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Photo: Scythian, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Nyhavn is a canal leading from the main harbourfront all the way to the Kongens Nytorv square, lined with colourful historic buildings. It was built to originally be what the name says - Copenhagen's new harbour. Over time, it became too small and lost its commercial and transportation importance, and in the 1970s it was designated as the historic port area, where historic boats and their replicas are moored. It is immensely popular with tourists and locals due to its picturesque nature and is full of restaurants, cafes and bars offering waterside gardens. Consider visiting in the evening to avoid the crowds, as it can become extreme during a sunny day. The restaurants lining its sides are rather expensive and have few vegetarian options.
Nyhavn is a 17th-century waterfront, canal and entertainment district in Copenhagen, Denmark. Stretching from Kongens Nytorv to the Inner Harbour just south of the Royal Playhouse, it is lined by brightly coloured 17th and early 18th century townhouses and bars, cafes and restaurants. The canal harbours many historical wooden ships.
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On a sunny day, this is a top spot for oozing in the sun on the bulwark with a beer from the supermarket, or at the outdoor serving areas of the many (rather expensive) restaurants and cafe's dotted along the "sunny side" of the canal. For any self-respecting Copenhagener, this is a top priority on the first day of spring; while at the height of the tourist season, it is mainly left for the visitors to populate. Often there will be street performances, mostly improvised music concerts, somewhere along the canal - take a seat, and relax.
This classical mansion on Kongens Nytorv, is home of several cultural institutions, like the Royal Danish school of Visual arts, and has an art exhibition space, with changing, often world class, expositions - check the schedule at their website.
The Royal Theatre
A majestic old building on Kongens Nytorv, houses ballet, for which the theatre is world-renowned, and drama performances. There is a 65% discount for those under 30 on selected performances, to encourage young people to see the classic arts.
The Royal Danish Playhouse
A 1000-seat national stage for the dramatic arts, with 3 stages. Opened in 2008, its beautiful piece of modern architecture overlooking the harbour. Even if you are not going for a play, the cafe in the foyer, Ofelia, is a nice place to sit and enjoy the view over the water and Christianshavn.
Amalienborg is the Royal residence and consists of four identical classical mansions, each facing an octagonal courtyard. On the Queen's birthday (14th of January) and for other highlights in the lives of the royal family, the square is jam-packed with people waving the Danish flag and greeting the Queen. There is a museum in the Christian VIII Mansion displaying exhibitions of the period 1863-1972, and four generations of the royal family. There is changing of the guards each day at 12:00. (Marches from Rosenborg Castle barracks) The ceremony is most elaborate in the winter, when the Queen is in residence here; a scale-down version is performed the rest of the year when the Queen is in residence in her other palaces. After visiting the museum, Amaliehaven offers some beautiful views of the new Opera on the other riverside.
Nikolaj Kunsthal
An old church housing changing contemporary exhibitions from newer Danish and international artists. Visiting will take about an hour and is well worth it if you like contemporary art.