I think the answer is obvious at first glance. 

A row of colourful, picturesque old houses leaning gently against one another, stretching just far enough to feel as if they dissolve into the sea and the sky (a sky that is among the most beautiful I have ever seen). At the corners of the bridges, the street is filled with tourists, for a good reason. We were there too, squeezing in like everyone else. Everyone wants a good photo, let’s not pretend otherwise.

The famous facades glow in shades of yellow, red, blue and green, while above them the sky looks as if it has been painted with watercolours, softly blending pale blue with hints of pink. It feels almost unreal, like a postcard that somehow came to life.

But Nyhavn is more than just a beautiful view. 

A street with a rich history

Created in the late 17th century under King Christian V, Nyhavn was originally a busy commercial port, the gateway from the sea into Copenhagen’s old town. Ships once brought goods, fish, sailors and stories into the city, and the area was known for its lively, sometimes rough atmosphere, filled with taverns, beer, sailors and night life.

Over time, as ships grew larger and trade moved elsewhere, Nyhavn lost its original purpose. Instead of fading away, it transformed. In the late 20th century, the area was carefully revitalised and turned into a pedestrian zone and a historic harbour, home to beautifully preserved wooden ships that now rest quietly along the canal.

Of course it feels like a fairytale – after all, Mr. Andersen once lived here!

Many of the colourful houses date back to the 17th and early 18th century, including Copenhagen’s oldest standing house at number 9. The street also has a literary soul, Hans Christian Andersen lived in Nyhavn for many years, writing some of his most famous fairy tales just steps away from the water.

Today, Nyhavn is a place where history, beauty and everyday life meet. Locals sit in the sun, even now during these cold days, tourists (but also locals) wander with cameras in their hands, old ships rock gently in the canal, and cafés and bars line the waterfront. It no longer carries cargo, but it carries atmosphere. 

So, I think Nyhavn is special just because it doesn’t try to impress. It simply exists, colourful and calm, reminding us why some places stay with you long after we’ve left them.