“Things to Do in Copenhagen” was written by Derek & Mike of Everything Copenhagen.
Copenhagen is a fantastic city with vibrant energy and a fascinating history. It’s the gateway to Scandinavia and a popular European destination for tourists year-round. The city is fantastic to visit because of its convenient and efficient public transportation, world-renowned architecture and iconic museums and attractions. Part of the city’s allure is that there are just so many things to do in Copenhagen. There’s a lot to see in the city so here is a breakdown to help you visit the highlights and see Copenhagen like a local.
Things to Hit
Nyhavn Harbor
Copenhagen is known for its maritime past and the network of harbors and canals that flow through the city. It makes for splendid views wherever you walk around the city, but the most iconic and picturesque harbor by far is Nyhavn.
This famous row of pastel townhouses from the 17th century lines a beautiful harbor linking Copenhagen Harbor to Kongens Nytorv Square. Visit for the scenery, but don’t pay a premium for food or drinks in this tourist zone. If you want to get the perfect selfie, head to Nyhavn early in the morning and stop on the first bridge between Kongens Nytorv and Copenhagen Harbor. The morning sun will be at your back and the area won’t be as crowded.
A Canal Tour
Copenhagen’s canals are beautiful to admire from the cobblestone streets but they’re even better from the water. Take a canal boat tour while in town, there are two main companies for large group canal tours and smaller boats that can be chartered for a little extra money. If you’re comfortable navigating the waterways yourself, you can even rent an electric boat for a few hours and be your own captain.
Tivoli Gardens
It would be a crime to visit Copenhagen and not check out Tivoli Gardens. This urban amusement park is full of beauty and old-world charm. It was the inspiration for Walt Disney to build his own amusement park with manicured gardens and family entertainment. Each season of the year, Tivoli redesigns the gardens of the park to keep it fresh and new whenever you visit Copenhagen. During the Christmas season, it even includes a festive Christmas Market.
Get a Good View
One thing that makes Copenhagen so nice is that the majority of the city’s buildings are only 5 floors tall. This means that the few taller buildings provide fantastic panoramic views of the city. One of the best places to catch a great view is The Church of Our Saviour. It’s in the Christianhavn neighborhood and the spire of the church is outfitted with a staircase for tourists to climb. If you aren’t afraid of heights, this is the place to get the best views of Copenhagen. If that seems a little too risky, do a Copenhagen City Hall tour where you can visit the historic building and City Hall Tower’s viewing platform. If you’re traveling on a budget, the tower at Christiansborg Palace is one of many free things to do in Copenhagen and you can catch a great view. You can climb the tower for no cost and they have an elevator for most of the trip. There are paid tours but if you’re there for the view, it won’t cost you a thing.
Visit the Little Mermaid and nearby attractions
One of the most popular attractions in Copenhagen is The Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen Harbor. It’s a symbol of the city and pays homage to a former resident, Hans Christian Andersen. It’s smaller than most people expect, so it can sometimes be a disappointment. Most summer days it’s also overrun with tourists – especially during cruise ship season.
One way to avoid being let down is to visit the statue early in the morning and then mix in some of the nearby activities. You can make stops at The Marble Church, Amalienborg Palace, and Kastellet Fortress. The church is gorgeous and if the palace is the royal residence where you can watch the changing of the guard each day at noon. Kastellet is a military installation that’s free to visit and a great park and open space for a picnic or some people watching.
It’s hard to know what to prioritize in Copenhagen, so here’s some advice from residents who have done it all. This should help you plan a great itinerary for your time in the Danish capital.
