A GUIDE TO EXPLORING COPENHAGEN'S CANALS

Copenhagen’s canals are a defining feature of the city, offering scenic views and a unique way to explore its historic and modern districts. Nyhavn is one of the most famous canal areas, lined with colorful buildings and old wooden ships. It doesn't take much more than a few rays of sunshine before Copenhagen's waterfront is filled with renewed energy and joyful faces. Here are some tips on how to enjoy the city's beautiful lakes and canals. 

                              

Copenhagen's waters are clean enough to swim in, which makes the city's harbour baths vibrant with life all of the summer season. Make sure to swing by for a dip at Nordhavn or one of the other locations. Probably the most popular way to enjoy Copenhagen's canals. Get your own kayak or a guided tour from Kayak Republic. No matter how many times we've done this, the canal tours never go out of fashion - especially not on a sunny spring day. If you’re looking for a canal tour, there are several options, including Canal Boat Tours, which take you through both old and new Copenhagen. You can also explore the canals on your own with GoBoat, an eco-friendly rental service. You can go on this canal tour with a clean conscience as Canal Tours Copenhagen have environmentally friendly boats. Another popular option is to do a Hop on Hop Off, where you can explore  Copenhagen's castles and other major sights by bus. 

                             

Copenhagen Card

COPENHAGEN CARD is the official city card for Copenhagen. Since 1984 we have offered great convenience and big savings for guests coming to explore and enjoy the Danish Capital Region. COPENHAGEN CARD covers admission to 80+ attractions, includes public transportation including travel to and from the Airport. The Copenhagen Card is the most convenient and affordable way to experience Copenhagen. 

Visit world-class museums, take a cruise along the charming canals and explore the beautiful castles in and outside of Copenhagen. All for free - one visit per attraction. DISCOVER is our all-inclusive card that ensures a seamless experience both in- and outside Copenhagen. Explore the top-attractions of the city and venture beyond the city limits to enjoy the surrounding region. Once your card is activated you can travel as much as you want.

                             

History of  Copenhagen's Canals

Copenhagen’s canals have played a vital role in the city's development, serving as both transportation routes and commercial hubs. The most famous canal, Nyhavn, was constructed between 1670 and 1675 under King Christian V. It was originally dug by Danish soldiers and Swedish prisoners of war from the Dano-Swedish War (1658–1660) to create a gateway from the sea to the old inner city. Over the centuries, Nyhavn evolved from a bustling trade port—known for sailors, beer, and lively nightlife—into a picturesque waterfront lined with colorful townhouses and historic ships. Another key canal district, Christianshavn, was developed in the early 17th century under King Christian IV. Inspired by Dutch city planning, Christianshavn was designed with a network of canals to facilitate trade and commerce. 

Today, it remains one of Copenhagen’s most charming neighborhoods, blending historical architecture with modern urban life. The canals have undergone significant transformations, particularly in the 20th century. As ocean-going ships grew larger, Nyhavn’s role as a commercial port diminished, and by the mid-1960s, efforts were made to revitalize the area. In 1977, Nyhavn was officially designated as a veteran ship and museum harbor, preserving its maritime heritage while making it a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.

                             

Nyhavn

Colourful, captivating Nyhavn is one of Copenhagen’s most iconic sights and one of the locals’ favourite places to sink a cold beer on a hot day. Nyhavn's buildings aren't the only colourful thing about the area – its history is colourful too. Originally it was a commercial port where ships from all over the world would dock, and it was packed with sailors visiting its pubs, alehouses and ladies of pleasure. Nyhavn is one of Copenhagen’s most iconic spots—a vibrant waterfront district lined with colorful 17th-century townhouses, historic wooden ships, and lively cafes. Originally built as a commercial port in the late 1600s, it was once a hub for sailors, beer, and a bit of rowdy nightlife. 

                               

As you walk beside the canal, you're greeted by the sounds of jazz and the sights of pavemnt cafes and people enjoying the relaxed atmosphere and great food. You're never far from the area's maritime history - boats line the canal and canal tours can take you on round trips of the city's other waterways from here too. The famous Danish fairytale writer Hans Christian Andersen, used to live in no. 20. This is where he wrote the fairy-tales 'The Tinderbox', 'Little Claus and Big Claus', and 'The Princess and the Pea'. He also lived for twenty years in no. 67 and for two years in no. 18 – basically, wherever you walk down here, you'll be walking in his footsteps. Today the beautiful old houses have been renovated and restaurants dominate the old port. During Christmas, the air in Nyhavn is scented with gløgg as the annual Christmas market fills the cobbled street with decorated stalls and twinkling lights. It's the perfect setting for your winter holiday in Copenhagen. The cafés and restaurants offer Danish Christmas delicacies, including æbeskiver and roast pork. It's a classic Christmas experience. 

                               

Christianshavns Canal

Christianshavns Canal is a picturesque waterway in the Christianshavn neighborhood of Copenhagen, Denmark. It runs northeast–southwest, bisecting the area and connecting to the main harbor near Langebro Bridge. The canal is known for its vibrant sailing community, with numerous houseboats and sailboats lining its banks. The streets along the canal, Overgaden Oven Vandet and Overgaden Neden Vandet, date back to the original foundation of Christianshavn by King Christian IV. The area has a rich history, including notable buildings like Brøstes Samling, which showcases local history, and Søkvæsthuset, a former naval hospital. Christianshavn itself is a lively and diverse part of Copenhagen, blending historical charm with modern attractions. If you're planning a visit, you might enjoy exploring the canal by boat or strolling along its scenic banks.

If you’re strolling around Christianshavn, the chances to take notice of the big, historical, yellow building called Kanalhuset are quite big. The old building is newly renovated and functions both as a hotel and a social eatery with delicious food and stunning views of the canals. The charming old building reopened in 2020 after a thorough renovation and every evening at 19:00 you can participate in their communal dinners and join the local community. The dinner comes at a cost of 150 kroner and the menu changes every day and always includes a vegetarian option. Apart from the communal dining, Kanalhuset also serves breakfast and lunch every day. The lunch menu depends on the day and costs 100 kroner during the week, on the weekends the lunch menu consists of 5 different open-faced sandwiches (smørrebrød), available for 75 kroner apiece.

Classic Canal Tour

A canal tour is a wonderful way of seeing Copenhagen. Many Copenhageners take the tour to get an opportunity to see their capital from a different perspective. Get to know the harbours and canals of Copenhagen with a canal tour. The tour is guided in both Danish and English. It takes an hour. There are also daily departures with audio guides in Danish, English, German, French, Spanish and Italian. During the tour, you will see The Copenhagen Opera House, Amalienborg Palace, Christiansborg Palace, the impressive Black Diamond Library, and, of course, the Little Mermaid. Make your departure from Nyhavn or Ved Stranden. It is free with Copenhagen Card, but only with departure from Ved Stranden.

                           

Stromma Denmark

Discover Copenhagen and the surrounding area with one of Scandinavia's biggest sightseeing companies. Stromma offers canal and harbor cruises, sightseeing tours in open or closed buses and hop on hop off tours. Take a canal tour from Nyhavn or Ved Stranden and see Copenhagen from the water in just one hour. Attractions include the Opera, Amalienborg Palace, Christianborg Palace, The Black Diamond, BLOX, and The Little Mermaid. The tours are guided in Danish and English and somtimes a third language that varies between German, Italian, French, and Spanish. The tours are free with a Copenhagen Card, but only from Ved Stranden. Stromma also offers various sightseeing tours by bus. 

You can hop on and off the red or green City Sightseeing buses which operate three lines from Ved Stranden around the city's main attractions. Once you have bought a ticket, you are free to use both the red and green bus. Just look out for the Stromma logo on the bus. The tours have audio guides in 6 languages.

GoBoat Copenhagen

Rent a GoBoat in Copenhagen and enjoy a special experience on the water with someone you care for. You don't need a licence or experience to sail a GoBoat. Read more about the experiences GoBoat offers below or visit their own website where you can also book your boat or trip. GoBoat is the perfect way to experience Copenhagen from the water - slow, relaxed and with a great atmosphere. You are your own captain and the boat is quiet enough to really enjoy the city from a new angle: under the bridges, past houseboats and with views of both old warehouses and modern architecture. It's perfect for a picnic, a date or just a cosy moment with friends. With GoBoat, it's not about getting there fast - it's about enjoying the journey. GoBoat is designed with the good, sustainable experience in mind. GoBoat wants to treat the surroundings with respect and keep the harbour clean and untouched by boats. This fundamental approach is reflected in the environmentally friendly and green electric motors, which are charged by solar cells and are silent to preserve the calmness and intimacy of the experience on the water. 

                             

GoBoat offers different experiences. First of all, you can rent a regular GoBoat with room for 8 people. Steering these boats is both easy and safe, and GoBoat staff will always provide thorough instructions before you set off on your sailing trip. These boats sail at a calm pace of 3-4 knots. Please note that the captain - the person at the helm - must be at least 18 years old. There are no age restrictions on the other boat guests. Babies, children and dogs are also welcome and there will be life jackets for everyone on board. The boats are equipped with maps showing where you can sail. You can bring your own picnic or buy snacks and drinks from GoBoat. No licence or sailing certificate is required to rent a boat. Rent a private luxury boat with your own captain! Want to experience the waters of Copenhagen in a relaxing way with friends, family or colleagues? Choose between two boat types and two different experiences. Common to both is that an experienced captain will sail you around while you simply enjoy the surroundings. 

The two experiences are either a 7-person or 9-person boat, both with their own captain. Both boats have comfortable cushions, speakers and the option of chilled drinks. With GoBoat's habour cruise you can experience the capital in a cosy, silent electric boat. Buy single tickets for a shared tour with room for nine people. It creates a cosy and social atmosphere where you can meet new people while enjoying the city's iconic sights. The boat is covered, has heating pads and you can borrow blankets. On the canal tour, a captain will sail and guide you around. Hot coffee, tea, cocoa or wine, beer or water is available for purchase. Read more about duration, ticket types and prices on GoBoat's own website.

Hey Captain Copenhagen Canal Tour

Book your own captain for a small group tour of the canals. Let the captains take you on a charming cruise of the canals. These small group tours - for up to 12 - give you the best seats in the house in a boat tour of the city past its famous sights and views. It’s a little different from Copenhagen’s classic canal tours, where big groups are entertained by guides with speeches in three different languages. They’re fun too - but Hey Captain adds a little bit more. Hey Captain’s boats hold up to 12 people, which means you’ll have a much more personal experience, be able to chat with the captain, and ask all the questions you want. Cushioned seats and relaxed background music lets you enjoy the ride in comfortable surroundings, and with the possibility of buying drinks along the way, you’ll be all set for a more personal type of canal cruising.

 

The route can vary depending on the wishes of the group, but you will see the main attractions like Amalienborg Castle, The Opera House, and the key canals of Christianshavn and Frederiksholm. From March-October, you can join the Hey Captain’s Classic Tour, and from November-Christmas, the Glögg Tour is on. During these colder months, you can wrap yourself in blankets and cosy up in the boat with a cup of traditional Danish glögg.  

FriendShip

Be the captain for the day in an electric boat on the canals of Copenhagen. It’s hard to think of a more charming way to see Copenhagen harbour than by boat from Christianshavn. FriendShips’ self-drive electric boat tours sail from a canalside location close to Paper Island. Their white boats hold up to 8 persons, are easy to sail and require no previous sailing experience. Sailing at a maximum of four knots for safety measures, it’s a tranquil experience to sail around the canals and harbour of Copenhagen, captaining your own ship. Get ready to experience Freetown Christiania, the Opera, Christianshavns canal and a view to Our Savior’s Church as some of the main attractions just around the corner from the dock. The roomy boats are powered by a small, silent and pollution-free electrical engine, and there is a small table in case you wish to bring something to eat and drink onboard.

                               

Biking

Biking along Copenhagen’s canals is a fantastic way to experience the city’s charm while enjoying its world-class cycling infrastructure. Copenhagen is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world, with dedicated bike lanes and scenic routes that take you past historic landmarks, colorful waterfronts, and lively neighborhoods.  If you're looking for a guided experience, several companies offer bike tours that include canal-side rides, Cycling Copenhagen provides urban bike tours focused on Danish design and local culture. Bike Copenhagen offers full-service rentals and guided tours to explore the city's highlights. City Bike Adventures has themed tours, including food tours and historical rides. Copenhagen E-Bike Tours & Rentals lets you cover more ground with electric bikes, taking you through hidden courtyards and side streets. For a self-guided ride, you can follow the canal paths around Christianshavn and Nyhavn, stopping at spots like the iconic Little Mermaid statue or grabbing a coffee at one of the waterfront cafés. 

                               

Why Explore the Copenhagen Canals

Exploring Copenhagen’s canals offers a unique way to experience the city’s rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture. These waterways weave through neighborhoods like Nyhavn and Christianshavn, providing picturesque views of colorful townhouses, historic ships, and modern landmarks. A canal tour allows you to see Copenhagen from a different perspective, passing by iconic sites such as the Royal Danish Opera House and the Little Mermaid statue. Many of the city’s buildings were designed to be admired from the water, making a boat ride one of the best ways to appreciate their beauty. Beyond sightseeing, the canals also reflect Copenhagen’s maritime heritage and sustainable urban planning. Whether you opt for a guided boat tour, rent a kayak, or simply stroll along the waterfront, the canals offer a peaceful escape from the bustling city streets.