Best Things To Do in Copenhagen

The city of Copenhagen combines beautiful natural and urban spaces that, despite the changes brought about by modern times, continue to preserve the history and cultural identity of the Danish capital. You'll find a rich architectural heritage throughout the streets and neighbourhoods of this city.

You can explore the old town on foot, join a photo tour of the city's most charming spots, take a scenic overland tour on the sightseeing bus, cruise the canals, among many other activities. Here are some of the best things to do in Copenhagen.

Before you think about exploring the city's surroundings on the best day trips from Copenhagen, you'll need to start by getting to know the Danish capital's historic city centre. Ideally, you'll want to take a walking tour of the place with a local guide, who will tell you the history of each destination.

With regard to the route of this type of guided tours of the city of Copenhagen, they usually incorporate unmissable destinations such as:

• King's Square, surrounded by Charlottenborg Palace, the Royal Danish Theatre, among others.
• The Nyhavn district: with bars, cafes, old houses, tattoo shops and panoramic views of the canals.
• Amalienborg Palace, residence of the royal family.
• Rosenborg Castle: a Renaissance construction from 1606.

You will also see:

• Copenhagen Cathedral, built in 1817. Inside you can visit the statue of Jesus Christ and the twelve apostles on the main altar, among other religious gems.
• The Town Hall, with its Italian Renaissance architectural style and Viking-period romanticism.
• Tivoli Gardens amusement park, with a history of more than 175 years.
• The pedestrian and shopping street, Stroeget, considered the longest in Europe at 1.1 kilometres.

You should also bear in mind that depending on the season of the year in which you take the tour, you will be able to enjoy a different scene of the city. The nostalgic atmosphere of Copenhagen's winter in January is not the same as visiting Copenhagen in July, i.e. in the middle of summer.

Useful information

• Price: The guided tour usually costs around €68 per person.
• Duration: The duration of the activity is 2 to 3 hours.
• Advantages: you will walk through the most outstanding and emblematic places of the city.

During your stay of 2 days or more in Copenhagen, you should embark on a guided culinary tour of the city. This way, you will discover the flavours of Danish cuisine.

Once you connect with your guide in the city centre, you will start your culinary adventure. You will visit some of the best places to eat, learn about the history behind each preparation and delight your palate.

The itinerary of the best food tours in Copenhagen usually includes the following stops:

• Torvehallerne market, with fresh produce, drinks, gourmet food and desserts.
• Aamanns restaurant, where you'll sample home-made liqueurs, dishes prepared with organic ingredients, cheeses and desserts.
• Norrebro Bryghus, a small brewery in town since 2003.
• Street stalls, with delicious Danish hot dogs that basically consist of bread, grilled sausage, gherkin, onion rings and a Danish sauce.
• The Summerbird shop, with all kinds of chocolate products such as covered marshmallows, chocolates, cream puffs, etc.

Also, if your visit coincides with the month of August in Copenhagen, you can check out the city's annual Food and Cooking Festival.

Useful information

• Price: The cost of the tour starts at €137 per person.
• Duration: This culinary adventure lasts approximately four hours.
• Benefits: You will discover the aromas and flavours of Danish cuisine. You will also learn about the origins of each dish you taste.

You can cruise the canals of the Danish capital during your stay and get a different perspective of the city. You will see the crystal clear waters, the blue sky and of course you will identify some highlights: famous neighbourhoods, the best buildings in Copenhagen, the Little Mermaid statue, among other destinations.

Once on the boat, you will enjoy one of the best canal tours in Copenhagen. You can relax on deck and take in the surroundings, whose perspective can vary according to the season of the year. For example, from September to November in Copenhagen (autumn period), you will enjoy a natural light that tinges everything with ochre, yellow and reddish colours.

As you cruise, you will pass by some of the sights and have the opportunity to take some amazing pictures. At the same time, you will listen to the guide's commentary about the history of the city.

Among the destinations you will see are the following:

• The Copenhagen Opera House, a luxurious neo-futurist building.
• The Christianshavn neighbourhood, a collection of small islands and picturesque houseboats.
• The old Stock Exchange on the small island of Slotsholmen.
• The baroque Church of Our Saviour, with its characteristic clock hands.
• Amalienborg Palace, now used as the residence of the royal family.

Useful information

• Price: the price of the tour starts at 17€ per person.
• Duration: the tour lasts at least one hour.
• Benefits: You'll get a different perspective of the city, the sky and the nearby islands as you cruise along the canals.
• Check out our post about the Copenhagen Card, among many other things it includes a canal cruise.

Perhaps you want to take a tour at your own pace without wasting time, then Hop on Hop off bus tours in Copenhagen are a good alternative. You'll see the city 's most iconic sights and can hop off to explore the one you want and hop on the next bus to continue the tour.

Once on board the first floor of the bus, you'll get amazing panoramic views. You'll be able to take photos, learn your way around the streets and learn more about the history of the city. The latter thanks to the audio guide included in the experience.

With this tour you will have a total of three 72-hour routes:

• The classic Copenhagen route, with 14 stops and a loop from Ved Stranden to Black Diamond of approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
• The colourful Copenhagen route, with 7 stops and a circuit from Ved Stranden to Radisson Collection Royal Hotel, which takes about 55 minutes.
• The Copenhagen Green City Tour, with 11 stops and a circuit from the Radisson Collection Royal Hotel to the Meatpacking District, in a maximum time of 45 minutes.

Thanks to this panoramic tour with free stops you will explore the city without inconvenience and in a short time. This way, you will be able to incorporate other activities into your itinerary , which will allow you to get to know the surroundings of the Danish capital. For example, join a day trip to Sweden from Copenhagen.

Useful information

• Price: The entrance fee to the sightseeing bus is around 30€ per person.
• Duration: The duration of the full tour is usually between 45 and 90 minutes, depending on the route you choose.
• Advantages: You can take a panoramic tour from the first floor of the bus with the option to get off at the desired destinations to explore them at your own pace.

If you are a cycling enthusiast and want to make the most of your visit to Copenhagen in 3 days or more, then a guided adventure on two wheels is the best option. You'll cycle around the city in comfort and safety like a local, thanks to the cycle path system.

Once you meet your guide in the city centre, he or she will give you your safety helmet and a bike. He will also explain some basic notions of how to ride a bike. You will immediately start pedalling through the streets of the Danish capital.

The route of the bike tours in Copenhagen can vary, but usually incorporates some must-see sights, such as Rosenborg Castle, the Little Mermaid statue, St. Alban's Church and Amalienborg Castle. You can also visit the picturesque Nyhavn Street, the free city of Christiania, the Church of Our Saviour and Christiansborg Castle.

Keep in mind that although you can cycle in the city all year round, ideally the weather should be warm, cool and rain-free to enhance the experience. So, if you're in Copenhagen in September through November, you'll be able to take advantage of the autumn season, which also offers some stunning scenery. Likewise, if your trip coincides with the months of March to May in Copenhagen, you will enjoy a pleasant spring atmosphere.

Useful information

• Price: this tour has an average price of €45 per person.
• Duration: The experience lasts about three hours.
• Advantages: With this tour you will cover a greater distance in less time and get a different perspective of your surroundings.

The Danish capital is known for its lively nightlife, which you can discover and enjoy on one of Copenhagen's pub crawls. You will make lots of friends while tasting the best cocktails, wines, beers and other beverages.

You can undertake this activity in Copenhagen at your own pace at night. However, it is best to connect with a local guide, who will take you directly to the best places to party in the city.

This is an activity that you can do on your own. However, it is best to connect with a local guide, as they will take you straight to the best places to party in the city.

For example, some of the most popular pubs and bars for locals and tourists are as follows:

• The Dubliner pub, with a laid-back atmosphere to enjoy alcoholic drinks accompanied by a delicious burger.
• The Moose bar, with plenty of beer, cocktails and live music.
• The Australian bar, with various atmospheres for dancing or sitting down for a quiet drink.

And, if you like to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, then in mid-March in Copenhagen you'll find several St. Patrick's Day-themed pubs and bars. The same happens in Copenhagen in October on Halloween night. You can dress up in costume and enjoy the haunted atmosphere of the season.

Interesting information

• Price: The tour costs approximately €32 per person,
• Duration: this type of activity generally does not exceed five hours in duration.
• Benefits: You'll enjoy Copenhagen's nightlife like a local, make friends and sample various alcoholic beverages.

Copenhagen has a great architectural and historical heritage, which will not go unnoticed by your eyes, especially if you are a photography enthusiast. You will be able to stroll through some of Copenhagen's finest palaces and take stunning photographs in the company of a professional.

The tour usually incorporates the façade and surroundings of the following places:

• Christiansborg Palace, currently the seat of Denmark's parliament and one of the most imposing buildings in the city.
• Amalienborg Palace, consisting of a total of four buildings representative of the rococo style. It is the residence of the royal family.
• Rosenborg Castle: a Renaissance building surrounded by beautiful gardens.

Through this experience you will learn how to take professional photographs both in the daylight hours and at night in Copenhagen, using the ambient light, shadows and glows. The guide-photographer will also teach you the best angles and perspectives for framing the image.

In fact, if you travel to Copenhagen in December you will come across an amazing scene. This is thanks to the seasonal lighting and decorations, making this photo tour an ideal activity to incorporate into your Christmas things to do in Copenhagen.

Useful information

• Price: the cost of the activity is around €315 per person.
• Duration: the experience usually lasts three hours.
• Benefits: You'll get some amazing photographs of your trip and, in addition, learn some basic photographic concepts.

During your stay you will discover many ways to explore the city, one of them being segway tours in Copenhagen. You will move through the streets of the Danish capital on a self-balancing motorised surface, without having to make a major effort.

This adventure can be done at any time of the year, but the autumn season in Copenhagen is definitely the most recommended, due to the cooler weather. Also, if you visit Copenhagen in spring, you can enjoy the picturesque scenery and less chance of rain.

Once you connect with your guide and familiarise yourself with the Segway, you will immediately navigate the pavement and discover Copenhagen's most iconic sights. You'll stroll through the streets of Nyhavn and the Latin Quarter. You will see the old stock exchange, the monumental Opera House, the canals, the Cathedral and the Copenhagen Synagogue, among other destinations.

This panoramic tour is complemented by the guide's commentary, which you will hear through the headphones built into the safety helmet. You will learn the history of each place as you pass by.

Useful information

• Price: the cost of this tour can start from €68 per person.
• Duration: the tour usually lasts approximately two hours.
• Advantages: You will explore the city in a fast, safe and fun way, ideal if you want to avoid the fatigue of walking tours.

The Tube is an immersive experience, allowing you to put your senses to the test. You won't stop being amazed by the different optical illusions offered in the 15 rooms available. This is an attraction that you can incorporate into your itinerary along with the best museums in Copenhagen.

You can dive into a colourful ball pool, which is ideal if you have travelled to Copenhagen with children, as it is shallow enough for them. You'll also test your balance in a vortex and walk through an endless room, among other experiences.

To enjoy The Tube, just head to Copenhagen Central Station at any time of the day, as the attraction is open from 11am to 8pm.

In fact, because this attraction is indoors and air-conditioned, it's a good option if you're in Copenhagen in winter, as you can have fun without getting cold.

You will also be able to take shelter from the heat, being also a suitable activity for summer in Copenhagen.

If you are wondering what is the best time to travel to Copenhagen, I remind you that winter is harsh, characterised by low temperatures (usually below zero), rain and snow, especially in January and February. But the city also has few daylight hours, so indoor plans are a good option.

Useful information

• Price: entrance to this experience costs approximately €19 per person.
• Duration: the average time for this attraction is 45 minutes.
• Advantages: You will test your senses in an immersive experience that will make you doubt reality.

Taking part in an escape game is another activity you can incorporate into your 1-7 day itinerary in Copenhagen. You'll have fun collecting clues at your own pace to slowly unlock an interesting story and progress through the city.

This is one of the top 10 things to do in Copenhagen's Christiania neighbourhood. The experience usually starts at Christianshavn metro station, located approximately 6 minutes away by car and 28 minutes on foot from the city centre.

There, you will receive your first clue and start to progress through five stops. These include St. Saviour's Church, the giant Sydområdet troll structure, Den Grå Hal concert hall, Scrap Metal Sculpture (sculpture by Kim Michael) and the colourful children's area.

Once this adventure is over, you can continue with other activities on your itinerary. You can join one of Copenhagen's best castle tours, stroll along Stroeget shopping street in search of souvenirs, or even buy tickets to the Copenhagen Opera for a great show.

Useful information

• Price: The price of the activity is around 7€ per person.
• Duration: the duration of the escape game is about 70 minutes.
• Advantages: You will have a fun time exploring one of the most colourful neighbourhoods of the city.