Old Copenhagen's historical heart

The heart of Copenhagen features buildings dating back to medieval times with Renaissance copper domes, spires, and bell towers. Cobblestone streets are still designed for walking and cycling, and many streets are one way or closed to traffic. Canal tours provide a wonderful, relaxed overview of the city plan. Copenhagen is best seen by foot, bike, or boat.

The old city’s focal point is Stroeget, a two-kilometre long pedestrian shopping street with bargain buys and high-end luxury stores, including Danish-made designs and jewellery. On one end of the street is the City Hall Square where people can climb the clock tower for a great view of the city. Its bell tower still chimes every hour. For those wanting to appear on local television, the live Aftenshowet (the evening show) broadcasts daily on the square from 6:00pm.

On the other end of the street in Kongens Nytorv (the King’s new square) which is actually a large roundabout. Featuring around the square are the Royal Theatre, which accommodates the famous Bournonville’s inspired Royal Danish Ballet, Magasin du Nord (a large department store similar to Saks Fifth Avenue in Manhattan), and the Nyhavn row of restaurants.

Nyhaven, meaning new harbour, was a trade harbour in the 1670s. The canal has a splendid display of 300-year old colourful houses on each side. One of them, with a narrow, white façade, is the home of Hans Christian Andersen, the children’s author. The sailor’s pubs and bars are now interesting restaurants with exotic seafaring names, like the Cape Horn, the Hong Kong Café, the Herring, and The Siren.

On the outskirts of Old Copenhagen are the Kastelet (a small castle), the Gefion Fountain, the statue of The Little Mermaid (sculpted by Edvard Eriksen in 1913), ancient churches, the Art Museum, and the Amalienborg Palace (winter residence of the royal family). Just as in London, at the palace is the Changing of the Guard.

MARTINA NICOLLS is an international aid and development consultant, and the author of:- Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom (2017), The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).

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