Copenhagen Photo Walk

We begin our photo walk at Rosenborg Castle, situated in the aptly named King’s Garden in Central Copenhagen. Originally built as a summer home, we would suggest taking a peek inside the building to sneak a peek at some of the preserved crowns, jewels, and other royal regalia in the basement of the castle. The whole interior of the castle isn’t too shabby, either! 😉

WALK TIME: 15 mins/.7 miles/1.13 km

A 15 minute walk from Rosenborg brings us to a Palace!

You’d be surprised to find out that Amalienborg actually comprises not one, not two, but four distinct palaces. Originally built for four noble families, the palace is now the official residence of the Danish royal family. After a fire in the late 1700s that burned down the original royal family palace, Amalienborg was bought by the royal family.

A fun tidbit to note: the Royal Life Guards march daily from the nearby Rosenborg Palace (more on that later!) at 11:30 to Amalienborg at noon. Although it gets crowded, we wouldn’t miss this cool tradition.

WALK TIME: 22 mins/1.1 miles/1.77 km (but we were fine with the view from Amalienborg)

If you’re facing towards the main guards at Amalienborg Palace, walk a couple hundred steps directly to the left to see stunning views of the main canal in Copenhagen. Just across the way, you’ll find the Copenhagen Opera House standing proudly on the water.

One of the most expensive opera houses ever built, the Opera House was built so it’s perfectly aligned with Amalienborg Palace and Frederik’s Church (see: the Easter egg looking church on the other side of Amalienborg). If you ever get a chance to enter the theater, take note of the ceiling- the auditorium is covered with 105,000 sheets of 24-carat gold leaf.  

WALK TIME: 6 mins/.3 miles/.42 km

When you think of Copenhagen, you most definitely will think of gorgeous canals and brightly colored buildings. Chances are, you’re thinking of Nyhavn (meaning “New Harbor”), a 17th-century waterfront entertainment district in downtown Copenhagen. Hans Christian Andersen once lived in a few of these brightly colored townhouses, and you can find the oldest tattoo parlor in the world in the basement of Nyhavn 17. Don’t forget to get yourself a hot dog at one of the local stands at the end of the canal!

Almost a straight shot south of Amalienborg Palace, you’ll know you’re nearby when you stumble upon the bridge overlooking the canal. Probably crowded, but the views are worth it!

WALK TIME: 13 mins/.6 miles/.97 km

Meander down the water from Nyhavn and you’ll soon come across the Black Diamond Library. The building on the water is a modern building that hosts students for studying and acts as a cultural center. (There was even a graduation taking place when we visited)! There’s a gorgeous reading room in the back of the building, and we also enjoyed hanging out in garden behind the library. Simply follow along the Black Diamond building and head away from the water. You’ll then come across a gorgeous courtyard with a fountain AKA the The Royal Library Gardens.

Located on the former site of the old Naval Harbor and designed in the 1920s, this public garden gives ode to its maritime past with the inclusion of the pond.

WALK TIME: 9 mins/.5 miles/.80 km

Just across from the Black Diamond Library lies a quintessential Copenhagen delight: the Circle Bridge. Both a bike and pedestrian bridge, you can spy the Circle Bridge from afar due to its masts that are reminiscent of sailing yachts. We would definitely recommend taking a stroll over the bridge, as its something special!

WALK TIME: 12 mins/.6 miles/.97 km

A hop, skip, and a jump from the Circle Bridge lies one of our favorite museums in Copenhagen! Nestled among the outskirts of Tivoli Gardens, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek stands tall among Copenhagen’s cultural landmarks. Housing over 10,000 works, the museum was founded by Carl Jacobsen, the son of the founder of Carlsberg Breweries. Jacobsen was an avid art collector, and once he outgrew his personal galleries, he donated his collection to the city of Copenhagen in 1888. Be on the lookout for the museum’s extensive sculpture collection as it’s truly a sight to see!

WALK TIME:  11 mins/.5 miles/.8 km

You may see our next vibrant spot from afar! Just down the street from Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek and across from Tivoli Gardens is the most colorful cinema we’ve ever seen. This theater first opened in 1918 in Denmark’s first train station, later to be reborn as Europe’s largest movie theater. Its most famous makeover came in the late 1980s when artist Poul Gernes painted the whole theater in a slew of candy-colored pastels. Locals joke it looks like a giant birthday cake, but for over a century Palads has been where Copenhagen watches Hollywood blockbusters inside a landmark that refuses to be beige.

WALK TIME:  10 mins/.5 miles/.8 km

And for our last stop: a library that looks straight out of a movie! The University Library was first established in the mid-1400s, and at the time, was only a small collection of books and written works. After many of the books were lost in a fire in the early 1700s, the University obtained more inventory and was left with another issue: not enough shelf space. To remedy in the late 1800s, the library was officially opened in its current building.