Nyhavn Audio Guide

Nyhavn Canal and Harbor: what does the audio guide cover?

1. 01

   Welcome to Copenhagen's New Harbor

   Welcome to Nyhavn! You are standing at the most iconic waterfront in Scandinavia. Though its name literally translates to "New Harbor," do not let that fool you—this canal is actually over 350 years old. As you look down the waterway, you will see a stunning row of brightly colored townhouses in shades of ochre, crimson, and mustard yellow that have become the face of Copenhagen. Today, it is a place of jazz music, outdoor dining, and laughter, but for centuries, it was the beating, gritty heart of the city's maritime trade. Before we dive into the secrets hidden behind these facades, take a moment to breathe in the salt air and orient yourself. To one side, you have the grand Kongens Nytorv square, and to the other, the canal stretches out toward the main inner harbor.

2. 02

   A Port Built by Prisoners

   The history of this canal began with King Christian the Fifth, who ordered its construction between 1670 and 1673. Interestingly, the heavy labor of digging this 450 meter channel was not done by machines, but by hand—specifically by Danish soldiers and Swedish prisoners of war captured during the Dano-Swedish War. The goal was to create a direct gateway from the sea to the old inner city, allowing merchants to unload timber, fish, and grain right in front of the King’s square. For most of its existence, Nyhavn was a rough-and-tumble sailor's district, notorious for its rowdy beer halls and taverns. It was not until the mid-twentieth century that the area was restored, turning the once-busy commercial quay into the elegant pedestrian promenade you see today.

3. 03

   The Fairytale Resident

   As you walk past the houses, keep an eye out for numbers 18, 20, and 67. These three buildings were once home to Denmark’s most famous author, Hans Christian Andersen. Andersen spent roughly 18 years of his life living along this canal at different times. He lived at number 20 between 1834 and 1838, which is where he wrote some of his very first fairytales, including "The Tinderbox" and "The Princess and the Pea." Later, he moved to number 67, the tall white house you can see further down, where he lived for nearly two decades. It is easy to imagine him looking out over the wooden ships in the canal for inspiration while dreaming up stories that would eventually be translated into hundreds of languages.

4. 04

   Architectural Gems and The Memorial Anchor

   Look closely at House Number Nine—it is the oldest building in Nyhavn, dating all the way back to 1681. Remarkably, its design has remained virtually unchanged for over three centuries. While the northern side of the canal features these famous colorful townhouses, the southern side, known as Gammelholm, is dominated by grander, more formal buildings like the Charlottenborg Palace. If you walk toward the end of the canal near the square, you will encounter a large steel monument: the Memorial Anchor, or Mindeankeret. This massive anchor was installed in 1951 to honor the more than 1,600 Danish sailors who lost their lives during the Second World War. A practical tip for your visit: the southern quay is where you will find the departure points for canal boat tours, which offer a unique perspective of the city’s architecture from water level.

5. 05

   The Sunny Side and Beyond

   Locals often refer to the northern side of the canal—the side with all the restaurants—as the "sunny side," while the southern side stays mostly in the shade. On a warm day, you will see people sitting with their legs dangling over the quay edge, enjoying a cold drink from one of the nearby kiosks. As you continue your stroll, notice the veteran ships moored in the canal; many of these belong to the Danish National Museum and are still fully functional. Just beyond the end of the canal lies the Royal Danish Playhouse and the innovative "Kissing Bridge" that connects you to the street food markets of the Christianshavn district. There is always another narrow passage or a hidden courtyard to explore just a few steps away from the water. What detail in the architecture or the ships will you discover next?