Stork Fountain (Storkespringvandet), Amagertorv
Elegant 1894 bronze fountain on Amagertorv, where storks, royal history and everyday city life meet in the busy heart of Copenhagen’s old town.
Set at the heart of Copenhagen’s old town on Amagertorv, the bronze Stork Fountain is a beloved 1894 landmark and classic meeting point along the Strøget pedestrian street. Three elegant storks poised as if about to take flight rise above a circular basin, framed by Renaissance façades, flagship shops and café terraces. Free to visit and always accessible, it is as much an everyday gathering place as a small piece of Danish history, complete with a quirky midwives’ dance tradition each May.
A brief summary to Stork Fountain
- Amagertorv 6, Copenhagen, København K, 1160, DK
- +4570222442
- Visit website
- Duration: 0.5 to 1.5 hours
- Free
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
Local tips
- Come early in the morning for clear photos of the fountain and surrounding façades before Strøget fills with shoppers and street performers.
- Stand at the edge of the basin and look outward: the radiating streets give you an instant feel for the layout of Copenhagen’s historic core.
- If visiting in late May, ask locally whether newly graduated midwives are dancing around the fountain, a long-running Copenhagen tradition.
- Combine a quick stop here with a slow coffee at one of the nearby cafés to enjoy people-watching as the square steadily comes to life.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Drinking Water
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
- Visitor Center
Getting There
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Metro from central Copenhagen
From Nørreport Station, take any Cityring metro line (M1, M2, M3 or M4) one stop to Gammel Strand or Kongens Nytorv; both stations are within a short urban walk of Amagertorv. The ride itself is around 2–3 minutes, with trains running every few minutes throughout most of the day. A single zone ticket or City Pass typically costs the same as any inner‑city metro journey in Copenhagen, and lifts and escalators make the stations accessible for most visitors.
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Bus within the inner city
Several city bus lines serve stops close to Strøget and Amagertorv, with travel times from other central neighbourhoods usually between 5 and 20 minutes depending on distance and traffic. Standard bus fares match metro prices for equivalent zones, and tickets or travel cards cover both modes. Buses can be crowded at rush hour, but they offer a straightforward option if you prefer to minimise walking from outlying districts.
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Cycling in the city centre
Copenhagen’s dense network of bike lanes makes cycling to Amagertorv a practical choice from most central districts, often taking 5–15 minutes. You can use a rental or shared bike; typical day rentals are priced at a modest daily rate, while app‑based bikes charge per minute. Remember that Strøget itself is pedestrianised, so you will need to dismount and walk the final stretch, and keep in mind that bike parking space near the square can be limited at busy times.
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Walking from nearby central areas
From major central landmarks such as City Hall Square, Gammel Strand or Kongens Nytorv, reaching the Stork Fountain on foot usually takes about 5–15 minutes at a relaxed pace. The route is flat and fully paved, passing through busy pedestrian streets with frequent crossings and shopfronts, which makes it suitable for most visitors, including those pushing strollers or using mobility aids, though crowds can slow progress at peak shopping hours.
Stork Fountain location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Clear Skies
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Mild Temperatures
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Cold Weather
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Rain / Wet Weather
Discover more about Stork Fountain
A bronze landmark in Copenhagen’s historic heart
The Stork Fountain stands in the middle of Amagertorv, one of Copenhagen’s oldest squares and a natural pause point along the Strøget pedestrian spine. Here, between ornate gabled townhouses and upscale shopfronts, the fountain’s slim bronze storks rise above the paving stones, catching the northern light and anchoring the bustle of the old town. Unveiled in 1894, the fountain quickly became a preferred rendezvous spot. Today it still serves as a kind of urban compass point: an easy place to say “meet me by the storks” before exploring nearby streets, cafés and side alleys.Royal celebrations and artistic craftsmanship
The fountain was presented in 1894 in connection with the silver wedding anniversary of Crown Prince Frederik, later King Frederik VIII, and Crown Princess Louise. This royal occasion gave the piece instant prestige and cemented Amagertorv’s role as a ceremonial as well as commercial space. The design was drawn by Edvard Petersen and realized in bronze by sculptor Vilhelm Bissen, who gave the storks their distinctive sense of movement. Perched on a central column, wings half-spread, they appear ready to lift off above the basin, a subtle symbol of renewal and forward motion in a city that was modernizing fast at the end of the 19th century.Symbolism, details and the life of the square
Storks carry rich associations in Danish folklore, tied to good fortune, fertility and new beginnings. That symbolism finds physical form here, where water spills gently from beaks and ledges into the round basin below. The sculpture is finely worked yet robust, made to withstand both coastal weather and constant human company. Around it stretches Amagertorv’s fan of cobblestones and geometric paving, lined by façades that reveal centuries of architectural styles. Outdoor tables cluster nearby in warmer months, street musicians often set up within earshot, and the fountain’s low rim becomes informal seating for shoppers, office workers and sightseers taking a short break.A quirky midwives’ tradition in May
One of the square’s more charming rituals dates back to 1950, when it became customary for newly graduated midwives to dance around the fountain. Each May, white-clad students arrive with flowers, laughter and music, circling the storks in celebration of their new profession. The sight underlines how closely the fountain is woven into the city’s social fabric. It is not just a decorative object, but a stage for small ceremonies, chance meetings and everyday rituals that repeat year after year.Experiencing the fountain throughout the day
Early in the morning, the fountain can feel almost contemplative, with only the sound of water and the echo of footsteps along largely empty streets. By midday the tone changes: shoppers crowd the paving, cyclists pass the ends of the square, and the air is filled with the clink of cups from nearby cafés. After dark, soft lighting picks out the bronze surfaces while the surrounding windows glow, giving the storks a slightly theatrical presence. Whether you linger for a photo, rest at the edge of the basin or simply cross the square on your way elsewhere, the fountain offers a brief but vivid snapshot of Copenhagen city life.A compact stop on a wider city wander
The Stork Fountain itself is small and can be appreciated in a short visit, making it an easy inclusion on a broader walk through the inner city. Its central position places you within steps of churches, historic squares and shopping streets, yet the immediate space still manages to feel contained and readable. Taken together—the royal backstory, folkloric storks, midwives’ dance and constant movement around the basin—this modest fountain encapsulates much of what defines Copenhagen: tradition carried lightly, artistry integrated into daily routines, and public space used as a shared living room.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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Unmissable attractions to see
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Læderstræde
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Strøget
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Stromma Canal Tours
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Essential places to dine
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Restaurant Sole D’Italia - København
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Marv & Ben
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King Hans Cellar
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Llama
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Københavner Cafeen
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l’Alsace
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Restaurant 1733
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Restaurant Kronborg
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Det Lille Apotek
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Marchal
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Frank
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Restaurant Grønnegade
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
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Magnolias
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Danish Souvenirs & Luggages
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Hygge Original
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A cozy Danish design shop on Amagertorv, offering hygge-inspired clothing, textiles and gifts in a calm, Scandinavian setting amid Copenhagen’s busiest streets.
ILLUM
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ILLUM is Copenhagen’s iconic department store, combining world-class fashion, Danish design, gourmet food, and rooftop views in historic Indre By.
Urban Outfitters
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Akimbo
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Norse Store
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Studio Arhoj
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Essential bars & hidden hideouts
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Bo-Bi Bar
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The Moose
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The Jane
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Ruby
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Nightclubs & after hour spots
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Hive
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Mirror
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Miami Bar
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Arch
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Club Mambo
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Mirage
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Scenic
- Fun-filled
- Lively
- Unique
- Casual
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Vintage Styles
- Modern Designs
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Landmarks
- Heritage Neighborhoods
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
For the social media creator & influencer
- Instagrammable
- Photo Spots
- Selfie Spots
- Reel-Friendly
- Architectural Shots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Low Impact
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Locally Managed
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Roadtrip Stop
- Day Trip
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
- LGBT Friendly
- Business Friendly
