Things to Do in Copenhagen: A Complete Guide
Copenhagen does understated better than most capitals manage loud. There’s no single landmark dominating the skyline, and that’s rather the point, this is a city built around good design, cycling culture and a genuine sense of everyday wellbeing that Danes call hygge. If you’re looking into things to do in Copenhagen, expect a slower, more livable kind of city break than the usual landmark checklist.
Things to do in Copenhagen: Nyhavn and the harbour
Nyhavn’s row of brightly coloured 17th century townhouses lining a canal packed with old wooden boats is the image most people picture when they think of Copenhagen, and it’s every bit as photogenic in person. It gets touristy around the main strip, but walking a little further along the canal thins the crowds considerably. From here, harbour boat tours give a good overview of the city’s waterside architecture, including the striking modern opera house and the Royal Playhouse, both built directly on the water.
Tivoli Gardens and Copenhagen’s playful side
Tivoli Gardens, one of the oldest amusement parks in the world and reportedly an inspiration for Walt Disney, sits right in the centre of the city and mixes fairground rides with manicured gardens, live music and seasonal festivals. It’s especially atmospheric at Christmas, when the whole park is strung with lights and mulled wine stalls appear throughout. Even without riding anything, walking through in the evening when everything is lit up is worth the entry price alone.
Christiania and Copenhagen’s alternative history
Freetown Christiania, a self governing neighbourhood established by squatters in the 1970s, remains one of Copenhagen’s more unusual attractions. Its car free streets, hand built houses and murals give it a genuinely different atmosphere from the rest of the city, though visitors are asked not to photograph certain areas, a rule worth respecting. Whatever your view of its politics, it’s a fascinating look at an alternative way of city living that’s persisted for decades against the odds.
The Little Mermaid and Copenhagen’s design culture
The Little Mermaid statue, perched on rocks by the harbour, tends to underwhelm visitors expecting something grander, but it remains a required stop for most first timers and the walk along the waterfront to reach it is pleasant regardless. Copenhagen’s real design legacy is better seen in the Designmuseum Danmark, which traces the country’s influential furniture and product design movement, or simply by browsing the shops around Stroget, one of Europe’s longest pedestrian shopping streets.
Cycling and Copenhagen’s food scene
Copenhagen is arguably the most cycling friendly capital in the world, with dedicated lanes covering nearly every street, and renting a bike for a day is genuinely one of the best ways to see it. The Meatpacking District, a former industrial meat processing area, has become the centre of the city’s food and nightlife scene, home to everything from Michelin starred restaurants to casual street food halls like Reffen. For travellers continuing north through Europe, our guide to things to do in Berlin covers another city with a strong cycling culture and a similarly layered history.
Where to stay in Copenhagen
Indre By, the historic city centre, keeps you within walking distance of Nyhavn, Tivoli and Stroget, though it comes at a price reflecting the location. Vesterbro, once a red light district and now one of the city’s trendiest neighbourhoods, offers excellent food and nightlife with easy access to the Meatpacking District. Norrebro, a bit further out but well served by bike lanes and metro, gives a more local, multicultural feel and generally better value for longer stays.
Getting around Copenhagen
The metro runs frequently and automatically, without drivers, and connects well with buses and trains under a single ticketing system. Cycling remains the most authentic way to get around, and most hotels can arrange rentals easily. Summer offers the longest days and mildest weather, though prices and crowds rise accordingly, while a visit in December brings the added bonus of Tivoli’s Christmas market alongside the usual sights.
Planning a wider trip? Our guide to things to do in Cardiff covers another great option.
