroque palace built on the site of the old castle founded by Absalon, a Danish archbishop and statesman, in 1167. Christiansborg is the site of the Danish Parliament today. Slotsholmen seats many of the central institutions in Denmark. Apart from the Parliament these include Christian IV's Stock Exchange (famous for its dragon spires) …

» The Little Mermaid (Den Lille Havfrue)

The Little Mermaid statue rests on a rock in the harbor of Copenhagen. Based on the fairytale by acclaimed Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, the modest but beautiful statue is a Copenhagen icon and a major tourist attraction. Carl Jacobsen, heir to the Carlsberg beer fortune, commissioned the statue in the early 20th century after watching the ballet about the fairytale in Copenhagen's Royal Theatre. Jacobsen asked sculptor Edvard Eriksen to create the statue, which was unveiled in August of 1913 …

» Tivoli Gardens

Tivoli Gardens is a famous amusement park in Copenhagen. The park opened in 1843 and became one of the most popular theme parks in Europe. It offers a mix of attractions, gardens, and restaurants. Although always continually evolving, Tivoli maintains its traditional feel and quaint charm. Tivoli is part of early theme park history; Walt Disney modeled Disneyland after Tivoli once he'd experienced its magic. The park is known for its wooden rollercoaster Rutsjebanen…

« DENMARK • Discover Denmark