During my last visit to the Danish capital Copenhagen, I took a detour from the old town to the city’s oldest entertainment district, the central harbor of Nyhavn. Nyhavn is the name given to the approximately 500-meter-long canal from Kongens Nytorv Square to the harbor, which was originally founded in the 1670s by King Christian V. It still connects the Øresund strait with the city center today. Nyhavn used to be a busy trading port where ships from all over the world docked. It was home to sailors, prostitutes, bars, and pubs. Some of the former merchant houses on the south side of the harbor are still residential buildings today. The oldest surviving house is number 9, which dates back to 1681. The first thing I noticed in Nyhavn was the Memorial Anchor. Located at the foot of the Nyhavn Canal next to Kongens Nytorv, it is a maritime memorial in Copenhagen commemorating the civilian sailors who were killed at sea during World War II. To this day, flowers and wreaths are laid here in memory of the victims. I was enchanted by this harbor from the very first moment, with its colorful gabled houses, restaurants, and traditional ships moored at the quay, creating a unique atmosphere. The Danish storyteller Hans Christian Andersen lived here and wrote his fairy tales: “The Little Match Girl,” “Little Claus and Big Claus,” and “The Princess and the Pea.” Today, after its revitalization in the 1980s, Nyhavn is considered a lively promenade and is one of Copenhagen’s attractions. Nyhavn is bustling with activity, with lovers attaching love locks to the bridges, others photographing the old pirate ships or relaxing in one of the many bars with a cold beer. Nyhaven offers something for everyone and is an ideal starting point for wonderful harbor and canal tours on the excursion boats. I was thrilled to see the old sailing ships and took a short break in one of the many cafés that line the harbor district. Anyone visiting Copenhagen should definitely make a little detour here. This is where locals meet tourists and enjoy the unique charm of this harbor district in one of the many restaurants or bars.
