Copenhagen Map Tourist Attractions
SIGHTS
Compact Copenhagen is best seen on foot or by bike. Various walking tours are detailed in Play Time (at Use It), covering all sections of the city. Opposite Kon-gens Nytorv is the multi-colored and picturesque Nyhavn, the new port where Hans Christian Andersen wrote his first fairy tale. On a nice day, take the 6.4km walk along the five lakes (S0) that border the western end of the city center. The lakes, as well as the Rosenborg Have, are great places for a picnic. Wednesday is the best day to visit museums, as most are free.
CITY CENTER. The first sight you’ll see as you exit the train station is Tivoli, the famous 19th-century amusement park. Christian VIII ordered the creation of the park in 1843, convinced that when the people are enjoying themselves they forget about politicking. Heed the king and lose yourself in the festive ambience, replete with beautiful fountains, town-fair-style games, and, of course, roller coasters, (www.tivoligardens.com. Open mid-June to mid-Aug. Su-Th 1 lam-midnight, F-Sa llam-lam; off-season reduced hours. Admission 65kr, children 30kr. Rides 15-60kr. Admission with unlimited rides 180kr, children 120kr.) Across the street from the back entrance of Tivoli, the beautiful liNy Carlsberg Glyptotek boasts a fine collection of ancient and Impressionist art and sculpture, complete with an enclosed Mediterranean garden. (Dantes PI. 7. Open Su and Tu-Sa 10am-4pm. 40kr. Free 1N and Su or with ISIC.) Follow Denmark’s changing face since the beginning of man at the National Museum. (Ny Vesterg. 10. -a33 13 44 11. Open Su and Tu-Sa 10am-5pm. 5Okr, students 40kr. IV free.) Christiansborg Castle features subterranean ruins, still-in-use royal reception rooms, and the Folketing (Parliament) chambers. To see the magnificent tapestries given to the Queen for her 50th birthday, take the tour. (Prins Jorgens Gard. s33 92 64 92. Ruins open daily 9:30am-3:30pm. 25kr. Required castle tours May-Sept. daily 11am, 1, and 3pm; Oct.-Apr. Su, Tu, Th, and Sa 3pm. 45kr, students 35kr.) Satisfy your carnal curiosity at the Museum Erotica, where various exhibits offer peeks into the sex lives of the famous, the history of prostitution, and kinky art from around the world. (33 12 03 11; www.museumerotica.dk. Open May-Sept. daily lOam-llpm; Oct.-Apr. Su-Th llam-8pm, F-Sa lOam-lOpm.)
CHRISTIANSHAVN. Climb the awe-inspiring golden spire of Vor Frelsers Kirke (Our Savior’s Church) for a great view of both the city and the water. (Sankt Annseg. 29. M: Christianshavn or bus #48. Turn left onto Prinsesseg. .Church open Mar.-Nov. daily llam-4:30pm; Dec.-Feb. 10am-2pm. Free. Tower open Mar.-Nov. M-Sa llam-4:30pm, Su noon-4:30pm. 20kr.) The free city of Christiania, in the southern section of Christianshavn, was founded in 1971 by youthful squatters in abandoned military barracks. Today it is inhabited by a thriving group of artists and altema-thinkers carrying 70s activism and free love into the new millennium. At Christmas, there is a fabulous market with curiosities from all over the world. The aptly named Pusher Street features stands that sell all kinds of hash and marijuana. Beware, however, as possession of even small amounts can get you arrested. If you must, keep consumption limited to the premises. Always ask before taking pictures, never take pictures on Pusher St itself, and exercise caution in the area at night. (Main entrance on Prinsesseg. From Kebenhavn H, take bus #48.)
FREDERIKSTADEN. Edvard Eriksen’s Li lie H avfrue (Little Mermaid), the tiny but tour-isted statue at the opening of the harbor, honors Hans Christian Andersen’s version of the tale. (S-train: 0sterport; turn left out of the station, left on Folke Bemadottes AII6, right on the path bordering the canal, left up the stairs, and then right along the street Open daily 6am-dusk.) Head back along the canal and turn left across the moat to reach Kastellet, a 17th-century fortress that’s now a park. Cross through Kastellet to the fascinating Frihedsmu-seet (Museum of Danish Resistance), which documents the German occupation from 1940-1945, during which the Danes helped over 7000 Jews escape to Sweden and committed about 4000 acts of sabotage. (At Churchillparken. 33 13 77 14. Open May to mid-Sept. Su 10am-5pm, Tu-Sa 10am4pm; mid-Sept. to Apr. Su llam-4pm, Tu-Sa llam-3pm. 40kr, students 30kr. W free. English tours May to mid-Sept. Tu, Th, and Su 2pm. Free.) From the museum, walk south down Amalieng. to reach the lovely 3 Amaiienborg Palace, residence of Queen Margrethe II and the royal family. Most of the interior is closed to the public, but the apartments of Christian VII are open, including the gaudy, original studies of 19th-century Danish kings. The changing of the guard takes place at noon on the brick plaza (3312 08 08; www.rosenborg-slot.dk. Open May-Oct. daily 10am-4pm; Nov.-Apr. Su and Tu-Sa llam-4pm. 45kr, students 25kr, combined ticket with Rosenborg Slot (see below) 80kr.) The gorgeous 19th-century Marmokirken (Marble Church), opposite the palace, features an ornate interior, Europe’s third-largest dome, and a spectacular view. (Fre-driksg. 4. Open M-Tu and Th 10am-5pm, W 10am-6pm, FSu noon-5pm. Free. Dome open mid-June to Aug. daily 1 and 3pm; Sept. to mid-June Sa-Su 1 and 3pm. 20kr.) A few blocks north, Statens Museum for Kunst (State Museum of Fine Arts) displays an eclectic collection of Danish and international art in a beautifully designed building. (Selvg. 48-50. S-train: Norreport. Walk up 0ster Voldg. 33 74 84 94; www.smk.dk. Open Su, Tu, and Th-Sa 10am-5pm, W 10am-8pm. 50kr, under-25 35kr. W free.) Opposite the museum, Rosenborg Slot, built from 1606-1634 by King Christian IV as a summer residence, hoards royal treasures, including the crown jewels. (0ster Voldg. 4A. S-train: Nanreport. Walk up 0ster Voldg. &33 15 32 86. Open June-Aug. daily 10am-5pm; May and Sept. 10am-4pm; Oct. llam-3pm; Nov.-Apr. Su and Tu-Sa llam-2pm. 60kr, students 30kr.) Nearby, stroll through the 13,000 plant species in the Botanisk Have (Botanical Gardens); make sure to visit the Palm House. (Gardens open June-Aug. daily 8:30am-6pm, Sept.-May Su and Tu-Sa 8:30am-4pm. Palm House open June-Aug. daily 10am-3pm; Sept.-May Su and Tu-Sa 10am-3pm. Free.)
OTH ER SI GHTS. A trip to the Carlsberg Brewery will reward you with a wealth of ale-related knowledge and, more importantly, free samples. (Ny Carlsbergvej 140. Take bus #26 to Bjerregardsvej (dir.: Alholm PI.; llmin. every lOmin.) and walk back the way the bus came to turn hght onto Ny Carlsbergvej. s33 27 13 14; www.carisberg.com. Open Su and Tu-Sa 10am-4pm. Free.) The hands-on Experimentarium it geared toward kids, but great for all ages. (Tuborg Havnevej 7. Take bus #1A from Kebenhavn H (dir.: Hellewp; 20min. every 5-10min.) to Tuborg Blvd. n39 27 33 33; www.experimentarium.dk. Open M and W-F9am-5pm, Tu 9am-9pm, Sa-Su llam-5pm. 95kr, children 65kr.)
