Things to do in Copenhagen
When most people think of Copenhagen, they may think of brightly colored buildings, cold winters, and the Little Mermaid sculpture, but there’s so much more! From canals lined with boats to beautiful copper spires, the “hygge” capital of the world creates a welcoming and cozy atmosphere that makes you never want to leave.
Whether you’re there for a day or a week, there are always things to do around the city, so I’ve compiled a list of fun things to do to enjoy your time there.
1). Cycle around the city like a local
Biking in Copenhagen isn’t just a way for recreational fun or for tourists to get around, it’s a way of life! As one of the most “bicycle-friendly” cities in the world, there’s no better place to get a real feel of Copenhagen and Scandinavian cycling culture (at least in my experience, I found it much easier to gain my bearings after riding my bike, compared to taking the metro underground and seemingly “popping up” above ground at different points around the city).
Whether it be for a day - with a rented rideshare bicycle, a scheduled bike tour, or a rented bike for the duration of your trip, make sure to take to the roads to experience the city from a lens of a local. That being said, it’s important to follow the “rules of the road” when it comes to cycling, among some of the most important being: always use hand signals, stay on the cycle paths and keep to the right (while cycling is easy in the city, it’s vital to follow these rules to not cause any accidents).
For more tips and tricks on cycling in the city, as well as where to find a bike, check out my cycling guide here!
2). Eat street food
Another great thing to check out in Copenhagen is the food scene! With one of the biggest street food markets in the Nordic region - Reffen - where better to stop for some global cuisine? In a previously industrial harbor area, Refshaleøen now hosts around 50 food and drink stalls where people can enjoy the long Scandinavian summer evenings. Like many other areas in the city, their commitment to sustainability is evident since the food stalls are all made from old shipping containers and serve organic food, with minimal excess waste.
When you’re done with your meal, there are plenty of other things to do in the outdoor space with seating areas, stages for music festivals, and a skatepark, not to mention the waterfront where tourists and locals hang out alike.
3). Cruise along the canals
Another unique way to see the city from a new angle? The canals! Although it may seem like a cliche, there’s a good reason it’s one of the most popular things for tourists to do. With a strong maritime history, the city of Copenhagen can be seen from a different perspective and seemingly rediscovered from the water.
With canal tours leaving from either Ved Stranden or Nyhavn, hopping aboard one of the boats won’t disappoint with the friendly and knowledgeable tour guides, who are happy to teach visitors more about the history of the buildings and city.
4). Embrace the local cuisine
Smørrebrød - which best translates to “butter bread” - is arguably one of Denmark’s most popular dishes. Better described as an open-faced sandwich, smørrebrød can be viewed almost as a work of art, with various toppings and customs around eating it. With dark rye bread topped with various traditional toppings such as pickled herrings, cheese, various types of cured meats, and sauces there are options for everyone to enjoy. Keep in mind though, when eating smørrebrød, it’s traditional to first eat fish-topped ones, then ones topped with meats, and finally, ones topped with cheese.
But, if you’re looking for something else to enjoy as well, be sure not to miss out on the seafood! Being located on the Øresund, a strait that connects to the Baltic Sea, Copenhagen is known for being a dream destination for seafood lovers. Whether you’re stopping at local fish markets or upscale restaurants, it’s certainly not to be missed!
5). Shop along Strøget
At the heart of Copenhagen’s commercial district, and hailed as one of the longest shopping streets in Europe lined with international brands, high-end shops, chains, and more, stretching over 1.1 km (~ 0.68 miles), a shopaholics paradise.
If shopping isn’t necessarily your cup of tea, the pedestrian-only shopping street still offers a wide range of restaurants, cafes, and street performers to create a charming European ambiance to accompany a leisurely walk. Better yet, due to its central location, Strøget connects City Hall Square in central Copenhagen to Kongens Nytorv, another large plaza located in the historic section of the city, making it a fun way to get from attraction to attraction.
6). Stop at a local bakery (and try traditional Danish pastries)
Yet another food suggestion, but one not to be missed, traditional Danish pastries! With the ability to find bakeries and cafes all across the city creating classically Danish “hygge” atmospheres, you can settle in for as little or as long as you want, indulging in coffee and baked goods. With many popular different treats, one of the most famous pastries is Kanelsnegle or Danish Cinnamon Buns.
For some authentic pastries, stop at Sankt Peders Bageri, in the Latin Quarter, which’s the oldest bakery in the city. With a little bit of everything, you can sample a wide range of treats, but make sure to stop by on Wednesday, when they offer their popular “Onsdagssnegle” - Wednesday snails/cinnamon rolls.
7). Visit the "classics"
Of course, any trip to Copenhagen has to include the classic tourist attractions that are so widely renowned. From the postcard-perfect colorful buildings along the Nyhavn canal to the infamous Little Mermaid sculpture, Copenhagen can feel like it’s a city crafted right off the pages of a fairy tale.
As a historically commercial port, today Nyhavn is a touristy area with lively shops and restaurants located in the renovated townhouses. Paired with the cozy canal atmosphere and local musicians playing jazz music in the evenings, Nyhavn is the perfect setting for unwinding after a busy day of sightseeing or stopping by for dinner.
Equally as popular, the Little Mermaid sculpture - inspired by the fairy tale of the same name written by Hans Christian Andersen - has become almost synonymous with Copenhagen itself. Unassumably sitting in northern Copenhagen, tourists from across the world flock to visit the sculpture of the mermaid overlooking the canal and city.
For more info on Nyhavn, the Little Mermaid, and other “classically Copenhagen” attractions, check out my guide on must-see attractions here!
8). Wander around the palaces
Sprinkled across the city, there are various palaces and castles one can visit when in Copenhagen. Among the most popular within the city limits are Amalienborg Palace, Christiansborg Palace, and Rosenborg Castle.
Amalienborg Palace, one of the residences of the Danish royal family, lies in the center of Copenhagen, not far from Nyhavn and other notable attractions. Laying in an octagon plaza, four royal residences encircle an equestrian sculpture, with either end featuring Frederik’s Church and a waterfront park respectively. If you visit around noon, make sure to check out the changing of the guard's ceremony, which occurs daily!
While not an official “palace” anymore, Christiansborg Palace, once served as the palace for the royal family, however today it serves as the seat of the Danish parliament. With a spire topped with crowns, it’s an easily recognizable landmark in the city where tourists can stroll around the grounds, take a tour of the rooms, or head up to the viewing tower to see the city (more on that in the next section!).
Finally, Rosenborg Castle might just be the most enchanting castle in the city. Nestled in the western part of the city, the castle was initially built as a summer home for King Christian IV in the 17th century and is surrounded by the King’s Garden, a lush park with formal rose gardens, pavilions, and sculptures. For those visiting, walking around the grounds is great, or visitors can also take a tour to see the palace and the Danish crown jewels.
9). Get a bird's eye view of the city
After seeing the city from the land - either by walking or cycling around, and the water - taking a canal cruise, the following setting is to take to the sky! Luckily, the city is also nicknamed “The City of Spires”, with several spots one can get a bird’s eye view, some of the most notable being: Christiansborg’s Tower, The Round Tower, and the Church of Our Savior.
As mentioned in the previous section, Christiansborg’s Palace has the Tower, the tallest lookout point in Copenhagen, which is also free to visit! Take the elevator to the top of the tower Tuesdays-Sundays to get panoramic views of the city and additional history lessons on the construction of the palace itself and other notable buildings across the city.
The Round Tower, located near Copenhagen University, the tower was built by King Christian IV to serve as an astronomical tower, and today is one of the oldest functioning observatories in Europe. Built-in a unique wide spiral path, it’s said it was constructed that way so kings could ride their horses up the tower without having to dismount.
Finally, as one of Denmark’s most popular churches, the Church of Our Savior, is a must-see spot. Reaching nearly 90 meters ( ~295 feet), the top of the spire boasts amazing views of the city, however, keep in mind, the final portion of the stairs is on the outside of the spire.
Other notable mentions: City Hall Tower and Frederik’s Church
10). Embrace your inner child at Tivoli Gardens
Although when I first arrived in Copenhagen I wasn’t completely sure if I was going to take a trip to Tivoli, I’m so glad I did - as it became one of my personal favorites! As the world’s third-oldest amusement park and the inspiration for Walt Disney when he was building his parks, Tivoli Gardens has a little bit of everything. Vibrant and lively by day, the amusement park transforms into a fairytale-like setting by night with gentle lights that illuminate the walkways and rides.
Whether you’re a thrill seeker, or just want to enjoy amazing restaurants, landscaping, and architecture, Tivoli is a must-see stop. For those wanting to stop here on their trip to Copenhagen, you can just purchase an entrance ticket or the Tivoli package which includes your entrance fee in addition to an unlimited ride ticket.
11). Embrace freedom at Freetown Christiania
Known as Copenhagen’s most “hippie neighborhood”, Freetown Christiania is most likely one of the most unique places you can visit in the city. Originally formed as a squatter's community in the 1970s, the area today still houses around 1,000 residents who operate autonomously with their own rules and self-governing community separate from the Danish government.
With quirky features and artistic freedom, it’s a fun place to go to get something to eat, check out a music festival, or enjoy the community. An important note however, if you’re planning on visiting, is to follow the community guidelines, one of which is to not take photos unless specified otherwise by signs.
12). Swim in the harbor at the Harbour Baths
Copenhageners are very proud of the fact that the harbor is clean enough to swim in, and this is no better shown than through the Islands Brygge Harbour Bath. Near the center of the city, five pools have been constructed for people to enjoy year-round, two of which were constructed specifically for children. With the water being checked daily, authorities make sure it’s always safe.
During the summertime, you’ll find yourself surrounded by locals diving into the water, barbecuing and sunbathing, creating the perfect summer atmosphere, and even during the winter you may find the occasional bather who jumps into the frozen/cold water.
13). Find the Forgotten Giants
If you’re looking for a very unique and off-the-beaten path activity, go on a troll hunt to find “The Six Forgotten Giants”. Created by Danish artist, Thomas Dambo, large troll sculptures can be found around the city and Danish countryside (even throughout the world!) made from recycled materials and wood, meant to encourage people to get out and explore the natural world around them. Using this map, you can zoom into various locations where the trolls are located, to find the one you want to search for.
“The Six Forgotten Giants” themselves are six trolls that can be found scattered throughout the woods of Copenhagen’s suburbs, however since they are a little farther out than other attractions, a car may be needed to see all of them.
14). Climb the Round Tower
Once again, the Round Tower has made the list! However, this time not just a place to get a bird’s eye view of the city, but also for its historical past. In the 17th century when King Christian IV commissioned the tower to be built, Denmark was famous for astronomy due to Tycho Brahe, an astronomer who was thought to have been the most accurate at the time.
Built-in a unique spiral pathway, the tower today still serves as an observatory - one of the oldest in Europe - and a viewing point. In addition to the tower, you can also visit the library hall, where Hans Christian Andersen visited and was inspired by for some of his fairy tales, however, today is a space that hosts various artistic displays.
15). Take a step into the past
Known as one of the best-preserved fortresses in Northern Europe, Kastellet is the star-shaped citadel that sits in northern Copenhagen, not far from the Little Mermaid sculpture. Originally constructed in the 1600s, the citadel is still used as active barracks for the Danish military and is open to the public to stroll the grounds, which include a church, windmill, cannons, and red-brick buildings. With moats surrounding the fortress, many people take to the grassy ramparts to walk or jog around the area.
Comentários