A Sampling of Attractions in and around Copenhagen

A one thousand-year history written by ambitious kings, inspiring artists and celebrated designers awaits you in the medieval streets, 17th-century canals and modernist architecture of Copenhagen. From its origin as a humble fishing village to its heyday as the glittering capital of the Danish empire, to its current position as one of the world's premier design capitals and Scandinavia's pre-eminent city, the stories and characters of Copenhagen's history are there to be discovered in its beautiful palaces, cathedrals, towers, canals, and atmospheric cobbled squares.

You will be there with Hans Christian Andersen, looking at the Little Mermaid in the harbor, standing by his statue in Tivoli gardens and on the great boulevard bearing his name. You will encounter Danish design first-hand as you walk down Strøget, the alignment of pedestrian streets from the harbor to the town square with its historical buildings and all the great design and fashion stores. And no visit to Copenhagen is complete without a tour of Denmark’s pre-eminent breweries, Carlsberg and Tuborg.

Index of Attractions

Castles and Cathedrals

Amusement Parks

Museums and Other Exhibits

Churches

Nightlife

Other Sites Worth Visiting

Castles and Cathedrals:

Amalienborg Palace is the winter residence of Her Majesty the Queen, as it has been for her predecessors since the 1700s. The palace is a significant piece of Danish architecture and commonly regarded as the finest Danish example of rococo architecture. It is worth visiting for its architecture and for the change of the guard ceremony when Her Majesty is in residence.
For a website covering the Royal Family and all the royal castles go to: www.kongehuset.dk (for the castles, click on “Slotte …”).

Rosenborg Castle was originally built by Christian IV as a country summerhouse outside the city. Today, as the city has expanded, it is located near the center of Copenhagen. Up to 1624 it was developed into the Dutch Renaissance castle we know today. The castle houses the Royal Danish Collections of interiors, portraits and handicrafts from Christian IV to Frederik VII. After many years at Christiansborg, Christian V's tapestries were returned to Rosenborg in 1999, where they now can viewed by the public. The Castle Treasury houses Denmark's Crown Jewels.

Rosenborg Castle Gardens (commonly referred to as the King's Gardens) are the country's oldest royal gardens and were established in the Renaissance style by Christian IV in the early 1600s. The gardens are home to a large herbaceous border, a rose-garden and a multitude of sculptures. In 2001 the garden acquired a new attraction, the symmetrical Renaissance garden Krumspringet, where for the amusement of children an artistic adventure playground has been established. In the summer season the gardens are the setting for various musical and theatrical events including puppet theater productions.
Contact Information: Rosenborg Castle, 4A, Øster Voldgade, Telephone: 33 15 32 86. www.rosenborg-slot.dk

Kronborg Castle, or Elsinore Castle, is one of the most important Renaissance castles in Northern Europe. The many foreign guests associate Kronborg with Shakespeare's drama about Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. For Danish visitors, this castle is a national and historic monument. For generations of Danes, a visit to Kronborg has been associated with a tour of the dark and dingy casements to see the statue of Holger Danske (Holger the Dane). Slumbering and with his arms crossed over his sword, he sits in Kronborg's underground shelter ready to take on the enemy. Legend has it that, when the Kingdom is threatened, the stone figure will turn into flesh and blood and Holger Danske will rise in defense of his country.
Kronborg is listed on UNESCO's World Heritage List, making this castle officially a member of the world's cultural legacy, on a par with the Egyptian pyramids and the Acropolis in Greece.
Contact Information: You can easily reach Kronborg by car or train - Elsinore is directly up the coast from Copenhagen on the Sound.
Kronborg Castle, Kronborg 2 c, DK-3000 Elsinore. Telephone: 49 21 30 78. www.kronborgcastle.com

Frederiksborg Castle is located in the middle of Hillerød (about 30 minutes northwest of Copenhagen by car or train) on three islands in the castle lake. The oldest parts of the castle were built in 1560 by King Frederik II and the castle is named after him. The majority of the present castle was built between 1600-1620 by Frederik II's son, Christian IV in Dutch Renaissance style with sweeping gables, sandstone decorations and copper-covered roofs and spires. The Danish royal family lived in Frederiksborg Castle for about a century and the monarchs were crowned in the palace chapel from 1671. Since 1693, Christian IV's palace chapel has served as the knight's chapel for the Order of the Elephant and the Knights of the Dannebrog. It is also used as a parish church at present. The church houses the old organ from 1610 built by Esajas Compenius.

The National Historical Museum has been housed in Frederiksborg Castle since 1878. The museum was founded by brewer J. C. Jacobsen as a special department of the Carlsberg Foundation. In addition to magnificent rooms and spaces like the palace chapel, the Rose, the Audience Chamber and the Great Hall, the museum contains the country's most important collection of portraits and historical paintings.
Contact Information: http://www.frederiksborgmuseet.dk/default.asp

Roskilde Domkirke is one of Denmark’s most impressive and historic cathedrals, the burial site of choice for the royal family since the 1400s. This cathedral made Roskilde the spiritual capital of Denmark and northern Europe. Today it rises out of a modest townscape like a mirage -- a cathedral several times too big for the town surrounding it. Construction started in 1170 when Absalon was bishop of Roskilde. Work continued into the 13th century, and the building's original Romanesque features gave way to an early Gothic facade. The twin towers were built in the 14th century. Today the cathedral's beauty goes beyond a single architectural style, providing almost a crash course in Danish architecture. The Domkirke is the final abode of 38 Danish monarchs whose tombs are found here, ranging from the modest to the downright eccentric. Not surprisingly, the tomb of Christian IV, the builder king, who was instrumental in the construction of nearly all of Copenhagen's famous towers and castles, is interred in a grandiose chapel here with a massive painting of himself in combat, a bronze likeness by the Danish sculptor, Bertel Thorvaldsen. In humble contrast is the newest addition, from 1972, of the simple brick chapel of King Frederik IX, father of the present monarch, Queen Margrethe II.

Roskilde Cathedral is located about a 30-minute drive west of Copenhagen. You can also take a train from downtown Copenhagen (Hovedbanegaarden). Contact Information: Roskilde Domkirke, Domkirkestrade 10, Roskilde. Telephone: 46 35 27 00.

When you go to Roskilde, make sure you also visit the Roskilde Viking Ship Museum (see below).

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Amusement Parks:

Bakken is over 400 years old, the world's oldest amusement park located in Dyrehaven, 10 km north of Copenhagen. Its popularity is unquestionable - according to Danish experts it is a prominent example of Danish culture. For generations Danes have come here for their amusement. Free admission gets you started off right and then you have more than 150 attractions and cozy restaurants from which to choose. Stags and deer graze freely nearby. Start the day touring the lovely scenery on foot or by horse and carriage, before joining the lively atmosphere of the amusement park. Contact Information: Bakken, Dyrehavevej 62, DK-2930 Klampenborg, Telephone: 39 63 73 00. www.bakken.dk

Tivoli Gardens: Denmark’s delightful, world famous amusement park right in the center of Copenhagen, Tivoli, dates back to 1843, when Denmark was an absolute monarchy and Copenhagen was a fortified city with tall ramparts and a deep moat surrounding the capital. 120,000 people lived within these too tight boundaries. It is no wonder, that Tivoli gained instant success when the magic gardens opened its gates to a world of exotic designs and elegant entertainment.
Part of the answer to what Tivoli is all about is found in the many free pleasures. One, of course, is the beautiful scenery with the many trees and flowers and buildings designed to enchant you. Always popular are the free concerts and theatre performances and the thousands of lights which are switched on at dusk. Tivoli is well worth a visit any day of the season, but look for the specially featured events. For example, there is the Jazz Festival, the Beer Festival and the visit from the New York City Ballet. Tivoli's wilder rides will turn you up-side-down, throw you around, or drop you from a great height. Or they are the type of ride - like the Ferris Wheel - where you add the excitement yourself: bring a partner, have a cuddle and steal a kiss. Some of Tivoli's rides are best suited for younger children. In fact, parents are not admitted to several of these rides, but have to watch - and photograph - from a distance.
Tivoli Gardens are located right in downtown Copenhagen, next to the Town Square. Contact Information: Tivoli, Vesterbrogade 3, P.O. Box 233, DK-1630 Copenhagen
Telephone: 33 15 10 01. www.tivoli.dk

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Museums and Other Exhibits:

Denmark’s Aquarium, one of Europe’s largest and most beautiful aquariums, exhibits more than 285 species from all over the world. The exhibition is displayed in more than 70 aquariums, the largest containing more than 85.000 liters (25,000 gallons) of water. The aquarium is easily accessible by car or public transportation.
Contact Information: Danmarks Akvarium, Kavalergården 1, 2920 Charlottenlund. Telephone: 39 62 32 83. www.danmarksakvarium.dk

The Black Diamond (The Royal Library): On September 15th 1999 the Royal Library's extension at Copenhagen’s harbour front - the Black Diamond - was inaugurated. The construction of the Diamond had been going on since 1996 and fulfilled an age-long dream of an extension of the Royal Library. This spectacular piece of modern architecture, splendidly located on Copenhagen’s waterfront, is certainly worth a visit. Make sure you check out the many exciting exhibits featured in the library’s galleries.
Contact Information: Kongelige Bibliotek, The Black Diamond, Søren Kierkegaards Plads, Copenhagen. Telephone: 33 47 47 47. www.kb.dk

The Open Air Museum is part of the National Museum of Denmark, with more than 100 buildings, where you can discover how people lived and worked in different regions of Denmark in the 1700s, 1800s and 1900s. The buildings, most over 300 years old, range from cottages to manor houses to windmills and watermills, from poor houses to the smithy, lace school and pottery workshop.
The Open Air Museum is located about 15 minutes northwest of downtown Copenhagen and is easily accessible by car or train. Contact Information: Frilandsmuseet, Kongevejen 100, Kongens Lyngby. Telephone: 33 47 38 58. http://www.natmus.dk
Free admission on Wednesdays.

The New Carlsberg Glyptotek houses one of the top museums of the antiquity in the world, as well as modern painting exhibitions. Special exhibits for children are featured. The Collection of Ancient Art follows the development of sculpture from its beginnings in Egypt about 3000 BC to the end of the Roman imperial period in the 5th century AD. The Modern Collection contains Danish and French paintings and sculpture from the 19th century onwards. Additions have continuously been made to the original collections thanks to donations from the Ny Carlsberg Foundation and others. Other substantial collections are on permanent loan, including a series of Egyptian works on loan since 1908 and a large number of French paintings transferred from Statens Museum for Kunst, the Danish national gallery. Among the larger bequests, special mention should be made of the series of Paul Gauguin paintings donated by the founder's son, Helge Jacobsen, in 1927.
Contact Information: Dantes Plads 7, DK-1556 Copenhagen V. Telephone: 33 41 81 41. www.glyptoteket.dk

The Hirschsprung Collection was established by the Danish tobacco magnate Heinrich Hirschsprung and his wife Pauline Hirschsprung. Over a forty-year period from the mid-1860s they acquired a significant collection of paintings, drawings, and sculptures by contemporary Danish artists, which included the Skagen Painters, the Symbolists, and the Fynboer. Also the subject of the Hirschsprungs’ interest were works by the earlier generation of Denmark’s Golden Age Artists. In 1902, the entire collection was donated to the Danish state and, in 1911, the Hirschsprung Collection was opened to the public.
Contact Information: The Hirschsprung Collection, 20, Stockholmsgade, Copenhagen. Telephone: 35 42 03 36. www.hirschsprung.dk

The Karen Blixen Museum is established at the family estate of the legendary Danish author, painter, radio personality, etc., of particular fame for her book, “Out of Africa”. The home is open for tours and is dedicated to the life and memory of Karen Blixen, also known as Isak Dinesen. This is where she wrote her break-through book “Seven Fantastic Tales” as well as “Out of Africa”. The west wing, which previously housed the wagon entrance, horse’s stables, and hayloft now contains the museum shop, café, exhibition- and library rooms. Here you can listen to recordings of Karen Blixen speaking and look at slide pictures from her years in Africa. The rooms in the north wing remain as she had them, always with fresh flowers in the vases. This section of the museum also has a small gallery of Karen Blixen’s oils, pastels, and charcoal drawings.
The museum is located by the town of Rungsted Kyst, on the coast of Øresund about 30 minutes north of Copenhagen by car or train. Contact information: Karen Blixen Museet, Rungstedlund, Rungsted Strandvej 111, DK-2960 Rungsted Kyst. Telephone: 45 57 10 57 http://www.karen-blixen.dk/

One of the world’s leading art museums, focusing on post-WWII paintings and sculptures, the Louisiana Museum takes as its point of departure the years immediately following the Second World War. It was at this time that Danish artists such as Robert Jacobsen and Richard Mortensen moved to Paris and came in contact with likeminded sculptors and painters who, now, are represented in the collection. Examples of these are Vasarely, Herbin, Dewasne, Albers, Soto and other artists close to constructivism, such as Gabo, Bill, Rickey and Calder. The museum also prides itself in its collection of works of the more recent periods up to the present. Louisiana also has a significant collection of 20th century sculptures, including thirteen works by Giacometti and 60 works in the museum’s park. The park generally is home to the sculptures that require more space and that can be placed freely in relation to the trees, grass, and water. Works found here are by artists such as Jean Arp, Max Bill, Alexander Calder, Max Ernst, Henri Laurens, Joan Miró og Henry Moore.
Louisiana is located near the town of Humlebæk, about 30-minutes north of Copenhagen by car or by train. Contact information: Louisiana Museum for Moderne Kunst, Gl. Strandvej 13, 3050 Humlebæk. Telephone: 49 19 07 19. http://www.louisiana.dk/

The National Museum of Denmark is the country’s central museum of cultural history, comprising the histories of Danish and foreign cultures alike. The Museum has a number of national commitments, particularly in the areas of archaeology, ethnology, numismatics, ethnography, natural science, conservation, communication, building antiquarian activities in connection with the churches of Denmark as well as the handling of Danefæ (Danish National Treasures). The National Museum is responsible for Denmark’s principal collection of cultural history.
Contact Information: Entrance - Ny Vestergade 10. Postal address: Frederiksholms Kanal 12, 1220 Copenhagen K. Telephone: 3313 4411. www.natmus.dk

The Tycho Brahe Planetarium displays the fabulous world of the universe, including shows in a large OmniMax theater. Every hour the spectacular IMAX-films – the largest film format in the world – show you nature's magnificence, whether they take you below the surface of the sea, out in space or into the jungle. The films are shown on a 1000 square meter (over 10,000 sqft) dome-shaped screen which gives you the impression of being part of the on-screen action. Each show starts with a brief description of the night sky and star configurations at the time of the show. Seated in the comfortable flight seats you can thoroughly enjoy an hour with no time or space limitations. The permanent exhibition, The Active Universe, offers answers to some of the mysteries of space. If you are interested in our planet, in the universe or in the twinkling stars, the exhibition on natural science, astronomy and space travel is a must.
Contact Information: IMAX Tycho Brahe Planetarium, Gl. Kongevej 10, DK-1610 Copenhagen. Ticket sales: 33 12 12 24. www.tycho.dk/english/

The Danish National Gallery features 700 years of Western art and cultural history under one roof. The museum houses a large collection of Danish and international paintings, sculptures, drawings, and installations. The collection includes works by the Italian renaissance painters Tizian and Mantegna, the 17th century masters Rubens and Rembrandt, 19th century painters of the Danish Golden Age such as Eckersberg and Købke, and 20th century artists such as Henri Matisse, Edvard Munch, and Emil Nolde as well as the Danish artists Asger Jorn and Per Kirkeby. Open every day.
Contact Information: Statens Museum for Kunst, Sølvgade 48-50, DK-1307 Copenhagen K. Telephone: 33 74 84 94. www.smk.dk

Thorvaldsen’s Museum of Art, the first museum building in Denmark, features classical marble sculptures, works by Denmark’s famous Golden Age sculptor Berthel Thorvaldsen. The collections in Thorvaldsens Museum are rich and varied. Most consist of Thorvaldsen’s own works. The artist created over 90 free-standing sculptures, just under 300 reliefs and more than 150 portrait busts. Almost all Thorvaldsen’s works are in Thorvaldsens Museum, mainly as original models, from which one and often more specimens of the same work have been executed in marble or bronze. Finally, the Museum contains a number of works in marble, executed either during his lifetime or after his death by other artists in 1844. In addition to Thorvaldsen’s own works, Thorvaldsens Museum contains the sculptor’s huge collections of works by artists contemporary with Thorvaldsen himself. The collection of antiquities consists of marble sculptures, vases, bronzes, coins etc. from Egypt, Greece and Italy and was largely established on the basis of purchases Thorvaldsen made while in Rome.
Contact Information: Thorvaldsens Museum, Bertel Thorvaldsens Plads 2, DK-1213 Copenhagen K. Telephone: 33 32 15 32. www.thorvaldsensmuseum.dk

The Roskilde Viking Ship Museum is probably the most significant exhibit of Viking history. The five original Viking ships – the Skuldelev ships from the 11th century – can be seen in the Viking Ship Hall, which is beautifully situated on the shore of Roskilde Fjord. The museum also contains other exhibits telling of life in the times of the Vikings and a boat building shop where replicas of the Viking ships are being made using old tools and techniques. The reconstruction of the 30-meter long (100-foot long) Viking warship is the largest single boat-building project to be carried out at the museum to date. It was made possible by financial support from the Tuborg Fund. The longship, which is being built in accordance with Viking traditions, designs and methods, will be launched in 2004.
The wonderful town of Roskilde, with its Viking Museum and splendid cathedral, is located in the center of Sjælland, less than an hour’s drive or train ride from Copenhagen. Contact information: Viking Ships Museum Booking, Vindeboder 12, DK-4000 Roskilde. Telephone: 46 30 02 53 (between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.). http://www.vikingeskibsmuseet.dk

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Churches:

Grundtvigskirken, På Bjerget 14 B, Copenhagen. Telephone: 35 81 54 42.
A favorite church among the Danes, with a front designed in the shape of a pipe organ in honor of the beloved Danish hymn writer N.F.S. Grundtvig.
www.grundtvigskirke.dk

Holmens Kirke, Holmens Kanal, Copenhagen. Telephone: 33 13 61 78.
Royal chapel and naval church from 1619. Tombs of naval heros.

Marmorkirken, The Marble Church, 4, Frederiksgade, Copenhagen. Telephone: 33 15 01 44. Built from 1749 to 1894, it is located a block from Amalienborg, the Royal Residence, and can be seen down the street between two of the palace buildings. It was the site of a memorial service immediately following September 11th, 2001, attended by the Royals.

Vor Frelsers Kirke, Church of Our Savior, 29, St. Annægade, Copenhagen. Telephone: 31 57 27 98. 300 year baroque church with an impressive organ facade and the famous twisted spire. www.vorfrelserskirke.dk

Vor Frue Kirke, Church of Our Lady, 8, Nørregade, Copenhagen. Telephone: 33 37 65 40. The cathedral of Copenhagen built in 1829. Works by Bertel Thorvaldsen. www.koebenhavnsdomkirke.dk

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Nightlife:

Copenhagen's nightlife is spectacular. You can visit trendy night clubs, dine at first-class restaurants, relax at Tivoli Gardens, attend a jazz concert at the reknowned Copenhagen Jazz Club, and much more. Copenhagen is one of more vibrant European cities, offering entertainment for people of all ages. The night stays alive till early morning and, in the summer, you will have a lot of company if you decide to watch the sun rise before you go home.

Copenhagen has a large number of great nightclubs, including Park Cafe (Telephone: 35-26-63-42), Copenhagen Jazz House (after hours) (Telephone: 33-15-26-00), Vega (Telephone: 33-25-70-11), Blue Buddha (Telephone: 28 15 65 65), Tivoli Jazzhouse Mantra (Telephone: 33-11-11-13), Base Camp (Telephone: 70-23-23-18), La Fontaine (Telephone: 33-11-60-98), Rust (Telephone: 35-24-52-00), Konrad (Telephone: 33-93-29-29), and Cafe Ketchup (Telephone: 33-32-30-30), Søpavillionen ( Telephone: 33-15-12-24). Most of these feature live music. There are also many small, cozy, stylish cafes that serve food and drinks and stay open late.

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Other Sites Worth Visiting:

Københavns Rådhus, Copenhagen City Hall. Telephone: 33 66 25 82.
Copenhagen City Hall, 1892-05. Guided tour in English. Houses Jens Olsen’s World Clock, the unique astronomical clock built by Jens Olsen.

Orlogsmuseet, Naval Museum, 58, Overgaden Oven Vandet, Copenhagen.
Telephone: 32 54 63 63. Royal Danish Naval Museum with collection of ship models, maritime accessories and art. Maritime souvenirs and bookstore.
www.orlogsmuseet.dk

Royal Copenhagen, Coffee & Tea Room, 6, Amagertorv, Copenhagen.
Telephone: 33 13 71 81. Selection of priceless porcelain from the past 200 years plus!
www.royalshopping.com

Royal Copenhagen Factory, 47, Smallegade, Copenhagen. Telephone 38 14 92 97. Look into the world of the famous Royal Copenhagen porcelain factory. Guided tours.
www.royalcopenhagen.com

Rundetaarn, The Round Tower, 52 A, Købmagergade, Copenhagen. Telephone: 33 73 03 73. Tower built in 1642 by King Christian IV as an astronomical observatory and also so he could show off his building projects in Copenhagen to distinguished visitors. Ascend to the top by a unique 687 foot spiral path that Christian IV conceived in order not to have to walk up. www.rundetaarn.dk

Tøjhusmuseet/Royal Danish Arsenal Museum, 3, Tøjhusgade, Copenhagen. Telephone: 33 11 60 37. Royal Danish Arsenal Museum. Weapons, uniforms from the 17th century.
www.thm.dk

Zoologisk Have, The Copenhagen Zoo, 32, Roskildevej, Copenhagen. Telephone: 72 20 02 00, information: 72 20 02 80. Copenhagen Zoo was founded in 1859, a Green oasis in the city, with plenty of excitement in the Tropical Zoo, the Children’s Zoo, and the Ape Jungle. Open every day of the year! www.zoo.dk

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