Discover Copenhagen: 10 Experiences You’ll Love

10 Best Things to Do in Copenhagen

1. Climb Up the Round Tower ❤️ Must Visit

As with most European cities, there is always a tall tower somewhere in the middle of a city center that you can climb for an excellent view of the city. For Copenhagen, it's the Round Tower, which is the first place I recommend you check out.

The Round Tower is a 17th-century observatory and one of the oldest functioning observatories in Europe, located right at the heart of Copenhagen. Once you climb to the top, you will be rewarded with a 360° panoramic view of the city, which is awesome. One of the things I love most about this tower is its spiral ramp.

Usually, when you climb a tower in Europe, it often involves climbing up a steep and narrow staircase with questionable safety, and you have to squeeze yourself among hundreds of other tourists to find a spot at the top. However, for this one, you are climbing a spacious ramp that goes around the tower, which makes it way easier to climb.

The tower is open from 10 AM to 8 PM every day, and the entrance fee is 40 DKK (5 EUR) per person. With the view from up there, you can pretty much see all the tourist attractions we will be visiting in this itinerary. There is no better place to start your first day in Copenhagen than this.

Where to Stay in Copenhagen?

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2. Chill out at Nyhavn

Nyhavn, which means "New Harbor" in Danish, is a famous and picturesque waterfront district best known for its row of brightly colored buildings lining both sides of the canal.

It was originally constructed in the 17th century as a commercial port, but it has since been completely renovated into a tourist hot spot with numerous restaurants, cafes, and bars all lined up along the waterfront. This makes it a great place to sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery.

You can also go on an organized boat tour to explore the city and see lovely houses, ancient castles, and beautiful churches along the way. It should take about 1 hour and cost no more than 20 EUR. You can go on a 2-hour hidden-gem boat tour to get off the beaten path and see Copenhagen from a unique perspective.

3. Admire the architecture around Amalienborg

Home to the residence of the Danish royal family, Amalienborg is a beautiful historic palace complex where you will find yourself surrounded by some of the most stunning Rococo architecture in the city.

The palace complex was constructed in the 18th Century and is composed of four identical palaces surrounding an octagonal courtyard. Every day, at 12 PM, you will get to witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony, which often takes place right in the courtyard.

You can also go inside the palace and check out the palace museum, where you can learn more about the lives of Danish monarchs and the history of the palace. It is open from 10 AM to 3 PM every day, except on Mondays, and the entrance fee is 120 DKK per person.

4. Admire the beauty of Frederik's Church

A little further west from the Amalienborg palace, you will find Frederik's Church, or the Marble Church, an 18th-century Lutheran church best known for its monumental dome, which is one of the largest church domes in Scandinavia.

The church gets its name, the Marble Church, from its exterior cladding, which is made of Norwegian and Danish marble. The combination of white and green marble gives the church a striking appearance that makes it stand out from all the other churches in Europe.

I can spend hours just admiring the exterior of Frederik's Church alone, but the interior is also equally impressive, if not more so, with its beautifully decorated sanctuary, intricately designed décor, and a majestic dome with religious iconography covering the entire ceiling.

Frederik's Church is truly quite a sight to behold and a must-do if you are in Copenhagen. The church is open from 10 AM to 5 PM every day, and the entrance fee is free.

5. Enjoy the Leafy Park of The King's Garden

Right at the center of the city, you will find the King's Garden, a vast and spacious grassland with lush green trees, huge flowerbeds, and small ponds and fountains that create this little pocket of nature in the middle of a bustling city center.

In the park, you will find plenty of walking paths, beautiful sculptures, and rose gardens where you can lose yourself. Right at the center, you will find the beautiful Rosenborg Castle, where we will be visiting next.

6. Visit the Rosenborg Castle and go down the Treasury 🏛️ Best Museum

After you are done with the King's Garden, make your way towards the center of the park and check out Rosenborg Castle, a historic and well-preserved castle best known for its beautiful Renaissance architecture and the role it played in Danish history.

The castle was built in the early 17th century as a summer residence and hunting lodge for the Danish monarch, utilizing the famous Renaissance architectural style, which you can see from its red brick façade, copper-green roofs, and intricate ornamentation.

Nowadays, the palace is used as a museum filled with richly decorated rooms, tapestries, and artwork, while the basement has been converted into a treasury to store the Danish Crown Jewels and royal regalia, such as the crown, scepter, and orb. All of these items are displayed for us to see.

The palace is open from 10 AM to 5 PM every day, and the entrance fee is 130 DKK per person. To avoid waiting time, I highly recommend that you book a time slot and buy the ticket from the official website prior to your arrival.

7. Have Danish Pasties at Bertels Salon Kompagnistæde 🥘 Best Place to Eat

Other than its beautiful architecture and its mastery of the art of Hygge, the Danes are also famous for their world-class pastries. One of the local pastry shops I often frequented when I was here is Bertels Salon Kompagnistæde.

The cafe is famous for its mouth-watering cheesecake that can convert even the most prominent cheesecake skeptics into falling in love with it instantly. They serve a great variety of cheesecake flavors like lime, strawberries, etc., as well as other pastries that pair perfectly with a cup of coffee.

If you are looking for a place to take a break in Copenhagen, be sure to check out Bertels Salon Kompagnistæde. The pastry shop is open from 11 AM to 9 PM every day.

8. Explore the Cafe Culture in Copenhagen

As I prefaced earlier, the Danes are known to master the art of Hygge, creating a warm atmosphere so one can enjoy the good things in life with good people, and there is no place where this concept shines more than the cafes in Copenhagen.

One of the first places you should check out while you are here is Paludan Bogcafe, a cozy social gathering spot that is popular among university students and young adults living in the city.

The café is a great place to enjoy a nice cup of coffee while reading your favorite book in a cozy environment surrounded by books that you can borrow. You can also order pastries, brunches, and salads if you are looking for a place to chill.

Another great cafe to check out is the Living Room cafe, a laid-back hipster hangout spot with vintage furniture and a homey atmosphere. It has comfy couches, pillows, and plenty of natural light, making it a great place to go for any meal of the day or for a nice place to hang out with friends in the evening.

Last but not least, be sure to check out Bastard Cafe, a board game cafe where you can come with your friends, enjoy a cup of coffee, choose one of the over 2,000 board games available in its collection, and hang out with your friends.

9. Stroll Along Strøget Street

Strøget is one of the most popular streets in Copenhagen and is considered to be one of the longest pedestrian streets in Europe, stretching over 1 km in length. It would take around 15 minutes to walk the whole length of the street.

The street is lined with all kinds of shops, restaurants, and cafes on both sides where you can indulge yourself. The place is most active in the evening, and if you are not sure where you want to go for dinner, this is a great place to start.

10. See the Little Mermaid Statue

Last but not least, you have to check out the Little Mermaid, a small bronze statue of a mermaid sitting on a rock by the waterside just north of Amalienborg.

The statue is inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's beloved fairy tale "The Little Mermaid", published in 1837, which was then used as inspiration for the famous animated feature film The Little Mermaid by Disney.

The statue is situated on a rock at the Langelinie promenade, overlooking the waters of the Copenhagen Harbor, which makes for a beautiful backdrop, especially during sunrise and sunset. So, be sure to check out that statue while you are here.

When to Visit Copenhagen?

May - Early June is the best time to visit Copenhagen as it is during the beginning of the peak season when the city is not as crowded and not as expensive as in late June - August.

The weather during this shoulder season is quite manageable at around 16°C - 20°C, not as extreme as in the Scandinavian neighbors. September is also a good time, but the weather is starting to get colder by the day, so do prepare yourself accordingly and pack some layers.

How to Get to Copenhagen?

You can fly into Copenhagen if you are coming from outside of the EU. For the best possible deal, I always browse the airfare comparison website, Skyscanner or Expedia, to find cheap flights for the trip.

If you are already in Europe and are on a budget, you can also take a bus from anywhere with Flixbus for only a few EUR.

How to Get Around Copenhagen?

Copenhagen is an extremely walkable city with many tourist attractions, all concentrated around the city center, so you do not have to rely on any mode of transportation when visiting Copenhagen.

If you are looking to go further, trains, buses, and the metro are very reliable and punctual, and they can take you everywhere in the city and beyond. A single trip ticket (for traveling within 2 zones) will cost you 24 DKK (3.76 USD), and the ticket can be used on all 3 modes of transportation (trains, buses, and the metro).

You can buy the ticket from the DSB ticket office or the ticket machines at the central train station. If you have small changes, you can buy the ticket directly from the bus driver.

Daily Budget

Traveling here can be quite expensive and isn't necessarily budget-friendly, though there are still options to manage costs. You can expect to spend around $50 - $70 USD per day per person, including food, accommodation, and transportation.

Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.

What to Pack for Copenhagen, Denmark?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Copenhagen, Denmark:

• Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
• Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
• Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
• Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
• Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
• Down Jacket: In freezing temperatures, a down jacket is essential. The Columbia Men's Lone Fir Hooded Jacket (for women) is my choice. They are warm, lightweight, and available in various colors.
• Wool Beanie: A wool beanie is perfect for keeping your head and ears warm.
• Wool Gloves: I always have wool gloves handy to keep my hands warm in cold weather.
• Wool Socks: Don't forget to keep your feet warm with wool socks.
• Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
• Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
• Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
• Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
• Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
• Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
• Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.

Looking for a more comprehensive packing list for Europe? Check out:What to Pack For Europe: The Essential Packing List

Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:

Flights: Skyscanner and Expedia are the best places to start looking for cheap flights and great deals from your home country.

Accommodation: Hostelworld, Booking.com, and Agoda.com are the ultimate go-to platforms to search for amazing hostels and hotels at affordable prices.

Travel Insurance: Heymondo covers theft, medical emergencies, cancellations, and more during your travels. Get a 5% discount if you sign up today.

Transportation: For buses, I always go with Omio when traveling in Copenhagen, Denmark while for trains, Omio is my go-to place to book all my train travels in advance.

Car Rental: DiscoverCars.com is a great and reliable platform to find rental cars.

Internet: Airalo is the best way to get a sim card and has reliable internet access for your trip. All you need is an esim compatible smartphone, install it on your phone prior to your trip, and you are all set.

VPN: To stay connected with people at home, I always make sure to have ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and I can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

Day Trips & Tours: Viator, GetYourGuide and TripAdvisor are great platforms to search for trips and tours to join.

Tickets & Deals: Tiqets is always my go-to website when I want to find cheaper deals for entrance tickets to tourist attractions.

Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.

Further Reading for Denmark and Other Nordic Countries

I hope you found this Denmark guide useful. If you want to read more about Denmark, here is a selection of articles you might like:

• Helsinki is a great place to travel to from Denmark. If you are heading that way, be sure to visit our 9 Best Things To Do In Helsinki as well.
• Stockholm is a beautiful city with a ton of things to do and places to see that can be quite overwhelming. Here's a travel guide and a 3-day itinerary on things to do in Stockholm, Sweden.
• Want to do a road trip in Scotland? Check out our 2-week road trip itinerary for Scotland.
• Are you traveling to Denmark as part of a bigger Europe trip? Be sure to check out my 3-month itinerary for Europe from Portugal all the way to Sweden.
• Packing for a trip to visit a region as big as Europe is extremely daunting. Here's a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe - The Essential Packing List.
• Want to visit Europe in winter? Better prepare for the cold. Here's a winter packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe in Winter - The Essential Packing List.
• Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
• You can also watch my Nordic travel video here: "Electro Nordic" travel video.
• To see all the articles about Sweden, visit Denmark Travel Guide page.
• Looking for a place to go after Denmark? How about the Baltic States? Check out our complete one-week itinerary for the Baltic Countries.
• Planning a trip to Vilnius, Lithuania and looking for awesome things to do? Check out: 10 Best Things to Do in Vilnius, Lithuania.
• You can't travel to the Baltics without visiting Riga, the capital city of Latvia. Here is a complete travel guide and the 10 Best Things to Do in Riga, Latvia.
• Tallinn is one of the prettiest cities in the Baltics and a must-visit for those who love medieval architecture and colorful traditional houses. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Tallinn, Estonia.
• Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
• Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
• Or, if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Northern Europe Travel Guide page.
• For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.