An evening in 1909 Carl Jacobsen, founder of the Carlsberg Breweries, attended the Royal Theatre to see The Little Mermaid, a ballet based on the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen. Deeply moved by the performance, he subsequently commissioned the sculptor Edvard Eriksen to create a statue of this ravishing mermaid. Edvard Eriksen had his wife pose as a model, and The Little Mermaid was presented at Langelinie waterfront 23 August 1913 as a gift to the city. Every year her birthday is celebrated with balloons, music and mermaids.
The gates to the famous old Tivoli Gardens, an enchanted world of beautiful tree-lined pathways, theatres, open air stages, restaurants, cafés, and attractions ranging from monstrous rides, that will twirl and spin you around, to gentle children's rides. The gardens display a wealth of flowers, and at night thousands of lights sparkle from the trees. Open since 1843, Tivoli is one of the world's oldest amusement parks – and a must when you visit Copenhagen.
Christiania, the famous freetown of Copenhagen, is without a doubt one of Denmark’s most popular tourist attractions. Christiania was founded in 1971, when a group of people cut a hole in the fence to the military barracks in Bådmandsgade. Today many of the original settlers still live in the collectively controlled village, and the area has a clear 70s feel to it. The area can be considered quite rough and dodgy. According to Copenhagen police the area around Pusher Street is controlled by organised criminal groups. The residents themselves have adopted to a set of rules for security reasons, which they strongly advice visitors to abide by. They discourage visitors to photograph, run and talk on the phone in the area, especially in and around Pusher Street.
Copenhagen's largest shopping area is centered around Strøget in the heart of the city. Strøget is the world's longest pedestrian street with a wealth of shops, from budget-friendly chains to some of the world's most expensive brands. The stretch is 1.1 kilometers long and runs from City Hall Square to Kongens Nytorv. Strøget is a nickname from the 1800s and covers the streets Frederiksberggade, Nygade, Vimmelskaftet and Østergade.
Nyhavn, meaning New Haven, was originally a busy commercial port where ships from all over the world would dock. The area teemed with sailors, ladies of pleasure, pubs and alehouses. Over the years the beautiful old slanted houses were gradually renovated and classy restaurants started popping up. In summer Nyhavn is a popular hangout for dining and drinks. If you do not like the prices, do like the locals and buy a beer from a nearby store and rest your feet at the quayside.
The Royal Danish Guard patrols the royal residence Amalienborg Palace and serves the royal Danish family. The guard marches every day at 11:30 from Rosenborg Castle through the streets of Copenhagen to Amalienborg Palace, where it executes the change of guards at noon. When the Queen is in residence, the guard is accompanied by the Royal Guard's music corps.
Bakken is the world's oldest amusement park dating back to 1583 and ever since then it has been one of the most popular recreation spots of the Copenhageners. Nestled in green environments inn the Deer Park in Klampenborg just north of Copenhagen, the amusement park of today is a prime example of genuine, Danish popular culture. The old wooden rollercoaster is still one of the most popular rides at Bakken, sometimes also called Dyrehavsbakken.
Copenhagen Zoo has more than 3,000 animals from around the world and a total of 264 different species. And regardless of the weather outside, a hot humid climate awaits you in the rain forest of the Tropical Zoo. The Zoo also features Europe's greatest Children's Zoo where kids can pat the pygmy goats, meet the tame rabbits and the snakes. The Zoo is home to architect Sir Norman Foster's amazing elephant house, Dall Lindhardtsen A/S's hippo house, and a new Polar Ring for the polar animals will open soon.
Louisiana has gained a reputation as a museum in touch with the zeitgeist of the contemporary art world all the while never neglecting the obvious and established names that draw in the crowds. Besides the impressive permanent collection with over 3,500 works, the museum has 8-12 special exhibitions annually. When hunger sets in, you can either enjoy a great Nordic lunch at the museum café or in the magnificent sculpture garden with a view across the sound to Sweden.
The Round Tower is the oldest functioning observatory in Europe, and stars have been watched here since 1642. The observatory is encircled by an outdoor platform from which you have a magnificent view of the old part of Copenhagen. To get there you need to walk up the spiral walk close to the core of the building.