Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Amagertorv is a highlight for shoppers, with the Royal Copenhagen
store—stacked with three floors of porcelain—and Illums Bolighus' three
floors of modern Danish design (see “Shopping in Copenhagen,” later). A
blocktowardthecanal—runningparalleltotheStrøget—startsStrædet,which
is a “second Strøget” featuring cafés, antique shops, and no fast food.
North of Amagertorv, a broad pedestrian mall called
Købmagergade
leads
past a fine modern bakery (Illum Bager, next to McDonald's; salads, sand-
wiches, and traditional pastries) to Christian IV's Round Tower and the Latin
Quarter (university district). The recommended Café Norden overlooks the
fountain—a good place for a meal or coffee with a view. The second floor of-
fers the best vantage point.
The final stretch of the Strøget leads to
Pistolstræde
(leading off the Strø-
get to the left from Østergade at #24, just after crossing the busy street), a cute
lane of shops in restored 18th-century buildings. Wander back into the half-
timbered section.
• Continuing along the Strøget, passing major department stores (see “Shop-
ping in Copenhagen,” later), you'll come to the biggest square in town...
Kongens Nytorv
The “King's New Square” is home to the National Theater, French embassy,
and venerable Hotel d'Angleterre. In the mid-1600s the city expanded, push-
ing its wall farther east. The equestrian statue in the middle of the square cel-
ebrates Christian V, who made this square the city's geographical and cultur-
al center. In 1676, King Christian rode off to reconquer the southern tip of
Sweden and reclaim Denmark's dominance. He returned empty-handed and
broke. Denmark became a second-rate power, but Copenhagen prospered. In
the winter this square becomes a popular ice-skating rink.
