Kongens Nytorv and Nyhavn: Copenhagen

The tightly packed streets of Indre Byen finally open out onto Kongens Nytorv, or the King's New Square (the king being the 17th century Christian V). Dominated by some of the city's grandest buildings, it ought to be stately, but with all the traffic directed away from the pedestrian center, it's really more of a roundabout with a large central area that transforms into an ice rink in winter and large-scale exhibition space in summer months.

The square is flanked by the majestic Royal Theatre (Det Kongelige Teater) to the south and the elegant Hotel D'Angleterre to the west, but other landmarks include the attractive Thotts Palace (built in 1685) and the stately department store Magasin.

Directly opposite the D'Angleterre, the harbor drag of Nyhavn seems to pack the visitors in like a cannery come May & June. Just 50 years ago the street was notorious for its drinking dens, tattoo parlors and strip clubs, but is now filled with traditional Danish cafes and the regular canal tour boats. Despite the bustling hoards Nyhavn manages to be a charming, attractive waterfront perfect for a traditional Danish lunch of open sandwiches, to be enjoyed outside overlooking the brightly painted canal boats docked in the harbor.

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