Best things to do and see in Copenhagen: from one day to one week

Discover the best things to do and see in Copenhagen, no matter if you spend one day or one week there. A complete guide with over 25+ activities, spots, day trips and much more!

Copenhagen is the capital city of Denmark, the most visited Scandinavian country. This city built just next to the Nordic sea welcomes millions of tourists every year. Some of them spend just one day there, some lucky ones have one week or even more time to spend there. No matter how much time you have in Copenhagen, you will feel at home there. It is a welcoming city, a comfortable one to travel to. Despite not having world-known sites like other European cities, it is a calm and beautiful place to visit. If you are after nightlife, it has it. Beautiful landscapes, or parks? Copenhagen is your place. Museums, amusement parks, good gastronomy, interesting architecture…

These are the best things to do and see in Copenhagen, either for a one-day trip or for a whole week. The activities and spots are not listed in any specific order, so make sure to read until the end!

Get lost in Copenhagen parks and gardens

Copenhagen has lots of parks and green areas. This means that when walking around you will constantly encounter beautiful gardens and places to get surrounded by greenery. Among all the parks and gardens, there are two worth mentioning here, and two more that will appear later on in this guide. Kastellet and Kongenshave (the King’s Gardens) are not included in this spot.

Vestre park/cemetery

It might sound weird to see a cemetery listed in the best places to see and do in Copenhagen guide. However, if you want to get lost and forget about the tourists for some time, this is the place to go. Its beautiful tree alley is a unique photography spot, and the garden areas are a great place to relax on a Sunday morning or a calm afternoon.

Ørstedsparken

It is easy to stumble upon this park or just miss it. It is in a central area of Copenhagen but not on the typical tourist path. The main pond congregates locals, people practising multiple sports, and maybe you if you decide to go for a stroll there 🙂

Explore its National Library

Although a Library might sound like an unusual place to see in any city, the National Library is among the best places to visit in Copenhagen. It is not because of the books in there (although I am sure there are real gems) but because of its architecture. The building from the outside is like a giant black block (known as the Black Diamond). Next to one of the multiple canals that connect the sea and the city, it is in a privileged position. However, what makes it worth mentioning is its inside. A unique structure, and a great viewpoint, accessible to everyone (as long as you keep the usual silence of a library).

On sunny days I recommend spending some time by the water, where students also congregate to have lunch or just a break from an intense studying session.

Walk around Nyhavn

If Nyhavn does not ring a bell in you, maybe the photo below will. In fact, it is the cover photo of 90% of the content you can find online about Copenhagen. It is the old harbour of the city and a channel that keeps the historical beautiful colourful houses. The reflection of the houses and the boats is a must-see for anyone visiting Copenhagen.

Moreover, it is a really touristy area, with plenty of (expensive) bars and restaurants, and where some of the action of Copenhagen happens. Although it is usually crowded, it still keeps a unique touch. Especially at sunrise, when it is quiet and silent, Nyhavn feels like a special place.

See the views from Copenhill

Copenhagen is a modern city, and Copenhill is one of the places that you won’t see anywhere else in the world. This building is a heat and power waste-to-energy facility. It does not sound like a tourist spot or something that could be of interest, but there is a tweak.

The building is at the same time a ski slope, a viewpoint over the city, a climbing site and a restaurant, among others. Entrance is free to everyone and the views from the top are completely worth the short trip to the outskirts of Copenhagen. During the winter months (and sometimes during summer as well), you can ski down the unique slope, or try your new snow shoes.

Even during the summer months, it is worth visiting it, given that there are lots of activities to do there. Even if you don’t want to do any sports, Copenhill was named building of the year 2021, so should definitely be on your itinerary.

Of course, if you only have a few hours in Copenhagen you might have to miss it, but otherwise, give it a chance!

Go on a day trip to Malmö, Sweden

It might sound a bit weird to suggest leaving the city as one of the best things to do in Copenhagen, but Malmö is a nice place to see. Moreover, it is an opportunity to visit a new country, Sweden. Thanks. to the Øresund bridge, both cities are connected regularly by train, taking less than 40 minutes to change countries. Among the top attractions of Malmö, there is its old town, a beautiful beach with views to Copenhagen, its old castle, and an amazing metro station. A perfect day trip. Find out all you need to know on what to do and see in Malmö as a day trip from Copenhagen on my detailed travel guide!

Visit the Carlsberg Brewery in Copenhagen

Copenhagen is the home of Carlsberg, one of the most well-known beer brands worldwide. For those interested, there is a quite big area where some distinctive traits of the old brewery can be seen. In fact, it seems like a whole district built inside what once was the old brewery. The gates with two stone elephants welcome you into what will soon become a new tourist attraction.

The Carlsberg brewery will reopen its gates in the summer of 2023, and it will for sure become a must-visit place in the city.

Explore Freetown Christiania

With a quick online search of Freetown Christiania, different narratives can be seen. From people that see it as a dangerous place, to others that encourage anyone to visit it. I have to say I am more of the second group.

Christiania is a neighbourhood or area in the heart of Copenhagen. Located in what once was a military area, it self-declared as an independent area from Denmark in 1971. Since then, different types of people have moved there. It is true that there is the street known as “Pusher street” where you can see hard drugs sold in plain eye-sight. It is also true that it is common to find the Danish police raiding the area. Although Christiania declared itself independent, it is a kind of grey area, so Danish police access it quite often as it is not officially recognized as an independent state.

Outside of Pusher street, though, is a completely different story. It is quite an alternative area, with live music, lots of bars, and one of the coolest skate areas I’ve ever seen and it is without any doubt a must-visit place.

Can I take photos in Christiania?

Christiania has its own rules, and one of them is that you can’t take photos freely. This is especially true in Pusher Street. Keep your phone or camera hidden there. However, outside that area, feel free to ask the people around if it is okay to take photos. Some houses or shops even have a “photos allowed” sign. Like any other place in the world, be respectful and enjoy the visit!

Visit its (modern) museums

Copenhagen is a cultural city. Art is everywhere, inside and outside the galleries. However, there are some museums worth mentioning that depending on your interests should make it into your list of things to do. This is especially true if you are into modern art. These are some of the best museums to see while you are in Copenhagen (add them to your things-to-do list!)

• Louisiana Museum of Modern Art: a bit away from the city centre, but a quite unique experience. A mix of architecture and Nature
• Kunsthal Charlottenborg: contemporary art in a palace, sounds like a great mix!
• The National Gallery of Denmark: the place to go for national and international art in Copenhagen
• Danish Architecture Center: a quite unique experience, more than a museum. Especially interesting the seasonal exhibitions.
• Glyptotek: a quite famous Instagram photography spot is in this museum that mixes gardens and sculptures
• Copenhagen Contemporary: my favourite one. A very special experience, one that I really enjoyed and that if you are a bit into contemporary or modern art, highly recommend.

The only drawback of visiting museums in Copenhagen is that the prices are not always very friendly, as they are adjusted to the quality of life of the country (very high)

See the famous Copenhagen Little Mermaid

If you ask a sample of 100 random people what is the first thing that comes to their mind when they hear about Copenhagen, I bet lots of them will say the Little Mermaid. This small (1.41m) statue is the icon of the city. inspired by the tales by Hans Christian Andersen, it represents a Mermaid sitting on a rock in the bay of Copenhagen.

Despite being a major tourist attraction, and one that even those visiting the city only for one day will want to visit, it is not something that will leave you breathless. It is literally a small statue on a rock. Cute, yes, but nothing more than that. Don’t expect anything out of normal, except for the hordes of tourists taking photos with the statue.

Nonetheless, to see the Little Mermaid must be one of the best things to do in Copenhagen.

See the Genetically Modified Little Mermaid

Not far away from the Little Mermaid, there is the Genetically Modified Little Mermaid. This statue depicts a somehow creative version of a mermaid. In fact, it is just one of the multiple “genetically modified statues” of the area. Needless to say that it is not as visited as the original one, but it is quite an interesting place to see if you have some free time.

Take unique photos

As a travel photographer, Copenhagen is a really good city to visit. It has a great mix of famous tourist attractions (most of them listed in this guide) and off-the-beaten-path photography spots. Even if you just take photos with your smartphone, Copenhagen is a great place to upgrade your Instagram game. Bring your camera and be ready to take some great shots.

To avoid listing multiple spots here, I have created a complete photography guide, with lots of unique locations (some of them not even in this guide). Make sure to check it out for some inspiration and to see what photos can be taken in Copenhagen.

Admire the views from the Rundetårn

There are many places from where great views of Copenhagen can be seen. For example, Copenhill, as included in this article. The one that I recommend the most, though is Rundetårn. Not only because of the views but also because of how you get up there.

This tower has a viewing platform of almost 35 meters. Despite not being a massive tower, Copenhagen is not known for its skyscrapers, thus, great views can be seen from the top. In fact, it was built as an astronomical observatory during the 17th century.

To get there, you will need to walk on the ramp that ascends to the top of the tower. Yes, a ramp. Instead of most towers that have spiral staircases, or even elevators, the Rundetårn has a massive ramp that goes in circles to the top. In the past, horses and even carriages could climb it to reach the upper facilities of the tower. Nowadays, it is a unique place with lots of history.

Explore the canals of the city

Venice is not the only city in Europe that has canals. In fact, an impressive number of European cities have canals or waterways in the heart of their cities. Hamburg, Amsterdam, Gdansk, Annecy… and Copenhagen. The most well-known canal area is Nyhavn, but it is also the most touristic one. However, canals are everywhere, and they feel even more authentic than the always-busy Nyhavn. Colourful houses are also present in some of them. Visiting the not-so-famous canals is a great excuse to walk around and see more of the city.

Go on a boat tour

If you are not into walking though there is another option. Doing a boat tour. There are massive boats that are filled out with tourists, but also the smaller ones that you can rent and that allow you to explore Copenhagen with some friends or by yourself from another point of view. While it is true that it is mainly a touristy and is too common among bachelor parties, if you are not into walking and it is a sunny day, renting a boat might be a good option.

Get lost in Kastellet

Kastellet is Copenhagen’s old citadel. It is listed among the best-conserved fortress in Northern Countries. Nowadays, though, instead of being a place where the city is defended from foreign attacks, it has become a beautiful park, a great place to go on a walk or to relax for a bit.

It has a beautiful old windmill and a church. There are some military facilities still in use, so you will see some guards at the gates of the fortress. Surrounded by water, the views from the upper green path of Kastellet are really beautiful, especially at golden hour. If you happen to visit the city in early spring, there are flowers everywhere, and it becomes an even more magical place.

By the way, it is really close to the Little Mermaid, so there’s no excuse for not going there 🙂

Admire St Alban’s Church

Located just outside of Kastellet, the best way to admire this small church is from the grounds of the citadel. It is a well-known photography spot in the city, and it is because it is quite easy to get the silhouette of the church perfectly reflected in the water canal that surrounds the citadel. Don’t miss it!

Visit King’s Gardens and Rosenborg Castle

On the first item of the guide, I listed two parks worth visiting and mentioned that there was another one that would be listed later on, the Kongenshave, or the King’s Gardens. These gardens in fact belong to the Rosenborg Castle. Nowadays, the Castle is open to the public, and tourists can explore the old rooms of this renaissance palace. Moreover, the gardens are probably the most famous ones in the city, as they are the oldest royal gardens in the whole country.

The gardens are a must for anyone visiting Copenhagen, and if you are into renaissance castles, Rosenborg won’t let you down.

Rollercoasters in the Tivoli Gardens

Despite having Gardens in their name, Tivoli is not strictly a garden. In fact, it is an amusement park with some greenery. Tivoli Gardens is the third-oldest operating amusement park in the world. It is one of the most visited amusement parks in Europe and Denmark, and something that you would not expect to find so close to the city centre of a city like Copenhagen.

The price to access the park (and gardens) is 155DK, which is not cheap, considering that it does not include any rides and that you have to buy them separately.

Nonetheless, it is a famous tourist spot for a reason. Despite being old, it feels well-maintained, and it has some modern rides if you are after rollercoasters.

Even if you don’t want to go on rollercoasters, it is a nice place to go for a walk and enjoy the vibe. And in the case you are travelling with children, it might be a way to treat them to an unforgettable day in Copenhagen.

Try a Gasoline Grill burger at Broens Gadekøkken

Did you know that in Copenhagen there is one of the burger places that made it into Bloomberg’s top 27 burgers in the world list? It is called Gasoline Grill, and the name comes from the first store they had, build in an old petrol station. Nowadays they have multiple locations in the city, and I have to say their burgers are really good.

My favourite Gasoline Grill stand is at Broens Gadekøkken. Close to Christiania and Nyhavn and with other food alternatives, it is a square with multiple food stands (burgers, greek, Italian, Latin American,….) that come to life at midday and especially at night on weekends. If the weather is on your side, a great place to have dinner outside and get a couple of beers.

More best things to do and see in Copenhagen

If you have more than 4-5 days to spend in Copenhagen, you are a lucky person. Besides that, there are lots of things to do and see in Copenhagen that I did not list among the best ones because either they involve getting lost in the city (such as the architecture or metro stations) or because they are really specific (like visiting the University building).

Discover its architecture

The city of Copenhagen is a mix of old and new architectural styles. From classical-looking buildings to unique and modern places such as the Axel Towers, it is worth looking up when walking around the city.

Given that only the truly interested in Copenhagen made it here, a piece of secret information. There is a building next to the Axel Towers named Axelborg. In it, there is a great photo opportunity (the one after these lines) and a non-stop elevator, one of the funniest experiences in Copenhagen. The building is full of offices where people work, so be respectful if you go there.

Explore the Panum university building (and have lunch there)

Another place where people work. The Panum university building is amazing. A place where you can understand why the education system is top-notch in Northern European Countries.

If you are tired of expensive prices, go have lunch there. The prices are crazy cheap for Copenhagen. You pay according to the weight of the food you take, and a full meal can be as cheap as 5-7€.

Visit some of its metro stations

The transport system of Copenhagen is really great and efficient. But some of its metro stations are also beautiful. I have listed them in my Copenhagen photography guide, but a special mention to the Osterport and Enghave Plads Station (this is the one in the photo below).

See the Opera building

One of the characteristic buildings of Copenhagen is the Opera. It is built by the water, and from the other shore, it can be quite impressive. If you have enough time and you look in advance you can even get inside, if there is something that interests you. Another option would be to get on an opera tour. More info here.

Visit off-the-beaten-path spots

Copenhagen is an amazing city. The more time you spend there, the more you realize that a guide with 20 spots does not make it justice. Of course, these are the best spots to see as a tourist, but Copenhagen is much more than that. Churches like Grundtvig, or buildings like the 8 House are also things that make the city unique. If you have time, get lost, and visit some non-touristic neighbourhoods, even if it is just for one morning or afternoon to see the “real” vibe of the city.

Thee have been the best things to do or see in Copenhagen. If you have any questions feel free to reach out via the contact form or send me a DM on Instagram (@aniolvisuals). Make sure to follow me there for more travel and photography content!