Best Things to Do in Copenhagen: A City Guide

When you tell people you’re going to Copenhagen, pretty much the only thing you’ll hear is, “Copenhagen is very expensive.” You’ll be told this so often that it will prove difficult to illicit any other, helpful information.

Asking “Have you been to Copenhagen? What’s it like?” will result in just one response: “It’s very expensive.”

And guess what? They’re right.

There are so many wonderful things to do in Copenhagen but a weekend there is, indeed, expensive – but not extortionate depending on how you spend your money. A cup of coffee in a hipster coffee joint is about the same as a Starbucks and you’re unlikely to spend less than £50 on dinner for two; two mains and a bottle of wine. Correct me if I’m wrong, and maybe I’m just used to London prices, but while that is pricey, I don’t think it’s as outrageous as people make it out to be.

If it’s your first time visiting Europe, here are some Europe Travel Tips: 35 Helpful Things You Need To Know Before Visiting.

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Do you need a Copenhagen City Card?

We purchased the Copenhagen City Card for the duration of our stay which we felt was worth it’s price tag – and I highly recommend you do the same. This isn’t something I always recommend purchasing in every country, as often I find they aren’t worthwhile, but for Copenhagen, I do think it is extremely good value for money.

To find out if it’s worth your while to purchase a Copenhagen City Card, choose the sites and museums you want to visit, check their prices online, then compare them with the cost of the card. I pretty much guarantee you’ll find that the Copenhagen Card will be worth its price.

You can download the app that goes along with it which is really helpful to find the attractions that are included, ‘favourite’ the places you want to see and plan your route.

Priced at approximately £121pp for 72 hours (or less for fewer days), it gives you free access to 86 attractions, discounts at many bars and restaurants and free transport within Copenhagen – unlike London’s smelly tube, the Metro is fast, clean, reliable and an actual joy to use!

If you’re travelling with children, each adult card also includes two children under the age of 10 with it, so it’s a no brainer really.

Things to do in Copenhagen

I used to love a hop-on hop-off bus tour abroad as it’s such a great way to get used to the area, figure out what’s where, and get a taste of the local history. I don’t do that so much anymore, but we booked the CitySightseeing bus tour in Copenhagen and found it useful.

Tivoli Gardens

Tivoli is the second oldest amusement park in the world and is said to be the inspiration behind Walt Disney World. This stunning inner-city park is filled with some impressive rides; a 100-year old rollercoaster, which, before you ask, was completely wasted on me as I’m terrified of rides! With other amusement rides, funfair style ‘hook-a-duck’ games, plenty of green space and lots of eateries – there is something for everyone here.

It’s definitely worth a visit even if you are a wuss when it comes to rides, like I am. I hear that Halloween and Christmas are the best times to come as the gardens are transformed into each holiday theme. Visiting Tivoli Gardens in the evening for its lights and atmosphere is a magical experience.

Entrance is free with the Copenhagen Card, but tickets for the rides have to be purchased separately.

Nyhavn

No visit to Copenhagen is complete without an obligatory snap of the iconic coloured buildings in Nyhavn; pretty much every photo you’ll ever see of Copenhagen will include these colourful shops and houses.

Though the cost of food and drinks is pretty high in this area due to it being such a popular tourist spot, just wandering around the area and looking at the pretty little homes, cafes and shops that make up this part of town is fun.

We treated ourselves to dinner at a cute little Italian restaurant on our last night here which was lovely and didn’t quite break the bank balance, so it’s always worth checking out the menu first.

Canal Tours

One of the best ways of seeing the city sights is by boat and there are plenty to choose from at the Nyhavn harbour area.

We went on a Netto boat, which again was free with the Copenhagen City Card. The boats have pre-recorded guided tours and thankfully you sit inside the boat, in a heated area – though I imagine they can take the glass roof off in summer which would be ideal for taking photographs of the scenic views.

As you sail, you can admire the moored yachts, imposing neoclassical architecture and gothic churches that compose the grand city, while you have the audio tour headset on telling you all about Danish history.

Check availability on the Electric Boat canal tour with a guide here.

The Little Mermaid

People say a fleeting trip to see the Little Mermaid should be on every first-timer’s visit to Copenhagen, so like any other tourist, we got off the hop on hop off bus here. I have to say it was very underwhelming, and quite literally just a statue. Very overrated.

It’s quite far away from everything else and if you aren’t on a bus or boat tour that goes past it, I personally wouldn’t bother making a special trip to go and see it.

Kastellet

If you are in the area, explore the far more interesting Kastellet. Constructed in the 17th century, Kastellet is a well-preserved star-shaped fortress. It boasts a unique and symmetrical design, complete with earthwork ramparts and a surrounding moat.

It is now a serene waterfront park with immaculately maintained grounds, tree-lined avenues, and a historic windmill. 

Carlsberg Brewery

The Carlsberg Brewery (Home of Carlsberg) was once the beating heart of Denmark’s economy. It is an interactive journey through Danish brewing history, family legacy and modern innovation. If you have done the Guinness Brewery Experience in Dublin before, the Carlsberg tour will feel familiar. It is a self-guided walk through the historic brewery facilities with interactive exhibits detailing how Carlsberg lager is crafted.

They offer more than just beer tasting though; it’s an immersive journey into the brewing process. The brewery also houses one of the world’s largest collections of beer bottles. After the tour, relax in the Carlsberg Beer Garden, where you can sip on freshly brewed beer in a surprisingly modern and stylish space. This is a fun, cultural and tasty experience for beer lovers!

Christiana Freetown

Wandering through the free-spirited “green” commune known as Freetown Christiania was one of the highlights of the trip for me. It has a very spooky feel and exploring this hippie town of alternative people is literally like taking a trip to another world where norms and laws of a regular society do not apply.

It used to be a military zone until the 1970s, when a group of hippies occupied the area and created their own set of society rules. Old army barracks have been renovated and converted into practical spaces such as workshops, cafes, galleries and homes and today around 1000 people live in this alternative car-free area.

It’s a weird and slightly confusing mix of DIY houses, nature, museums, art galleries, shops, workshops, music venues, and cheap organic eateries. The area is vibrant, but at the same time very tired with a gritty edge that feels a million miles away from modern civilisation.

Marijuana is legal within this Freetown and freely available all along the aptly named Pusher Street and because of this no photography is allowed in this area, however, exploring Christiania is definitely an adventure not to be missed!

Danish National Museum (Nationalmuseet)

The Danish National Museum, Nationalmuseet is one of the city’s major cultural museums. It’s a must-visit for a comprehensive, chronological journey through Danish history, from prehistoric times (Viking Age treasures like the Sun Chariot) through the Middle Ages and beyond, offering deep cultural insights, ethnographic collections of global cultures, and engaging interactive exhibits, including a unique Children’s Museum. Perfect if you’re a history buff!

Design Museum Denmark

We only made it here with minutes to spare, but they very kindly let us in anyway (be aware that last entry is 30 minutes before the museum closes). We whizzed around in record time but unfortunately didn’t get all the way round.

If you want to see some unbelievably cool Scandi design, then this is place you need to be!

Again, this is free entry with the Copenhagen City Card – and it is certainly one of the coolest things to do in Copenhagen.

We also went to a pop-up exhibition that was on while we were there and again it was free entry with the CC Card, so keep an eye out for those.

If you love minimalistic Scandi design and all things arty farty, this vibrant city will not disappoint!

We tried to do and see as much as we could in 72 hours, but this is a city I’d definitely visit again – probably during the summer months when it’s a lot warmer though!

We visited in April last year and temperatures were as low as -2 degrees celcius in the evenings so you definitely need to pack some thermals!

How to get around Copenhagen

In my opinion, the best way to explore Copenhagen is by bicycle as Copenhagen is one of the most bike friendly cities in the world with excellent bicycle infrastructure and flat topography. Blessed with a temperate (albeit often wet) climate all year round, you’ll see locals riding their bicycles every day of the year! 

Bicycles are a cheap and flexible way to explore. Most hotels also offer daily bike rentals or you can book a guided bike tour which is a fun way to see the city.

Best time to visit Copenhagen

Copenhagen is liveliest in spring & summer, like many other Scandinavian cities – with the warm weather and long daylight hours. May, June and September are the best months to visit Copenhagen. Many locals go on holiday in July, so it can be quieter to visit then too.

How long to stay in Copenhagen

Copenhagen is the perfect destination for a long weekend in Europe. 2 nights – 3 days in Copenhagen is optimal. There is more to see here than initially meets the eye, and Copenhagen is a destination that invites you to slow down a bit. Just don’t slow down too much – as it’s a pricey place to visit!

If you missed the vlog and would like a closer look at what we did, you can watch it below.

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Read more about Denmark: 10 Things You Need To Know About LEGOLAND Billund, Denmark