No trip to Copenhagen is complete without having a photo-op at the famous harbor. Nyhavn, which means “New Harbor” in Danish, is home to the colorful, picturesque townhouses often featured on postcards or in travel magazines. Originally constructed by King Christian V, the earliest building, No. 9, dates back to as early as 1681. Nyhavn offered an easy gateway into the king’s harbor from the sea and served as an important stop for cargo ships and fishing boats. Famous children’s author Hans Christian Anderson called Nyhavn home for 18 years and his former dwelling has since been converted into a museum.

Now mostly restaurants, museums, art exhibitions, and shops, Nyhavn remains one of Copenhagen’s most prominent spots for both tourists and natives alike. On a clear, sunny day, Danes can be found lounging by the harbor and soaking up the sunshine with a Carlsberg in one hand and a hot dog in the other. Tourists often capture photos along the harbor and some have started adding “love locks” to one of the bridges, like on the famous Pont d’Amour in Paris.

Nyhavn is a great spot to sit and people-watch, grab an ice cream, or hop on a boat tour that takes you throughout the city’s many canals. Tours are available in 12 different languages. If you’re lucky, your tour guide will take a pit stop by the little mermaid statue or Paper Island, home to the very trendy Copenhagen Street Food, an old warehouse that has been entirely renovated to hold a bunch of food stalls from local restaurants and there is a huge assortment of food. It’s inside and overlooks the canal, and the entire design of the building, as well as the general interior atmosphere, is very Danish.

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Have you been to this location?  Think there’s anything we forgot to mention?  We’d love to hear about your experience! Leave a comment below!

[accordion_tab title=”Collegiate Correspondent: Sarah Brown” default]

Sarah Brown is a current senior at Tufts University studying English and Child Development. An avid traveler and writer, she spent an incredible semester in Copenhagen, Denmark in the spring of 2015 studying the Danish education system, learning Danish, making lifelong friends, traveling to 10 different countries, and embracing a European lifestyle. She dreadfully misses her bicycle, the rye bread, the sound of the Danish language, and dressing head to toe in black every day of the year. Sarah also speaks French (even to those who have no clue what she is saying), and has traveled to France several times through exchange, language, and study abroad programs in quest of the best chocolate croissant – and to perfect her French. As someone who embraces adventure, getting “intentionally” lost in new places, and meeting new people, she is very excited to be joining the Voy team. After working in the Copenhagen International School this past spring, she hopes to pursue teaching abroad in international schools. Bucket list destinations include: Thailand, New Zealand, Croatia, and Peru.[/accordion_tab]