As far as European getaways go, late summer/early fall is the perfect time to go. The weather is mild, it’s far less crowded, and you won’t have to worry about FOMO from missing out on all the posts of friends and family taking the classic European summer trips.
Top of the list for fall European vacay…? Copenhagen, Denmark! It’s got all the NYC/East Coast vibes you want in a fall trip (perfect for a Meg Ryan fall moment) in addition to a classic European city.
Why Copenhagen?
Copenhagen, Denmark is one of the coolest, most unique cities in the world. It has something for everyone.
There are tons of historical sites to see, including the Christiansborg Palace and Rosenborg Castle. There’s an entire museum dedicated to author Hans Christian Andersen (AKA the author of The Little Mermaid).
If you’re feeling more childlike, there’s the Little Mermaid statue or the Tivoli Gardens. For those ready to walk around and explore, you can go troll hunting for the famous Thomas Dambo troll locations.
Of course, there are a ton of places to go out and party (or get stoned, if that’s more your vibe– Copenhagen is well-known as a weed friendly destination).
It’s a very clean and organized city, so clean you can actually swim right in the canal, which is utter blasphemy to me, as someone who lives in NYC. Even just imagining a dip in the Hudson makes me want to barf. But who needs a rooftop pool when you can jump right into the waters of the Danish capital.
I am partly so interested in Copenhagen purely for the aesthetics. Every street looks like it’s been screenshotted from a Wes Anderson movie. I’m no expert, but Danish design is very unique and specifically cool.
And as always, you can’t forget about the top draw for any first time visitt: trying the local Danish food.
Where to Stay in Copenhagen: 19 Best Hotels in Copenhagen
The Copenhagen Admiral Hotel is one of the best of the luxury hotel options. It’s got amenities that range from bike rentals (a major key) to an in-house bar. The bar is pretty hip and extends outdoors– it’s not quite the rage of the Copenhagen Downtown Copenhagen Downtown Hostel, but it’s much more private and for a bigger budget.
The rooms are a very chic mid century modern chic with lots of teak furniture in each accommodation, with a classic wooden scaffolding that reminds you you’re in Nordic country.
The area is awesome, and within walking distance to Nyhavn with a waterfront view. Plus, you’ll literally be next door to the Amalienborg Palace, which is plenty worth it if you have time in your itinerary.
This is a very classic, clean stay if you’re looking for an ordinary top notch hotel at a good price.
Hotel Sanders is giving Euro chic to the utmost degree. Cane furniture from floor to ceiling, beige decor, tons of giant leafy green plants, this is an adults only, fancy dinner type of hotel.
In addition to some of the more typical amenities (a gym, concierge, that sort of thing), Hotel Sanders also features a gorgeous rooftop bar, a spa, and breakfast served daily at a low rate.
With 53 total rooms in the hotel, it’s definitely on the smaller side. Booking should take place months in advance if you decide to stay at Hotel Sanders.
The location is very convenient as well. It’s no more than a five minute drive away from Tivoli Gardens. It’s very close to the public transportation Metro if that’s more your vibe.
When looking for an inner city vibe with a high end feel, Hotel Ottilia is exactly the right place. It’s got a cool, industrial decor on a gorgeous, upscale background.
The location is fantastic, right in the middle of the action and less than a seven minute walk away from the Carlsberg brewery.
If you decide not to hit the brewery, the hotel has multiple in house cocktail bars including one gorgeous rooftop bar overlooking the city. Breakfast is served daily, and there are plenty of communal options for hanging out outside of your room.
Hotel Ottilia is clean, in a great part of town, and has awesome options for all your health needs (food, gym, and a bar for your mental health).
The one (possible) downside is that Hotel Ottilia is slightly businessy, probably due to the indiustral design. Not a problem for me, but not for everyone!
One of the best neighborhoods in Copenhagen has to be Nørrebro. It’s considered one of the most culturally diverse, vibrant areas in all of the country, let alone the city.
And one of the best Copenhagen hotels, Hotel Nora, happens to be smack dab in the middle.
It’s a much simpler hotel than some of the others on the list. The rooms feature not much more than clean linens, a bed, and a clean bathroom (the cleanliness rating is very high and also very important to me always– can you tell?).
That’s about all Hotel Nora has to offer in terms of tangible amenities. However, this is the perfect stay for those of us who care more about what’s not in the hotel than what is. A stay at Hotel Nora is a brilliant move if exploring Nørrebro is more important than a nice hotel gym.
It can be difficult to beat the homie, personalized feel of a boutique hotel. If that’s what you’re going for, Hotel SKT should be on your short list of Copenhagen hotels.
The hotel just went through a massive renovation, upgrading a more 19th century style to a modern and chic AF reboot that will have you in complete vacation mode.
Not only have the rooms been very newly redone, but so have all the common areas too. They’ve also got a great in house restaurant with top ratings and a swanky bar.
It’s also quite close to the water, and is a short bike ride away from popular coastline sights including Amager East and Islands Brygge.
Speaking of newly renovated boutique hotels, 66 Goludsmeden just so happens to fit the same exact bill. Located above the meatpacking district, Goludsmeden is in the “old town,” inner city location that is one of the most central areas of Copenhagen.
Other than being centrally located, there’s a very cozy feel here with a lobby that opens up to a tapestry of colorful art that mirrors the colorful architecture outside. The lobby bar is quaint, adorable, and well-stocked.
As for your room, it’s definitely on the smaller scale, but is plenty spacious enough for two people who care more about location than they do a California king sized bed.
Should you want a stay with a bit more privacy and a little more adventure, there is an option to stay in a retro trailer “tiny home” outside the property with access to the exact same amenities.
When it comes to amenities, Hotel Sp34 gets the job done. While some other hotels on this list are either great locations or great with the extra amenities, but not always both, Hotel Sp34 seems to have you covered on both fronts.
In terms of amenities, besides the full bar, restaurant, breakfast/brunch, and bike rentals, there’s also a 24 hour game room and complimentary wine served every evening during coffee hours. A slay to say the least. No central pool areas, but hey, it’s Copenhagen and not Miami.
Less than a mile from Tivoli Gardens, Christiansborg Palace, and the Royal Theater, you’re looking at a prime location for biking, walking, or however it is you plan on shuffling around this amazing city.
This is for all the history buffs. The Leslie Knopes among us, if you will. Citize M Copenhagen is located right in Copenhagen city centre, literally in direct eyeline of the city hall square. It doesn’t get much more municipal than that.
All jokes aside, this is one of the best stays in Copenhagen for a reason. The interior design is fun and high end with a ton of different options in terms of hanging out at the hotel including a business center, coffee lounge, and bar.
The view of the city is absolutely stunning– you can see just about everything. Including that gorgeous city hall square!
The rooms themselves are extremely high-tech, each including a smart TV and an iPad with the ability to control your toilet settings. When in Europe, I suppose!
I am obsessed with Axel Guldsmeden Hotels. I want to pack all my crap and come live here forever.
Besides the ideal location in the meatpacking district (truly so ideal, and much better than staying in a quieter area such as Chirstiansavn if you’re in it for the nightlife.), there is a lot to love about this place.
It is one of the top luxury hotels in the city, known in large part for its stunning fitness center with a spa room that includes a serenity hot tub. Please.
The rooms themselves are a fun cross between boho and luxury, with overflowing green plant life and extreme attention to detail. They are cozy but not too small. Just the pictures alone make me desperate for room service.
This is definitely a hotel with a more business minded vibe, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should immediately cross it off your list.
Business hotels often have some of the most helpful amenities, which is totally the case for the Nobis. In addition to being clean and modern in its design, the Nobis has some super helpful amenities that take a lot off your budget while planning.
A gym, bar, highly rated restaurant, and concierge services are among some of the top-rated features at the Nobis. There’s also a shuttle service to and from the airport.
The hotel is located right near Copenhagen Central Station, so if you use the airport shuttle you won’t need to worry about transportation all trip long.
The Nobis is located in Vesterbro, which can be kind of a turn off for some people. It happens to be adjacent to the city’s red light district, and while it’s totally authentic and has a ton of unique shops and places to go, it is not for everyone. Just be aware while booking.
A two minute walk from Tivoli and a seven minute walk from Town Square, Grand Joanne is right in the middle of the action. There are a bunch of well-reviewed restaurants in the area too.
The Grand Joanne is a very historic stay. Originally built in 1890, it’s definitely not a new property. It has been renovated in the last 20 years, so you’re going to be staying in a very updated and modern room, but you’ll know it’s a little cooler than a Hilton.
This hotel is super accommodating for tourists, too. The front desk offers aid for tourists in terms of booking tickets as well as getting you there, which is super helpful in a country that’s not exactly English friendly.
They’ve also got three bars, a restaurant, and a coffee shop. You barely need to leave for anything!
If you’re more interested in the beach than the city, Hotel Nebo is perfect. It’s a short bike from the beach, sitting just outside the city center.
Like many of the hotels on the list, Hotel Nebo has a great bike rental system. It’s super necessary in this case, as biking to the beach is one of the best parts of staying beachside.
The rooms are sweet and simple, little to no frills but a great home-y atmosphere.
In addition to a cute reception area, this hotel has a beautiful garden overlooking the city. There are covered tables for drinking coffee or wine, and a gorgeous view of Copenhagen.
I am a total sucker for a blue and white striped awnings moment. It’s giving Call Me By Your Name vibes, and I fall for it everytime.
The rooms are very European vibey as well, with lots of cane and wooden furniture. They all seem slightly unique with different color schemes and bed spreads. I think that’s so fun– you never quite know what you’re going to get.
Everything about Coco Hotel is lighty, airy, and completely inviting. From the outdoor seating areas to the stunning breakfast bar.
A 24 hour receptionist, laundry access, and multiple eateries in the hotel itself, Coco Hotel has all the assumed amenities of a highly rated hotel. THere are a couple additional experiences available including a ping pong table, garden terrace, marina access, and even golf. Something for everyone!
The Collection Royal Hotel is on the pricier end of stays on this list. Which is a totally fine option depending on what you like and how you like to spend your time while you take trips! Personally, I am a sleep-in and order room service kind of traveler. A nice hotel matters!
And room service you will get! The Collection Royal has 24 hour room service access in addition to other services such as laundry, a limousine service, and a fully stocked gym.
Close to the beach, you have plenty of access to activities. And the hotel isn’t far from town, either.
It’s also a very family oriented stay, with free cots and cribs included regardless what type of room you book. You also can order babysitters straight from the hotel (for a price, of course).
I just adore the decor of the 25Hours Hotel Indre. Just look at that lobby– a massive art piece of books is a surefire way to gain my trust as an establishment.
The hotel is bursting with color, art, and intricately done design that feels as far away from a business-like stay as you can get.
The rooms themselves follow a similarly kooky, fun design. They’re all pretty unique– even though much of the furniture is the same, they all have some sort of quirk. One room may have a wall made entirely of corkboard, another a wall made of chalkboard.
This is the perfect place to explore your whimsical, more childlike imagination and let it run absolutely wild.
Access to bikes, two separate bars and lounges, and breakfast served daily certainly doesn’t hurt either.
If you’re looking for an easy stay at a very reasonable price, this is the place for you. It’s definitely one of those “business” hotels we hear about, but the price is adjusted as such and it’s still within distance of some awesome attractions.
The hotel is situated just over a mile away from the Little Mermaid, and is less than a mile away from Parken Stadium. For all the soccer/football fans, Parken Stadium is something you’ll want to be close to.
If you’re in Copenhagen just for a couple nights as part of a backpacking trip, the Comwell is awesome, as it’s less than 6 miles from the airport. The only downside is that it is a bit farther to get into the center of the city.
The rooms themselves are very standard. And clean. And as I’ve said before, nothing matters more to me than a clean room!
Nimb Hotel is as close as you can get to Tivoli Garden without literally sleeping in Tivoli Garden. It’s one of the most beautiful hotels in all of Europe, let alone Denmark.
This is definitely a stay for those who value a top notch, luxury resort. Nimb has a pool, spa, and five star restaurant within it. It’s more of a resort than it is a hotel. The pools have pool bars within them, too.
You can’t talk about Nimb without mentioning the romance of it. During the day, you have a full view of the property's flower garden as well as Tivoli. At night, the entire hotel is lit up in white twinkly lights that can be seen from all over the city.
The accommodations are pristine, each room decorated in a classic European style that will have you wondering whether a return flight to the States is worth it.
This is one of the priciest options on the list, but I can’t imagine anything more amazing than waking up adjacent to Tivoli Garden in Egyptian cotton. A girl can dream!
I’d be somewhat remiss to not include a hostel on a list of Copenhagen stays. Most European cities have a thriving hostel culture, and Copenhagen is definitely among them.
There are many reasons to stay in a hostel rather than a hotel, particularly if you're planning on staying only a handful of nights and are on a budget.
It’s less of a great option with kids or for anything romantic. People definitely stay in hostels partly for the experience, so if community living isn’t on your agenda, you’re going to want something with firm and lockable doors.
That being said, Danhostel Copenhagen City is one of the best hostels in the entire city. Part of the appeal is the fact they market themselves as a hostel for families. There are kid playrooms as well as rooms designated just for individual families.
They’re a short walk from City Hall Square, the Central Station, Stroget and Tivoli. The communal spaces include a coffee bar, breakfast area, and spacious lobby.
Bike rental, bag storage, and free internet are huge pluses for this one of a kind stay.
This is not a hotel at all, which may seem a little odd firstly because this is a list of best hotels and secondly because it is literally called Hotel Cecil. Bear with me!
Hotel Cecil is one of the coolest live music venues in the city. While it used to be a fully operating hotel back in the day, it’s now a kickass concert hall known for hosting obscure and well-known Danish artists alike.
If you’re looking for a totally authentic Copenhagen experience, book a night at Hotel Cecil. Just know you’ll have to find somewhere else to get some rest afterwards!
Copenhagen is unique. And there is no “right” way to do it. Whether you stay in a hotel right on the water, in the thick of the meatpacking district, near the airport, out in the suburbs, it doesn’t matter– you’re in Copenhagen!
Anytime I’m considering where to stay, I always think about what kind of stay I want to have. Am I aiming for relaxation? A touristy experience? Something a little more authentic?
Each of those options exist in Copenhagen and are listed above. It can be a good idea to picture yourself living each experience, and considering if you’d be pumped with how it worked out on your flight home.
Regardless of what you decide, I hope this list has been helpful in narrowing down your options. And don’t forget to always always always look into bike rentals when on your way to Copenhagen!!
