Things To Do In Copenhagen | The Ultimate Copenhagen Travel Blog

I never had Copenhagen very high on my travel list, even after I moved to Europe last spring. I wasn’t very familiar with Denmark as a country or with the city of Copenhagen itself, and coming from a warmer Caribbean country I didn’t really identify myself with the colder region of Scandinavia. Apart from Hamlet and some famous Copenhagen tourist sites like the mermaid statue, I didn’t think much about Denmark. But when the opportunity came to visit the city soon after moving to Europe, I didn’t hesitate at all and planned a quick trip! 

Best Time to Visit Copenhagen

I visited Copenhagen at the end of March, and despite being a bit chilly at times the weather was almost perfect. During the sunny parts of the day, I was especially able to appreciate the city. Temperatures were almost in the 50’s, and the sun was out most of the time. If you prefer to visit during the summer months, make sure to bring an umbrella since July and August are the rainiest months of the season. Prices for hotels and flights also tend to peak during these months, much like almost every other place in Europe. You’ll find significantly cheaper options and deals if you visit during the months of May and June. So overall, the best time to visit Copenhagen is May and June, which offer the perfect balance of temperatures, prices, and crowds.

What to do in Copenhagen

We arrived in Copenhagen late on Friday night, and during the taxi ride from the airport I kept wondering what surprises this trip would bring me? I had made some basic plans for the weekend focusing on the best things to do in Copenhagen , but I was still pretty open to exploring and going where the mood took us. 

Get a coffee or a Wine at 108 The Corner

We happened to be staying at a hotel about 5 minutes walk from The Corner Coffee & Wine Bar. This great little coffee spot is part of the Michelin starred Restaurant 108, which itself is a sibling restaurant to the famous Noma. The Corner is a cozy coffee shop during the morning and an intimate wine bar during the late afternoons/nights.Their selection of coffees and wines is simply outstanding; the coffee is especially great due to a collaboration with one of the world’s premier baristas/coffee roasters, Tim Wendelboe. If you’re traveling on a budget, The Corner will give you a similarly quality experience as the Michelin starred counterparts, but for very reasonable prices. Pro-tip: don’t forget to order a Danish, a must do in Copenhagen! They have a different taste there, less sweet than ones I had previously eaten but still delicious. I had one with some wonderful tea before heading out to explore the rest of the city.

Take a stroll around Nyhavn

Not two hours had passed since I first set foot on the streets of Copenhagen, and I was already in love with the city. Nyhavn was probably my favorite area of the city. You’ve probably seen pictures of the canal and it’s colorful rows of houses, but the feeling you experience while walking along those streets can’t be captured with a camera. Nyhavn is of course one the most famous tourist attractions in Denmark, but since we visited Copenhagen in March the streets weren’t crowded at all and we easily enjoyed the sights and even had a few casual conversations with the locals.

Check out the colorful houses and learn a bit about the history of Nyhavn. Many of the houses in the district have been there since  the 17th century. The famous fairy tale writer Hans Christian Andersen actually lived in one for 18 years! We enjoyed a tasty seafood lunch outside of one of the seafront restaurants in front of the canal before taking a boat tour of Copenhagen.

Take a Canal Tour 

I try to avoid most popular attractions whenever I visit a new city, mostly because they usually have long lines and you waste a lot of your time simple waiting. I normally prefer walking around the city by myself and discovering lesser-known places where I can feel in touch with the city and learn the history from a more local perspective. However, I also love boat tours! An island girl like me can’t never be away from the sea for too long, so when I found out that canal tours in Copenhagen are a big draw I didn’t hesitate. Our tour started right at the end of Nyhavn’s canal, and the boat was perfect because it had an inside and an outside area. The inside area was enclosed in glass so you can still enjoy the ride even if it’s raining or a little chilly outside.

The canal tour will take you past many of Copenhagen’s main attractions. Our tour guide was very polite and well informed about the city and the history of the different buildings and areas. We sailed past Kastellet & The Little Mermaid statue, Christiansborg Palace, Amalienborg, Copenhagen Opera house, Christiansborg Palace, Church of Our Saviour, the National Museum of Denmark and much more. 

The canal tour is a must do in Copenhagen, even if you are planning to visit any of these Copenhagen attractions later and spend a longer time inside. Seeing the city from the water really takes you back to its roots as a maritime town, and it’s a great way to get a true feel for the area. 

Walk and shop around Strøget

A 5-10 minute walk from Nyhavn and the canal brought us into the heart of the city’s shopping area. We enjoyed stopping at little boutiques, taking pictures next to the street cafes, and just  walking down the street with the locals. Strøget is another of the more famous areas in Copenhagen, and you’ll be able to find all kinds of shopping, great restaurants and bars, and even some tourist attractions like the The Round Tower (or Rundetårn). There are a ton of brand name stores in the area, everything from Hermes to Zara, but my favorites to visit were smaller independent shops like Bakkekilde Vintage & Jewellery (hidden on Pistolstraede street, check them out!). 

Explore the city center, Tivoli Gardens & More

Don’t miss out on the experience of sitting at one of the sidewalk cafes and enjoying an afternoon beverage while people-watching. Once you are ready to leave you might like to head to Tivoli Gardens to spend the rest of the afternoon (this is the perfect place if you’re traveling with kids or if you simply love amusement parks!). Just keep in mind that the park can get a bit expensive (since many rides have extra fees) and during the winter months most of the attractions are closed (the park reopens in April).

We decided to skip the amusement park and head back to our hotel to get ready for our night out in the town.

Explore Copenhagen at Night

Since this was my first time in Copenhagen, I wanted to experience a traditional Danish meal. We chose Aamanns 1921 after trying unsuccessfully to get a last-minute reservation at Noma (good luck!). Aamanns turned out to be a great choice! The restaurant is famous for its unique take on traditional Danish dishes like Smørrebrød (an open-faced sandwich) and it definitely didn’t disappoint. My meal was delicious, and their twists on the traditional food made it a great way to try some local fare. The wine list was also great, and the atmosphere made me want to stay all night. This restaurant is definitely well known and gets busy, so make sure to make a reservation before going in prime hours. 

After dinner, head to one of Copenhagen’s many bars and enjoy a night out with the locals. Jazzhouse is one of the many fun things to do in Copenhagen at night, a great option if you’re a music lover like me. After a period of being closed, this awesome venue hosts jazz musicians from all over the world several times per week, making it the perfect place to enjoy a night drinking and listening to unique songs with the Copenhagen locals. 

Day Trips From Copenhagen

Where To Travel From Copenhagen?

If you are spending more than one day in Copenhagen and have plenty of time to enjoy everything that the area has to offer, a day trip to Kronborg Castle would be a great way to spend some of your time in Denmark.

The castle is a World Heritage Site, and it’s known all over the world for being the setting of Shakespeare’s play Hamlet. The trip from Copenhagen will take between 40 minutes and an hour depending on how you get there, by car or by train. Once at the castle, you’ll be welcomed by the sight of the gorgeous 16th century building. If you’re visiting during the warmer months, you’ll have the opportunity to see a performance of Hamlet inside the actual castle, definitely one of the best things to do in Denmark during the summer months. And if you’re planning a destination wedding and are still searching for a unique venue, the castle itself can actually be rented for private events. You can be a prince or princess of your very own fairy tale!

Where to stay in Copenhagen

One of the most important decisions you’ll make on any trip is where to stay. Depending on where you choose, it will make visiting your favorite attractions and places easier or more difficult. Copenhagen is one of the best planned cities in the world, but it’s still important to make the right choice. We have a few favorites places to recommend:

 If you’re backpacking, traveling on a budget, or just looking for a way to save(Copenhagen is a pretty expensive city) then check out the Generator hostel. This chain of hostels is very well regarded all over Europe, and is a great option while visiting places like Dublin on budget. The Copenhagen version is definitely a good option, and if you book one of their ensuite rooms you won’t even know that you’re in a hostel.

If you aren’t worried about cost, the Manon Les Suites is the perfect option. The hotel is almost like a tropical paradise inside, so you’ll stay cozy during those chilly spring nights. Best of all, the hotel has an eco-friendly focus so you’ll be doing your part to help protect the planet!

For a middle range option, the Maritime Hotel offers a great mix of affordability and comfort. The location is amazing as well: you’ll be close to Nyhavn and a subway station, making the return trip to the airport a breeze! 

Things to know about Copenhagen

Copenhagen is a very safe and vibrant city that turned out to be one of the best places I have visited in Europe. The city has a unique feeling, definitely influenced by Nordic culture but with a very welcoming and friendly vibe. To fully enjoy your time here (as well as any other place you visit) don’t forget to take some time to walk around the city to experience the true local culture and meet the people. 

Getting around Copenhagen is easy, and you’ll have no problem walking anywhere or taking the metro system. However, Copenhagen is one of the world’s most bicycle friendly cities! Tons of locals prefer to get around this way, so renting a bike is a great option if you want to go on a self-guided tour and get some exercise at the same time. Maybe next time I’ll have enough experience riding a bike to do this myself! 

If you enjoyed our list of Things to do in Copenhagen and you’re looking for inspiration for your next European trip, take a look at the rest of our travel blogs in Europe Destinations section. To keep up to date with our travel destinations, travel tips, wellness and style articles, please subscribe to our email list below. 

Besitos from Copenhagen,

Laura