Are you traveling to Denmark and wondering how many days to spend in Copenhagen?
How much time is enough to get to know the Danish capital, see all the sights, and feel the rhythm and atmosphere of the city?
The correct answer to these questions depends somewhat on what exactly you expect from Copenhagen and whether this city is just a stopover on your trip or a primary destination.
What is certain is that Copenhagen offers plenty of opportunities for travelers of all interests and ages.
Whether you’re an architecture, history, and art lover, a biking enthusiast, a fun and nightlife tourist, a gourmand, or simply looking for an authentic Scandinavian lifestyle, Copenhagen will not disappoint.
Although everything is very organized, this city has a relaxed atmosphere.
Most of the most prominent tourist attractions are concentrated in the center, so it is not difficult to visit them on foot or by the favorite Danish means of transport – a bicycle.
On the other hand, public transport is well organized and runs every two or three minutes, so you can quickly and easily reach more distant parts of the city.
How Many Days in Copenhagen is Enough?
Suppose Copenhagen is just one of the stops on your trip through Scandinavia or Europe, and you’re looking for a way to see and visit as many attractions and sights as possible in as little time. In that case, you’ll be pleased that Copenhagen is the perfect city for a short visit.
Just two days are enough to see all the most prominent tourist attractions in the Danish capital.
Of course, this means a slightly more hectic pace and less enjoyment of simple pleasures, but you’ll still have time to see all the major sights.
Although it is the largest city in Denmark, Copenhagen is significantly smaller than many European capitals.
Many sights are located in the Old Town, and most tourist attractions and shopping quarters are near the city center so that you can reach everywhere on foot in just fifteen minutes.
The advantage of walking is that you will see many beautiful and interesting sights along the way that you would miss if you were to go around the city by public transport.
If the weather is good, you can go around Copenhagen by bike, as most locals do. Of course, bicycles are also available during the winter, but due to the cold and wind, fewer people choose them then.
You can rent a bike in many places in the city. Many hotels, guesthouses, and bike shops rent them out.
There are also bike-sharing services that have many points in the city, so it’s easy to rent a bike in one place and then leave it at the other end of the city.
Cycling culture is very developed in Copenhagen, so don’t forget to follow the traffic regulations.
If you decide to use public transport, it’s good to know that Copenhagen’s metro is extremely frequent, fast, and reliable and has been named the best metro system in the world several times.
The metro runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and you will get from the airport to the center of Copenhagen in just 12 minutes.
In addition to the metro, S-trains, buses, and waterbuses are also available.
Traveling by harbor bus has advantages as you can enjoy a panoramic view of this charming city.
This type of transport is also fast, so you can consider it depending on the attractions you plan to visit.
If you are only staying in Copenhagen for two days, choose the time of your visit carefully.
For example, many attractions in the Danish capital are closed on Mondays, so ask ahead of time about the availability of the places you plan to visit.
How Many Days to Spend in Copenhagen if You Have More Time?
Although two days are enough to see Copenhagen’s most famous sights, if you are not short on time, you should definitely stay longer.
Four or five days will give you enough time to leisurely explore the main attractions and some hidden beauty of Copenhagen.
Remember that some attractions in Copenhagen, such as the Tivoli amusement park or the Nyhavn district, require several hours if you want to feel all their charms.
Finally, don’t think that Copenhagen is not a city you can enjoy for more than a few days and that you will get bored if you extend your stay.
If you are not limited by time and budget, plan a longer visit to the Danish capital and stay for seven or ten days.
This kind of trip is the best way to immerse yourself deep into the city’s atmosphere, experience life as the locals live and discover what the famous Danish term “hygge” really means.
A few years ago, this word came to the center of interest of people all over the world, primarily through books and movies.
However, Hygge is a Danish word that is challenging to translate because it implies a particular way of life and a specific mood representing a mixture of relaxation, coziness, and well-being.
Hygge is the ability to enjoy small, everyday pleasures and surrender to the moment.
By the way, it is well known that the Danes are considered the most satisfied and happiest people in the world.
Despite the climate that is far from perfect and the fact that there are very few hours of sunshine during the year, Copenhagen has been first place on the list of the best places to live in for years.
If you want to understand why this is so and see if it has anything to do with the Danish hygge lifestyle, a whole week or even ten days in Copenhagen is the right measure.
What Month is the Best for Visit Copenhagen?
Copenhagen is beautiful all year round, so it’s best to decide when to visit according to your plans and expectations.
Copenhagen has an oceanic climate, and average annual temperatures range from -1°C (30°F) to 17°C (63°F).
The coldest month is February, while the warmest is July and August.
If you don’t like the cold, it would be best to travel to Copenhagen between March and September.
The most sunshine and warm days will await you in July and August, but that’s also when the crowds are the biggest.
Also, prices in this period are higher than usual, which is significant if you keep in mind that Copenhagen is one of the most expensive cities in Europe.
Still, this is the perfect time to enjoy walking and cycling through the Danish capital, picnicking in parks around the city, and relaxing on the harbor promenade.
Summer in Copenhagen is pleasantly warm but still much cooler than the heat that prevails in much of Europe and the United States at this time of year.
On the other hand, although the winter in Copenhagen is long and cold, it has its charms.
At Christmas time, Copenhagen is beautiful. The entire city is magically decorated with Christmas decorations, and at several locations in the city, Christmas markets await you, where a real festive atmosphere reigns.
You will enjoy delicious winter treats, buy beautiful souvenirs, and at every step, you will have the opportunity to drink hot chocolate or traditional glögg.
Tivoli amusement park at Christmas time is a perfect attraction for children and adults because it becomes even more exciting, magical, and sparkling than during the rest of the year.
In Copenhagen, at Christmas time, but also throughout the winter, you can enjoy the numerous ice rinks in the city, which the locals adore.
During the winter holidays, the castles of Copenhagen are also popular among tourists. At this time, they shine with extra brilliance, giving you the impression that you have found yourself in a fairy tale.
During the Christmas holidays, people in Copenhagen enjoy the cafe gardens, covered with blankets, under festive lights, and with treats.
You can join them if you don’t think it’s too cold for something like this.
An additional advantage of the winter months is that the prices are slightly lower than during the rest of the year, and the crowds are less.
If you want to completely avoid crowds and find accommodation at the best price, choose January or February for your trip.
Music, film, gastronomy, and many other festivals are organized in Copenhagen annually. If you are looking for such content, you can choose one of those periods for your trip.
What to See and Do in Copenhagen?
The possibilities in Copenhagen are endless, from the main attractions to the less famous but equally fascinating places to see.
If you’re the type of traveler who enjoys letting the city take its course, feel free to let it happen and don’t make a plan. You are sure to discover countless fantastic things.
However, if you are limited on time or prefer to plan things, list the attractions you want to visit.
It will help you to plan exactly how long you will stay in Copenhagen, book the necessary tickets in time and make a travel plan that suits you best.
We have prepared a list of sights and tourist attractions that are the most popular and loved in Copenhagen.
Nyhavn
If you’ve ever looked at postcards from Copenhagen, the image of colorful houses lined up along the harbor shore is probably stuck in your memory. This part of the city is called Nyhavn, which means “new harbor” in Danish.
Nyhavn is equally popular in summer and winter with both locals and tourists.
It’s a great place to stop and eat local specialties in one of the numerous cafes and restaurants and drink coffee, beer, or a hot drink on cold days.
There is probably no tourist who has been to Copenhagen without photographing Nyhavn.
There is nothing unusual about that because this is truly one of the city’s most beautiful and photogenic places, especially if the day is clear and sunny.
Once upon a time, Nyhavn was mainly a gathering place for sailors, where they came to refresh themselves, enjoy beer, and also the company of ladies of the night.
However, Hans Christian Andersen, creator of some of the most famous children’s fairy tales, also lived in this part of the city.
When you walk through Nyhavn, you will surely pass the paths he walked many times because he lived in houses numbered 18, 20, and 67 for years.
If you have time, it is a good idea to catch a boat here and embark on a canal cruise and panoramic sightseeing.
Statue of the Little Mermaid
Speaking of Hans Christian Andersen, you must have heard of the statue of the Little Mermaid, one of the symbols of Copenhagen, inspired by this author’s fairy tale.
Although the statue is not particularly large (about 125 centimeters high), it has been attracting the considerable attention of tourists for 110 years.
The statue was created when the Danish brewer Carl Jacobsen, amazed by the ballet performance based on Andersen’s fairy tale motifs, hired the sculptor Edvard Eriksen to make the Little Mermaid out of bronze and granite.
Two women posed for Eriksen’s statue – the ballerina Ellen Price, who played the role of the Little Mermaid in the ballet, and the sculptor’s wife, Elina Eriksen. Namely, the ballerina refused to pose naked, so the sculptor made the mermaid’s body based on his wife’s model.
There is also a legend related to this statue. It is believed that the figure will stand in this place for 300 years before it turns into a real woman.
The sad fact is that the statue has been the victim of vandalism many times during these 110 years.
Her head and hands were stolen several times, and she was doused with paint and thrown into the sea. Nevertheless, she returned to the joy of Danes and tourists every time.
Tivoli Gardens
If you’re looking for a bit of magic, you can’t miss a visit to Tivoli.
The fact that it inspired many of Hans Christian Andersens’ fairy tales and gave Walt Disney’s idea for Disney World speaks best about how magical and inspiring this amusement park is.
Tivoli Gardens is very old. It’s one of the world’s oldest amusement parks, and today you can enjoy rides, musical and stage shows, relaxation in the gardens, and food and drink in numerous restaurants.
You can easily spend a whole day in this amusement park if you have time. However, if you have a tight schedule, leave Tivoli for the evening hours because it becomes even more exciting with magical lighting.
Tivoli is not open all year round but operates in three seasons. It is available during the summer (from the end of March to the middle of September), during the Halloween season, and during the Christmas holidays, when, in the opinion of many, it is the most beautiful.
Tivoli Gardens is located in the center of Copenhagen, at the end of the pedestrian street Strøget.
Christiansborg Palace
Christiansborg Palace is an unmissable sight in Copenhagen because of its historical importance and beauty.
This building represents the seat of the Danish Government, the Parliament, the Prime Minister’s Office, and the Supreme Court. In addition, some parts of the palace are used by the royal family.
However, many parts of the palace are open to visitors.
Christiansborg Palace is located on a tiny island within the city, on the site where the city was founded in the 12th century.
Amalienborg Palace
If you are a lover of royal history and tradition, you must visit Amalienborg Palace.
The residence of the Danish royal family consists of four buildings, between which there is a square.
In one of the buildings, there is the Amalienborg Museum, where you can get to know part of the history of one of the oldest monarchies in the world.
Every day at noon, the royal guard changes in front of the palace, a spectacle many tourists enjoy.
Rosenborg Castle
Denmark is known for its magnificent castles, and Rosenborg Castle is one of them.
This castle was built in the Renaissance style. In addition to its stunning architecture, it is a favorite among tourists because of its beautiful garden and rich treasury of objects that testify to the Danish history and traditions of the royal family.
Statens Museum for Kunst
Statens Museum for Kunst, i.e., The National Gallery of Denmark, is located opposite Rosenborg Castle in the center of Copenhagen.
Although the Danish capital is full of museums worth your attention, this museum is the most famous and important.
Enjoy works by Danish artists, as well as Rubens, Munch, and Picasso, and exhibitions covering different eras, from the Renaissance to contemporary art.
The Black Diamond
The Royal Danish Library, or the Black Diamond, which is the nickname for this imposing building, is the pearl of modern architecture in Copenhagen.
If you are a lover of architecture or books, you must take advantage of this place, but it also offers a lot of exciting things to those who are neither bookworms nor design lovers.
In addition to the vast collection of books and manuscripts, there is also a hall for concerts and theater performances, a bookstore, a cafe, and a restaurant.
This building is also home to the National Museum of Photography.
Thanks to the glass facade and huge windows, the library’s reading rooms offer a magnificent view of the harbor.
City Hall Square
One of the best starting points for walking around Copenhagen is City Hall Square.
The square is lined with beautiful buildings so that you can enjoy the view of the magnificent architecture. You will definitely want to take a photo next to one of the many statues, such as the colorful Dragon Fountain or the statue of Hans Christian Andersen.
This square is full of life and dynamic. There are numerous musical spectacles, exhibitions, sports manifestations, and demonstrations.
From the square, you can also see the famous gilded sculpture, The Weather Girl, located on top of the Richs Building.
This statue depicts a girl riding a bicycle on sunny days and a girl walking her dog and carrying an umbrella on rainy days.
Strøget
Straight from City Hall Square, you enter Strøget, one of Europe’s longest pedestrian streets.
Strøget is actually not just one street but several connected streets known by this common name.
This pedestrian area is best known as a paradise for shopaholics because it has many stores of major international brands.
However, this street is not just for those with an unlimited budget.
In addition to shopping, you can also enjoy walking and sightseeing here.
Strøget is also famous for its street performers, among whom you can see musicians, acrobats, clowns, and magicians.
Christiania
One of the most unusual places in Copenhagen is Freetown Christiania.
If, after a while, it seems to you that you have understood everything about Copenhagen and that this perfectly arranged city does not offer any surprises, it is definitely time to get to know it from a different angle.
In the Christiania district, a completely different world awaits you.
You will certainly have the impression that you have entered another country and not that you have walked a few streets away from the center of Copenhagen.
Freetown Christiania was founded by a group of hippies in the 1970s, occupying a former barracks.
Even today, an alternative commune lives here quite independently from the rest of the city.
This place attracts many tourists and offers various attractions, live music, organic food, but also soft drugs, normally prohibited in Denmark.
For obvious reasons, photography is prohibited in most of Freetown Christiania, but everything else is more or less allowed.
A Few Additional Tips for Visiting Copenhagen
Danish standards are high, so everything in Copenhagen is more expensive than most European cities.
However, you can save money if you plan and organize well.
Copenhagen Card
One way to save some money is to buy a Copenhagen Card.
It’s a card with which you can enter about eighty city attractions for free, including Tivoli Gardens, Rosenborg Castle, Christiansborg Palace, and Copenhagen Zoo.
This card also gives you free use of public transport and discounts at many museums and restaurants.
You can buy a Copenhagen Card that can be used for 24 hours, but also cards that can be used for two, three, four, or five days.
You can visit as many attractions as you want during this time, but you can’t enter any attraction more than once.
Although the Copenhagen Card is costly, if you plan to visit many different attractions, it is well worth it.
On the website where these cards are sold, with the help of an online calculator, you can calculate precisely how much you will save based on the attractions you plan to visit.
Copenhagen Food Markets
Food is also very expensive in Copenhagen, so although the city is full of excellent restaurants with Michelin stars, it is simply too much of an expense for many tourists.
The good news is that you can find equally delicious but still significantly cheaper food from street vendors.
Food Markets, among which Torvehallerne Copenhagen is the most famous, offer pastries, sandwiches, fresh fish, specialties of Nordic cuisine, and various other delicacies that delight gourmets.
You can also drink coffee, beer, or other alcoholic beverages at these markets.
Danes are proud of their pastries and smørrebrød, an open-faced sandwich that offers fish, meat, vegetables, or various other combinations of foods and spices on a piece of bread.
Paying in Copenhagen
Although it is part of the European Union, Denmark doesn’t use euros but Danish kroner (crowns).
However, in Denmark, and especially Copenhagen, cash is almost never used because everything is paid for with credit cards and mobile banking apps.
In Copenhagen, you can pay even the smallest bill with a card, and the fact that even the use of the toilet at the station is paid for with a card is perhaps the best indication of how widespread cashless payments are here!
However, what is essential for tourists is that using foreign credit cards usually incurs a fee, which can vary.
That’s why it’s best to ask in advance and consider the most convenient payment option while you’re in Copenhagen.
Sometimes there is also an option to choose whether you want the bill you are paying to be charged in Danish kroner or your currency.
However, it is recommended that you choose the Danish kroner because your bank calculates the exchange rate, which is usually a more favorable option for you.
When it comes to tipping, it is rare in Denmark because the service is usually already included in the bill.
However, if you feel you have received exceptional service and want to leave a tip, you may do so. A 10% tip is considered very generous in Copenhagen.
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