Green ramparts
For walking.
Tony Webster — CC BY 2.0 · Joseolgon — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Joseolgon — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Joseolgon — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Joseolgon — CC BY-SA 4.0
Kastellet, «the Citadel», is a star-shaped fortress in the form of a pentagon in Copenhagen, about 2.4 km in a straight line north-east of the city centre, close to the Little Mermaid on the waterfront. It is one of the best-preserved fortresses in Northern Europe, with a bastion at each of its five corners. King Christian IV began it in 1626 with an advanced post on the coast north of the city to guard the harbour entrance, and the Dutch engineer Henrik Rüse rebuilt and extended it after 1660. It was part of the ring of bastioned ramparts that once encircled Copenhagen, of which only Kastellet and the ramparts of Christianshavn remain today. Moats and green earthen ramparts that you can walk along surround the citadel, and inside are long rows of red barracks, the Citadel Church and a windmill. It still hosts military activities but is also a public park and a historic site. The Golden Age painter Christen Købke grew up here and painted it many times. Entry is free, and a walk along the ramparts around the star is one of the loveliest strolls in the city, especially early in the morning. It is easy to combine with the Little Mermaid and the Langelinie waterfront.
For walking.
Long rows.
Inside the citadel.
Copenhagen, Denmark
The Little Mermaid & the Kastellet WalkThe Little Mermaid is uncontested the world's most famous small statue: a bronze4 minutes walk4.0
Museum of Danish ResistanceGermany occupied Denmark in April 1940 in a matter of hours and with almost no f5 minutes walk4.3
Designmuseum DanmarkIf one place in Copenhagen explains why "Danish" became an adjective attached to7 minutes walk4.4
Frederik's Church (The Marble Church)Its official name is **Frederik's Church**, but nobody calls it anything but the10 minutes walk4.7
Amalienborg Palace & the Changing of the GuardAmalienborg is the Danish royal family's actual home — Europe's oldest continuou10 minutes walk4.4Yes.
The Little Mermaid and Langelinie.