As a first time visitor to any new country or city, it is without question that when you arrive at your destination your eyes dart from the left to the right in giddy excitement of memorizing absolutely everything that your eyes fall upon.
Copenhagen is no exception.
Literally babe, Copenhagen is a fine-tuned machine. It is the perfect, convenient destination for any and all types of travellers, from solo-travellers to budget-friendly visitors to large families. This is especially because of its reliable public transportation, wide bicycle lanes and sprawling network of walkways.
But more than this, Copenhagen is one of the most picturesque cities in Europe! With its beautifully-coloured streets, expansive boat-lined canals, historic castles, Scandinavian architecture, and modern design, Copenhagen is an easy decision for any first-time visitor craving a drool-worthy experience.
If you’re looking to remember beautiful experiences in beautiful places for the rest of your life, and to give your Instagram a MUCH-NEEDED facelift filled with photos of you travelling and living your best life, then honey, Copenhagen is a MUST!
You can easily find picture-perfect moments anywhere you turn in Copenhagen.
BUT, for the first time visitor, there a 6 MUST-SEE spots that will blow your socks off more than any other.
First, make sure you get comfy, grab a bag of popcorn or some chips, and your fave beverage to sip on, because this is a LONG one! Hope you enjoy this account of my experiences in beautiful Copenhagen, and that it inspires you to visit. Sending you love!
BTW, before we dive in, make sure you grab your FREE “Globetrotter Girlie” Travel-Packing Checklist – a handy dandy tool to get you perfectly prepped for your next adventure!
Ready to proceed?
Cool!
Let’s get you hooked up with some killer IG spots!
1. Magstræde
Okay, in my very humble opinion, as a first time visitor to Copenhagen, your first stop must be to Magstræde!
Before you go ANYWHERE else, stop here!
Magstræde ( pronounced: mayg-strad) is simply one of the most picturesque cobble-stoned alleys in Copenhagen, lined on either side with parked bicycles and houses of diverse colours that date all the way back to the 17th and 18th century.
Located in Old Town, it is one of Copenhagen’s oldest streets (if not THE oldest street in all of Copenhagen!). Wow!
Bonus is that Magstræde is not a central street as well. So you can find just 1 or 2 eating places around the narrow street (Gorm’s Pizza serves really good pizza honey!), and not many people around, so it rarely gets packed by the hungry, tourists, or both.
However, it is still one of the most famous streets in Copenhagen. Most likely you’ll find yourself surrounded by a few other bloggers, IG photographers and tourists – hungry, not for food, but hungry for the ultimate Instagram photo op portrayed by Copenhagen’s historic architecture.
This is one photo destination where you can actually take your time with your photo shoot, not being rushed by other travellers, and as such come away with hundreds of beautiful photos.
Simply put, this street is iconic!
2. Nyhavn
Nyhavn 1-71, Indre By, Copenhagen 1051, Denmark
When you see photos of Copenhagen on postcards, Google, Pinterest or Instagram, what’s the image?
For me, 9 out of 10 times I will see it defined by pictures of Nyhavn (pronounced: knee-hown).
What about you?
This old port habour is one of the most beautiful, most colourful parts of Copenhagen with a rich historical background. Not only do you find a wide variety of coloured cafes, restaurants, bars, shops and old wooden ships lining the docks, but you’ll be engulfed in a huge mix of locals and tourists enjoying the area.
You can also find located here the childhood writer, H.C. Anderson’s home for 20 years at #20, the oldest tattoo shop, and hourly boat cruises for seeing all of Copenhagen’s most popular highlights by sea – capture even more Instagram-worthy shots of the Danish city from the water.
What used to be an old docking port for sailors, trade, alcohol, debauchery and entertainment in the 17th and 18th century is now a famous watering hole for both foreigners from around the world, and Danish locals.
So let me warn you babe, this marina is undoubtedly Copenhagen’s version of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. So when you visit, do expect crowds.
Nyhavn is one of the best photo hot spots you can find in Copenhagen. Walk the circumference of the waterfront to capture shots with unique, incredible, backdrops. This marina can inspire from any point of view.
This is another iconic location!
RELATED READ: The Top 9 Most Instagrammable, Must-See Spots in Amsterdam For The First Time Visitor
3. Church of Our Saviour
Sankt Annæ Gade 29, Christianshavn, Copenhagen 1416, Denmark
Located in Christianshavn, Church of Our Saviour is not for the faint of heart – believe me! Fuel up on water and a light meal because walking the 400 steps to the top of the Church tower will make your heart want to burst through your chest and your knees begin to wobble if you’re out of shape (like me!).
The spiraling steps take you 90 metres above ground level! Oh! And make sure you carry a jacket because by the time you begin to climb the external winding staircase the gushing wind will probably make you want to shiver / go back down.
Nevertheless, once you get to the top of the brick and gold twisting spire, the upward climb will be 100% worth it!
Whilst the Church of our Saviour towers over the Copenhagen skyline, from the top of this Kirke, you will have a 360 degree view of all of Copenhagen.
For miles your eyes will dance in awe of the windmills, the green landscapes, the colours, the canals, the boats, the cruise ships and the Danish architecture that lie beneath you, there for your enjoyment.
A visit to Church of Our Saviour is a MUST if you want to soak up some of the best views in the city!
Be prepared to make your fans and followers very jealous of your epic panoramic skyline views.
4. Christianshavn Kanal
Christianshavn (pronounced: Christians-hown) Kanal is unlike any of the numerous canals you can find gliding throughout Copenhagen.
This incredibly scenic canal dotted with colourful houseboats is isolated from the hustle & bustle of the city, and nicely snuggles between cobblestoned streets and old Scandinavian architecture. Sounds dreamy right?! It is!
This is a popular route for boat tours and cycle paths, so make sure to capture the tour boats sailing along the canal and the locals enjoying a picnic during the warmer summer weather – these add a beautiful element to your pictures and perfectly define Copenhagen’s canal culture.
It’s truly irresistible.
READ MORE: A Travel Diary: How To Spend 4 Enchanting Days In Copenhagen (What To See, Eat & Do)
5. The Strøget
Frederiksberggade, Copenhagen 1459, Denmark
For all my shopaholic babes, the Strøget, the world’s longest pedestrian shopping street, overflows with Instagrammable opportunities!
This area is HUGE! Spend a day walking through its cobbled-street and patterned-tiled alleyways and you will still not be able to finish your tour.
It covers the streets of Nygade, Vimmelskaftet, Frederiksberggade and Østergade, along with the squares Nytorv, Gammeltorv and Amagertorv.
Safe to say, you’ll find surprises lurking around every corner. Find a variety of local shops, global budget and luxury shopping brands, serenading musicians, street performers, markets, the Stork Fountain, and mouth-watering restaurants lining its streets.
Be sure to eat at ILLUM Rooftop for an aerial view of the Stroget as well. Between the food and the views, I could not decide which was better.
This is the perfect location for foodie, fashion and architecture instagrammers alike!
6. Tivoli Gardens
Tivoli A/S, Vesterbrogade 3, 1630 Copenhagen V, Denmark
For a more fairytale, magical touch to your Instagram, a photo-op at Tivoli Gardens is essential. When you enter the arched, red-bricked entrance, you feel like you’ve immediately been swallowed into the fairytale “Alice in Wonderland”.
Opened in 1843, Tivoli is an ethereal amusement park. From the Copenhagen Downtown Hostel in Central Copenhagen, our journey to Tivoli Gardens was barely 10 minutes walk away.
FUN FACT: Tivoli is the second-oldest operating amusement park in the world! The oldest is Bakken, a park located in Klampenborg, North of Copenhagen, which opened its doors in 1583 and still operates today.
Even Walt Disney visited Tivoli multiple times seeking inspiration for his own infamous park. Mind you, this isn’t just a garden for you to lounge and wander around in.
Adrenaline rush, thrill-seekers can hop onto one of the many park roller-coaster rides, love-struck couples can hold hands whilst walking through any of the beautiful, flourished gardens, foodies can find a wide plethora of cuisines at the food market to satisfy their taste buds, and lovers of the creative arts can tantalize their eyes and ears with fireworks, concerts and shows that continually take place in this beautiful venue.
However, Tivoli comes alive at night when its light displays illuminate the restaurants, rides and markets.
At Tivoli Gardens you’d be spoiled for choice, and your Instagram will thank you for it.
Concluding Thoughts…
Without a shadow of a doubt, these top 6 must-see Instagrammable spots will give your IG the most beautiful facelift ever – with or without a filter!
But girl, you don’t even have to stop there! Copenhagen is such a beautiful, picturesque city, and there is so much to see and do, that you will find unique Instagrammable spots in the most unlikely places. Honestly, it’s virtually impossible to take a bad photo here.
So don’t hesitate to put on your walking shoes, give those legs a good stretch, and proceed to just explore! Pick a direction, then spend an hour or two just walking around.
Go with the flow.
You won’t regret it!
Over to You
Have you been to Copenhagen before?
Where are your favourite Instagrammable spots?
Which of these top instagrammable spots are your fave?
Share your thoughts in the comments! I’d love to hear about them!
[If you made it to the end of this, YOU ARE AMAZING! I love you and thank you so much for reading!]
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