Where to Find the Best Photo Spots in Copenhagen
Copenhagen is one of those cities that feels like it was made to be photographed, with colourful harbour houses, cobblestone streets, and a mix of historic architecture and modern design all within walking distance of each other. The challenge is knowing which angle to approach each spot from, and which quieter alternatives offer the same visual payoff without the crowds.
The best way to find the best photo spots in Copenhagen is by using a digital map. The StoryHunt app is a great example, as you simply open the interactive map, set your starting point, and it shows you the best spots nearby as you walk, so you spend less time searching and more time shooting.
The best photo spots in Copenhagen
Copenhagen rewards photographers who are willing to step off the main tourist route. These four areas each offer a distinct visual character and are worth planning a walk around.
- Nyhavn. The 17th-century canal is Copenhagen's most recognisable spot, with pastel-coloured houses, historic wooden boats, and waterfront bars that give it an unmistakable fairytale quality. The best shots are from the south side of the canal looking toward the painted facades, ideally in the early morning before the outdoor seating fills up. The reflections on the water at golden hour are worth a second visit.
- Magstræde. Magstræde is one of the most picturesque streets in Copenhagen's Old Town, famous for its winding corner and historic terraced buildings that make for an instantly striking composition. It's tucked away enough that it rarely gets crowded, making it the ideal spot for unhurried shots of Copenhagen's medieval street character.
- Rosenborg Castle and King's Garden. Rosenborg Castle is one of Copenhagen's best photography locations, with tree-lined paths and manicured lawns framing the castle from every angle, and seasonal colour from spring flowers to autumn foliage making it a year-round subject. The view from across the moat with the castle reflected in the water is the classic shot, but the garden paths offer quieter compositions too.
- Christianshavn canals. Christianshavn offers a more laid-back alternative to Nyhavn, with charming canals and colourful buildings lining the water in a quieter atmosphere that makes it easier to shoot without crowds in the frame. The canal along Overgaden Neden Vandet is the most photogenic stretch and rarely as busy as the main tourist areas.
Practical tips for photographing in Copenhagen
- Get to Nyhavn before 9am. The canal empties out overnight and fills up fast after breakfast. An early start gives you clean shots of the facades without parasols and tourists in the way.
- Walk the south side of Nyhavn, not the north. The south side faces the colourful houses and gets the better light in the morning.
- Visit The Lakes at sunset. The three rectangular lakes in the western part of the city centre reflect the sky and surrounding buildings beautifully, and the golden rays on the water's surface at sunset make it one of the best light-dependent photo spots in the city.
- Use the StoryHunt map to find hidden spots. The interactive map reveals photo locations just off the main routes, like Nyboder's historic yellow houses and Bertel Thorvaldsens Plads's reflective cobblestone square, that most visitors never find.
Let StoryHunt show you what to photograph
Rather than working from a static list, the StoryHunt app adapts to where you are.
The interactive map shows you the best photo spots in your immediate area, lets you build a walking route based on the time you have, and adds context about each location as you arrive.
It works the same way across Copenhagen's neighbourhoods and in cities worldwide, so the same tool that finds you the best shot in Christianshavn works just as well in London, Amsterdam, or New York.
