Copenhagen Travel Guide

The land of vikings, cold winters, and charming streets -- Denmark’s capital city is calling your name. Copenhagen, set along the water just opposite Malmo Sweden, has a population of over 770,000 residents with millions more coming to visit the magnificent city each year.

Getting There

By Air

Copenhagen has its own airport (Copenhagen Airport CPH) located in Kastrup, on the island of Amager.

Head to terminal 3 to take a train, bus or metro to downtown - the journey is no more than 30 minutes whatever transport.

By Train

Eurostar has various trains to Copenhagen from large cities such as London and Berlin. Prices and times vary depending on the departure date and location.

By Ferry

The Helsingør-Helsingborg Ferry runs between Denmark and Sweden, and is a fantastic way to see two countries in one trip. The ferry takes 20 minutes and runs four times every hour.

Weather & Climate

Copenhagen experiences warm summers with long days, and average temperatures in the high 60s or low 70s. However, the winters come with strong winds and temperatures dropping to low 30s. The most rainfall comes between November to January, so remember to bring an umbrella if you’re in Copenhagen over the holidays.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit the city is in the summer, when the winter cold has finally left. Book your trip between May and September, but keep in mind that July and August are peak months.

Things to Do & Attractions

Famous landmarks

While in Copenhagen, visit Tivoli Gardens, one of Copenhagen’s most famous sites. Thrill seekers will love the roller coasters and rides, kids will love the carousels and activities, and even those who don’t like rides will find beauty and fun in the atmosphere at Tivoli Gardens. The Little Mermaid Statue is perhaps Copenhagen’s most famous site, on the Langelinie Promenade. The statue is a tribute to Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. Spend a day at Nationalmuseet, Denmark’s national museum, to learn about the country’s history, or visit Christiansborg Palace, the center of Danish politics.

Shopping & Nyhavn

Shop til you drop in Stroget, the street with all the high end stores, while the unique, independent shops line the cobblestone streets of Old City. You can’t go to Copenhagen without visiting Nyhavn, the colorful harbor area of the city. Hans Christian Andersen lived in three different homes along the canal, and the vibrant buildings hold many cafes, restaurants, and shops.

Cultural tip

Danes tend to be private, courteous, and like to follow the rules. They will likely be friendly and helpful, but they tend not to like small talk or trivial conversations.

Events

As a booming cultural capital, Copenhagen hosts tons of events throughout the year, catering to different crowds and interests. Some of the most popular events include the Jazz Festival in July, the electronic music festival Distortion in May/June, Pride in August, the Copenhagen Cooking & Food Festival in August/September, and 3 Days of Design in May.

Copenhagen experiences warm summers with long days, and average temperatures in the high 60s or low 70s. However, the winters come with strong winds and temperatures dropping to low 30s. The most rainfall comes between November to January, so remember to bring an umbrella if you’re in Copenhagen over the holidays.

Nightlife

Come nightfall, Copenhagen certainly has a colorful array of places to relax with a drink, socialize with locals or dance the evening away. A few of the best include:

Chateau Motel

Spanning four floors, this club plays different types of music and attracts a diverse crowd. Visitors can enjoy a cocktail lounge, karaoke, an old school bodega, and an electronic dance room. Entrance is always free before midnight.

Sigurdsgade

Popular with young people, this club is known for a variety of music genres, and it’s a spot for partying until the early hours the next day.

Jolene

This chic bar is where the hipsters of Copenhagen go to enjoy a no-frills drink. The laid-back atmosphere and frequent DJs add to the charm, and there are additionally monthly LGBT events here.

Ideal Bar

The best pick for music-lovers, this bar is located inside the VEGA concert hall but also exists as a separate nightclub at the weekend. The swanky interior and setting are fantastic for watching live music.

Food & Drink

Smørrebrød is a typical Danish open-top sandwich, normally served with cold meats, cheeses, and salad. While Pølse is a boiled or fried hot dog, meaning the sausage is bright red. It’s typically served with mustard and there are plenty of Pølse carts around the city.

Denmark is famous for its beer, so while in Copenhagen it’s a ‘must’ to sample the local beverage! The most recognizable Danish brand is Carlsberg but there are plenty of craft brews to discover also. Beer Here and Mikkeller are two well-known beers and can be found in a range of pubs all over the city. If beer isn’t your thing, try Aquavit, a distilled spirit traditionally served cold and paired with traditional Danish foods like boiled fish.

Copenhagen is renown for its hygge concept - meaning to create a warm environment and savor good things with friends. Many of the cafes and restaurants in the city represent this concept: Gasoline Grill, La Banchina, and Gemyse are a few examples.

Art & Culture

Copehagen is packed full of museums, reflecting the city’s culture and fascinating history. A few of the top ones to check out are:

The Danish National Gallery
ARKEN Museum of Modern Art
Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
Thorvaldsens Museum
Ordrupgaard

If you’re more of a history buff, there’s a number of historic castles outside of Copenhagen that are easy to get to. Kronborg castle is only 40 minutes away by train, and was the setting for Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Frederiksborg and Kokkedal are equally stunning and worth venturing beyond the city for.

Of course, the Royal Palace sits at the top of many travelers’ itineraries; Amalienborg is where Denmark’s royal family live and is a stunning sight. Visit around midday when the changing of the guard takes place and is a real spectacle.

Family Activities

The Blue Panet

An astoundingly huge aquarium, the aptly-named Blue Planet is a fun day out for all family members. Surrounded by water on all sides, the futuristic design of the aquarium is impressive by itself. Inside however, there are sharks, rays, eels, piranhas, anacondas and more. Visitors can also walk under the tanks to see the fascinating creatures from a different angle.

Copenhagen Zoo

Great for an exotic day out, the Copenhagen Zoo is home to over 3,000 animals from around the world. From polar bears to elephants, snakes and Tasmanian devils, this zoo is one of the oldest in Europe and covers more than 27 acres. Try to time your visit with one of the feeding or special experiences.

Bakken Deer Park (Dyrehavsbrakken)

As suggested by its name, this park is full of deer -- around 400 of them -- but that’s not the main attraction. It’s also a 400-year-old amusement park with a big selection of rides, such as rollercoasters and adrenaline-pumping drops, along with more child-friendly attractions like a carousel and small train.

Canal boats

Arguably the best way to see Copenhagen is from the water and there are many hop-on hop-off boat tours that cruise along the city’s famous waterways and past all the landmarks. The summer is the best time to explore via canal boat, as the winter can drop below freezing temperatures.