Walking Tour of Copenhagen, Denmark
The largest city in Scandinavia is a wonderful place to walk, The Old City is fairly compact, and, with a little extra effort, you can even visit some of the peripheral sights in a manageable walking tour. The city contains the longest and oldest pedestrian-only thoroughfare in the world.
My walk begins at Town Hall Square (Radhusplades). First visit the Town Hall itself. Inside there are statues of favorite son, Hans Christian Andersen, and famous physicist, Niels Bohr. Another interesting sight is the World Clock, so precise that it remains accurate within a half-second over a period of 300 years. Climb the tower for great views of the Old City. Also on the square is another Statue of Hans Christian Andersen, along the boulevard.
Walk south from the square on Vester Voldgade, then turn left on Lavendelstraede which soon becomes Slutterigade, This street leads to the vicinity of Nytorv Square — the philosopher, Kirkegaard once lived here, The square is to the left when you reach the end of Slutterigade. Now turn right at the end of Slutterigade and walk to the end of this street. Next, turn left on Magstraede which contains some of Copenhagen’s oldest homes. Continue east on what is now Snaregade, Then turn right at the end of the street and walk to the canal. If you wish to visit Christiansborg Palace at this time, turn right at the canal, and then left at Frederiksholms Kanal, then left again at Tojhusgade to enter the complex.
To save the palace visit for another time, turn left at the canal, along Gammel Strand, which offers a good view of the palace, to the south. At the square ahead, turn right on Borsgade, noticing the old Stock Exchange (Borsen) along the way. Its unusual architecture is distinctive.
When you reach the Inner Harbor, turn left onto Neils Juelsgade, a street that leads to the city’s largest square, King’s Square. Note the Statue of Christian IV in the center of the square. Buildings around the square include Thotti’s Mansion, built in 1685, the Royal Theater, a neo-Renaisssance structure, and Charlottenborg Palace, now the Danish Academy of Fine Arts.
Now walk along Nyhavn (New Harbor), one of the most picturesque parts of the city. Perhaps stop here for a coffee or a snack at one of the many restaurants. At the end of the canal, turn left on Kvaesthusgade and then left again on Skt Annae Plads.
Next, turn right on Amaliegade which brings you to Amalienborg Square and Amalienborg Palace. This is the official residence of the queen. The Palace Gardens, a great place to stroll and relax, are south of the square.
After a brief respite in the gardens, walk north across the square onto Frederiksgade, which leads to Frederick’s Church, also known as the Marble Church. Its dome is one of the largest in Europe.
After your visit, continue north on Fredericksgade and then turn right on Store Kongensgade, and then right again on the Esplanaden. As you near the water, turn left on Langelinie and follow signs to The Little Mermaid, the endearing symbol of the city. The small bronze statue was fashioned in 1913.
After taking the obligatory pictures and perhaps wondering why the statue is so popular, retrace your steps on Langelinie to Esplanaden, then turn slightly right on Gernersgade, and then left on Rigensgade and then a quick right to Oster Voldgade. Turn left here to visit Rosenborg Castle, ahead on your left. The red brick edifice houses the Danish Crown Jewels. If time permits, visit the King’s Garden, surrounding the castle, and the Botanical Gardens, across the street.
Leave the castle area by continuing westward on Oster Voldgade, and then turn left on Gothersgade. When you reach King’s Square, turn right on Ostergade, the beginning of the pedestrian-only Stroget. Make a short detour when you reach Kobmagergade. Turn right here to visit the Erotica Museum, an unusual collection of sex-equipment as well as tales about the sex-lives of famous people. A bit further north from the museum is the Round Tower. Climb the ramp to the top for fantastic views.
Retrace your steps back to the Stroget and turn right. If you would like to visit Copenhagen’s Cathedral, detour to the right on Norregade at Gammel Square.
Continue walking on the Stroget all the way to the starting point, but the walk is not quite finished. On the opposite side of Town Hall Square is the world-famous Tivoli Gardens, reputed to be the oldest amusement park in the world. Stroll around the lovely, landscaped grounds and engage in various activities (it is also wonderful at night), then return to the square to complete the circuit.
