Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark and arguably of Scandinavia, sits on the east coast of Zealand (Sjælland), looking across the Øresund to southern Sweden. It is a cosmopolitan, walkable city, easy to explore by bike or on foot, and home to some of the best restaurants in the Nordic region. It suits travellers who want a relaxed city break with strong food, design and culture, and it works well as the start or end of a wider Nordic journey. Further down the page, our guide answers the most common questions about visiting Copenhagen.

One of our favourite corners of the city, close to where our CEO lived in the late 1990s, is Christiania. This self-governing community was established on a former naval base in 1971 and is known for its inventive, brightly coloured, self-built houses and its relaxed, creative atmosphere. Once notorious for the open cannabis trade on Pusher Street, the area was reclaimed by its residents in 2024 and is now a calm neighbourhood to wander, worth visiting for the architecture, murals, cafés, music venues and the walk along the old ramparts.

What is there to do in Copenhagen?

Copenhagen suits almost any kind of day. You can take in the sights and galleries, settle into a long lunch, hire a bike and join the city's cyclists, or sit back on a canal boat and let the sights glide by. The main draws are the Tivoli gardens, the Nyhavn waterfront, the city's museums and galleries, and a canal tour, most of them walkable or a short ride apart.

Where is the best shopping in Copenhagen?

Strøget, the main pedestrian street, is the easiest place to start, giving a good spread of what the city offers. The more interesting finds tend to be on the side streets, where the design shops, antique dealers and independent boutiques are. Over a weekend, the flea markets are worth a morning: the best-known are at Nørrebro, along the wall of the Assistens Cemetery, and on Israels Plads near Nørreport station, turning up anything from Royal Copenhagen porcelain to old furniture and curiosities.

What are the best museums and galleries in Copenhagen?

Copenhagen has a deep museum scene, and many of the larger institutions offer free entry one day a week, so it's worth checking ahead. Three stand out. Statens Museum for Kunst, the National Gallery, holds seven centuries of Western art in a building that fuses a 19th-century hall with a modernist extension. The National Museum traces Denmark from prehistory to modern life, with highlights including the Bronze Age Egtved Girl. And the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, about 40 km north of the city, is the finest modern art museum in Denmark, its sculpture garden looking across the sound to Sweden. For smaller, contemporary galleries, the Meatpacking District in Vesterbro is the place to look.

Is Tivoli worth visiting?

Yes. Right in the centre of town, Tivoli is one of the oldest amusement parks in the world, and a place every Scandinavian child seems to know. You can pay a small entrance fee just to stroll the gardens and pay for rides separately, and it draws locals as much as visitors. The atmosphere shifts through the year, at its most magical in the run-up to Christmas, which we cover in our guide to Christmas at Tivoli.

What is Nyhavn?

Nyhavn (New Haven) is the 17th-century waterfront canal that has become one of Copenhagen's defining images: a row of brightly coloured townhouses along the water, with bars, cafés and restaurants on the sunnier northern side and historic wooden ships moored in the canal. The oldest house dates from 1661. Even in cooler weather, locals sit out with a beer and a blanket. It is also the main hub for the city's canal tours, and an easy place to end the day.

Are the Copenhagen canal tours worth it?

A canal tour is one of the best ways to see the city, taking you past many of its landmarks from the water. Several operators run trips, both guided and hop-on-hop-off, most starting from Nyhavn or Gammel Strand, opposite the parliament. In the colder months, look for a heated, glass-roofed boat.

How long do you need in Copenhagen?

Two or three days is enough to see the city itself: the old town, Nyhavn, Tivoli and the main museums, with a canal tour to tie it together. Add a day if you want to make the trip out to the Louisiana museum, or to use Copenhagen as a base for the castles and coast of North Zealand. Many travellers combine it with the other Nordic capitals on a wider journey.

Plan your trip

For more ideas, read our Copenhagen city guide or our other Denmark travel articles. When you're ready to plan a trip, see our Denmark trips or the wider Nordic capitals range.