What are the best things to do in Copenhagen?
Top picks in Copenhagen include Nyhavn harbour, Tivoli Gardens, The Little Mermaid, Christiansborg Palace. See the full list and itinerary on this Copenhagen travel guide.
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Copenhagen Travel Guide
Copenhagen, Denmark
Photo: Moahim · CC BY-SA 4.0
Why visit Copenhagen
Travel guide for Copenhagen, Denmark — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
Copenhagen is a stop in Denmark, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 3 days. If time is short, prioritise Nyhavn harbour, Tivoli Gardens, The Little Mermaid instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 140–280 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds
Weather
Temperate, with warm summers and cool winters
Experiences
Things to do in Copenhagen
1
Nyhavn harbour
2
Tivoli Gardens
3
The Little Mermaid
4
Christiansborg Palace
5
Rosenborg Castle and King's Garden
6
Christiania
7
Torvehallerne food halls
8
Louisiana Museum day trip
Budget travel
Free things to do in Copenhagen
Nyhavn harbour
Tivoli Gardens
Rosenborg Castle and King's Garden
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
Copenhagen itinerary (3 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Nyhavn harbour
- Visit Tivoli Gardens
- Visit The Little Mermaid
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit Christiansborg Palace
- Visit Rosenborg Castle and King's Garden
- Visit Christiania
- 3
Day 3
More highlights
- Visit Torvehallerne food halls
- Visit Louisiana Museum day trip
Prefer a full 12-day trip with costs and FAQs? Read the Copenhagen itinerary guide.
Budget
Copenhagen trip cost
Budget
USD 65–105
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 140–280
per person / day
Luxury
USD 320–530+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Copenhagen, Denmark. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Copenhagen
Estimated total (USD)
$3,405
≈ $1,703 per person · $486 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $210/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Copenhagen mid-range ground costs (budget 65–105 · mid 140–280 · luxury 320–530+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
- $$
Torvehallerne stalls
Market food · City's great food halls — locals' lunch
- $
Reffen
Street food · Harbour street-food market
- $$
Schønnemann
Smørrebrød · Classic open-sandwich institution since 1877
- $$$$
Noma
Nordic · World-famous New Nordic (book far ahead)
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
- $$$$
Hotel d'Angleterre
Kongens Nytorv · Copenhagen's palace hotel since 1755
- $$$$
Nimb Hotel
Tivoli · Moorish fantasy beside Tivoli Gardens
- $$$
Villa Copenhagen
Central Station · Converted post-office design hotel
Shopping
- Hellers
In pictures
Copenhagen gallery
Photos: Moahim, Pudelek, Jakub Hałun, Julian Herzog (Website) — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Copenhagen travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Copenhagen?
May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds.
How many days do I need in Copenhagen?
Plan at least 3 days in Copenhagen for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Copenhagen?
Popular stays in Copenhagen include Hotel d'Angleterre, Nimb Hotel, Villa Copenhagen. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Copenhagen cost?
On the ground in Copenhagen (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 65–105 per person per day, mid-range about 140–280, and luxury about 320–530+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Copenhagen, Denmark. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
Keep exploring
