The capital of Denmark continues to prove itself as a vibrant city and another jewel of the Scandinavia region, compared in similar talks of awe along with the Sweden and Norway capitals of Stockholm and Oslo. It’s filled with beautiful views, a stomach-satisfying multicultural food scene, and enough activities to keep you here almost indefinitely. Life in Denmark is just grand. It’s been listed numerous times as one of the happiest countries in the world. But for first-timers, it can all be overwhelming, even if you decide to plan an itinerary or make it a spur-of-the-moment trip.

So, take a moment to familiarize yourself with some of the choice options we personally experienced during a three-day visit to Copenhagen.

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Things to do in Copenhagen

Freetown Christiania

Most recently shown in the Netflix series Clark, not much has changed in Danish culture since the 1970s in this spirited part of Copenhagen. The neighborhood has graffiti street art, eccentric bars, galleries, boutique shops, and tasty restaurants. The inhabitants are a mix of locals, artists, spiritual enthusiasts, travelers, and skateboarders. What has become a laid-back hippie-type commune, and what’s it most known for the world over? Its skate park is one of the most well-known spots in Denmark. Because of its free-spirited outlook on life, you’ll find this area to be very cannabis friendly. Authorities seem to have a unique understanding of Christiana as stalls do sell marijuana to passersby.

Tivoli Gardens

Tivoli Gardens can only be described as one of Denmark’s national treasures and the original inspiration for Disney World. The place is filled with rides, amazing botanical gardens, and a tasty high-end food court right next door. It’s also right in the center of Copenhagen, walking distance from the city center.

By Danish design, each garden part focuses on a particular world region. There are plenty of fun rides to choose from, including roller coasters and old-fashioned carousels. Other fun attractions include stalls for carnival and arcade games between rides and lovely little paths to stroll throughout the park. These rides were built to complement the greenery and architecture of the entire park.

But it’s just not rides you can enjoy. There are theatre stages where you can enjoy live music and even ballet performances. Take a seat and enjoy a complete performance of classical music and dancing, which will make this place even more magical.

Rosenborg Castle

Enjoy the same beauty and classic garden strolls the Danish royal family did when you come to Rosenborg Castle. It was constructed during the Kingdom of Denmark’s Dutch Renaissance and used initially as a summer home for the royal family and fellow monarchy. Going in and walking the majestic halls will give you a chance to see how they lived in the standard and private areas. You will also be able to view many displays of fine Danish art. They even have thrones for coronation in the Knights Hall.

Or, if you prefer to tour the grounds, the gardens here are great, and with perfect weather, you may just be content to sit down and nap the day away.

Nyhavn

This part of Copenhagen has to be the most internationally known. Perhaps because it’s still the most Instagram-friendly place in the entire city; see the picturesque images of these colorful and captivating buildings along the water, and you will know immediately this is the place to be. The houses have been renovated, and on a sunny day, the fresh paint brings out what this place is all about. A boat tour through the harbor and adjoining canals is a different experience from viewing Copenhagen landmarks and sights.

With bars and restaurants along the cobblestone pavements, it’s a popular place for tourists and locals. You will hear the sounds of entertainment and music later in the night. Some boats tied up along the docks even have small bars for you to enjoy.

Little Mermaid Statue

For what some people describe as the most famous landmark in the city, the little mermaid statue is underwhelming. You won’t be staying here longer then a few minutes to take your pictures just to say you did. It’s a beautiful surrounding by the water but the statue is surprisingly smaller than you would expect for such a famous iconic mark. The history behind it is a little more interesting as the sculptor did this to honor a famous Danish author most known for writing fairy tales.

Changing of the guard

This daily occurrence in Copenhagen involves the Royal Military and is fun to watch. The royal guard carries both ceremonial duties and is a combat unit. The Danish Royal Guard marches from the barracks near Rosenborg Castle to Amalienborg Palace every afternoon. Marching in formation through the streets is a nice break from the usual routine of city exploring and can catch you by surprise when you see crowds parting the roads for them to come through.

Depending on the location of the Royal family, this unit is composed of 3 different types of guards. The King’s Guard is when the King and/or Queen reside in Amalienborg Palace. The Lieutenant’s Guard is when the royal heirs live in the palace. The final is the Palace Guard when the King and/or Queen is at any royal palace or accommodation. They can also be assembled for other engagements, government assemblies, or national events. Stop by the palace to watch the official changeover before continuing your day.

Other Activities in Copenhagen

View Copenhagen from Our Savior’s Church – Every local will tell you that this is the best place to get views of Copenhagen. The church tower has a spiral stairway that takes you up the spire to the viewing platform. I would not suggest this for visitors who may have a fear of heights like me. The last steps are outside the building into the open air. But if you can tough it out once you’re up there, it is an amazing site to behold.

Bakken Amusement Park – If you are looking for an alternative to Tivoli Gardens that is equally fun, you can head to Bakken, located just outside of Copenhagen. It’s a smaller venue in comparison, but it’s also known as the oldest amusement park in the world. It has special events during the seasons and is a Danish family favorite.

Carlsberg Brewery – Enjoy the taste of this premier beverage while learning about the art of brewing and the history of this particular brewery in Copenhagen. It’s been newly renovated, but you will be able to see some of the original equipment used in beer-making from its establishment in the 1840s. As an extra part of the tour, separate from the exhibition, you can join a craft beer tasting and enjoy multiple types of brew made by the Carlsberg family.

How to Get Around Copenhagen

It’s easy to get around Copenhagen. Of course, it’s lovely to walk around the city streets and follow the maps or apps to your destination. But if you get tired quickly, you can take a taxi or public transit bus, rent a bicycle for the day, or take one of the local rideshares. The best option is taking the hop-on, hop-off bus tour to make it easier and see all the highlights.

If you plan on taking a day trip or driving cross-country, consider renting a car in Copenhagen. It’s relatively easy to get, but be aware of learning the rules of the road and parking laws while in a different country.

Where to eat in Copenhagen

One highly recommended activity in Copenhagen is taking a culinary bike tour. Not only does it give you a great opportunity to explore the city like a local, but you can also taste a bunch of treats. You can either sign up for one in a group or, even simpler, rent a bike and do your own personal foodie tour. The sky’s the limit!

This is a perfect way to experience Smorrebrod and other Danish food for the first time. It is an open-faced sandwich and a staple of Scandinavian cuisine. You will find various options with Smorrebrod throughout Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. And, of course, you need to finish by enjoying the pastries offered here. Stop at some top-notch bakeries with a Danish Pastry Tour. Enjoy the variety with a hot coffee and a comfy seat to be in that moment.

Our Recommendations

Torvehallerne – This is the epitome of the trendy Copenhagen food scene. It’s a popular marketplace for everyone and offers many products. You can compare this location to popular food markets like Grand Central Market in Los Angeles or La Boqueria in Barcelona. Here you can purchase fresh produce, farmers market style, delicious foods to eat in the outside dining area, meats and cheeses, and popular tourist items like boxed sweets, cookbooks, and fine wine. Numerous vendors are all welcoming to your foodie needs.

Tivoli Food Hall – Right next to the Tivoli Gardens, this is fast gourmet food at its finest. You can find some of the best eateries here. There are plenty of choice options in a multitude of stalls. With a common hall as your dining area if you so choose, you really do get the excited, vibrant energy of what Copenhagen is all about.

Atelier September is a great little cafe that was formerly an art gallery. Its upscale yet homey atmosphere makes it a wonderful place to sit down and watch the crowds go by. Have a fresh-baked croissant with your coffee to start your morning, and then head over to Rosenborg Castle & Gardens, which is only a few blocks away.

Men-O Ramen – As a ramen connoisseur, I make it a point to try 1-2 ramen joints in every new city or country I visit. I found this one in the town’s center, just a few blocks from Copenhagen University. Its high-quality ramen noodles are paired well with the rich and thick broth. It made this stand out, and with Denmark’s weather frequently on the less sunny side, it gave me a nice warm boost of energy to finish my day.

Best Time to Visit Copenhagen

Spring is the perfect time to be outdoors in Copenhagen. Everything is in bloom, so you can enjoy a day wandering through the Tivoli Gardens, Botanical Gardens, and Frederiksberg Gardens. It’s also perfect for taking boat tours in Nyhavn as it will be mid-temperatures. There are also fewer crowds, as summer is the peak tourist season here.

Winter, though, is just magical, especially during the Christmas season. You have fresh powdered snow and festive holiday decorations. But remember to dress appropriately in heavy jackets, winter gloves, wool caps, and beanies, as it can get pretty cold during this time of year. The hours are going to be shorter, too, so expect it to get dark earlier.

Where to Stay in Copenhagen

Where you want to stay is always an essential decision while traveling. Copenhagen has a wide variety of accommodations to meet anyone’s needs. It does seem like the city is filled with hostels of various comfort levels and price ranges, no matter what age group you are in. This seems to be the norm in Scandinavian countries and part of the culture and lifestyle we have come to adore so much.

But you can also find medium—to high-end hotels in Copenhagen with great views, close to the city attractions, and even boutique living arrangements you may not have heard of scattered throughout the area.

While there are plenty of other activities you can find in Copenhagen, both popular and more for locals, you can get a sense of how this city is just from doing some of the activities from this guide. I hope to see you out there!