Copenhagen attractions

Tivoli is the one of the most famous Copenhagen tourist attractions. It’s an entertaining mixture of landscaped gardens, outdoor concerts and fairground rides. You’ll probably hear it before you see it, thanks to its high perimeter walls and the constant screams from the roller coasters. On a summer evening when the park is illuminated by thousands of lights and lamps reflected in the lake, it’s one of Scandinavia’s most magical experiences.

Founded by Carlsberg tycoon Carl Jacobsen, the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek is Copenhagen’s finest classical and modern art gallery. There’s a knockout selection of Greek and Roman sculpture on the first floor as well as some excellent examples of modern European art, including Degas casts, Monet’s The Lemon Grove and works by Gauguin, Van Gogh and Danish Golden Age artists like Eckersberg.

The Botanisk Garden is dotted with greenhouses and rare plants. It’s one of the most impressive Copenhagen attractions and is a fantastic way to spend an afternoon in the city. The neighbouring National Gallery has bright and spacious galleries holding a vast collection of art, from minor Picassos to major works by Matisse and Titian.

Norrebro is crammed with some of Copenhagen’s best cafés, shops, bars and clubs, mostly centred on Sankt Hans Torv. The Barcelona club is a top place to enjoy plenty of cocktails. Caution is advised, particularly at night: but it’s home to most of Denmark’s most happening hangouts and the resplendent Assistens Cemetery . It’s a tranquil cemetery which locals use as a park in summer, and that has Hans Christian Andersen among its permanent residents. Looking for Copenhagen holidays? Book ahead in the summer when the city can get busy.

Just north of the Kastellet, a star-shaped fortress with five bastions on a corner overlooking the harbour, sits the Little Mermaid, a magnet for tourists since her unveiling in 1913. A bronze statue of the Hans Christian Andersen character, it was sculpted by Edvard Eriksen and paid for by the founder of the Carlsberg brewery. Over the years she’s been the victim of several attacks, having her head and arms chopped off and even being blown up by a bomb in 2003 - and also spent much of 2010 at Shanghai’s Expo - but she remains the most enduring symbol of the city.

The Danes take their bakeries seriously and you’ll see them all around Copenhagen. The range of loaves and pastries on offer is almost intimidating, but staff will happily advise. As well as rundstykker and flaky pastries, most bakeries offer affordable sandwiches. Conditori La Glace is Copenhagen’s oldest confectioner (dating to 1870) and is an essential stop for cakes and freshly made hot chocolate. This is the top Copenhagen sightseeing experience for foodies.