Copenhagen Travelers Recommend

Three days is ample time to get acquainted with Copenhagen’s charms. Couple sightseeing tours by bus, boat, and bike with visits to the city’s world-class museums and palaces. And don’t forget to take advantage of Copenhagen’s proximity to southern Sweden and the scenic Danish countryside. Here’s how to plan the perfect 3-day stay—day trip included.

Day 1: Sightseeing Musts

Dedicate your first day in Copenhagen to the city’s top sights. Whether you choose to explore by hop-on hop-off bus tour, wend your way along the Danish capital’s scenic canals on a cruise, or take to the streets like the locals do and travel by bike, start your explorations with a tour that provides an introductory overview to the city. Spot the harborside Little Mermaid statue, take in the much-photographed views of the Nyhavn waterfront, and discover the city’s alternative side with a glimpse of Freetown Christiania. Later, stroll to the expansive Torvehallerne food hall to relax with a bite before continuing your explorations. Wrap up the day with a visit to Tivoli Gardens, the city’s colorful (and historical) amusement park, open well after dark.

Day 2: Top Museums, Palaces, and Eats

Once you’ve oriented yourself, use the second day of your Copenhagen visit to delve further into the city’s wealth of culture. The Danish capital is home to several world-class museums, including the National Museum of Denmark (where you’ll find artifacts dating back to Viking times) and the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, an art museum that contains masterpieces by artists such as Rodin, Gauguin, and Van Gogh. The city’s elegant palaces are also a worthy draw: take in the Renaissance splendor of the Rosenborg Castle, see the Changing of the Guard at Amalienborg Palace (home to the Danish royal family), or go for a tour of the 12th-century Christiansborg Palace and its lavish interiors. A Copenhagen Card includes entry to many of the city’s top landmarks and institutions. End the day on a decadent note with a meal at one of the city’s top-rated restaurants.

Day 3: Day Trips from Copenhagen

Neighboring Sweden is so easy to access from Copenhagen that you don’t even need to hop on a plane. The magnificent Øresund Bridge links the Danish capital with southern Sweden, making it simple to visit by car or by train. Book a day trip and venture to Malmö—Sweden’s third-largest city—to see its hyper-modern skyscrapers contrasted with historical sights like the Malmö Castle. From Malmö, Lund, one of Sweden’s top university towns, is also just a quick journey away. Alternatively, Copenhagen serves as a gateway to the beautiful Danish countryside. Denmark is home to fairy-tale–worthy castles like Kronborg Castle (which inspired William Shakespeare’s Hamlet) and Frederiksborg Castle, and day trip itineraries from Copenhagen take all the stress out of exploring them.

The capital of Denmark, dynamic Copenhagen has everything you’d expect from a Scandinavian city: waterfront scenery, stylish design, friendly locals, and culture aplenty. If you only have one day in town, make the most of your stay by going on a whistle-stop tour of its most popular attractions. Here’s how to maximize your 24 hours in Copenhagen.

Morning: See the Top Sights

Copenhagen is packed with world-class landmarks, and a hop-on hop-off bus tour is an ideal way to see more highlights in less time. Pick from a number of different routes, and look forward to seeing postcard-worthy views of the Little Mermaid statue, Amalienborg Palace, City Hall Square, Frederiksberg Gardens, the Copenhagen Zoo, and more. If you’re after another way of exploring, some hop-on hop-off tours even take advantage of the city’s many scenic waterways and include sightseeing portions by boat.

Afternoon: Sample Culinary Highlights

Made famous by chefs like Noma’s René Redzepi, so-called New Nordic cuisine is currently one of the food world’s biggest trends. Don’t miss your chance to sample authentic Scandinavian cooking straight from the source during your Copenhagen stay. Sign up for a leisurely culinary walking tour for a seamless introduction to the city’s top food haunts. Explore the gastronomic bounty at the Torvehallerne indoor food market, order classic Danish smørrebrød (open-faced sandwiches), and even try Copenhagen-brewed beers—the city’s craft brewing scene is also thriving.

Evening: Have an Adventurous Night Out

End your Copenhagen stay on a high note—quite literally—when you venture to Tivoli Gardens. An amusement park located in the center of town, Tivoli Gardens also has history: the postcard-ready pleasure garden has been operating since 1843. Prebook park admission for skip-the-line privileges, or explore Tivoli with a guided tour. Because Tivoli Gardens doesn’t close its doors until after dark, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to go for repeat rides on its thrilling roller coasters. Should you want a late-night nibble or tipple, take a quick stroll from Tivoli to Copenhagen’s Meatpacking District, Kødbyen, where trendy bars and restaurants line Flæsketorvet Square.

Thanks to its palaces, museums, parks, and waterfront, scenic Copenhagen ranks among Europe’s loveliest capital cities. But the Danish hub is also known for its countercultural, free-spirited enclaves. With two days to visit, you can see the must-do attractions and discover locals’ haunts—here’s how to maximize 48 hours in Copenhagen.

Day 1: Copenhagen Highlights

Morning: See many of the city’s top attractions in a single morning—and travel around town like the locals do—on a bicycle tour of Copenhagen. Enjoy the fresh breeze while you spy sights like The Little Mermaid and Nyhavn. Alternatively, a Segway tour provides another speedy way to take in the scenery.

Afternoon: After your morning sightseeing adventure, enjoy a more relaxing mode of exploration aboard a leisurely canal cruise. Experience Copenhagen’s tranquil pace, and spot the Copenhagen Opera House and Amalienborg Palace from the water. Alternatively, a food-themed walking tour can sate your appetite (and introduce you to another side of the city).

Evening: Copenhagen locals have been enjoying Tivoli Gardens’ festive amusements since the 19th century. Experience the thrills for yourself with an evening visit to the theme park. Alternatively, if roller coasters aren’t for you, a nighttime photography tour offers a unique perspective on the city’s sights lit up after dark.

Day 2: Alternative Copenhagen

Morning: Located within the city boundaries, Freetown Christiania is one of Copenhagen’s most unusual attractions. An autonomous, self-governed district, the area is known for its hippie appeal and its boundary-pushing ideals. Discover Christiania’s street-art–covered thoroughfares on a walking tour or independently via a hop-on hop-off bus tour.

Afternoon: Follow in the footsteps of Copenhagen’s residents when you explore the city’s hippest ’hoods. The once-seedy Vesterbro is now home to some of the city’s top restaurants and bars, while diverse Nørrebro offers multicultural attractions. Walking tours make it easy to mingle with locals and discover the sights up close.

Evening: Don’t leave Copenhagen without checking out the city’s thriving nightlife offerings. Pub crawls offer a festive way to see off your stay, while beer-themed tours introduce you to the city’s many craft breweries and hipster-frequented bars. And be sure to sample Copenhagen’s vaunted Neo-Nordic cuisine at one of its Michelin-starred restaurants.

With some of Northern Europe’s most beautiful and romantic castles scattered throughout Copenhagen and its surrounds, castle addicts are sure to adore the Danish capital. Here’s how to experience some of Copenhagen’s castles, either on a city walking tour or as part of a castles tour outside of the city.

Amalienborg Palace

Home to the oldest royal family in the world, Amalienborg Palace is also known for its beautiful palace square and its royal guard, the Den Kongelige Livgarde. Experience the Changing of the Guard daily as they march from their barracks at Rosenborg Castle through the streets of Copenhagen to Amalienborg Palace. Tour the palace museum to get a glimpse into the life of the royal family.

Rosenborg Castle

The Dutch Renaissance–style Rosenborg Castle, originally built as a country summerhouse in 1606, is a prime example of King Christian IV’s many architectural projects. Today visitors can learn about Danish history and culture while touring the castle and the impressive possessions—including the dazzling Crown Jewels—of the king and his descendants. The castle garden is the oldest and most visited park in Copenhagen.

Fredensborg Palace

Originally a hunting seat for King Frederik IV in the early 18th century, this palace—set in a beautiful park bordering Esrum Lake—is often the setting for the royal family’s important life events. The queen also receives visiting heads of state at Fredensborg.

Frederiksborg Castle

Built by King Christian IV in the 1600s, this magnificent Renaissance-style castle just north of Copenhagen is now a national historical museum, holding treasures of painting, tapestry, porcelain, silver, and furniture.

Kronborg Castle

Head north through the Danish countryside and you’ll reach Kronborg Castle, a magnificent Renaissance castle and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Made famous as the setting of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the castle sits at the head of Oresund Sound near the town of Helsingor and hosts a Shakespeare Festival each summer.