Copenhagen City Guide

Toying with the idea of visiting Copenhagen and keen to read up about this city. Enjoy our Danish Destination Specialist, Alice's guide to spending time in Copenhagen.

What to do in Copenhagen

Denmark is a great place to visit as it offers architecture, gastronomy, family fun & culture and it is easily accessible as the vast majority of larger airlines fly directly to Copenhagen from their main hub.

Getting around in Copenhagen

Copenhagen has an extensive public transport network, with the trains, buses & metros and it is very easy to find your way. Many of the attractions are also walking distance from each other. The ultimate way to see Copenhagen is by bike. Many of our hotels offer a small daily hire fee for bikes and you can get off around the shopping streets or out to the little Mermaid by bike.

Day tours in Copenhagen

We have a wide variety of day tours on offer in Copenhagen. One of our most popular tours is a food tour where you can sample all the delicacies of the New Nordic cuisine including organic hot dogs and beers from a local brewery. Besides sampling yummy treats, you will also learn about Danish history and see some landmarks along the way. This tour runs Monday to Friday all year round. Private tours can also be organized.

Another thing you shouldn’t miss is the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art - a leading international museum. Louisiana strives to present a balance of landscape and architecture through their unique selection of exhibitions. It is located 25 miles north of Copenhagen and is accessible by train. Lunch at the café is also highly recommended.

Top 4 Free things to do in Copenhagen

The Tower, Christiansborg Palace - With its 106 metres, the Christiansborg Palace tower is the highest tower in Copenhagen, and it offers a magnificent view of the city's rooftops. You can access the tower for free, and if you want to enhance the experience you can choose to dine at the restaurant.

Visit Museums - Free museums in Copenhagen are: The National Museum, National Gallery and Danish Resistance Museum. Others, such as the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek and the Hirschsprung Collection, are free for one day during the week – usually Fridays. Like most of the Nordic capitals, there is plenty of culture to access for free.

Changing of the Guard at Amalienborg Palace – this usually takes place every 2 hours – however the main event is at noon where the entire Guard will change. This happens every day – despite the weather conditions. Traditional soldiers will be marching round to music while receiving orders.

Visit Bakken North of Copenhagen - The 431-year-old amusement park is located in the lush woodlands of Jægersborg Dyrehave, a large green area, where you find yourself surrounded by 400-year-old trees and almost 2,000 free-range deer. With 33 roller coasters, ferris wheels, drop towers and many more exciting and extreme adventures, Bakken offers more rides than any other amusement park in Scandinavia. While the entrance is free – you will need to pay for the rides.

Dining in Copenhagen – an experience in itself

Most would have heard about the New Nordic Movement and how modern Scandinavian cuisine has flourished in recent years.
Among our favourites are:

• Fiskebaren - The Fish Bar located in the Meatpacking district - come here for the freshest fish and shellfish. They pride themselves on fresh, healthy, delicious food and fine wine and a great atmosphere.
• The Royal Smushi Café - serving smushi, a Danish open-faced sandwich presented in sushi size – it is a delightful and fun experience.

Christmas time in Copenhagen

Christmas is a very special time in Denmark and a cosy time to visit Copenhagen, as the whole city is radiant with the most beautiful Christmas decorations. The Tivoli Gardens transforms itself to a winter paradise with markets and many activities to keep everyone entertained, children as well as adults.

There are many more Christmas markets and concerts to see. You can visit the unconventional Christmas market in the free town Christiania, walk past the Nyhavn Christmas market or experience a royal Christmas atmosphere at Hamlet’s home at Kronborg Castle.

Festivals such as the Scandinavian Santa Lucia Day is a floating light show created when hundreds of kayakers float down the canals of Copenhagen.

Image: Daniel Rasmussen