With the family

Day 1: The city of fairy tales

1. Amalienborg and the changing of the guard — 1 h 15. Four Rococo palaces around an octagonal square: the residence of the royal family, with a museum in one of them.
2. Canal tour — 1 h. The city seen from the water: the most relaxing way to take in Nyhavn, Christianshavn and the Opera House in one go.
3. Round Tower (Rundetaarn) — 45 min. A 17th-century observatory reached not by a staircase, but by a spiral ramp.
4. Tivoli Gardens — 3 h. An amusement park and pleasure garden since 1843, in the heart of the city. It is best enjoyed at nightfall.

Day 2: From the garden to the aquarium

1. Botanical Garden — 1 h. Ten hectares of collections right in the centre, and a 19th-century palm house.
2. Torvehallerne — 1 h. Two glass market halls devoted to good produce: fish, smørrebrød, coffee, cheeses and pastries.
3. Den Blå Planet — 2 h 30. The national aquarium, a swirl of aluminium on the shores of the Øresund, close to the airport.