Walking Tour around Copenhagen

Copenhagen is a beautiful city and is the capital of Denmark. A one and a half-hour tour of the Old City is highly recommended to give you a “feel” of Copenhagen. You can start the tour in Rådhuspladsen and finish at the famous Tivoli Gardens. It is best to take the tour between the hours of 9 am to 5 pm to avoid the rush hours. If you are travelling in an RV, better park at any of the fitting motorhome parks in the city to start your walking tour of the city.

Start at the Rådhuspladsen (Town Hall Square). View the bronze statue of Hans Christian Andersen at the street bearing his name. You can also see the statue of two lur horn players (1914). Pass the lur horn players and walk eastward along Vester Voldgade to a narrow alley on the left to arrive at Lavendelstræde. The street is lined with 18th century houses some of which were the homes of famous people.

Tivoligardens

Photo by Malte Hübner, Wikimedia Commons

Walk further on to arrive at Slutterigade. This street is lined up with courthouses on both sides. What is unique is that the courthouses are joined by elevated walkways or footbridges. The area was actually Copenhagen’s fourth town hall. Nytorv is another square where you can see and admire 19th century houses. Note that Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard (1813-55) lived in a house right next to the courthouse.

To reach Strøget cross Nytorv and veer to your left towards Nygade, one of the five streets that makes up Strøget, the top traffic-free shopping street in Denmark. Shopping and walking through this 1 km street that cuts right into the heart of the city is surely a delight for both shoppers and strollers. Walk northeast along Nygade to reach the winding and narrow Vimmelskaftet then on to Amagertorv. To the left of that street is Helligåndskirken (Church of the Holy Ghost) founded in the 15th century is the oldest church in Copenhagen. Also on this street are buildings that date back to 1616. Further on is Østergade where the famous Illum’s Department Store is.

Gammel Strand

Photo by Roger Wollstadt, Flickr Creative Commons

Walk further on to arrive at Kongens Nytorv, Copenhagen’s largest square. An equestrian statue of Christian IV is found here. Proceed to the right to arrive at Laksegade. Go south until you reach the intersection at Nikolajgade. Turn right to reach Nikolaj Kirke. This church is circa 1530 and was the place where Hans Tausen, the father of Danish Reformation, preached. Head to Fortunstræde to arrive at Højbro Plads where you can view an equestrian statue of Bishop Absalon, the founder of Copenhagen. At the park you can take a view of Thorvaldsens Museum and Christiansborg Palace on Slotsholmen.

Further west is Gammel Strand, a waterfront promenade. The Ministry of Cultural Affairs is in this area. To the right of the building is Snaregade, a quaint street in the heart of the city. Walk on to Knabrostræde to have a view of structures that date back to 1795, after the great fire of Copenhagen. Do a U-turn at Snaregade then turn right to Magstræde, one of the most preserved streets in the city. Walk along Rådhusstræde and take a view of the two oldest buildings in Copenhagen. At the end of Magstræde is a square, Vandkunsten. Turn right to Gasegade and then left to Farvergade. At the intersection at Vester Voldgade is Vartov Church. Process westward until you reach Rådhuspladsen and find the entrance to Tivoli Gardens at Vesterbrogade 3, an amusement park that has attractions and entertainment choices to the more than 4.5 million visitors it receives every summer.