Copenhagen: Palaces, Canals, and Classic Sights
We arrived in Copenhagen in the middle of winter. It was properly cold, enough to make our cheeks rosy and fingers reach for gloves at every turn, but the city felt welcoming rather than harsh. Cobblestone streets, colourful canals, grand palaces, and historic towers made for a magical backdrop. Walking at our own pace, we soaked up the charm of the city, from bustling squares to postcard-perfect canals and regal palaces, each corner whispering a little of its story. This loop really captures the postcard Copenhagen that first-time visitors tend to head straight for — the canals, the palaces, and the colourful streets all in one compact area.
⏱️ Copenhagen Walking Route
Route: City Hall Square, Amagertorv, Christiansborg Palace, Nyhavn, The Little Mermaid, Kastellet, Amalienborg Palace, Frederik’s Church, Rosenborg Castle and King’s Garden, Rundetaarn, City Hall Square
Style: Loop, mostly flat with some cobbled streets
Good for: First-time visitors, city lovers, couples exploring together
🏛️ City Hall Square (00:00–00:10)
We started at City Hall Square, the bustling centre of Copenhagen. The Rathaus towers above the square, built in the early 20th century in a style inspired by the Flemish Renaissance. Even in winter there was a steady flow of locals and tourists. It felt like the heart of the city, with the square having hosted everything from markets to protests over the decades.
🚶 Walk to Amagertorv: 5 minutes
🏙️ Amagertorv (00:15–00:30)
Amagertorv has been a market square since the 15th century, once a hub for farmers bringing produce into the city. Today, cafés and shops line the cobbles, but you can almost imagine merchants and townsfolk bustling through centuries ago. We wandered around a little, admired the architecture, and paused for photos.
🚶 Walk to Christiansborg Palace: 5 minutes
🏛️ Christiansborg Palace (00:35–00:50)
Christiansborg has seen a lot of history. The current palace was finished in the 1920s, but there have been palaces on this spot since the 12th century. It houses the Danish Parliament, the Supreme Court, and the royal reception rooms. While we were there, we stopped to watch the horses in the palace stables. They were magnificent and calm, a reminder that even here, in the middle of a busy city, a touch of royal tradition is alive. Standing outside, you could feel the weight of centuries of politics and monarchy in Denmark.
🚶 Walk to Nyhavn: 10 minutes
🏘️ Nyhavn (01:00–01:20)
Nyhavn is instantly recognisable with its rainbow-coloured houses lining the canal. In the 17th century it was a bustling port and a rather rough area full of sailors, pubs and warehouses. Hans Christian Andersen lived at a few of the houses here. Even in winter, it was charming, with a few market stalls and people strolling along the quay. We paused for photos and enjoyed a hot drink, imagining the sailors who once passed by.
🚶 Walk to The Little Mermaid: 15 minutes
🗿 The Little Mermaid (01:35–01:45)
The statue is smaller than you might expect but still instantly recognisable. When we got there, it was busier than we imagined, with tourists jostling for the best angle. We had to be a bit patient to get a few photos, but it was worth it. Standing by the water, it’s easy to imagine the story Hans Christian Andersen wrote over a century ago, even amid the bustling crowds.
🚶 Walk to Kastellet: 5 minutes
🏰 Kastellet (01:50–02:05)
Kastellet is a star-shaped fortress dating back to the 17th century, one of the best-preserved in Northern Europe. We wandered a short way into the grounds, enjoying the peaceful green space and historic cannons, without walking the full perimeter. It was a nice contrast to the busy harbour and a quiet moment to pause for photos.
🚶 Walk to Amalienborg Palace: 5 minutes
🏛️ Amalienborg Palace (02:10–02:25)
Amalienborg is the royal family’s winter residence. The square is flanked by four identical palaces, and just as we arrived, we caught the changing of the guards. Watching the soldiers march in their crisp uniforms and tall bearskin hats added a real sense of ceremony and history to the visit. It was striking to see such tradition alive in the middle of a cold Copenhagen morning, and we paused for a few photos, taking in the grandeur of the square.
🚶 Walk to Frederik’s Church: 5 minutes
⛪ Frederik’s Church (Marble Church) (02:30–02:45)
Frederik’s Church has one of the largest domes in Scandinavia. Construction took over a century, which makes it feel like a monument to patience as well as faith. Inside, the soaring ceilings are a quiet reminder of the city’s history and architectural ambition.
🚶 Walk to Rosenborg Castle: 15 minutes
🏰 Rosenborg Castle and King’s Garden (03:00–03:25)
Rosenborg Castle dates back to the early 17th century and was a royal summer residence. We strolled through the King’s Garden, which is the city’s oldest royal garden, imagining the royals walking the paths centuries ago. Admiring the castle from the outside, it was easy to picture how life might have felt in winter during the height of the monarchy.
🚶 Walk to Rundetaarn: 10 minutes
🏛️ Rundetaarn (Round Tower) (03:35–04:00)
Rundetaarn was built in the 17th century as an astronomical observatory. Climbing the spiral ramp is almost hypnotic and takes you past little historical markers along the way. At the top, the views stretch across Copenhagen’s rooftops and towers, a reminder of how much history is packed into this compact city.
🚶 Walk back to City Hall Square: 10 minutes
🏙️ City Hall Square (Return)
Returning to City Hall Square, we felt like we had really seen the heart of Copenhagen. From canals and squares to palaces and towers, the city’s stories are layered into every street.
📸 Best Selfie Spots
Nyhavn for a classic canal shot
The Little Mermaid for the waterfront
Amalienborg Palace with the guards in the square
Rundetaarn for panoramic city views
💡 Pro Tips
Dress warmly as winter in Copenhagen is biting
Comfortable shoes are essential for cobbles and city streets
Stop for a hot drink in Nyhavn or along Strøget to warm up
Start early to enjoy quieter streets and softer light for photos
🕰 More to See If You Have Extra Time
Tivoli Gardens, separate “Out of Loop” post
Freetown Christiania
Copenhagen Opera House for modern architecture and harbour views
Botanical Garden for a peaceful escape
Final Thoughts
Walking through Copenhagen gave us a real sense of the city’s layers of history and charm. From colourful canals and lively squares to royal palaces and historic towers, it is compact, walkable and full of stories. With stops for photos, the horses at Christiansborg, the changing of the guards at Amalienborg, a short stroll in Kastellet, and the Rundetaarn climb, the whole loop takes just under three hours, making it a relaxed and rewarding winter exploration.
