Copenhagen’s Storybook Christmas: A Hans Christian Andersen Tour

Copenhagen transforms into a magical setting during the festive season, with the spirit of Denmark’s beloved fairy-tale author infusing every corner. On this enchanting walking tour, you’ll discover how Hans Christian Andersen’s life and stories intertwine with the traditions of Christmas as you explore the heart of Copenhagen.

This tour can be enjoyed any time of the year – whenever the fairy-tale spirit calls – but if you’re here at Christmastime, the city becomes truly magical. As you wander through its historic streets, I’ll tell you how Andersen spent his Christmases with Denmark’s elite families, and how their friendship and hospitality left a lasting imprint on his life. I’ll also introduce you to his timeless fairy tales – including lesser-known works – filled with whimsical charm and profound reflections on life.

The tour begins at Gammel Strand Metro Station, where your journey through Copenhagen’s historic center begins. You’ll weave through elegant streets and past stunning landmarks like the colorful houses of Nyhavn, where Andersen lived in three different homes, and pass charming bakeries and historic churches that shaped his Christmas experiences.

The tour ends at the Hans Christian Andersen monument near City Hall Square, an ideal place to pause and reflect on the author’s enduring legacy.

On this two-hour tour, you’ll have the chance to:

• Discover the preserved attic chamber where Andersen lived as a struggling student, hidden inside a modern department store
• Walk past the Royal Danish Theatre, where Andersen’s artistic journey began
• Visit Nyhavn 20, where he wrote some of his most beloved tales, including The Little Mermaid and The Emperor’s New Clothes
• Learn about Nissen, the mischievous Danish Christmas elf who predates Santa’s helpers
• Glimpse Hviids Vinstue, Copenhagen’s oldest pub, and sample a cup of traditional Christmas gløgg
• Visit Sankt Peders Bakery, founded in 1652, where families once brought their Christmas geese to roast
• Discover the origin of the braided paper heart, a now-classic Danish Christmas decoration invented by Andersen himself

Step into the enchanting world of Hans Christian Andersen and see how his imagination, kindness, and wonder helped shape the spirit of Christmas for generations to come.