New Harbour (Nyhavn) in Copenhagen

The New Harbour, or as the Danes call it, Nyhavn, is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in Copenhagen. The picturesque waterfront stretches from the royal Kongens Nytorv square to the pier itself. It is considered a citizens' favorite recreation area and one of the most visited tourist attractions.

The history of the popular harbor began during the reign of King Christian V. Dug by the Swedish prisoners of war, the canal connected the open sea and Copenhagen's Old Town, or rather its main trading square in front of the Royal Palace. Thus, merchant ships with cargo and a rich catch started to arrive right there. It became a gathering place for sailors who drank beer and charmed local girls.

In time, merchant ships became too large to enter the harbor. So Nyhavn was turned into a historic site, and the old port – into a pedestrian zone. However, this place was so popular among tourists that it soon became known as the popular promenade. All the architectural monuments have been restored and placed on all of Copenhagen's tourist postcards.

On the one hand, Nyhavn has many ancient buildings. The oldest one is house No. 9, which is more than 300 years old. House No. 67 was once home to the famous storyteller Hans Christian Andersen (as evidenced by a memorial plaque). Then the writer moved to house No. 18, which is now occupied by a gift shop dedicated to him and his amazing characters.

On the other hand, the old harbor is adorned with luxurious mansions. For example, the royal residence Charlottenborg, which houses the collections of the art gallery and the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts.

The New Harbour also boasts some must-visit museums, made up of ships that once sailed in the harsh Baltic waters. Today, everyone can visit a lightvessel built in the late 19th century, a sailboat of the early 20th century, and even a pirate ship, taken on board. But the best pastime in Nyhavn is a stroll along the waterfront or a boat trip along the picturesque canal.