If you’re visiting the Danish capital, you might be overwhelmed with all the different things to do and see. So here is a list of the best, all packed within less than a week.
Before you visit Copenhagen, you might want to consider getting a Copenhagen Card. With the card, you have free one-time admission to many of the city’s attractions and museums, as well as free travel on public transport!
Day 1
After breakfast, make your way down to the neighbourhood of Nyhavn, known for its row of colourful buildings along the canal. Before you start exploring though, it's best to start off with a canal cruise, many of which depart from Nyhavn. With the cruise, you’ll get a great introduction to the city and its general layout, learn more through information given by the onboard guide, and get a quick glimpse of other important sights that you’ll be visiting in the coming days, like the Black Diamond Library and the Amalienborg Palace.
When you’re done with the cruise, spend some time walking around Nyhavn. This beautiful area is not only perfect for photos, but you’ll also be able to find several buildings where the famous writer Hans Christian Andersen lived in and produced some of his most famous works.
Depending on the time, you might want to have lunch at one of the many cafes and restaurants along the canal. You’ll find a wide selection of food here, but why not try something local? Most of the restaurants are sure to have Smørrebrød, one of Denmark’s most popular dishes. To learn more about Smørrebrød and other Danish foods that you can find in Copenhagen, read: Danish Food Tour: 6 Foods You Have to Try in Copenhagen. Near the neighbourhood, you’ll also find the stunning Royal Danish Theatre.
If you’re not feeling hungry yet, why not do some shopping before your meal. Close to Nyhavn is the popular shopping street of Strøget, where you can find both international brands and local boutiques, perfect for whatever budget you may have. The street also has plenty of eating places so you can just stop for lunch during your shopping spree.
While you’re in the area, pay a visit to Rundetaarn, or the Round Tower. For a price, you’ll be able to climb up the unique spiral ramp within the observatory tower, and be rewarded with a stunning 360° view of the city. To know more about the Round Tower, you can read about it here: 6 Things You Should Do in Copenhagen. Even if you’re not up for a climb, the impressive tower is definitely worth taking a moment to appreciate.
On the other end of Strøget, you’ll find yourself standing in the large open area of the City Hall Square. Here, you’ll have a great view of Copenhagen City Hall, where you can take guided tours. Make sure to also find the Hans Christian Andersen Statue, which is sitting at one corner of the square next to the City Hall. You’ll see that the metal of his lap has become shiny, and that’s because of all the people who have decided to sit there for their photo. So why not join in on this rare opportunity to sit in the lap of a famous writer.
The statue is looking towards Tivoli Gardens, but since it’s your first day here, we’ll save that for a later day. For now, take your time to explore the area surrounding the square, with plenty of options for food and shopping.
Day 2
After a pretty laid back day before, today will be a more intense sightseeing day. Copenhagen has many unique and interesting landmarks, and it wouldn’t be right if you missed them. To know the best sights to see, read 7 Must-See Sights in Copenhagen.
The best way to travel to all the locations would be to purchase a ticket for a Hop-on Hop-off bus, which will be easy for you to get to where you want to go without having to worry about transportation. Depending on the ticket you buy, it may be valid for more than a day, which is great if you want to return to a particular spot at a later time.
The one landmark that you definitely have to visit is the Little Mermaid. Her statue sits on a rock, looking out at the water. However, as it is the most popular attraction in the city, there are sure to be many tourists there too, vying for the perfect angle to take a picture. So once you’ve taken your photo, quickly step aside; it’s best to appreciate her from a distance anyway.
Another place that cannot be missed is the magnificent Amalienborg Palace, the current residence of the Royal Family. The museum located in the Palace is a great place to learn more about Denmark’s royal history, and if you’re there at 12 noon, you’ll also be able to see the changing of the guards in the square.
There are plenty of other sights which you can read more about in the article listed above, and are part of the hop-on hop-off bus package, such as the Gefion Fountain and Rosenborg Castle. However, for something off the beaten path, there are also several unique things to see and do in the city, which you read more about here: Uniquely Copenhagen: 4 Things You Can Only Do in the Danish Capital.
One such place is Christiania Freetown, a society within Copenhagen that lives autonomously, outside of the Danish laws. Used to be known for selling cannabis, this quirky town is full of interesting buildings and people, making for a truly unique experience.
Day 3
This day will be a day of culture, as Copenhagen has several weird and wonderful museums to explore. You can read about them here: 7 Museums to Visit in Copenhagen.
For a more traditional museum experience, visit the National Museum of Denmark, where you’ll learn about Denmark’s long history, with artefacts that date back all the way to the Stone Age, particularly focusing on the Vikings.
For something more unique, visit Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek. There are items from across 6,000 years of history, and they are housed in one of the most aesthetically pleasing and beautiful museums. Beyond that, the museum also has the Winter Garden, a large green space filled with towering trees and lush greenery.
A good portion of the day can be spent wandering the halls of these museums, so it would be no surprise if you want to relax after gaining so much new information and insight. What better way to do it than at an amusement park?
Tivoli Gardens is very close to the two museums mentioned above, and it has rides for all ages, from the classic carousel to adrenaline pumping roller coasters. There are also plenty of food options, with a wide selection of cuisines to choose from. The park opens till late too, and there might even be a concert, so what better way to end your day than in here, in this wonderland at the heart of Copenhagen?
Day 4
The last three days have been spent exploring Copenhagen, so take a breather and escape the city with a day trip out. Read about some of the destination options here: Danish Explorer: 6 Day Trips Out of Copenhagen.
Helsingør is a great choice, and it’s only 45 minutes away from Copenhagen by train. At this seaside town, the most popular attraction is Kronborg Castle, more famously known as Hamlet’s Castle, named after the Shakespeare play that was set there. In the castle, you can even join a Hamlet-inspired guided tour, where you’ll see certain parts of the play acted out in front of you. For literature and Shakespeare fans, this is a place you have to visit.
After the castle, there is much to explore. View an exhibition at the Culture Yard, explore the M/S Maritime Museum of Denmark, or find the sculpture of HAN, a relative of the Little Mermaid.
When you’re feeling hungry, head to Værftets Madmarked, a food market selling tasty dishes from a variety of cuisines, perfect for getting both lunch and dinner before heading back to Copenhagen.
Day 5
For your last day in Copenhagen, let it be a free day. Do some more shopping, or visit an attraction or museum you haven’t been able to explore yet; whatever you choose to do, make sure to soak up as much of Danish culture as you possibly can.
One thing you should do is to visit Torvehallerne Food Market. There are 80 stalls selling drinks, dessert, and dishes from all types of cuisines, so why not have your final meal of the trip here to really end your time in Copenhagen with a bang.
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