Nyhavn

Nyhavn — "New Harbour" — is the postcard image of Copenhagen: a 17th-century canal lined with brightly coloured townhouses in reds, ochres and blues, their reflections wavering over the water. The canal was originally dug in 1671 to connect the harbour with Kongens Nytorv, and for much of its early life it was a working waterfront thick with sailors, merchants and the taverns that served them — a boisterous, salty character that still lingers today.

The street is bound up with Hans Christian Andersen, who lived at No. 20, No. 67 and No. 18 at different points in his life. Along the quay, historic wooden ships are moored as a reminder of Denmark's maritime past. The sunny northern side is now an unbroken row of restaurants, cafés and bars whose outdoor tables fill the moment the sun appears, while the quieter side is a fine place to simply sit and watch the water.

Nyhavn is also the departure point for Copenhagen's canal boat tours, which thread out through the harbour past the city's landmarks. It costs nothing to wander here, and it's a two-minute walk from the Metro at Kongens Nytorv. A local tip: buy food and drink from a supermarket and enjoy them on the quayside — far cheaper than the restaurants — and come at sunset for the best photographs.