Things to Do in Copenhagen
Prices, opening hours, best times to visit and the stuff nobody tells you, everything you need for a first trip to Copenhagen, Denmark, plus one pigeon's opinions on all of it.
Right, Copenhagen. Everyone here looks better on a bicycle than you will, an entire city built around cycling with a grace I've never seen replicated anywhere else. This is the proper, no-nonsense guide to things to do in Copenhagen: what things actually cost, when to go, what to skip, and which bits are worth the queue. Six main stops below, plus a quiz elsewhere on this site to see if you were paying attention.
The Little Mermaid
A small bronze statue, based on a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, sits on a rock by Copenhagen's harbour, smaller than everyone expects, she gets more visitors than I get crumbs, and that's saying something, a modest statue that's become disproportionately iconic given its actual scale.
Manage your expectations before you go, the appeal here is more about the fairy tale connection and the harbourside setting than the statue's physical presence, worth combining with a wider harbour walk rather than treating it as a standalone destination.
Address Langelinie promenade, Copenhagen
Tivoli Gardens
A historic amusement park, one of the oldest in the world, opened in Copenhagen in 1843, older than a lot of countries, Walt Disney reportedly took notes here before designing Disneyland, a significant piece of amusement park history rather than just a fun day out. It's a beautifully landscaped park, gardens, fairground rides, and evening illuminations that give the whole place a properly magical atmosphere after dark.
It's seasonal, closed for parts of the year, check current opening dates before planning a visit, and note that ride tickets are typically purchased separately from general entry.
Hours Seasonal, check current dates, generally open spring through autumn plus a winter period
Address Vesterbrogade 3, Copenhagen
Nyhavn
A colourful 17th-century waterfront canal, lined with townhouses, bars and restaurants, is one of Copenhagen's most photographed spots, every building a different colour, like someone let a toddler choose, and I mean that as a real compliment, the effect is properly cheerful and unlike the more uniform architecture found in most historic European harbours.
It's a good spot for a drink or meal, though prices along the immediate canal reflect its popularity, worth walking a block or two back for better value if budget matters, the view is still visible from nearby.
Best time Late afternoon into evening, for the best light and atmosphere
Address Nyhavn, central Copenhagen
Cycling the City
Copenhagen is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world, dedicated cycle lanes, cyclist-priority traffic signals, and a culture where cycling is simply how the city moves rather than a novelty activity. Renting a bike for a day is one of the best ways to see the city the way residents actually do, canal-side paths, parks, and neighbourhoods well beyond the central tourist area all easily reachable.
The flat terrain makes it easy even for less confident cyclists, and bike rental is widely available and affordable throughout the city.
Best time Any time; avoid rush hour if you're a nervous cyclist
Freetown Christiania
A self-governing neighbourhood within Copenhagen, established by squatters in the 1970s and operating under its own unusual set of community rules ever since, unlike anywhere else in the city, colourful murals, alternative architecture, and a distinct, sometimes contested relationship with the wider Danish state.
It's worth a respectful visit, photography is restricted in certain areas (particularly around the informal market street known as 'Pusher Street'), pay attention to posted signage and follow local guidance while you're there.
Address Christianshavn, Copenhagen
Copenhagen's Food Scene
Copenhagen has become a real culinary capital in recent years, the New Nordic cuisine movement, emphasising local, seasonal, foraged ingredients, originated substantially here and has influenced fine dining worldwide. Reffen, a street food market in a converted industrial area, offers a more accessible, affordable way to sample the city's food scene without committing to a high-end tasting menu.
Copenhagen is also, notably, one of the more expensive food cities in Europe, worth budgeting accordingly, though markets like Reffen and Torvehallerne offer good value alongside the pricier destination restaurants.
Best time Any time; Reffen particularly lively on summer evenings
Best time to visit Copenhagen
May through September gives the most comfortable weather for the amount of cycling and canal-side walking this list involves, and it's when Tivoli Gardens and the outdoor food markets are at their best.
Copenhagen properly embraces 'hygge' (cosiness) through the darker winter months, worth visiting even outside summer if you don't mind cold, short days, the museums and Christmas-season Tivoli both work well.
Getting around Copenhagen
Cycling is the best way to get around by far, flat terrain and excellent dedicated infrastructure throughout the city. The metro and S-train network cover longer distances well if cycling isn't for you.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Copenhagen worth visiting?
- Yes, easily, Tivoli Gardens, Nyhavn, and the genuinely world-class cycling infrastructure and food scene all make it one of the better Northern European city breaks.
- How many days do you need in Copenhagen?
- Three days covers Tivoli, Nyhavn, and a proper cycling day comfortably.
- Is Copenhagen expensive?
- Yes, genuinely one of the pricier European capitals, particularly for food and drink, though bike rental and many of the best sights remain reasonably priced.
- What is Copenhagen famous for?
- The Little Mermaid statue, Tivoli Gardens, one of the oldest amusement parks in the world, and its status as one of the most bicycle-friendly cities anywhere.
That's everything I've got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
