Copenhagen Best Things to Do: Boutique Hotels and Tips
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. I arrived after a road trip through southern Sweden. Later on, I will be heading to the magical Faroe Islands. More on this later! Here is your complete guide to Copenhagen best things to do!
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Nyhavn | Copenhagen best things to do
Introduction to Copenhagen
Copenhagen is a city that rewards slow exploration. Cycle along the canals, wander into a bakery that takes its pastry very seriously and stumble onto a square packed with terraces. Smørrebrød is a hearty slice of rye bread generously topped with fish, meat or raw vegetables. It is the favourite lunch dish for many Danes and the kind of food that makes you wonder why the rest of the world has not caught on. Copenhagen is also consistently ranked as the best cycling city in the world. Renting a bike here is not just practical; it is practically a civic duty.
Copenhagen sits just across the Øresund Bridge from Sweden, making it a natural stopover if you are road-tripping through Scandinavia. 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
Copenhagen best things to do
Copenhagen has enough to fill a week easily. From world-famous amusement parks to beer tasting walks and boat rentals, the city caters to every kind of traveller. The Copenhagen Card gives you access to 80+ museums and attractions. It also includes free public transport and the airport metro. For a packed few days, it is well worth it.
Before you land, download a Saily eSIM so you are online the moment you touch down, ready to navigate, book and share your first canal photo without hunting for a local SIM card.
Tours and experiences
The Politically Incorrect Beer Tasting Walking Tour is one of the most entertaining ways 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.
Food lovers should not miss 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 dive into 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.
THE OLDEST FOOD TOUR IN COPENHAGEN
25Hours Hotel Indre By | Best Boutique Hotels Copenhagen
Sights, cycling and on the water
No visit to Copenhagen is complete without an evening at Tivoli Gardens, built in 1842. It is still one of the most atmospheric amusement parks in the world. Walt Disney visited before building his first park, which says everything. In winter it transforms into something magical. For a day trip, the Kronborg, Frederiksborg Castle and Roskilde Tour combines three 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? The 1, 2 or 3-Hour Boat Rental requires no licence. It lets you navigate 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
– Click on the names for rooms and rates –
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. 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 an excellent Margarita. 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.
Manon Les Suites Guldsmeden is one of Copenhagen’s most beautiful boutique hotels. It has a tropical garden, a pool and rooms that feel like a private hideaway. 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.
ROOMS AND RATES MANON LES SUITES
More excellent boutique hotels 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 particularly great for solo travellers. 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.
Babette Guldsmeden is a charming, eco-conscious boutique hotel with a warm and romantic atmosphere. Hotel Kong Arthur is a classic Copenhagen choice: ideally located near the lakes and never stuffy. Bryggen Guldsmeden is a beautifully designed stay close to Nørrebro, one of the city’s most interesting neighbourhoods.
ROOMS AND RATES 25HOURS PAPER ISLAND
25hours Hotel Indre By | Copenhagen best things to do
Copenhagen best things to do: 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. The beautiful Christianshavn district is a must. From there, walk to the food trucks at Strandgade, including the excellent wine bar Drikkevarer. Other great spots 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.
In Christianshavn you will also find Freetown Christiania. In 1970, a group of hippies turned old military barracks into a self-governing village. 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. 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. 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. Shopping in Copenhagen is a serious hazard. The city is packed with beautiful concept stores and design shops such as Monday Sunday and Studio Arhoj. Find the most beautiful tableware at Miio and unique sneakers at NAKED. You can follow my Copenhagen adventures on Instagram @lieke.pijnappels.
Christianshavn and Nyhavn | Copenhagen best things to do
Copenhagen best things to do: best restaurants
Copenhagen takes food seriously, and the restaurant scene reflects that. Other excellent dinner options around the city include Hidden Dimsum, Aamanns 1921, Llama, Schønnemann, Esmée and Selma. Make reservations well in advance, especially for weekends. The lively food hall Torvehallerne is a must 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 great all-day option in the centre. The Meatpacking district is where locals go for drinks on weekends and the neighbourhood keeps getting better every year.
Neni restaurant | best restaurants Copenhagen
Copenhagen best things to do: sights and top tips
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 Castle and walk through the beautiful Garden of the Royal Library. Climb the Round Tower for an impressive view over the rooftops. Admire Frederick’s Church and find the Little Mermaid on her rock. Go vintage shopping and enjoy coffee in the Vesterbro district. Stroll through picturesque Magstraede and across the beautiful square Gåbrødretorv, packed with terraces. Go back in time at the imposing Rosenborg Castle.
ROOMS AND RATES 25HOURS INDRE BY
25hours Hotel | Copenhagen best things to do
Copenhagen best things to do: how to get there
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. For exploring the wider region, including day trips to Kronborg and Roskilde, a rental car is a great option. Discover Cars offers competitive rates and is easy to compare and book online. Arrange your airport transfer in advance with WelcomePickups for a stress-free arrival.
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 best things to do
Copenhagen best things to do: Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Copenhagen?
Three to four days is ideal for seeing Copenhagen’s main sights, eating well and exploring the different neighbourhoods. If you want to add a day trip to Kronborg Castle or Roskilde, plan for at least four to five days.
Where to stay in Copenhagen?
The 25hours Hotel Indre By is a brilliant choice for personality and fun. Manon Les Suites Guldsmeden is the most beautiful 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.
ROOMS AND RATES MANON LES SUITES
Is Copenhagen good for solo travellers?
Copenhagen is excellent for solo travellers. The city is safe, compact and easy to navigate by bike or metro. The beer tasting tour, food tours and bike tours are brilliant ways to meet other travellers. You get to see the city at the same time.
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 magical for the Christmas markets and Tivoli Gardens. Winter is cold but very atmospheric, especially with a warm café and a glass of gløgg in hand.
Is the Copenhagen Card worth it?
Yes, especially if you plan to visit several museums and use public transport regularly. The card covers 80+ attractions and includes free metro travel from the airport. For a three-day visit with a full sightseeing schedule, it pays for itself easily.
- Find the best hotels in Copenhagen at Booking.com
- Book the best tours and activities at GetYourGuide.com
- Compare rental cars at Discover Cars
- Arrange your airport transfer with WelcomePickups
- Stay connected with an eSIM from Saily
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