Laundryheap Blog – Laundry & Dry Cleaning

Same-day collection. Free delivery in 24 hours.

Tag Archives: Must-see sights


by Leave a comment

Copenhagen must-see sights

Image by City Clock Magazine

When you are visiting a country for only a small amount of time, it can be hard to prioritse what you should see and what you can miss. If you are visiting Copenhagen, these are the sites you should not be missing out on. 

  • Tivoli Gardens 
  • Christiansborg Palace
  • Nyhavn Harbour
  • The Round Tower
  • The Little Mermaid
  • Torvehallerne Food Market
  • Frederik’s Church
  • Rosenborg Castle 
  • The Wooden Skyscraper 
  • Bakken 

Tivoli Gardens

The magic of Tivoli Gardens is a Copenhagen site that you would be devastated to miss. Since its opening in 1843, Tivoli Gardens has been delighting visitors of all ages with its beautiful architecture, lush gardens, and, at night, twinkling lights that add to the fairy tale atmosphere. Walt Disney himself even visited Tivoli Gardens and said that it was his inspiration for Disney World. Whether you are a thrill-seeker looking to ride the rollercoasters, or you’re more interested in taking in the beautiful architecture and gardens, there is something to please everyone at Tivoli Gardens. 

Image by Charlie

Christiansborg Palace

If you want to experience 800 years of history in one day then head to Christiansborg Palace. Although most of the palace is open for visitors to tour, it is still home to the Danish parliament, the Prime Ministers office, and the Supreme Court, and some rooms are still occupied by the Royal Family. With every ticket for the Royal Reception Rooms, you will be given a free guided tour of the palace. Even if you don’t want to explore the inside, the outside of the palace is just as beautiful. 

Image by Jorge Franganillo

Nyhavn Harbour

Nyhavn was once a busy commercial port where ships from across the world would dock. Today, you can find hoards of people relaxing, drinking, and enjoying jazz music in restaurants that line the port. The old houses of Nyhavn, some of which fairy tale writer Hans Christian Anderson occupied, have been renovated and in their place stand brightly coloured homes that paint the perfect picture of happiness. If you’re looking for somewhere to drink, eat good food, and enjoy a relaxing day, then look no further than Nyhavn Harbour.

Image by E_Scott from Pixabay

The Round Tower

Built in 1642, The Round Tower is a 36-meter-high building that offers incredible views of the Old Town of Copenhagen. The tower was built by Christian IV in a time when Denmark was renowned for its astronomical achievements, thanks to Tycho Brahe. When Brahe died, Christian IV built The Round Tower to encourage astronomers to carry on Brahe’s work. Today, it is still used by amateur astronomers, but is used more to get panoramic views of the Old Town. Be warned, to get to the viewing platform you must walk up a spiral staircase, but, if the staircases hasn’t already, the view at the top will take your breath away. 

Image by Maria Eklind

The Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid has become an iconic landmark in Copenhagen. Based off of the Hans Christian Anderson tale of the same name, the statue sits by the waterside at the Langelinie promenade, and depicts a human turning into a mermaid. It was commissioned in 1909 by Carl Jacobsen, who had become fascinated by a ballet based on the tale. Edvard Eriksen sculpted the piece, and the grand unveiling took place in August 1913. It has since become a symbol for Copenhagen in the same way at the Statue of Liberty has for New York, and tourists flock to the statute to take pictures. You may be waiting a while to see the mermaid, but you wouldn’t want to miss it. 

Photo by C1superstar from Pexels

Torvehallerne Food Market

Conveniently situated close to Nørreport Station, Torvehallerne Food Market is one of Copenhagen’s most popular markets. With more than 80 shops to browse, you can find everything from traditional Danish food to local vegetables and fresh fish. It’s the perfect place to stroll around at your leisure, try some samples, and enjoy what produce Copenhagen has to offer. 

Image by Heather Cowper

Frederik’s Church

Nicknamed The Marble Church, Frederik’s Church is one of the most impressive buildings in Copenhagen. Located in Frederiksstaden, the foundation stone of the church was laid in 1749, but the project was not completed until 1894. The building itself is incredibly striking, with a copper green dome that juxtaposes the delicate white marble beautifully. Inside the church is equally as delightful, so it is no surprise that couples are desperate to get married here. The church room is open to the public, as is the dome which offers draw-dropping views of Copenhagen. 

Image by Tony Webster

Rosenborg Castle 

Built as a country summer house by Christian IV 400 years ago, Rosenborg Castle offers visitors the chance to travel back in time and explore the grandeur of Christian IV life. After exploring the pomp and pageantry of the castle, visitors can roam the Kongens Have (the Kings Garden), the oldest royal garden in Denmark. Estimated to attract 2.5 million visitors every year, these gardens are a popular retreat for tourists and locals alike. Sit on the lush green grass, wander the paths, and feel like a true royal for the day.

Image by Steve Barker from Pixabay

The Wooden Skyscraper 

An hour south of Copenhagen, standing in the Gisselfeld Klosters Forest, you will find Denmark’s Wooden Skyscraper. What appears to be a structure right out of a Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale, is a 45 meter tall observation tower, completed with a spiralling walkway for easy access. Made from weathered steel and local oak, the structure blends seamlessly into the surrounding forest environment. Once you reach the top, you will be treated to views of rolling hills, lakes, and, on a clear day, Copenhagen. Although you have to travel an hour outside of the city to reach the structure, the spectacular view, both on the way up and from the top, is worth it.

Image by Stig Nygaard

Bakken 

Located in the woods of Dyrehaven you will find Bakken, the oldest amusement park in the world. Founded in 1853, Bakken has been delighting visitors of all ages for centuries. Whether you are a thrill seeker looking to ride rollercoasters, or you want to stroll around the independent stalls, there is something for everyone. Whilst visiting, look out for Pjerrot, the white-faced clown who has been delighting visitors since the parks opening. 

Image by J M Rice

With so many amazing sights in Copenhagen, the last sight you want to see is your laundry pile. Luckily, we can take care of that for you. Simply head to the Laundryheap website, or download the free Laundryheap app, to make your booking today. 


by Leave a comment

Rotterdam must-see sights

Photo by Steshka Willems from Pexels

Rotterdam is a major port city in the south of Holland. After being mostly destroyed during World War 2, Rotterdam was rebuilt and is now known for its bold and modern architecture, amongst its other must-see sights. 

  • The Cube Houses
  • Market Hall
  • The Kinderdijk Windmills
  • Kunsthal Rotterdam
  • Erasmus Bridge
  • Rotterdam boat tour
  • The Witte Huis
  • Luchtsingel Bridge
  • Delfshaven
  • Floating Forest

The Cube Houses 

The Cube Houses are one of Rotterdam’s most iconic sites. They were designed by architect Piet Blom in the late 1970s, who designed the housing development as cubes tilted at a 45-degree angle. Their asymmetrical design was intended to resemble an abstract forest, with each triangular rooftop representing a tree. You can see how the space inside each cube has been utilised by visiting the Show Cube, which holds the original designs and history of the development. Conveniently located next to the Rotterdam Blaak railway station, The Cube Houses are easily accessible, and even form a pedestrian bridge into the city center. 

Photo by Claudia Schmalz from Pexels

Market Hall

Nicknamed “Koopboog” (horseshoe) by locals, the Market Hall is a popular hangout spot for locals and tourists. Formed from an office complex opened in 2014, the Market Hall comes complete with arched ceilings and larger-than-life murals of produce that celebrate the array of fresh food that is on offer. Here, fast food stores and fancy restaurants live in perfect harmony, and you may find it difficult to choose where to eat. From traditional Dutch delicacies to Spanish tapas, you will find an array of cuisines to fit any pallet. 

Image by ddzphoto from Pixabay

The Kinderdijk Windmills

Located 23 kilometers east of Rotterdam, is the idyllic village of Kinderdijk, where you can find the 19 Kinderdijk Windmills. Built between 1722 and 1761, each of the 19 windmills is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Together, they form the largest surviving concentration of windmills in the country. Despite not being active, on National Mill Day, celebrated on the second Saturday and Sunday of May, their sails are spun. The Kinderdijk Windmills are one of the most visited and iconic places in the Netherlands, and definitely worth seeing. 

Image by BriYYZ

Kunsthal Rotterdam

Kunsthal was opened in 1992 and has been the host of a wide variety of global traveling exhibits. Each year, more than 20 exhibitions are hosted at the Kunsthal, the most notable of which has been the 2013 exhibit ‘The fashion world of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the catwalk’. The box-shaped building holds seven exhibition spaces, which are accessible via a sloping and spiraling floor. Designed by Rem Koolhaas, the Kunsthal building is often referred to as a work of art itself, as Koolhaas opted to give the museum an industrial look using corrugated plastic, raw concrete, galvanized steel, and roughly sawn tree trunks- materials that have never been used to build art galleries before. 

Erasmus Bridge

Erasmus Bridge is an important Rotterdam landmark. Stretching 802 meters, the bridge crosses the Nieuwe Maas and connects the north and south of Rotterdam. Completed in 1996, Erasmus Bridge is a great way to reach one side of the city from the other, and is especially beautiful at night when it is illuminated. It was named after Christian Renaissance humanist Desiderius Erasmus, otherwise known as Erasmus of Rotterdam. 

Image by Luke Price

Rotterdam boat tour

Rotterdam is a major port city, and the best way to tour the ports is via boat. There are many different companies that offer boat tours, with some offering dining options. Each tour provides an in-depth tour of the ports and a history of Rotterdam. A boat tour is a perfect way to see the highlights of Rotterdam, in a comfortable and intimate way, whilst learning about the amazing city. Most tours last roughly 75-90 minutes, so make sure to block out a good portion of your day to enjoy the tour. 

Image by Guilhem Vellut

The Witte Huis

Standing proudly at 43 meters tall, The Witte Huis (White House) was Europe’s first skyscraper. Built in 1898, it was formed using white-glazed brick and decorated with Art Nouveau mosaics and statues. On the 14th of May 1940, it was one of the only buildings in Rotterdam to survive a German bombing. It now serves as a national monument and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors to the building can enjoy a relaxing drink in the Grand Café Het Witte Huis, located on the ground floor of the building. 

Image by Fred Romero

Luchtsingel Bridge

Luchtsingel Bridge was the world’s first crowdfunded public infrastructure project. The 400-meter long bridge connects the center of Rotterdam to Rotterdam North, a relatively vacant and neglected area of the city. The bridge was funded by over 8,000 people who donated to fund the construction. Every person who donated €25 has had their names permanently engraved on the wooden boards of the bridge as a sign of thanks. 

Delfshaven

Delfshaven is a beautiful historic town located in the west of Rotterdam. When Rotterdam was bombed during World War 2, Delfshaven was not hit, which has meant that much of the town’s original infrastructure still remains. Asides from its war history, Delfshaven is also famous for being the port from which the pilgrims departed for their voyage to America. As you discover the history of Delfshaven, you can enjoy the multitude of quaint cafes and restaurants in the area. Delfshaven is a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of Rotterdam’s center. 

Floating Forest

The Floating Forest is the very first of its kind. Floating in the port of Rotterdam, it was created by the cultural association Mothership and is based on the artwork ‘In Search of Habitus’ by Jorge Bakker. The forest consists of 20 Dutch elm trees, which stand tall on recycled buoys. The aim of the project is to lower CO2 emissions in Rotterdam, whilst creating a visual impact that shows the contrast between nature and the city. It is truly a sight to behold, made better by its impact on saving the environment. 

Image by GraphyArchy

Rotterdam is home to some truly spectacular sights. Whilst you enjoy these sights, we will enjoy dry cleaning your laundry. To book your Laundryheap service, simply head to the Laundryheap website or download the free Laundryheap app.