HARBOR SIGHTS
A harbor tour is a delightful way to take in the city’s brilliant views and varied topography. You will be taken along the wide waters of the Inner Harbor and winding waterways of Christianshavn, then round to Slotsholmen (the island on which the original town of Havn flourished in the 12th century). Vor Frelsers Kirke, in particular, makes a spectacular sight as you look up through the rigging of sailing boats dotting the Christianshavn canal.
Map of Harbor Sights
NEED TO KNOW
- Both Stromma and Netto Boats offer guided canal and harbor tours.
- The tours run year-round, with several departures per day.
- Public buses whose routes run along the harbor include the 901 and 902 from Den Sorte Diamant, Nyhavn, Knippelsbro, Operaen, Nyholm, or Larsen Plads.
- Buses 991, 992 and 993 run between Refshaleøen (Holmen) and Langelinie. Copenhagen Cards are also accepted.
1. The Canals
The canals that you glide along on the tour were built in a Dutch style in 1618 at the command of Christian IV. It is because of this that Christianshavn is referred to as “Little Amsterdam.”
The Canals
2. Operaen
The Opera House was built in just four years. Its massive auditorium seats 1,700 people (Ekvipagemestervej 10). The foyer’s sculptures change color with the weather.
Operaen
3. Vor Frelsers Kirke
With a soaring twisted spire, this opulent church dominates the Christianshavn skyline. An ascent offers an unparalleled vantage point over the city.
4. Nyhavn
Even today, the utterly charming old harbor of Nyhavn is filled with boats. The old brothels and pubs have now been turned into respectable bars and restaurants serving good, traditional Danish dishes.
5. Den Sorte Diamant
The Black Diamond, a vast, eye-catching structure, holds all the books ever published in Denmark (Søren Kierkegaards Plads 1). It is the largest library in the Nordic countries, and a great place to find original Danish texts.
6. Houseboats
The houseboats along the canals range from boatlike structures to some with bargelike designs, and other homes built on floating platforms, complete with outdoor spaces.
7. Havnebadet
Take a refreshing dip in the clean harbor waters of this popular open-air pool (Islands Brygge 14), while enjoying superb views of the city. There are three pools to choose from—for adults, for children, and a smaller pool for divers.
Havnebadet
8. Langelinie
One of the city’s most scenic areas, this is a wonderful place to walk along the harbor banks. Stroll along, past Kastellet and the Little Mermaid, right up to the final stretch where there is a cruise ship terminal.
9. The Little Mermaid
Den Lille Havfrue is a surprisingly small landmark, ordered by brewery magnate Carl Jacobsen in 1909 as a gift to the city of Copenhagen. It was created in 1913 by Edvard Eriksen, whose wife, Eline, was the model.
10. Pavilions and the Royal Yacht
On the quayside, just beyond the Little Mermaid, are two green-domed pavilions. It is here that the Danish royal family gathers before boarding their stunning 259-ft (79-m) royal yacht, called the Dannebrog, which shares its name with the Danish flag (said to have fallen from the sky in the year 1219).
Dannebrog, the royal yacht
MUTANT MERMAID
Set close to the Little Mermaid, and almost inviting controversy, is a sculpture group called Paradise Genetically Altered by Danish artist Bjørn Nørgaard. There is a triumphal arch, with a 29-ft (9-m) genetically altered Madonna atop it, surrounded by figures of Adam, Eve, Christ, Mary Magdalene, the Tripartite Capital—a critical representation of capitalism—and a pregnant man. On its own small island not far away sits the Genetically Modified Little Mermaid.
