15 of the best · Copenhagen, Denmark
Tivoli Gardens, Rosenborg and the crown jewels, Amalienborg and the changing of the guard, Christiansborg on Slotsholmen, Nyhavn, the Little Mermaid, the Round Tower, Our Saviour’s spire and CopenHill.
Our 15 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
Browse by type
Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love Copenhagen.
Since 15 August 1843
The pleasure garden that has delighted Copenhagen since 1843: rides, gardens, concerts and the Pantomime Theatre, and Christmas in Tivoli from mid-November.
The crown jewels
Christian IV’s Renaissance pleasure palace by the King’s Garden, with the Danish crown jewels in its Treasury.
Hans Christian Andersen’s street
The painted gabled houses and old ships of the canal where Hans Christian Andersen lived, at numbers 20, 67 and 18.
In-depth stories behind the list.
The back story
Tivoli since 1843, Christian IV’s Rosenborg and Round Tower, the four palaces of Amalienborg, Christiansborg on its island, Nyhavn and the Little Mermaid: how to read the city.
Palaces, castles and Tivoli.
The changing of the guard
The four palaces of the royal family, with a museum and the daily changing of the Royal Life Guard.
The ruins of 1167
The palace on Slotsholmen, with the Royal Reception Rooms, the Royal Stables and the ruins of Bishop Absalon’s castle of 1167 beneath it.
The crown jewels
Christian IV’s Renaissance pleasure palace by the King’s Garden, with the Danish crown jewels in its Treasury.
Since 15 August 1843
The pleasure garden that has delighted Copenhagen since 1843: rides, gardens, concerts and the Pantomime Theatre, and Christmas in Tivoli from mid-November.
Towers, churches and the harbour.
Rebuilding after the 2024 fire
Christian IV’s stock exchange of 1625, with its dragon-tailed spire, being rebuilt after the fire of April 2024: follow it at the visitor centre.
The spiral spire of 1752
The baroque church of Christianshavn, whose spiral spire of 1752 you can climb: 400 steps, the last 150 on the outside.
Hans Christian Andersen’s street
The painted gabled houses and old ships of the canal where Hans Christian Andersen lived, at numbers 20, 67 and 18.
Since 1913
Edvard Eriksen’s bronze mermaid of 1913 on her rock at Langelinie, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s tale.
Frederik’s Church
Frederik’s Church, the domed “Marble Church” behind Amalienborg, ringed by statues of figures from Danish church history.
Since 1642
Christian IV’s tower of 1642, with its spiral ramp, the oldest working observatory in the city and a view over the rooftops.
Ski slopes, aquariums and canal tours.
One hour on the water
The classic one-hour canal tour, from Nyhavn or Ved Stranden, past the Opera, Amalienborg, Christiansborg, the Black Diamond and the Little Mermaid.
Skiing on a power plant
A ski slope, climbing wall and hiking trail on the roof of a waste-to-energy plant, with a public rooftop and a lift to the top.
National Aquarium
Denmark’s National Aquarium at Kastrup, by the sea and close to the airport.
A self-governing neighbourhood
The car-free neighbourhood on the old ramparts of Christianshavn, with its workshops, gardens and lakeside paths.
