What to See in Copenhagen, Capital of Denmark

Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, proves to be so affordable, truly within everyone’s reach. What to See in Copenhagen. The cosmopolitan Danish capital is a relaxing place suitable for tourists of all ages. Visiting Copenhagen: some tips on what to see and do in the Danish capital or follow our 3-day itinerary in Copenhagen.

Points of Interest in Copenhagen

1 Radhuspladsen

Radhuspladsen is Copenhagen’s most important square, well known together with Tivoli Gardens and the Central Station. The Amalienborg Castle, instead, is the residence of the queen. Every day at 12:00, the evocative Changing of the Royal Guard takes place. Following the pier at Langelinie, you can admire the famous Little Mermaid monument. Taking a “water bus” boat, costing the same as a bus ticket, you can see all the major monuments downtown: the Opera House, the Drama Theatre, the Black Diamond Library, which houses the royal library.

Unmissable, finally, are Copenhagen’s parks, true lungs in the heart of the city: from Krogenshave, with the picturesque Rosenborg Castle to the Frederiksberg Gardens, with benches by the canals and a spectacular view of the Zoo, featuring a new “residence” for elephants designed by architect Norman Foster. Throughout the year Copenhagen hosts major festivals and markets. There is no time of year in which the Danish capital is insignificant.

2 Tivoli Gardens

You cannot visit Copenhagen without “Tivoli Gardens” which, for all of Denmark, is the most visited attraction, even though Danes are its biggest visitors. Open since 1843, it is open from mid-April to the end of September with the following hours: Sunday to Wednesday from 11:00 to 23:00; Thursday and Saturday from 11:00 to midnight; Friday from 11:00 to 1:00 AM. The gardens are also open during the Christmas season from early November to the end of December with the following hours: Sunday to Thursday from 11:00 to 22:00; Friday and Saturday from 11:00 to 23:00. Inside is the Pantomime Theatre with commedia dell’arte performances. Every Saturday night, fireworks can be admired from Tivoli Gardens.

Museums in Copenhagen Things to See

3 Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek

In the 19th century, the owner of Carlsberg beer had this museum built. Inside are Oriental collections, paintings by Impressionists and Mediterranean art. Very impressive is the Winter Garden topped by a huge glass dome. The museum is closed on Mondays but open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 16:00. Admission is free on Sundays.

4 Nationalmuseet of Copenhagen

The National Museum of Copenhagen, Nationalmuseet, has four floors containing mostly Danish but also Oriental works. Among the things to see in Copenhagen, this museum is very interesting for its section featuring artifacts from 3000 years ago. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 17:00, and admission is free.

5 Slotsholmen Island

On Slotsholmen Island in the 12th century, the then Bishop Absalon built a castle. Since then, constructions have succeeded one another so that today the island hosts several buildings dating from the 12th century onwards. At the center stands Christiansborg Slot, the Royal Palace of Copenhagen. The island also features the Stock Exchange building and the Royal Library Garden (Bibliotekshaven).

6 Rosenborg Slot

The Rosenborg Slot is a castle built in the 15th century by Christian IV. To see are the Royal Gardens (Kongens Have) carefully maintained and the galleries Statens Museum for Kunst, with art collections from across Europe, and the Den Hirschsprungske Samling, featuring two centuries of Danish art collections. Rosenborg Slot is open every day except Monday (open also on Mondays from June to August) usually from 10:00 to 17:00 in summer and until 16:00 during colder months. It is closed at the end of December. The two galleries are free entry but closed on holidays and Mondays. Opening hours are from 10:00 to 17:00 (until 20:00 on Wednesdays) for the first gallery and 11:00 to 16:00 for the second.

7 The Colorful Houses of Nyhavn Canal

What to Visit in Copenhagen. If you are still unsure what to visit in Copenhagen, enjoy the view of the picturesque colorful houses along the Nyhavn canal – one of the many reasons to visit Copenhagen. Here are many Danish characteristic pubs. A few steps away is Frederiksstaden, the area designed by Frederick IV grouping important buildings like Amalienborg Slot (royal residence) and the remains of Kastellet. Visit also the Frihedsmuseet showcasing signs of Danish resistance to the Nazis, open from October to April every day except Monday from 10:00 to 15:00 and May to September from 10:00 to 17:00 with free admission. The Kunstindustrimuseet is another museum in this area with interesting art collections. It’s open every day except Monday (like most Copenhagen museums) from 12:00 to 16:00 with an entrance fee.

8 Radhuspladsen, Stroget and Copenhagen’s Latin Quarter

What to Do in Copenhagen. Radhuspladsen is the most important square in Copenhagen. The City Hall (Radhuset) overlooks this wide space. Access to the 19th-century tower is possible in cooler months (October-May) at 12:00, while from June to September it is open Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 14:00 and Saturdays at 12:00. The tower is closed on Sundays. This is where Copenhagen’s most famous pedestrian street, Stroget, begins. It is a street full of shops, street artists, and crowds. Morning hours are preferable to avoid the rush. Also in central Copenhagen is the Latin Quarter, rich in venues, shops, and 19th-century churches. Here is the Erotica Museum open from May to September daily from 10:00 to 23:00 and during other months from 11:00 to 20:00. The museum is reachable by metro (stop Kongens Nytorv). Also visit the Rundetarn Tower commissioned by Christian IV as an observatory. Open from September to May from 10:00 to 17:00 every day except Sundays when it opens from 12:00 to 17:00. From June to August the opening hours are Monday to Saturday 10:00 to 20:00 and Sunday 12:00 to 20:00. Entrance fee applies.

What to See in Copenhagen and Surroundings

9 Christiania, the Hippie Community

On Christianshav Island is a community made up of anarchists, new-generation hippies, dealers, and extremely cheerful people. It is a place near Copenhagen worth visiting. It is a community formed over 30 years ago that has had considerable problems with disorder due to unauthorized drug dealing (until recently cannabis was openly sold) and illicit occupation of homes. It is nevertheless an area that can have charm and is recommended to visit, even though it appears more subdued today compared to the past when soft drugs were legal.

See also:

• Hans Andersen’s Fairy Tale Route
• Christmas in Copenhagen
• Christmas Markets
• Easter in Denmark
• Beer Festival in Copenhagen
• When to Visit Denmark
• Where to Shop in Denmark

10 How to Get to Copenhagen

Copenhagen Flights. With the airline EasyJet, daily connections from Milan Malpensa start at 21.99 euros one-way including taxes. And with Transavia from Pisa, Rome Fiumicino and Naples, fares are 50 euros one-way, all-inclusive. Copenhagen Airport. Copenhagen’s International Airport is about 9 km from the city. From the Central Station, trains depart every 20 minutes from 5 AM, taking about 12 minutes to the airport. If you plan to stay near the Nyhavn canal, trains stop at Nørreport Station, which connects to the Kongens Nytorv metro stop. The alternative is buses which take about 25 minutes to the airport and cost about the same as the trains. For those arriving by train, most international trains arrive directly at the Central Station.

11 Getting Around Copenhagen

For getting around, bicycles are highly recommended, just like the real Kobenhavners, the inhabitants of the capital Copenhagen. More than 2,000 city bikes are available, easily recognizable in the 110 racks downtown; rental is free, you just pay a deposit of 20 Danish crowns (similar to a supermarket shopping cart deposit), refundable upon return. As for other transport, like most European cities, tickets can be used on buses, trains (within a certain radius) and the metro. The klippekort is a 10-trip pass, recommended for its convenience. Alternatively, a daily travel card or the Copenhagen Card is recommended, which, besides transport, grants access to some partner museums. The distance between the Central Station and the Nyhavn canal is about a 30-minute walk.

12 Copenhagen Card

The Copenhagen Card grants access to all main attractions and public transportation throughout the entire metropolitan area of Copenhagen. You can choose between 24, 48, 72, or 120-hour options. The card also offers discounts at restaurants and entertainment venues. Among Copenhagen’s points of interest, the Copenhagen Card gives free access to the Amalienborg Palace, Tivoli Gardens, and Frederiksborg Castle.

13 Where to Eat in Copenhagen

What to Eat in Copenhagen. One of the staples of Danish cuisine is smorrebrod, rye bread slices topped with cold cuts, cheeses, fish, and vegetables; in specialized restaurants, you can choose from many delicious variations. Danish cuisine is a happy blend of tradition and innovation, paired with great care for the freshness and quality of ingredients. For those without special needs seeking a good area to eat in Copenhagen, Nyhavn is a good choice. Here the establishments are not as prestigious as those at Gammel Strand, home to several high-level seafood restaurants and cafés. Alternatively, Vesterbro offers dishes and delights from all over the world, or to escape touristy dining, Vesterbrogade is recommended.

14 Where to Sleep in Copenhagen

Copenhagen Hotels. Another usually crucial chapter is accommodation but in Copenhagen, you can stay in 5-star design hotels at the price of a hostel. In the city center, the Danhostel Copenhagen City opened, fully furnished with furniture and accessories from the Danish brand Gubi; almost a hospitality miracle within steps from monuments and main attractions. And there are 5 more hostels in the capital, the most recent being Copenhagen Downtown, located in a square near the pedestrian island, the famous Stroget, where the historic and charming porcelain shop Royal Copenhagen hides sales and low-cost offers in its basement. More tips on where to sleep in Denmark.

Another economical solution is hotels of the CabInn chain with fixed prices regardless of season (90 euros for double rooms) and the very popular Sleep In, dormitory-like accommodations with shared bathrooms and services. There are several in the lively Nørrebro district, like Sleep in Heaven and the eco-friendly Sleep in Green. Copenhagen offers several recommended areas to stay. However, Vesterbro and Frederiksberg are the most advised. Here you will find a wide selection of selected hotels.