Two unhurried days

Day 1: Harbour and royalty

1. Nyhavn — 45 min. The old harbour with its colourful façades: the image of Copenhagen everyone has already seen, and which you should still go and see.
2. Amalienborg and the changing of the guard — 1 h 15. Four Rococo palaces around an octagonal square: the residence of the royal family, with a museum in one of them.
3. Kastellet — 40 min. A star-shaped 17th-century citadel, still in military use, where you can stroll along the ramparts among red barracks and a windmill.
4. The Little Mermaid — 25 min. A small statue with a big reputation: Andersen’s mermaid gazes at the harbour from her rock at Langelinie.
5. Canal tour — 1 h. The city seen from the water: the most relaxing way to take in Nyhavn, Christianshavn and the Opera House in one go.

Day 2: Castles, market and museum

1. Rosenborg Castle — 1 h 30. Christian IV’s Renaissance castle, an intimate setting for the Danish crown jewels.
2. The King’s Garden — 30 min. Denmark’s oldest royal garden, surrounding Rosenborg: lawns, lime-tree avenues and summer picnics.
3. Torvehallerne — 1 h. Two glass market halls devoted to good produce: fish, smørrebrød, coffee, cheeses and pastries.
4. SMK — National Gallery of Denmark — 2 h. Seven centuries of European and Danish art, from Mantegna to Matisse, in a palace extended by a large contemporary wing.