Denmark’s capital Copenhagen is so lively and I fell in love with its beautiful harbors, medieval castles, cozy restaurants, historic buildings and famous smørrebrød. Copenhagen is known as “the best cycling city in the world”. During my stay I discovered some of the most beautiful boutique hotels for every budget. Not sure which neighbourhood suits you? My guide to the best areas to stay helps you choose. I arrived after a road trip through southern Sweden. Later on, I will be heading to the wild Faroe Islands. More on this later! As a travel journalist I know how to find all the best spots. Here is my complete guide to the best things to do in Copenhagen!

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Nyhavn | Copenhagen best things to do | highlights & tips

Introduction to Copenhagen

Copenhagen is a city that rewards slow exploration. Cycle along the canals, wander into a bakery that treats its pastry like a religion and stumble onto a square packed with terraces. Smørrebrød, the traditional Danish open-faced sandwich, is a hearty slice of rye bread topped with fish, meat or raw vegetables. It is the kind of food that makes you wonder why the rest of the world has not caught on. Renting a bike here is not just practical; it is practically a civic duty.

For a first time visitor, the city blends royal heritage with modern design: 400-year-old castles sit a few streets from Danish design stores and natural wine bars. Most Copenhagen guides squeeze it into a weekend. Bring more time.

Copenhagen sits just across the Øresund Bridge from Sweden, a natural stopover on a Scandinavian road trip. Heading further north? My Faroe Islands Travel Guide is a great next chapter. If Estonia is on your radar, my Estonia Highlights guide covers everything you need for a brilliant Baltic road trip.

25Hours Hotel Indre By | Best Boutique Hotels in Copenhagen

Best things to do Copenhagen

Copenhagen has enough to fill a week easily. Think a 19th-century amusement park, beer tasting walks, royal castles and boats you can rent without a licence. The Copenhagen Card gives you access to 80+ museums and attractions. It also includes unlimited public transport and the airport metro. A 24-hour card costs 589 DKK, roughly 90 US dollars. For a packed few days, the maths works out.

Tours and fun things to do in Copenhagen

The Politically Incorrect Beer Tasting Walking Tour is the most entertaining way to see the city. Your guide takes you through Copenhagen’s neighbourhoods while introducing you to local craft beers and some very candid commentary. For solo travellers especially, this is a brilliant way to meet people on your first evening.

The Guided City Highlights Tour covers the essential landmarks and gives you a strong orientation of the city in just a few hours.

For food lovers, there is the Best of Danish Pastry Tasting Tour. It takes you to the best bakeries in town and explains the difference between a real Danish pastry and what the rest of the world has been eating. Spoiler: there is a difference.

For a deeper look at food culture, Copenhagen’s oldest food tour has been running since 2011. It takes you through markets, food halls and hidden spots that most visitors walk straight past.

25Hours Hotel Indre By | Best Boutique Hotels Copenhagen

Sights, cycling and highlights on the water

No visit to Copenhagen is complete without an evening at Tivoli Gardens, the historic amusement park that opened in 1843 and among the oldest in Europe. It is still one of the most atmospheric amusement parks in the world. Walt Disney visited before building his own theme parks. Draw your own conclusions. Tivoli dresses up for every season, with pumpkins for Halloween and thousands of lights at Christmas, when it turns into one big Christmas market.

For a day trip, the Kronborg, Frederiksborg Castle and Roskilde Tour combines 3 of Denmark’s most impressive historical sites into one well-organised excursion.

The 3-Hour Bike Tour with a Local Guide is the best way to cover a lot of ground while feeling like a local. Copenhagen’s cycling infrastructure is so good that even nervous cyclists find it comfortable.

Rather explore from the water? A guided canal tour from Nyhavn is the easiest first day move. In about an hour you see the Opera House, Christiansborg Palace and the Little Mermaid statue from the water. Prefer to be your own captain? The 1, 2 or 3-Hour Boat Rental requires no licence. It lets you cruise the canals entirely at your own pace. An afternoon on the water with a bag of pastries is close to perfect.

Lunch at Café Segalls | Copenhagen best things to do

Best boutique hotels in Copenhagen

I stayed at the 25hours Hotel Indre By and walked around every day with a smile from ear to ear. The hotel is a joyful cacophony of colour and creativity. It sits in the former university buildings on Pilestræde, and the whole design plays with the tension between knowledge and passion. Every corner has a fun quote, a surprising detail or a cosy nook you did not expect. The vinyl room lets you put your own music on, there is a cinema and the restaurant Neni serves a delicious dinner. The bar shakes a mean Margarita.

There is also a Love Library, stocked with literature you would not read on the metro. Bikes are available for guests, which in this city is the only amenity that really matters. Your room card reads “Be loyal to your mom. Not your hotel.” The pillow says “Make love not war.” I bought a cotton bag in the little store. It said something I will not repeat here but made me laugh out loud.

Splurge stays with a pool or a private kitchen

Manon Les Suites Guldsmeden is the boutique hotel with the wow factor. It has a tropical garden, a pool and rooms that feel like a private hideaway. The indoor pool is surrounded by greenery, with a steam room and a poolside bar right next to it. The hotel is adults only, eco-certified and serves a mostly organic menu at its restaurant Chapung. Tivoli is a 10-minute walk away. The kind of place that makes you cancel your sightseeing plans in favour of a second afternoon by the water.

Four Suites Copenhagen is a gorgeous option for those who want to splurge and have an intimate, apartment-style stay in the heart of the city. There are exactly 4 suites in a townhouse on Bredgade, each with its own kitchen and private entrance. The biggest one is 150 square metres. Amalienborg, Nyhavn and the Little Mermaid are all within walking distance.

More boutique hotels in Copenhagen and a budget option

CityHub Copenhagen is the best budget option in the city. It is a smart, pod-style hotel with a social hub atmosphere that is made for solo travellers. Instead of rooms you sleep in one of 215 compact hubs with their own storage. Downstairs, the Hangout in Vesterbro has a long bar and even saunas, so meeting people takes zero effort.

25hours Hotel Paper Island sits in a brilliantly creative location near the water. It has the same playful character as its sister property, with the added bonus of spectacular harbour views. The hotel opened in 2024 on Paper Island, the former paper warehouse island where Copenhagen’s street food market used to be, a few steps from Nyhavn across the bridge. Inside it feels like a Danish summer house. The rooftop bar on the 8th floor is the place for sunset drinks, and the Asian restaurant serves its dishes at communal tables around an open kitchen.

Looking for more? My guide to 18 boutique hotels in Copenhagen has all my favourites, including small design hotels and splurge stays with a pool.

Hotels with a spa: Babette, Kong Arthur and Bryggen

Babette Guldsmeden is an eco-conscious boutique hotel with a warm and romantic atmosphere. It is on Bredgade, a few minutes from Amalienborg and the Little Mermaid. The rooms are Balinese-inspired and breakfast is completely organic. The rooftop spa, with a sauna and a steam bath, looks out over the dome of the Marble Church.

Hotel Kong Arthur is a classic Copenhagen choice: ideally located near the lakes and never stuffy. This family-run hotel sits in a building from 1882, down a quiet cobbled lane off Nørre Søgade. The lobby has a fireplace and a suit of armour, which feels about right for a hotel named after King Arthur. Guests get free access to the Asian-inspired Ni’mat Spa, and Cozy Hour in the early evening comes with a seasonal drink and a snack.

Bryggen Guldsmeden is a beautifully designed stay in Islands Brygge, a short walk from the harbour bath and a 10-minute metro ride from the centre. Its best secret is the courtyard: a heated outdoor pool at 29 degrees, open all year, next to a sauna and steam room. Free for guests. Coffee, tea, popcorn and marshmallows at the Trust Bar are on the house too.

Before you land, download a Saily eSIM so you are online the moment you touch down, ready to find your way, book and share your first canal photo without hunting for a local SIM card.

25hours Hotel Indre By | Copenhagen best things to do

What to do in Copenhagen: neighbourhoods and food

Anyone who has seen photos of Copenhagen knows the colourful Nyhavn canal, but the city has far more to offer than its most photographed street. Nyhavn is a 17th-century canal district lined with painted townhouses and terraces. Visit early for the photos, then eat somewhere else; the terraces are priced for tourists. Deciding which area to sleep in? My guide on where to stay in Copenhagen compares every neighbourhood.

Do not skip the Christianshavn district, with its canals, houseboats and old merchant houses. Climb the spiral tower of the Church of Our Saviour for the view; the last stretch of steps winds around the outside. From there, walk to the food trucks at Strandgade, including the wine bar Drikkevarer. Other favourites nearby include Kanalhuset, Rufino Osteria and Rosforth and Rosforth’s tucked-away wine bar. Walk or cycle back to Nyhavn via the bridge near the food trucks.

Freetown Christiania, street food and cafe hopping

In Christianshavn you will also find Freetown Christiania, a self-proclaimed autonomous community since 1971. That year, a group of hippies turned old military barracks into a self-governing village, the free town as locals call it. They decorated it with street art, independent eateries and creative stores. Photography is not permitted inside. The neighbourhood has been in the news due to rising crime in recent years, so check the current situation before you go.

Further along the water, the old shipyard island of Refshaleøen has gone creative. Reffen, the largest street food market in the Nordics, takes over the waterfront in the warmer months. Copenhagen Contemporary and Lille Bakery are around the corner, which makes it a neat half day.

Cafe hopping is a sport in this city. For good coffee and brunch in the centre, try Café Segalls, The Union Kitchen, Café Victor, Bastard Café, H A N S Coffee or Kaf’Bar. Skt. Peders Bageri, the oldest bakery in Copenhagen, is famous for its sticky cinnamon rolls and cardamom buns. Get a delicious sandwich at La Posata and finish with cocktails at Balderdash or Gejser Bar.

Shopping, hotels and concept stores

If you would like to stay near Nyhavn, Hotel Sanders is a lovely option in a perfect location. It was founded by former principal dancer Alexander Kølpin and sits right opposite the Royal Danish Theatre. Tata, the cocktail bar, is all red velvet and rattan, modelled on an old-school theatre bar. The rooftop conservatory is the spot for a nightcap.

Shopping in Copenhagen is a real hazard for your luggage allowance. The city is packed with concept stores and design shops such as Monday Sunday and Studio Arhoj. Find the prettiest tableware at Miio and unique sneakers at NAKED. Strøget, one of the longest pedestrian shopping streets in Europe, covers the big names; Danish design hides in the side streets. For eclectic shops and busy street life, head to Nørrebro. You can follow my Copenhagen adventures on Instagram @lieke.pijnappels.

Christianshavn and Nyhavn | Copenhagen best things to do

Best restaurants in Copenhagen

Copenhagen’s food scene punches far above the size of the city, with around 20 Michelin-starred restaurants. Dinner and lunch favourites around town include Hidden Dimsum, Aamanns 1921, Llama, Schønnemann, Esmée and Selma. Aamanns 1921, Schønnemann and Selma are the places for smørrebrød and other Danish classics. Plan ahead and make reservations well in advance, especially for weekends. Torvehallerne, the lively food market near Nørreport with dozens of food stalls, works for a quick lunch or an afternoon of grazing.

For the best restaurant terrace near the water, Restaurant Maven is hard to beat. Milans is another solid all-day option in the centre. The Meatpacking district in Vesterbro is where locals go for drinks on weekends and the neighbourhood keeps getting better every year. For Copenhagen nightlife, this is where you want to be.

Neni restaurant | best restaurants Copenhagen

Sights and top tips for your Copenhagen trip

With the Copenhagen Card you have access to more than 80 museums and attractions, discounts at restaurants and free travel on public transport including the airport metro. It takes just 20 minutes to reach the city centre from the airport.

Visit Christiansborg Palace and walk through the Garden of the Royal Library. Climb the Round Tower for an impressive view over the rooftops; King Christian IV built it as an observatory and it is still the oldest functioning observatory in Europe. Admire Frederick’s Church and find the Little Mermaid on her rock. The bronze statue, inspired by the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, is smaller than most people expect, so go before the tour buses arrive. Go vintage shopping and enjoy coffee in the Vesterbro district. Stroll through the cobbled Magstraede and across the square Gråbrødretorv, packed with terraces. Go back in time at the imposing Rosenborg Castle.

Royal Copenhagen: castles, palaces and the crown jewels

If you only have time for one royal stop, make it Rosenborg Castle. King Christian IV built it in the early 1600s as his summer house, and the Danish crown jewels are kept in the treasury in the basement. Afterwards, walk around to the King’s Garden, the oldest royal garden in the city. On a sunny day, half of Copenhagen seems to be picnicking on its lawns. Across the road, the Botanical Garden is free to enter and a quiet escape from the city.

Amalienborg Palace is still the home of the Danish royal family. The changing of the guard takes place every day at 12 noon, a short walk from Nyhavn. From the palace square you look straight across the harbour at the Opera House. Christiansborg Palace, on the island of Slotsholmen, houses the Danish Parliament and the Royal Reception Rooms, where the Danish royals still host gala dinners.

Rainy day things to do in Copenhagen: museums

Copenhagen has enough museums to fill a week of bad weather. Designmuseum Danmark showcases Danish industrial design and craft, and explains why Danes are so obsessed with chairs and lamps. The National Museum covers Danish history, Vikings included. Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, right next to Tivoli, is an art museum with a collection of ancient Mediterranean antiquities and a palm-filled winter garden under a glass dome.

Copenhagen Contemporary, on Refshaleøen, shows large-scale contemporary art in old industrial halls. The Cisterns in Søndermarken is an underground art exhibition space in a former water reservoir: dark, damp and unlike any gallery you have seen. For modern art with a sea view, the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art is the classic day trip. More on that below.

Free things to do in Copenhagen

Is Copenhagen expensive? Yes, but not everywhere. The Danish krone (DKK) is the local currency and cards are accepted almost everywhere, so you rarely need cash. Plenty of things are completely free: walking along Nyhavn and Christianshavn, the King’s Garden, the Botanical Garden and the changing of the guard at Amalienborg.

Several museums offer free entry on Wednesdays, including Thorvaldsens Museum, a small museum dedicated to the Danish sculptor. Some only do this on the last Wednesday of the month, like Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, so check the museum website before you go. Food is where you save most. Copenhagen’s food halls offer affordable dining with a mix of local and international stalls, and many bakeries sell pastries for under 30 DKK. A cardamom bun and a coffee on a bench by the canal is lunch with a view.

Things to do in Copenhagen in winter

A winter trip to Copenhagen is all about hygge. The Christmas markets run from mid November to early January. Tivoli Gardens has the biggest one, from 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. The market on Højbro Plads runs from 14 November to 20 December 2026. In late January and February, the Copenhagen Light Festival fills the dark evenings with light art installations. Pack layers, then warm up in a cafe.

For a complete road trip through Skåne, Småland, and Öland in Sweden, check out my Southern Sweden road trip guide.

25hours Hotel | Copenhagen highlights

Day trips: things to do outside Copenhagen

The best day trips from Copenhagen are all under an hour away by public transport. Kronborg Castle in Helsingør, the castle from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, is about a 40-minute train ride north. Roskilde, a Viking town with a cathedral full of Danish kings and queens, is 25 to 30 minutes west. Malmö in Sweden is 35 to 40 minutes away, straight across the Øresund Bridge.

The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Humlebæk is a favourite day trip for art lovers: modern art indoors, sculptures in the garden and the sea right behind it. Short on time? The Kronborg, Frederiksborg Castle and Roskilde Tour covers 3 castles and a cathedral in one day, without a single train timetable.

How to get to Copenhagen and get around

Copenhagen Airport is one of the best-connected airports in Scandinavia. From the airport, the metro takes you directly to the city centre in 20 minutes; a single 3-zone ticket costs around 36 DKK. For exploring the wider region, including day trips to Kronborg and Roskilde, a rental car makes sense. You can compare rental cars online and book in a few minutes. Arrange your airport transfer in advance for a stress-free arrival.

Copenhagen’s city center is compact and most sights are within walking distance of each other. Renting bikes is the local way to get around: app e-bikes like Lime are parked on almost every corner and dedicated bike lanes run along nearly every main road. The metro runs 24/7 and, together with buses and harbour buses, covers the whole city; the Copenhagen Card gives you unlimited rides. Uber works in Copenhagen again through licensed taxis, so prices are close to a regular taxi. Copenhagen Central Station, right next to Tivoli, is your hub for the day trips above. Save the city in Google Maps for offline use before you go, and sort your travel insurance while you are at it.

GET YOUR COPENHAGEN CARD HERE

If you are combining Copenhagen with a Baltic road trip, my Tallinn City Guide is a great companion for the next leg of your journey.

The beautiful square Gåbrødretorv | Copenhagen highlights

Things to do in Copenhagen: Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in Copenhagen?

3 to 4 days is ideal for seeing Copenhagen’s main sights and highlights, eating well and exploring the different neighbourhoods. If you want to add a day trip to Kronborg Castle or Roskilde, plan for at least 4 to 5 days.

Where to stay in Copenhagen?

The 25hours Hotel Indre By is the pick for personality and fun. Manon Les Suites Guldsmeden is the dreamiest boutique option. CityHub Copenhagen is the best budget pick, especially for solo travellers. Hotel Sanders is ideal if you want to be close to Nyhavn.

Is Copenhagen good for solo travellers?

Yes, and it might be the easiest capital in Europe to explore on your own. The city is safe, compact and easy to get around by bike or metro. The beer tasting tour, food tours and bike tours are the best ways to meet other travellers. You get to see the city at the same time.

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25Hours Hotel Indre by and smørrebrød | Copenhagen tips

What is the best time to visit Copenhagen?

May to September is the best time to visit, with long days, outdoor terraces and festivals. December is the month for the Christmas markets and Tivoli Gardens, which run from mid November to early January. Winter is cold but very atmospheric, especially with a warm café and a glass of gløgg in hand. In late January and February, the Copenhagen Light Festival brightens up the darkest weeks.

Is the Copenhagen Card worth it?

Yes, especially if you plan to visit several museums and use public transport regularly. The Copenhagen Card covers 80+ attractions and includes free metro travel from the airport. A 24-hour card costs 589 DKK, around 90 US dollars. For a 3-day visit with a full sightseeing schedule, it pays for itself easily.

GET YOUR COPENHAGEN CARD HERE