Private Copenhagen Shore Excursion: City Tour & Christiansborg Palace

Summary

Copenhagen City Sights with Private Guide & Port Pickup

You’ll get picked up right at your cruise terminal for an easy start to exploring Copenhagen’s best sights—Nyhavn’s canals, Strøget’s shops, royal palaces, and that iconic Little Mermaid statue—all with stories from a local guide who knows every shortcut and secret spot.

What’s the experience like?

We kicked off our Copenhagen adventure right at the port—no fussing with taxis or figuring out buses. Our guide, Anna, met us with a big smile and a few words about Danish weather (it was chilly but bright, so bring a scarf). First stop: Nyhavn. The canal’s lined with those famous colorful houses—some peeling paint here and there, which just makes them feel lived-in. Old wooden ships bobbed in the water, and I caught the smell of fresh waffles from a stand near the bridge. Couldn’t resist grabbing one before we moved on.

From there, we wandered into Strøget. It’s busy—buskers playing guitar, locals weaving through tourists with shopping bags from Illums Bolighus (if you know, you know). Anna pointed out the Stork Fountain on Amagertorv; apparently it’s where students celebrate graduation by dancing around it in their caps. The square nearby has cobblestones that are uneven in spots—watch your step if you’re snapping photos of Christian V’s statue.

The real highlight for me was Christiansborg Palace. We skipped the line (felt like VIPs) and got to see rooms where Denmark’s government actually meets. The tapestries inside are wild—so much color and history packed into one place. Anna shared stories about royal receptions and even pointed out where the Queen sometimes hosts events. Afterward, we strolled over to Frederiks Kirke—the Marble Church—with its massive dome echoing every footstep inside.

Amalienborg Palace is more than just one building—it’s this open plaza surrounded by identical palaces. We caught the changing of the guard (timing worked out), which felt very old-school European. There’s a view across to the opera house if you stand on the green embankment—Anna said locals come here for quiet picnics when it’s sunny.

Langelinie Park was our last stretch—a long promenade by the water dotted with monuments and little cafes (the Langeliniepavillonen looked tempting). The Little Mermaid statue is smaller than you’d expect but seeing her up close, perched on her rock, really hit home how she’s become part of Copenhagen’s soul. There were kids climbing nearby rocks and someone selling postcards—classic tourist moment.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Copenhagen City Highlights

• Visit Nyhavn waterfront
• Walk along Stroget shopping street
• See the Stork Fountain
• Explore New King Square
• Tour Christiansborg Palace
• Visit Frederiks Kirke (Marble Church)
• See Amalienborg Palace
• Walk Langelinie promenade
• View The Little Mermaid statue

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for people who don’t walk much?

Yes! The pace is relaxed and there are plenty of stops along the way. If you need to rest or skip a section, just let your guide know—they’re flexible.

Do we go inside Christiansborg Palace?

Absolutely—you’ll have skip-the-line entry included so you can explore key rooms without waiting outside.

Can I join if my ship docks late?

If your arrival time changes, contact us as soon as possible—we’ll do our best to adjust pickup so you don’t miss anything important.

What’s included

Your private vehicle picks you up at the port and drops you back after four hours of sightseeing. You get skip-the-line admission to Christiansborg Palace plus an English-speaking guide who shares local stories throughout the tour. A professional driver handles all transport so you can focus on enjoying Copenhagen.