Top 15 Places to Visit in Copenhagen, Denmark
Views from the top of Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Is Copenhagen on your travel bucket list? Well if not already, then it should be! As Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen is known for its scenic canals, exquisite gardens, historic landmarks, and a cycling culture like no other! Whether you’re planning a weekend trip or an extended excursion to this breathtakingly beautiful city, it’s a place you’ll definitely want to stay in for as long as you can - or as long as your money will last 😅.
The city is both vibrant and colourful as it is quaint and cozy. According to the World’s Happiness Report, year after year, Danes report being some of the happiest people in the world and actively live by the “hygge” lifestyle. Hygge is a concept of creating, appreciating, and living in a ‘space of coziness’. It captures this idea of enjoying the simple pleasures in life, embracing the beauty of solitude, and relishing in one’s own atmosphere. If that’s not enough for you to be convinced to travel to Copenhagen, then I don’t know what is! Here is my list of the top 15 places to visit in Copenhagen, Denmark. Enjoy!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Nyhavn
STRØGET
Christiansborg Palace
Rundetårn (Round Tower)
TIVOLI GARDENS
COPENHAGEN BOTANICAL GARDENS
THE DANISH DESIGN MUSEUM
FREETOWN CHRISTIANIA
SUPERKILEN PARK
FREDERIKSBERG GARDENS and Copenhagen Zoo
CBS - DALGAS HAVE
REFFEN - Copenhagen Street Food
THE COPENHAGEN LAKES
Torvehallerne Market
BASTARD CAFÉ
top 15 places to visit in Copenhagen, Denmark
1. NYHAVN
Key Reasons to Visit:
Famous area for all your photo ops
Colourful homes and historic wooden boats
Numerous cafes, restaurants, pubs, and shops to choose from
Canal tours along the harbour
Average Time to Spend Here:
1 - 3 hours (depending on if you’re staying to eat/drink and shop around)
Nearest Metro Station:
Kongens Nytorv
Nyhavn is the iconic 17th-century waterfront, canal, and entertainment district of Copenhagen. As you can see from the images above, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations and photo-worthy spots in all of Denmark! The area was originally utilized as a commercial port for ships to dock and import and export international goods. The oldest house along the Northern side of Nyhavn is no.9, which was built in 1681. It has since continued to be a lively district filled with locals and tourists exploring the variety of places this area has to offer. Cute cafes serving smørrebrød (a traditional Danish open-faced sandwich), bustling pubs, and unique gift shops line the harbourfront and neighbouring streets. I absolutely loved walking around this area in both the daytime and nighttime, as it provided a calming yet vibrant atmosphere of Copenhagen’s culturally, historic soul. I highly recommend embarking on a Copenhagen canal tour so that you can experience a complete 360 degrees view of the beautiful Nyhavn waterfront and other nearby attractions.
2. STRØGET
Key Reasons to Visit:
One of the longest pedestrian shopping streets in Europe spanning 1.1km long
Best place for Danish souvenir shopping
An abundant number of cafes and restaurants to satisfy your food cravings
Central to Copenhagen’s main tourist attractions and historical sites
Average Time to Spend Here:
2 - 3 hours
Nearest Metro Station:
Kongens Nytorv
Strøget is located in Indre By (Inner City), the city centre of Copenhagen. It is a stone-paved shopping district that has a mix of internationally known shops like H&M and Zara, high-end luxury stores like Prada and Louis Vuitton, and Danish-owned pop-up/boutique-type shops like Mads Nørgaard. This popular tourist area is a car-free zone that offers plenty of places to eat, drink, shop, and explore! My favourite shop to visit was “& Other Stories”, a European-founded women’s clothing, jewelry, and accessories brand. My floormates and I went a little crazy buying jewelry from here - a girl can never have too many rings or earrings 😅. A famous cafe that is a must-try place in Strøget is Conditori La Glace. Founded in 1870, La Glace is an elegant pastry shop serving traditional Danish cakes, baked goods, and other irresistible desserts. Whether you enjoy shopping, eating, or simply walking around and exploring, there’s something for everyone in Strøget!
For a complete list of available stores on the main shopping street of Strøget, click here.
3. CHRISTIANSBORG PALACE
Key Reasons to Visit:
Palace and government building representing over 800 years of Copenhagen’s royal history
Free entrance to one of Copenhagen’s most magnificent 360 degrees views of the city
Access to 5 beautifully decorated areas/rooms of the palace
Average Time to Spend Here:
1 - 3 hours (depending on how many areas of the palace you decide to visit)
Nearest Metro Station:
Gammel Strand
A palace once home to Copenhagen’s finest kings and queens, Christiansborg Palace is an exquisite representation of the city’s historical roots and current government’s central administration. Admission to the palace grounds and tower is free. If you’re feeling adventurous and want to capture a deeper look into the lavish rooms open to the public, each of the 5 rooms can be accessed for a singular or joint fee. These include the Royal Reception Rooms, The Royal Kitchen, The Ruins and The Royal Stables, and The Palace Chapel. I personally was content with just exploring the palace grounds and capturing some amazing views at the tower level. Whatever you choose, visiting any part of the palace will have you feeling like a royal Danish prince 🤴 or princess 👸!
More information on admission, pricing, and exploring the palace can be found here.
4. RUNDETÅRN (ROUND TOWER)
Photo sources of images 2 and 3: CopenhagenCard and Rundetaarn.
Key Reasons to Visit:
The oldest functioning observatory in Europe
17th-century tower that provides you with access to a gorgeous panoramic view of Copenhagen
Long winding ramp that’s about 210 meters to the top
Average Time to Spend Here:
1 hour
Nearest Metro Station:
Nørreport
Ready to get a good workout in without ever having to go to the gym? Well, then visiting Rundetårn is the perfect place for you to get active while being rewarded with an extraordinary view! Built in 1642, Rundetårn (the Round Tower) is one of Copenhagen’s most popular and iconic landmarks. The tower itself is only 36 meters tall but you’ll have to trek up 210 meters around the spiraling ramp to get to the top of the tower. Rundetårn’s ramp winds 7 1/2 times around and is the only way to get to the observatory deck. Since the core of the tower is hollow, you can also stand 25 meters above ground on the floating glass floor. Other exhibits within the tower to explore are the Library Hall, the Bell Loft, and the Planetarium. I visited this historical site while on a Copenhagen Business School student orientation. Admission is 40 DKK (~$8 CAD) for adults or 10 DKK (~$2 CAD) for children aged 5 - 15 years old. Otherwise, entrance is included on the Copenhagen Card.
For more information, visit the Round Tower’s website.
5. TIVOLI GARDENS
Key Reasons to Visit:
An amusement park that offers rides, games, musicals, ballet, major concerts, and food galore
The third-oldest operating amusement park in the world, after Dyrehavsbakken in Denmark, and Wurstelprater in Austria
Inspired Walt Disney’s Disney World theme park
Fun for people of all ages, young and old, and in between
Average Time to Spend Here:
2 - 4 hours
Nearest Metro Station:
København H (Central Copenhagen)
Tivoli Gardens is a must-see amusement theme park for any visitor to Copenhagen! You don’t necessarily have to go on any of the rides to have a good time here - there are a lot of little souvenir-based shops, displays, and a food hall to enjoy! I strongly suggest going at night to get the full illuminated effect of all the beautiful, iridescent lights. I only ended up going once during the 4 months I was in Copenhagen but you can also get a Tivoli pass to check out some of the other park-themed celebrations throughout the year if you’re in the city for a longer period of time.
For more information on the park and its attractions, visit Tivoli Garden’s website.
6. COPENHAGEN BOTANICAL GARDEN
Key Reasons to Visit:
Best way to spend a sunny ☀️afternoon in Copenhagen
Free Admission to the garden grounds that span across 10 hectares
Contains over 13,000 different plant species and 27 glasshouses
Average Time to Spend Here:
2 hours
Nearest Metro Station:
Nørreport
Looking to get away from all the hustle and bustle of the city and instead relax in a bed of roses, surrounded by nature? Well, the Copenhagen Botanical Garden is the perfect place to enjoy a peaceful afternoon under the sun. I only went here once but I would definitely go back as it’s such a gorgeous area to walk around, have a picnic, read a book, or lay lazily in the grass 🙃. The garden itself is free to the public, but if you wanted to get a closer look inside the greenhouse, there is a small fee to pay. There are a variety of different sections of the garden that the public is welcome to explore. This includes Danish-bred plants, perennial plants, annual plants, rock gardens, and Coniferous trees. Of the 27 glasshouses, it’s highly recommended to visit the Palm House, a green oasis and exotic sanctuary of subtropical and tropical plants. That said, be sure to visit the Copenhagen Botanical Garden on a bright, sunny day - you can definitely make an eventful afternoon out of roaming around through all the greenery and lush flora!
7. DANISH DESIGN MUSEUM
Key Reasons to Visit:
Features works from famous Danish designers
Learn about the evolution and rich history of Danish design
Collections include furniture, fashion, textiles, glass, and ceramics
Average Time to Spend Here:
1 - 2 hours
Nearest Metro Station:
Marmorkirken (Marble Church)
Denmark and Scandinavia design is internationally recognized for its sleek lines, functionality, and sophistication. The Danish Design Museum is one of the best museums to check out for authentic danish designs as it offers a mix of themes ranging from furniture, fashion, music, art, ceramics, and contemporary digital art. You’ll be able to immerse yourself in the history of Danish design, decorative art, and industrial architecture that dates back from the Middle Ages to the 21st Century. My favourite part was walking through the tunnel of Danish-designed chairs. I loved seeing the variety of traditional and modern pieces that truly showcase why Danish furniture is so widely appreciated and globally influential. Besides Danish designs, the museum also includes various collections that celebrate designs from East Asia, mainly from China and Japan. If you’re a student, there is also a discount on the entrance fee if you show your student ID, so be sure to take advantage of that if you can!
(Edit: Please note that the museum is currently under construction but will reopen again in early 2022).
8. FREETOWN CHRISTIANIA
Key Reasons to Visit:
4th Most Popular Tourist Attraction in Copenhagen
Self-governing, liberal-based, progressive community
Quirky, freeform residential architecture
Weekend concerts on an open-air stage featuring rock, indie, postpunk, alternative, psych, garage, doom, and pop music
Green light district
Average Time to Spend Here:
1 - 2 hours
Nearest Metro Station:
Christianshavn
Onto Freetown Christiania - now cue the controversy. Often referred to as simply, “Christiania”, this is a community and anarchist district that houses approximately 1000 residents. It is a car-free district that operates under its own rules and regulations and is completely independent of the Danish government. Keep in mind that the residents do not appreciate any sort of photography but you can take pictures when designated murals have the “photo ok” sign. There is also a stage in the center of the district for concerts and events. I enjoyed exploring this unique part of the city and appreciating the colourful artwork that was scattered throughout. However, please proceed to this area of Copenhagen with caution, stay in a group, and be respectful of the residents’ privacy!
9. SUPERKILEN PARK
Key Reasons to Visit:
A great place for all those IG photo ops!
Celebrates culturally and ethnically diverse backgrounds
Promotes inclusion, unity, and peace
An urban park that was designed from a collection of objects that come from over 60 different countries
Average Time to Spend Here:
1 - 2 hours (depending on how long you want to stay to take photos, have a picnic, test out bike tricks or just pass through)
Nearest Metro Station:
Nørrebro
Superkilen is a public park and open-area urban space located in Nørrebro district, Copenhagen's most culturally diverse neighbourhood. Frequented by locals and tourists alike, Superkilen was designed by Superflex, a local arts group, in collaboration with Bjarke Ingels Group and Topotek1, a German landscape architecture firm. Unfortunately, the neighbourhood has undergone a number of violent acts, riots, and crimes in past decades. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the park was thus created to promote the acceptance of differing ethnicities, religions, cultures, and languages. Seeing the design of Superkilen is one thing, but understanding the story behind its creation and the importance of a larger community-based call-to-action that promotes interconnection, unity, and peace is deeply moving. More info on the background and design process of Superkilen Park here.
Superkilen Park is separated into three key areas that are each represented by different colours. The red zone can easily be spotted by its neon pink walkway and intricate red-accented patterns. It is comprised of numerous sports, recreational, and playground equipment for people of all ages to enjoy! The black zone conveniently offers tables, benches, and grill facilities and acts as the public gathering center of Superkilen. You’ll likely see people bbq-ing up a storm or playing chess throughout the week! Lastly, the green zone contains soft, rolling hills and picnic areas for families and friends to gather. As you continue throughout the park, you’ll likely see Iraqi swings, Brazilian benches, Thai boxing, Moroccan water fountains, and Indian climbing playground. I absolutely loved biking through Superkilen Park, playing on the swings, and stopping to to take some fun photos!
10. FREDERIKSBERG GARDENS AND COPENHAGEN ZOO
Key Reasons to Visit:
A romantic landscape garden
One of the largest and most attractive green spaces in Copenhagen
Great place for a walk, run, or picnic in the park
Covers an area of 31.7 hectares
Free admission to the gardens
Average Time to Spend Here:
1 - 3 hours (depending on if you decide to also visit the Copenhagen Zoo)
Nearest Metro Station:
Frederiksberg or Fasanvej
Frederiksberg Gardens absolute perfect place for a picnic in the park! Since this beautiful park was just a mere 5 minutes away from where I lived at Nimbusparken, I regularly went here to run and visit the mama and baby elephant at the Copenhagen Zoo, which was right next to the gardens. Look how cute they were 🥰! Frederiksberg Gardens can be described as a scenic oasis of greenery in the heart of Copenhagen, which is exactly why I came here almost once a week. The gardens feature several lakes, canals, and exotic trees and shrubs. You can also take a boat ride and sail along the canals to travel throughout the beautifully serene park.
11. CBS - DALGAS HAVE
Key Reasons to Visit:
Another photo worthy IG spot!
One of the Copenhagen Business School campus’ architectural highlights
15 DKK ($3 CAD) cafeteria food after 2pm or 7pm - *prices may have changed since I was last there in Fall 2018
Average Time to Spend Here:
< 1 hour
Nearest Metro Station:
Fasanvej
If you’re a soon to be (exchange) student attending the Copenhagen Business School, then Dalgas Have will surely be one of your favourite buildings! Even if you’re not a student, I think this would be a neat place to check out if you appreciate architecture, a colour way of life, and happen to be in the Frederiksberg area. The pink and blue sides are equally aesthetically pleasing and the checkered main hallway adds the perfect unique touch! I frequented Dalgas Have a lot because I had my Fashion and Entrepreneurship class here and attended weekly dance classes in the basement of the building.
12. REFFEN - COPENHAGEN STREET FOOD
Photo courtesy of Radisson Blue Blog
Key Reasons to Visit:
Scandinavia’s biggest street food area
Food stalls made out of shipping containers
A wide variety of internationally-inspired food and drinks
Enjoy picnics by the water with great food and hopefully, great company!
Average Time to Spend Here:
1 - 2 hours
Nearest Metro Station:
Christianshavn (but best to bike there instead of taking public transit)
Reffen is referred to as “an urban playground for co-creation, innovation, food and creativity - and last but not least - the largest street food venue in the Nordics.” Reffen is an international street food market that opened in May 2018 and located in the industrial area of Refshaleøen. Take a bike ride out here, sit by the water, and experience a variety of tasty cuisines - all while contributing to Reffen’s sustainable dogmas of "Reduce and Reuse”. This was such a neat area to explore and see all the local start-up stalls that were operating right out of shipping containers - love the concept of eco-friendly eating culture! I probably should have taken a few more pictures here but hopefully, these will do!
13. THE COPENHAGEN LAKES
Key Reasons to Visit:
Perfect place for a day or evening stroll 🚶🏻♀️, run 🏃🏻♀️, or bike ride 🚴🏻♀️
Rent row boats to take around the lake (I remember there being swan-shaped pedal boats as well - go and take a special someone!)
Amazing city views that are away from the main touristy area of Nyhavn
Paths around the lakes are 6 km in length
Average Time to Spend Here:
1 - 2 hours
Nearest Metro Station:
I’d say these lakes are probably one of the most underrated spots in Copenhagen. The Copenhagen Lakes include three rectangular lakes that line up in a row just outside of the city centre. Local businesses, shops, cafés, restaurants, and resident buildings line the streets beside the lakes Whether you pass through the lakes to get to your desired destination or make them a destination in itself, I’d highly recommend including it in your itinerary. They are a great place to run, walk, enjoy the sunset, and contemplate the meaning of life 🙃!
14. TORVEHALLERNE MARKET
Photo courtesy of Going to Copenhagen
Photo sources of images 2 and 3: Rambling Travel Pinterest and Afar
Key Reasons to Visit:
Open-concept glass market in the heart of Copenhagen
Fresh local fruits and vegetables, meats and fish, cheese
Variety of stalls to choose from for a light lunch or dinner
Average Time to Spend Here:
1 - 2 hours
Nearest Metro Station:
Nørreport
Opened in September 2011, Torvehallerne is an urban indoor and outdoor market offering a variety of goods including local produce, gourmet foods, beverages & desserts. If you’re from Vancouver, it reminded me a lot of the Granville Island Public Market. Similarly, Torvehallerne included an abundant amount of stalls selling groceries to take home or ready-to-eat food and drink options such as pastries, seafood, sandwiches (known as smørrebrød in Danish), coffee, wine, and more! It’s a great place to go for a quick bite to eat, weekend grocery shopping, or a pleasant roam around the various stalls. You’ll be sure to find something new and exciting that whets your appetite!
15. BASTARD CAFÉ
Photo sources of images 1 and 3: Globuzzer and Flickr
Key Reasons to Visit:
Food, drinks, and board games galore (aka the perfect combination!)
Experience the ‘hygge’ lifestyle
3500+ board games to choose from
Average Time to Spend Here:
1 - 2 hours
Nearest Metro Station:
Rådhuspladsen
Now I’ve saved the best for last - Bastard Café. Don’t be alarmed by the name as this is the perfect place for a board game night out with friends! If you’ve been to Storm Crow or Pizza Ludica here in Vancouver, then the concept of Bastard Cafe is quite similar. The restaurant has shelves and shelves full of various games that you can borrow and play with while enjoying food and drinks with some great company. I think I went here three times over the course of my four-month exchange, one being on my very last night in Copenhagen.
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