The city of Copenhagen has been a popular tourist destination for many years. With a long and historic past and a wide variety of sights and attractions, you are unlikely to run out of things to see and do. The city is relatively small and compact, making it an ideal destination to explore on foot or by bicycle as there are dozens of cycle tracks located throughout the city.
 Amalienborg Palace
Amalienborg Palace was built in the mid 18th century to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the royal House of Oldenburg. However, it was to be only a few years before it took on the role of the official royal residence after the previous royal residence of Christiansborg Palace burnt to the ground in 1794. The complex consists of four palaces and a church, all of which are built in the Danish Rococo style and centred on one of the most beautiful squares in Europe. The palaces are identical on the outside, but reveal four very different interiors, which reflect the various tastes of their original occupants. Visitors to the palace can wander through some of the Palace's lavishly decorated rooms, while other parts of the palace have been turned into small museums showcasing artwork, costumes, jewellery and other royal artefacts that have been collected over the years. Phone: +45 3340 1010. Botanical Gardens (Botanisk Have)
Copenhagen's Botanical Gardens were created in the 1880s on a lake that was once part of the city's defensive moat and house a variety of greenhouses containing countless examples of tropical and sub-tropical plants. The site's most popular attractions include the cactus and palm houses, while the alpine garden makes for a particularly pleasant stroll on a warm summer's day.
Website: www.botanic-garden.ku.dk
Museum of Decorative and Applied Art (Kunstindustrimuseet)
The museum is housed in four wings of the 18th century former Royal Frederik Hospital. These were restored in the 1920s for the specific purpose of housing the museum's large collection of decorative art that ranges in date from the Middle Ages to the present day. The museum has a wide range of exhibits which include furniture, tapestries, pottery and glassware, while separate exhibitions of Oriental arts and handicrafts and a well stocked library and extra depth to this fascinating collection. Website: www.kunstindustrimuseet.dk
Open-Air Museum (Frilandsmuseet)
Located on the outskirts of the city, the Open-Air Museum features a reconstructed village that depicts the one-time rural character of Denmark. A variety of traditional buildings from different periods and locations are situated in nearly 90 acres of grounds and the whole site maintains an air of authenticity by having its staff dressed in traditional costumes and fitting out the site's 100 buildings with period furniture and utensils.
Website: www.natmus.dk
Royal Museum of Fine Arts (Statens Museum for Kunst)
This fine art gallery is home to the largest collection of sculpture and artworks in Denmark, with the collection housed in a grandiose 19th century building that has recently been much improved by the addition of a modern new wing. The museum displays a varied collection of art from the 13th century to the modern day, with many of the great masters such as Rembrandt, Picasso, Rubens and Matisse represented, while a significant amount of wall space is given over to Denmark's most celebrated artists. The new wing serves as a children's art museum. Website: www.smk.dk
 Tivoli Gardens
No trip to Copenhagen would be complete without a visit to Tivoli Gardens, the city's most famous attraction since 1843. The park is set in 20 acres of grounds in the city centre and features a wide array of activities for people of all ages. There are modern thrill seeking rides, traditional fairground attractions, acres of beautiful gardens and a choice of bars and restaurants, all adding to the parks unique atmosphere. The park is equally popular during the evenings when there are concerts, firework shows and theatrical performances to entertain the large crowds.
Website: www.tivoli.dk
Top Things to Do
Whether you are visiting Copenhagen for just a weekend or for a longer period, you are unlikely to be short of things to do, with the seemingly endless attractions and activities providing more than enough options to keep even the most active visitor entertained.
 Visit the Free City of Christiania. Interested visitors should spend some time wandering the avenues and winding alleys of Christiania to soak up the atmosphere, while the street performers and unusual art and sculptures that can be seen at every turn provide an insight into the philosophy of this legally independent community.
Stroll along Strøget. Visitors to the city who enjoy a good stroll should not miss a walk around this assortment of shopping streets, which in Danish literally means 'to stroll'. Here you will find some of the city's best shopping and finest restaurants.
Relax with a coffee and Danish. As Denmark is one of the world's largest consumers of coffee, the city has dozens of coffee shops tempting tired sightseers. It is well worth treating yourself to a traditional 'coffee and Danish', while you sit back and watch the city go by.
Tour the city's world famous Carlsberg Brewery. Included in the tour is an informative look at the brewing process and the history of the company, while the culmination of the tour is the ever popular free tasting session.
Party the night away. Once the haunt of entertainment-starved sailors and home to some of the worst bars in the city, the Nyhavn district has been redeveloped and is now an up and coming area. You will find multitudes of pavement bars and cafés offering the perfect venue to take advantage of the city's lively nightlife.
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