Top 15 things to do in Copenhagen

Copenhagen is one of the most charming European capitals and the door to Scandinavia. So much that it has been selected as the best destination for 2019 by Lonely Planet. Even though it is a capital city, its size and population allows it to retain the small town essence while having all the amenities of a big city.

Copenhagen is synonymous with design, culture, history, welcoming people, hipster, foodie and quality of life. It is built with thought of the citizens and how they can enjoy it the most. Briefly: it is a cozy city. All these characteristics make Copenhagen one of the best places to live and its citizens some of the happiest people in the world (according to most rankings).

Before we start I’d like to say that this post is very special to me, since Copenhagen has been my home for almost 5 years of my life (and I still think of it that way). This means that I won’t be able to contain myself and it will get long… Here are 15 ideas on what to do in Copenhagen:

1. Have a drink at colourful Nyhavn

Nyhavn (or New Harbour) is, besides the Little Mermaid, the most iconic symbol of the city of Copenhagen and a winner in postcard pictures. This 17th century waterfront canal was built to bring the goods from the ships to the market, held in Kongens Nytorv, and it’s famous for its coloured houses and historical wooden ships.

Nowadays it is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike, lined up with bars and restaurants and, on sunny days, filled with Danes sitting at the dock and enjoying a cold beer.

It is also the epicentre of the guided canal tours, which are offered in many languages (Danish, English, German, Italian, French and Spanish) and they are a fantastic way to learn about the city’s history while getting a glance of where everything is. It would be a great start of your trip. You can also choose to jump in a Hop-on Hop-off Bus & Boat tour, which include both transportation methods.

2. Stroll around the world’s longest pedestrian street

Strøget is a shopping street in the very heart of Copenhagen known for being the longest pedestrian street in the world (this title was true at its construction, but not anymore), spanning 1.1 km from the City Hall Square (Rådhuspladsen) to Kongens Nytorv. The City Hall is a beautiful building that you can visit in a guided tour and also climb up its tower.

Today it is home of high-street stores, bars and restaurants and it is still the heart of the city and one of the most visited tourist attractions. While the Northern end (close to Kongens Nytorv) still retains some of its class and charm, the Southern one (close to the City Hall) has evolved badly due to tourism, and it is now filled with souvenir shops, neon lights and all-you-can-eat restaurants. In any case, Strøget is still a nice walk and a great place to shop for clothes and Danish design, and the area is full of nice little squares (like Gråbrødretorv, in the picture below) and beautiful landmarks.

3. Go royal: visit one of Copenhagen’s castles

Denmark is one of the remaining monarchies in Europe and also the third oldest (after Norway and Scotland) dating over 1000 years back, and Copenhagen has been its seat for a very long time.

Discover the royal sites in Copenhagen at Amalienborg Palace or some of the former palaces of the royal family. Read more about it here:

→ Royal Copenhagen: palaces and castles of the Danish capital

4. Get your fairytale on with the Little Mermaid

The bronze statue of the Little Mermaid (Den lille Havfrue) is, undoubtedly, the symbol of Copenhagen and Denmark, mostly internationally, as the locals are not so happy about it (it has been damaged and defaced many times). The statue is inspired by the fairy tale of the same name written by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen (also known by other tales such as The Ugly Duckling or The Tinderbox).

This statue was donated in 1913 by Carl Jacobsen, owner of Calsberg brewery, to the city of Copenhagen. It is said that the face of the sculpture was modelled by Ellen Price, a ballerina at the Danish Royal Ballet but, since she did not agree to pose nude, the sculptor’s wife was used for the body.

Millions of tourists visit the Little Mermaid every year. However, some seem to be disappointed by its size. I say, if you read its title: The Little Mermaid, it warns that it won’t be Eiffel Tower-sized. That being said, I don’t think the statue is particularly impressive, but it gives a great selfie!

Chances are you have watched Disney’s adaptation of the fairy tale but, do you know the original story?

→ Discover the Little Mermaid’s “real story”

5. Visit Freetown Christiania

Christiania is a commune established in 1971 on squatted military barracks and the area surrounding them. The objective of Christiania was to create a self-governing society from scratch in which every individual is responsible over the wellbeing of the entire community. The contrast between the hippie and squatter movement, collectivism and anarchism and the previous use of the area: military, is the most charming of its features.

Currently Christiania has two very separated areas: the Green Light District and the Park area. The Green Light District is the central area where cannabis is sold and its main touristic attraction. However, in my opinion, it lacks the charm that it once had. The second area, the Park area, is much more charming. You can have a quiet walk around the lake and see some ingeniously built houses with recycled materials, a community school and basically enjoy the sun in an area that looks much more like what this society was originally aiming for.

There are many activities organized in Christiania that are open to the public, such as yoga classes, concerts or skating contests, and there are shops were you can buy souvenirs as well as cafés and restaurants.

Rules of Christiania:

1. Have fun
2. Don’t run – it causes panic
3. No photos – buying and selling hash is still illegal

6. Have a blast in one of the oldest amusement parks in the world

Copenhagen is home to the Tivoli Gardens, an amusement park opened in 1843, which makes it the second-oldest operating amusement park in the world, after Bakken (or Dyrehavsbakken), situated also in Denmark. This amusement park is what inspired Walt Disney for the construction of Disneyland.

Currently, Tivoli is home to many rides, the most famous being Bjergbanen (The mountain coaster), a wooden roller coaster built in 1914. Also, Tivoli is used as a venue for performing arts, with a Concert House and a Pantomime Theater, among other, and it hosts hotels and restaurants.

The park has a rustic and decadent feel that makes it great for a stroll, especially during Christmas and Halloween, when it is fully decorated, or during the summer, when it has evening firework shows. Get your tickets in advanced and skip the line!

7. Find some fresh air at the Lakes

The Lakes (Søerne) in Copenhagen are a row of three rectangular artificial lakes that separate the city center from other neighbourhoods on the western margin. Originally built to provide water for the mills, later turned into fortification for the city and eventually used as a fresh water reservoir. Currently the lakes are used as a recreational area. In the summer it is frequently visited by young people for a drink under the sun.

8. Indulge with the capital of New Nordic Cuisine

New Nordic Cuisine was developed in the Nordic Countries since 2004, when Claus Meyer, René Redzepi and other Scandinavian chefs wrote a manifesto in Copenhagen. This manifesto emphasized the introduction of local and seasonal ingredients to revisit traditional foods prepared in new ways. Their dogma is “purity, simplicity and freshness”.

The culmination of New Nordic Cuisine was Noma, the restaurant opened by Redzepi and Meyer themselves, who became the proof of concept of the movement and, later on, the best restaurant in the world according to the The World’s 50 Best Restaurants in the years 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014.

Today, the movement has extended to many restaurants and have elevated the city to another culinary level. Besides Noma, you can find other Michelin-star nordic gems like Geranium, Relæ (CLOSED) or AOC. Here’s a selection of my favourite New Nordic restaurants in Copenhagen. Read more about the movement and the best places in the city to try New Nordic cuisine here:

→ Where to eat in Copenhagen: New Nordic cuisine

9. Live history at Slotsholmen

Slotsholmen (The Castle Islet) is an island in the harbour of Copenhagen where Absalon built the fortress that started the history of the city (if you haven’t read it, you can check here). This small island has been the centre of the Government of Denmark since the Middle Ages. Today, it is home to some of the most important buildings in the city, such as the Christiansborg Palace, former royal residence and current Parliament, the Stock Exchange and the Royal Danish Library, commonly called the Black Diamond for its new building.

10. Empty your wallet for some Danish design

Design is one of Denmark’s biggest exports. This style was developed in the mid-20th century and its characteristics are the use of new industrial technologies combined with simplicity and functionalism. I believe the greatness of Danish design arose from the contept of hygge, a Danish phylosophy that tries to guide life towards cozziness and comfort. This and the fact that the cold weather forces them to stay home, makes it imperative to design their houses in a way that makes you feel at home, comfortable, warm and fuzzy. Hygge is a very interesting concept in Danish lifestyle, so I will write a specific post for it soon.

In any case, here are a few stores where you can buy your Danish design to bring home and get your hygge going: Illums Bolighus, HAY House, Fredericia Furniture Showroom, Bang & Olufsen, Royal Copenhagen and Normann. If your budget would not support such a hit, go for Søstrene Grene, which still has beautiful Danish design for emptier wallets.

11. Get your defense on at Kastellet fortress

Kastellet (The Citadel in English) is a fortress built by Christian IV in the 17th century as an advanced post that eventually would be absorbed by the city. The Citadel was further fortified after the Swedish siege and was key on the defense against the United Kingdom in the Battle of Copenhagen in 1807. In 1940 Kastellet was taken by the Germans during the invasion and used as a military base for Nazi Germany.

Currently Kastellet is mainly used as a public park, although some military buildings and a windmill remain. The green bastions with a continuous path and the views of the moat and the rest of the city makes it a hotspot for joggers.

You can find other interesting things in the park where Kastellet is located, like St. Alban’s Church, a quirky Anglican church which is the only one of its kind in Denmark, or the Gefion fountain, a sculptural masterpiece that represents the godess that turned her sons into bulls and ploughed the land that became Zealand (Sjælland), the island where Copenhagen is located.

12. Get a 360º view of the city at one of the towers

I always like to start my city trips by climbing up and watching the city from a different perspective. It helps me orient myself and throughout the rest of my trip and, usually, if I am familiar with the city’s history, it helps me understand it much more. Copenhagen is a fantastic place to do so, since its buildings are generally low, giving a 360º view from many of its towers. I wrote a specific post about it, so check it out if you want to know the best places to have a nice view over the city!

→ Copenhagen from above: best views of Copenhagen

13. Discover the different architectural styles in the city

The architecture of Copenhagen is as varied as it gets in styles. From the Medieval buildings like Sankt Petri’s church, to the characteristic Renaissance city skeleton left by the omnipresent Christian IV, with marvels like the Rosenborg Castle or the Stock Exchange; to the Baroque of the Church of Our Saviour; the Rococo of the Marble Church to the avantgarde modernist architecture and urban development that so gracefully has turned an old city into a beacon of design and urban life, Copenhagen has it all. There is no way to talk about all the marvelous buildings in the city, so I’ll just leave you with some examples that I like and let you find your favourites when you walk through the city.

14. Go wild at the Botanical Garden or Den Blå Planet

Botanical Garden

The Botanical Garden of Copenhagen is an oasis within the city that houses over 13,000 species. It was built in 1874 with the help of J. C. Jakobsen, founder of Carlsberg, and it is known for its complex of historical glasshouses (27 in total) inspired in the Crystal Palace of London’s Great Exhibition of 1851. The glasshouses, with tropical species, a warm temperature and the sound of frogs, are a fantastic pause of the usual cold and wind in the city.

 

Full disclosure: the Botanical Garden used to be a free attraction in Copenhagen. As in June 2018, the entry to the Palm House and the newly opened Butterfly House is not free. I have not visited since, so I can’t give a full review of the site.

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 8.30-16 (Mon Palm House closed), Price: Free (60 DKK adult, 40 DKK children for Palm House).

Den Blå Planet

The Blue Planet (or Den Blå Planet) is the National Aquarium of Denmark. The fantastic new building opened in 2013, becoming the largest aquarium in Northern Europe. The aquarium is divided into 5 main sections: the Rainforest, the African Great Lakes, Evolution and adaption, Cold Water and the Warm Ocean. Although expensive, it is a great alternative for a rainy day (not uncommon in Denmark), especially when travelling with children.

Opening hours: Mon 10-21, Tue-Sun 10-17; Price: 170 DKK adult, 95 DKK children.

15. Get out of the city center

Although most historical sites and touristic spots in Copenhagen are concentrated in the city center, the true spirit of Copenhagen resides in the surrounding neighbourhoods. Nørrebro, Vesterbro, Østerbro, Frederiksberg and Christianshavn; each of them has its own personality and its worth spending some time getting to know them. I will probably write a more extensive post on the topic, but for now here’s a sneak peek:

Nørrebro

For the last two decades, Nørrebro has become one of the most popular districts in Copenhagen. Its trade mark is multiculturalism, since it is one of the most diverse neighbourhoods in the city.

What to do in Nørrebro? Ride on a bike through its main multiethnic artery Nørrebrogade, have a pit stop for kebab, drink a beer sitting on Dronning Louises bro (Queen Louise’s Bridge) or Sankt Hans Torv if it’s sunny, chill at Assistens Kirkegård (the cemetery. Yes, Danes like to have a jog or a picnic in cemeteries and it’s cool because they usually are very inviting in Denmark. Also, Danish personalities like Hans Christian Andersen, Niels Bohr or Søren Kirkegaard are buried here!), jump from bar to bar in Blågårdsgade or just enjoy of its vibrant urban and ethnic vibe!

Vesterbro

Vesterbro is home of the hipster movement in Copenhagen. Cozy ecologic restaurants, craft breweries, retro cafés and quirky shops are what’s going on in Vesterbro. Well, that and the night epicenter in the city: the Meatpacking District. It once was the center of the meat industry in Copenhagen but it has been reimagined as a nightlife cluster, with hip bars and restaurants loved by the Danes.

Østerbro

Østerbro is the family friendly version of the last two. Very residential, with broad boulevards with shopping possibilities, green areas and a somewhat posh atmosphere. Enjoy the sun at Fælledparken, go shopping at Østerbrogade or eat out at Bopa Plads.

Frederiksberg

Frederiksberg is the end of the road for many people. Fancy, well communicated but still sort of isolated, it is the retirement goal of those that cannot give up urban life. The natural evolution of neighbourhoods in Copenhagen would be starting up as a student in Nørrebro, move to Vesterbro with your first job, move to Østerbro when you have children and then retire in Frederiksberg. Simple and organized.

Christianshavn and Holmen

Christianshavn is the land of contrasts. It is the only one on the list situated in a different island, and it has a very laid back atmosphere and is open to the sea, with canals and waterfronts to enjoy. Canal tours, street food rampages, the Opera Noma restaurant and Freetown Christiania are some of the main attractions of the area.

Closing statement

As you can see, Copenhagen is a wonderful city. It is not as known as other European capitals, but it is still full of things to see and experience, a vibrant atmosphere, great places to eat and a gastronomy of its own, stunning architecture and some of the friendliest people you will ever meet. Continue reading about wonderful Copenhagen!

→ Where to eat and drink in Copenhagen: best restaurants and bars

Make sure you don’t miss out in any of Copenhagen’s activities by purchasing your tickets in advance!

Also, if you have already decided to travel to the capital of Denmark, make yourself familiar with the best ways to move around and the best places to stay, and if you are staying for longer make sure you have a look at the best day trips from Copenhagen. A post will also come soon on the best places to eat in Copenhagen. If you are not so much into urban tourism, worry not! Visit our post on North Jutland, a more rural part of Denmark, but equally stunning:

→ North Jutland: a beginner’s guide to the North of Denmark

Denmark is a wonderful country, not only in beauty, but in many other ways and I would like people to fully get to know it and enjoy it, instead of just using it as a starting point for Baltic cruises. So, make sure to stay tuned with Feast of Travel!

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