As much as I love my Nyhavn shot, even the best pictures get old. And what can I do to keep the look fresh without much effort? Why of course to keep changing the header. I have now decided to add a new feature to this blog – Header of the Month, where I will be picking pictures taken by yours truly from some of my travel destinations as headers of the blog and write about them. I think this is one of my stroke of brilliance since if anything, it will at least ensure that I have to fill you guys in once a month even when my travel traffic is low.

So without further ado, the header of this month (December and January and February):

Nyhavn, Copenhagen, Denmark

Nyhavn, or ‘New Harbour’, dated back to 17th century and is the most notable landmark in Copenhagen. Characterised by its facade of colourful houses by the canal and a line of old wooden ships, it is my favourite part of Copenhagen and looks like it was for Hans Christian Andersen too, since he lived here for 18 years or so.

Nyhavn was originally constructed by King Christian V to connect the sea to the old inner city at Kongens Nytorv (King’s Square). Now, the place houses lots of cafes and bars and makes a great waterfront entertainment spot for tourists and locals alike.

How to get there

The nearest Metro is Kongens Nytorv, and Nyhavn is just a short walking distance away.

Things to do

1. Chill at one of the bars, cafes and restaurants. Indulge in the wide selection of picturesque and relaxing spots. During the summer, the place is jampacked with people enjoying the limited amount of sunshine the country gets every year. During winter, the al fresco dining areas may get a little quieter, but with a cup of hot chocolate or coffee, sitting outside may not be so bad after all. If you prefer to go for something lighter and sweeter, there are some ice cream shops just around the corner that serves the signature softis.

2. Take the Copenhagen Canal Tour. The canal tour departs here and it definitely is one of my favourite canal tours in Europe. I have been on the tour three times now and still loves the view every single time. It is a good way to get in touch briefly with some of Copenhagen’s famous landmarks, its background and history. You will cruise past some interesting buildings like the Royal Library (Black Diamond), the Opera House, Noma (the world’s #1 restaurant) and Copenhagen’s most expensive apartments. Oh, and you’ll catch a glimpse of the Little Mermaid too! Very highly recommended tour.

3. Just walk around and take pictures. The place has a rich history and some buildings are even rumoured to be haunted (or so they said during Copenhagen Ghost Tour). In summer especially, it is very pleasant to just bask in the cheerful atmosphere of the people. In winter, there will be a Christmas Market along the harbour, which is always charming to visit. Last but not least, no picture of Copenhagen is ever complete without one of Nyhavn.

Is it no wonder that Nyhavn is a must-visit place for me everytime I am in Copenhagen?