Best Things to Do in Copenhagen, Denmark
Are you looking for the best things to do in Copenhagen, Denmark?
Copenhagen is my favorite city out of all the Nordic capitals. It balances historic charm with modern Scandinavian design. It’s a vibrant city that has a big focus on art, design, food, and sustainability.
Here are the best things to do in Copenhagen on your trip:
Christiansborg Palace
Christiansborg Palace is not actually a palace (although it once was) but rather the home of the Danish Parliament, the Supreme Court, and the Ministry of State. You can still tour some parts of the historic palace, including the Royal Reception Rooms, the Royal Kitchen, and the Royal Stables.
However, I actually recommend visiting a different royal residence (which I’ll talk about below) instead of paying to visit Christiansborg Palace. Instead, my recommendation here is the Christiansborg Palace Tower, which is totally free to visit. The tower offers amazing sweeping views over Copenhagen.
Nyhavn
Nyhavn is probably the most photographed street in Copenhagen, and it’s not hard to see why. This pedestrian-only thoroughfare along a canal is lined with colorful houses dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. Historic wooden ships bob in the canal, adding to the picturesque scene of Nyhavn.
This is a great place to go for a stroll. The canal is lined with waterfront restaurants and bars that are always packed on a sunny day. However, these are all very touristy and overpriced so I wouldn’t eat or drink here. But it’s definitely a nice place to walk around and photograph the colorful historic homes.
Walking tour
A walking tour is the perfect way to get acquainted with a new city. I like to do a walking tour shortly after arriving in a new destination so I can figure out the lay of the land and discover cool spots to come back to.
This free walking tour with daily departures offers a great overview of Copenhagen. You’ll get to know the city and get an overview of Copenhagen’s highlights. The tour is free, but the guides work for tips.
Rosenborg Castle
As I alluded to earlier, Rosenborg Castle is the royal residence I recommend visiting (if you can choose only one). This beautiful castle was built by Christian IV as a summer house in the early 17th century.
Rosenborg Castle houses some of Denmark’s greatest cultural treasures, including the Crown Jewels. The interior of the castle is extremely beautiful and well-preserved. You can see ticket information here. You’ll need to book your tickets online in advance and select a time slot for your visit to Rosenborg Castle.
You can also visit the castle gardens, which are very pretty, for free.
The Little Mermaid
One of Denmark’s most famous historical figures is Hans Christian Andersen, the Danish author who is best remembered for his fairytales. One of those stories is The Little Mermaid.
There’s a bronze statue of The Little Mermaid sitting on a rock in the harbor that is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Copenhagen. A lot of people are disappointed when they see it because of how small the statue actually is. Personally, I really like this statue and think it’s worth a visit.
The statue is located along the Langelinie Promenade, and it’s a scenic 25-minute walk from Nyhavn to get there. While you’re over there, you can visit Kastellet, a star-shaped military fortress.
Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
Although it’s slightly further outside the city, I highly recommend visiting the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art while you’re in Copenhagen. To get there, you can take the train from Copenhagen to Humlebaek, which takes about 40 minutes. Then it’s a 15-minute walk to the entrance of the museum.
The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art has a great collection of modern art exhibits, and it’s also located in a beautiful area on the Øresund Sound, which separates Denmark and Sweden.
You can see ticket information here.
Tivoli Gardens
Another one of the best things to do in Copenhagen is Tivoli Gardens. Known for being the second-oldest amusement park in the world, Tivoli Gardens has been around since 1843.
It’s a truly stunning place that is unlike any amusement park you’ve visited before. Tivoli Gardens was actually one of the inspirations for Walt Disney when he created Disneyland. It’s a delightful, whimsical destination that is worth visiting while in Copenhagen even if you aren’t normally a fan of theme parks.
Tivoli Gardens offers two tickets — you can book an entry ticket only and then if you want to ride any rides, you can pay a small fee per ride. Or you can book an entry ticket with unlimited rides.
There’s plenty to do at Tivoli Gardens beyond the rides. There are gardens and exhibitions to explore, as well as restaurants that are not your typical theme park fare. I recommend visiting on a weekday for lower crowds, and going in the late afternoon and early evening to see the lights come on.
Freetown Christiania
Located just a 15-minute walk from Nyhavn, there’s a neighborhood that is very different from the rest of Copenhagen, and that is Freetown Christiania. Founded by squatters in the 1970s in an abandoned military base, Freetown Christiania is an anarchist commune known for its “Green Light District.”
It’s definitely an interesting place to walk around, and totally safe. There are some interesting art galleries and cool cafes to check out in the neighborhood. But just remember that what’s for sale on the so-called “Pusher Street” of Freetown Christiania is illegal in Denmark, and don’t make any bad decisions!
Cycling tour
Copenhagen regularly ranks as the most bike-friendly city in the world! Residents of Copenhagen own nearly 750,000 bicycles, which is five times the number of cars in the city and even higher than the number of people living in the city. A cycling tour is a great way to explore Copenhagen.
This three-hour cycling tour will allow you to discover the highlights of the city on two wheels. You can cover more ground than you could on a walking tour, and it’s a fun way to see the city.
Amalienborg Palace
Amalienborg Palace is where the Danish royal family actually lives. (Yes, Denmark still has a royal family, although much like in the UK, the monarchs do not hold political power and are more ceremonial.)
It’s possible to visit some of the interior rooms of Amalienborg Palace, and you can also book a combo ticket that includes Rosenborg Castle if you’re interested in visiting both places.
However, my top recommendation for Amalienborg Palace is to watch the changing of the guard ceremony. This ceremony takes place in the Inner Palace Yard every day at 12 PM and is free to watch.
Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden in Copenhagen is a lovely place for a stroll on a nice day. It’s located right across from Rosenborg Castle and its gardens, so it’s a good place to go after you tour the castle.
It’s free to visit the Botanical Garden and there are plenty of walking paths, as well as a greenhouse that you shouldn’t miss which has lots of exotic tropical plants and a butterfly room.
Kronborg Castle
Finally, another popular destination that’s a little bit outside of Copenhagen is Kronborg Castle. This 16th-century stronghold inspired the setting for William Shakespeare’s famous play Hamlet.
You can visit Kronborg Castle on your own by taking the train to Helsingor, which takes 55 minutes. Then it’s a 15-minute walk from the train station to the castle. You can see ticket information here.
Another option is taking a full-day guided tour like this one which includes a visit to Kronborg Castle as well as nearby Frederiksborg Castle and Denmark’s former capital of Roskilde.
Best Things to Do in Copenhagen
This guide showed you the best things to do in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Copenhagen is a great city with plenty to do. I recommend spending at least three full days in Copenhagen, although you could of course spend longer there and not run out of things to do.
Enjoy your trip to Copenhagen!
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