[Countrywide] Historic waterfront quarters: which harbors and “old waterside streets” are best for an easy scenic stroll?

If we’re talking historic waterfront quarters that are actually pleasant to walk, not just dodge selfie sticks, Stockholm’s Gamla Stan along Skeppsbron still does it for me, especially early morning when the water is calm and the city feels half-asleep. The old waterside streets there have this quietly smug beauty—faded facades, creaky boats, and views that don’t need filters—though by midday it can feel like a cruise ship daycare. From what I’ve seen it’s best as a slow loop rather than a power walk, paired with a coffee stop once the wind reminds you you’re in Scandinavia, not Italy. Curious if anyone thinks Nyhavn or Bryggen still counts as “authentic,” or have those ships sailed?

I’m pretty fired up about this topic, because for me Bryggen in Bergen still wipes the floor with most “historic harbor” strolls in Norway. Yes, it’s famous, but when you walk it properly — not just the front row — it feels alive. Duck behind the main facades, wander the narrow wooden passages, listen to the creaking boards and the harbor sounds, and suddenly it’s not a postcard anymore, it’s a place. Early morning or golden hour is unbeatable, especially on a weekday when cruise crowds haven’t taken over. I usually loop Bryggen into Sandviken for a calmer finish and a different angle on the harbor. Did you consider continuing the walk north instead of looping back the same way?