Among the oases of Copenhagen you will find The Royal Library Garden – a wonderful bit of breathing space in the middle of the city behind the Danish Parliament building, Christiansborg Palace. Go through the gates from Parliament Square.

Behind Kunstindustrimuseet (The Museum of Art & Design) in the street called Bredgade lies the fine Grønnegaard yard, where you enjoy a delicious cup of coffee at the Museum Café.

The shooting range on Vesterbro is well-hidden behind a high wall which looks rather like a castle with towers and pinnacles. Here you will find plenty of space for both games and complete relaxation.

Classens Have (Classens Garden) on Østerbro looks, at first glance, like a very private garden, but it is open to the public through the gates in Classensgade.

Assistens Kirkegaard (Assistens Cemetry) on Nørrebro is used as much by the living as the dead. Here locals sunbathe in the company of the likes of Hans Christian Andersen, Hans Scherfig, Søren Kirkegaard and Niels Bohr. Guided tours are available where you can hear all about the ‘permanent’ residents.

There are many alleyways in the inner city, which are both charming and useful shortcuts.

Kringlegangen connects Gråbrødretorv (Grey Friars Square) and Valkendorfsgade which is behind Strøget, the main pedestrian street, and via Jorcks Passage you get from Strøget to Skindergade and Fiolstræde – also known as the Latin Quarter.

Opposite Helligåndskirken (The Church of the Holy Gost) on Strøget runs Klostergården through Læderstræde. Pistolstræde contains a small square which has boutiques and cafés. It runs from Østergade, which is part of Strøget, to Ny Østergade which is close by.

The alleyway, Sankt Annæ Passage, is a shortcut between Bredgade 25 and Store Kongensgade 40.

Experience the picturesque small streets running alongside the canals “Overgaden neden Vandet” and Overgaden oven Vandet” by the Christianshavn Canal where yachts lie side by side with houseboats. Here it is possible to rent rowing boats.

Strandgade is full of beautiful old houses; don’t forget to look up and down and into the charming courtyards.

The ”town within the city” Christiania is the 3rd biggest attraction in Copenhagen, but is not listed on the official list of top attractions. “The town” is a social experiment with lots of restaurants, cafés, art and craft workshops and shops. It has a lively atmosphere of life and people at most times - both day and night. The approx. 750 residents live in former military buildings and in incredible houses they built themselves.

Large parts of Vesterbro and Nørrebro are going through an interesting cosmopolitan change – but without losing their heart and soul. The two old working class areas have made the big push forward with the introduction of lots of light and air and wonderful atmospheric court yards. This attracted many new young residents and Vesterbro & Nørrebro is consequently now full of lively cafés. Much of Copenhagen’s trendy night-life scene is now centred in these two areas.

On Vesterbro is Halmtorvet which is also rejuvenated and the square is now surrounded by tiny cafés. Large parts of the old meat factory area have been renovated like the former meat market which has become an interesting exhibition hall, Øksnehallen. DGI Byen (a hotel and sports complex) offers a number of great experiences, they offer anything to do with water from the big pool area to spa and thermal baths with ethereal oils. In Istedgade new cafés and experimental boutiques shoot up like mushrooms.

On Nørrebro the Sankt Hans Torv is crammed with cafés and in the side streets of the square lie some of Copenhagen’s most progressive designer boutiques and fusion cafés. For example, you will find interesting shops which sell both antiques and washing machines - why not combine what is useful and practical with what is comfortable? Ravnsborggade’s many antique and merchandise shops do extremely well with everything from expensive furniture to cheap bric–a-brac in messy old boxes.

On Østerbro you find a very Parisian atmosphere alongside the lakes which feel like a boundary to the inner city. Fælledparken is one of this quarter’s biggest and greenest parks with space for football, skateboard ramps, dancing tents, a garden for the senses and lots lots more.

Nordre Frihavnsgade is a great food and “everything else” shopping street with side streets buzzing with creativity and different activities.

Amager has been a bit behind other areas of Copenhagen when it comes to rejuvenation and modernising. But things are really starting to happen, not only when it comes to shops and buildings but also with the arrival of the underground system, the Metro. The area around Holmbladsgade has had a huge “facelift“and the new Amager Strandpark – a beach promenade and park area with fine sand, dunes and lagoons opened in 2005. There is a lot of building activity close to the new beach & park area as well as near the new suburb, Ørestaden, named after the stretch of water dividing Denmark and Sweden, Øresund.

Do also take a look at Islands Brygge and see how the harbour front is developing at the speed of lightning.

National Museet (The National Museum), Statens Museum for Kunst (The National Gallery) and Glyptoteket (The Glyptotek) are all famous attractions, but Copenhagen also has many fun museums and attractions which are a little different from the rest.

Post- og Telemuseet (House of Communication) in Købmagergade offers not only interesting exhibitions about the Danish post office and different types of communication, it happens to have one of the most beautiful views of Copenhagen from their café on the top floor.

Medicinsk Museum (Medical Museum) in Bredgade illustrates the often macabre history of medicine, and the Politimuseet (The Police Museum) on Blegdamsvej has horror stories that will send shivers down your spine.

Teatermuseet (The Theatre Museum) is situated on Christiansborg Ridebane (Christiansborg Riding Track) in the former Royal Court Theatre; here you can see theatrical costumes dressed up on mannequins. Also the Royal Stables and Carriages are housed at the Royal Riding Track – take a look inside and see the royal household’s horses and carts - and stalls with marble cribs.

Legetøjsmuseet (The Toy Museum) called Olgas Lyst with dolls, toys and doll-houses is a nostalgic journey back in time. This small museum is situated in Sommerstedgade on Vesterbro.

Cirkusmuseet (The Circus Museum) in Hvidovre is the biggest of its kind in northern Europe with magical exhibitions and activity rooms for the more playful.

Orlogsmuseet (The Royal Danish Naval Museum) on Christianshavn shows models of ships and has weapons and uniforms which tell the history of the Danish Royal Navy. Also Tøjhusmuseet (The Royal Danish Arsenal Museum) on Slotsholmen, which is situated right behind Christiansborg Slot, the parliament building, is full of weapons and cannons.

Storm P. Museet (The Storm P. Museum) is at Frederiksberg Runddel close to one of the Frederiksberg Garden’s entrances. It houses lots of memories of the very humorous Danish observer and wit Storm P. It is opposite Det Danske Revymuseum (The Danish Comic Revue Museum) showing the many of most funny film clips and props from various Danish comedies.

Cisternen in Søndermarken is an underground museum - a very interesting and different type of museum featuring modern glass art and it is where both national and international artists exhibit.

Read more about the museums and attractions in Copenhagen at VisitDenmark.

You will find big green park areas very close to the city centre of Copenhagen which are perfect for a “day out“ - perhaps enjoying a picnic or just relaxing.

Dyrehaven (The Royal Deer Park) in Klampenborg is one of the Copenhagener’s favourite outings. Big open spaces leading up to the Erimitageslottet (The Erimitage Royal Hunting Lodge) with huge flocks of deer undisturbed by the high number of joggers, cyclists, horse riders, kite flyers, golfers and people just out for a walk. You can enjoy the Deer Park from a different angle in a horse and carriage ride starting from the parking area opposite Klampenborg Station. Fares vary depending on where you wish to go.

Vestvolden (The Western Ramparts) is approx. 100 years old and stretches over and area of nearly 14 km like a circle around Copenhagen from Utterslev Mose in the northern to Avedøre Holme in the southern part of the city. The former military area with its distinctive nature has become a fantastic recreational area offering lots of different activities.

An interesting and fun way to hear about the old buildings, the old quarters and the characters who used to live and work in these areas. The night watchmen will most likely sing a song or two as they go along.
Read more at VisitCopenhagen

Guided tours in the canals and harbours with professional kayak instructors. The trips are tailor-made to the individual visitor depending on how far and how active you wish to be.
Do read more on www.kajakole.dk

With City Safari you explore the life of the city and the buildings in a different and active way. The tours are themed and divided into small groups. Check the different tours on offer on www.citysafari.dk

This is a tour through the old and dark part of the city where you get the feeling of being close to ghosts, witches and murderers. It is spooky and cosy at the same time! The tour ends up at a late night restaurant in time for a bite of food and a night cap. Read more at Copenhagen Jet Set

Kirsten Engsig
13.12.05