Things to Do in Copenhagen Denmark: Top Sights and Original 3, 5 & 7-Day Itineraries
Copenhagen is a city of bicycles, colourful harbour houses and water clean enough to swim in right in the center. Royal palaces stand a few streets from world-famous restaurants, street-food halls and experimental neighbourhoods.
Rent a bike for at least a day, eat open-faced smørrebrød and keep time for the coast north of the city, home to one of the world's most beautiful art museums and Hamlet's castle.
Top things to see in Copenhagen
Nyhavn
The famous 17th-century canal lined with painted houses and wooden ships. Hans Christian Andersen lived at three different addresses here.
Tivoli Gardens
Opened in 1843, one of the world's oldest amusement parks, with gardens, historic rides and magical evening lights.
Rosenborg Castle
A Renaissance castle in the King's Garden that houses the Danish crown jewels.
Christiansborg Palace
Seat of Parliament and royal reception rooms; its tower, the tallest in the old city, is free to climb.
Christiania
A self-governing freetown founded in 1971, with murals, lakeside paths and alternative homes. Respect the no-photos rule on Pusher Street.
Church of Our Saviour
Climb the spiral spire, whose final steps wind around the outside, for a thrilling view.
Harbour baths
Swim in the harbour at Islands Brygge or Kalvebod Bølge, free and open in summer.
Copenhagen in 3 days: an original itinerary
1Day 1 · Classic Copenhagen
Nyhavn in the morning light, a canal boat tour, Strøget and the Round Tower, then Tivoli in the evening.
2Day 2 · Royal city
Rosenborg Castle and the King's Garden, Amalienborg's changing of the guard, the Marble Church, Kastellet and the Little Mermaid.
3Day 3 · Christianshavn
Our Saviour's spire, Christiania's murals and lakes, then sunset dinner at the Reffen street-food market.
Copenhagen in 5 days
Follow the 3-day plan above, then add these two days:
4Day 4 · Louisiana Museum
Train up the coast to Humlebæk for modern art and sculptures facing the sea.
5Day 5 · Kronborg and Frederiksborg
Hamlet's castle in Helsingør, then the grand Frederiksborg Castle in Hillerød.
Copenhagen in 7 days
With a full week, keep days 1 to 5 and finish with:
6Day 6 · Design and food
Designmuseum Danmark, Torvehallerne market and an evening in the Meatpacking District.
7Day 7 · Active Copenhagen
Ski, hike or climb on Copenhill, the artificial slope on a waste-to-energy plant, then a final harbour swim.
What to do in Copenhagen on a weekend
Saturday: Nyhavn, a canal tour, Rosenborg and Tivoli at night. Sunday: Christiania, Our Saviour's spire and a harbour swim or Reffen in the afternoon.
What to do in Copenhagen in the evening
Tivoli is enchanting after dark, especially in the summer and Christmas seasons. Kødbyen, the former Meatpacking District, is home to bars and casual restaurants that stay busy late.
For a calmer night, watch the sunset from the harbour baths or walk the lakes as cyclists stream home.
Copenhagen for couples
Book a sunset canal boat, dine in Nyhavn or Christianshavn and spend a day at Louisiana watching the sea from its garden.
Copenhagen with kids
Tivoli, the National Aquarium Den Blå Planet, the harbour baths and the King's Garden playgrounds are great for children.
Practical tips for Copenhagen
Best time to visit
May to September for long, light days; December for Christmas markets and Tivoli's festive lights.
Getting around
The metro links the airport to the center in about 15 minutes. Bikes are everywhere; trains reach the north coast in under an hour.
Frequently asked questions
Is Copenhagen expensive?
Yes, but street food, bike rental and free harbour baths help a lot.
Can you swim in Copenhagen's harbour?
Yes, at official harbour baths when water quality signs are green.
Is the Copenhagen Card worth it?
It can be if you visit several museums and use public transport daily.