My hometown Copenhagen
Coded by Emma Ellen Faxøe
Coded by Emma Ellen Faxøe
What is it? With its pastel-hued, 18th-century
merchants’ houses, this is Copenhagen at its picture-postcard
finest.
Why go? Yes, it’s a tourist trap — but it’s a
gorgeous one and well worth visiting if only to get the obligatory
shot of its brightly coloured houses (three of which were once home
to fairytale writer Hans Christian Andersen). Nyhavn is also a great
place to join a canal tour. To escape the crowds, pop into
Kunsthal Charlottenborg, a Baroque building on Nyhavn’s
south side, home to a contemporary art gallery and a beautiful café,
Apollo.
What is it? A charming amusement park and pleasure
garden that draws families year-round.
Why go? There’s fun for all the family at
Copenhagen’s world-famous amusement park, which has stood on this
site for more than 175 years and even inspired a certain Walt
Disney. Adrenaline junkies will love the rides — including one of
the world’s oldest wooden rollercoasters, constructed in 1914 —
while others will find thrills in Tivoli’s seasonal decorations,
floral displays, fountains, carousels, lanterns and old-fashioned
carnival games.
What is it? A gourmet food market that is a
must-stop on the Copenhagen culinary trail.
Why go? Torvehallerne is a foodie’s paradise, its
twin glass halls housing a cornucopia of seasonal fruit and veg,
baked goods, fresh meat and seafood. There are also plenty of
tempting food stalls where you can pick up a scrumptious dish or two
to enjoy on the go or at one of the tables outside. Our favourites
include gourmet porridge at Grød and confit duck sandwiches
at Ma Poule.
What is it? One of the most enjoyable ways to see
Copenhagen is by spending a couple of hours skippering a
solar-powered GoBoat around the harbour.
Why go? No experience is required to operate a
GoBoat. They putter around at a leisurely pace, giving you plenty of
time to take in the sights, including Christiansborg (aka
the Danish parliament), the striking modern architecture of the
Black Diamond Library and the Royal Danish Opera House,
plus the canals and multi-coloured houses of Christianshavn.
Remember to bring a picnic; GoBoats seat up to eight around a small
table.
What is it? An impeccably designed, impeccably
located museum with a world-beating modern art collection.
Why go? First, for the art: Louisiana’s permanent
collection comprises more than 4,000 works produced since 1945,
including pieces by Picasso and Giacometti, while its Sculpture Park
houses works by Alexander Calder and Henry Moore. The building
itself is considered a significant work of Danish modernist
architecture. There’s also Louisiana’s idyllic location on the coast
north of Copenhagen. Finally, there’s its gift shop. Louisiana is
packed with classic and contemporary Danish design, plus a wide
selection of books and exhibition posters, and it is pretty much a
destination in itself.