Copenhagen is one of the most beautiful and exciting cities in Scandinavia. It is the mix of historic buildings and modern architecture, the maritime flair, hip cafés, and the relaxed Scandinavian lifestyle that make Copenhagen so special and versatile. We have visited the Danish capital several times now and are thrilled each time. In this Copenhagen guide, we show you the most beautiful sights, restaurants, and our personal travel tips for Copenhagen. This way, you can optimally plan your city trip to Copenhagen.
Useful Information for Your Copenhagen Trip
Copenhagen City Trip at a Glance
Recommended Duration of Stay: 3 – 4 Days
Best Time to Travel: May – September
Getting Around: Bicycle, Metro, or on Foot
Price Level: Relatively High
Main Sights: Nyhavn, Amalienborg Palace, Rosenborg Castle, Frederik's Church, Christiania, and the Round Tower
- Copenhagen is located in eastern Denmark on the islands of Zealand and Amager. The city's origins date back to the 11th century. Today, around 660,000 people live in Denmark's capital.
- Copenhagen has been named one of the most livable cities in the world for years. In 2026, the Danish capital ranks 1st in the annual ranking published by The Economist. Certainly, the fact that Copenhagen is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities worldwide also contributes to this ranking. Many hotels offer bicycle rental, and there are also numerous bike rental shops in the city area if you want to explore Copenhagen on two wheels.
- You quickly notice that Copenhagen is not a cheap travel destination. This starts with accommodation prices and continues with restaurant visits. Booking early can help, but it's better to budget a bit more for a Copenhagen trip.
- The Swedish city of Malmö is only 30 km away, which you can reach by train via the Øresund Bridge in just 35 minutes. This makes Malmö perfect for a day trip, or you can visit Copenhagen as a stopover on the way to Sweden.
The Most Beautiful Sights in Copenhagen
Nyhavn
Nyhavn is one of the most famous sights in Copenhagen and, with its colorful historic houses along the canal, it is THE photo motif of the city. Accordingly, it is bustling here from late morning onwards, when numerous visitors are out and about around Nyhavn.
Our Tip: It is best to plan your visit for early morning, because then Nyhavn is still pleasantly quiet and the morning light is perfect for photos.
Palaces in Copenhagen
Denmark is considered the oldest monarchy in Europe, and the royal history of the city can best be experienced by visiting one of the many palaces. The following palaces are free with the Copenhagen Card (we explain this further down in the article). Tickets for the palaces are available here.
Amalienborg Palace
Amalienborg Palace is the city residence of King Frederik X, Queen Mary, and their children. When the royal family is at home, the Danish flag flies on the roof. The changing of the guard takes place daily at 12 noon, which you should not miss. A small part of the palace can be visited.
Rosenborg Castle
Rosenborg Castle is one of the most beautiful castles in Copenhagen and is located in the middle of a well-kept garden. Inside, several state rooms and the treasury with the Danish crown jewels can be visited. Since tickets are often sold out, we recommend buying tickets online in advance, especially during the high season and on long weekends.
Christiansborg Palace
Also located in the center of Copenhagen is Christiansborg Palace, which today is the seat of the Danish Parliament. Parts of the interior, the palace chapel, and the royal stables can be visited.
The Little Mermaid
The Little Mermaid is one of the most famous landmarks of Copenhagen. Surprisingly small and not very spectacular is probably the conclusion of many Copenhagen visitors, and at just 125 centimeters, the bronze figure is actually one of the smaller landmarks. It was created based on the fairy tale character of the same name by Hans Christian Andersen, and even if the statue itself turns out smaller than many expect, the walk along the waterfront promenade from Nyhavn to the Little Mermaid is worth it in our opinion. The path offers beautiful views of the harbor and passes by Amalienborg Palace and the Kastellet, among others.
Kastellet
The Kastellet (Kastellet) is one of the historic sights in Copenhagen. The well-preserved star fortress from the 17th century is located on the way to the Little Mermaid and, with its ramparts, moats, and red brick buildings, is definitely worth a short detour. Although parts of the site are still used for military purposes, the Kastellet today primarily serves as a city park.
Frederik's Church
Directly opposite Amalienborg Palace stands Frederik's Church (Frederiks Kirke), which also bears the nickname Marble Church. With its imposing dome, it is one of the most important sacred buildings in Copenhagen, and you should definitely take a quick look inside the church. Admission is free, only for the visit to the dome a small fee is charged. The dome can be visited Tuesday – Sunday at 1:30 PM for 50 DKK.
Christiania
Christiania was founded in 1971 when squatters occupied an abandoned military area in Copenhagen to realize their idea of a self-governing community with joint decisions, alternative forms of living, and a focus on creativity and freedom instead of classic property relations.
For a long time, Christiania was mainly known for Pusher Street, where cannabis was openly sold. After several violent incidents, the residents, together with the city of Copenhagen and the police, decided to end the drug trade. In April 2024, the sales stalls were removed. Since then, Christiania has changed significantly and can now be explored more relaxed. Photography is now also allowed again in the former Pusher Street.
Round Tower
The Round Tower Rundetårn is one of the best viewpoints in Copenhagen. Instead of climbing numerous stairs, you reach the viewing platform via a wide, spiral ramp, which is said to have been used by horse-drawn carriages in the past. The last few meters lead up a ladder to the platform. From the top, you can enjoy a beautiful 360-degree view over the rooftops of Copenhagen.
Restaurants and Cafés in Copenhagen: Our Tips
Copenhagen is a true foodie paradise. From typical Danish cuisine to trendy cafes and international restaurants, you'll find a huge selection here. However, dining out in Copenhagen comes at a price, and cheap alternatives are rare. A meal in a restaurant can easily cost 30 euros. This quickly drives up the budget for a city trip to Copenhagen.
Danish Specialties
Smørrebrød is one of the most famous specialties of Denmark and means something like buttered bread. When it comes to toppings, the variations seem endless. If you order a Smørrebrød, you get a slice of rye bread artistically topped with fish, meat, cheese, or vegetarian ingredients. What sounds cheap can, however, become quite expensive. In restaurants specializing in these small open-faced sandwiches, a Smørrebrød often costs between 14 and 24 euros. Per person, 2–3 pieces are usually recommended. Particularly popular are the restaurants Ibbens, Schønneman, and Aamans.
Significantly cheaper and at least as typically Danish are the Danish hot dogs. The small hot dog stands are a fixed part of the cityscape and are an optimal snack for in between or a small lunch. Meanwhile, there are also many vegetarian and vegan varieties, such as those you can find at DØP.
The Most Beautiful Food Markets in Copenhagen
Torvehallerne
The stylish market hall Torvehallerne is located in the northern part of Copenhagen. Here you will find fresh food, Danish delicacies, as well as numerous stalls where you can eat directly or buy something to take away.
Kødbyen
Kødbyen means "Meat District" and is the former center of the meat industry in Copenhagen. Today, the area has developed into a popular district with numerous restaurants, galleries, clubs, and event venues. In good weather, Kødbyen is popular, and the outdoor spots in the sun can be hard to come by.
Reffen Street Food Market
The stylish street food market is located on a former shipyard site right on the water. From colorful containers and food trucks, dishes from all over the world are offered here: from tacos to dim sum, with meat or vegan, savory, hearty, or sweet, everyone will really find something here. Although it is not particularly cheap here either and the portions are rather modest, the atmosphere is unique and a visit is worthwhile, especially in good weather. We really liked it here.
Eating Cheap in Copenhagen
If you are looking for some cheap food alternatives besides hot dogs, there are some restaurants and cafes that offer delicious food at fair prices.
- Folkehuset Absalon: former community center, now a popular community meeting point and social project. Every evening, a changing dinner is served at long tables. You can find the current dishes online. Tickets for dinner can be booked online in advance, or you can try your luck from 5 p.m. directly on site. Price: Sunday to Wednesday: 75 DKK, Thursday to Saturday: 100 DKK (as of July 2026).
- Scurry Hub: Thai restaurant in the city center with dishes for 78 DKK (as of July 2026).
- Blue House: Here you can get relatively large filled sandwiches from 72 DKK (as of July 2026).
- Ramen to Bíiru: You can find the ramen restaurant in several districts and it offers ramen for 150 DKK (as of July 2026).
- Falafel Factory: Falafel shop in Nørrebro with falafel pita between 79 – 89 DKK (as of July 2026).
Practical Travel Tips for Copenhagen
How Many Days Should You Plan for Copenhagen
For Copenhagen, we recommend planning at least 3 nights or 4 full days. Even though Copenhagen is one of the smaller capitals in Europe, there is plenty to see in the city. If you want to visit some museums and castles in addition to the typical sights, you should bring enough time.
Best Time to Travel for a City Trip to Copenhagen
The weather in Copenhagen can be very changeable. The best travel time is certainly the summer months when the days are long and the temperatures are pleasant. Due to its location by the sea, it rarely gets really hot even in summer. Generally, the city can be visited well from May to September; if you come during the winter months, it is often damp, cold, windy, and can be a bit uncomfortable.
Getting to Copenhagen
You can reach Copenhagen most comfortably by plane or train. From Copenhagen Airport, you can get directly to the city center in just about 15 minutes by train or metro. Alternatively, traveling by train is a good option, especially from northern Germany. Copenhagen is well connected via Hamburg, and via the Öresund Bridge you are in Malmö, Sweden in just 35 minutes.
Getting Around in Copenhagen: How to Get from A to B
Much of Copenhagen can be easily explored on foot. If your destination is a bit further away, you can either rent a bicycle, which you can often do at hotels, or take the metro or buses, which will also take you to the more distant sights.
Copenhagen Card: Free Entry to Attractions and Free Public Transport
The Copenhagen Card can be worthwhile if you want to visit many sights and museums and use public transport regularly. With the card, you have access to over 80 museums and can also use public transport. The card is available for 1 to 5 days, with prices ranging from 79 euros for 24 hours to 190 euros for 5 days. We walked almost everywhere and only visited two museums, so the card was not worth it for us. It is best to calculate this yourself for your city trip to Copenhagen.
Accommodation
When searching for a hotel or AirBnB, we quickly realized: Copenhagen is expensive, and surprisingly, there was hardly any difference between hotel and AirBnB prices over the Easter weekend.
We have decided on the Wakeup Copenhagen Borgergarde* decided. The rooms are very small but clean (only the table could have been cleaned a bit better, and the carpet in the hallway has seen better days). Breakfast is available for 99 DKK per person and was surprisingly varied for the price. The hotel's location is excellent, as all central attractions are easily reachable on foot, and the metro is also very close.
Our conclusion about the hotel: If the hotel is secondary to you because you're mostly out and about in the city and simple rooms are fine, then we can recommend the Wakeup Copenhagen.
Conclusion
We really like Copenhagen. In our opinion, a city trip to the Danish capital is especially worthwhile from spring to autumn, when the weather is more stable and warmer. Particularly exciting is the mix of historical sights, modern architecture, and an impressive restaurant and café scene. Whether strolling through Nyhavn with its colorful and crooked houses, visiting the royal palaces, or browsing the food markets, there is something to discover on every corner in the Danish capital. Despite the relatively high price level, we believe a city trip to Copenhagen is definitely worth it. With three to four days, you have enough time to explore the most important sights and enjoy the relaxed Scandinavian atmosphere of the city.
FAQ
Generally, Copenhagen can be visited year-round. However, in winter it is often damp, cold, and windy. The best time is therefore the summer months of June to August, when it is warmest and the days are long. Due to its northern location by the sea, it rarely gets really hot even in summer. The adjacent spring and autumn months are also suitable, but the weather can be much more changeable then.
Copenhagen is definitely not a cheap city. Accommodation prices are high, and eating out can quickly add up as well. If you're planning a city trip to Copenhagen, it's worth setting aside a slightly larger budget.
The Copenhagen Card gives you free admission to many of the city's top attractions and museums, while also including unlimited use of public transportation. Prices range from €79 for 24 hours to €190 for 120 hours (as of July 2026). Before buying the card, it's a good idea to decide which attractions you want to visit and compare the total admission costs with the price of the card.
Yes, Copenhagen is well worth visiting in winter. However, because of its coastal location, the weather is often cold, damp, and windy. In our opinion, one of the best parts of visiting Copenhagen is simply wandering through its streets, so we'd recommend visiting between spring and autumn if possible.
We recommend spending at least three days in Copenhagen. This gives you enough time to see the city's main attractions at a relaxed pace. If you also plan to visit several museums or palaces, it's worth allowing an extra day or two.
