Over a thousand years ago, the waters of Copenhagen were once a Viking playground. But today, their longships have been replaced by cozy solar-powered craft takes visitors to 17th-century waterways holding a cup of hot chocolate instead of axes and sun compasses.
Locals ferry tourists into Denmark's past on social sailing tours, where tourists and locals together cruise along UNESCO castles, repurposed shipyards, and 19th-century naval barracks. The idea was born when two locals, Casper and Joel, realised tourists find locals a bit reserved and difficult to befriend. Hey Captain’s is one such social sailing tour.
The ride begins at Ofelia Plads, the city’s waterfront square. But instead of the usual hard benches and crackling loudspeakers of the big cruises, you sink into cushions and watch life float by. Tours are capped at 12 guests and almost feel like a living-room get-together.
The captain greets you by name and begins asking you questions like an old friend. People start introducing themselves, hesitantly at first, but as the boat glides on, the atmosphere becomes warm. First, you pass Amalienborg Palace, the official winter residence of Denmark’s royal family. You might get a glimpse of the Royal Guard marching in their bearskin hats, a ritual that has carried on since 1794. A little further along looms the Black Diamond, a glimmering extension to the Royal Danish Library that gets its name from the polished granite that reflects in the canal waters.
No script dictates the sailing route; captains tailor it to the group's tastes, mixing history with humour. As he shares stories, you find yourself spilling your own anecdotes to strangers on the boat.
Between grand tales of kings and sailors, the captain slips in local secrets: such as which bakery makes the fluffiest kanelsnurrer (a twisted cinnamon buns adored by Danes), which corner bar has the liveliest jazz on Tuesday nights, and which neighbourhood brewery pours the freshest pint.
By the time your boat loops back to Ofelia Plads, you’ve seen the city from angles that most visitors never glimpse. You step off the boat not only richer in history, but with a reminder that happiness is shared moments and new friendships, however brief they are.