Nyhavn

Nyhavn is a 17th-century canal harbour in the Indre By district of Copenhagen, Denmark, running inland from the waterfront near Kongens Nytorv. King Christian V had the canal dug in the 1670s so that ships could unload cargo and fish in the heart of the city, and the surrounding area was once a rough sailors' quarter. Today the north side of the canal is lined with brightly painted gabled townhouses, many dating from the late 1700s, that house restaurants, bars and cafes with outdoor tables. The south side is quieter and more residential. Hans Christian Andersen lived at several addresses along the canal, including number 20, number 67 and number 18, and the setting is among the most photographed in Denmark. Old wooden sailing ships and heritage vessels are moored along the quay, giving the scene its maritime character. Visitors can walk the full length of the canal in a few minutes, but most stay thirty to sixty minutes, long enough to take photographs, have a coffee or a smørrebrød lunch, and watch the boats. The best vantage point for the classic postcard view is the bridge at the head of the canal near the harbour, looking back at the coloured facades, and the sunlit north side is best photographed in the morning or afternoon. Canal tour boats depart from the quay beside Nyhavn and take visitors through the harbour and the canals around Christiansborg. Crowds are heaviest from late morning to evening in summer, when the terraces fill and prices are higher than in side streets. Early morning offers calm light and empty quays, while a summer evening has the liveliest atmosphere. Many visitors combine Nyhavn with a walk to Amalienborg Palace, the Opera House and the Royal Playhouse, all within a short distance along the harbour front.