Nyhavn
A canal dug by prisoners of war in 1670, once notorious for sailors and brothels, now the most photographed waterfront in Copenhagen.
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King Christian V had this channel dug between 1670 and 1675 to connect the sea to Kongens Nytorv. Brightly coloured townhouses from the 1670s–1680s line the north bank; lavish mansions, including Charlottenborg Palace, anchor the south. Hans Christian Andersen lived along this stretch for 18 years across multiple addresses. The quay was pedestrianised in 1980 and now works as a city square — architects Jan Gehl and Lars Gemzøe cite it as such.
What to look for
- The memorial plaque at No. 67, where Andersen lived from 1845 to 1864
- No. 9, the oldest surviving house on the canal, built in 1681
- Historical wooden ships moored along the canal, preserved since the 1977 veteran ship harbour designation
Start at Kongens Nytorv (King's Square) — the canal runs south from there to the Inner Harbour and is fully walkable along the pedestrianised north quay.
Nyhavn is one of 35 sights worth the detour in Copenhagen, all bundled offline in Voyage GO — download the Copenhagen pack and it sits on your map with no signal, filling your travel passport the moment you walk past.
More to see in Copenhagen
- The Little MermaidAt 1.25 metres tall, she is smaller than almost every visitor expects — and that gap between legend and reality is the whole experience.
- Parken StadiumA 38,000-seat national football ground with a retractable roof and a three-Michelin-star restaurant on the eighth floor.
- AmalienborgFour matching palaces share one octagonal courtyard — and the Danish king actually lives in one.
- Tivoli GardensOpen since 1843 on a royal permit granted because, as the founder told the king, people busy having fun don't think about politics.
- Christiansborg PalaceThe only building on Earth where parliament, prime minister, and supreme court share one address — and the king still drops by.
- Rosenborg CastleA 1606 royal summerhouse that ended up storing the crown jewels and standing in as emergency palace twice.