Hans Christian Andersen's Copenhagen (Self Guided), Copenhagen

In the heart of Copenhagen, the bronze statue of Hans Christian Andersen stands as a testament to the country's beloved storyteller, whose fairytales continue to enchant audiences worldwide. Erected in 1965 by sculptor Henry Luckow-Nielsen, this iconic statue is strategically positioned at Copenhagen City Hall Square, directly facing H.C. Andersens Boulevard.

The placement of the statue is symbolic, with Andersen seated and gazing toward Tivoli Gardens, the famed amusement park that inspired some of his magical stories. This connection between the statue and the park enriches the cultural landscape of Copenhagen, drawing visitors and locals alike to this central location.

The statue itself adds a whimsical touch to the bustling city environment. Andersen is depicted sitting with a book in his lap, an inviting pose that has worn his knee smooth over the years, suggesting that countless visitors have climbed up to take a photo with Denmark's most celebrated son. The presence of a QR code at the base of the statue offers an interactive experience, allowing visitors to engage further by downloading a video that likely explores Andersen’s life and works.

This statue is not just a piece of art; it is a cultural landmark that represents the enduring legacy of Hans Christian Andersen in Danish culture. As one of the most popular statues of Andersen in Denmark, it stands as a cherished part of Copenhagen’s charm and a must-see destination that pays homage to the literary genius of Andersen.

The H.C. Andersen Fairy-Tale House, located near City Hall Square and Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, offers visitors an immersive journey into the magical and enchanting world of Hans Christian Andersen. This attraction serves as an add-on to Ripley's "Believe It or Not!" and provides a comprehensive overview of Andersen's life, from his humble beginnings in Odense to his extensive travels that fueled his creative endeavors.

The museum is structured in two main parts: the first focuses on Andersen’s life, detailing his upbringing, his move to Copenhagen, his travels around the world, and both his successes and failures. This section helps contextualize the origins of his inspirations and provides insight into his character and experiences.

The second part of the museum brings Andersen’s most cherished fairy tales to life. Visitors can experience classics like "The Little Mermaid," "Thumbelina," "The Ugly Duckling," and "The Steadfast Tin Soldier" through innovative displays that use light, sound, and even scents to recreate the stories. These tales are presented in multiple languages on large cards, and some are set in dynamic scenes with characters illuminated by special effects, activated by the push of a button.

Additionally, the museum features rare items such as the Andersen Autograph Manuscript and provides educational and engaging storytelling sessions that enhance the visitor experience. The integration of modern technology with traditional storytelling makes the Fairy-Tale House a unique and captivating destination for all ages.

To complete the visit, guests can have their photograph taken with a model of Hans Christian Andersen himself, creating a memorable souvenir of their visit to the world of one of the most beloved storytellers in history.

Tip:
You can save money by buying combination tickets with other attractions like Ripley's Believe It or Not! (located in the same building) or Guinness World Records and The Mystic Exploratorium on Strøget pedestrian street (15 minutes away by foot). Copenhagen Card holders get in for free to all attractions!

When Hans Christian Andersen first planted his feet in Copenhagen on September 6th, 1819, he stayed at the Gardergården inn on Vestergade #18. In the autobiography of his youth, "Levnedsbogen" (not published until 1926), he describes how, after entering Vesterport, he followed some travelers through Vestergade into Gardergården, where he lived in a small room for the first couple of weeks until he had spent all his money and got on the move again. He was only 14 at the time and knew no one in all the great city, but felt certain he could accomplish his goals here.

Most of the buildings on Vestergade date from the years after the fire of 1795; however, the street has had a long history since the Middle Ages, when it linked Gammeltorv (once the most important city square) with the Western City Gate, serving as the principal entrance road for traffic coming from the west.

Several times in the 1930s, '40s and '50s, the Citizens' Representation tried to make the street wider and more traffic-friendly, but both private individuals and associations have put up a fight and it still carries its distinctive weak curve from Medieval times, having fortunately never seen the large traffic regulation that other areas of Copenhagen did.

Located in central Copenhagen, the famous 17th-century Rundetårn – or Round Tower – was part of King Christian IV's architectural projects, having been built as an observatory for the famous astronomer Tycho Brahe. Tourists from all over the world come to enjoy the expansive view of Copenhagen from the top after climbing through its 7.5-turn helical corridor.

Astronomy grew to be very important in 17th century Europe and this led to the mushrooming of many observatories. The Rundetårn observatory, originally referred to as STELLÆBURGI REGII HAUNIENSIS, consisted of an academic library, the Trinitatis Church, and a university chapel where scholars spent their time. The tower's well-known spiral ramp was mentioned by architect Lauritz de Thurah as being "of such a strength and breadth that it is even possible to ride and drive up and down the tower on horseback or by carriage – an act that has been done, as is well known, by several of our kings, as well as the Russian Tsar PETER ALEXEWITZ in the year 1716, when His Majesty often rode up and down".

Walking along the ramp, your first stop is a museum/library hall with different installations from contemporary artists, followed by the bells room, and – last but not least – the astronomical observatory with its 360-degree overview.

***HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN'S COPENHAGEN***
Having once housed the University's entire book collection, the Library Hall was regularly visited by Denmark's famous writer, who sought inspiration for his work. If you love Andersen's fairy tales, you will definitely feel their spirit inside Rundetårn. The tower itself was mentioned in "The Tinderbox", wherein the main character – a poor soldier returning home from war – meets a witch, who asks him to climb into a hollow tree to retrieve a magic tinderbox. The witch gives the soldier permission to take anything he finds inside the chambers, but he must return the tinderbox. In the tree, he finds three chambers filled with precious coins guarded by three monstrous dogs, "one with eyes the size of teacups", who guards a vault filled with pennies, one with "eyes the size of water wheels", who guards a vault filled with silver, and one with eyes "the size of Round Tower", who guards a vault filled with gold.

Why You Should Visit:
Not just a tower offering great city views of the city, but a structure full of interest, with its slow increasing grade walkway, some good information as you go, and a gallery half way up. One of the alcoves, about ¾ of the way up, has a thick glass platform that visitors can stand on and look down the building's hollow core!

Tip:
The little café above the church next door has a really cool vibe – perfect for a simple coffee with no crowds. There's also a clean toilet halfway through the tower, as well as a good quality souvenir shop right before accessing the outside balcony.

Copenhagen has no shortage of statues, but when it comes to fountains, there aren't that many. The latter fact makes the Stork Fountain on Amager Square particularly noticeable. The fine inlaid Italian granite stonework stands amid the old buildings, the oldest of which dates back to 1600.

Designed as a present to Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Louise for their silver wedding jubilee (or 25th anniversary), the Stork Fountain was unveiled in 1894.

The Stork Fountain's design is truly unique, with its key elements being the three storks ready to take flight. Decorated with aquatic plant reliefs, the fountain also features bronze frogs on dock leaves which add a whimsical touch, spewing jets of water into the basin. In 2008, the Danish Ornithological Society officially debunked an urban myth that the depicted birds were herons, confirming that they are indeed storks.

The most familiar tale about the storks' role in bringing babies was written by Hans Christian Andersen and published in 1838. These birds know "the pond in which all the little children lie, waiting till the storks come to take them to their parents. The prettiest little babies lie there dreaming more sweetly than they will ever dream in the time to come. All parents are glad to have a little child, and children are so pleased with a little brother or sister."

In 1950, Danish midwife students started a tradition of dancing around the fountain as part of their graduation ritual. To see it, come in mid-summer when graduates come by the truckload to dance around and wade or swim in the fountain. Just grab a table with a good view of the fountain in a nearby restaurant in the early evening and wait for the show to start!

A well-established Danish chain of department stores, Magasin du Nord traces its roots back to 1868 when Theodor Wessel and Emil Vett opened a draper's shop in Aarhus. It was an immediate success and two years later the company opened a shop in Copenhagen in rented rooms of the mondain Hotel du Nord. As the department store came to occupy a large part of the hotel, the company adopted the name after it in 1879. By 1889, Magasin du Nord had taken over the entire hotel and proceeded to demolish it together with a neighbouring structure. Completed in 1894 in a French Renaissance Revival style, the current building became the most beautiful department store of its day – a place where modern man could be awestruck by everything the great wide world had to offer. Inspiration came from all corners of the globe, and the goods from Paris, Berlin and London, as well as Copenhagen's own illustrious fabric and furniture factories.

Magasin du Nord continues to offer great shopping stores and good quality products to this day. Each of the five floors have their men's, women's and children's department while the rest is taken up by kitchen accessories, home decors, computers and gadgets, sports and luggages, etc. On the ground floor most displays feature perfumes, beauty brand products and designer brands bags, and you'll find two spot places of Joe & The Juice. The underground is where you'll find the food market, a selection of great wines, sport magazines, flowers, chocolates and cake-coffee shops.

***HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN'S COPENHAGEN***
Go and have a look at the attic room that 22-year-old Andersen rented from 1827 to 1828 and where he scribbled some of his poems. You gain entrance through the store and it is situated on the third floor, where you will see a picture of the famous former tenant's distinctive face on the wall. Continue down the hallway and through a meeting room until you see the attic room on your right. There are not a lot of bells and whistles inside, but the tiny space surely exudes a certain poignancy. Entrance is free and opening hours are Thu/Fri: 1–5pm; Sat/Sun: 11am–3pm.

Although a new ultramodern Opera House was inaugurated across the canal in 2005, this Baroque-style creation, dating from 1874, was for years the country's main national performance venue, hosting opera, ballet and drama under one roof – though today it is largely used for ballet. Initially the theatre of the king, it is the grandest building on Kongens Nytorv square, having certainly retained a unique atmosphere with its historic ceiling paintings high above and the stunning big chandelier in the theater hall. Outside the main entrance, the statue on the left depicts Adam Oehlenschläger, an author of tragedies, while across from him is the image of Ludvig Holberg, a satirist whose comedic works are still popular.

Besides seeing a production here (try booking in advance for best seats), you can take a 90-minute tour during the daytime and thus get the opportunity to step in the royal box, visit the wardrobe room where costumes are made and fitted, and stand on the stage. It's all very affordable and could even be one of the highlights of your trip!

***HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN'S COPENHAGEN***
As a dreamy, penniless 14-year-old, H. C. Andersen has tried his luck as an actor, singer and dancer here, though the audition was, by all accounts, a fiasco. He soon turned to writing, but his early plays were turned down, too. Fortunately, in his third year of big city dwelling, the head of the theatre arranged for Andersen to attend grammar school in other parts of Zealand for the next five years. This helped him get a place at Copenhagen's university, where his writing really hit its stride.

New Harbor is a historical waterfront entertainment district famed for its picturesque alignment of brightly colored townhouses showcasing traditional Danish architecture from the 17th and early 18th centuries.

Originally constructed by King Christian V between 1670 and 1675 to facilitate trade with the Dutch, using Danish soldiers and Swedish war prisoners, back then it was a bustling area notorious for its beer halls and brothels.

The famous Danish author Hans Christian Andersen lived here for 18 years, immortalizing the area's cultural significance. Between 1834 and 1838, he quartered on the second floor of the bright red-color building at Number 20, and over the next four decades, occupied two more canal-front properties, including one next door, at Number 18. His longest lodging stint, however, was at Number 67, where he lived on and off from 1848 to 1865.

New Harbor underwent significant transformations over the centuries. Post-World War II, the area saw a decline in maritime activity, leading to its near abandonment. The revitalization of New Harbor began in the mid-1960s. In 1977, it saw the opening of the Veteran Ship and Museum Harbor, and by 1980, the quay was pedestrianized, transforming it into a bustling tourist and local hotspot.

The harbor today features various museum ships, each with its own story. It also houses the Memorial Anchor at its end, a tribute to Danish sailors lost in World War II.

To the south of this gentrified sailors' quarter, you'll find a maze of trendy cafés, restaurants, jazz clubs, and tattoo shops. It is a great place to go for sampling traditional Danish dishes like open-faced sandwiches.

Tip:
If you fancy a drink, do as the locals do: take your beer or coffee from a nearby store out to the canal, rest your feet at the quayside, and enjoy the view. Otherwise, take a walk down the harbor all the way to the end, where you will find the Royal Playhouse (Skuespilhuset) and its reasonably priced bar/café, with good-quality service and one of the best views in town (of the harbor itself, the new Opera House, and other things too).

Those with tired feet may alternatively opt to take an hour-long boat tour, usually booked just at the entrance to the harbor.