Denmark has a long and rich history, and since many Danes are ardent monarchists, it’s no surprise to discover that the city boasts several impressive historic palaces that are open to visitors.
In addition, Tivoli Garden’s amusement park offers hours of fun for adults and children, while cultural buffs will enjoy visiting Copenhagen’s excellent museums.
TIVOLI GARDENS
The second oldest amusement park in the world, Tivoli Gardens plays host to a number of rollercoasters and fun rides for adults and children, including the Rutsjebanen, one of the oldest wooden rollercoasters in the world.
There are also gardens, theaters and stages, an aquarium, restaurants and cafes for visitors to enjoy. The beautiful gardens are a particularly romantic place for a stroll, while the stages play host to a number of impressive performances. Despite being a popular destination for all tourists to the Danish capital, the Tivoli Gardens remain a great place to bring children for a family day out. A wonderful spot to experience Danish culture, Tivoli Gardens are easily accessible from the major hotels of Copenhagen.
+45 33 151 001
Vesterbrogade 3, 1630 Copenhagen
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AMALIENBORG PALACE
Amalienborg Palace, the winter residence of the Danish Royal Family, is generally considered to be one of the finest examples of Rococo architecture in Denmark.
Consisting of four identical palaces arranged around an octagonal courtyard, the buildings originally belonged to four different nobles. After Christiansborg Palace was destroyed by fire in 1974, the Royal family moved into Amalienborg, and the four palaces have each housed various members of the Danish aristocracy. Two of the four palaces are open to the public and Royal fans will enjoy the chance to explore this fascinating example of Danish heritage. The changing of the Guard, which happens daily after the 11.30am march through the streets of Copenhagen, is a must-see for visitors to the capital.
KRONBORG SLOT
‘Something is rotten in the state of Denmark’.
This famous line from William Shakespeare’s Hamlet is hardly appropriate today, but many people still travel to Kronborg castle, immortalized as Elsinore in the Bard’s play. Also a UNESCO World Heritage site, Kronborg Slot is one of the most important fortresses in northern Europe. Primarily existing as a formidable tollbooth, the impressively menacing castle was constructed in the 16th century to enable the Danish king to control the 2.5 mile wide Sound between Denmark and Sweden. There’s also a statue of Holger Danske in the castle cellars, a legendary defender of Denmark. The castle is located 30 miles north of Copenhagen, next to the city of Elsinore, so ask your concierge to organize transportation for you.
LOUISIANA MUSEUM OF ART
Situated among the luxury and splendor of the narrow strip of beaches, forests, pleasure gardens and villas that make up the Whiskey Belt (northern Zealand) is one of Denmark’s most popular art museums.
The Louisiana Museum of Art has an impressive modern art collection of more than 3,000 pieces, many of which are displayed in the impressive museum grounds. There are regular temporary exhibitions throughout the year and currently visitors can see British artist David Hockney’s drawings from his iPhone and iPad. The museum also has a children friendly zone, as well as a selection of restaurants, all of which have a magnificent view over the Sound.
RUNDETAARN
The Rundetaarn, or Round Tower, may not be one of the most fashionable sights to visit in Copenhagen, but visitors will find it a superb spot to enjoy a stunning vista over the Danish capital.
Built by Christian IV in 1642 to serve as astronomical observation point, the tower can lay claim to being the oldest functioning observatory in Europe. Halfway up the tower is the entrance to the large and beautiful Library Hall, which now serves as a popular gallery and concert venue. It hosts several exhibitions a year and stages concerts almost every week. A lovely place to visit for a romantic sunset during the summer, the Rundetaarn is unique because of the 209 meter winding spiral ramp, which twists 7.5 times around the inside of the tower.
Jesper Vang Hansen
+45 20 206 660
Købmagergade 52A, 1150 Copenhagen
CPH: COOL
If you’re slightly worried that signing up to take a guided tour means endless trips to different tourist hot spots to learn the history of some insignificant palace then let CPH: Cool put your mind at ease.
Despite the slightly cheesy name, the company’s promise of ‘no more monuments and no more museums’ is one that may appeal after several days of seeing the palaces and galleries of the Danish capital. Run by a crowd of Copenhagen experts, and by experts we mean hip young people with a passion for their home city, CPH Cool will take you on a trip to see the real Copenhagen, the sort of Copenhagen that isn’t in your regular travel guides. If you would rather see some Danish vintage design, street art galleries, exclusive jewelry or fashion, find a chic cocktail bar or trendy new hangout, then take a private tour with CPH: Cool and find out what Copenhagen has to offer.
Kristine Munkgård Pedersen
+45 29 801 040
Vesterbrogade 176, 1800 Frederiksberg
www.cphcool.dk
THE NY CARLSBERG GLYPTOTEK
The Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek (‘sculpture collection’ in Danish) is an art museum created by Carl Jacobsen, the brewing magnate famous for setting up one of Denmark’s most famous institutions – Carlsberg. Jacobsen was an avid art collector and amassed one of the most important collections of his time, which he donated to the Danish public in 1888/89.
The museum houses an impressive collection of Egyptian, Greek and Roman sculptures, some of which date back 5,000 years. Visitors can also admire works from 19th and 20th century Danish artists, the so-called ‘Golden Age’ of Danish painting, as well as a significant collection of Rodin sculptures. Recently renovated, the museum is well worth a visit for both art fans and culture buffs and is located in the center of Copenhagen.
