Water is a major player in Copenhagen, where you’ll find a wonderful blend of ancient city streets and lively canals, all intertwined to create this capital. And although 1.7 million live in the greater Copenhagen area, this city is actually quite an intimate locale.

You easily can explore the city center on foot, which I recommend as the best way to see the sights. The city also has excellent public transportation, and, if you purchase a CPHCARD (available at many hotels, train stations, tourists offices and the airport), you can take advantage of free transport via train, bus and Metro, as well as free entry to 60 museums and attractions throughout the city.

Once you set out to discover Copenhagen’s many treasures, I recommend including these five stops on your itinerary:

1. A Canal Tour

A great way to see this city is via a canal tour. Lasting about an hour, my tour with DFDS Canal Tours took me throughout the city, with the guide pointing out many of the city’s attractions and historical sites. At once relaxing and informative, canal tours provide a unique perspective on Copenhagen.

2. The Little Mermaid

Touted as Denmark’s most popular tourist attraction, The Little Mermaid is the subject of one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most famous fairy tales (long before Disney romanticized it for children). Presented to Copenhagen in 1913 by the Carlsberg Brewery, she sits forlornly, overlooking the water as she mourns her lost love.

3. Strøget

The city’s main pedestrian street, Strøget is the prime destination for fashion, home décor, collectibles and more. If shopping for something decidedly Danish, select a piece of Royal Copenhagen porcelain for you and a handcrafted wooden toy for the kids. The area also is a great place to take a break and experience some of the city’s finest eateries. From micro-brews to pickled herring, this is the place to sample the local cuisine.

4. Kastellet (the Citadel)

A military fortification open to visitors to explore its beautiful green grounds, Kastellet provides gorgeous views of the water, shady spots to relax and one of the country’s best-preserved windmills, which was constructed in 1847. This is an ideal spot for outdoor enthusiasts, active travelers and families with children.

5. Tivoli Gardens

Opened in 1843, this amusement park contains 25 rides, several performance venues and a number of restaurants. One such ride, The Flying Trunk, examines Andersen’s fairy tales in an amusing way. Similar to Disney’s “It’s a Small World” ride, The Flying Trunk takes riders on a journey through 32 of Andersen’s fairy tales. The fun part was seeing which ones I recognized and trying to figure out those I did not.

Obviously, there is a lot more to see in Copenhagen, so, when planning your visit, I highly recommend allowing adequate time to see and do all that you want -- I would say at least three days minimum. Of course, feel free to extend your stay more than that. If it were up to me, I certainly would have!

Photos by Karon Warren.