Denmark > The Little Mermaid

Denmark - Amalienborg Palace

After a good breakfast at the hotel, I set out at 10:30. I walk to Slotsholmen. Soon, the modern architecture of the Black Diamond catches my eye. The library is housed in this black glass building. The Black Diamond was built adjacent to the old library, a characteristic building. The extreme contrast between the classical and modern architecture is bold—it has a certain charm. The library’s inner courtyard provides access to the old building. In the courtyard, I sit on a bench and leisurely read the travel guide about all the buildings on Slotsholmen. Afterward, I continue to Christiansborg, the seat of the parliament and the government. Passing the Thorvaldsen Museum next to Christiansborg, I stroll through the city center to Kongens Nytorv square. On this square is the Royal Theatre. Walking along the quay of Nyhavn, I reach the waterfront. In a small shop, I buy some drinks and have a picnic by the quay near the new theater. In the afternoon, I walk along the water toward the Little Mermaid. On the way, I pass the entrance to Kastellet, a fortification consisting of five bastions. Through Kastellet, I reach the bronze statue of the Little Mermaid. I had heard a lot about this famous statue beforehand, especially that it is very small. Perhaps my expectations weren’t too high, and I’m pleasantly surprised. What is less pleasant, however, is the huge number of tourists around the statue. Everyone tries, one by one, to take a photo with the little beauty. It’s a delightful spectacle to calmly watch all the people. After managing to get my photo taken with the statue, I continue my walk along the quay where the cruise ships dock.

Denmark - The Little Mermaid is never alone

Unfortunately, there are no ships today. In the distance, I see a few massive vessels. Back at Kastellet, I order a beer on the terrace. I’ve noticed that Copenhagen is an extremely clean city—there’s hardly any trash on the streets. I also appreciate that the city center is largely car-free, people are very friendly, and the city feels safe. On the downside, Copenhagen is rather expensive, especially when I pay six euros for a glass of beer. After a short stop at the hotel, I head back into the city in the evening. Just past the hotel, the Friday Night Skate passes by, with several hundred skaters moving through the streets. At Nyhavn, I enjoy live jazz music. Elsewhere in the center, there’s more music, and various street performers entertain the shopping streets. Although all the shops are already closed, the streets are still busy.