Copenhagen Attractions

For such a compact city, Copenhagen packs its attractions in. Whether you're hunting out museums, art galleries, funfairs or park gardens, everything is close at hand. Downtown, the Danish capital comprises charming, medieval cobbled streets and canals a stone's throw from ultra-modern, waterfront architecture. There's no elitism here, and the Danish love of play is as apparent in the National Gallery as it is in the city's famous Tivoli Pleasure Gardens.

History buffs are urged to see where it all started, on the museum island of Slotsholmen, where Copenhagen was founded back in the 12th century: this tiny area is now the site of many of the city's museums as well as the nation's Parliament at Christiansborg. Fans of royalty, meanwhile, can take a peek at the crown jewels in Rosenborg Slot before catching the changing of the guard in the rococo square of Amalienborg Slotsplads: there's savings to be made by buying a combined ticket to both royal palaces.

Discover first-hand Copenhagen's libertarian side with a visit to the 'free state' of Christiania, a marvellously ramshackle display of autonomy in action. Another fine example of ideals turned into reality, the renaissance Round Tower, affords some of the best views of the city. The city's best-known landmark the Little Mermaid is also its most over-rated, but the walk up to the stumpy statue is extremely pleasant; or view it from a boat as part of a harbor and canal tour.

Those who enjoy museums should note that most are closed on Mondays. If you can, visit on a Wednesday, when many offer late-night opening that day as well as free entry: the Ny Carlsberg Glyptoteket, on the other hand, is free on Sundays. Go crazy with a Copenhagen Card, offered by the local tourist information centre and allowing free entry to a whopping 65 museums and attractions in the Copenhagen area as well as free travel on buses, trains and Metro.

Check out: Top 10 must-see things to do in Copenhagen

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