Your Perfect 3-Day Copenhagen Itinerary (From Someone Who Lived There)

I spent an entire summer living in Denmark in 2022, running around every single day finding hidden gems, visiting castles, eating tons of herring and swimming in like, ALL the harbor baths I could find.

If you’re looking for a Copenhagen itinerary that goes beyond the tourist highlights, you’re in the right place. Then Robin and I went back in May 2024 for two and a half weeks while he was attending a conference in Malmö, right across the bay.

We stayed in Islands Brygge, I swam in the harbor every single day (the water was 14°C, I don’t want to talk about it), we hopped breweries in Vesterbro and visited every old favorite like it was a reunion tour.

I’m American, not Danish, so I can’t call myself a local. But at this point this is basically the perfect 3-day Copenhagen itinerary from an almost local, with two full trips worth of tips so you can have the best trip possible.

I can’t wait to show you my favorite corners of this beautiful old city.

Planning 3 days in Copenhagen? This guide covers everything from which palace to prioritize and where to swim in the harbor, to the best food markets, a ski slope on top of a power plant and a Nordic hot tub experience at sunset. Two full trips worth of tips, zero fluff.

Copenhagen, Denmark At A Glance

  • Best time to visit: Summer is the most magical. Daylight runs until 11pm, the harbor baths are packed with locals, and the whole city moves outdoors. Autumn gets gorgeous fall colors. Winter is dark and wet (sunrise around 10am, sunset around 3pm) but the Christmas markets are beautiful and worth bundling up for.
  • Where To Stay: Hotel Admiral near Nyhavn, or an Airbnb in Islands Brygge if you want to feel like a local with harbor swim access
  • Top Danish Foods To Try: Rhubarb and elderflower anything (usually in drink or pastry form), Gammel Dansk, smørrebrød (open-faced sandwiches), Faxe Kondi soda
  • Top Unique Activities: A sunset GoBoat rental on the canals, swimming in harbor baths, Christiansborg Castle, tubing at CopenHill, a hot tub and cold plunge at CopenHot, finding all the Thomas Dambo wooden trolls
  • How To Get Around: The city is super walkable. You can rent a bike via Donkey Bikes but I love the metro system. It’s fast, cheap and affordable.
  • Save Money: Buy the Copenhagen City Card! (More on this below.)

How To Get To Copenhagen From the Airport, Train or Bus Stop

PLEASE TAKE THE TRAIN.

I can’t stress enough how wonderful the Copenhagen metro system is so I’m putting this at the top of the post in big letters. I even made a viral joke on TikTok about how San Francisco’s public transportation (where I live) sucks so hard compared to Denmark.

There is absolutely NO NEED to take a taxi while you are in Copenhagen. You don’t even need to rent a bike, but you can if you want to (Donkey Bike is a great app!)

Airport to Copenhagen: If you’re flying into Denmark, just follow the signs for the Yellow Line / M2 train. You’ll find ticket machines near the train platform where you can easily buy a single ticket or, which I recommend, a 3-day pass. Then hop on the M3 and ride it about 20 minutes to downtown Copenhagen. It’s that easy.

From a Train or Bus: Most likely your train or bus will drop you off at Copenhagen Central Station, aka København H. Congrats, you’re already downtown. From here you can hop on any bus or local train to get to your hotel, or you can probably just walk since most hotels are near this area.

How To Save Money in Copenhagen With the City Card

Another must-know travel hack is the Copenhagen City Card. You pay an upfront fee for the pass, then use it to access museums, tours and public transportation for free.

It’s such a good deal and has almost all the best sites included on it. It also covers public transportation, so if you buy this you won’t even need to buy a train ticket at the airport.

You can download the card on your phone or head to the local tourism board office across the street from Tivoli Gardens to pick up a physical card. Just show the barcode at museums or tours to get in for free. No need to scan it on the train either. If a ticket attendant comes by, just show them the barcode.

We used this pass for our first three days in Copenhagen when we moved there and had so much fun visiting all the museums, castles, taking canal tours and getting a full crash course of the city without breaking the bank. I think we ended up saving about 500 euros because we really squeezed a lot in. Get your pass here.

Where To Stay in Copenhagen

The nice thing about Copenhagen is the metro is so on point that you can stay a little further out from the city center and it won’t really impact your itinerary. That said, staying closer to the center will be the most fun since you can walk to many of the sites. Here are my personal top picks:

Hotel Admiral: A beautiful hotel right on the harbor, with many rooms overlooking the water. Our friends stayed here when they visited and loved how close it was to Nyhavn and Kongens Nytorv for getting around the city quickly.

Islands Brygge Airbnb: This is where Robin and I stayed on our second trip and I’d do it again without hesitating. The neighborhood is residential and local-feeling, you’re walkable to the harbor baths, near a major grocery store and on a solid metro line. If you want to actually feel like you live in Copenhagen for a few days, stay here.

Hotel Danmark: Just down from City Hall Square and the Rådhuspladsen metro stop. Modern, trendy and has a great rooftop bar. You can see the towers of Copenhagen City Hall and Tivoli roller coasters from the rooftop.

Urban House Copenhagen: One of the top rated hostels in the city with rooms usually around $30 USD. They provide breakfast, have 24-hour front desk staff and are located right near Tivoli.

We also have a full guide to all the best areas and places to stay in Copenhagen at every budget if you want to go deeper on this. Ok, now onto the good stuff. At the end of this post I answer frequently asked questions (like, do you need to speak Danish) so don’t skip that part either.

Your 3-Day Copenhagen Itinerary

Please modify this based on weather and time of year. Keep in mind the sun rises around 10am and sets around 3pm in winter, while in summer it rises around 4am and sets around 11pm. You’ll be working with very different daylight hours depending on when you visit.

Day 1 in Copenhagen: Canal Tour, Christiansborg, Museums, Nordic Dinner

After you check into your hotel or hostel, freshen up, put on comfortable walking shoes and head out. Make sure you have your Copenhagen City Card on you.

Copenhagen Canal Tour

The best way to kick off your Copenhagen itinerary is with a canal tour. The city is very much a water city, with tons of canals, lakes and harbor access. There are two major companies doing canal tours and both are included on the city card (and really cheap even without the card, about $13 USD).

I’m usually not a massive boat tour person but these are fun. The boats are large so it’s easy to find a good window seat and see tons of the major city sites from the water while getting a crash course on the history of each location. It’s a nice way to start the morning since the tours are an hour long and you just get to sit and relax. You can bring coffee on board.

You’ll cruise past the Old Stock Exchange which looked like dragon tail to me before it burned down in 2024 (RIP), multiple palaces, the old library and so many other sights that are extra fun to see from the water.

And this is a secret hack to see the Little Mermaid Statue without all the crowds. All the tour companies swing by Edvard Eriksen’s Little Mermaid, the famous statue based on Hans Christian Andersen’s story, and you get a perfect view from the boat. And yes, just like the Mona Lisa, she is smaller than you expect. But we still love her.

Pro-tip: The Little Mermaid (aka Den Lille Havfrue) is located in Kastellet park, a really cool star-shaped park near Østerport. It has a beautiful windmill in the middle and it’s worth a stop if you’re doing really well on time or staying longer than three days.

Christiansborg Palace Tour (Aka Christiansborg Slot)

  • Location: Next to Gammel Strand metro entrance
  • Cost: All tours free with the city card or 160 DKK (tower tour is always free)

After your canal tour, head literally across the street to Christiansborg Palace. This is not your average palace.

While living in Denmark we did a weekend trip to Oslo and a 3-day trip to Stockholm and visited the royal palaces in all three Scandinavian capitals. The Christiansborg Palace is by far the coolest, prettiest one of the three.

You won’t know it from the outside, but the Royal Reception Rooms are stunning. Tons of color, murals and ornate details. And THAT RUG. I adore this one rug in the reception rooms. It’s so vibrant and nothing like anything I’ve ever seen in a castle before.

The palace tour is broken up into sections. You can visit the reception rooms, royal kitchens, the tower (always free without tickets), the ruins under the castle and the stables. The latter only have horses for part of the year. In the summer they go out to pasture so they were not home when we visited (I sobbed).

The tower tour is ALWAYS free to anyone during palace opening hours. You’ll spot the line to go up next to the elevator in the main entrance. They only run tours at certain times of the day since it is a working Parliament building, so check online to make sure one is happening when you visit. The view from the top is worth every step.

Pro-tip: Use the Useeum app to play a mystery scavenger hunt in the palace. It’s made for kids but it’s really fun for adults, and they have mysteries in many places around the city. Solving the mystery helped us connect with the little details of the palace in a way a regular tour just doesn’t. Download it.

Lunch at Restaurant 1733

  • Location: Nybrogade 14, across the street from the Palace
  • Cuisine: Modern Nordic and traditional Danish

Walk about a block down the street to Restaurant 1733 for a traditional Danish lunch. It’s a darling restaurant with indoor seating and some outdoor tables overlooking the palace and canal. They serve modern Nordic dishes. I recommend ordering a sampling of herring to try a lot of different flavors (my favorite was their curry herring) and a smørrebrød to get a true taste of local food.

National Museum of Denmark

  • Location: Prince’s Mansion, Ny Vestergade 10 (across the street from the Palace)
  • Cost: Free with the city card or 110 DKK

The National Museum of Denmark is the place to learn about not only Denmark’s history but world history as well. And of course, this is a standout spot to learn about the Viking Era.

Robin is really into Vikings. We actually started watching the TV show when we were living in Copenhagen and I was surprised by how much of it was accurate after seeing the Viking exhibit at the national museum.

There’s a large Viking ship, tons of artifacts, incredibly real-looking statues and a short film. The film is done really well and I highly recommend watching it. It’s about 20 minutes long.

Climb the Round Tower (Aka Rundetårn)

Smack in the middle of one of the busiest shopping streets in Copenhagen is the Round Tower, which looks exactly like its name. It’s a tall circular observatory tower that Christian IV built in the early 17th century at a time when Denmark was famous for its astronomical achievements thanks to Tycho Brahe. It’s actually the oldest observatory in Europe.

Yes, you have to climb to the top, but there are very few actual steps. Most of the spiral up is a gentle sloping flat surface, which is super unique and nothing like I’ve seen before. Once you make it to the top you’ll be rewarded with a fantastic view of Copenhagen. That’s why it’s nice to visit in the evening for golden hour or sunset.

Not ready for dinner yet? Head up a block from the Round Tower to Kultorvet Square. There are a few charming bars with patios on the square. Grab a drink for happy hour.

Dinner at Det Lille Apotek

This is the oldest restaurant in Copenhagen, built in 1720. Yes, it attracts tourists, but the food is amazing and it’s such a cool experience. Det Lille Apotek (“the little pharmacy” in English) has barely changed since it was built. The ceilings are short and the walls are covered in paintings, some of them originals that have been there for 300 years. It really feels like stepping back in time.

It’s a popular spot so make reservations online in advance. If you eat meat, I highly recommend their Wiener Schnitzel. We’ve spent time in Munich and don’t tell the Germans, but this is the best Wiener Schnitzel I’ve ever eaten. You should also try their housemade Rhubarb Snaps. I had three of them.

Read next: my huge guide to 34+ best Copenhagen restaurants, bars, cafes and food stalls.

Day 2 in Copenhagen: Brunch, Gardens, Castles, Christiania, Breweries, CopenHot and Reffen

Good morning! Stuff your bag with whatever you need for the day because we have a lot of cool things to see.

Breakfast at Cafe Livingstone

Cafe Livingstone is my favorite breakfast and brunch in Copenhagen. It sits right on the shores of The Lakes. And no, not the Taylor Swift ones, but they are equally as pretty. This spot serves tapas, with each person getting 5 plates, so if you’re coming with a partner or friend you can choose between 10 dishes.

Expect familiar things like eggs Benedict but also dishes like squash pancakes with spicy ricotta cream, cardamom waffles and Emmentaler with blue cornflower and olive tapenade. It’s the perfect place to fuel up for a long day of exploring.

Rosenborg Castle (Aka Rosenborg Slot)

After brunch, stroll around the lakes and head to Rosenborg Slot for a self-guided tour of this 17th-century castle. Unlike Christiansborg, Rosenborg looks like what you actually picture when you think of an old castle. Tall towers, lush gardens surrounding it, and the inside is full of heavy furniture, dark walls and many, many portraits of past kings.

The upstairs has a large throne room and in the basement you can view the Royal Danish Crown Jewels (hence all the guards you’ll notice and the extra strict security to enter). One of the crowns weighs over 11 pounds. Imagine having to wear that on your head.

Needless to say, this castle is packed with Danish history and art and shouldn’t be missed. Don’t forget to swing by the rose gardens for photos from that angle.

Pro-tip: If you really love art, visit the Statens Museum for Kunst right after. It’s the National Gallery of Denmark and kitty corner to Rosenborg.

Copenhagen Botanical Gardens and the Palm House

Right next to Rosenborg are the Botanical Gardens, home to Denmark’s largest collection of living plants with over 13,000 species. The most famous feature is the Palm House, a large glass greenhouse that looks a lot like San Francisco’s Conservatory of Flowers to me.

Inside the Palm House there’s a really cool spiral staircase and ladder you can climb up to a third-floor viewing area that overlooks the entire greenhouse. It’s one of the neatest little moments in the whole city. Find it, climb it, take photos from the top. It’s especially nice in the wintertime when it’s cold outside but warm and tropical inside.

Lunch at Torvehallerne

  • Location: Frederiksborggade 21
  • Cuisine: Food stalls with everything

Walk over to Torvehallerne for lunch. This is a really cool indoor and outdoor food stall market full of street food from all over the world: Japanese, Danish, Mexican, Italian, pastries, fresh-squeezed juices and fresh seafood. Take your time wandering to see what catches your eye.

But if you want a pointer, try the fish cakes at Boutique Fisk. They’re famous and tasty AF. 

Danish Home Design Shopping

Even if you don’t intend to buy anything, stop by a few home and interior stores. Danish design is some of my favorite in the world and it gets wildly mistranslated by Americans (it’s not black and grey, it’s actually very colorful). Head towards Strøget from Torvehallerne as there are many stores along this stretch. My favorites:

Studio Arhoj: A stunning ceramics and glass shop where everything is made in the store so it smells amazing when you walk in. I brought back two glasses. Watching them make glass is one of the most unique things you can do in Copenhagen.

Hay Design: My favorite home design store in the city. I wanted to buy everything here. I only took home a cute mushroom lamp instead of the whole store, which was a triumph of self-control.

Royal Copenhagen: The Royal Porcelain Factory has been making porcelain since 1775 and you can still shop those styles today. All so pretty to look at even if you don’t buy anything.

Illums Bolighus: A massive 5-story department store featuring only Scandinavian home brands. You can find everything here and it’s very easy to get completely lost.

Climb the Church of Our Saviour Spire

Walk over to the Church of Our Saviour tower, that big brown and gold twisted tower you can always see in the distance. The church started construction in 1639 and the tower wasn’t finished until 1752. It’s still a working church and the tower is open to the public.

Climbing the Spire is one of the most adventurous things you can do in Copenhagen and is not for you if you’re afraid of heights. Usually I’m fine with heights but this one scared me and I wasn’t able to complete it. Robin did make it to the top (he’s brave).

Inside it feels a lot like Quasimodo hanging out in the rafters of Notre Dame. You’ll pass abandoned layers with old clock parts, sculptures and giant bells. Even if you don’t make it to the outer layer, the inside alone is worth the visit.

Explore Freetown Christiania

Just down the street from the Church is Freetown Christiania, aka the Green Light District. This is a funky place. Christiania is located in the Danish capital but operates by its own rules and doesn’t consider itself part of Denmark (you’ll even see an “entering the EU” sign when you leave).

Some people feel uncomfortable after visiting (they do openly sell pot here and some sections don’t allow photos) but I loved it. It’s full of gardens, trees and art. There’s a free public library, a recycling center, a skate park and shops. There’s a real sense of culture and community here.

And it’s home to Green George, one of Thomas Dambo’s famous wooden trolls. I grew up in a troll town (for real) so I loved visiting all the trolls in Copenhagen. Green George is the easiest to find since he’s right in the front section of Christiania. Go say hello.

Pro-tip: Take this guided walking tour that includes Freetown Christiania to learn more about the community here.

Vesterbro Brewery Hop

If you love good beer, carve out time on day two for a self-guided brewery hop through Vesterbro. This neighborhood has some of the best craft beer in the city and on our 2024 trip we spent an entire afternoon just wandering between spots.

  • Mikkeller is the obvious starting point and for good reason. It’s one of the most well-known craft beer bars in the world and there are several locations around Copenhagen. The vibe is always good. We also really loved
  • ÅBEN Kødbyen, which is in the old meatpacking district and has a fantastic rotating tap list. Vesterbro rewards slow wandering. Just follow whatever looks interesting and you’ll end up somewhere great.

CopenHot: Nordic Hot Tubs and Cold Plunge at Sunset

  • Location: Multiple locations around Copenhagen, including near Refshaleøen
  • Cost: Not cheap, but worth every krone

If you want to do something that feels deeply local and is unlike anything you’d find back home, book a session at CopenHot. They have hot tubs, saunas and cold plunge pools at a few different spots around the city, and Robin and I did the location near Reffen on our 2024 trip. We timed it for dusk and it was one of my favorite memories of the whole trip.

Here’s how it works. You show up in your swimsuit, rent a private hot tub or sauna, and spend about an hour alternating between the hot water and the cold plunge pool. It’s that classic Nordic wellness thing where the contrast between hot and cold just leaves you feeling incredible.

We had a view of CopenHill the whole time, which is honestly an iconic Copenhagen skyline moment, and the whole vibe at that hour near the water with the sunset light was just so good.

They offer private sessions and group sessions. You can grab non-alcoholic drinks while you’re there. It’s not the cheapest thing on this itinerary but it felt like one of the most local, most memorable things we did. If you’re on the fence, just book it. You can thank me later.

Alternative: La Banchina

If CopenHot isn’t your thing, La Banchina is right in the same Refshaleøen area and is a fantastic alternative. It’s a restaurant with a private pier where you can rent a sauna and then jump straight into the harbor after.

The contrast of sitting in a scorching hot sauna and then plunging into the cold water is peak Nordic wellness and honestly one of the more memorable things you can do in Copenhagen.

Book the sauna in advance since spots fill up fast, especially in summer. After your swim, stick around for a meal because the food here is really good too.

Dinner at Reffen

  • Location: Refshaleøen
  • Cuisine: Food stalls (so, everything)

After your CopenHot session you’re already right there, so walk over to Reffen for dinner. It’s one of the largest outdoor food halls in town, full of stalls with cuisine from all over the world, wine, cocktails and beer. There’s a little harbor swim area here too if you want a dip and usually live music on weekends.

If you’re visiting around the summer solstice, Reffen always does a huge midsummer bonfire that’s really fun. I went and it was a blast just kicking it with locals and singing songs.

Day 3 in Copenhagen: Hygge, Amalienborg, Nyhavn, Harbor Swim, Anderson Bakery, CopenHill, GoBoat and Tivoli

Time to wind down your 3-day Copenhagen itinerary. Here’s how to make the most of your last day.

Optional: Morning Hygge Walking Tour

  • Location: Meets in Nyboder
  • Cost: $60 USD (book here)

If you’re a morning person, join this hygge happiness walking tour. On this guided tour, you’ll learn about and experience the Danish art of hygge firsthand from a local, and they’ll take you to a cafe for coffee, a pastry and Danish flødeboller. This tour runs no matter what the weather does, so bring a rain jacket just in case.

Amalienborg Palace

Amalienborg is where the current Danish royal family actually lives, so it’s a must-see. The palace is sprawling, with four matching buildings circling a central plaza. You can tell when a member of the royal family is home because a flag will be waving on top of their building.

You can’t go into their private homes but you can visit the Amalienborg Museum, which takes you through 150 years of royal history with intact private rooms, the elegant Gala Hall still used by the royal family today and a world-class jewelry treasury including the spectacular Fabergé Chamber.

The collection of Russian jewelry in there is jaw-dropping and came to Denmark mainly via Empress Dagmar, daughter of King Christian IX. As an American who wasn’t very familiar with the Danish Royal Family before living there, I really valued learning the faces and stories behind everything.

The Marble Church (Aka Frederik’s Church)

  • Location: On top of the Marmorkirken metro stop near the palace
  • Cost: Free

The Marble Church, aka Marmorkirken, is a huge beautiful church that looks a lot like Rome’s St. Peter’s Cathedral. Totally free to visit, no dress code. You won’t need long in here, maybe 10 minutes, but it’s worth slipping inside to soak up the dome.

Lunch Near Nyhavn

For lunch, there are a few nearby options that fit well into this part of your Copenhagen itinerary:

Broens Gadekøkken: My top pick. A rad outdoor food market just across the water from Nyhavn. I especially love the gyros here and it’s the best option for a cheaper lunch with a lot of choices.

SALT: An upscale restaurant serving things like scallops and short ribs with over 400 wines available. My friends ate here and said it was one of their favorite meals of their whole visit.

Havfruen on Nyhavn: One of the restaurants in Nyhavn’s colorful building block, best known for seafood and Danish dishes. We had lunch here one day and loved the chicken smørrebrød, though it is a bit pricey because of the location.

Coffee Collective: If you’re in the mood for a quick coffee and snack instead

Ice Cream on Nyhavn

No matter where you eat lunch, swing by Vaffelbageren Nyhavn for a famous ice cream on top of a Belgian waffle. Bonus points for marshmallow cream on top (trust me on this).

Grab your cone and take it to the other side of the canal to sit along the water with a great view of the colorful houses while you eat. It’s one of those perfect Copenhagen moments.

Danish Architecture Center (DAC)

  • Location: Bryghusbroen 10, on the harbor downtown
  • Cost: Check dac.dk for current pricing and exhibitions

The Danish Architecture Center is one of those places I didn’t know I needed until I was standing inside it, and now I tell everyone to go. We visited in 2024 and I went down their in-house slide at least three times. Yes, there is a slide inside a museum. Yes, it is as fun as it sounds.

Beyond the slide, the museum has a rotating installation of modern art and design exhibitions that change throughout the year. When we visited the current installation was this really cool contemporary art piece that I couldn’t stop staring at.

The building itself is worth the visit too since it sits right on the harbor and the architecture is exactly what you’d expect from a country that takes design this seriously.

It’s very central, easy to fold into a morning or afternoon without losing a ton of time, and way more fun than the average museum visit. If you have any interest in design, architecture or just want somewhere that feels a little different from the standard castle-and-palace circuit, add this one. I really enjoyed it.

Swimming in the Harbor at Islands Brygge

  • Location: Islands Brygge Harbour Bath
  • Cost: Free

Swimming in the Copenhagen harbor is a beloved local tradition. When I lived there I made it a mission to visit all 14 harbor baths for sunny summer swims. Most are open year-round, though summer is the most enjoyable time to take a dip. Some of my favorite memories of Denmark are from swimming in the city harbor. It is a must-do.

On our 2024 trip I was swimming every single day in Islands Brygge even when the water was 14°C in May. Was it cold? Yes. Did I regret it even once? Not even a little, it as amazing and by the end I was able to be in the water for 20 minutes but I froze. 

Grab your swimsuit and towel and head to Islands Brygge Harbour Bath. You can jump off a tall diving board or stick to the lap pool. Bring a book, a beer and snacks and make it a whole afternoon.

Pro-tip: If you’re visiting in the winter and don’t want to brave the open water but still want that Nordic wellness experience, CopenHot is your answer. They have private hot tubs, saunas and cold plunge pools at locations around the city. Way more approachable than jumping into 2°C harbor water, and honestly really fun in its own right.

Anderson Bakery

  • Location: Thorshavnsgade 26 (near Islands Brygge Harbour Bath)
  • Cuisine: Japanese-Danish bakery

This bakery is SO good. It’s right next to Islands Brygge Harbour Bath so swing by Anderson Bakery after your swim for a pastry. On our 2024 trip we ended up here constantly since our Airbnb was a few blocks away. 

Get the focaccia, get a pastry, get multiple pastries. You just walked and swam. You earned it.

CopenHill: Ski Slope on Top of a Power Plant

  • Location: Vindmøllevej 6, Copenhagen S
  • Cost: Free to walk up and enjoy the view. Skiing is 150 DKK per hour. Tubing available on site.

This is one of the most uniquely Copenhagen things you can do and I wish I had known about it on my first trip. CopenHill (also known as Amager Bakke) is a fully functioning waste-to-energy power plant with a real ski slope built on the roof. Yes, you read that right. It was designed by Danish architecture firm BIG and won the World Building of the Year award in 2021.

The climb to the top is free and the views of Copenhagen from 85 meters up are some of the best in the city. If you ski, you can book slope time for 150 DKK per hour. If you don’t ski (hi, that’s me), they have a tubing hill and I had an absolute blast going down it.

There’s also the world’s tallest climbing wall running down the outside of the building if that’s your thing.

It’s a little outside the city center but easy to reach by public transit and absolutely worth adding to your Copenhagen itinerary. Grab a drink at the rooftop cafe after.

GoBoat Sunset Canal Tour

  • Location: Next to Islands Brygge Harbour Bath
  • Cost: Starts at 499 DKK

Renting a GoBoat for a private canal cruise is probably the most romantic thing you can do in Copenhagen. After seeing these little boats everywhere on the canals all summer, we finally rented one when friends came to visit. We did the last boat of the day to time it for sunset and WOW.

You can bring snacks and drinks on board. I recommend a bottle of wine and a charcuterie board for an evening picnic on the water. It’s dreamy in a way that’s hard to fully explain until you’re out there doing it.

Tivoli Gardens

When the sun sets on your last night, check out Tivoli Gardens, the second oldest amusement park in the world. The oldest is Bakken, just a short train ride outside the city. Danes really love their amusement parks.

Tivoli feels a lot like Disneyland to me but with a giant food hall, more nature and no giant characters walking around. Come for a bite, ride the wooden roller coaster or just walk around and people-watch. It’s especially beautiful at night when all the lights turn on.

They also frequently have concerts and events here so don’t be surprised if you accidentally stumble into something big. I even saw the kickoff of the 2022 Tour de France here.

Copenhagen Christmas Markets

If you’re visiting in the winter, your 3-day Copenhagen itinerary simply must include a Christmas Market. Danish Christmas markets are beautiful. Come at night to stroll around booths selling Gløgg (hot mulled wine), artisan goods and traditional food.

There’s one inside Tivoli Gardens which makes it easy to fold right into this itinerary. Find a full list of all the markets here.

Best Day Trips From Copenhagen

Your 3-day Copenhagen itinerary is packed enough as it is, but if you have an extra day or want to get out of the city, here are my top favorites.

Kronborg Castle: The Castle That Inspired Hamlet

Consider a half-day trip from Copenhagen to Kronborg Castle, the UNESCO World Heritage Site that inspired Hamlet. It’s a stunning Renaissance castle in Helsingør, a darling seaside town with views of Sweden from the shore.

Take an S train from Copenhagen using your Copenhagen Card, about an hour’s ride. When you get there, join a free tour. The Hamlet one is especially fun since they take you into areas you can’t normally access.

After touring, stick around Helsingør for lunch at Værftets Madmarked, an indoor food market with over 10 different stalls, then wander the downtown streets. There are colorful side streets here that look straight out of a fairytale. It’s easily my favorite day trip from Copenhagen.

Swim at Kastrup Sneglen (Aka The Snail)

  • Location: Amager Strandpark
  • Cost: Free

Head to Amager Strandpark’s Kastrup Søbad harbor bath for a summer day trip. This unique harbor swim structure is all wood, has tons of diving boards and curves like a snail, hence the name.

Amager Strandpark is one of the very few sandy beaches in the Copenhagen metro area and it pops off on nice summer days. You can also see Sweden from the shore, which never gets old. Take the M3 train toward the airport and get off at Kastrup.

Forest Tower

  • Location: Camp Adventure at Skovtårnsvej 1, 4683 Rønnede
  • Cost: 150 DKK

The Forest Tower is a beautiful wooden circular structure in the middle of the woods. You’ll need to rent a car to reach it, which is why we never made it even though I really, really wanted to. They have a garden with u-pick flowers in the summer and even glamping tents on site.

Roskilde Viking Ship Museum (Aka Vikingeskibsmuseet)

This is SUCH a cool museum. The Viking Ship Museum is in Roskilde, an easy train ride from Copenhagen with entrance included on the city card. You can see 5 real preserved Viking ships, learn about Viking history and watch staff actively building a ship in the on-site workshop.

The best part is you can actually sail on a Nordic ship. During the summer they do a few sails a day where visitors can row on a Viking ship and experience firsthand what it may have been like. Robin was absolutely in his element. Most people doing it were adults but it’s totally kid-friendly. Stay for lunch at the cafe before heading back.

Day Trip to Malmö, Sweden

A fun add-on is taking the train across the bay to Malmö, Sweden (pronounced kind of like “Mal-moo” in English). This leg is covered by your Copenhagen Card so it’s free if you have one.

Highlights include Malmö Castle (a 16th-century fortress built by King Christian III of Denmark), Lilla Torg central square and the Ribersborgs open-air bath. If you can’t make it up to Stockholm, this is a neat way to check Sweden off your list too.

Robin and I spent a lot of time in Malmö for Eurovision 2024, it’s a neat city. 

Frequently Asked Questions About 3 Days in Copenhagen

Is 3 days in Copenhagen enough?

You can totally see Copenhagen in 3 days and get a great crash course on the city. It’s a perfect spot for a long weekend. That said, you won’t get bored if you have more time. I spent an entire summer there and still have a long list of things I want to go back for.

What is the best area to stay in Copenhagen?

Anywhere near the city center puts you walking distance from most of the main sites. My personal favorite is Islands Brygge if you want a more local, residential feel with harbor swim access right outside your door. If you want to be right in the tourist action, stay near Nyhavn or Tivoli.

How much does a 3-day Copenhagen trip cost?

Copenhagen is expensive, full stop. The Copenhagen City Card is the single best way to offset the cost since it covers museums, public transport and a ton of the major attractions. We saved around 500 euros using it on our first three days.

Beyond the card, find a hotel with free breakfast (European hotel breakfasts are actually good, no sad waffle machines here) and eat at the food markets like Broens or Reffen where you can find solid options without spending a fortune.

What is the winter weather like in Copenhagen?

Cold, dark and wet. The sun rises around 10am and sets around 3pm in winter, which makes everything feel extra cold. Snow is rare but the chill is real. The upside is that Danes have absolutely mastered hygge, so the cozy indoor vibes are unmatched. Christmas markets, candlelit restaurants and warm glögg make a compelling case for a winter trip.

Can I Visit The Bear Filming Locations in Copenhagen?

Yes and it is so fun if you’re a fan of the show. Season 2 of The Bear sends Marcus to Copenhagen to train at Noma, one of the best restaurants in the world, and almost every spot they filmed is real, visitable and honestly just a great Copenhagen day out regardless of whether you’ve seen the show.

On my 2024 trip I spent an afternoon walking the filming locations, which also doubled as a mild food tour because, well, it’s The Bear. Highlights include Marcus’ actual houseboat on Frederiksholms Kanal (which you can book as an Airbnb), Hart Bageri near the opera house where they filmed the bakery scenes, the hot dog stands at Kongens Nytorv and Nyhavn. Noma itself is on Refshaleøen, right near Reffen and CopenHot, so it folds perfectly into a Day 2 afternoon.

I wrote a full guide with every address so you can do your own self-guided tour. Here are all The Bear filming locations in Copenhagen.

Do I need to carry cash in Copenhagen?

Nope. We never once had any reason to use Danish Krones while in Denmark. It’s a card and app-driven city. Some places won’t even accept cash, so don’t feel like you need to stop at an ATM or currency exchange.

Do I need to speak Danish to visit Copenhagen?

Not at all. Pretty much everyone on Zealand (the region where Copenhagen is) speaks English fluently. I’ve also found that locals really don’t love it when you try to speak Danish, mostly because it’s a very complicated language to learn. I’m told it sounds like Norwegian if you’re speaking with a potato in your mouth.

Basically, it’s easy to get wrong and locals may not understand you anyway. Don’t feel bad for sticking to English.

If you do venture into remote villages in Jylland or the smaller islands, it’s not uncommon for people to only speak Danish there. Make sure you have Google Translate installed just in case.

What are the Danes like?

In my experience, friendly but quiet. Grocery shopping is a very silent activity. They tend to dress in muted or dark colors and love to bike everywhere. But they’re respectful, warm once you break through and really great people to be around.

Is Copenhagen worth visiting?

I went back twice. That should answer it. This city is beautiful, endlessly walkable (like, most things are a 20 minute walk from each other or less), thoughtfully designed and has some of the best food, beer and coffee I’ve had anywhere in the world. Go.

I hope this helps you plan the perfect 3 days in Copenhagen. And if you have more time, take it. I lived here for a summer and spent every single day exploring and still have a long list of places I want to go back to.

If you still have questions after reading this whole novel, drop a comment below or DM me on Instagram @thewhimsysoul and I’ll help out. Happy adventures!

I'm the founder of Whimsy Soul (this blog you're reading!) I'm a type 3 enneagram cat lady who lives in San Francisco and loves to find everyday magic to share with others. You can probably find me hunting down hot springs with girlfriends, kayaking, cooking with my husband, petting strangers' dogs or watching like, all the things on Netflix. Follow me on Instagram for even more inspiration!

5 comments

  1. Hiiii!

    I’m so happy to read that you enjoyed our beautiful capital city Copenhagen! I just wanted to see if you know that Christiansborg slot is where our government works from. And it is also possible to actually get into the Christiansborg and maybe you will meet our prime minister or one of the ministers or politicians! So it’s the danish version of the White House, I just think it’s pretty cool that we can visit our government and we can watch them in the room where they discus new laws! It allows people to watch them discus!

    Hope you will return one day!

    Reply

  2. Hi! Do you have a link to share for booking the canal tour? So excited for my upcoming trip, your itinerary has been oh so helpful!

    Reply

  3. I was very pleased to find this web-site.I wanted to thanks for your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.

    Reply

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