Explore Copenhagen

Copenhagen, Denmark’s capital, sits on the coastal islands of Zealand and Amager. It’s linked to Malmo in southern Sweden by the Öresund Bridge. Indre By, the city's historic center, contains Frederiksstaden, an 18th-century rococo district, home to the royal family’s Amalienborg Palace. Nearby is Christiansborg Palace and the Renaissance-era Rosenborg Castle, surrounded by gardens and home to the crown jewels.

🗓️ Best Time to Visit Copenhagen

  • May to September:

    • Warmest months, long daylight hours (up to 17 hours in June)

    • Outdoor festivals, café culture, and bike-friendly weather

  • April & October:

    • Cooler, fewer tourists, good for museum visits and cozy cafés

  • November to March:

    • Cold, dark winters with Christmas markets and hygge vibes

    • Some attractions have shorter hours

✈️ How to Get to Copenhagen

✈️ By Air

  • Copenhagen Airport (CPH) — main international gateway

    • Well-connected globally

    • Efficient train and metro links to city center (~15 mins)

🚆 By Train

  • Connected by rail to Sweden (Malmö via the Øresund Bridge) and other Scandinavian cities

🚗 By Car

  • Access via major highways; parking can be pricey and limited in city center

🚢 By Ferry

  • Ferry services from Oslo, Sweden, and Germany

📍 Top Attractions in Copenhagen

🏰 Tivoli Gardens

  • Historic amusement park with rides, gardens, and concerts (opened 1843)

🏠 Nyhavn

  • Iconic 17th-century harbor with colorful townhouses and lively bars/restaurants

🚴 Cycling Around the City

  • Copenhagen is one of the world’s most bike-friendly cities

  • Rent a bike and explore the extensive bike lanes and scenic routes

🏛️ The Little Mermaid Statue

  • Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale, a must-see symbol of the city

🎨 Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek

  • Art museum with impressive collections of ancient and modern art

🕍 Christiansborg Palace

  • Seat of the Danish Parliament, Royal Reception Rooms, and ruins underneath

🌳 The King's Garden (Kongens Have)

  • Beautiful park surrounding Rosenborg Castle

📚 Designmuseum Danmark

  • Showcases Danish design and crafts

🏝️ Christiania

  • Alternative, self-governed district known for art and culture

🎯 Activities To Do

  • Canal tour by boat to see the city from the water

  • Visit Strøget, Europe’s longest pedestrian shopping street

  • Explore food markets like Torvehallerne for local and international delicacies

  • Attend a smørrebrød (open-faced sandwich) tasting experience

  • Walk or bike along the waterfront to Amalienborg Palace

  • Discover Copenhagen Opera House and catch a performance

🏨 Accommodation

Luxury

  • Nimb Hotel (in Tivoli Gardens) — boutique luxury with historic charm

  • Hotel d’Angleterre — Copenhagen’s most famous 5-star palace hotel

Mid-Range

  • Hotel SP34 — trendy, central, with a youthful vibe

  • Radisson Blu Scandinavia — comfortable and close to city center

Budget

  • Urban House Copenhagen — stylish hostel near the main train station

  • Steel House Copenhagen — modern, social hostel option

🍽️ Food & Restaurant Recommendations

Danish Classics to Try

  • Smørrebrød — open-faced sandwiches with diverse toppings

  • Frikadeller — Danish meatballs

  • Rødgrød med fløde — traditional red berry pudding with cream

  • Fresh seafood and New Nordic cuisine

Top Restaurants

  • Noma — world-renowned Michelin-starred restaurant (reservation needed)

  • Restaurant Kødbyens Fiskebar — seafood in the trendy Meatpacking District

  • Café Norden — popular for brunch and lunch

  • Aamanns — specializes in modern smørrebrød

🧿 Local Culture

  • Danish culture centers on hygge — a cozy, comfortable lifestyle focused on wellbeing and connection

  • The city embraces sustainability: biking, recycling, and green energy are big priorities

  • Social equality and work-life balance are core values

  • Danes are typically polite, reserved but friendly once you engage

  • Strong design culture visible in architecture, furniture, fashion, and everyday objects

  • Copenhagen hosts many cultural festivals, including Copenhagen Jazz Festival and Copenhagen Pride