Copenhagen is one of Europe’s trendiest cities, offering a unique charm that sets it apart from many others. The Danish capital has a distinct “X factor” that makes it stand out. Renowned for its world-class culinary scene, Copenhagen is not only home to the world’s top-rated restaurant but also boasts 15 Michelin-starred dining spots. While its food, music, and nightlife are major attractions, the city’s rich history, stunning natural beauty, and vibrant culture are equally captivating.
While you’ll definitely want to explore its diverse restaurants, bars, and cafes, be sure not to miss the city’s exceptional museums, charming cobblestone streets, fairy-tale-like scenery, and iconic bike lanes. Here are the top 12 best things to do in Copenhagen.
Activity 1) Tivoli Gardens
The enchanting Tivoli Gardens, established in 1843, are one of the most beloved attractions, offering visitors a variety of beautiful sights and experiences in Copenhagen. The gardens feature a mix of amusement rides, open-air performances, carnival games, and charming pavilions, and are particularly vibrant during the summer. Enjoy the whimsical atmosphere, take a ride on the historic roller coaster, attend free rock concerts, or simply admire the natural beauty of the space. For a truly magical experience, visit after dark, when the lights illuminate the garden, creating a romantic ambiance.
Insider Tip – Try visiting the gardens on a Friday or Saturday evening during the summer months. The open air Plaenen stage comes alive with Danish rock concerts every Friday, while spectacular fireworks displays are held on Saturdays.
Activity 2) The Little Mermaid
The Little Mermaid is one of Copenhagen’s most iconic landmarks. The statue, which was unveiled in 1913, was a gift to the city from Carl Jacobsen. Crafted from granite and bronze, the sculpture is inspired by the mermaid from Hans Christian Andersen’s famous fairy tale. Jacobsen became captivated by the character after seeing a ballet performance at the Royal Danish Theater and commissioned artist Edvard Eriksen to create the piece. Over the years, the statue has been targeted by vandals—losing her arm once and having her head severed twice. She has also been repeatedly covered in paint. Despite these setbacks, the statue has always been carefully restored to its original state.
Interesting Fact – Ellen Price was the ballerina who inspired the sculpture. However, as she refused to model in nude for sculptor Edvard Eriksen, Eline Eriksen (Edvard’s wife) posed for the Little Mermaid sculpture.
Activity 3) Frederiksborg Palace
Frederiksborg Palace, located in Hillerød to the north of Copenhagen, is a stunning example of Dutch Renaissance architecture, built by King Christian IV in the 1600s. One of its main attractions is the Portrait Collection housed in the Museum of National History, which features a range of historical paintings and portraits. The museum also displays works by renowned artists such as Niels Strobaek, Karel van Mander, and P.S. Krøyer. Other highlights of the palace include the palace chapel, which survived a fire in 1859, and the beautiful palace gardens. The gardens feature King Frederik II’s Bath House Palace and a baroque-style layout, meticulously restored according to the original designs by JC Krieger.
Activity 4) Canal Boat Tour
For all those searching for a relaxing day in the city, a canal boat tour could just prove to be the ideal thing to do. Apart from helping you in enjoying a peaceful and quiet day, canal boat tours also bring you closer to many of the interesting sights and attractions in Copenhagen. Some of the top attractions that you come across on a canal boat tour include the Opera House, the head quarter of A.P. Moller Maersk A/S (the largest company in Denmark – revenue-wise), and The Little Mermaid. One of the main advantages of choosing a canal boat tour is that there are frequent departures, which means that you should always be able to find a tour which suits your timing.
Activity 5) Nyhavn
Nyhavn was once famous as the place for sailors – naughty and nice – visiting Copenhagen. Today, its picturesque harbor, colorful houses and old world sailing ships attract tourists from all over the world and offers them easy access to great food, excellent jazz music and a relaxed atmosphere by the canal. Sipping a drink at its outdoor bars or having dinner in one of the many cozy restaurants are among the top things to do here. Nyhavn also offers visitors a peek into the local history in the form of House No. 9, the oldest house in the area. What makes this house so unique is that its designs haven’t been altered since the year 1681. Hans Christian Andersen, the popular writer behind some of the most loved fairy tales in the world, also lived in the area.
Insider tip – Start with a wonderful lunch at Nyhavn and take the Canal Boat Tour afterwards which is just adjacent to Nyhavn.
Activity 6) Kattegatcentret
Kattegatcentret, or The Shark Center, brings you closer to some of the most dangerous sea creatures. If you really dream of getting up close and personal to a shark without having to swim for your life, this glass tunnel tour should be just perfect for you. Other popular Kattegatcentret features include a child-friendly touch pool and a seal pool. Be aware though that the centre is located in Grenå, Jutland, a 3 hour drive from Copenhagen.
Insider Tip – Visit the center after 12 PM, so that you can watch the shark-feeding session at 1 PM.
Activity 7) Restaurant Noma
Noma, voted as the best restaurant in the world in the year 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2014, may be a culinary destination, but it boasts of a level of popularity that would put many attractions to shame. A trip to the restaurant always promises an unforgettable experience and the setting is known to be absolutely magical. The service is among the best you will ever experience and the attention to detail simply blows your mind. And the food – their quality of food is just what culinary legends are made of.
Insider Tip – Please do reserve much in advance as otherwise you won’t get a seat.
Activity 8) Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art is located at a distance of 40kms to the north of Copenhagen. It is a beautiful museum that has become famous for its contemporary artworks, a massive permanent collection that features more than 3000 exhibits, modernist classics as well as innovative art. Apart from the permanent collection, the museum also hosts numerous special exhibitions each year.
Insider Tip – Apart from the museum itself, Louisiana is also famous for its beautiful architecture and exotic gardens that host a beautiful Henry Moore sculpture.
Activity 9) Christiania
Freetown Christiania was established by squatters in the year 1971 and has been attracting non-conformists from all over the world through its concepts of communal living, workshops and collective business. The Pusher Street and its marijuana and hash dealers may be grabbing most of the limelight, but once you venture beyond them, you come across a plethora of music venues, beer gardens, craft shops, DIY homes and cozy gardens. Comes with our best recommendations in terms of ‘another’ but yet interesting part of Copenhagen.
Activity 10) National Museum
The National Museum of Denmark is one of the best places to get a crash course on Danish and Scandinavian history. It is full of all sorts of ancient antiquities that were uncovered in the country such as tools from the Stone Age, rune stones, Viking weapons and medieval era jewelry. One of the biggest highlights of the museum is the Stories of Denmark exhibition which covers the area’s history between the years 1660 to 2000. Other highlights include a 3500-year old Sun Chariot, fully functioning bronze horns dating back to 3000 years, recreated residences from 18th century Copenhagen apartments and a vast collection of doll houses.
Insider Tip – If you’re searching for free things to do in Copenhagen, it truly doesn’t get better than the National Museum. Make sure that you reserve at least half a day to give its treasures the attention that they deserve.
Activity 11) Copenhagen Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
A Copenhagen Hop-On Hop-Off Tour is an exciting way of exploring the various sights and attractions that the city has on offer. It gives you a bird’s eye view of the various attractions and lets you explore some of the top tourist destinations at your own pace. Choose from a 24-hour or 48-hour ticket, and make sure that you click a lot of photographs along the way.
Activity 12) Christiansborg Palace
The Christiansborg Palace is located on the island of Slotsholmen, and is home to the Ministry of State, the Danish Parliament and the Supreme Court. Many parts of the palace are still used by the royal family for various events and functions. The palace is huge and it is easy to get lost in its labyrinth of corridors without a guide. Some of the top attractions and adventures that the palace offers to its visitors include tours to the ruins located under the palace, climbing the clock tower, sculpture museum, arsenal museum, the royal stables, the Theatre museum and the royal apartments.
Insider Tip – The Great Hall is the most striking room in the palace, and this is where you can see the Queen’s tapestries, something that the palace is particularly famous for. These tapestries depict close to 1000 years of Danish history and are a must-see for any tourist visiting the palace.
Most of the attractions of Copenhagen are located very close to each other and can easily be explored on foot from any of the downtown hotels. If you’re really pressed for time while in the city, try to go for a combined bus and canal tour that lets you see most of the major highlights within a couple of hours. You’ve now been through the top 12 best things to do in Copenhagen – Book your tickets and tours now.