Copenhagen is one of the most tourists friendly cities in the world. Everything you're looking for is just a stone's throw away, and you can either walk all around, or just get the public transports, that are easy to use, efficient, safe and get you anywhere. Alternatively, the major transportation mode in CPH is the bicycle, and it is available all around the city for a small deposit fee (from May to December).
One of the first things your will soon learn about Copenhagen, is that its "shape" is due to Christian IV the highly productive king, whose big number of children had not been enough to ease his creative energies, hence diverting them also into the modernization of his beloved city, with the construction of entire zones. But the prosperity of the city did not start with Christian IV, but with Erik of Pomerania, who imposed the Sound Toll on the traffics passing through the Øresund strait. By the way, if you're interested in the history of the city, the best thing to do is to click here...
We suggest to start the tour from Raadhuspladsen, where - if you look carefully on the roofs (indicatively, put your back to Strøget, leave the Rädhus and Tivoli at your left and look at the first building on the road at the right...) - a barometer will tell you if your have to get a raincoat, or if what you have in front of you is a sunny day (Yes, look for the girl that comes out either on bike, or with an umbrella). In the square you will also find several statues, such as the one dedicated to Hans Christian Andersen.
The Tivoli with its attractions, opened in 1843, and it is one of the highlights not only of Copenhagen, but of the entire Denmark, luring not only foreigners but Danes too. Among the attractions, do not miss the Star Flyer and the Golden Tower, from which you will have gorgeous views of the city. The Tivoli is particularly beautiful in the evenings, and on Saturday and Sunday, when the Tivoli Body Guard parades, with its phony toy soldiers in the glittering atmosphere.
When you have had enough of the excitement you can get there, what is next is the Carlsberg Glyptoteket. Don't get misunderstood: it's not a museum on beers. Inside you will find works by Renoir, Monet, Cézanne, statues from the Egyptian Era, works from the Near East: an impressive collection that you can help maintain by drinking Carlsberg. Otherwise said, drink beer, and you'll boost the culture of Denmark. Actually, a single pit stop in order to visit it, will not be enough. The collection is impressive, and the café in the Conservatory will risk attracting you with his smørrenbrød and homemade chocolate cake. The National Museet is also nearby, when you walk in the direction of Christiansborg. If you are wondering about who the Danes are, there you will find any reply. In the 18th century, the building now hosting the museum, was the home of the royal family. Separated from the city center by a small channel, Christiansborg Slot is the political center of the country, since the Folketinget - the Parliament - has its HQ. It can be visited every Sunday, but also on other days of the week during summer. The balcony of the Palace is the place where the new king or queen of Denmark is proclaimed. The palace has a quite long and unlucky history, since it caught fire two times from when it was built, in the 18th century. The New Royal Library, a.k.a. Den Sorte Diamant, is nearby and it's the most modern building in Copenhagen. The Børsen is worth a look too. The person who decided to built it is (hear that...) Frederick IV, and it has been the center for the Danish Stock Exchange from 1857. If you cross Slotsholmens Kanal, leaving Christiansborg behind, you will have the chance to see an underwater sculpture, from the left side of the bridge.
Walk now in the direction Kongens Nytrov, where you will find, among the Hotel d'Angleterre, the Magasin du Nord (the oldest shopping mall), and the oldest building on the square - Charlottenborg (today Academy of Arts) - Det Kongelige Teatre, where ballets, dramas, and operas are on scene. Nyhavn will attract you with all its colours and atmosphere. In summer it's crowded of tourists sitting at the cafés, restaurants or just strolling with an ice cream in their hands (and yes, do not forget to try one while in Copenhagen, since you will find one of the best soft you ever tried...). Nyhavn was the center of the resistance movement while Denmark was under German occupation. Not only. In Nyhavn Hans Christian Andersen lived and - finally - the famous Nyhavn 17 bar was stage for several movie productions. At the beginning of the stroll you will also find a anchor, in remembrance of the sailors who died during WW2. If you keep on Bredgade, you will find yourself nearby Amalienborg, the royal palace, where - at noon - the changing of the guard takes place. If the Queen is in the castle, the parade is an impressive one but, if she's away, the guarding shift is simplified. The castle consists of 4 buildings, and - from the Schacks - you will see Queen Margrethe II waving to her people on April 16th, when her birthday is. The Queen of Denmark is one of the few reigning monarchs who has completed university studies, holding degrees in prehistoric archaeology from the University of Cambridge, political science and economics. Coming out from Amalienborg, the gardens of Amalienhaven are of a rare beauty and face the new Opera House, on the other side of water. The Marmorkirken is nearby too. In the original projects it should have been built with Norwegian marble. Actually, it was too expensive and the works - due to a lack of money - had to be aborted, starting some years later and finishing in 1894. The style is baroque and there is a kind of resemblance to St. Peter Church in Rome. Two other churches have to be visited while in Copenhagen. One is the Vor Frue Kirke, built on the site where a church was already standing. There, the prince Frederik and his wife married in 2004. When you enter, notice the seats near the altar. They are double, and are a schizophrenia of the architects who decided to place the loggia for speaking in the middle of the church, hence obliging the people at the front to swap seats. The second church that must be visited in Copenhagen is the Vor Frelsers Kirke, whose construction began in 1682. The spire of the Church, designed by the Danish architect Laurids de Thurah, is inspired by the Church of Saint Ivo alla Sapienza in Rome, but it's taller and thinner, covered in copper and can be climbed.
Symbol of Copenhagen, the little Mermaid (Den Lille Havfrue) attracts visitors from all around the world. Created by Edvard Eriksen in 1913, it's said that the sculpture has been modelled on the measures of Ellen Price, dancer at the national theather. Even this information is not yet sure today, it's on the contrary sure that it has been inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale. Starting from the Sixties, the statue has been object of vandalic acts, having been beheaded, painted or moved several times. Nearby, Kastellet, a fortification built in the middle of the XVII century. Even if it's still used either by the army or by the Forsvarets Efterretningstjeneste, the Danish intelligence, it's possible to go walking in its gardens.
A visit to Copenhagen isn't over until one hasn't visited other highlights, such as the Rundetaarn, built on initiative of...Christian IV. There are not stairs to go to the top, but a winding passage, and the view from there it's magnificent. Christiania, founded in 1971, is also worth a visit. Free city inside the city, governed by an own set of rules, it's a collection of artworks painted on the walls of the houses. Just do not take pictures in Pusher Street. Strøget is the longest pedestrian street in the world. You will have the chance to find something typically Danish at Royal Copenhagen, Flora Danica or Bang Olufsen. Alternatively, if you're feeling hungry, get a smørrenbrød, a tea or a brunch at the several cafés along it. But, for real good shopping, head to Vestergade and the smaller net of roads around it.
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