Nyhavn, Copenhagen

Nyhavn (New Harbor), which is flanked by a street of the same name, is located behind Amalienborg. During the summer, this charming area becomes a hive of activity. The canal is lined with brightly painted gabled buildings, bringing a burst of color to dreary days and inviting people to stop in for a look at the products on sale in the stores and a tasty bite to eat in the restaurants and cafés that call this place home.

An anchor marks the end of the Nyhavn harbor as a tribute to the Danish sailors who perished during World War II. Nyhavn was originally a seedy district of Copenhagen, but now, with its magnificent atmosphere, it is a particularly lovely area of the city that appears in innumerable photographs of the city. At anchor are idyllic museum ships, including a lightship (Fyrskib) from 1885. Hydrofoil and catamaran services to Sweden are available from Nyhavn, as well as tourist tours around the harbor and along the canal.

Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Highlights: colourful buildings
Best time to visit: May through September