25 Best Things to Do in Copenhagen, From Palace Visits to Waterfront Strolls

Copenhagen is one of Northern Europe’s most charming cities, overflowing with history, culture, and sights. If you're on a tight schedule, three days is enough in Copenhagen, but it's easy to fill many more, strolling in the photogenic canal district of Nyhavn, around Kongens Nytorv (The King's New Square), and through myriad museums and elegant palaces. The city's dynamic design and culinary scenes draw visitors, too. Galleries, furniture stores, and chic boutiques abound, as do splurge-worthy hotels, superb restaurants, and cafés to cozy up in during the cold winter months.

To help you get the most from the city, we tapped Cecilia Fonden, guest services and concierge manager at Hotel d’Angleterre, a member of Leading Hotels of the World, for her recommendations. These are the 25 best things to do and see in Copenhagen, whether you're all in for art and design or looking for family-friendly fun.

Stroll around Nyhavn.

There’s a reason Nyhavn appears on so many postcards and travel brochures; it's one of the most beautiful places in Europe. This picture-perfect waterfront district, developed in the 17th century, runs from Kongens Nytorv to the harbor and is framed by colorful townhouses with boats bobbing in the canals.

Take a food tour.

“Do your tastebuds a favor and go for a gastronomic tasting crawl with Foods of Copenhagen,” says Cecilia Fonden. This is a great way to discover hidden pearls of the Nordic culinary capital’s extraordinary epicurean scene. There are two group tours — a food walk and a bike tour — both four hours and with a maximum of 10 people.

Embark on a guided boat tour of the city's canals.

One of the most relaxing ways for visitors to see the city is with Hey Captain Boat, which takes passengers through all the canals of Copenhagen on one- and two-hour group and private tours (up to 12 people). “The storytelling and scenery are magical. It’s just like being in a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale,” Fonden says.

Or rent a GoBoat to explore the waterways.

Prefer to captain a vessel yourself? Rent a Danish-designed, solar-powered GoBoat and cruise along the waterways for a few hours. The boats can be rented from Islands Brygge, just across the bridge from the city center and home to a swimming area. Pack a picnic with local food and beverages to really elevate the experience. 

View colorful fish at the National Aquarium Denmark.

Overlooking the Øresund strait near Copenhagen Airport, the National Aquarium Denmark — Den Blå Planet has won several awards for its dramatic contemporary architecture, designed to resemble a whirlpool. Northern Europe's largest aquarium is home to thousands of marine animals, from hammerhead sharks to puffins and northern sea otters. With plenty of hands-on features and a water playground, it's one of the best things to do in Copenhagen with kids, especially on a rainy day.

See the changing of the guards at Amalienborg Palace.

Located in Frederiksstaden, Amalienborg Palace is the official residence of the Danish royal family (Queen Margrethe ll still resides there in fall and winter) and it also has a museum that gives tourists a front-row seat to many interesting aspects of the monarchy. Don’t miss the changing of the guards at noon. You can buy a combo ticket with Rosenborg Castle.

Soar above the city with Nordic Seaplanes.

It’s always a special experience to get a bird's-eye view of a new city, especially one as lovely as Copenhagen. Fonden suggests taking a sightseeing flight with Nordic Seaplanes. “It flies just high enough that you can clearly see streets, canals, ships, coastlines, and iconic buildings.”

Hike, ski, or rock climb at CopenHill.

Leave it to the Danes to construct a recreation area atop an active clean energy power plant. CopenHill welcomes visitors to ski in the winter and hike during the warmer months. Climbers can scale the side of the building, which has been transformed into an outdoor climbing wall that towers to nearly 300 feet. Skiing and climbing should be booked in advance, but other activities are free.

Explore Rosenborg Castle.

Originally built as a summer country home, the Renaissance-era Rosenborg Castle houses sparkling crown jewels and other royal relics. Surrounding the stately structure are famously picturesque gardens. The castle is open to visitors most days, and you can buy a combo ticket that includes royal residence Amalienborg Palace.

Visit Kongens Have (The King's Garden).

Copenhagen is famous for its beautiful parks and public gardens. Topping the list of must-see green spaces, Kongens Have (The King's Garden) is Denmark's oldest royal garden and a centerpiece of the Rosenborg Castle complex. Although you need a ticket for the castle, the garden itself is free. Fonden recommends bringing a blanket and enjoying a quiet moment under a tree in the heart of the vibrant city. 

Ride a rollercoaster at Tivoli Gardens.

Fun for all ages, the legendary Tivoli Gardens is a historic and beloved amusement park with thrilling rides — including one of the oldest operating wooden roller coasters. Even if rides aren't your thing, there are theater performances, art exhibitions, shops, restaurants, and seasonal events like summer concerts and a Christmas market. 

Taste global flavors at Reffen.

Eat your way around the world at Reffen, the largest street food market in Northern Europe. From late March to late September, the waterfront space boasts a variety of global stalls that serve everything from pad krapow and red curry to Gambian peanut stew. It also has bars and boutiques and hosts art and music events.

Take a dip in a harbor bath.

“Copenhagen is surrounded by water so clean locals and visitors jump in to cool down on summer days,” Fonden says. "Some harbor baths [recreational bathing facilities] have platforms to jump from, others have pools for small children, and they all have lifeguards.” There are 12 harbor baths around Copenhagen and two sand beaches.

Sip and swim at La Banchina.

A popular and oh-so-Copenhagen establishment, La Banchina is a tiny walk-in restaurant and wine bar. It's especially busy in the summer when the terrace is filled with people drinking natural wine and taking dips in the restaurant's own harbor pool. If you're visiting in winter, though, you can reserve time in the sauna and a spot at one of the casual, five-course dinners every Friday and Saturday evening.

Book a Spa Treatment at Amazing Space

It can be hard to find things to do in Copenhagen in winter when the days are short, cold, and often wet. Take refuge at d’Angleterre, where weary travelers will find a sanctuary of well-being called Amazing Space. The award-winning spa offers the only indoor pool in the downtown area, plus a steam room, sauna, and Nordic treatments.

Get a history lesson at the National Museum of Denmark.

Located in the city center near many other must-see attractions, the National Museum of Denmark is a treasure trove of Danish culture and history. It’s also home to interesting global exhibits that include African masks and Egyptian tombs. There’s an excellent on-site restaurant, too.

Shop on Strøget.

The perfect place to stroll (and spend money), Strøget is Copenhagen's famous shopping area, and one of the longest pedestrian streets in Europe. Expect upscale boutiques like home goods chain Søstrene Grene and Illums Bolighus, plus cafés such as Coffee Collective Bernikow, ideal for taking a break from your retail therapy adventures. 

Take the kids to Copenhagen Zoo.

Families with young kids can roam around the Copenhagen Zoo. Spanning roughly 27 acres, it's home to more than 4,000 animals from all over the world — including giant pandas, hippopotamuses, elephants, and polar bears. For a small extra fee, climb to the top of the zoo's 1905 observation tower for far-reaching views of the city.

Tour Christiansborg Palace.

The awe-inspiring Christiansborg Palace on the islet of Slotsholmen in central Copenhagen traces its roots back more than 800 years. It currently functions as the seat of the Danish Parliament, the Danish Prime Minister's Office, and the Supreme Court of Denmark. Visitors can explore the regal reception rooms, the kitchen, stables, a chapel, and even a brewery.

Admire the view from atop the Round Tower (Rundetårn)

Denmark has many iconic buildings, and Rundetårn (The Round Tower), built by King Christian IV in 1642, is certainly one of them. Besides admiring the architecture, visitors can climb to the very top of the tower where Europe's oldest observatory offers incredible views of the city. 

Visit Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek.

The Glyptoteket, as it's commonly known, is an art museum that opened in 1897 and houses the private collection of the son of the Carlsberg Breweries founder. The pieces span some 3,500 years, from Etruscan vases to dozens of Rodin sculptures. In addition to its vast galleries, the museum is known for its winter garden, essentially a large greenhouse filled with plants, where guests can relax on benches while listening to gently bubbling fountains. The museum hosts art workshops, occasional yoga classes, and evening cocktail events.

Go on a pastry crawl.

Bakery culture is huge in Copenhagen, and the range of pastries is tantalizing. Do a self-guided bakery crawl to taste treats sweet and savory — cinnamon, cardamom, and saffron buns; cheddar and chive scones; cream-filled croissants; dark, dense brownies; and all manner of cakes with seasonal fruit. Among the city's most popular bakeries are Apotek 57, Andersen & Maillard, Juno the Bakery, and Lille Bakery.

Take a day trip to Sweden.

Malmö, Sweden, sits on the other side of the Øresund strait from Copenhagen, and the train ride between the two cities takes about 30 minutes, with trains leaving every 20 minutes. Like Copenhagen, Malmö is a great biking city, and you can rent a set of wheels from its bike-share service, Malmö by Bike. If you prefer to get your endorphins in other ways, visit a cold bath house (kallbadhus), where you can heat up in the sauna, take a quick, cold dip, and repeat. For souvenirs and good food, head straight to Möllevången, a multicultural neighborhood where you'll find Mitt Möllan, a group of small shops selling everything from ceramics to vintage clothing and restaurants serving global cuisine.

Immerse yourself in modern art at the Louisiana Museum.

If you love modern art (and beautiful water views), don't miss Louisiana, located in the town of Humlebæk along the Øresund. It's well worth the one-hour trip from Copenhagen (40 minutes by train, plus a 15-minute walk), as you can spend an entire day here wandering the galleries and sculpture garden, with a break for lunch at the peaceful café. Indoors and out, you'll find works from artists like Yayoi Kusama, Alexander Calder, Giacometti, and Louise Bourgeois.

Warm up at the Botanical Garden.

Winter may not seem like the best time to visit a garden, but if you're in Copenhagen during this cold, wet season, the Victorian-era Palm House in the Natural History Museum's Botanical Garden is the perfect place to warm up. Filled with giant bamboo, enormous palms, and even carnivorous flowers, it's a tropical paradise. The complex also includes the equally toasty Cactus and Succulent House and the magical Butterfly House, where the dazzling insects flit among lush greenery.