Things to Do in Copenhagen: 18 Places You Shouldn’t Miss

Today we are sharing our guide to the best things to see in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark.

Copenhagen is a city that blends old and new incredibly well. As you walk through its streets, we recommend paying attention not only to the canals, but also to the architecture and the culture that surrounds you.

If you are planning a trip to the city, keep reading so you do not miss some of the best places to see in this fairytale capital.

Another good way to get your bearings is to join a free walking tour, where a local guide will show you some of the city’s highlights and share interesting stories along the way.

Important information for visiting Copenhagen

Copenhagen Card

The Copenhagen Card can be worth considering if you plan to visit at least three or four paid attractions and also want to use public transport. Whether it actually saves you money will depend on your itinerary, so we recommend checking the attractions you want to visit before buying it.

There are several options depending on how long you are staying in the city. The DISCOVER card is available for 24, 48, 72, 96 or 120 hours, while the HOP card is available for 24, 48 or 72 hours.

📢 Tip: plan your Copenhagen itinerary around whether you are going to buy the card. For example, you can group most of the included attractions into one or two days. That way, you may be able to buy a shorter and cheaper card while still making the most of it.

What types of Copenhagen Card are available?

Besides the different durations, there are two main versions of the card: DISCOVER and HOP.

The Copenhagen Card DISCOVER includes free admission to more than 80 attractions in Copenhagen and the surrounding Capital Region. It also includes unlimited public transport in zones 1 to 99, including the journey between Copenhagen Airport and the city centre. At the time of updating this guide, adult prices are:

• 24 hours: 589 DKK.
• 48 hours: 859 DKK.
• 72 hours: 1,039 DKK.
• 96 hours: 1,219 DKK.
• 120 hours: 1,419 DKK.

The other option is the Copenhagen Card HOP. This version includes free admission to more than 40 attractions in the city centre and unlimited use of Stromma’s Hop On Hop Off sightseeing buses. Adult prices are currently:

• 24 hours: 600 DKK.
• 48 hours: 875 DKK.
• 72 hours: 1,050 DKK.

If you are travelling with children, bear in mind that children aged 3 to 11 now need their own Copenhagen Card KIDS. Up to two KIDS cards can be purchased together with each adult card. Children aged 12 to 15 need a JUNIOR card, while children under 3 do not need a card.

Prices and conditions can change, so we always recommend checking the official website before your trip.

Where to buy the Copenhagen Card

The Copenhagen Card is completely digital and works through the “Copenhagen Card City Guide” app. Once activated, the app can be used offline, so you do not need a constant internet connection during your stay. We recommend checking the official Copenhagen Card website, where you can find the latest prices, included attractions and conditions.

Where to eat in Copenhagen

Copenhagen is an expensive city, and sometimes choosing where to sit down for a meal can be a little overwhelming. To help you out, here are a few places we enjoyed that were relatively affordable:

• Paludan’s Book & Cafe: a very cool bookshop with a café serving sandwiches and light meals.
• Café Halvvejen: a good option if you want to try somewhere more traditional.
• Mad & Kaffe: a popular spot with several locations around Copenhagen. We went to the one linked here and really enjoyed both the atmosphere and the food.
• If you would rather wander around and choose something once you get there, we recommend heading to Kødbyen. This former meatpacking district is popular with younger crowds and has plenty of restaurants and bars.

Best things to see in Copenhagen

1. Walk along the canals

One of the defining features of Copenhagen is the network of canals running through its historic centre. You will come across them constantly as you explore the city, and once you are there it quickly becomes clear how important the waterfront is to everyday life in the Danish capital.

💳 Copenhagen Card: if you decide to buy the Copenhagen Card DISCOVER, it includes a canal boat tour. We thought it was well worth doing. It was a relaxing way to see the city from a different perspective while learning more about Copenhagen’s history.

2. Nyhavn

Nyhavn is Copenhagen’s most famous canal. Its colourful houses date mainly from the 17th and 18th centuries, and the many bars and restaurants give the waterfront a lively atmosphere. It is probably the most iconic view in the city, and we really enjoyed spending time here.

📢 Tip: Nyhavn is especially beautiful around sunset. We recommend arriving before the sun goes down so you have time to walk along the canal, sit on a terrace or simply find a spot by the water and enjoy the view. Sometimes the best things to do in a city cost nothing at all.

3. Tivoli Gardens

Another place we think you should see in Copenhagen is Tivoli Gardens. Besides its beautifully maintained gardens, lakes, sculptures and flowers, Tivoli is also home to an amusement park. In fact, it is one of the oldest operating amusement parks in the world and first opened in 1843.

💳 Copenhagen Card: admission to Tivoli Gardens, without rides, is included with the Copenhagen Card. If you are not using the card, entrance prices vary depending on the date and time. At the time of updating this guide, adult admission starts at around 180 DKK, so we recommend checking Tivoli’s official website for the exact price on the day you plan to visit.

📢 Tip: check the concert and events calendar before choosing the day of your visit. Tivoli regularly hosts concerts, performances and evening events. For us, an improvised picnic dinner while listening to Danish rock music turned out to be a perfect plan.

4. The Marble Church (Frederik’s Church)

This church is located in the Frederiksstaden district and is, without a doubt, one of the most impressive buildings to see in Copenhagen. Its huge dome is the largest church dome in Scandinavia, and entry to the church itself is free. We thought the building was incredible and were surprised that it does not receive more attention in some city guides. For us, it is an essential stop on any visit to Copenhagen.

It stands directly opposite Amalienborg Palace and Museum, which is included with the Copenhagen Card. We did not have enough time to visit the museum ourselves.

5. The Round Tower

The Round Tower is one of Copenhagen’s most distinctive historic buildings. Once you step inside, one of the first things that will surprise you is that most of the climb is not made by stairs, but along a huge spiral ramp winding around the central core of the tower.

The ramp was designed so people could be transported upward on horseback or by carriage. One of the tower’s best known stories is that Russian Tsar Peter the Great rode up the ramp on horseback in 1716 while his wife followed in a carriage.

From the top you can enjoy one of the best panoramic views over central Copenhagen. The tower is also home to an astronomical observatory, which makes the visit even more interesting.

💳 Copenhagen Card: since April 2024, the Round Tower has NOT been included in the Copenhagen Card. Admission currently costs 60 DKK for adults, while children under 18 can enter free of charge.

6. Trinitatis Church

Trinitatis Church is right next to the Round Tower. It is easy to walk past without noticing it, but the entrance is just beside the tower, so we recommend stepping inside for a quick look. For us, the most striking feature is the ceiling, where the decorated ribs highlight the elegant geometry of the vaults.

7. Magstræde: one of Copenhagen’s oldest streets

Magstræde is one of the oldest streets in Copenhagen and dates back to the 16th century. Its cobblestones and colourful historic houses give it a completely different feel from the busier streets nearby. Today it still preserves plenty of its historic charm.

It is actually quite easy to miss Magstræde because it sits slightly away from the city’s main pedestrian routes. However, it is only a very short detour from other attractions on this list, including Christiansborg Palace.

8. Christiania: Copenhagen’s Free Town

Christiania was probably the place that surprised us the most, so we definitely recommend including it when you plan what to see in Copenhagen.

It is a very unusual place, with an alternative and sometimes controversial history. Christiania is a self governed community that describes itself as a free town. It was established in the early 1970s and has become one of Copenhagen’s most distinctive neighbourhoods.

As soon as you enter, it feels completely different from the rest of the city. The murals, art, shops, houses and cafés all give the area its own identity.

9. Church of Our Saviour

The Church of Our Saviour is famous for its tower, which ends in an outdoor spiral staircase. Climbing to the top is a lot of fun if heights do not bother you. From the summit you get a slightly different view of Copenhagen because the church sits farther away from the historic centre and many of the city’s most recognisable buildings. On the other hand, you get a great view over Christiania, which makes the two places a perfect combination.

💳 Copenhagen Card: access to the tower is included with the Copenhagen Card. Entry to the church itself is free. If you are not using the card, adult admission to the tower is currently 70 DKK.

📢 Tip: access is limited because the staircase is extremely narrow, so you should reserve a time slot in advance. Our recommendation is to organise your visit together with Christiania, which is right next door, and explore the neighbourhood before or after your climb.

10. Christiansborg Palace

Christiansborg Palace sits right in the heart of Copenhagen and is home to the Danish Parliament. Several parts of the palace can be visited, including the Royal Reception Rooms, the Royal Kitchen, the ruins beneath the palace and the Royal Stables.

💳 Copenhagen Card: admission to Christiansborg Palace is included with the Copenhagen Card. If you are visiting without the card, the combined ticket currently costs 225 DKK. Some areas, including the Parliament, have separate access conditions and more restricted visiting hours.

11. Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg is one of Copenhagen’s best known and best preserved castles, so we recommend visiting it if you have enough time. Inside you can see the Danish Crown Jewels and other objects connected with the monarchy. The surrounding King’s Garden is also worth a walk and makes a pleasant break from sightseeing.

💳 Copenhagen Card: the gardens are free to enter, while admission to Rosenborg Castle is included with the Copenhagen Card. Without the card, adult admission is currently around 140 to 150 DKK depending on the date. Copenhagen Card visitors need to obtain a same day time slot before entering.

12. The Little Mermaid

We know you cannot really leave Copenhagen without seeing the famous Little Mermaid statue. We have placed it fairly low on our list because, although it obviously belongs in any Copenhagen guide, it is definitely one of the more touristy stops 😉.

The sculpture was inspired by the fairytale written by Hans Christian Andersen. It sits by the waterfront at Langelinie, a little farther from the historic centre and most of the other places on this list. If you do come this way, combine it with a walk through Kastellet and the surrounding park.

📢 Tip: if you have very little time in Copenhagen, we would consider skipping the Little Mermaid. It takes a while to get there and the area receives a constant flow of sightseeing buses, so it can get very busy.

13. St Alban’s Church and Kastellet

Both St Alban’s Church and Kastellet are very close to the Little Mermaid. In our opinion, they are what make the trip to this part of Copenhagen more worthwhile. It rained when we visited, but on a nicer day this would be a great area for an improvised picnic or a quick sandwich stop.

14. The Royal Danish Library

If you have read some of our other city guides, you already know that we rarely miss the chance to visit a library. In Copenhagen, the Royal Danish Library is especially interesting because of its architecture and its position right on the waterfront. The modern extension, known as the Black Diamond, has a very different style from the libraries we visited in Oslo and Helsinki.

15. CopenHill

CopenHill is one of the most unusual buildings in Copenhagen. At first you might wonder why we are recommending a waste to energy plant in a travel guide, but the answer is on the roof. The active power plant has been designed with a recreational area on top, including an artificial ski slope, walking and running routes, a rooftop café and panoramic views over the city. Walking access to the rooftop is free during opening hours.

If you have more time, we recommend adding one of these three day trips to your itinerary: the historic city of Roskilde, Frederiksborg Castle or Malmö across the border in Sweden.

16. Roskilde: Denmark’s former capital

Roskilde is the former capital of Denmark. Besides walking around the centre, we recommend visiting Roskilde Cathedral and the Viking Ship Museum. We especially enjoyed the museum, where you can see original Viking ships and learn much more about seafaring and life during the Viking Age. If, like us, you are fans of the TV series Vikings, you will probably enjoy it even more.

📍How to get to Roskilde: trains leave from Copenhagen Central Station, København H, and the journey takes less than 30 minutes. It works very well as a half day trip.

💳 Copenhagen Card: admission to both Roskilde Cathedral and the Viking Ship Museum is included with the Copenhagen Card DISCOVER. The train journey from Copenhagen is also covered.

17. Frederiksborg Castle

Frederiksborg Castle is not actually in Copenhagen, but in the town of Hillerød, around 35 kilometres north of the capital. It was built in the early 17th century by King Christian IV and is the largest Renaissance complex in the Nordic region.

You can visit the interior, and we definitely recommend doing so. Besides exploring the castle itself, the building houses the Museum of National History of Denmark, which covers several centuries of Danish history through portraits, paintings, furniture and decorative art.

📍How to get to Hillerød: take the train from Copenhagen Central Station to Hillerød, a journey of around 40 minutes. From the station, it is another 15 to 20 minutes on foot to Frederiksborg Castle.

💳 Copenhagen Card: admission to Frederiksborg Castle and the Museum of National History is included with the Copenhagen Card DISCOVER. The train journey from Copenhagen is also included. At the time of writing, standard adult admission without the card is 125 DKK.

18. Malmö, Sweden

Visiting Malmö in Sweden is a good option if you have several days in Copenhagen. It works very well as a day trip, and one day gives you enough time to see the main sights. If you prefer to join a guided day trip, Civitatis offers an easy option that includes the journey from Copenhagen and an English speaking guide.

Direct trains connect Copenhagen and Malmö in around 35 to 40 minutes. You can also drive across the famous Øresund Bridge. In 2026, a one way crossing for a passenger car up to 6 metres costs 465 DKK when purchased online or 520 DKK at the toll station without a discount agreement. A standard second class train ticket from Copenhagen to Malmö is currently around 96 DKK each way.

We also have a short guide dedicated to visiting Malmö in one day.

That brings us to the end of our guide to the best things to see in Copenhagen. We hope you enjoyed reading it and, above all, that it helped you finish planning your trip.

See you on the road!