This page is a guide to Strøget, the world’s longest pedestrian shopping street, which runs from Kongens Nytorv to Rådhuspladsen in central Copenhagen.
Kongens Nytorv
Strøget starts at Kongens Nytorv (King’s New Square), across the square from Nyhavn – the iconic harbour with coloured houses. Other popular attractions like the Royal Palace or the Marble Church are also nearby.
If you want to start a Strøget walk from this side, the easiest way to get to Kongens Nytorv is by metro (station of same name). There are also many bus services from various parts of the city.
Østergade
The first section of Strøget from Kongens Nytorv is Østergade (East Street). Just few metres from Kongens Nytorv there is the Guinness World of Records Museum and then some of the finest shops and department stores follow. There is a variety of luxury and less-luxury Scandinavian and global brands of clothes, shoes, cosmetics, and accessories.
Amagertorv and Højbro Plads
After about 5 or 10 minutes walk, when you have seen the spires of Nikolaikirke (Church of Nikolai) on the left, you come to a big department store Illum and then to a square. Its name is Amagertorv (Amager Square) and there is another square adjacent to it on the left called Højbro Plads.
At Amagertorv you could turn right to Købmagergade, which would lead you to Museum of Erotica, Rundetårn (Round Tower), and eventually to Nørreport Station.
If you prefer to continue in the main direction, you pass further shops and cafés at Amagertorv and shortly you come to the massive Lutheran Helligåndskirken (Holy Ghost Church).
Vimmelskaftet and Nygade
The next section of Strøget is made up by streets called Vimmelskaftet and Nygade. But note that besides the main direction many smaller side streets and passages belong to Strøget too and their shops and restaurants are equally attractive.
At the crossing where Vimmelskaftet becomes Nygade you can visit the Vikinghouse – a Viking style restaurant during the day and a popular disco bar at night (and also a good place for watching football games). Opposite the Vikinghouse there is an Irish pub (The Irish Rover) with an outdoor bar.
Nytorv and Gammeltorv
Nygade brings you to Nytorv (New Square), which today forms a single square together with Gammeltorv (Old Square). The area used to be a busy marketplace in the past and today it often hosts culture events on the podium built here, for example the well-known Copenhagen Jazz Festival.
At Gammeltorv there is the oldest fountain in Copenhagen and one of its finest Renaissance monuments, the Caritas Well (Caritasbrønden) built in the early 17th century. This piece of artwork once served as an integral part of Copenhagen’s water supply system.
The dominant of Nytorv is the Classicist Copenhagen Court House, which until 1905 also performed the function of Copenhagen’s city hall.
Frederiksberggade
From Nytorv you take the last section of Strøget, Frederiksberggade, where you can visit some of the best chocolate shops in Copenhagen or buy various souvenirs. Then you finally come to Rådhuspladsen (City Hall Square), where you’ll see cars (and a lot of buses) again.
Rådhuspladsen
Today’s City Hall of Copenhagen is located here (hence the name). Next to the City Hall building across the whole square from Frederiksberggade there is the statue of Hans Christian Andersen and across the street the Tivoli Gardens.
How Long It Takes
Walking down the Strøget in its main direction described above will take you any time between 30 minutes and the whole day, depending on the frequency of your stops and visits to the shops and restaurants. You will most likely find a plenty of reasons to stop along Strøget.