Copenhagen (or København in Danish) is the trendy capital of Denmark. After visiting the city various times over the years, here are 10 things you should see and do while in Copenhagen (plus a couple of bonus at the end, including a Copenhagen map for your ease of reference). Enjoy!
Top things to do in Copenhagen (Denmark)
Get a selfie with the Little Mermaid
First on our list of things to do in Copenhagen is the Little Mermaid.:)
Known as ‘den lille Havfrue‘ in Danish, this is probably the most popular spot in Copenhagen. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s homonymous tale and sculpted by Edvard Eriksen, you will find the famous bronze sculpture sitting on a rock surrounded by water. Say cheese and take a selfie!
The nearby Kastellet area is worth a visit too. This star-shaped land features a fortress from the 17th century, a windmill and even a church (Kastelskirken).
Ride a bike to explore the city
As in many countries in northern Europe, Denmark is a paradise for bikers. Danes love to bike rain or shine and proof of that is that you’ll find bikes everywhere you go. Biking is actually a great way of exploring the capital city of Denmark and there are various companies offering rental services, so pick one and ride off!
Experience the changing of the Royal Guard
Denmark is a constitutional monarchy, and as such, the Royal Family has its own Royal Guard. One of the main attractions when visiting Copenhagen is seeing the changing of the Guard. Every day, the Royal Guards leave their barracks at Rosenborg Castle at 11.30 am and march to Amalienborg Palace, arriving there at noon. You’ll see the soldiers together with the Royal Guards music band when the Queen is in residence. Make sure to take a front seat near Amalienborg to enjoy the show first hand.
Visit the Royal Palaces located in Copenhagen
The Danish Royal Family owns various castles around the country. Some of them can be found in Copenhagen, namely Amalienborg, Rosenborg and Christiansborg. They are all open to the public and can be visited.
Located in central Copenhagen, Amalienborg is where both Queen Margrethe II and Crown Prince Frederik reside and spend most of their time. The Palace encompasses the Amalienborg Museum. The imposing Frederiks Kirke also known as Marmorkirken can be found steps away.
On the other side, Rosenborg was originally envisioned as a summer residence. Built between 1606 and 1607 by order of Christian IV, the castle currently houses the Crown Jewels and other royal treasures. This castle is surrounded by a Botanic Garden (Botanisk Have), the Museum of Natural History (Statens Naturhistoriske Museum) or the National Gallery of Denmark (Statens Museum for Kunst).
Finally, Christiansborg Palace is located on Slotsholmen in Copenhagen. During your tour, you may be able to explore the Reception Rooms, the Royal Stables, or the Palace Chapel.
Taste the Danish cuisine
After all this sightseeing around the capital, you might be hungry. If you’re wondering where to eat in Copenhagen, the city offers endless options, from acclaimed restaurants like noma and Geranium (holding three Michelin stars each), to more relaxed cafes and bistros. In the latter category, I tried Restaurant & Cafe Nytorv (Nytorv,15) during my last visit in 2015. Other cute places that I spotted were the following: Bistro Royal, Lumskebugten or Bistro Boheme.
While you’re visiting Copenhagen, this might be your chance to be introduced to the New Nordic cuisine, a culinary movement that has developed in Scandinavian countries since the 2000s, putting emphasis on fresh products and reviving ancient techniques with a modern touch.
In Denmark, as in other Nordic countries, fish, bread and vegetables are staple foodstuffs. Some traditional Danish dishes include smørrebrød (a toast, typically of rye bread, with cold meat or fish on top of it), stegt flæsk (crispy pork served with potatoes and parsley sauce) and frikadeller (pork meatballs). You might also have come across the worldwide famous and delicious Danish cookies known as vaniljekranse made with vanilla and almonds.
Trying the Danish cuisine is certainly one of the top things to do in Copenhagen!
Buy a piece of trendy Danish design
As happens with food, Nordic design (and Danish for this matter) is minimalist, yet stylish. Be it furniture, clothes or even watches, you won’t go wrong with one of their signature pieces. Some famous brands from Denmark include Lego (yes, the toy manufacturer), Pandora (jewellery), Carlsberg (beer) or Bang & Olufsen (sleek electronics).
If you’re into modern architecture, make sure to check out the Danish Architecture Center or the Opera House.
Walk around the colorful Nyhavn
Nyhavn, literally meaning New Harbour in Danish, is one of the most Instagrammable spots in Copenhagen. Colorful century-old houses line up on the two sides of the canal, while the area bustles with touristy bars and restaurants. This is a popular location for locals and foreigners alike, so ensure that Nyhavn is part of your itinerary around the Danish capital.
Set yourself free in Christiania
Located in the Christianshavn neighborhood, Freetown Christiania is a partially self-governing district. This commune hosts about a thousand residents. No taxes are due here, and only cash payments are accepted.
Steps away you will find the Church of Our Saviour (Vor Frelsers Kirke). If you’re looking for extensive views over Copenhagen, climb to the top of the tower up its famous spiral staircase.
Have fun at Tivoli
Founded back in 1843, Tivoli is a large area by the City Hall encompassing an amusement park, public gardens and even a food hall. Enjoy a fun wild ride, eat a bite or attend a concert in this iconic location of Copenhagen. Make sure to visit the Tivoli Christmas market and its magical atmosphere during the festive season!
Go shopping around Strøget
You guessed it: Strøget is the place to go for shopping in the Danish capital, and it is for sure one of the best things to do in Copenhagen. This long pedestrian street located in the city center is where you’ll find plenty of brands you love. Enjoy!
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Copenhagen map
Looking to easily locate the best things to do in Copenhagen? In the Copenhagen map below I pinned all the locations that are mentioned throughout this post. Save it for later!
Exploring beyond Copenhagen
Copenhagen is a trendy destination, with lots to see, do and even eat. However, you may feel the urge to explore outside the Danish capital or even other countries nearby. Take a look at these recommendations:
- Denmark: you could visit Aarhus or Odense (the second and third main cities in the country respectively), head to Billund (the Legoland amusement park located in this city is a must for all fans), or have fun at Aalborg during its famous Carnival taking place in May every year. Read my post recommending the five cities you should visit in the country.
- Sweden: explore the capital Stockholm, including its archipelago (Vaxholm is a good starting point), or other major cities such as Göteborg or Malmö.
- Iceland: from the cute capital of Reykjavik to the imposing waterfalls or the volcanic beaches, the land of ice and fire will leave you speechless. Check out these posts about what to see and do in Iceland in 4 days and 8 things to see and do in Iceland to learn more.
How did you like this post about the top things to do in Copenhagen? Was it helpful? Please let me know in the comments below.
