© Shutterstock 

Tivoli Gardens -

Copenhagen's famous Tivoli Gardens are an absolute delight to discover. An amusement park and pleasure gardens set in the middle of the city, Tivoli, which opened in 1843, is the second-oldest operating theme park in the world. Walt Disney paid several visits and was inspired enough to create his own version, something he called Disneyland!

© Shutterstock 

Tivoli Gardens -

Besides the 20 or so attractions to enjoy, rides that include roller coasters, a Ferris wheel, various swings, and the ingenious Tak Tak spinner, which opened in 2018, there's the Pantomime Theatre and the Tivoli Concert Hall to visit, and the fabulous Moorish pavilion (pictured) to admire.

© Shutterstock 

Christiansborg Palace -

The splendid Christiansborg Palace set on the tiny island of Slotsholmen serves as the Danish seat of government and as one of the city's most distinguished visitor attractions, boasting as it does more than 800 years of history.

© Shutterstock 

Christiansborg Palace -

Several parts of the palace are open to visitors, including the Royal Reception Rooms, Great Hall, Royal Kitchen, and the Christiansborg Palace Chapel. The 12th-century ruins of Absalon's Castle, unearthed when the palace was being built, can also be accessed by the public.

© Shutterstock 

National Museum of Denmark -

Allow yourself a good couple of hours to absorb the treasures on display inside Denmark's largest museum of cultural history. Among the standout exhibits is the remarkable Trundholm sun chariot, a Nordic Bronze Age artifact representing a sun chariot, a bronze statue of a horse, and a large bronze disk, dated to about 1400 BCE.

© Getty Images 

National Museum of Denmark -

Another must-see piece is the Gundestrup cauldron, a richly decorated silver vessel thought to date from between 200 BCE and 300 CE. It was found in a peat bog in 1891.

© Getty Images 

Thorvaldsen Museum (1770–1844) -

Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770–1844) was one of Denmark's most respected sculptors and medalists. Thorvaldsen is honored with his own museum, which is located next to Christiansborg Palace and houses a collection of his most famous works.

© Getty Images 

National Gallery of Denmark -

The National Gallery of Denmark houses some 9,000 paintings and sculptures, and approximately 240,000 works of art on paper from the 1700s to the present day—the largest collection in the world of Danish art. Look out for this beguiling piece: 'In a Roman Osteria' (1866) by Carl Heinrich Bloch (1834–1890).

© Getty Images 

National Gallery of Denmark -

Another painting to ponder is 'Portrait of the Sculptor Hermann Ernst Freud' by Danish artist Christen Købke (1810–1848). The museum also exhibits paintings by Dutch Masters, Edvard Munch, Matisse, and Picasso, among others.

© Getty Images 

Nyhavn Harbor -

The subject of numerous photographs, paintings, and drawings, the Instagram-perfect Nyhavn Harbor ("New Harbor") is one of Copenhagen's most visited districts. Inside the bridge area of the harbor is in fact a museum and vintage wooden ship mooring facility, with a lightship from 1885 among the rarest vessels.

© Shutterstock 

Nyhavn Harbor -

Nyhaven is also distinguished by the row of colorful 17th- and early 18th-century townhouses lining the waterfront. Between 1845 and 1864, Danish author Hans Christian Andersen (1805–1875) lived at No. 67, where a memorial plaque now stands. Many of these properties now serve as picturesque bars, cafés, and restaurants.

© Shutterstock 

National Aquarium Denmark -

The largest aquarium in Northern Europe is also known as Den Blå Planet ("Blue Planet"). Five main sections representing five different habitats divided into 53 exhibits wow visitors with their wealth of sea life. A favorite attraction is the amazing Ocean Tank (pictured), where sharks and rays seemingly glide overhead in lazy abandon.

© Shutterstock 

Round Tower -

The Round Tower (Rundetårn) is a treat to explore. Built in the 17th century as a astronomical observatory, the 36-m (118-ft-) high tower is one of Copenhagen's more unusual landmarks.

© Shutterstock 

Round Tower -

The tower is great fun to visit! It's noted for its equestrian staircase, a gently sloping spiral ramp that would have originally accommodated horsemen. Follow this and you'll end up at a top-floor platform that features an extraordinary glass floor where you can peer down into the castle's core. Over your shoulder, meanwhile, Copenhagen unfolds across a marvelous panoramic canvas.

© Shutterstock 

Rosenborg Palace -

Serene Rosenborg Palace is only a few minutes' walk from the city center, yet appears as if set in the countryside. Originally built as a country summer house for King Christian IV in 1606, the castle was inhabited by the royal family until 1720. By 1838, the castle and contents had become a museum.

© Shutterstock 

Rosenborg Palace -

The palace deserves a thorough walk-through, not least for the incredible Knight's Hall, the centerpiece of which is the Coronation Throne. Local lore suggests that the regal seat was built out of "unicorn" horn. In fact, it was part fashioned out of narwhal tusks. The life-size silver lions, meanwhile, appear more playful than menacing.

© Shutterstock 

Amalienborg -

Home of the Danish royal family,  Amalienborg Palace in fact consists of four separate palace buildings. A must-see for anyone with an interest in European royal history, time a visit to Amalienborg with the changing of the guard ceremony, when soldiers of the Royal Guard, resplendent in their bearskins and blue tunics, march and maneuver in military precision.

© Shutterstock 

Gråbrødretorv -

The Old Town is where you'll find Gråbrødretorv, a scenic public square framed by the vivid facades of mostly mid-18th century townhouse. Pause here for a coffee and a snack before continuing your sightseeing.

© Shutterstock 

Strøget -

For the most rewarding retail therapy in Copenhagen, browse the shops and boutiques of the city's pedestrianized Strøget district. As well as international brand names, shoppers can peruse a wealth of locally manufactured merchandise. The charming Amagertorv central square is landmarked by the famous Stork Fountain, named for the three bronze storks cast as if they are about to take off.

© Shutterstock 

The Little Mermaid -

If there's one symbol of Copenhagen that stands out above all else, it's the Little Mermaid. The iconic bronze statue was created in 1913 by Edvard Eriksen (1876–1959) and is based on a theme from one of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales. You can contemplate this diminutive but hugely popular work of art on the waterfront between Nyhavn and Kastellet.

© Shutterstock 

Copenhagen City Hall -

Looming over Copenhagen's busy City Hall Square (Rådhuspladsen) is the late 19th-century City Hall building, which is distinguished by its richly ornamented front. Visitors can climb the tall, slim clock tower—at 106 m (347 ft) the tallest structure in Copenhagen—for an impressive rooftop panorama.

© Shutterstock 

Copenhagen Zoo -

Founded in 1859, Copenhagen's Zoological Garden complex is one of the oldest and largest zoos in Europe. The facility is renowned for European breeding programs and the number of rare species on show, animals that include a Schmitz's caracal and Tasmanian wombat. Meanwhile, the usual suspects—tigers, pandas, and elephants among them—amaze and delight their audiences.

© Shutterstock 

Church of Our Saviour -

If you visit just one church in Copenhagen, make sure it's this one. This baroque sanctuary is famous for the external spiral staircase that winds itself counterclockwise around the black and golden spire. It can be climbed, but should only be done so by those with a head for heights.

© Shutterstock 

Freetown Christiania -

For an off-beat, down-to-earth distraction straight out of left field, amble over to Freetown Christiania. A former military barracks, Christiana became a hippy commune in the early 1970s. Meditation, yoga, and a thriving illicit substance trade became the cornerstone of the community. While not as wacky as it once was, Christiania still functions as an alternative society hub, and is well worth exploring for its colorful boho vibe and artisan atmosphere.

© Getty Images 

Kronborg Castle -

Seeking an excursion? A 45-minute train journey from Copenhagen's central rail terminal brings you to Kronborg Castle, one of Denmark's outstanding historic strongholds. Located in the town of Helsingør, the castle that Shakespeare called Elsinore, and used as the home of his fictional character Hamlet, dates back to 1420, although what you see today was rebuilt in 1640 after a fire in 1629.

© Shutterstock 

Frederiksborg Castle -

If castles are your thing, Frederiksborg will fascinate. This palatial pile stands in Hillerød, a town approximately 30 km (18 mi) to the north of Copenhagen. The original Frederiksborg also fell victim to a fire, in 1859, but was rebuilt on the basis of old plans and paintings. A museum devoted to natural history is found within the building. If it's hot and sunny out, spend time walking the wonderful landscaped grounds.

© Shutterstock 

Viking Ship Museum -

About 30 km (19 mi) west of Copenhagen is Roskilde. Two attractions draw city day-trippers to this pleasant town set on the island of Zealand: a fine Gothic cathedral, and the outstanding Viking Ship Museum. Both are worth investigating at leisure.

© Shutterstock 

Carlsberg Brewery -

Sightseeing always works up a thirst, and visitors to Copenhagen have the lucky option of quenching it during a tour of one of the most famous breweries in the world, the Carlsberg Brewery.

© Shutterstock 

Smørrebrød -

And what better way to soak up a beer or two than with a traditional Danish open-faced sandwich, known locally as smørrebrød. A snack for all seasons, smørrebrød can be topped with homemade cold cuts, pieces of meat or fish, cheese or spreads, garnishes, and just about anything else that takes your fancy. Biting into one really is the best way to get a taste of Copenhagen.

Sources: (The Sun) (CNN)  

© Shutterstock