Welcome to Copenhagen, Denmark! This gorgeous city is one of the most charming cities in Europe. It’s hard to put a finger on the best part about Copenhagen – whether it’s the beautiful canals, the incredible shopping, or maybe just the entire vibe of the city itself. Copenhagen has a bit of a “small-town vibe” despite being a major capital city. I also might be partial to it as it was my very first ever solo destination! For whatever reason, Copenhagen absolutely deserves a spot on your travel itinerary. Here’s my complete Copenhagen travel guide!
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Getting Here + Getting Around
GETTING TO COPENHAGEN | Depending on where you are departing from, you can arrive into Copenhagen by flight to CPH International Airport or by train to Copenhagen Central Station. Both are quite convenient! The train station is in the city center, and the airport is a quick fifteen minute drive into the city. You can grab a taxi, or use the Viggo app to call a ride (Uber doesn’t operate here).
GETTING AROUND | Copenhagen is a very walkable city! I actually got around the entire time on foot and didn’t need to use public transportation once. If you do need to use public transportation, here’s everything you need to know. I also recommend looking into the Copenhagen Card, a card that covers all public transportation as well as entry into more than 70 museums and attractions! Biking is also quite popular here, but I only recommend renting a bike if you are experienced with biking in a major city.
NOTE: Roads will often have three traffic lights: one for cars, one for bikes, and one for pedestrians. Be mindful of this and make sure to not accidentally walk in a bike lane (you will get run over).
Nyhavn
Chances are, Nyhavn was one of the first photos you saw when you began looking into your Copenhagen trip. This iconic waterfront promenade has been a hallmark of the city since the 17th century. The harbor originally functioned as a busy trading port, which can still be seen today by the historic wooden ships tied to the docks.
Nyhavn is absolutely one of the busiest parts of Copenhagen, so I recommend visiting early in the morning to get to enjoy the colorful buildings free of crowds. The promenade is lined with restaurants, however these all seemed quite touristy to me so I didn’t opt to try any of them.
Canal Cruise
A beautiful way to see Copenhagen from the water! You can book a cruise online or directly at the dock. Our guide was fantastic and had a lot of knowledge about the history of the city, fun stories about landmarks, and recommendations for things to do! The tour also passes by the famous Little Mermaid statue (a bit underwhelming, so I was glad to see it on the tour rather than making a separate trip for it).
Tip: Arrive at the dock a bit early, for two reasons. One, the lines can get long. Two, there’s a little bar at the dock so you can grab a drink before you get on the boat!
Rosenborg Castle + Park
Built in 1606 as a country summerhouse, Rosenborg Castle is (in my opinion) one of the prettiest buildings in Copenhagen. The castle was closed for an event when I was visiting so I couldn’t go inside, but wandering around the park and enjoying the views of the castle is a stunning break from the hustle and bustle of the city. I actually found myself here several times, just enjoying a cup of coffee and reading on one of the benches for a little while!
Christiansborg Palace
Originally housed the king and queen, but is now the seat of Parliament, the Supreme Court, and Ministry of State. The rooms are still decorated for a royal though, and are often still used for royal events. Book your entry ticket here!
Church of Our Savior
This famous baroque church offers one of the best views of Copenhagen. Climb the winding staircase to the top of the steeple and enjoy the panoramic views out over the city!
Try all the Bakeries
You can’t visit Denmark without trying Danish pastries! Try a fun food tour that stops at five different bakeries, or spread your sweet treats out throughout your time in the city – but don’t miss out!
My favorites:
- BUKA: Has several locations throughout Copenhagen. Try their pistachio croissant!
- ANDERSEN AND MALLAIRD: Try the most popular Danish pastry – spandaeur!
- JUNO: Try the cardamom buns!
Go Shopping on Strøget
One of the longest pedestrian shopping streets in Europe! Stores range from high end designers like Prada and Chanel, to more everyday shops like H&M. Copenhagen’s fashion scene is immense, and you’ll find plenty of boutique designers along this street among the big names. It’s not just clothes though – you can also find home decor shops, cute cafés, and street performers!
Visit the Glypotek
I’m not the biggest museum fan – I’ll usually pick one per city that I feel will be the most interesting. In Copenhagen, that was the Glyptotek! I actually really enjoyed this museum. I love sculptures, and their exhibitions were full of them. The museum also didn’t feel crowded (which is one of my biggest turn offs to visiting museums – I’m looking at you, Louvre). If you’re a big art/history buff, you’ll love the Glypotek! Buy your tickets here.
Have Lunch at Paludan Bog + Café
My favorite café in Copenhagen! Once you see the photos you’ll see why – every wall of the interior is lined with books. It’s actually quite large with two levels, so there’s plenty of space to grab a table and sit for a while. Nearly everyone was reading, studying, or working, so it’s a great place to stop if you need a quiet little break from the city. The coffee was delicious and I highly recommend their Caesar salad!
Tivoli Gardens
Copenhagen’s amusement park! With over thirty rides, performances, games, shops, and plenty of food and drink to try, there’s so much to do here. Even if you aren’t into carnival rides (I’m not), strolling through the shops and gardens was so fun. I visited during October, so the entire place was decked out for Halloween. I had several cups of apple cider and gløgg (a danish mulled wine) and strolled around the gardens for a few hours. I also ate the best hot dog of my entire life here and I think it altered my brain chemistry.
I do recommend purchasing tickets in advance, as the lines get very long.
Freetown Christiania
In 1971, a group of 700 people established squatters rights in an abandoned military barracks. This area is now known as Freetown Christiania! The community doesn’t abide by Danish law, but instead by their own set of ideals and rules (no guns, no explosives, no hard drugs, etc.).
The commune is really interesting to walk through, with street art covering nearly every surface, children playing in the car-free streets, and an entire street (Pusher Street) dedicated to the sale of marijuana. It’s like nothing else I’ve ever visited, and felt so wild and free in comparison to the rest of Copenhagen. The residents love sharing their community with others, and even offer tours during the summer months!
If you want to read more about the story of the “free city”, read Rick Steves incredible post about it!
Rundetaarn
I’ll admit – I didn’t go inside. I actually didn’t even know this existed before I visited Copenhagen. However, I walked by one afternoon and saw an outrageous line to go inside, so I’m assuming it must be really interesting! The round tower was originally built as an observatory, and has a staircase inside that you can climb for a view over the city. Whether it rivals the view from Church of our Savior or not, I’m not sure, but it’s worth looking into!
Try the Food markets
If you’ve been read my blog before, you know I love a good food market. It’s such a fun way to get a taste of local foods! The food markets here in Copenhagen had local specialties and international tastes as well, so there’s something for everyone.
TORVEHALLERNE | A bit more of the traditional market experience, with stands selling fresh fruit/veggies, stalls with prepared foods ready for you to try, and other local shops selling their goods. The market is known for its organic and sustainable vendors!
BROENS | More of a street food experience – lots of stalls selling different international styles of food. It’s close to Nyhavn and you can catch a beautiful view of the sunset on the bridge next to the tables!
I highly recommend staying in Indre By, the downtown area of Copenhagen. Here, you will be within walking distance of all the highlights of Copenhagen!
This luxurious boutique hotel is the most charming place to stay in Copenhagen! It’s a short walk to Nyhavn, making it the perfect location. The rooms are decorated beautifully, complete with spa-style kimonos and slippers. Stop by the rooftop observatory garden, or get a drink at the gorgeous bar. The perfect hotel!
If you want to stay directly on the waterfront of Nyhavn, look no further than 71 Nyhavn! This historic hotel was originally a warehouse from the 1800s. The design of the rooms is pretty standard, but many of them have an incredible view of the harbor!
On the other side of Copenhagen near Tivoli and the Glypotek is the Nobis Hotel. Here, you’ll find tastefully decorated rooms, a Scandinavian restaurant, and a health and fitness center featuring a sauna, hot stone, and a cold plunge.
Step back in time at this 17th century hotel. The decor is inspired by Louis XVI, with antique furniture, gold chandeliers, and draped curtains. This hotel has a fantastic price point as well!
This wraps up my Complete Guide to Copenhagen!