Copenhagen is a relatively compact, bicycle friendly city on the shores of the Oresund at the mouth of the Baltic Sea.

With such a short time in the city we opted to explore by foot, by bicycle and by boat. Like most of the Nordic people the Danish make the most of fine summer weather, eating drinking and socialising outdoors. During the dark winter months they embrace the concept of Hygge, remaining cosy indoors with family and friends. Our summer break was blessed with glorious warm sunshine and blue skies so being outdoors was no hardship.

Having taken an open air breakfast just off the beautiful harbour of Nyhavn we set out to find Copenhagen's most famous resident sitting on her rock on the waterfront. Our walk took us through the plaza outside the Amalienborg Palace, to the waterfront, past the modern office block of the Maersk Shipping conglomerate to Hans Christian Andersen's 'memorial' Der Lille Havfrue (The Little Mermaid). Avoiding the crowds of tourists we proceeded to explore the grounds of the ancient 'Star" fortification of Kastellet.

The waterfront area around Nyhavn is a popular social centre with many restaurants, bars and cultural activities. Dominating the area. on the dockside, is the Copenhagen Playhouse. Bars, coffee shops and large waterside seating areas mean the Playhouse is always packed with Danes and tourists alike, enjoying the views and social buzz.

Across the waterway lies the 'island', and Bohemian community of Christianshavn. a popular residential and business area, known for it's 'hip' cafe culture, canals and alternative community of ramshackle houses, galleries, music venues and street food. Somewhat at odds with this counter culture, Christianshavn is also home to Michelin starred fine dining at Noma and the magnificent building of the Copenhagen Opera House.

Originally the old commercial port, Nyhavn is famed today for its beautifully painted colourful houses. Hans Christian Andersen lived in various properties on the Nyhavn quayside, including no 20, no 67 (20 years) and no 18 (2 years).

Today the port is home to classic sailing ships and historic vessels.

Today the beautiful old houses have been renovated and classy restaurants and bars line the dockside.

At Christmas the area is transformed into a fairytale world with festive lighting, the restaurants serving Danish Christmas delicacies and decorated stalls filling the cobbled streets.

Beneath a blue sky showing only the warm yellow sun, a water taxi ride around the inlets and canals of Copenhagen and Christianshavn is a tourist must-do. Reminiscent more of Amsterdam than Venice, Christianshavn is a delight from its dilapidated shacks to high end waterfront apartments, and from fine dining at Noma to the delicious Kanelsnegl (cinnamon pastries) at Lagkagehuset.


Christianshavn is home to a Danish Naval facility, much of which is no longer used. The water taxi passes a number of old Submarine pens, now converted to high-end water front apartments.


Back to mainland Copenhagen the water taxi continues along the canals, threading through the Business district, passing the Stock Exchange (Borse) and Parliament buildings (Borgen). Close to the main commercial centre in the Slotshold Canal, is the intriguing underwater bronze sculpture of Agnete and the Merman. Created in 1992, it continues the tradition of Danish Merfolk.

Exploring the City away from the waterfront, business and commercial districts, we find more residential areas. To the west of the City centre is a series of 3 rectangular lakes arranged in an arc. The mirror like surface of the still waters of Peblinge So, provide a tranquil leisure retreat for all Copenhageners.