24 Hours in Copenhagen
A harbour full of postcard-colourful houses, a 19th-century amusement park that inspired Walt Disney, and a small bronze mermaid worth the walk out to see, one proper day in Denmark’s capital.
Copenhagen packs an unusual amount into a single day, a genuinely photogenic harbourfront, one of the oldest amusement parks in the world, and a food culture that rewards straying beyond the tourist strip. Here’s how I’d spend 24 hours here.
Nyhavn
Start at Nyhavn, the 17th-century harbour lined with brightly coloured townhouses that’s become the single most photographed spot in the city. Grab a coffee at one of the canal-side cafés before the crowds properly build, and take a canal boat tour from here if you’d rather see the city from the water.
The Little Mermaid and Amalienborg
Walk out to the Little Mermaid statue along the Langelinie promenade, a small bronze figure that’s become an outsized symbol of the city. On the way back, pass Amalienborg Palace, the royal family’s winter residence, timing it for the changing of the guard at noon if it lines up.
Tivoli Gardens
Head to Tivoli Gardens, founded in 1843 and widely credited as an inspiration for Disneyland, a proper mix of rides, gardens and live performances right next to Central Station. Entry and ride tickets are sold separately, most of the gardens and restaurants are included with entry alone.
Getting there A short walk from Nyhavn or the city centre
Smørrebrød and dinner
End the day with smørrebrød, an open-faced sandwich widely considered a Danish classic, from a proper local spot rather than a tourist-priced version. Torvehallerne food market is worth a stop for this too, a genuinely good way to sample the city’s food scene in one place.
Getting around
Central Copenhagen is genuinely walkable, most of the day’s sights sit within a comfortable stroll of each other. Copenhagen is also famously bike-friendly, renting one for an afternoon is a properly local way to get around.
If you only have time for one thing
Make it Nyhavn. It’s the single most recognisable image of the city, and the harbourfront is a proper introduction to Copenhagen before you’ve even left the water.
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.
