11 best things to do in Copenhagen, Denmark
Welcome to one of the most beautiful capitals in Europe: Copenhagen. The city is known for its picturesque streets, the laid-back atmosphere and the stunning street style wherever you look. Copenhagen is an attractive destination for basically any traveller. From colorful harbors and royal palaces to cute restaurants and cozy cafés, the Danish capital offers visitors a unique blend of culture, creativity, and hygge—the famous Danish sense of coziness and well-being. If you love history, you will find some exciting museums and historic places. If you love to taste your way through a city, be ready for an international food-scene with many beautiful restaurants and bars. And lastly, Copenhagen has something to offer for the shopping-lovers, the party queens and the photographers. If you feel like Copenhagen could be something just for you, stay here for a general overview of the best things to do in Copenhagen which you cannot miss when making a trip to the city.
Visit the most photographed spot in Copenhagen: Nyhavn
Let’s start with the probably most obvious thing to do in Copenhagen: the Nyhavn. The New Harbour is the most popular spot in the city and also the first picture many travellers have in mind when thinking of the city. The beautiful colorful houses can be found on many post cards and all over the internet. And yes, it really is a must-do when you are exploring Copenhagen. With the old boats in the foreground and the houses in the background, this is a beautiful sight you cannot miss.
You can visit the Nyhavn during any time of the day, but early in the morning it is less crowded which makes it better for taking pictures. As well, if you have the chance, come by when its dark and the lights are on. There are quite a few restaurants along the water which are covered in stunning lights.
Hike up the tower of the Church of our Saviour
Ready for the best view of Copenhagen? As always, it is amazing to see a city from above and get an overview of the place. Copenhagen offers a fantastic option: climbing up the tower of a church. The tower of the Church of our Saviour is open from nine am toe eight pm every day and the entry is only ten Euros. Totally affordable for any budget and the view is it all worth. Promise.
Be aware though that you should be able to control your fear of heights when climbing up as it gets not only quite high, but the steps are very narrow as well. On a clear day, you might even see the Öresund Bridge which connects Denmark and Sweden over the ocean.
Go for a shopping tour in Strøget
It is hard to resist the urge of a shopping tour in a city like Copenhagen. There are beautiful styles wherever you look and you can find a big selection of different shops. From souvenir shops to typical brands and unique boutiques – Copenhagen has it all.
Make sure to leave a bit of space left in your backpack or suitcase, just in case your shopping tour becomes a success. You can stroll through beautiful boutiques and concept stores, get inspired by art and fashion and just dive deeper into the Scandi way of living. Even if you don’t buy a lot, strolling through the shops in Denmark is an experience itself.
Visit the Royal Family in the Christiansborg Palace
Denmark is a monarchy and has a royal family. Therefore, one of the best things to do in Copenhagen which you need to see is the Royal Palace, called the Christiansborg Palace. It is located right in the center of the city. A special attraction is to watch the change of the guards (you might know this from the Buckingham Palace in London). If you are really into the royal family, you can buy yourself a ticket to enter the palace and take a tour through the different chambers.
Worth it for those really interested, but you can totally skip it if you’re on a budget. It is pretty to see it from the outside as well.
Enter a whole new world in Christiania
Have you ever heard of Christiania? Christiania is a Freetown directly in Copenhagen. And they do things differently in Christiania. It really does feel like entering a whole different world. Cannabis has been legalized in 2004 and you are not allowed to take any pictures when entering the area. There is a part of Christiania which is usual for tourists to enter and you can walk around freely and get an impression of the place.
Christiania is one of the more extraordinary things to do in Copenhagen and yet, you should not miss out on it. It is not only a great place to visit but as well an insight into a totally different lifestyle and community.
Have a drink in the sun
Is there any better way to enjoy the vibe of a city than having a drink in a beautiful café or bar in the sun? Copenhagen really does have an attractive bar scene and during the warmer months you could spend a whole day enjoying some drinks outside. There are a few special locations, such as the Kaffesalonen where you can enjoy delicious burgers and cocktails directly on the water. Sounds fancy, right?
Taste the Danish cuisine and enjoy a cardamon bun
Ready to dive into the Danish cuisine? To be honest, most travellers do not know what to link to the Danish cuisine in the first place. But isn’t that reason enough to get to know it better? The Danes love bread and baking specialties. The Smørrebrød is a must-try when you’re strolling through Copenhagen. The Danish Hot Dog can be tasted at the multiple food trucks around the city. And of course you cannot start the day without a Kardemummabullar, the Danish cardmon bun. If you are looking for the best way to start your mornings, this is it. Look out for a cute café and get yourself a coffee and a sweet pastry. And after that you’re ready to go!
Eating out is definitely among the best things to do in Copenhagen and even this can be a little bit more expensive, it is definitely worth it.
Visit the Frederik’s Church
Close to the palace, you will notice quite a big church. Make sure to put the Frederik’s Church on your list as well. Even if you’re not into visiting churches or religion in general, the entry is free and it is quite impressive architecture. It is both beautiful from the outside and inside.
Visit the Little Mermaid statue
Actually, this is supposed to be one of the main attractions of the city and presented as one of the best things to do. Spoiler alert: it is rather disappointing. Some might expect an impressive statue in the ocean. But when you arrive you will quickly notice it is all but impressive. It is a small mermaid on a small rock in the water. And still, you can always find a crowd around it.
But despite the Little Mermaid statue being not worth the hype, you should still put in on the list of the best things to do. Firstly, because it kind of goes with the overall Copenhagen experience and secondly, because it is a beautiful walk to get there. You will cross some beautiful streets and see even more of the city. As the statue is located quite outside of the city center, it is perfect to combine it with a little sightseeing off the beaten path. And this is the main reason, why I still decided to mention it here. The way to the statue will show you a different area of the city and you will leave the main streets.
And of course, do not forget to take the classical tourist picture in front of the statue.
Watch the sunset by the river
Who doesn’t love a good sunset? And is there an even better place than watching it while sitting at the water. The during the summer time you can grab yourself a drink and find a place to sit by the river shore. Usually, there are quite a few people enjoying the evening atmosphere and you can join them for the best vibe. You will not see the sun setting over the ocean, but still be able to watch the sky’s show.
This is perfect after a long day of walking through the city and ending the day with a more relaxed best thing to do in Copenhagen.
Find a quiet minute in the Garden of the Royal Library
Sometimes, exploring a city can be quite exhausting. The noise and the hectic lifestyle is draining for those travellers who prefer it more quiet. Even though Copenhagen doesn’t give you much of those “draining big city vibes”, it is still nice to have a quiet spot. The Garden of the Royal Library is a secret tip for anyone looking for a break. You can simply sit here for a while, enjoy the atmosphere, and process the new experiences you made throughout the day.
Another great option is to visit one of Copenhagen´s countless cute cafés or lunch spots and treat yourself with a sweet. It’s up to you!
Ready for Copenhagen?
You can easily spend two days in Copenhagen with this list of the best things to do. And do not forget to simply walk around the beautiful streets and get the different impressions of the city. Copenhagen really is a stunning place and wherever you look, you will discover something new. Therefore, get ready for your trip to Denmark and fall in love with CPH!
