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Activities and Attractions
Home » Denmark » Copenhagen: Restaurants and Activities » Activities and AttractionsPosted by Your Guide on May 17, 2006 8:37 PM
Tivoli Gardens – Tivoli Gardens is a very popular amusement park in the center of the city and on the lake. It is known as one of the top ten tourist attractions in the city. The park, which was founded in 1843, is only a few minutes’ walk from City Hall Square. Thrill rides, restaurants, and stages for music and theater are among the things you’ll find at this unique park. Some of the restaurants date back as far as 1843! Tivoli’s midnight fireworks display can be seen from all over the city. At Christmastime, the park even opens ice skating rinks. You’ll not want to miss Tivoli Gardens!
Glyptoteket – Founded in 1888, the Glyptoteket is one of Copenhagen’s best museums. Its conservatory is filled with exotic plants and palm trees. The museum is home to classic artwork, including works by French Impressionist Monet. There is also an impressive antiques collection containing pieces from the Orient, Egypt, Ancient Greece, and the Roman Empire. The Glyptoteket also holds concerts and lectures in its ceremonial hall.
Strøget – If you love to shop, be sure to visit Strøget. It is an open-air market where buses, trams, cars, and bicycles are banned to allow shoppers to walk freely. Begin at Râdhuspladsen, where things are less expensive. This end has burger joints and reasonably priced bars. As you continue through the market, however, you’ll notice that things get more and more expensive, with stores such as Gucci and Birger Christensen. This is the place to see and be seen in Copenhagen.
Kongens Have – Kongens Have is the oldest park in Denmark. In 1634, when Christian IV commissioned the building of Rosenborg Castle, this park was designed. While some parts of the original garden are still intact, the park has been added to over the years, including paths lined with lime trees added in the 18th century, and new English-style landscaping added in the 19th century. The park boasts many interesting sculptures, including one of Hans Christian Andersen, whose fairy tales were inspired by this park. Kongens Have is open each day until sunset.
The Little Mermaid – The Little Mermaid is a statue based on a character from one of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales. Made of bronze, she was created by sculptor Edvard Eriksen and was unveiled on August 23, 1913. Sitting on a rock at Langelinie in the Copenhagen harbor, the little mermaid is one of the most photographed statues in the world.
Open Top Tour – The Open Top Tour is a great way to get a glimpse of some of the major tourist attractions in Copenhagen. An hour long, this tour takes place from an open double-decker bus and starts at Râdhuspladsen. The bus takes its passengers by the Queen’s residence, Amalienborg, the government building of Christiansborg, the Little Mermaid statue, and the Louis Tussaud Wax Cabinet. Also seen on this tour are the National Museum, Glyptoteket, Thorvaldsens, and the Nyhavn café area. The tour is available in eight different languages and is open from April to October. During this time, tours leave every half hour from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm.
Østre Anlæg – Originally part of the moats of Copenhagen, this park was designed in 1871 to look like an English garden. This park is home to the Statens Museum for Kunst, which contains the Hirschsprung Collection. Beautiful flower beds, statues, and monuments abound here in Østre Anlæg, a favorite natural site in Copenhagen.
Rundetârn – Rundetârn, meaning Round Tower, was built in 1637-1642 and was originally an observatory connected to Trinitatis Church. It is now one of Copenhagen’s most famous landmarks, and the building bears King Christian IV’s monogram as well as a beautiful lattice that was designed by Kasper Fincke. A mysterious inscription by Christian IV can be seen on the Round Tower. It is a sort of pictorial puzzle that says ‘control, learning and justice, the Lord in the heart of King Christian IV.’ Amazing views of the city are offered from the top of the tower.
Statens Museum for Kunst – Built in 1889-1896, Wilhelm Dahlerup and G. E. W. Møller designed this museum in Italian Renaissance style. An original new extension was added in 1998 behind the original building. The two buildings are connected by a glass-covered walkway referred to as the street of sculptures. This street spans the full length of the museum and is the place where concerts and dance performances are held. Some of the art collections in this museum date back to the 12th century. Art housed here includes work by Titian, Tintoretto, Breugel, Reubens, Frans Hals, and Rembrandt. The modern collection includes work by Picasso, Braque, Leger, Modigliani, and Emil Nolde. Danish painters are also represented here, including some works by Oluf Høst, Edward Weihe, Olaf Rude, and Harald Giersing. Statens Museum for Kunst contains the Royal Danish Copperplate Collection as well, and also a special museum for children.
Kongens Nytorv and Nyhavn – Kongens Nytorv is a popular square in downtown Copenhagen near Strøget. Founded in 1606, this square is part of many old traditions in Copenhagen. Nyhavn, the oldest part of Copenhagen harbor, is also here. Separating Kongens Nytorv and Nyhavn is The Anchor, a large anchor from a ship that commemorates all the Danish sailors lost at sea. Amalienborg, the Royal Castle, is just a five-minute walk from this area and is next to a beautiful newer park that is a local favorite.
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