“Sail while the breeze blows, wind and tide wait for no man.”
Danish Proverb
Did you know that Danes rank among the happiest people in the world?
Copenhagen, the buzzing capital city of Denmark, has so much to offer. You can find there fairytale castles, modern architecture, pretty colorful houses, lovely parks and so much more! I wanted to visit Copenhagen for ages, since I first saw a picture of Nyhavn on Instagram. The second weekend in February 2020 I finally got to see it and let me tell that I definitely wasn’t disappointed!
One thing that really surprised me about Copenhagen, was the booming restaurant scene! I haven’t seen so many great restaurants at once place for a long time.
Are you planning a trip to Copenhagen?
Wondering where the most photogenic spots are?
I put together a list of my best spots in Copenhagen for photography that I found during my visit! Of course as always, you can find all those spots on my Instagram as well. Let’s get started!
Here’s my list of the most Instagrammable spots in Copenhagen.
1) NYHAVN
I am going to start with the most obvious! The most iconic spot in Copenhagen. Nyhavn. Without any doubt the prettiest and the most famous place in the whole Copenhagen! I am sure that you must have seen thousands of pictures from here. And for a good reason. Nyhavn really is very beautiful.
Imagine a gorgeous 17th century waterfront and canal with pretty colorful houses alongside of it ! That is Nyhavn. Nyhavn actually means New Harbor in Danish. This area was originally a very busy commercial harbor packed with sailors, pubs and ladies of the night.
The Best Time to Visit: You can manage to get lovely pictures next to the canal at any time of the day. However, sunrise is for sure the most beautiful and most peaceful time.
My Tip: Don’t forget to check out Nyhavn at night! The pretty lights on the boats are mesmerizing! Also a perfect time for drop dead gorgeous night photos!
Exact Address: Nyhavn 2, 1051 København K, Denmark
Google Maps Location – click here
2) ROSENBORG SLOT
If you into fairytale castles hunting, this is a place for you!
Did you know that this castle is 400 years old ?
Rosenborg Slot is a beautiful Renaissance castle built by Christian IV, who was one of the most famous Scandinavian kings. The castle is located right in the heart of Copenhagen in a lovely and lush King’s Garden.
Best Time to Visit: For taking pictures from the outside, you can come at any time, unless you want the iconic picture of the small bridge leading to the castle. The bridge opens first at 10 am together with the castle. The best place for photos is in the King’s Garden Park next to the castle. You will find there two lovely lion statues located in front of the bridge, which is a perfect place for a photo.
Opening Hours: usually 10 am – 4 pm, depends on the season – in winter just till 3 pm
Entrance Fee: 120 DKK (16 euro)
Exact Address: Rosenborg Slot, Øster Voldgade 4A, 1350 København, Denmark
Google Maps Location – click here
3) MAGSTRÆDE
This street is together with Snaregade one of the two oldest streets in Copenhagen. Magstræde is a narrow cobblestone alley with colorful houses located in the historical center of Copenhagen. The street is instagrammable from every angle so use your fantasy and create stunning photos! 🙂
Best Time to Visit: Magstræde is located in the historical center of Copenhagen, so of course it gets very busy. The best time for photos without people in the background is early morning.
Exact Address: Magstræde, 1204 København K, Denmark
Google Maps Location – click here
4) DEN LILLE HAVFRUE – THE LITTLE MERMAID
Did you know that the original fairytale The Little Mermaid from Hans Christian Andersen from 1863 has a very tragic ending? 🙁
This statue is the most iconic landmark of Copenhagen. Den Lille Havfrue aka The Little Mermaid is a tiny bronze sculpture by Edvard Eriksen, which is located at Langelinie Promenade in Copenhagen. When I say tiny, I really mean it. The statue is surprisingly small but very cute and definitely worth a visit. You can also create wonderful pictures with the Little Mermaid in the backdrop.
My Recommendation: If you are going to visit The Little Mermaid statue, you should also go to Kastellet Fort, which is right next it. You can find a very instagrammable windmill there! 🙂
Best Time to Visit: This spot is most of the time packed with people. However, it is still possible to get nice photos, if you are patient. I got there around 11 am and I am very happy with my pictures! Otherwise, you can come very early morning and nobody will be there!
Exact Address: Den Lille Havfrue, Langelinie, 2100 København Ø, Denmark
Google Maps Location – click here
5) THE ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDEN
This botanical garden should definitely be on your list when visiting Copenhagen. The garden covers an area of 10 hectares, but the most remarkable place is the Old Palm House from the year 1874.
If you go inside of the Old Palm House, you will find two very picturesque white spiral staircases. One is for going up and the other one for going down. These white spiral staircases are very instagrammable! 🙂
Best Time to Visit: It is not necessary to come early. I went around 11:30 am and I still managed to get my shots.
My Photography Recommendation: It is kinda hard to get a nice picture of the spiral staricase. First of all, it very dark inside for photography so I definitely recommend you to bring a tripod. Without my tripod, I wouldn’t get such a good picture, because you would have to set your ISO very high. If you go there in winter like me, you have to wait sometime until your camera lens is not misted up from the temperature difference between winter temperatures outside and tropical temperatures inside.
Entrance Fee: DKK 60 (8 euro)
Opening Hours: 10 am till 15:30 pm in Winter 10 am till 17:00 pm in Summer
My Tip: You can first got to Rosenborg Slot and after that to the botanical garden. It is located next to each other.
Exact Address: Botanisk Have, Gothersgade 128, 1123 København, Denmark
Google Maps Location – click here
6) THE WAVE – LIGHT ART INSTALLATION
The Wave Art Installation consists of 40 interactive triangles, which glow whenever is a movement detected. This installation was first brought to Copenhagen as a part of Frost Festival in February 2017 and since then it’s still there, because of its massive popularity.
The movement affects the lighting and also the sound system of the installation, so you can hear a magical sound composition.
To be honest, I wasn’t sure if this installation was worth a visit, but I was really surprised how awesome this place is! I can definitely recommend you to go there. It is really so much fun to see the different light movements and music.
The Best Time to Visit: To get nice pictures, the whole installation has to be empty so timing is a key. You should better come early morning!
Exact Address: Ofelia Plads, Kvæsthusbroen, 1250 København, Denmark
Google Maps Location – click here
7) FREDERIK’S CHURCH & AMALIENBORG
Amalienborg Castle, 18th-century rococo complex, is the home of the Danish Royal Family and it is located next to Frederik’s Church. Frederik’s Church is also called The Marble Church and it literally lies in line with Amalienborg castle. This church with its characteristic green copper dome is really impressive and photogenic.
My Recommendation: Best picture spots are next to the statue in the middle of the square with the church in the backdrop. Don’t forget to zoom in with your camera lense to make the majestic church pop!
Best Time to Visit: The best time for pictures is early morning. Otherwise it is impossible with all the crowds to get a decent photo.
Exact Address: Amalienborg Slotsplads 5, 1257 København K, Denmark
Google Maps Location – click here
8) KRUSEMYNTEGADE
This was for me the prettiest street in Copenhagen! Beautiful pastel-colored houses with climbing roses on the wall. Krusemyntegade is a hidden gem in Copenhagen.
My Recommendation: This street is located near The Little Mermaid statue, The Kastellet Fort and Nyboder street. You can visit all these places on the same day!
Best Time to Visit: This street is a hidden gem so you can go there at any time of the day and you will be able to get stunning pictures with the pastel houses.
My Tip: Don’t miss the pink pastel house next to the orange house! That’s for me the most beautiful house in the street!
Exact Address: Krusemyntegade, Copenhagen, 1318, Denmark
Google Maps Location – click here
9) CHRISTIANSHAVN CANAL
Christianshavn is very similar to Nyhavn, but it is way less crowded and more chill. You can find here many colorful houses along the canal, which is the perfect backdrop for photos.
Best Time to Visit: You can come here at any time and still get nice photos.
My Photography Tip: The best photo spot is in the Overgaden Neden Vandet street, where you can see across the canal a light pink house next to a red house, blue house and yellow house. You can even get the tower of The Church of Our Savior in the backdrop of your picture.
Exact Address: Overgaden Neden Vandet, Copenhagen, Denmark
Google Maps Location – click here
10) SUPERKILEN PARK
Superkilen park is a very cool and artsy urban park and skatepark located in the Nørrebro neighborhood of Copenhagen. This modern urban park is very instagrammable, especially the part with a small hill and many white lines on the floor. It is a perfect backdrop for an artsy Instagram picture.
Best Time to Visit: I would say you can come at any time of the day. I went in the afternoon on Saturday and it was fine for getting nice shots.
My Recommendation: This park is located a bit outside from the city centre. I rolled there with Lime scooter and it was awesome and very fast. If you wanna have some fun on the way to the park, you should rent an e-scooter too! 🙂 There are bike lines all the way to the park so you don’t have to be in the same line with the cars.
Exact Address: Superkilen Park, Nørrebrogade 210, 2200 København, Denmark
Google Maps Location – click here
11) KASTELLET FORT – THE CITADEL
Kastellet aka The Citadel is one of the best-preserved fortresses in Northern Europe. The Citadel was founded by Danish king Christian IV. in the year 1626. The fortress is used today as military barracks and offices.
The whole area of The Citadel is open to the public free of charge!
My Photography Tip: The best picture spot in the fortress is a very instagrammable windmill. Don’t miss it! In Addition, the military barracks are also a pretty picturesque backdrop for your pictures! They have bright red color and are very symmetrical.
Opening Times: 6 am – 10 pm
Exact Address: Kastellet, Gl. Hovedvagt, Kastellet 1, 2100 København, Denmark
Google Maps Location – click here
12) NYBODER
Nyboder is a historic row house district dating back to the reign of king Christian IV. Originally were the houses used as Naval Barracks for nation’s seafaring men and their families.
The most striking feature of these row houses is the infinite repetitions. Also the color of the houses is dark yellow/orange, which looks very pretty.
The Exact Address: Skt. Paulsgade 24, 1313 København K, Denmark
Google Maps Location – click here
13) LANDEMÆRKET
Landemærket is another cute street with a row of nice old colorful houses.
My Recommendation: This street is located very near Rosenborg Slot so you can make a quick stop there on your way to the castle.
Best Time to Visit: You don’t have to come early for this one!
Exact Address: Landemærket, Copenhagen, Denmark
Google Maps Location – click here
Do you agree with my recommendations for the most photogenic spots in Copenhagen?
Have something to add or you need travel advice? Mention it in the comments below or contact me! 🙂
Happy Traveling!
XOXO,
Adele
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