If you’re planning a one-, two-, or three-day trip to Copenhagen, here are some local tips that are really worth checking out in the Danish capital.
This isn’t a full trip plan. For more detailed, step-by-step sightseeing tips, see my one-day and two-day Copenhagen itineraries by following the links.
instead, I want to give you some ideas and local tips that you can use when planning your trip. These Copenhagen tips include places, sights to see, activities and even places to eat that include the most popular ones and also some that are less known.
Transit
First things first, let’s look at how to get around the Danish capital. Public transit in Copenhagen is excellent, you can rely on that as a tourist for your trip.
Download these two applications as you’ll need them for your transit tickets or daily passes. Don’t forget to create an account on both of them before you arrive.
- Rejsekort app. This one is pay-per-trip. You just “swipe yourself in” at the start of your journey, and “swipe out” at the end. This option is usually better if you travel outside the city or for less than 4 journeys per day.
- Rejsebillet app. Here you can buy a city pass that’s valid for 24, 48 etc. hours for unlimited travels. Zones 1001–1004 cover central Copenhagen, the airport, and all the places mentioned in this article. You won’t need more zones if you stay within the city, which is plenty enough for most 1-3 day travellers. The unlimited pass is usually a good choice if you count with more than 4 journeys per day.
Alternatively, I recommend renting a bike for at least an hour just to experience how many locals commute. We use Donkey’s Republic, but this is not an ad, so feel free to choose whichever bike rental service you prefer.
Top Three Must See Locations in Copenhagen
I think these are the top three places anyone should see during their first visit in Copenhagen. Fortunately, they are not too far from each other, so you can fit them all into a two-three hours walk.
- The Statue of the Little Mermaid. The iconic sculpture, based on Hans Christian Andersen’s tale, is undoubtedly one of the most visited landmarks in the Danish capital.
- Nyhavn. When you think of Copenhagen, most likely the colorful houses of the “new harbor” come to your mind.
- Strøget. One of the first pedestrian streets in the world, this world-famous shopping street has been car-free since the 1960s.
Copenhagen Tips – What to See
The Danish capital is full of great things to see. What you visit really depends on your personal preferences and how much time you have here.
I gathered the most important places, including famous ones and some that are less well known, you can think of these as insider tips from locals. Click on the links for more information on that specific location.
- Tivoli would be definitely on the top three list, if it didn’t require at least half a day to properly enjoy the experience. Make sure to visit this magnificent theme park and garden if you spend two or more days in Copenhagen. Also please note that Tivoli is not open all year around, check their website for actual hours.
- Kongens Nytorv is a gorgious square at the heart of Copenhagen. You’ll probably walk through it anyway as you move between Nyhavn and Strøget.
- Marmorkirken, or officially Frederiks Kirke, is, in our opinion, the most magnificent church in Copenhagen. It’s a good place to stop by for a short but heart-warming break during your Copenhagen city tour.
- Amalienborg is the royal palace in Copenhagen. Come here at 12 PM each day to see the change of the guards.
- Kastellet is next to the Statue of the Little Mermaid. This still-functioning military complex is worth visiting for at least two reasons. First, it’s a nice walk on a star-shaped hill inside the city. Second, you can have a real sense of the Danish mindset by freely walking on military grounds alongside armed soldiers.
- Rådhuspladsen is another impressive square in the city, not far from Tivoli and the main railway station.
- The City Hall at Rådhuspladsen is actually open for every visitor. Come by and return home with an extraordinarily local experience from Copenhagen.
- Rosenborg Castle is the first museum I advise you to visit in Copenhagen, with its crown jewels. Don’t forget to take a relaxing walk in the adjacent King’s Garden (Kongens Have).
- Rundetaarn (round tower), in the middle of the old town, is an all time favorite for a lot of tourists to see the city from above.
- The grave of Hans Christian Andersen and the whole Assistens Kirkegård cemetery is a great experience in itself. Other than seeing the grave of the most famous Danish writer, for any foreigner it is a positive culture-shock to walk in a cemetery where locals run as a sport activity and stroll with their kids on a lazy afternoon.
Copenhagen Tips – What to Do
These aren’t famous attractions, but things you can do in Copenhagen to round out your trip.
- My favorite tip for anyone visiting Copenhagen is to take the so called Harbor bus (havnebussen). Lines 991 and 992 are part of Copenhagen’s public transit system; you can ride them with a regular ticket or day pass. These are essentially local boat routes, where you can enjoy the canal from a comfortable, enclosed deck. This is actually my preferred way to get to the Statue of the Little Mermaid.
- Magasin du Nord is a 7-story department store on Kongens Nytorv. Stop by just for the experience, even if it’s just 5-10 minutes, or return home with a classy present from Copenhagen.
- COFFEE CLUB CPH, on the 5th floor of Magasin department store, still serves my favorite coffee in Copenhagen. Furthermore, it’s a great spot with a really nice vibe to relax with a hot drink and some cake during your Copenhagen city tour.
- Once a local food market, Torvehallerne KBH is more like a tourist destination today. I can still strongly recommend it as, despite its many international stalls, it has a strongly Danish vibe.
- The Café at the top of Illum on Strøget is a fantastic place to have a bird’s-eye view of the pedestrian street and some parts of old town. Go to the top floor, order a coffee and enjoy the free view from the balcony. This place, with the open view on top of a posh building in the city center, actually would be a pricey top notch bar in almost any other city.
Copenhagen Tips for Places to Eat
- Kødbyen—known in English as the Meatpacking District—is a go-to dining area for both locals and visitors. The wide range of restaurants here offer a great variety of food options, and you can have dinner or lunch experience from laid-back pubs to more upscale, white table cloth places.
- Gasoline Grill is still the best place in Copenhagen if you’re looking for a great burger, with many locations throughout the city.
- Dalle Valle is not a Michelin star culinary experience, but many tourists prefer it with its large selection of food and affordable all you can eat prices.
- Hot dog stalls around the old town present a quick and affordable yet delicious option for everyone strolling around the city.
Are There Any Overhyped Places in Copenhagen?
People visiting the Danish capital sometimes ask us whether any of the things to see in Copenhagen is overhyped. That is, it gets much more attention and fame that it’s worth.
The short answer is no.
Copenhagen is a great city with great sights. Even if the Little Mermaid is actually much smaller than you’d think, and the colorful houses see much more tourists than locals, these places are great, filled with a uniquely Danish vibe and they are very much worth the visit.
Make sure to follow my Copenhagen tips, pick the places and activities that appeal to you most, and you’ll be sure to have an awesome time here!
