What to Do in Copenhagen?

Thinking about visiting Copenhagen? The capital of Denmark, sometimes referred to as >, is a beautiful city with a Nordic charm, where a wide variety of tours and activities await you. In the following lines, I will take you on a journey to discover the must-see attractions in Copenhagen

Copenhagen is a reasonably sized capital that can be easily explored on foot or by bike, and it always leaves a great memory for those who visit. Exploring it, one can easily understand why Denmark is known as the happiest country in the world

You'll be dazzled by the many beautiful things in this city, particularly its architecture and history, which you will have the opportunity to discover more than once in the museums, as well as in the exceptional castles and palaces found here, such as Amalienborg and Rosenborg. Copenhagen is also a charming port city, crisscrossed by waterways that can be easily explored on a little canal cruise.

The capital also hosts some unusual sites such as >, Christiania, a bohemian and alternative neighborhood that still maintains its independence today. Copenhagen is a modern and inspiring city where design is everywhere, and one can find one of the largest shopping areas in Europe around Stroget Street ️

Amalienborg is the royal residence of the Queen in Copenhagen. This royal palace, the seat of the Danish monarchy, is undoubtedly the most important historical site in the entire country.

Amalienborg Palace consists of four identical buildings:

It is at the palace square, where a statue of Frederik V stands in the center, that you can witness one of the city's great attractions, the royal guard change (Den Kongelige Livgarde), much like at Buckingham Palace in London. The guards march daily through the streets of the city between the barracks located near Rosenborg Castle and Amalienborg. Their march begins at 11:30 AM and the change occurs at noon

Rosenborg Castle, located in the heart of the city, is a must-see site just like Amalienborg Palace. Its visit allows you to discover a lot about the history of this country, particularly concerning its monarchs since the early 17th century.

Construction of this castle began in 1613, during the reign of Christian IV, but it was not until about a century later that it became the Danish royal residence, and another century later that it became the site housing the Crown Jewels collection. Rosenborg Castle has been open to the public since 1838 and has since been one of the most visited places in the country.

This palace exudes a certain charm, with its high angular towers and elegant style, typical of Dutch and Flemish Baroque architecture. There are numerous things to discover here, including tapestries, works of art, beautiful moldings and decorations, the living quarters of various monarchs such as Christian IV, Christian VII, and Frederik IV, as well as the Knights' Room where the crowns of the rulers are located and the Long Hall on the second floor, and the treasures of the royal family in the basement.

Surrounding the castle, the King's Gardens (Kongens Have) are particularly calm and well-maintained, being the oldest public park in the country, a true invitation to relaxation

If you're unsure where to start your visit to the Danish capital, I recommend this walking tour of the city center, which will allow you to discover Copenhagen's must-sees. Plus, you'll be doing this tour with a local guide who knows all the anecdotes and the prettiest viewpoints in the city. You will notably enter Amalienborg Palace, then stroll along New Harbor (the perfect moment to take out your camera), and learn more about the hygge lifestyle Plan for about €40 for this activity.

Tivoli is much more than gardens, as it is actually one of the oldest amusement parks in the world (and one of the most visited in Europe). Rides and attractions for both young and old, shows, festivals, concerts, and large seasonal events... it's an unmissable spot in the Danish capital

The Gardens of Tivoli are located right in the heart of Copenhagen, opening for the very first time in 1843; it is even said that they were a major inspiration for the creation of Disneyland.

In total, there are around thirty different attractions, some very classic and others much more modern, including a giant Ferris wheel, a haunted castle, roller coasters, and other thrill rides. The park also houses a large aquarium, an exhibit of vintage cars, as well as monuments and structures inspired by various countries, such as an Arabian palace and a Chinese pagoda, all in a particularly pleasant natural and floral setting

A single entry ticket for the Gardens of Tivoli costs about €20, and then each attraction needs to be paid for separately, but unlimited day passes are also available. That's why I recommend getting a ticket with an unlimited ride package to test as many rides as you want and fill up on thrills. Among the must-dos are Villa Vendetta, Den flyvende Kuffert, Minen, and Dæmonen. This ticket costs about €55 per person.

Nyhavn literally means >, but it is the name that actually designates the canal that runs through the center of Copenhagen, as well as the neighborhood where it is located.

In the Nyhavn neighborhood, you will discover truly typical decorations of Scandinavian cities, with beautiful colorful houses, restaurants and bars with terraces, and a really pleasant atmosphere. If you want to taste traditional Danish cuisine, Nyhavn is truly one of the best neighborhoods to find a good restaurant.

Several beautiful attractions await you here, including lovely historic buildings, the oldest of which dates back to 1681, but also Mindeankeret, a monumental sculpture that commemorates the sailors who perished defending the city during World War II, as well as the National Museum of Denmark.

The neighborhood can be easily explored on foot or by bike, but it is also the place from which you can start a canal cruise in Copenhagen, to discover some of the most emblematic sites of the capital while being gently guided along the water. This cruise costs only €17, and you can admire the Little Mermaid sculpture and Christiansborg Palace from a whole new perspective

The Round Tower, or Rundetårn, dates back to the 17th century and is now the oldest operating observatory in Europe. It is one of the significant symbolic monuments of Copenhagen, built in 1642 at the request of King Christian IV, and was one of the major centers of astronomy in the country for several centuries.

In addition to being a remarkable architectural structure, the Round Tower houses a beautiful telescope from 1929 as well as a 17th-century planetarium and an old library. One of the curiosities of the place is the large spiral ascent, which allowed access to the top on horseback. At the very top of this ramp, about 35 meters high, visitors can enjoy a lovely panoramic view of Copenhagen.

This impressive palace located on Slotsholmen, the island with the castle in the historic center of Copenhagen, was the Danish royal residence until the end of the 18th century, before the monarchs settled in Amalienborg Palace. Christiansborg remains one of the most prestigious buildings in the country and one of the most visited. It is still partly occupied by the royal family and also houses the Danish Parliament.

The origins of Christiansborg Castle actually date back to the origins of the city in the 12th century when Copenhagen's founder, the warrior bishop Absalon, requested the construction of a grand castle, Absalon's fort. It has been largely destroyed twice over the centuries by fires, in 1794 and 1884.

During your visit to Christiansborg Castle, you can discover the ruins of the first palaces, the royal halls where the monarchs lived for centuries, and the grand royal stables. The highlight can be found at the top of the Christiansborg tower, the tallest tower in the city, which offers breathtaking views of Copenhagen and is also accessible for free.

To visit Christiansborg Castle or pretty much any point of interest in Copenhagen, you can also choose a tourist pass, which could save you a few euros depending on the visits you plan to make. For example, be aware that the majority of the attractions in this top 10 are included in the Copenhagen City Card

You will even have the choice between 80 different attractions all detailed in the online brochure; in addition, you can also enjoy unlimited free public transport for the entire duration of your pass, from 1 to 5 days. In other cities, tourist passes are often reserved for adults and are not very cost-effective for children. Thanks to the Copenhagen pass, you won't need to worry about your children as 2 kids are included automatically in a city card! All starting from €60 per adult.

Christiania is a place like no other in Copenhagen; it's not literally a neighborhood, but rather a free town, a little world apart that lives in self-management and is a great symbol of the hippie lifestyle.

The origin of Christiania dates back to the 1970s when people decided to settle in this abandoned area of the city to live without having to follow the laws established by mainstream Danish society. An idea that quickly attracted a lot of people, to the point that a true hippie community formed here in just a few years.

50 years later, over 1,000 people live almost autonomously in the Christiania neighborhood. Their lifestyle is based on recycling and collaboration. The residents firmly hold onto their independence, as shown by the sign indicating that leaving the neighborhood is also entering the European Union. They have their own citizen assemblies, their own currency, and their own flag.

This is not just a whim, as there are genuine differences, starting with the fact that no taxes are paid and that the sale of soft drugs is claimed to be legal, even if this assertion is of course not supported by the Danish government, which only applies a relative tolerance.

Christiania is mainly discovered for its unique aspect and ambiance, its cafes, bars, and concert halls. Its street art, which blossoms freely almost everywhere, makes the neighborhood a true open-air museum.

The capital of Denmark is a city rich in exceptional history, which can be explored by visiting its sumptuous palaces, but also of course in its museums. Beyond history, some museums also allow discovery of distinctly marked aspects of Danish culture. Here are the best museums in Copenhagen:

If you're in the mood for a little window shopping during your stay in Copenhagen, you will find truly everything you've ever dreamed of on Strøget Street, a large pedestrian thoroughfare in the city center, nearly a kilometer long that connects the most important shopping districts of the city.

Small artisan and designer shops, stores from major international brands and luxury labels (Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada...), jewelers, designers, antiques... you can find everything here. Even if you're not looking for anything in particular, it's a section of the city that is enjoyable to explore for its very elegant old architecture, its lively atmosphere, its trendy cafes, and its street musicians and artists.

That's it for this article on the best activities to do and places to see in Copenhagen. If you have any more ideas or suggestions, feel free to share them with me in the comments