Photography and film shooting in the streets and open squares of Copenhagen for tourist promotion is permitted with no special authorisation. Needless to say, any protests from the involved public must be respected.
No permission required:
The Little Mermaid
The best time to film this famous lady is early in the morning or late afternoon. Then you will escape tourists climbing the stones to get their personal snap shots.
The Gefion Fountain
After having undergone a thorough repair job the nearby Gefion Fountain, a popular photo subject, is once again sprouting water, but in the winter months from mid November to mid March, to avoid frost damage, the water is closed off.
(According to an ancient legend, Gefion was the goddess who ploughed the island of Sealand out of Sweden. The Swedish king Gylfe offered the goddess Gefion as much land as she was capable of ploughing within one day and one night. Gefion received help only from four oxen. She had transformed her four sons into immensely powerful oxen and had them plough so deeply in the ground that they raised the land and pulled it into the sea. This is how the island of Sealand was created. The lake Vännern in Sweden approximately resembles the shape of Sealand, proving that there must be some truth in the story!)
Langelinie, Copenhagen’s New Harbour Promenade
The Langelinie Shopping Arcade has shops and cafés with unique atmosphere and view. Film permission for indoor filming should be obtained from the shopkeepers.
Nyhavn
Is the oldest part of the Copenhagen Harbor. Today you will find a number of fine restaurants in this area, which only years ago had a slightly risqué image of being the play ground for sailors from all over the world. Today it is a popular meeting place for local people who get together as soon as the sun is out to enjoy the old ships, a meal or a glass of beer.
www.nyhavn.com
Canal Tours or Netto Boats
For good pictures of many Copenhagen sights from the water, take a ride with one of the small boats, departing from Nyhavn, Holmens Bro or Gammel Strand.
www.canaltours.dk
www.netto-baadene.dk
Main pedestrian/shopping street Strøget
The most charming part of Strøget is called Amagertorv where you will find a renowned stork fountain, plenty of cafes and shops and a beautifully renovated pavement. This is the place to film all kinds of people as they walk by or sit down for a cup of coffee.
Picturesque Streets
Parallel to the main pedestrian street Strøget runs "Strædet" where there is an excellent opportunity for filming - the old Copenhagen. The street has numerous old houses as well as cafes and antique shops. Do not miss Lars Bjørnsstræde, Studiestræde or Sct. Peders Stræde either. These streets form the bohemian quarter with a charming atmosphere.
Nyboder
The world's first townhouses’ and social residential area: built in the 17th century by King Christian IV for sailors of the Royal Navy. All houses are painted yellow and restored, but they are still crooked and very charming.
Christianshavn
A quarter that is dominated by the many canals built by imported Dutch architects in the 17th century. Today you will find old warehouses with hoists along with narrow townhouses that have kept the original portals, doorways and courtyards from almost 400 years ago.
The quarter is also blessed with important churches such as Our Saviours Church with an open-air spiral staircase that can be spotted from almost anywhere in town.
The Copenhagen Lakes
Right in the middle of Copenhagen three lakes offer a green breathing space from the traffic. They run from Gammel Kongevej in the south to Østerbrogade in the north and are frequently used by Copenhageners for jogging and in the winter also for ice-skating. The lakes are a popular place for families during the weekends where children come to feed the many birds that will eat out of your hand.
District of Nørrebro
The former workers’ district has become a multi-ethnic, colourful and trendy area of Copenhagen. With more than 35 antique shops in Ravnsborggade, cafés and small restaurants around the Skt. Hans Torv Square and small boutiques and a lively atmosphere in streets such as Elmegade, Egegade etc.
Amalienborg Palace
The Amalienborg Palace is home of the Danish Royal Family. The four wings were built in 1700 and have been in the possession of the Royal Family since 1794 when the old Christiansborg Palace was destroyed by fire. The square with Saly's equestrian statue of King Frederik V is considered one of the most beautiful in Europe. The Palace is a private home, no admission for filming in the interior. Here the Royal Life Guard is relieved every day at noon with a small ceremony, and when the royal family is in residence the changing of the guards is with full military band. Permission is only required, if you use a tripod for your filming.
www.kongehuset.dk
Permission required:
The Royal Theatre
Situated at the picturesque square Kongens Nytorv, statues of the Danish playwright, Ludvig Holberg and the poet Oehlenschlaeger flank the entrance and from the balcony you have a spectacular view of Kongens Nytorv, Nyhavn and the highly estimated Hotel D´Angleterre. In the winter time the square is transformed into a skating rink and several lights, creating a cosy Danish atmosphere, light the hotel. Permission for filming is rarely given, and in these rare cases only to the front building and the balcony.
www.kgl-teater.dk
The Royal Theatre Playhouse
Inaugurated in February 2008 with a stunning location on the waterfront and is a perfect example of minimalist Scandinavian architecture, with a broad wooden promenade towards the water. www.kgl-teater.dk
The Opera
Right on the waterfront by the entrance to the Copenhagen Harbour is the new Opera House. No permission is needed for filming the exterior. To get inside, however, a beforehand permission and booking is required. www.operaen.dk
Tivoli
You should go to the small office located left of the Tivoli main entrance. They will help you out.
www.tivoligardens.com
Rosenborg Castle, Kongens Have and the Rose Garden.
This small renaissance castle houses the crown jewels. Filming is not allowed during opening hours 10.00-16.00. For security reasons, extra manpower is required to help you out. For this service, you can expect to have to pay approx. DKK 600 for the guard, who will take you around. There is no electricity in the rooms of the castle and in many rooms the light is very dim. However, in the royal reception room, Riddersalen, the daylight usually provides enough light for filming. You may arrange for electricity - they have one outlet on each floor and consequently you need long cables. In the Treasure Room the light should be OK. Outdoor filming is allowed without permission. In the adjoining park, Kongens Have, you will meet Danes enjoying life. Do not miss the Rose Garden.
www.rosenborg-slot.dk
Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek
A museum that holds a substantial collection of ancient Greek and Roman art as well as a large winter garden with modern sculptures. They charge approx. DKK 1000 per hour during opening hours, which are 10.00 -16.00, the price is double up outside opening hours. Call them at +45 33418141 in due time so they can make arrangements and call in manpower to help you out. What they need to know is:
- your time of arrival
- how many are coming
- how long the filming will take
www.glyptoteket.dk
Statens Museum for Kunst
Denmark’s National Gallery with changing exhibitions and a permanent exhibition showing works from the 14th century to the present. The oldest building dates back to 1896, with a richly decorated façade offering a pompous entrance to the visitors: in 1998 a striking modern addition was completed.
Send a written request. The best time to film is during opening hours (Tuesday to Sunday 10-17), if the shooting takes place, when the museum is closed, you will have to pay for the guards.
www.smk.dk
The Thorvaldsen Museum
This museum is dedicated to Bertel Thorvaldsen, the famous Danish sculptor, is one of the finest buildnings in Copenhagen. The colourful and central location in Copenhagen makes this museum conspicuous and worth a visit.
Filming during opening hours (Tuesday-Sunday 10-17) is possible but you need permission. There is a charge of DKK 1000 for 3 hours, if they need to call in a guard. Filming when the museum is closed can be arranged, but at a slightly different price.
Filming during opening hours (Tuesday-Sunday 10-17) is possible but you need permission. There is a charge of DKK 1000 for 3 hours, if they need to call in a guard. Filming when the museum is closed can be arranged, but at a slightly different price.
www.thorvaldsensmuseum.dk
Town Hall
It was built in 1905 with a 346 feet high tower and beautiful reception rooms. Filming is allowed inside but generally you need permission, especially for filming in the tower. Outside Town Hall there is a statue of the national literary pride, Hans Christian Andersen, him you can photograph from all angles!
www.kk.dk
The Round Tower
A 209 metre-long winding passage leads up to one of the best views over central Copenhagen. The tower was originally built as an observatory and is the best preserved in Europa. The best time for filming is during opening hours, which are Monday to Saturday 9-17 and Sunday 11-17. Filming is free of charge. www.rundetaarn.dk
Royal Copenhagen
The House of Royal Copenhagen at Amagertorv includes not only Royal Copenhagen Porcelain but also; Illums Bolighus, Royal Copenhagen Crystal & George Jensen.
www.royalcopenhagen.com
The Black Diamond
The Danish nickname for the modern addition to the Royal Library. Feel free to photograph the building from the exterior. Interior photos need beforehand permission.
www.kb.dk
The National Museum
Denmark's main museum of cultural history dates back 10.000 years. The museum is housed in a 17th century mansion close to the canal and Parliament. Filming is allowed during opening hours (and in very rare cases during the night) but you need permission, at any rate at least one week in advance with as detailed information as possible about the filming as the inspectors of the concerning section must be notified. Usually it is free of charge.
www.natmus.dk