Copenhagen landmarks - a guide to the city's iconic sights

Copper spires rise above Copenhagen’s cobblestone streets. Along the harbor, contemporary buildings of glass and steel sit within sight of royal residences that are still in use today. Even Tivoli Gardens, which opened in 1843, remains part of everyday life in the center of the city.

That proximity to the harbor makes it possible to see different Copenhagen landmarks during one day ashore. Tour the rooms of Rosenborg Castle, then see the city from the water on a canal cruise. Farther outside Copenhagen, Roskilde preserves original Viking ships and centuries of royal history within its cathedral. Scandinavia & Baltics cruises bring guests within reach of both the capital and the history surrounding it.

Tivoli Gardens has occupied the heart of Copenhagen since 1843, making it the world's second-oldest operating amusement park, just behind Bakken, also in the Copenhagen area. Its gardens and lake sit alongside attractions such as the wooden Roller Coaster, a ride that has been running since 1914 and still relies on a brakeman aboard each train. There is no better time to see Tivoli than at night when it becomes illuminated after dark, something guests can enjoy on the Tivoli Gardens at Night excursion.

At Nyhavn, brightly painted 17th-century townhouses line a canal where historic wooden ships remain moored. Hans Christian Andersen lived at several addresses here, including No. 20, where he lived when some of his early fairy tales were published. The Canal Cruise and Tivoli Gardens excursion (not recommended for passengers in wheelchairs or limited mobility) has a view of Copenhagen from its waterways before visiting Tivoli.

The Little Mermaid has watched over Copenhagen Harbor since 1913. Brewer Carl Jacobsen commissioned sculptor Edvard Eriksen to create the bronze figure after seeing a ballet inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale. Perched on a rock at Langelinie, the statue is modest in scale — just 1.25 meters tall — so it fits naturally into a longer sightseeing route along the waterfront.

Copenhagen’s royal history is shared across several palaces. Rosenborg Castle began as Christian IV’s early 17th-century summer residence, and today its treasury holds the Danish Crown Jewels. Its turrets and red-brick Renaissance architecture also make the exterior worth time before stepping inside.

Christiansborg Palace serves a very different purpose. The Danish Parliament meets here, while parts of the palace are used by the monarch for official functions. Beneath the current building, visitors can descend to ruins from earlier castles on the site, including remains associated with Bishop Absalon’s 12th-century fortress.

Amalienborg is the Copenhagen residence of Denmark’s royal family. Four matching Rococo palaces face an octagonal square, where the Royal Life Guard changes guard every day. When King Frederik X is in residence, the King’s Guard arrives at the square shortly before 12:00 p.m.

Guests can explore more of Copenhagen’s royal history on the Mighty & Magnificent Royal Fortresses excursion. For a day beyond the capital, the Castles of North Sealand excursion (not available to guests beginning or ending their cruise in Copenhagen, and not suited to wheelchairs or walking difficulties) heads into the countryside for a look at Denmark’s royal past.

About 30 kilometers west of Copenhagen, Roskilde has some of the clearest physical evidence of Denmark’s Viking past. At the Viking Ship Museum, five original Viking Age ships recovered from Roskilde Fjord show visitors how vessels were built for different purposes, from trade and fishing to warfare.

Nearby, Roskilde Cathedral has served as a burial place for Danish monarchs for centuries. The present brick cathedral was begun in the 12th century and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with royal chapels added over successive generations. The Kings and Vikings - The Viking Ship Museum & Roskilde Cathedral excursion (minimum age 10) brings both sites into one day outside Copenhagen.

Copenhagen’s historic sites also preserve the legacy of people who shaped Danish culture rather than its monarchy. Hans Christian Andersen spent much of his adult life in the capital and lived at several addresses along Nyhavn. No. 20 was his home when some of his early fairy tales were published, and he later lived at Nos. 67 and 18. Those surviving addresses turn a walk along the canal into an opportunity to see places that were part of Andersen’s everyday Copenhagen.

Copenhagen’s harbor is one of the clearest places to see how contemporary architecture has changed the city. Copenhagen was named UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture for 2023, when the city hosted a yearlong program of exhibitions, talks and events focused on architecture and urban development. Some of its most recognizable contemporary buildings stand directly on the harbor, placing cruise guests in the perfect position to admire the architecture.

Across the water from Amalienborg, the Copenhagen Opera House projects toward the harbor beneath a broad, flat canopy. Completed in 2005, the Neo-Futurist building was designed by Danish architect Henning Larsen, with a glass façade that reveals the foyer and its curved balconies from outside.

Farther along the waterfront, the Royal Danish Library’s Black Diamond is a stark modern landmark that stands out against the historical backdrop of the city. Visitors can step inside to see its soaring central atrium, then continue along the waterfront rather than viewing the building only from a canal boat. Its public spaces make it one of Copenhagen’s modern landmarks that can be experienced from both inside and out.

Rosenborg Castle opens directly onto the King’s Garden, Denmark’s oldest royal garden. Laid out for Christian IV in the early 1600s, its tree-lined paths pass rose beds, fountains and the Hercules Pavilion. The lawns are still widely used by Copenhageners, so the garden is one of the best places to spend time outdoors before or after visiting the castle.

For more room to wander, Frederiksberg Gardens spreads below Frederiksberg Palace, which stands above the grounds on a hill. Paths follow canals and cross small bridges, while a Chinese Pavilion built in 1799 as a royal teahouse sits beside the water.

Copenhagen’s harbor provides another open-air route through the city. Walking the waterfront near Amalienborg puts the Opera House across the water, while continuing toward Nyhavn brings the historic canal back into view.

Many of Copenhagen’s central landmarks are close enough to combine on foot, while excursions make destinations farther from the city center easier to reach.

• On foot - Nyhavn, Amalienborg and several waterfront sights can be combined in a central walking route.
• By bike - Copenhagen is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world and has an extensive network of dedicated cycle tracks. Cycling is a great option for independent exploration.
• On an excursion - Princess® shore excursions include transportation between scheduled stops, including destinations outside central Copenhagen. No need to worry about biking, storage, or tiring yourself out on transportation.
• What to wear - Check the forecast before going ashore. Temperatures and conditions vary by season, and the waterfront can be breezy, so pack layers when appropriate.

A day in Copenhagen can take you inside a royal palace, along the canals or beyond the capital to Roskilde — it’s all about how you want to spend your time in port. Explore Copenhagen excursions and experience the Danish capital on a European cruise with Princess.