35 BEST Things to do in Copenhagen (Written by locals)

Living in Copenhagen has given us plenty of time to discover all the best things to do in the city!

It’s so wonderful to be able to walk out of our front door, jump on the bike, and be in the city in no time. And luckily for us, there is always something new to explore in Copenhagen whether it’s a new food market or a fun event – you can always find something worth doing in Denmark’s capital.

In this blog post, we’ll list some of the most popular things-, free things-, and most unique things to do in beautiful Copenhagen. So whether it’s your first time or not in the city, you can hopefully find inspiration for your next trip to Copenhagen in this guide.

We hope you’ll enjoy our wonderful city!

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Best things to do in Copenhagen

No need to drag things out – let’s get straight to the point. Here are the best things to do in Copenhagen listed in no particular order.

1. Visit the Little Mermaid

Copenhagen’s most iconic landmark is definitely the Little Mermaid Statue, and it’s without a doubt a must see attraction for any first-time visitor.

While it’s not as powerful as the Statue of Liberty or as grand as Christ the Redeemer, it’s still a beautiful statue that deserves a visit. You can either visit it yourself or join this 2-hour walking tour in Copenhagen where you’ll also visit the Little Mermaid.

The Little Mermaid Statue is more than 100 years old and it has a great history behind it. The statue is inspired by the famous fairytale “The Little Mermaid” written by Danish writer and poet H. C. Andersen in 1837. The fairytale has since then been reinterpreted in movies, ballets, and musicals.

In 1909, Carl Jacobsen (son of the founder of Carlsberg) saw the “Little Mermaid”-ballet in the Danish Royal Theater, and he liked it so much that he decided to order a statue of the mermaid. The statue was modeled after 2 women: The Danish ballerina Ellen Price (who played the Little Mermaid) and the sculptor Edvard Eriksen’s wife. In 1913, it was finally revealed to the public and has since then been sitting on a rock in the ocean, welcoming the new visitors to Copenhagen.

Related blog post: Visit the Little Mermaid Statue in Copenhagen

2. Enjoy the view at the Round Tower

Another popular thing to do in Copenhagen is to see the view from the Round Tower.

The Round Tower is an old historical building in the city centre of Copenhagen, which used to house the University Library and is currently Europe’s oldest functioning observatory.

We think it’s such a great building with its funny spiral ramp, its significant history, and its magnificent views over Copenhagen. The Round Tower is so unique and it’s a really good place to begin your exploration of Copenhagen because you get a full 360 view over the city from the viewing platform.

The entrance fee is only 40 kr. per adult or it’s free with the Copenhagen Card.

Related blog post: Visiting the Round Tower in Copenhagen

3. Have fun in Tivoli Gardens

One of the top things to do in Copenhagen is to visit Tivoli Gardens! It’s rare to find an amusement park located right in the city centre of a capital city, but here we are! Tivoli opened in 1843 and remains the third oldest functioning amusement park in the world – you can read more about Tivoli’s history here.

There are several roller coasters and many other rides you can do in Tivoli. The most eerie one is probably “Det Gyldne Tårn”/”The Golden Tower”, which takes you 63 meters up high for a great view over Copenhagen only to drop you at a high speed… It should be really beautiful, but it’s a big NO for me (I’m afraid of heights).

Want more adrenaline? Try the roller coaster “Dæmonen”/”The Demon”.

Prefer to take it slow and experience something magical? Try “Den Flyvende Kuffert”/”The Flying Suitcase” and learn about H. C. Andersen’s fairytales.

Even if you’re not into rides and roller coasters, Tivoli Gardens is still a great place to visit because of its beauty – Notice how the buildings and flower gardens were inspired by the Orient. It’s a little beautiful oasis in the middle of a big city.

Tivoli is open during 3 seasons: Summer, Halloween, and Christmas – all seasons are great and the decorations in the last 2 are just incredible! Buy you entrance tickets with unlimited rides here and start exploring this magical place in Copenhagen!

Related blog post: The Ultimate Guide to Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen 2023

4. See the colorful buildings at Nyhavn

Looking for all the other tourists in Copenhagen? Head to Nyhavn. This is where you’ll find the colorful, old buildings you see in any picture about Copenhagen. While it may seem very touristic, the area is actually full of history, so going here is a nice thing to do for any first-time visitor in Copenhagen.

Nyhavn dates back to the 17th century, when the Danish King decided to make a canal that led from the sea and into Kongens Nytorv (King’s Square next to Nyhavn). That way it was easier to drop off fish and other cargo directly into the city.

The houses in Nyhavn were mostly owned by fishermen, and the area became notorious for pubs and prostitutes. Today you won’t find any prostitutes at Nyhavn but you can still find a lot of historical ships located in the canal and a ton of restaurants serving fish and other classic Danish dishes.

Visiting Nyhavn is definitely one of the top things to do if it’s your first time in Copenhagen, but just beware of your belongings as it’s also the most touristic place in the city. I once stopped a thief from stealing someone’s camera (Superhero-badge to me!) and the owner didn’t even notice it got stolen!

Related blog post: What to See at Iconic Nyhavn in Copenhagen

5. Go on a canal tour

One of the best ways to experience Copenhagen is from the canals!

Whether it’s your first time in Copenhagen or whether you’ve been here a million times before, a canal tour is always fun. There is just something about getting on a boat and watching the city pass by.

You can find several canal tours in Copenhagen. Some tours are for big tourist groups, but they’re cheap (check out “Nettobådene” or “Stromma Canal Tours” which are both located in Nyhavn), or you can find a private tour, which will be more intimate but also more expensive.

Don’t know which one to choose? Then just go for the popular Grand Canal Tour from Nyhavn.

Related blog post: What to expect on a Canal Tour in Copenhagen

6. Rent a boat

Want to be your own captain? Then go rent a boat!

One of the best and most fun things to do in Copenhagen is definitely to rent your own boat and sail around the canals. There are several companies that you can rent a boat from.

We’ve only tried to rent a boat through “GoBoat”. With this company you can rent electric boats, so they don’t pollute the ocean and they’re super easy to sail. You can rent a GoBoat from 1 hour and up to 6 hours, and the price depends on the amount of time you choose. There can be a maximum of 8 people in each boat.

Riding around the canals of Copenhagen with your friends is a really fun way to explore the city and see it from a different angle, so we can only recommend you to do this!

7. Visit Christiania

One of the most unique places to visit in Copenhagen is Freetown Christiania.

The freetown was created back in 1971 when a group of people occupied an old military base and moved into the area. A new neighborhood in Copenhagen was formed with a strong focus on freedom, creativity, and community.

Today, Christiania has about 1000 citizens and is known for its interesting houses that are built by the Christianites themselves. It’s a cultural centre where you’ll find a lot of art, there are several live music venues to attend, and the area is located by the beautiful nature of Christianshavn’s Vold.

There is so much to see and do in Freetown Christiania, yet the area is mostly known among tourists for its open cannabis trade, which is both illegal to sell and buy in Denmark. But don’t let this intimidate you, it’s perfectly safe to visit the Freetown, so don’t skip out on this unique place in Copenhagen!

8. Eat your way through the Streetfood Markets

There are so many great things your tastebuds can discover on your trip to Copenhagen! The city is a thriving food capital where you can both find high-end restaurants and a lot of streetfood markets.

And we absolutely love the streetfood markets in Copenhagen!

However, it’s not really cheap like streetfood in Southeast Asia, but instead it’s often something hip and exotic you can get here. And when I say exotic, I mean everything but Danish… So if you love international foods like Italian pasta, American cheeseburgers, Mexican Burritos, or Greek Gyros – then this is the place for you!

The most popular streetfood markets in Copenhagen are Reffen, Broens Gadekøkken, Torvehallerne, and Tivoli Food Hall. If you want to stay in the city center, then I recommend you to try out “Broens Gadekøkken”, which is only a stone’s throw away from Nyhavn. Try Lola Impact’s Burrito and Nachos combo for 155 kr. It’s absolutely delicious!

9. Try Danish Smørrebrød

If you’re not really into streetfood markets and instead prefer to try something very Danish, then go for the “Smørrebrød”.

People call it an open sandwich, but in my opinion that’s a huge misconception as it has nothing to do with a sandwich. Smørrebrød is a piece of Danish ryebread, which is covered with all kinds of god stuff like fish, eggs, and various cold cuts.

There are so many different combinations of Danish Smørrebrød and some of them even have funny names like: “Dyrlægens Natmad”, which means “The veterinarian’s late night snack” or “Sol over Gudhjem”, which means “Sun above Gudhjem”

One of the easiest places to find Smørrebrød in Copenhagen is at Nyhavn – most of the restaurants serve it. And if you really want to go full-on Danish, then try it with a Danish Snaps. Snaps is a liquor that Danes sometimes drink to Smørrebrød as a palate cleanser – absolutely horrible (in my opinion).

Not sure where to start your exploration of Danish food? Then check out this Culinary Experience Tour where you’ll get to try some Danish delights – Smørrebrød included.

10. Visit the Queen at Amalienborg Castle

Another one of the most popular things to do in Copenhagen is to visit Amalienborg Castle – also known as the residence of the Queen of Denmark.

Amalienborg Castle was built in the 1750’s and is actually 4 identical palaces combined, which were originally made for the nobility. However, after the fire at Christiansborg Palace, the royal family moved into one of the palaces. Since then, many Danish kings and queens have lived here.

You can freely walk around in the square between all the palaces. However, chances are you won’t see the queen unless it’s her birthday.

You’ll also notice the Royal Guard are placed at each palace to protect the Danish monarch. You can take pictures of them, but please don’t go too close and do show some respect.

It’s also possible to visit the Amalienborg Museum, which you’ll find in one of the 4 palaces. The entrance fee will set you back 120 kr. or you can visit the museum for free with your Copenhagen Card.

11. Get to know Denmark at the National Museum

Are you curious about Denmark’s history and cultural heritage? Then you should visit the National Museum of Denmark, which is located in the middle of Copenhagen.

You’ll experience life as a viking, see how Denmark got on during the Middle Ages, and you’ll even learn about Danish modern times. Basically, you get to know Denmark’s history from the prehistorical times, and you’ll finish the tour in the now.

There is so much to see in the museum, and it will take you a long time to get through all the different exhibitions. So make sure to either set aside a full day to visit the museum or just chose the time periods you find interesting. We really loved the Prehistoric Period! Check out the other historical themes on National Museum of Denmark’s website.

The National Museum of Denmark is honestly one of the best things to do in Copenhagen if you really want to get to know the country you’re in! You can easily buy your ticket here if you want to plan ahead.

12. Experience Copenhagen’s Michelin Restaurants

If you’re into fine dining and creative, high-quality cooking, then check out one of the many Michelin Restaurants in Copenhagen.

There are a total of 24 Michelin Stars handed out to 14 different restaurants in Copenhagen. Even the two restaurants “Geranium” and “Noma” have managed to reach 3 stars, which is the highest possible! So it’s safe to say that you can get some incredible food experiences in Copenhagen.

Since fine dining is often expensive, Glenn and I don’t have any experiences to share with you in this area. But go check out the Michelin Guide to Copenhagen – you may get tempted!

13. Go shopping at Strøget

Do you love to shop? Well you’re in luck because you’ll (supposedly) find the World’s longest pedestrian shopping street named “Strøget” in Copenhagen. I write “supposedly” because there are only a few sources confirming this, and I haven’t been out with my measuring tape myself.

Anyways, Copenhagen as a hip fashion city in Europe. Scandinavian design generally has a strong focus on minimalism, sustainability, and high quality. So the style in Copenhagen is often low-key, clean-cut, yet bold. If that makes sense?

There are several malls located all around Copenhagen, but the two most famous department stores in the city centre are Illum and Magasin du Nord. I personally love Magasin Du Nord – here you’ll also get 10% discount on your purchase if you’re a foreigner (just show your passport).

Going shopping in the city center of Copenhagen is certainly one of the best things to do if you want to bring some of the latest Scandinavian trends home with you.

14. Visit Rosenborg Castle and see the crown jewels

Denmark is one of the oldest kingdoms in the world, so it’s no surprise that you’ll find many castles around the country. Luckily for us, there is actually a classic Renaissance castle placed right in the middle of Copenhagen – this is Rosenborg Castle.

Rosenborg Castle was built around 400 years ago for King Christian IV. It was meant to be a pleasure palace to hold venues in the summer, but it quickly became one of the King’s favorite places to stay.

The castle is located in the middle of King’s Garden – a great hangout spot for local Copenhageners and tourists alike. You can easily visit the castle with your Copenhagen Card or pay the entry fee of 130 kr. Included in the price is both access to the castle and to the crown jewels.

I’ve been inside Rosenborg Castle on many occasions, and I still find it one of the best things to do in Copenhagen if you want to experience some Danish royal history.

15. Drink beer in Carlsberg City

Do you like beer? Then the best thing to do is visiting Carlsberg City in Copenhagen. Carlsberg city is a new neighborhood that’s located in the former brewery site of Carlsberg.

Carlsberg was founded in 1847 by Jacob Christian Jacobsen, and up until 2008, the Carlsberg brewery was located at Valby Bakke in Copenhagen. This means that Carlsberg was actually brewed in Copenhagen for 160 years! During these years, Carlsberg was an enclosed industrial area, but after the move, Carlsberg opened their doors to the public.

Today you can visit the old brewery site, explore the new neighborhood, and go on a beer tasting tour!

So if you like beer and want to go on a tour around the old brewery site, then you should definitely check out Carlsberg on your trip to Copenhagen. NOTE: Carlsberg Tours are closed until the summer of 2023 due to renovation.

16. Get the best view at the Tower of Our Saviour’s Church

One of the greatest things to do in Copenhagen is to visit the golden, spiral tower at Our Saviour’s Church and get the best views over the city!

Our Saviour’s Church was finished in the 1690’s, and just a little over 50 years later, the beautiful tower was added. Visiting this incredible tower has become one of the best ways to experience the beauty of Copenhagen.

Walk the 400 steps up to the top of the 90-meter tall tower, and enjoy the 360-view of Copenhagen, which only gets better and better when you ascend the spiral staircase. It’s absolutely eerie and uncomfortable for people with fear of heights (like myself), but the views are just breathtaking!

Visiting the Tower of Our Saviour’s Church will set you back 69 kr. or you can visit it for free with your Copenhagen Card. The Spiral Tower is open every day from 9 AM – 8 PM, but last ascend is it 7:30 PM.

Related blog post: How to Visit Our Saviour’s Church Tower in Copenhagen

17. Eat your way through all the good stuff in the bakeries

Are you into bread, pastries, and other baked goods? Then you’re in luck! Because Copenhagen has some incredible bakeries. In my opinion, you’ll find the best baked goods in the world here – but I’m also biased being a Dane myself.

You can get the typical baked goods like bread and cake, but if you really want to try something Danish, then go for “Wienerbrød”. Wienerbrød is the name of a category of Danish, classic pastries. Try the Kanelsnegl, Rosenbrød, Tebirkes, Frøsnapper, or go for a classic Chocolate Croissant. All these are things we sometimes eat in the morning with a cup of coffee.

If you instead want to try a classic Danish cake, then go for Jordbærtærte, Christianshavnertærte, or Kajkage – all of which you can often find in the bakeries.

The baked goods that you find in Danish bakeries are of very high quality, which can often be seen in the price. But it’s oh-so-good!

You can either try the classic bakery chains like Meyers, Lagkagehuset, Reinh Van Hauen, and Emmerys – or you can go check out something more artisanal like Andersen & Maillard. Either way, trying out the bakeries is a great way to start your day in Copenhagen!

18. Visit Copenhagen’s Zoo

Are you fascinated by animals? Then go check out the Zoo in Copenhagen.

The Zoo is located in Frederiksberg, only a metro ride out of the city center, and you know you’ve reached your destination when you spot the famous Zoo Tower. Everyone in Copenhagen knows the Zoo Tower, which is a 43 meter tall observation tower that has some great views over the park and of Copenhagen in general. You can actually spot the Zoo Tower from the Round Tower if you look closely!

Anyways, you can find many animals in the Zoo such as elephants, pandas, and baboons – just to name a few. You’ll also find several restaurants and café options in the park. The entry ticket for a 12+ years old adult is 209 kr. and for a child below 12 years old is only 119 kr. You can either buy your zoo entrance in advance here or enter for free with your Copenhagen Card.

While we’re personally not the biggest fan of watching caged animals, we do know that the Copenhagen Zoo is also actively contributing to preservation of animal species and nature – and we’ll gladly support that.

19. Explore Copenhagen’s parks & Gardens

One of the best things about living in Copenhagen is to visit the many parks and gardens – it’s also one of the best free things to do in the city.

Most of the parks in Copenhagen have something to offer. For example, you can watch the Zoo elephants from Frederiksberg Garden, or you can enjoy the view of Rosenborg Castle from King’s Garden, or why not take a walk in Copenhagen’s Botanical Garden?

There are so many incredible green areas in Copenhagen, and they’re used all-year-round. Even during winter, you’ll see stubborn locals walking around the parks trying while to warm their frozen hands on a take-away coffee.

So make sure to check out some of the great parks in Copenhagen if you need a little break from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Related blog post: 10 Best Green Areas & Parks in Copenhagen

20. Go swimming in the ocean of Copenhagen

Did you know that there are several designated swim areas throughout the city of Copenhagen? It’s not that many capital cities where you can just jump in the ocean and cool off like that!

So one of the best things to do in Copenhagen during the summer months is definitely to go swimming and sunbathing with your friends. But you can actually spot people jumping in all-year-round because some are into winter-bathing. It’s a big NO from me, but don’t let me stop you if you visit Copenhagen during winter.

You can find designated swim areas called “Harbor Baths” at Island’s Brygge, Nordhavn, Kalvebod Brygge, Refshaleøen, and Fisketorvet. Please use the designated areas when you go swimming since it’s not legal to just jump in wherever you want. There are many boats in Copenhagen’s canals and you could easily create a dangerous situation.

If you prefer to go to the beach, then you can also find two beaches in Copenhagen named Svanemøllen Beach and Amager Beach. We absolutely love to spend time here during the summer!

21. Enjoy the heat in the Palm House

One of the things I love to do during winter in Copenhagen is to enter the Palm House in the Botanical Garden. The humidity is so high in here that it feels like visiting Southeast Asia.

The Palm House is basically a massive greenhouse that was built between 1872-1874 and is inspired by the former Crystal Palace in London. Today the Palm House is home to many exotic, tropical plants – including a ton of palms as you may have guessed by now. You can also walk up the spiral stairs and see the Palm House from above.

When you’re done visiting the Palm House, then make sure to enjoy the view at the front of the greenhouse where you can see the Botanical Garden with Copenhagen’s rooftops behind it.

The entrance fee to the Palm House is 60 kr. and a visit to the Butterfly House is included in the price.

22. Be adventurous at Copenhill

Visiting Copenhill is without a doubt one of the most unique things you can do in the city. Copenhill is Copenhagen’s center of urban mountain sport where you can ski, sledge, hike, run, and climb.

Copenhill is such a unique project – the building is actually a waste plant that burns trash and creates energy from it! But on the building’s “roof”, Copenhill and all its sport activities was born, which makes the building a multifunctional project.

Walking up Copenhill is one of the best free things you can do in the city, and you’re rewarded with a nice view at the top. However, if you want to ski down the hill, then you (of course) need to pay for it. There is also an afterski bar at the top of the hill.

Related blog post: Best viewpoints in Copenhagen

23. Visit Christiansborg Palace

Christiansborg Palace is without a doubt one of Copenhagen’s most important and iconic buildings. The Palace was built in 1740 and used to be the resident of the Danish royalty.

However, about 50 years later (in 1794), the palace burned down and wasn’t completely rebuilt until 1828. But the palace didn’t last for long as it unfortunately went up in smoke again in 1884. After it was rebuilt again in 1928, the Danish King decided to stay at Amalienborg Palace where the Queen of Denmark also lives today.

Christiansborg Palace instead became the office of the Parliament of Denmark. This means that all the politicians and the Danish Prime minister have their daily routines and offices in a royal palace. I mean, that’s not a bad work environment, am I right?

Even though a lot of history went up in smoke with the 2 fires, you can still visit Christiansborg’s royal reception rooms, royal stables, royal kitchen, Palace chapel and even the ancient ruins of the castle on which Christiansborg Palace was built. It will cost you 175 kr. to see it all or you can enter for free with your Copenhagen Card.

24. Get on a bike

One of the most Copenhagen-like things you can do is to go and explore the city on two wheels.

Copenhagen is one of the biggest bicycle cities in the world. The locals always bike from A to B, so the bike lanes are really good, and the cars are used to looking out for bikes. I honestly feel pretty safe biking around in Copenhagen.

That being said, it can be pretty intimidating for someone who’s never really been bicycling before because of the amount of bicycles in the city. I mean, there are 5 times more bicycles than cars in the city, so you have to share the lane with a ton of other bicycles and give them space.

If you’re used to biking and you feel comfortable enough, then we urge you to go and rent your own bike. If you’re not so comfortable on a bicycle or if you want to combine a bike ride with a sightseeing tour, then you can easily go on a guided bike tour around Copenhagen.

Either way, I hope you get on two wheels because it really is the best and most fun way to see the city.

25. Visit the largest aquarium in Northern Europe

If you love to explore the ocean and everything that lives in it, then one of the best things to do in Copenhagen is to visit Denmark’s National Aquarium named “Den Blå Planet” – literally translated into “The Blue Planet”.

Den Blå Planet is the largest aquarium in Northern Europe with a total of 7 million liters of water and several sea creatures and animals. You can spot sea otters, sharks, stingrays, and even an electric eel!

The aquarium is easy to get to with public transportation. Just take the Metro to “Kastrup”, which is the stop before Copenhagen Airport. From here you just follow the signs to the aquarium – the walk only takes about 5 minutes.

The ticket price ranges between 185-195 kr. for an adult ticket depending on what time of year you visit. Order your tickets online and see the prices for children at Den Blå Planet’s website.

26. Pay your respect at Assistens Cemetery

In the middle of the Nørrebro neighborhood, you’ll find a yellow wall that is several 100 meters long – you won’t miss it. Behind this wall is Copenhagen’s most famous cemetery named “Assistens Kirkegård”.

But it’s not an ordinary cemetery. Within the yellow wall, you’ll find a unique, green space where locals go on walks and enjoy the peace and quiet that you rarely find in a city.

Buried in the cemetery, you’ll find several famous Danish people. Most well-known are the writer and poet H.C. Andersen and the philosopher Søren Kierkegaard. But you’ll also find the graves of physicists Niels Bohr and H.C. Ørsted. And you’ll find the grave of beloved, Danish singer Natasja Saad.

A lot of great Danish people were buried in this cemetery – and are still being buried here today. Yet, the cemetery doesn’t have a gloomy feel to it, on the contrary, it’s quite a peaceful and magical place to go for a walk in Copenhagen – it definitely deserved a spot on this list of best things to do.

27. See the art collection at Glyptoteket

Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek (or “Glyptoteket”) is housing one of Denmark’s most interesting art collections. Here you’ll find pieces that go back thousands of years in history – such as marble statues, paintings, and even mummies!

Glyptoteket came to life when Carl Jacobsen (the founder of Carlsberg Brewery) wanted to share his art collection with the public. He was a passionate art collector and loved to collect pieces that made an impact – art that spoke directly to you.

So in 1897, Carl Jacobsen opened the monumental building “Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek” to the public and displayed his art collection inside. The building and art collection as a whole is very grand and beautiful – and it’s definitely a place that’s recommended a visit.

The building is easy to find. It’s located in the city centre right next to Tivoli. The entrance fee is 125 kr. per adult or it’s free with the Copenhagen Card.

28. Visit the magnificent Marble Church

Right next to Amalienborg Palace, you’ll find a beautiful church – this is Frederik’s Church, also known as “Marmorkirken”, which directly translates into the “Marble Church”.

The church is one of the grandest and most iconic religious buildings in Copenhagen – its big, beautiful copper-green dome can be spotted from many places in the city. In addition to its grandeur, Frederik’s Church also has an interesting history.

King Frederik V laid down the first foundation stone of the church in October 1749. But it would take 145 years until the church was finally finished!

For many years, there was a dispute about the design of the church. Then the main architect died in 1754 before the church was finished. And the King (the man behind the project) passed away shortly after in 1766, so the project eventually came to a complete stop in 1770. Thus, the half-built church was left to become ruins.

However, in 1874, the project was sold to Danish financier and industrialist named Carl Frederik Tietgen, who continued building the church. Some changes in the design was made – and the church was eventually not built in marble. Yet, it’s still named the “Marble Church”.

Frederik’s Church finally opened in 1894, and it’s still open to the public today. So make sure to go by the church when you’re out exploring the best things to do in Copenhagen. It’s free to go inside during its opening hours, although you’ll experience the real beauty of the church by watching it from the outside.

29. Get lost in Copenhagen

One of my absolute favorite things to do in any city is to go get lost – same goes for Copenhagen! So what do I mean with getting lost? I mean that you should just follow your feet and see where they take you. Getting lost is not about not being able to find your way back to the hotel…

There aren’t any unsafe areas to avoid, so it’s really just about going in any direction you feel like.

Some of the best places to visit in Copenhagen are in fact a little bit hidden away from the main tourist spots in the city. For example, walk in the opposite direction of the the main city centre from Nørreport Station and you’ll find the beautiful lakes of Copenhagen. Or, walk away from the city centre and towards Christianshavn and you’ll find the most charming canal in the city.

There are so many opportunities to get off the main tourist trail in Copenhagen! Even in the city centre, you’ll sometimes find a hidden passage, living area or a square that few other tourists are visiting – like Gråbrødre Torv or Nyboder.

30. Watch the sun go down at the lakes

One of the best things to do in Copenhagen during the late hours of the day is to visit the lakes – also known as “Søerne”.

There are 3 lakes located in Copenhagen, which are divided into 5 basins. They stretch from Østerbro Neighborhood all the way to Vesterbro Neighborhood. The lakes are without a doubt one of the most used places in Copenhagen – you’ll always find locals who are out running, walking their babies in strollers, sitting on the benches with a Café Latte or reading a book. This goes on all-year-round.

The lakes are very popular with locals, yet a lot of tourists never make it here.

The best time to visit the lakes are just before sunset when the colors of the sky reflect into the lakes. The sight is so beautiful and peaceful that you forget you’re in a capital city. Glenn and I live close to “Sortedams Sø” – one of the lakes. We absolutely love to go out for an evening walk here, and we really recommend it for any tourist who wants to experience a different side of Copenhagen.

31. Visit the National Gallery of Denmark

An absolute must-do for any art enthusiast is to visit the National Gallery of Denmark.

The National Gallery of Denmark is only located a stone’s throw away from Rosenborg Castle and the Botanical Garden. So make sure to stop by here if you’re already in the area.

In the gallery, you’ll find several permanent exhibitions of Danish and European Art from different time periods such as the Middle Ages, the Enlightenment, and the Modern Times. So it’s safe to say that there is something for everyone in the National Gallery of Denmark.

The gallery is open every day except for Mondays, and an entry ticket costs 120 kr. per adult – or it’s free with the Copenhagen Card.

32. Rent a kayak

One of the most fun things to do in Copenhagen is to rent a kayak and sail around the canals of the city!

You can either go to Kayak Bar in the city center and rent a kayak for about 295 kr. per hour for 2 people, or you can go to Green Kayak, and get yourself a kayak for free if you contribute to collecting waste in the canals of Copenhagen – I absolutely love this initiative!

While Glenn and I haven’t had the chance yet to rent a kayak, it really does look like a lot of fun! And I think it’s a great way to see the city from the canals if you’re not comfortable with a boat or you prefer the thrill of being closer to the ocean.

33. Experience Copenhagen’s nightlife

Are you here for the parties? Copenhagen has an excellent nightlife scene with a big variety in different clubs and bars.

If you want to go clubbing or find a karaoke bar, then you should definitely stay in the city center. There are some streets in particular, which is where you’ll find most bars and clubs. Check out Vestergade and Gothersgade if you’re into the more rowdy places or want to go on a pub crawl.

Go to Nørrebro Neighborhood or the Meatpacking District in Vesterbro if you’re looking for a bit more of a low-key, hipster-type crowd.

Personally, I prefer to just go to a nice bar with a good vibe and spend the evening here. There are many great bars located all over the city, so just go out and try your luck! Or if you’re feeling extra adventurous, then why not join a bar crawl?

34. Explore Copenhagen’s different Neighborhoods

Copenhagen is so much more than just the city center! Did you for example hear of Østerbro, Nørrebro, Vesterbro, Frederiksberg, Christianshavn, Amager, Ørestad, and Nordhavn? – All different neighborhoods in Copenhagen.

If you really want to experience Copenhagen to the fullest, then one of the best things to do is to visit some of the many different neighborhoods in the city. Here are some examples:

Nørrebro is a popular neighborhood in Copenhagen and it’s known for serving the best kebabs in the city, for its vintage shops and hipster vibes, great food experiences, and of course the beautiful Assistens Cemetery.

Whereas Nordhavn is the complete opposite of Nørrebro – it’s a whole new part of the city by the ocean. In Nordhavn you’ll find new apartment blocks, new restaurants and coffee bars, and it’s one of the most popular places to hang out and go swimming during the summer.

Christianshavn is a really old neighborhood that dates back to 1618 and is named after King Christian IV. Today you’ll find Copenhagen’s coziest canals here, the famous Christiania area, and the best view in Copenhagen from the tower of Our Saviour’s Church.

And that’s just covering 3 neighborhoods. Go check out the rest!

35. Visit the World’s Oldest Amusement Park & Deer Park

While this activity technically isn’t located inside of Copenhagen, I still think it somehow deserves a spot on this list of best things to do in the city.

Less than 20 minutes away with train from Copenhagen, you’ll find “Dyrehaven”. Dyrehaven is basically a forest – but it’s what’s inside of it that counts! In this forest you’ll find the oldest functioning amusement park in the world! The amusement park is named “Bakken” and it’s full of fun rides, rollercoasters, and other activities that belongs in a traditional carnival.

On top of that, the forest surrounding the amusement park is full of deer!

So if you want to experience this unique place just North of Copenhagen, then we urge you to hop on the S-train from Nørreport Station, get off at Klampenborg Station, go for a walk in the forest, and visit the oldest amusement park in the world.

Our top 3 favorite things to do in Copenhagen

Before rounding up this blog post, I want to share our top 3 favorite things to do in Copenhagen. So here they are in no particular order:

1. The Tower of Our Saviour for the best view: We absolutely love this place in Copenhagen! From this tower you can without a doubt get the most spectacular view over the city, yet the tower is also historical, beautiful, and quite adventurous to visit.
2. Tivoli Gardens during all seasons: Tivoli is one of the most popular places to visit in Copenhagen for both tourists and Danes alike. But there is a good reason for this! Tivoli is both a fun attraction, it’s a historical attraction, it’s really unique, and there is always something happening in here! Tivoli is especially incredible to visit during Christmas and Halloween when the whole place is beautifully decorated.
3. Copenhagen by bike: I think that one of our favorite things to do in Copenhagen will always be to just hop on our bikes and get going! We absolutely love to discover the city on our bikes and it’s a great way to quickly get around and explore new neighborhoods. So we really recommend you to get on a bike if you’re comfortable enough with it.

There are still so many places we haven’t discovered yet in Copenhagen, and I cannot wait for this list of best-things-to-do to grow bigger over the years!

Have you visited Copenhagen? If yes, then we’d love to hear your favorite things to see and do here – let us know in the comment section below.

If you haven’t visited Copenhagen yet, then we hope that this blog post gave you some inspiration of what there is to do in this lovely city. See you around in Copenhagen – happy exploring!