Copenhagen is a dreamy city, filled with green spaces galore, hygge coziness for the damper days, and a motley collection of Scandi-cool Danish hipsters. Having revisited countless times and through just about every one of the seasons, I can vouch for the fact that there’s no shortage of things to do in Copenhagen.
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Somehow, the Danish capital manages to be both gloriously traditional and effortlessly cool, at the very same time. Relaxed, but with a great eye for beauty. I love exploring the streets of this city, and over the years I’ve developed quite a list of things to do in Copenhagen- and pals, I cannot wait to share my reccomendations with you.
In no particular order: the best things to do in Copenhagen
- Visit Amalienborg Palace
- Rent a bike and cycle along Langelinie promenade
- Marvel at Frederiks Church
- Tuck into some gorgeous street food at Reffen
- Enjoy the beauty of the Botanical Gardens
- Chill out at Christiania
- Take in a view of the city from the Round Tower
- Saunter down to Nyhavn
- Embrace the coffee culture
- Try a smørrebrød at Torvehallerne
- Go thrillseeking at Tivoli Gardens
- Get your learning cap on at Copenhagen’s museums
- Wander through Kastellet
- Sample a hotdog
- Browse the antique shops
- Enjoy the outdoors at the Kings Garden
- Dine alfresco
- Walk through Nyboder
- Relax in a waterfront sauna
If you’re considering several of these Copenhagen attractions, it’s 100% worth buying yourself a Copenhagen Card. The card includes the price of entry to over 80 museums and other attractions (like Tivoli Gardens), as well as all public transport. It’s a much better value option if you want to really make the most of all the things to do that Copenhagen has to offer.
Visit Amalienborg Palace
Amalienborg Palace is the official place of residence of the Danish royal family- that’s right, Denmark still has a royal family, folks- and it’s an absolute must-see when you’re in Copenhagen. The complex actually comprises of four individual palaces centred around a large paved courtyard, guarded 24/7 by very smartly dressed soldiers from the Royal Life Guard. Unlike London’s Buckingham Palace, it’s possible to just stroll right up to Amalienborg with not a single fence to stop you. Although the soldiers will have something to say if you get a bit too close.
Photo Diary: Amalienborg Palace
It’s definitely worth trying to make it to the changing of the guard ceremony, which takes place at midday every single day, and is of course free to watch. (Even if you’ve only got 24 hours to explore the city, this is a must-see as far as I’m concerned.)
And if you fancy a peek inside, head to the Amalienborg Museum, which is inside Christian VIII’s Palace. As a gal who grew up on a diet of English National Trust Properties– I absolutely loved it here! The museum centres around the lives of Christian IX and Queen Louise. This royal couple were known as ‘the Grandparents of Europe’ because four of their children became monarchs of European nations: England, Greece, Russia and of course Denmark.
Buy tickets for Amalienborg Palace Museum.
Cycle along the waterfront
Like its Scandinavian neighbours Norway and Sweden, Denmark is a nation that prides itself on being eco-friendly. So it goes without saying that both green spaces and bicycles are extremely popular in Copenhagen.
Many Copenhagen hotels offer bike hire, but there are also several e-bike apps like Donkey or Bolt through which you can rent a bicycle. It’s a super-convenient way of getting around, and this is a very cyclist-friendly city.
Of course you can cycle here there and everywhere as you please, but a scenic ride along Langelinie (the waterfront promenade with the pretty Langelinie Park along the way) is a lovely way to take in the scenery. The Little Mermaid statue is at one end of the promenade near the cruise ship pier, and although I wouldn’t recommend taking a special trip just to see the statue, she’s worth a peek if you happen to be passing.
If you’d rather be shown the sights by someone you can learn from, book onto a Copenhagen bike tour to ride through the city in style.
Find Langelinie on Googlemaps.
Marvel at Frederik’s Church
You can’t miss the beautiful green and gold dome of Frederik’s Church, which sits directly parallel with Amalienborg Palace. Also known as Marmorkirken, (‘Marble Church’) it took an exceedingly long time to build; although the first foundation stone was laid in 1749, it wasn’t consecrated until 1894. The domed ceiling is maybe even more exquisite than the exterior.
Frederik’s Church is a working Evangelical Lutheran church, but visitors are welcome free of charge (hurrah!) while services aren’t happening. On Saturdays and Sundays at 1.30pm, there are also tours to the top of the dome. There’s a small charge (50DKK), but for the views and VIP access, I think it’s worth it.
Tuck in to street food at Reffen
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I love Reffen. What started life as a run-down patch of harbourside land is now a buzzing market overspilling with sumptuous smells and downright delicious food. In fact, it’s officially the largest street food market in the Nordics.
Here you can try food from all over the world, from Pakistan, Mexico and Italy, to the Philippines, France and Argentina. There are also plenty of community events to take your pick from, whether wine tasting, yoga or rummaging through flea markets floats your boat, plus live music and (get ready for this) pentanque courts to play on. An afternoon in the sunshine at Reffen, is an afternoon well-spent.
There are several ways to get to Reffen- on foot, by bus or bicycle- but I prefer the Harbour Bus, which is actually a ferry. Catch the 991 or 992 directly from Nordre Toldbod, which will take you across the water to Refshaleøen in about five minutes flat.
Here’s my complete guide to Reffen.
Enjoy the beauty of the Botanical Gardens
Copenhagen’s Botanical Gardens are quite simply, stunning. These gardens are one of my favourite places to spend a summers day in Copenhagen, although they’re just as delightful a spot in winter. With all sorts of nooks and crannies to discover, this peaceful inner-city oasis is so very worth a visit, and the bonus is that the gardens are completely free to enter!
The gem in the crown however, is the Palm House. Resembling an actual glass crown, it’s as beautiful on the inside as the exterior. Wrought-iron staircases spiral up towards the ceiling so you can walk through the treetops, and in addition to several different connected greenhouses, there’s a butterfly house filled with the fluttering wings of some gorgeous butterflies.
Entry to the Palm House (including the Butterfly House) is 70DKK (2026). You can pay this on entry, or book a slot online beforehand.
Chill out at Christiania
Freetown Christiania began its hippie commune life in the 1970s, when squatters began living in a disused military base in the heart of Copenhagen. The creative community follows its own rules, completely separate from the Danish government, and perhaps the one rule that it’s most famous for is that cannabis is sold openly on the street- despite it being illegal in Denmark.
For decades, the government largely turned a blind eye, but unfortunately the drugs trade brought with it some problems- mainly in the form of gang-related violence. And although Christiana remains a bohemian community, these days the residents are appealing to any potential cannabis-customers to make their purchases elsewhere. (It’s also worth noting that photography isn’t allowed.)
This is however, a really colourful, community-led neighbourhood, and it’s actually the fourth most visited tourist spot in the city- for good reason. Christiana is full of street art, quirky architecture, and locally-owned cafes and shops to enjoy.
View the city from the Round Tower
It turns out that minimalist Danish design isn’t just a modern phenomenon. The Round Tower was built in 1642, as an observatory for a casual bit of star-gazing. (Actually star-gazing was serious business in those days. Knowledge of the skies meant that ships could better navigate their way around the world, for the purposes of good old fashioned colonisation.)
The observatory sits at the top of the cylindrical tower, but the extremely aesthetically pleasing part is the continuous slope which spirals all the way to the top. This is known as an equestrian staircase, because it was designed so that horses could be ridden easily up or down the tower. In more recent years it’s also hosted actual bicycle races, so make of that what you will.
If you’re not up for cycling up or down (I’m not sure whether that’s technically allowed), the viewing platform at the top is the perfect spot to take in the spectacular 360º views of the city.
Tickets for the Round Tower can be bought on entry for 60DKK. Check opening times here.
Saunter down to Nyhavn
The Nyhavn canal was originally dug out by Swedish prisoners of war, but it’s easy to overlook this today. A calm canal is filled with wooden ships and lined on either side with colourful buildings dating from the 17th and 18th centuries; it’s a postcard-perfect picture. There are countless restaurants to take your pick from, but you’ll also find the old houses of Hans Christian Anderson (number 67 and number 18.)
If you’re looking for things to do in Copenhagen during winter, Nyhavn is also home to a really lovely little Christmas market.
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Embrace the coffee culture
Copenhagen takes its coffee culture seriously. Not only is the coffee high quality, but coffee shops tend to follow the Danish principal of hygge. A cozy atmosphere with warm lighting is of utmost importance. Maybe it’s those long, chilly winters and dark evenings?
I love Kafferiet which is a teeny-tiny space near Kastellet and the Little Mermaid (although they do have a second location at the corner of Kings Garden), or if you’re looking for a Copenhagen coffee shop to work from, try Coffee Collective.
For a completely different vibe than basically the entire rest of the city, head to Mormors which is very close to Amalienborg Palace. Stepping into this cozy, higgledy-piggledy cafe is a bit like stepping into your Danish grandma’s living room; it’s crammed to the rafters with doilies, old memorabilia, Christmas decorations and cross-stitch projects. (The coffee’s great, and the club sandwiches are downright fabulous.)
Tuck into an open sandwich at Torvehallerne
A smørrebrød is a classic Danish open sandwich, loaded with fresh ingredients and served on dark rye bread. There are plenty of places around Copenhagen to find one, but my tip is to take a wander through Torvehallerne to find one that takes your fancy.
This stylish food hall is home to some truly exquisite vendors, selling everything from fresh local produce and flowers to warm-from-the-oven baked goods, glasses of wine and full-blown meals.
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Have fun at Tivoli Gardens
So far, I’ve only found two cities in Europe which have a theme park right in the centre: Stockholm’s Gröna Lund, and Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens. Full disclaimer, pals: I’m yet to visit Tivoli, but having thoroughly enjoyed the vintage vibes of Gröna Lund, and having so many colleagues who have loved Tivoli, I can’t wait to go next time I’m visiting.
Regularly listed as one of the top things to do in Copenhagen, this is officially the world’s second oldest amusement park. Not only does it have plenty of rides to enjoy, but there are countless other quirks about this historic place. (For instance, pals: the Tivoli Gardens Youth Guard, an ensemble of musical children dressed as soldiers, who form a marching band for parades through the park. Founded in 1844, this alone has sold me on the idea of heading to Tivoli Gardens, asap.)
Buy tickets for Tivoli Gardens.
Hit the museums
This may come as a shock, but Denmark can suffer from rather damp weather. (Alright, not that much of a shock.) What better to do when the rain starts to fall, than head to one of Copenhagen’s many museums? If you’re going to be heading to several museums, it’s a good idea to buy a Copenhagen Card, which is excellent value and allows entry to over 80 attractions, as well as free transport in the city.
The National Museum of Denmark is the obvious starter to really get to grips with this lovely little nation’s history. Telling the story of the Danish people, all the way from the Vikings to the present day, the museum is housed in the grand 18th century Prince’s Mansion.
The Design Museum is another must-visit, because let’s face it: Denmark is world-renowned as a pioneer of design. The museum looks at historic architecture and design, as well as contemporary design icons, and it also contains a stunning garden which is extra-beautiful in the summer. Check opening hours and ticket prices.
For something completely different, particularly for the beer lovers. Get yourself over to the Home of Carlsberg! Join a beer tasting, go on a guided tour of the cellars, or visit the beer exhibition at Carlsberg’s first brewery, which opened in 1847. This one is away from the city centre, but it’s easy to reach by Metro and train. (Enghave Plads Metro station or Carlsberg train station.) Buy tickets here.
With completely different vibes to the Home of Carlsberg, I stumbled upon the Museum of Danish Resistance because it’s right at the edge of Kastellet, opposite one of my favourite coffee shops. This hidden gem tells the story of the Danish resistance to the Nazi occupation during the Second World War; it’s super interesting and contains plenty of immersive exhibits allowing visitors to tap into phone calls and decode secret messages.
Wander through Kastellet
One of the things that I love about Copenhagen is the variety of intriguing locations you can just freely wander through, and Kastellet is one of those. This pentagon-shaped citadel is on an island surrounded by a moat, and you can find a quaint old windmill in the grounds in addition to the brick-red barracks and mustard yellow Commander’s House.
Although Kastellet is still in use by the Ministry of Defence, it’s also a public park, so it’s completely free to visit! We do love a free location, don’t we? Keep your eyes peeled for goslings in the spring, and rifle-wielding soldiers year-round.
Sample a hotdog
Did you know that Denmark is famous for its hotdogs? And they favour the long and skinny variety!? Well, they do. And there is no way you can leave Copenhagen without trying one or two of them.
Sold from countless food carts on the street, the hotdog is the ultimate Copenhagen street food- served with all the trimmings of course. Most places accept card as well as cash these days, and it’ll only set you back the equivalent of a few euros.
Browse the shops
And I’m not talking about Zara. Avoid the high street chains like the plague, pals, because there are so many cool little shops to find in Copenhagen that you’ll be wasting your time by going into somewhere you could see at home!
I love browsing the thrift stores and eclectic antique shops, and some of the best souvenirs to buy in Copenhagen include sleekly designed homeware and of course Danish biscuits. (You know the sort, in the blue Royal Dansk sewing tins? Grab one or two of those from just about any supermarket you can find.)
Enjoy the outdoors in the King’s Garden
Another glorious park in Copenhagen, the King’s Garden- Kongens Have– is home to Rosenborg Castle. (Which is home to another museum, FYI- explore inside to see the Danish Crown jewels). Back in the 17th century, this was the private garden of King Christian IV, who used Rosenborg as his summer house, but these days it’s open to one and all!
There are several smaller gardens within the park, but the expansive lawns make this a popular spot for picnickers in the summer, and the park seems to be constantly visited by locals and visitors whenever the sun is shining. There’s a puppet theatre in the park for children during the summer, and make sure you head to the Orangeriet for a glass of wine in the sunshine (or go for a full meal). It’s a 10/10 as far as I’m concerned.
Dine alfresco
England does not have anywhere near enough streetside dining options. Maybe our pavements are just too narrow to be filled with tables and chairs. But Copenhagen is chockablock with wicker chairs and tables to take a seat at and enjoy your meal. (And indoors or out, there’s a plethora of delicious food in this city.)
For delicious Danish cuisine, Café Oscar is a beautifully relaxed little eatery on a corner, very close to the Design Museum. Mojoe Kitchen and Bar is a much bigger brasserie which serves more Mediterranean-style food with a livelier atmosphere. Then of course there’s Orangeriet, mentioned above and possibly my favourite outdoor spot simply because it’s in a park with no cars rushing past.
Wander through Nyboder
This is another niche thing to do in Copenhagen, really for anyone like me who loves a simple stroll through a quirky neighbourhood. Nyboder is a residential area, so if you’re looking for anything more than some interesting houses to look at, this might not be the activity for you.
But I adored the cobbled streets and bright yellow houses of Nyboder, which were all built to house Denmark’s soldiers in the 17th century. Back in those days, soldiers were allowed to live in one of the houses in exchange for 20 years service; I’m unsure at this stage about whether or not that was a fair exchange.
Nyboder is still home to members of the Danish armed forces, and the eyecatching shade of yellow is known in Denmark as ‘Nyboder yellow.’
Head to a sauna on water
Glaecier is actually a members-only kind of a thing. Except on the days when it isn’t. The floating sauna and open-air pool is very close to Reffen and has some stunning views of the city across the water. (In fact, I’m yet to visit but I noticed it on the ferry after a glorious afternoon in the sun.)
Glaecier holds regular ‘Open Gus’ sessions, which involve three rounds of sauna gus (where water is poured over heated sauna rocks), and three dips in the pool, as well as light refreshments. And what a way to relax.
The Danish truly do know they’re doing, don’t they?
As you may have realised from this rather extensive list, there’s no shortage of things to do in Copenhagen, and the sheer variety of activities makes it one of the best cities in Europe for exploring. I also think that it’s an easy place to explore if you’re on a tight budget. This may be Scandinavia, but there are plenty of free things to see and do, and generally the museums and public transport are really affordable. I love this city, and each time I return, there is still more to take in. What a wonderful place.
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