A Red Barge on an Icy Canal in Copenhagen

Danish Soldiers Marching in Uniform and Fur Hats

A Platter of Danish Fish and Vegetables on Toast

Copenhagen Travel Guide

April - OctoberDenmarkDKK

Castles & Chateaux

Nightlife & Local Scene

Regional Cuisine

Museums & Galleries

The capital of Denmark, Copenhagen is at once cosmopolitan, cozy, and undeniably cool. Cyclists zip in and out of tree-lined avenues, past designer stores, and cafes full of Danes taking a relaxed lunch. Colorful houses and bars line the waterfront at Nyhavn, just one of many marinas in a city that feels like one giant harbor. Almost anywhere you care to look, you will find views of the sea. Descended from Vikings, seafaring is second nature to the Danes. This is evident from the fresh fish served on nearly every menu in town, to the bathers taking a dip in the clean, fresh waters of the Øresund - the ocean inlet that flows around Copenhagen like a moat encircling a fortress.

A trip to Copenhagen is full of visits to artsy museums, days out on the coast exploring castles and Viking ships, and snug evenings dining around candlelit tables. Indeed, the Danes burn more candles than any other country in Europe. Although they have a well-functioning, ecologically-friendly power grid, the Danish use candles for ‘hygge’ - an atmosphere of cozy relaxation and social comfort. This mood is palpable throughout the city, from the parks and walkways to even the metro. Copenhagen is even informally known as ‘the happiest city on earth’, full of small touches intended to increase wellbeing.

At night, in the heart of the inner city, you’ll find Tivoli Gardens amusement park aglow with nightly displays of lights and illuminations. The quality of food and dining in Copenhagen is very high, from Michelin starred restaurants serving up New Nordic cuisine, to humble hotdog stands and bakeries. At the Design Museum, an entire room is devoted to displaying and explaining the simplicity of the chair, a matter of near-spiritual importance to the Danes. With such attention to feel-good detail, it is as though the Danes have mastered the art of living. Even in the dark Scandanavian winter, with a dose of Danish cheer and perhaps a glass or two of aquavit schnapps, Copenhagen feels bright and welcoming.

Must See Attractions in Copenhagen

Christiansborg Palace

Located on Slotsholmen, the ‘island of power’, the lavish Christiansborg Palace was a previous royal residence and is now home to the Danish parliament. When you step inside the Christiansborg Palace, it’s easy to be impressed by the elegant wood furnishings and opulent decor, full of royal insignias and allusions to courtly rituals. A particular highlight is the tapestry room featuring vibrant tapestries that tell the story of the Danes. If you’re lucky, you might even see a carriage pulled by the dreamy white horses kept at the Palace stable.

The Little Mermaid

A bucket list sight for any visitor to Copenhagen, the statue of the Little Mermaid greets all ships as they enter Copenhagen from the North Sea. Children love to see this fairy tale character come ‘to life’. Made from bronze and granite, the sculpture is inspired by Hans Christian Andersen, the famous Danish author, and his story about a mermaid who gives up everything at sea to be united with a young, handsome prince on land. Perhaps this is a metaphor for the Danish relationship with the sea as Copenhageners are fiercely protective of their local icon and urge everyone to visit her.

Nyhavn

Nyhavn marina is a very popular spot, full of people wandering the boardwalks, having a drink in the sun, or simply sitting on the waterfront watching the world go by. You will often hear a jazz band playing, adding to the relaxed and happy atmosphere. A commercial crossroads for hundreds of years, Nyhavn was a main port of call for ships transporting cargo around the globe. The wharf area was notorious for having a ‘naughty’ side, full of thirsty sailors drinking and carousing after months at sea. Today the restaurants are much more family-friendly. The old houses have been restored to full colorful glory, making Nyhavn a ‘must-shoot’ for photographers when visiting Copenhagen.

Tivoli Gardens

Tivoli Gardens is one of the few places in the world where you can ride a roller coaster, eat some cotton candy, and still say you spent your day doing something historical. One of the world’s oldest amusement parks, Tivoli Gardens was founded in 1843 and became a place of inspiration for many future theme parks, including Walt Disney’s. The Danes consider the park a national treasure. Part of the charm of Tivoli Gardens is the lush floral art and lakeside greenery, which you can take in on breaks between rides. At night thousands of colored lights and illuminations cast a spell over the whole park, creating a magical, dream-like environment.

Amalienborg Palace

A visit to Amalienborg offers a rare glimpse into the lives of some of Europes' few remaining monarchs. The palace is a current residence of the Danish royal family, who may even be home when you pay a visit. Once a day at Amalienborg there is a changing of the guards. Danish royal soldiers march in robin’s egg blue uniforms and black fur hats from their barracks at Rosenborg Castle, through the streets of Copenhagen to Amalienborg. Depending on which royals are in the palace that day, the soldiers will be accompanied by different musicians - the queen gets a full band, the princes just drums and flutes. If you are a royal enthusiast, you will love watching this time-honored display of pageantry.

Frederiksberg

A genteel neighborhood to the west of central Copenhagen, Frederiksberg is full of tasteful brown brick houses and leafy parks, including the Søndermarken, one of the oldest green spaces in the city. The attractions in this part of town are cultured but family-friendly. Descend into the Cisterns subterranean art gallery, an underground art space inhabiting the old city water reservoirs. Værnedamsvej street, dubbed the ‘Paris of Copenhagen’, hums with cafes and designer homeware stores. Grab a baguette from a bakery and head up the hill to picnic at the Frederiksberg royal gardens. While taking in the gardens and the sunshine, you may even spy an elephant or two at the nearby zoo enclosure.

The National Museum

Danish history is the stuff of comic book adventures; raging pillaging Vikings, greedy, power-crazed Kings, and heartbreaking royal romances. The Danes proudly display evidence of this lively, at times violent, past in their National Museum. A stop here will change the way you see Denmark for the rest of your trip. The museum's ethnographic collection, which holds some of the best-preserved artifacts from the Viking age, is especially worth a look. Many visitors intend to stop for only an hour but find the exhibitions so compelling they stay for half a day.

Optional Day Trips from Copenhagen

Odense

Odense is named for the Norse god Odin, one of many traces of its Viking past. With its ramshackle cottages, stony streets, and mysterious castles, the city has a folkish, almost mythical appeal packaged inside a modern city. It is no surprise Hans Christian Anderson, the famous fairy-tale author, was born here. Situated on the island of Funen, 90 minutes by train from Copenhagen, Odense makes for a perfect day trip. Replete with museums, castles, and old churches to explore, Odense feels like an enchanted old-world town. If you stay for the evening to sample some of the nightlife, Odense might even put a spell on you.

Roskilde

Roskilde is one of the oldest settlements in Denmark, established by Vikings over a millennium ago. In the 11th century, as Denmark Christianized, Roskilde became a center of religious significance and hallowed ground. For 800 years, Danish monarchs have been buried in the Roskilde Cathedral. Today, Roskilde bears its duel Viking and Christian heritage with pride. A day out in Roskilde is a trip back in time. The city is dotted with splendid examples of early Gothic Brick church architecture. On the harbor, The Viking Ship Museum boasts 5 original Viking ships and a floating merchant sea vessel, waiting to be explored. Lest the town feels too peaceful, the Roskilde Festival, a music event inspired by Woodstock, livens things up once a year.

An Art Gallery with a Window Overlooking a Lake

Louisiana Museum of Modern Art

Louisiana Museum of Modern Art is a haven for art lovers and anyone seeking a little serenity. Situated in the delightful fishing village of Humlebæk, Louisiana is perched on a cliff overlooking the Øresund Sound and takes full advantage of the surrounding sea views. It is reputed to be one of the most beautiful art museums in the world. Outside in the garden, sculptures by mid-century artists, such as Henry Moore and Alexander Calder, seem at one with the seascape, as if the environment itself curated them. Inside the museum, permanent works by Alberto Giacometti and Asper Jorn hang side by side with rotating exhibitions by trendy contemporary artists. An impeccable blend of art, environment, and architecture, this museum is more than the sum of its parts, and truly something special to see.

Helsingør

Helsingør lies on the most northern crest of the Øresund coast, a port city renowned for Kronborg, the Renaissance castle where Shakespeare set his play Hamlet. Battered by wind and waves for centuries, the castle begs to be explored, even down to the casemates, the dungeons where prisoners were held captive. Climbing the castle’s tower reveals a panoramic view extending all the way to Sweden. Nearby, literally embedded in a waterfront dry dock, the award-winning M/S Maritime Museum of Denmark offers a compelling insight into Denmark's seafaring past. A day in Helsingør is packed full of adventure and a deep dive into Danish history.

The Bridge Between Copenhagen and Malmo Sweden

Malmö

An excursion to Malmö is a cheat - simply cross a bridge to Sweden, and you can tick another country off your bucket list. The Øresund Bridge between Denmark and Sweden is a novelty in and of itself, painted with a line to demarcate the border between the two countries. This line even became famous after a popular Scandanavian crime drama depicted a murder on the bridge. Once in Malmö, there are lots of things to see and do, but one of the most fun parts of this trip is appreciating the stark difference between the Swedes and the Danes. Although geographical close together, the two countries are culturally miles apart. Roam the waterfront listening to Swedish being spoken, stop for a ‘fika’ (coffee and cake), or window shop the little stores around town. Discover a new country and totally different side to Scandanavia, all in half a day.