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City Hall Square, Copenhagen (Rådhuspladsen)

Rådhuspladsen, København,

Description

City Hall Square (Rådhuspladsen) was historically the site of Copenhagen's hay market and the Western City Gate. Nowadays it is a popular public gathering space for events, celebrations, and demonstrations and it is embellished by the Dragon Fountain sculpture (showing a fight between a bull and a dragon) and a statue of Hans Christian Andersen. It also marks the western end of the famous Strøget shopping street. Surrounding buildings include the City Hall completed in 1905 with inspiration from its counterpart in Siena (the slim clock tower in particular), the modern Industriens Hus business centre, the Richs Building with the gilded sculpture of the Weather Girl, and the Palace Hotel.

Access & Transport

The square is at the western edge of the inner city-centre, alongside the high-traffic thoroughfare of HC Andersens Blvd. It is served directly by the namesake Rådhuspladsen metro station (M3, M4) and is only 400m away from the Vesterport train station.

Instructions & Recommendations

We suggest arriving there from Strøget and then heading either for one of the museums (National Museum of Denmark or the Glyptotek) or the Tivoli Gardens amusement park. Also worth seeing when lit up in the evening.

Meta review

Online reviews tend to describe the function and buildings surrounding the square rather than give an opinion about it but those that do are overall favourable with the caveat of vehicle traffic on the HC Andersens Blvd. The highlight is clearly the dominating structure of the City Hall but the various old hotels add a certain charm typical or Northern European city squares. Worth a look according to most reviewers but the term "unmissable" is not a recurring one.

Environmental & Social

Mostly concrete with few green spaces. Part of the city's architectural heritage.

Conclusion

In our opinion, the square lacks charm but is nonetheless worth visiting for the buildings that surround it, the City Hall first among them. Not a place to linger but a convenient one to start or end the day when travelling by public transport.

Key positive

Visually impressive City Hall building

Easy to reach by public transport and near other attractions

Key negative

The square itself feels bare and exposed to nearby car traffic

Suitability

No restrictions

About this Rating

TYPE

Desktop

RESEARCHED IN

August 2024

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit

av. transport time:0h 20m

est. visit time:0h 40m

Sunlight based

Sunrise / early morningOk

MorningOk

Lunch timeOk

AfternoonOk

Sunset / eveningOk

Night – bef. midnightNo

Night – aft. midnightNo

Pricing
Free

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