Copenhagen is the vibrant capital of Denmark and is known for its design, historic streets, amazing food, and relaxed vibes. In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know to plan the perfect city trip to this charming Nordic city. From medieval castles, to the little mermaid statue, and must-see art. I’ve got you covered!
1) Nyhavn
Located in the heart of the city, Nyhavn is the iconic colourful waterfront district that everyone has seen in photos or travel books! It’s known for its colorful row of 17th-century townhouses. This is a tourist hotspot! Pop into a cafe or book a boat tour to discover the canals of Copenhagen. Spot the Opera house on the other side of Nyhavn as well.
2) Amalienborg Palace
Amalienborg Palace is the official residence of the Danish royal family. Only one part of the palace is open to the public. Check out the change of the guard around noon (free) in Amalienborg’s courtyard.
Fun fact: The royals are in town if the flags are up above the buildings. They were home when we were there!
3) Frederik’s Church (Marble Church)
Located in Old Town is Frederik’s Church. Take in its immense copper dome, one of the largest church domes in Europe. The dome’s design is inspired by the iconic St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
Fun fact: A lot of Danish and Norwegian marble was used to build this church, hence its nickname Marble Church.
4) Little Mermaid & Kastellet
Everyone says it, but still visits it: the Little Mermaid statue is not worth visiting. I still wanted to see it as I’ve seen the Canadian adaptation in Vancouver. Yes, the statue is tiny, and it’s way too crowded, but I still love this as a huge Little Mermaid fan. We then walked a bit further to also visit the 17th century Kastellet Fortress and its barracks.
5) Rosenborg Castle & King’s Garden
Rosenborg Castle is a magnificent palace located in the heart of Copenhagen. Visit its stunning rooms and chambers, but don’t forget its centerpiece: the Danish Crown Jewels. The collection is super impressive. After your visit, have a walk in the adjacent King’s Garden. As it was winter, the garden was not much, but we can imagine it looks wonderful during spring and summer!
7) Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden (1870) is a free public green space with more than 13,000 species and 27 glasshouses. The Palm House in the botanical garden requires a small entry fee. Once inside, go up the 16m tall narrow, cast-iron spiral staircase, or visit the Butterfly house, or the room with arctic plants (air conditioning in the room to re-create the temperature needed).
8) The Round tower
The round tower offers a 360-degree view of the city and houses an Observatory for observing planets during the winter months.
9) Copenhagen University Library
A must-visit is the library of Copenhagen University. It resembles Dublin’s Long Room at Trinity College and is very impressive.
10) Strøget
Strøget is one of Europe’s longest pedestrian streets, stretching over 1.1km. Find luxury brands such as Prada and Louis Vuitton here, but also H&M, Zara and more can be found here!
11) Christiansborg Palace
The Christiansborg Palace is the center of Denmark’s political life: housing the Danish Parliament, the Prime Minister’s Office, and the Supreme Court. Climb its tower (for free), for a panoramic view of the city.
12) Tivoli Gardens
Tivoli Gardens is one of the oldest amusement parks in the world, and was the inspiration for Disneyland. There are two types of tickets for Tivoli Gardens: an entry pass or an entry pass + a rides pass (unlimited rides). By mid-November, Tivoli Gardens turns into a giant Christmas Market.
Fun Fact: On Saturdays (and holidays), they shoot off fireworks around 11 pm
13) Freetown of Christiania
Christiana was an abandoned military base until 1971, when a group of people cut a hole in the fence and declared Chrisitan a free town (meaning independent of Danish Government laws and regulations). The inhabitants of Christiana (today 1,000+ people) built their homes themselves, giving the area a different look and feel than Copenhagen. Discover the eco-restaurants, galleries, and music venues.
Fun Fact: The “Green Light District” along Pusher Street is where you can openly buy and consume cannabis.
Fun Fact: Climb the tower of the Church of Our Saviour for an amazing view of Christianshavn.
14) Carlsberg Brewery
Carlsberg (1847) is the 4th largest beer producer worldwide. Do the Carlsberg Experience to learn more about its history, brewing process, and to of course taste it in the Carlsberg Beer Garden! This experience felt a bit similar to the Guinness Brewery Experience in Dublin.
15) Troll Hunt
Go on a troll hunt! Danish artist Thomas Dambo was inspired by the icon Good Luck Troll (a troll figure with bright pink hair) to hide huge wooden trolls all over the world (and it started in Copenhagen!). The troll figures are made out of recycled wood, plastic, metal, and salvaged materials. Back in my home country, Belgium, we have some! The ones in Copenhagen are a bit out of the center, but we’ve seen one at least in Christiania! This Troll Map will help you find the locations.
16) Swimming
Act like a local and swim at one of Copenhagen’s many “beaches” (piers and docks). Check out Islands Brygge, Badezone Sandkaj or Copenhot (with sauna!) on the north side of town.
17) Day trip to Malmö
You can take a day trip from Copenhagen to Malmö, Sweden! Take the 1.5-hour train ride to Malmö and visit this lovely (rather small) Swedish city!
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions Copenhagen
🕒 How many days do you need for a city trip in Copenhagen?
A minimum of 3 full days in Copenhagen is a must. Stay longer to also do day trips to Malmö (Sweden) or other cities in Denmark.
🚴♀️ Getting Around in Copenhagen
The best way to explore Copenhagen is by bicycle (spring and summer) or on foot. You can’t do anything with your car here, and parking per day costs €50 a day (and most hotels don’t have private parking!).
💲 Is Copenhagen a budget-friendly destination?
There is no way around it: Copenhagen is an expensive city trip. Even if there are ways to save a few kroner, you should set your budget expectations accordingly. Food and drinks are above European prices.
Budget tip: We had breakfast at our hotel for €10 instead of spending more on breakfast and coffee bars.
🛟 Is it safe in Copenhagen?
Yes, Copenhagen is safe for travelers. Always stay vigilant for pickpockets or scams.
🛌 Where to stay in Copenhagen?
Copenhagen has a lot of hostels if you want to keep it cheap. The city also offers a wide variety of Hotels (€-€€€€). Manon Les Suites (€€€€) is the most Instagrammable hotel in the city. The Hotel also offers day passes for its swimming pool and sauna. We stayed at Generator Copenhagen, a hostel with private rooms, located in the middle of the city. We went for a budget hotel/hostel within walking distance of everything.
🧳 What should I pack for Copenhagen?
Use my ultimate packing list to make packing easy!
