20 Best Things to Do in Copenhagen for First Timers (+ What to Skip)

Yayyyyy you’re finally going to see what all the hype around the Nordic countries is about?! Welcome to the club. Just like you, I’d been wanting to visit Scandinavia for what felt like forever but could never quite find the time. (I stupidly just kept booking trips to my favorite places like London and Hawaii instead). Well, I finally made it to Copenhagen, and now I’m passing along all the best things to do in Copenhagen so your trip is way less stressful than my planning process was.

And trust me, there’s a lot to get to. So instead of dropping a giant overwhelming list on you and calling it a day, I’ve organized the best things to do in Copenhagen into easy little sections you can actually navigate.

We’ll hit up the postcard classics, eat our way around like foodies, track down the local gems most guides skip, and even squeeze in a day trip or two.

And since not everyone has unlimited PTO (I’m jelly if you do), knowing what to skip is just as important, so I’ll round out the best things to do in Copenhagen with the handful of overhyped spots I’d personally avoid so you can spend your limited (and let’s be honest, expensive) time where it actually counts.

Now let’s get into it 👇

Read more on Copenhagen 🇩🇰

• A First Timers Guide to the Best 2-Day Itinerary in Copenhagen, Denmark
• Where to Stay in Copenhagen: Top Neighborhoods for First-Time Visitors
• Inside 25hours Hotel Indre By: My Bold and Colorful Stay in Copenhagen

This site contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them (which will likely go towards overpriced airport wine or buying my dog more unnecessary toys). However, none of that impacts the integrity of my reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

20 Best Things to Do in Copenhagen At a Glance

Is Copenhagen Worth Visiting for First Timers?

Lol let’s be real. Would this blog post even exist if the answer was no? But seriously. The short answer is absolutely yes! Copenhagen is worth visiting especially because it’s one of those rare cities that’s compact, walkable, and packed so tightly that you can knock out most icons on foot.

It’s clean, it’s safe, and it’s full of colorful canal houses and the most delicious sprouted rye bread you’ll ever have.

If you want the full hour-by-hour breakdown of exactly what to do in Copenhagen and how to spend your time here, I’ve got you covered in my 2-day Copenhagen itinerary (because two days really is the sweet spot for a first visit).

But I’m guessing you’re here to cherry-pick the highlights so keep scrolling for my full list of the best things to do in Copenhagen, plus my honest take on what you can skip ⏭️

Best Time to Visit Copenhagen

Before we get into my curated list of the best things to do in Copenhagen, let’s get some basic questions out of the way. Like what’s the best time to visit this city?

The short answer? Late spring and summer (roughly May through August) are your best bet for long sunny days, outdoor dining, and prime biking weather, though winter has its own cozy hygge magic, magical Christmas markets, and much cheaper flights.

I break down exactly what to expect in each season (and when I’d personally choose to go) in my full 2-day Copenhagen itinerary, so head there for the complete rundown.

How to Get Around Copenhagen

Copenhagen is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world, so honestly the most local way to get around is to use your own two feet and/or just rent an E-bike for the day and pedal everywhere (the whole city is flat and basically built for it).

There’s also a clean, efficient metro and bus network for everything else, but I get into all the nitty-gritty details in my 2-day Copenhagen itinerary if you want the full breakdown.

Where to Stay in Copenhagen for First Timers

I’ll make this one quick. For your first visit, I’d recommend basing yourself in Indre By, aka the heart of the city, since it puts you within walking distance of most of the best things to do in Copenhagen.

But every neighborhood here has a totally different vibe, so I wrote an entire guide on where to stay in Copenhagen that breaks down the best areas (and my favorite hotels) depending on your travel style.

20 Best Things to Do in Copenhagen

Okay now for the good stuff. I’ve rounded up the 20 best things to do in Copenhagen and organized them so you’re not just staring at a giant list trying to figure out what’s actually worth your time.

To make figuring out what to do in Copenhagen easy, we’ll start with some of the quintessential Copenhagen classics (aka the touristy stuff to get it out of the way), then dig into the design side of things, eat our way around the city like proper foodies, get into the local underrated gems most guides skip over, and even fit in a day trip (or two) if you’ve got the extra time.

And because I think it’s just as helpful to know what not to do, I’m also going to tell you exactly what to SKIP. Aka the stuff that I personally thought was overhyped and overrated so you can spend your limited time on the good stuff instead. Let’s dive in!

Check out the Copenhagen Classics

First up: the classics. These are the iconic, postcard-famous spots that land on basically every Copenhagen list, and for good reason. Yes, they’re more touristy, and you’re probably going to be sharing some of these sights with other visitors, but they’re popular because they’re genuinely worth seeing.

And if this isn’t your first time stumbling upon my blog, you’ll know that I typically like to balance hidden gems with top-rated attractions, especially for a first-time visit to any city or country.

So yes, I’m putting these Copenhagen classics at the top so you can knock out the big-ticket sights early and not feel like you’re rushing later.

That said, I hope you definitely keep reading after this section! The hidden gems, the local spots, and the more unique things to do in Copenhagen are all coming up next. Think of these classics as your starting point, then keep scrolling for the gems!

Set sail on a Nyhavn canal cruise

Annnd for the first thing to do in Copenhagen, I’m taking you to the most photogenic part of the city…Nyhavn! I’d be shocked if you haven’t seen all the beautiful photos of the colorful canal houses by now. Nyhavn is hands-down the most famous spot in Copenhagen, and once you see those 17th-century townhouses lining the water in real life, you’ll immediately understand why it’s on every postcard.

Pro tip: if you’re really into photography like myself, then I suggest waking up early and going for a stroll along the harbour before the crowds fill up and before the locals are headed to work during rush hour. I’ve found that getting up early in any city is the best way to capture people-free photos (although the erase feature on iphone is pretty impressive these days).

Nyhavn used to be busy trading port and merchant harbor, but these days it’s the beating heart of Copenhagen. In the warmer months, you can hop on a classic Nyhavn canal cruise right from the harbor and see the whole city from the water. Time it for golden hour and trust me, it’s even prettier than the photos.

Tickets run under $35/person, and you can book directly via GetYourGuide or via Viator.

Ride the rides at Tivoli Gardens

I know I’m in my 30s but I’m a huge sucker for theme parks!!! Don’t worry I’m not a Disney adult – but I do love visiting all the Disneys when I travel. (I mean let’s be real, I’m mostly there for the food).

But I also love the feeling of being a kid again! Remember those days before you had to pay taxes and didn’t stress about work?

Well if you’re in Copenhagen, then you should set aside time to spend the day or night at Tivoli Gardens.

Tivoli Gardens is technically Denmark’s most popular attraction, pulling in more than 4 million visitors a year, and it’s one of the oldest operating amusement parks in the world (it first opened back in 1843).

Fun fact: it’s said to have inspired Walt Disney’s theme parks. There are rides for all ages, plus pretty gardens, open-air concerts in summer, and Christmas markets in winter.

In 2026, Tivoli Gardens entry tickets start around $26 but if you plan to actually ride the rides (which you should because duh you’re at a theme park…) then the unlimited rides pass (~$30) is definitely the way to go. There’s also a food hall directly in the park filled with really good fast casual bites in case you or the kids are picky eaters.

Tivoli Gardens was hands down one of the best value-for-money theme parks I’ve ever been to in my life!

Climb the Round Tower for city views

If you’re friends with me or have been a longtime reader of the blog (thanks in advance), then you might already know that I’m a big sucker for a rooftop view. But surprisingly didn’t seek out any rooftop bars or restaurants during my visit to Copenhagen. I guess it’s just a coincidence that all the restaurants I ate at were either ground-level or even below ground haha.

Well it’s a good thing I was staying at 25Hours Hotel, literally 10 steps away from the Round Tower.

The Round Tower is one of the easiest (and cheapest) ways to get rooftop views of Copenhagen without needing to spend $20 on a cocktail or a plate of food. And unlike most places where you have to climb a million flight of stairs, the Round Tower is more of a gradual descent up a spiral ramp up to the top. From there, you end up on the rooftop observation deck with panoramic views over all of Copenhagen.

Tickets are about $9 for adults and free for kids under 18, but note you can only pay at the door (no advance booking). There can be a short line at times, so I’d aim to go early in the day if you can.

Copenhagen Classics Booking Essentials

Dig Into Danish History and Design

Okay, now that you’ve knocked out the big classics, let’s get into the stuff that makes Denmark, well, Denmark. This is the part of the trip where you get to nerd out on history a little and obsess over some beautiful interior Scandinavian design that’ll make you want to rip out all of your house decor the minute you get home.

I’m a sucker for both the history AND the design side of things (the weight of my suitcase always pays the price, more on that below), so this next batch of the best things to do in Copenhagen is genuinely one of my favorites!

Shop for handmade Danish ceramics

I don’t know if I’ve ever mentioned this before, but I actually collect mugs from around the world when I travel. It started when I was a flight attendant, so about ten years ago at this point, and I kind of just never stopped.

My husband has actually begged me to stop because we barely have any room left in the kitchen for these mugs. So these days I’m a bit more thoughtful about what type of mug I’m actually purchasing and where it’s from.

Copenhagen was NOT one of those places that I was leaving without a mug though. And not just a mug…but also some new dishware and flower vases. (Thank goodness for being a United platinum member which means I get 3 free checked bags anytime I travel).

In case you didn’t know, Danish ceramics are world-famous for a reason. They’re minimalist, beautifully made, and built to actually last. For the best finds, you need to head to the following stores:

• Studio Arhoj, for playful handmade ceramics and glassware made on-site
• Lena Pedersen Glass & Ceramics, for handmade ceramics and glass from the maker’s own studio
• Lodewa Studio & Boutique, for handmade ceramics, clothing and natural cosmetics (plus pottery classes)
• Vildersbøll, for handmade ceramics in sculptural, stackable shapes and colors
• Søstrene Grene, for affordable Danish-design homewares, stationery and crafts

All of these stores sell one-of-a-kind housewares and ceramics that you won’t find anywhere else. Just be prepared to wrap your goods very carefully for your flight (I usually pack mine directly in my carry-on), because attempting to bring fragile kitchenware home in one piece is its own kind of sport.

Time-travel through the National Museum of Denmark

Quick question: did anyone else kind of assume Vikings were just a made-up thing from children’s books? No? Just me? Okay, well, good thing I visited the National Museum of Denmark to set myself straight.

Who knew that Denmark has a long, fascinating history, a lot of it Viking-related, and this museum walks you through the whole national story from the Viking Age all the way to modern-day Denmark. I usually buy all of my museum tickets in advance so I can skip the line in case there is one. The prices are usually the exact same as buying from the website.

Just be prepared for a really confusing museum floor layout at the National Museum of Denmark. I got lost many times just trying to find the exhibits on modern day Denmark. I eventually found it but just a heads-up that the signage was very confusing.

See the crown jewels at Rosenborg Castle

What’s a trip to Europe without at least one castle, am I right? Pretty sure I leave Europe every time having visited a minimum of at least 5 castles. But Rosenborg Castle earns its spot, because this is where you get to see an actual crown made entirely out of jewels. They were HEAVY on the security though which I guess makes sense especially after the Louvre was literally recently robbed.

When you see this crown, you might be wondering how the hell anyone wore this thing on their head for more than a few minutes at a time. It must’ve weighed a zillion pounds.

Dating back to the early 1600s, Rosenborg Castle is one of the prettiest buildings in Copenhagen and the official home of the Danish crown jewels and royal regalia, which are still used for royal events a few times a year. The surrounding King’s Garden is also a lovely spot for a stroll or a picnic in spring and summer.

Danish History Booking Essentials

Eat Like a Copenhagen Local

I feel like I’m pretty familiar with European food, but I’ll be honest, up until right before going to Copenhagen, I had no idea what type of food they ate or what they were known for. I thought okay well, they’re located up north, so maybe a lot of seafood?

Well I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Copenhagen is an absolute dream for food lovers. This is a place where you can spend $300 on a multi-course tasting menu one night and $4 on a life-changing cardamom bun the next morning, and both will be equally memorable.

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So in this next section of the best things to do in Copenhagen, I’m walking you through how to eat your way around the city like a local, whether you’re splurging on a tasting menu, going on a self-guided bakery tour (see my part 1 above from Instagram, part 2 is below) or shared Danish pastry crawl, or actually learning how to bake your own masterpiece.

Splurge on a Copenhagen tasting menu

Aside from probably London or New York, Copenhagen is genuinely one of the best places in the world to do a tasting menu. The city is loaded with Michelin-starred restaurants (including the legendary Noma), and New Nordic cuisine is kind of their whole thing.

The only problem for me is that I’m not (yet) in the tax bracket where I can casually drop $800/person on dinner at Noma, so I decided to pop into VÆKST instead, a Michelin Guide spot built around a literal indoor greenhouse, to have a 3-course lunch with a glass of natural wine for around ~$60 USD. And it was incredible value for the experience.

I also had a chance to eat at Restaurant Barr on my first night in Copenhagen. The food was delicious, reasonably-priced, and had a rustic atmosphere on the inside. But I specifically requested a table outside because I wanted to hang along the waterfront, right as the sun was setting. And since it was August, there were so many people out and about! I literally still think about the bread to this day 🍞

And here are a few other Copenhagen tasting menus ranging from splurge-worthy to surprisingly affordable that I think are totally worth booking:

• Schønnemann ($$), for classic Danish smørrebrød, herring, schnapps, and old-school Copenhagen dining traditions
• Aamanns 1921 ($$), for elevated smørrebrød, modern Danish lunch dishes, and refined Nordic ingredients
• No. 2 ($$$), for approachable New Nordic cuisine, seasonal tasting menus, and waterfront views
• Restaurant Barr ($$$), for hearty Northern European cooking, excellent beer pairings, and rustic Scandinavian comfort food
• VÆKST ($$$), for vegetable-forward Nordic cooking, seasonal ingredients, and a greenhouse-inspired dining room
• Restaurant JATAK ($$$$), for contemporary Asian-Nordic tasting menus with precise technique and bold flavors
• Alouette ($$$$), for creative Michelin-starred tasting menus, hyper-seasonal ingredients, and inventive Nordic cooking
• Noma ($$$$), for world-renowned destination dining, groundbreaking New Nordic cuisine, and immersive multi-course tasting experiences

Eat your way through a Danish food tour

If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you might already know that booking a food tour is usually a non-negotiable for me when visiting any new city. I’ve done them in Edinburgh, Singapore, Taipei, and a bunch of other places, because there’s no faster way to eat the best local stuff AND learn the history behind it from someone who actually lives there.

For Copenhagen, I’d point you straight to the city’s oldest and original food tour, which has been around since 2011. It includes 8+ tastings (many you can’t get anywhere else) including Michelin-standard cheese, flaky pastries, gourmet smørrebrød, sweet bites, and even complimentary cider or beer.

This is hands down the most full I’ve ever felt walking away from a food tour. So make sure you show up with an empty stomach, because this particular Copenhagen food tour is closer to two full meals than a few snacks. At least for me and my baby bird stomach that is.

Track down the best cardamom bun

For a lot of my Europe trips, I’ve mostly had to work part of the time and then take PTO part of the time. And because I usually work east coast hours when I travel, I find myself having a lot of free time in the morning until I start my workday in the afternoon.

Which means I get a loooot of time to go bakery and pastry hunting!

If you’ve looked at a few other blogs before stumbling upon mine, then you might’ve come across Juno the Bakery as a must-visit stop in Copenhagen for pastries. It’s a small, super popular bakery located in the Østerbro neighborhood known for its iconic cardamom buns and perfectly flaky croissants.

Except hot take – I didn’t find their cardamom buns nearly as good as Hart Bageri. I know all the haters might come after me for this but hey, that’s just my opinion. But you should be the ultimate judge.

Maybe it’s my subconscious San Francisco roots that have me favoring Hart Bageri since they were founded by British-born baker Richard Hart (former head baker at San Francisco’s Tartine Bakery) in collaboration with René Redzepi of the world-famous restaurant Noma.

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And if cardamom buns aren’t your thing, here are a few other Copenhagen bakeries that I visited and loved:

• Hart Bageri, for legendary sourdough and the cult cardamom croissant, from former Tartine head baker Richard Hart and Noma’s René Redzepi, with grain milled on-site
• Juno the Bakery, for what many (except me) call the world’s best cardamom bun, plus exceptional almond croissants, baked all day so they’re warm and fresh in an out-of-the-way Østerbro spot
• Andersen & Maillard, for the iconic cube croissants and pastries paired with in-house-roasted specialty coffee, a pioneering bakery-roastery with locations in Nørrebro, Nordhavn, and the city center
• Buka, for buttery French- and Italian-leaning pastries, standout pistachio croissants, and house-made sourdough, with several handy locations around the center
• Sinne Gas Bakery, for a self-service, no-social-media neighborhood secret run by one self-taught baker, beloved for sourdough, brunsviger, and cardamom buns in a relaxed, trust-based setup
• Riviera, for Italian-accented seasonal baking with a twist (citrus-spiked cardamom and cinnamon rolls), from chef Chiara Barla of Apotek 57, in a beautifully designed Nansensgade space

Go on a Danish pastry crawl

Why settle for one bakery when you can hit several (five to be exact) in a single morning??? And not have to deal with any of the research, planning, or logistics to find the right one?

Well you’re in luck then! Because this 2 hour best-of Danish pastry tasting tour walks you through the city’s top spots with a local guide who actually knows their stuff. You get to taste your way through five different bakeries and pick up the history behind each treat.

And don’t worry it’s not the same repetitive pastry at each stop (although no one’s stopping you from buying a cardamom bun at each) – you’ll get to try a bunch of different Danish classics like a flaky Wienerbrød (laminated sweet pastry), a delicately crafted Kringle (puff pastry), a sweet Hindbærsnitter (raspberry bars), and more!

Pro tip: these tours fill up fast (turns out other people also like pastries who knew), so make sure to book your spot here before your vacation calories catch up with you.

Learn to bake your own Danish pastry

Who else is a fan of The Great British Baking Show?! Or I guess if you’re from the UK it’s just called Bake Off?!

Well my husband and I are huge fans of the show and everytime the show comes on I always think to myself “okay how hard can it really be to make puff pastry from scratch?”. Well, turns out it’s hard AF.

Which is exactly why I’d say to leave it to the pros and let them teach you in Copenhagen by booking yourself a Danish pastry baking class. I know it’s not England but I swear Danish pastries taste just as good, if not better.

During this hands-on Danish pastry baking class, you’ll spend the morning with a professional pastry chef in a small group, learning the proper techniques (turns out laminating dough is way harder than it looks) and making several Danish pastries from scratch. Then you get to taste everything you baked over coffee and tea, AND they send you home with the recipes so you can attempt them at home and finally have your own Bake Off moment.

Copenhagen Food & Drink Booking Essentials

Do as the Local Danes Do

Okay I promised you this blog post wouldn’t just be filled with tourist traps and top-rated attractions. Hopefully I’ve delivered on that so far! And if you feel like I haven’t – then tell me please. And make sure to keep reading as I think you’ll like this next section the best.

In my opinion, these next few best things to do in Copenhagen make the city feel less like a checklist and more like a place you could really live. The Danes have really mastered the art of a good, simple life, and a lot of that happens outdoors, on a bike, in the harbor, or over a slow cup of roasted coffee.

So here are a few of my favorite local things you can do to slow down and soak up that famous Danish way of life.

Bike the city like a local

You really can’t talk about doing as the Danes do without talking about biking. Cycling isn’t just a tourist activity here, it’s how people actually commute, run errands, and get around every single day, and Copenhagen is built for it with bike lanes practically everywhere.

It reminded me a lot of Amsterdam 2.0 (which always blows my mind because as a native Californian, you will never see me outside once the temperature drops below 50°F, let alone biking the streets).

But that’s why I’m not Danish!

Want to know the best way to feel like a true local for a day? I’d highly recommend spending part of the day on two wheels.

If you like structure, then book this 3-hour guided bike tour and let a local lead you to the best spots while sharing the stories behind them. And don’t worry if English isn’t your first language. One of the best things about this guided bike tour with a Copenhagen local is that it can be booked in a ton of different languages including English, German, Dutch, French, Spanish, Italian, and more!

If you’d rather go solo, simply rent an E-bike for the day and cruise around at your own pace. Either way, just be sure to follow the bike-lane etiquette, because the locals take it seriously!

Take a dip at Islands Brygge Harbour Bath

One of the most local things you can do in Copenhagen is take a swim right in the harbour, and yes, the water really is clean enough (the city worked hard for decades to make that happen). I definitely can’t say the same for the Seine or the Hudson River in New York which is crazy because people will also swim there. You couldn’t pay me to even dip a bare toe in either of those bodies of water.

The Islands Brygge Harbour Bath is the most popular spot for it, a set of floating pools built right into the harbour where locals come to swim, sunbathe, and socialize all summer long. You’ll find multiple pools including shallow ones for kids, lifeguards keeping watch in the warmer months, and zero entry fee.

If you’re brave, it’s even open year-round for a freezing winter dip, but I’ll happily leave that to the folks that willingly do cold plunges.

Sip through Copenhagen’s coffee scene

If you love coffee even half as much as I do, you’re going to feel right at home in Copenhagen.

Coffee here isn’t just a quick caffeine fix, it’s a whole ritual, and the city is packed with thoughtful roasters and cozy cafes that are perfect for slowing down and people-watching.

The Coffee Collective is a great example, a local roastery known for sourcing its beans directly from farmers and turning out seriously good coffee.

And I can’t talk about Danish coffee without shouting out La Cabra, because I’m completely obsessed with their chai (I literally visit their Soho location in New York every time I’m in the city).

Paddle the canals on a kayak tour

So by now… based on my list of recommended things to do in Copenhagen, you’ve seen the city on foot, on a bike, and maybe even from a canal cruise, but what about a kayak?!

Well if you happen to be visiting during the summer months then you’re in luck! Because you can basically only kayak around the harbor during June-August. Unless you own your own kayak and want to hop in during the arctic months but that’s up to you.

There aren’t that many cities that allow you to kayak directly through them (most of them require a boat cruise or something) so it’s pretty cool that you can get right down to water level in Copenhagen, gliding past the colorful houses and under the bridges at your own pace.

I’ll admit that I’m pretty terrible at kayak-ing and I have carpal tunnel so my wrist doesn’t love this activity but thank goodness for my husband who really carried the team here.

So if you’re visiting in summer, I’d absolutely recommend making the most of it by booking this top-rated guided kayak tour that takes you all along Christianhavn’s canals and Copenhagen Harbor 🛶

Danish Local Gems Booking Essentials

Explore Copenhagen’s Coolest Corners

If you love color and photography even half as much as I do, you’re going to want to bookmark this section 🌈

I genuinely had no idea how colorful Copenhagen was until I got there, and some of my favorite moments were mostly just me wandering around aimlessly, 85th cardamom bun in hand, taking photos with no real destination.

And here’s the best part: these are some of the best things to do in Copenhagen that are totally FREE to visit (which is rare coming from me). So grab your camera (or just your phone), put on your walking shoes, and let’s go check out Copenhagen’s coolest corners.

Photograph the colorful houses of Olufsvej

Olufsvej is an adorably charming street known for its row of brightly colored houses, which come together to create the most cheerful, picturesque scene. Olufsvej very much reminds me of the Danish version of Notting Hill in London.

To get there from the city center, you can take the S-train to Nørreport Station, and from there it’s a short walk or a quick bike ride to the street.

Since I was visiting during summer, I actually walked all the way from Nyhavn, which took over an hour, but it was such an enjoyable stroll. And since it’s just a residential street, it won’t cost you a thing to wander around and take photos. Just be mindful that there are actual residents that live here so please be respectful.

Explore Freetown Christiania

If you read my 2-day Copenhagen itinerary, I mentioned that I split up my stay across two hotels during my visit. And I’m glad I did because I don’t think I would’ve spent as much time across the river if I hadn’t stayed at NH Collection Copenhagen.

NH Collection Copenhagen ended up being only ~7 blocks away from Freetown Christiania, the self-governing “freetown” that’s been doing its own thing on an old military base since the ’70s.

Here’s the part your older guidebooks won’t tell you though: the infamous Pusher Street (aka the open-air cannabis market it was once known for) was permanently dug up and dismantled by Christiania’s own residents back in 2024 after years of gang violence. So if you showed up expecting that version of Christiania, it’s gone, and honestly the place is better for it.

What’s left is the part that was always worth the visit anyway: ramshackle DIY houses, murals on every surface, little art workshops, cozy cafes, and an organic food spot or two. It’s calm, it’s creative, and it basically feels like a regular Copenhagen neighborhood now. And yes, it’s totally safe to wander in 2026, and photography is generally fine again too, which wasn’t always the case, so snap away.

One important thing to keep in mind: Christiania still runs on its own rules and a whole lot of community pride, so read the signs, be respectful, and don’t be the tourist who treats someone’s actual home like a theme park.

Wander the wavy lines of Superkilen

“I’m sorry what? Why are you putting a skate park on your list of best things to do in Copenhagen?”

Okay look that’s totally fair. Honestly, Superkilen wasn’t even on my radar until I stumbled upon it on my way to Mikkeller & Friends bar in Nørrebro. I was actually walking over from Juno the Bakery, and this just happened to be the route Google sent me on.

So I stopped to watch the skaters do kickflips and snap some photos of these wild, wavy lines. It ended up being one of my favorite little detours of the whole trip. Now, you might be wondering what exactly is Superkilen? Good question.

It’s is a free public park in Nørrebro, designed by the renowned Danish firm BIG and opened in 2012. The most famous part is the stretch of squiggly black-and-white lines that ripple across the pavement (you’ve probably seen it on Instagram without realizing where it was).

The park is also filled with everyday objects sourced from countries all around the world, a nod to the diverse community that calls this neighborhood home. It’s a quick, quirky, and totally free stop if you’re already exploring Nørrebro.

Take a Day Trip Out of the City

One of the best things to do in Copenhagen barely happens in Copenhagen at all, because the city’s location makes it so easy to get out and explore beyond it. Thanks to Denmark’s excellent train network (and one very famous bridge), some of the best day trips from Copenhagen will have you in another country or standing on top of dramatic sea cliffs in just a couple of hours.

So if you’ve got an extra day to spare, I’d highly recommend using it on one of these. Here are a couple of my favorite day trips that easily earn a spot among the best things to do in Copenhagen and beyond.

Hop over to Sweden for the day

Are you a country counter like me? Idk if that’s the official term, but it’s the phrase I’ve come up with to describe a person who keeps track of the number of countries they’ve visited by adding them to an official list.

I’ve done a ton of other day trips to other countries like Uruguay from Argentina, Slovakia from Austria, and so many more.

So why not do the same in Copenhagen where you can visit two countries with basically zero effort? Yes, I’m talking about taking a day trip over to Ikea’s homeland of Sweden.

The Swedish city of Malmö sits right across the Øresund Bridge from Copenhagen, and the train ride takes only around 40 minutes, which still kind of blows my mind. It’s a great way to see a different side of Scandinavia, wander a new city, and say you hit two countries in one trip.

You can go the DIY route by train, or make it really easy on yourself and book a guided day tour to Sweden that takes care of the planning for you. For day trips specifically, my recommendation is almost always go with a guided tour because all of the logistics are handled for you!

Escape to the cliffs of Møns Klint

If you’re craving a little nature break from the city, a day trip from Copenhagen to Møns Klint should also be at the top of your list. These stunning white chalk cliffs sit on the island of Møn, about a two-hour drive southeast of Copenhagen, and they rise more than 100 meters straight up over the bright turquoise waters of the Baltic Sea.

It’s about a two-hour drive from the city, so it’s a bit of a commitment, but trust me, the scenery is more than worth it (and a refreshing change of pace from all the cobblestones and canals).

Since getting there on your own can be a bit more tedious than a day trip to Sweden, I’d suggest booking a guided day trip to Møns Klint so you can just sit back and enjoy the ride and views along the way.

Copenhagen Day Trips Booking Essentials

What to Skip in Copenhagen

Congrats if you’ve made it through this hefty list of the best things to do in Copenhagen! But I also promised you a real perspective on all the stuff that’s NOT worth your limited vacation time.

I’m a big believer that knowing what to skip is just as valuable as knowing what to do (and probably more, because nobody ever writes about this part). So here are the top 3 things I’d personally skip in Copenhagen and exactly why.

Skip the Little Mermaid statue

I know, I know. It’s the photo, it’s on every postcard, it feels borderline illegal to visit Copenhagen and not see her…

But hear me out: she’s tiny. She’s a little bronze lady perched on a rock, and she’s surrounded by a crowd roughly 50x her size. If you just happen to pass her while on your way to somewhere else then sure. But I definitely wouldn’t go out of my way to check out this statue.

Skip the “I have to eat at a Michelin-starred restaurant” mindset

This one definitely might be a bit controversial. But I swear there’s this idea that to eat well in Copenhagen you need a starred restaurant and an $800 reservation you booked four months ago. But this just isn’t true.

And yes, I know I technically sent you to a couple of starred spots earlier for a splurge-worthy tasting menu so I’ll try not to be a hypocrite here while getting my point across.

I’m not saying you shouldn’t splurge on a Michelin-starred restaurant, all I’m saying is that you don’t need to in order to find really good food. Stars aside, Copenhagen is also stacked with Michelin Guide restaurants and incredible tasting menus that are every bit as good as the starred ones, often at a fraction of the price.

And then there’s the hundreds of restaurants who aren’t associated with Michelin at all that are just as delicious. Restaurants like Propaganda, Goldfinch, Olise, and more.

Like, my 3-course lunch at VÆKST cost me ~$60 and I still think about it. A star doesn’t make the food taste better, it just makes the table harder to get. This is one of the best food cities on the planet for unique, one-of-a-kind dishes, so please don’t let a missing star talk you out of an unforgettable meal!

Skip the hop-on-hop-off bus

If you’ve read any of my other international city itineraries, you’ll know that I (and my husband) actually love ourselves a good hop-on-hop-off bus tour. Because I love efficiency when I travel lol.

So I want to be clear that I’m not a hope-on-hop-off bus hater. I’ve done these in London, Edinburgh, Cartagena, and plenty of other cities where they actually make sense.

But Copenhagen isn’t one of them. The city is tiny, flat, and practically begging to be explored on foot or by bike. Crawling through it on a bus just isn’t necessary here so I definitely recommend renting an E-bike instead and pocketing the savings for a non-Michelin starred tasting menu later.

Things to Do in Copenhagen FAQ

To help you finalize your list of the best things to do in Copenhagen, here are some commonly asked questions for first time visitors to the city 🇩🇰

What is Copenhagen best known for?

When people think about what to do in Copenhagen, it’s best known for its world-class food scene (it’s home to multiple Michelin-starred restaurants), its serious cycling culture, the colorful Nyhavn harbour, and that famous Danish concept of hygge. It’s also the birthplace of fairytale author Hans Christian Andersen, which is why you’ll spot the Little Mermaid and a whole lot of storybook charm around the city.

How many days do you need in Copenhagen?

Two days is enough to hit all the major highlights, but three to four days gives you a much more relaxed pace plus time to dig into more of what to do in Copenhagen, from hidden gems to a day trip or two.

If you’re tight on time, my 2-day Copenhagen itinerary maps out exactly how to make the most of a short visit.

Are there free things to do in Copenhagen?

Plenty! Some of the best things to do in Copenhagen cost nothing at all, like wandering Nyhavn, photographing the colorful houses of Olufsvej, exploring Freetown Christiania, checking out the wavy lines of Superkilen, and swimming at the Islands Brygge Harbour Bath. You can even get a panoramic city view for free by climbing the tower at Christiansborg Palace, which is a great budget-friendly alternative to the Round Tower.

What currency is used in Copenhagen?

If you think that Denmark uses the Euro, then I’m sorry but you’re mistaken. The currency in Copenhagen and all of Denmark is the Danish Krone (DKK). The exchange rate hovers at around 6 Krone to the dollar and as you would expect, credit and debit cards are widely accepted across Denmark. 

What language do they speak in Copenhagen?

Danish is the official language in Denmark but English is widely spoken, especially in Copenhagen and even more so in tourist businesses such as hotels and restaurants.

Do I need to book things to do in Copenhagen in advance?

For the popular stuff, yes. Tours like the food tour, pastry crawl, kayak tour, and day trips tend to fill up fast, so I’d lock those in before your trip. A few things, like the Round Tower, are pay-at-the-door only, so just go early to beat any line.

Is Copenhagen safe to visit in 2026?

Yes! Copenhagen is consistently ranked one of the safest cities in the world, and that hasn’t changed in 2026. Violent crime is exceedingly rare and even wandering around at night feels perfectly comfortable, though you’ll still want to take the usual precautions in busy tourist areas like keeping your valuables in a zipped pocket.

And if you want help picking a safe, well-located neighborhood to base yourself in, my guide on where to stay in Copenhagen breaks down the best areas for first-time visitors.

20 Best Things to Do in Copenhagen: Final Thoughts

And there you have it, my full roundup of the 20 best things to do in Copenhagen, plus the handful of things I’d skip so you can spend your time where it actually counts.

Whether you came for the postcard classics like Nyhavn and Tivoli, the incredible food scene, the local gems most guides skip over, or a day trip across the bridge to Sweden, I hope this list helps you build a trip you’ll be daydreaming about long after you’ve flown home.

I mean, I’m still here talking about cardamom buns long after my visit. So clearly I need help or the Danish pastries were just that memorable. Probably a mix of both tbh.

Still in planning mode? Make sure to check out my 2-day Copenhagen itinerary for an hour-by-hour game plan, and my guide on where to stay in Copenhagen to lock in the perfect home base for your trip.

What ended up being your favorite thing to do in Copenhagen? Let me know in the comments below!

Visiting Other Parts of Denmark?

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