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The incredible Opera House was built in just four years. Its massive, orange-maple coloured auditorium seats 1,700 people. The amazing sculptures in the foyer change colour with the weather.

Even today, the charming old harbour of Nyhavn is filled with boats. The old brothels and pubs are now respectable restaurants and bars. A new waterside theatre is due to open sometime in 2008.

The Black Diamond, an eye-catching extension of the Royal Library, is a vast, shiny structure. It is home to over 4.5 million books and also houses the Queen’s Hall and several exhibition spaces.

One of Copenhagen’s most scenic areas, this is a wonderful place to walk along the harbour banks. Stroll past Kastellet and the Little Mermaid, right up to the final stretch – the longest cruise ship pier outside Miami.

Take a refreshing dip in the sparkling clean harbour waters of this popular open-air pool, while enjoying superb views of the city. Located at Island’s Brygge, there are three pools to choose from – for adults, children and a pool for divers. They are separated from each other and from the harbour waters by floating bridges.

Den Lille Havfrue is a surprisingly small landmark, commissioned by the brewery magnate, Carl Jacobsen in 1909. The statue was created in 1913 by Edvard Eriksen, who used his wife Eline as the model.

This 18th-century fort has been used only once: on 1 April 1801, during the Battle of Copenhagen when firing against the British fleet. Second in command at that time was Admiral Lord Nelson.

The canals that you glide along on the tour, were built in a Dutch style in 1618 at the command of Christian IV. It is because of this that Christianshavn is sometimes also referred to as “Little Amsterdam”.

The houseboats along the canals have an eclectic mix of styles, ranging from the conventional boat-like structures, to some with barge-like designs and other modern, funky homes built on floating platforms, complete with outdoor spaces.

On the quayside, just beyond the Little Mermaid, are two green pavilions. It is here that the Danish royal family gathers before boarding their stunning, 79-m (259-ft) royal yacht, called the Dannebrog, also the name of the Danish flag, which is said to have fallen from the sky in the year 1219. Launched in 1931, the yacht is crewed by nine officers, seven sergeants, and 36 seamen: an improvement on the earlier royal ship, a paddle steamer dating back to the year 1879.