Hotels near Nyhavn

Nyhavn (literally New Harbour) is the row of brightly painted 17th-century townhouses on a 400-metre canal that dominates every Copenhagen postcard. Dug by Swedish prisoners of war 1670-1675, it served as a busy commercial port until the 1970s when it was pedestrianised. Hans Christian Andersen lived at numbers 18, 20, and 67 - plaques mark the buildings.

The sunny northern side is lined with restaurants and bars; the shaded southern side has the prettiest facades and far better photos. Wooden tall ships are moored along the canal year-round - several function as floating museums. Restaurants are touristy and expensive (250-400 DKK for a main); locals come for a beer on the harbour wall rather than dinner. Harbour cruises depart from the canal head every 30 minutes.

Pro Tip: Buy a beer from any of the riverside kiosks (around 50 DKK) and sit on the southern wall facing the painted buildings. The light is best 1 hour before sunset and the queue-free view is everyone's Copenhagen wallpaper.