Colourful homes line Nyhavn Canal, Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen in full colour. Nyhavn Canal, Copenhagen, Denmark

In Copenhagen, Nyhavn Canal is a burst of colour and history. Lined with bright, gabled townhouses reflected in the water, this 17th-century waterfront is one of Denmark's best-known landmarks.

Commissioned by King Christian V and constructed between 1670 and 1675 by Swedish prisoners of war, the canal created a direct link between the sea and Copenhagen's busy merchant district. Once a rough sailors' quarter filled with taverns, it has since become a lively promenade where cafés, restaurants and historic wooden ships line the harbour. Canal boats glide through the water, offering a front-row view of its colourful past and present.

Fairy tale author Hans Christian Andersen lived in three different houses along Nyhavn, writing stories while living at No. 20. At the harbour's edge, a large anchor commemorates Danish sailors who lost their lives during World War II. Though only about 450 metres long, Nyhavn packs centuries of maritime history into one unforgettable waterfront.