Copenhagen, the capital city of Denmark, is where vintage charm meets progressive innovation. Copenhagen features a lively city center, canals, large and clean city parks, and delicious food!
Important Notes
This itinerary keeps in mind three full days to explore Copenhagen. There are no time constraints in this itinerary, allowing you to explore the city at your own pace and keeping in mind potential traffic and the lengths of different tours you might choose. I also offer restaurant recommendations and several alternatives to many attractions. I mentioned Copenhagen in my European Cruise Ports post for those who are visiting for 1 day, and here I offer an itinerary to fully explore all this Scandinavian capital has to offer!
Using the Copenhagen metro
Copenhagen’s subway is both efficient and easy to navigate. There are four routes: M1, M2, M3, and M4. The entire system is electric, and the stations are clean and modern. You do not need to know any Danish to use the subway. Fun fact: The first and last cars of the trains have windows, allowing you to see through and see how clean the tracks are (see photo below).
The price of subway tickets depends on the number of zones you travel through. Copenhagen is divided into zones, and the price of your ticket depends on how many zones you travel through. You always pay for a minimum of two zones. I recommend buying a City Pass for 120 hours (5 days), perfect for this itinerary! The City Pass includes using the metro to go to/from Copenhagen Airport, but the price is still dependent on how many zones you will travel through during your stay. For more information about the Copenhagen metro, visit this website.
Day 1
Rosenborg Slot (Palace)
Rosenborg Slot is the most famous palace in Copenhagen, built between 1606 and 1624. It housed the Danish royal family for hundreds of years and is also home to Denmark’s crown jewels. Also in the castle are old swords and guns used by Danish royals. It is located in central Copenhagen’s popular park, The King’s Garden. To get to the castle, take the metro to Nørreport Station. Tickets cost 140 Danish Kroner (DKK) per adult.
Indre By and Nyhavn Harbor
If you have seen photos of colorful buildings and boats along canals, you might have been looking at a photo of Nyhavn! Nyhavn is a lively waterfront and canal entertainment district, famous for its 17th and 18th-century townhouses, shopping, and dining amongst locals and tourists. It is located in Indre By, which directly translates to “inner city”; it is Copenhagen’s city center. Besides shopping and dining, you can see the Danish Opera House and the Danish Architecture Center here.
Take a canal tour from Nyhavn
Though Copenhagen’s canals may not rival Amsterdam’s in quantity, their unique charm makes them a worthwhile exploration, where you can see all of the attractions listed above at eye level.
Day 2
SMK (Statens Museum for Kunst)
SMK is the National Gallery of Denmark, featuring Danish and international art spanning the 14th century to today. The museum is well-known for its collection of Danish Golden Age art and also shows works by Danish contemporary artists. Tickets cost 130 DKK per adult. To get here, take the metro to Nørreport Station.
Østre Anlæg
SMK is located in this beautiful and historical park. After visiting the museum, walk around the park and see its many lakes, sculptures, winding paths, and a popular toboggan run used in the winter.
Frederik’s Church and Amalienborg Slot (Palace)
Amalienborg Palace is the residence of the royal family of Denmark. Tickets to go inside are 125 DKK per adult. Frederik’s Church tickets are free. If you want to go to the dome of the church and see panoramic views of Copenhagen, tickets are 50 DKK per adult. To get to both the church and palace from the park, walk to Østerport station to take the metro to Marmorkirken station, or feel free to walk 20 minutes east.
Day 3
Walk around Gammel Strand and Strøget
These areas are popular amongst both locals and tourists for shopping and dining. There are many souvenir shops and you can see canals running through the area, with Christiansborg Palace in the background. To get here, take the metro to Gammel Strand station.
Visit Christiansborg Palace
This palace is home to the Danish Parliament, the Supreme Court, and the Ministry of State. Ticket prices for Christiansborg Palace vary depending on which parts of the palace you wish to visit. To get here from Gammel Strand/Strøget, simply walk five minutes across the bridge!
National Museum of Denmark
After visiting Christiansborg Palace, walk five minutes across the Marmorbroen bridge to the National Museum of Denmark. It is Denmark’s largest museum of the country’s cultural history, containing artifacts from the history of the Vikings to the Danish Renaissance, and more. It also has exhibits from around the world, including Greenland, one of Denmark’s territories. It is considered one of Europe’s best museums. Tickets cost 120 DKK for adults, and kids 17 and younger go for free.
Alternative Attractions
If you have extra time, want to try something else, or if any attractions are too crowded for your liking or are unexpectedly closed, here are some other things to do:
- Walk around Ørstedsparken
- A large park with a lake and sculptures
- Take the metro to Nørreport Station
- Visit Rundetaarn (The Round Tower)
- A fascinating 17th-century tower equipped with an observatory and planetarium, also serving as an event hall and notable for its winding spiral ramp instead of traditional stairs.
- Tickets: 60 DKK per adult; purchase tickets at the tower ticket office upon arrival. Note: payment by credit card is preferred.
- Take the metro to Nørreport Station
- Danish Architecture Center
- Tickets: 125 DKK per adult
- Take the metro to Rådhuspladsen station
- Tivoli Gardens theme park
- Ticket prices vary based on age
- Take the metro to København H metro station (lower level)
Where should you stay?
Luxury: Hotel d’Angleterre; Hotel NH Collection Copenhagen
Both of these hotels are located in Indre By. Hotel D’Angleterre is a historic 1755 building and is a 2-minute walk from the Kongens Nytorv metro station on all four metro lines. Hotel NH Collection Copenhagen is a 5-minute walk from the Christianshavn metro station on lines M1 and M2. Guests of both hotels loved the hospitable staff, amazing food, and location.
Mid-Range: Zoku Copenhagen; Absalon Hotel
Zoku Copenhagen is a 2-minute walk from the DR Byen metro station on the M1 line. Guests liked the simple but comfortable rooms, the helpful staff, and the food. The Absalon Hotel is a 2-minute walk from the København H metro station on lines M3 and M4. Guests appreciated the variety of foods for breakfast, the location, and the cleanliness of the rooms.
Budget: ibis Styles Copenhagen Ørestad
This hotel is in southern Copenhagen, a 10-minute drive from the airport. It is also a 2-minute walk from the Bella Center metro station on line M1. Guests like the clean and comfortable rooms, the friendliness of the staff, and the proximity to supermarkets and bakeries.
Food Recommendations
- Mad & Kaffe Vesterbro: breakfast/lunch restaurant (close to the Enghave Square metro station)
- Pizzeria Luca (on Gammel Strand)
- Sporvejen Byens Burger Bar (near Strøget)
- Elis Copenhagen gelato (in Nyhavn)