Copenhagen Harbor

Copenhagen was built along a protected harbor on Zealand, the largest of the islands that make up eastern Denmark. Right across the water to the south was Amager, along with some smaller islands. As the city developed, the shorelines on each side were built out, leaving the current elongate harbor that could easily be mistaken for a river running though the city.

The city is built around the harbor, along with some other remnant waterways and lakes. The port itself has shifted farther out, leaving earlier working waterfronts like Gammel Strand and Nyhavn behind. Spectacular new buildings have been built along the water's edge, including the Opera House, the Royal Danish Playhouse, the Danish Architecture Centre, and the Black Diamond (part of the Royal Library).

The Little Mermaid sits on a rock at the eastern end where the harbor broadens to join the larger Øresund Strait between Denmark and Sweden.

We walked along the harbor, crossed over it on bridges, and explored it in a large barge full of tourists. We watched kayakers paddling in Christianhavn (on the south side) and playing kayak polo next to the Playhouse (on the north side).