Copenhagen Travel Guide: How To Plan Your Trip

Copenhagen is an effortlessly stylish city where modern Scandi design meets old-world cosiness. With canals, beaches, gardens and even a ski slope, the Danish capital is a real pleasure to explore, whatever the season.

It’s a city built around dynamic culture, innovation and sustainability, and those qualities show up everywhere: in the food, the architecture, the way people get around. From the colourful houses of Nyhavn to the bohemian streets of Freetown Christiania, Copenhagen is wonderfully multifaceted for a city its size.

This guide covers everything you need to plan a trip, from entry requirements and getting there to where to stay, eat and explore. 

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👀 Copenhagen at a glance

🗺️ Copenhagen map

Here’s where everything in this guide sits, from Tivoli Gardens and the city centre to Nyhavn and the harbour, the lakes of Østerbro, and the up-and-coming Carlsberg Byen district.

🇩🇰 Why visit Copenhagen?

Copenhagen has some of the best design credentials of any city in Europe, and it shows in everything from its furniture shops to its public architecture. Wandering the streets here feels like being inside a well-curated interiors magazine.

It’s also a serious food city, holding more Michelin stars per capita than almost anywhere else in the world, from The Alchemist’s avant-garde tasting menu to the humble smørrebrød stall.

And it rewards an active visit: cycling is the default way to get around, the harbour baths let you swim right in the middle of the city in summer, and there’s even a dry ski slope built on top of a power station if you want something a little different.

🧳 Planning your Copenhagen trip

⏰ How long to stay: Three to four days is enough to cover Tivoli Gardens, Nyhavn, a museum or two and a good feel for a couple of neighbourhoods. Add a day if you want to fit in a day trip to Louisiana Museum or Malmö.

📍 Where to base yourself: Tivoli and the city centre put you within walking distance of the main sights, while Nyhavn and the harbour offer the classic postcard view. Vesterbro suits a livelier, more local base, and Østerbro is quieter and greener if you’d rather be near the lakes.

🌸 Sample trip styles:

• Classic city break (3-4 days): Tivoli Gardens, Nyhavn, a couple of museums, and an evening exploring Vesterbro or Nørrebro.
• Food and design trip (4-5 days): Add a Michelin dinner, a design museum, and a full day split between Torvehallerne and one of the smaller neighbourhood cafés.
• Nordic multi-stop trip (7+ days): Copenhagen for three or four nights, then onward by train to Malmö, or further afield to Stockholm or Oslo.

🪪 Entry requirements for Copenhagen

Denmark is part of the Schengen Area, so both UK and US passport holders can currently visit visa-free for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Your passport should have at least three months’ validity remaining beyond your planned departure date.

The EU’s ETIAS travel authorisation scheme – which will apply to both UK and US nationals – has been repeatedly delayed and is still not in force at the time of writing. The EU is no longer committing to a firm 2026 launch date, and 2027 now looks more likely.

Once live, it will cost €20, apply for three years, and need to be applied for a few days before you fly; travellers under 18 or over 70 are exempt from the fee.

Check the official ETIAS site closer to your travel dates.

✈️ Getting to and around Copenhagen

🛬 By plane: Copenhagen Airport (CPH) is the main gateway, with direct flights from London taking around 1 hour 55 minutes on SAS or British Airways from Heathrow, or Norwegian and easyJet from Gatwick. There’s no direct rail route from the UK, so flying is realistically your only option.

🚇 Getting in from the airport: The M2 metro reaches the city centre in around 13 minutes for roughly 40 DKK, running every 4-6 minutes during the day. The DSB airport train is a similarly quick alternative at 15 minutes. Both are far cheaper and just as fast as a taxi.

🚌 Public transport: Copenhagen’s metro, buses and harbour buses form one integrated system. If you’re planning to see several attractions and use public transport a lot, the Copenhagen Card-Discover is worth it – it covers 80+ attractions plus unlimited transport across the Capital Region, available from 24 to 120 hours.

🚲 By bike: Cycling is how most locals get around, and the city is flat and built for it, with dedicated cycle lanes on almost every street. Bike hire is available all over the city.

🛴 By e-scooter: Electric scooters can be hired via app all over the city – scan the QR code on the handlebars to unlock one, and remember it’s strictly one rider per scooter with a helmet required.

👣 On foot: The city centre and Nyhavn are compact and very walkable, though the harbour and outer neighbourhoods are better covered by bike or metro.

📍 Where to stay in Copenhagen

Tivoli and the city centre

For being steps from Tivoli Gardens and the main sights, in the heart of the action.

Stay inside Tivoli Gardens itself at Nimb Hotel, with a Moorish-style facade and just 38 rooms. Or try Hotel Skt. Petri in the Latin Quarter, close to Rosenborg Castle.

Nyhavn and the harbour

For waking up to the classic colourful-townhouse view, and easy access to canal boat tours.

I’d recommend Hotel d’Angleterre, a grand dame dating to 1755 and overlooking Kongens Nytorv. There’s also 71 Nyhavn Hotel, a converted 19th-century warehouse right on the water.

Vesterbro and Kødbyen

For a livelier, more local base close to Copenhagen’s former meatpacking district, now full of bars and restaurants.

Book into Coco Hotel, a smart café-bar-hotel with an award-winning reputation. Or I also love Andersen Hotel, which is known for its complimentary daily wine reception and jewel-toned rooms.

Østerbro and the lakes

For a quieter, greener stay near the lakes popular with local runners and walkers.

I highly recommend Manon Les Suites, with all-suite rooms set around a striking central pool that you’ve probably seen on Instagram. For a self-catering apartment option, we’ve also stayed at Aparthotel Charlottehaven which overlooks the Øresund Strait and is a good option for families.

Carlsberg Byen

For industrial-chic style in Copenhagen’s up-and-coming former brewery district.

Stay at Hotel Ottilia, set across two converted 19th-century brewery buildings, with a rooftop Italian restaurant and 360-degree views.

🏨 Best hotels in Copenhagen

👉 For the full rundown, read my guide to the best luxury hotels in Copenhagen.

🍽️ Where to eat and drink in Copenhagen

Copenhagen holds more Michelin stars per capita than almost any other city, but there’s just as much to love at the food halls and neighbourhood cafés in between.

👉 For the full list, read my guide to Michelin-star restaurants in Copenhagen or brunch and breakfast in Copenhagen.

🏰 Top things to do in Copenhagen

🎿 Popular activities

• Ski at Copenhill: A dry ski slope built on top of a power station, with year-round skiing and sweeping city views.
• Swim in the harbour baths: Copenhagen’s harbour water is clean enough to swim in, with baths dotted across the city.
• Charlottenlund beach: One of several beaches within easy reach of the city centre.
• Explore the canals by boat: Hire a self-drive electric boat or take a guided canal tour.

🎢 Places to visit

• Nyhavn: The iconic, colourful canal-front townhouses, best visited early morning before the crowds.
• Tivoli Gardens: One of the world’s oldest amusement parks, open year-round with fireworks most Saturday nights in summer.
• Freetown Christiania: A self-governing bohemian neighbourhood, founded in 1971 and still home to around 850 residents.
• Rosenborg Castle and the King’s Garden: A 17th-century Renaissance castle housing the Danish Crown Jewels.

🖼️ Museums

• Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek: An art museum with an outstanding antiquities collection and free admission.
• Statens Museum for Kunst (SMK): Denmark’s national gallery, with late opening on Wednesdays.
• Louisiana Museum of Modern Art: Just outside the city in Humlebæk, and worth the short train ride out.
• Designmuseum Danmark: A deep dive into the Danish design tradition, from furniture to fashion.

😋 Food and drink

• Dine at The Alchemist: A bucket-list tasting menu experience, two Michelin stars and not for the faint of wallet.
• Try smørrebrød: The classic Danish open sandwich, found at small, intimate restaurants across the city.
• Reffen street food market: An old industrial harbourside site turned street food destination.
• Torvehallerne food market: Glass-roofed halls of produce, bakeries and casual dining, open year-round.

👉 For more inspiration and detail, read my guide to the best things to do in Copenhagen.

🚂 Day trips from Copenhagen

• Louisiana Museum of Modern Art: A world-class modern art museum in a stunning coastal setting, 38-40 minutes by train to Humlebæk.
• Kronborg Castle, Helsingør: The real-life setting for Shakespeare’s Hamlet, 46 minutes by train.
• Malmö, Sweden: Cross the Øresund Bridge for an afternoon in Sweden’s third-largest city, 35-40 minutes by train.
• Roskilde: Viking ship museum and a UNESCO-listed cathedral, around 20-25 minutes by train.

📅 Best time to visit Copenhagen

🌷 Spring (March – May): Mild and increasingly bright, with parks and gardens in bloom by May. Still cool enough to pack layers.

☀️ Summer (June – August): Peak season, with up to 18 hours of daylight, harbour bath weather, and Copenhagen’s biggest events: Roskilde Festival (1-4 July), Copenhagen Jazz Festival (first two weeks of July) and Copenhagen Pride Week (8-16 August).

🍂 Autumn (September – November): Crisp and colourful, with noticeably thinner crowds than summer and a good spread of cultural festivals.

❄️ Winter (December – February): Cold, but Copenhagen leans into it: Christmas markets at Tivoli Gardens, Bakken and the zoo, plus canal-side ice skating and cosy hygge cafés.

💰 Copenhagen travel costs

Budget: Around 600-850 DKK (roughly €80-115) per day, covering hostel or budget-hotel accommodation, a Copenhagen Card or public transport pass, and casual food from markets and supermarkets.

Mid-range: Around 1,200-1,800 DKK (roughly €170-280) per day for a comfortable hotel, restaurant meals, and a couple of paid attractions.

Luxury: From around 2,500-3,500 DKK (roughly €400+) per day for the hotels and fine dining featured in this guide.

Copenhagen is consistently one of Europe’s more expensive cities, so budgeting a little extra for food and drink is worth it – restaurant meals typically run 180-350 DKK for a mid-range main.

🤦 Common mistakes to avoid in Copenhagen

• Assuming Denmark uses the Euro. It doesn’t – bring or withdraw Danish Krone, and check your card’s foreign transaction fees before you go.
• Not booking Louisiana Museum or Michelin restaurants ahead. Both get busy, especially in summer and around exhibition openings.
• Walking in the cycle lane. Copenhagen’s cyclists move fast and expect the lane to be clear – check both directions before stepping into anything marked for bikes.
• Skipping Reffen outside its main season. It runs at reduced capacity outside March-September, so check before making it the centrepiece of your trip.
• Underestimating the cost. Copenhagen is one of Europe’s pricier capitals, so budget accordingly, especially for dining out.
• Only visiting in summer. Winter, with its Christmas markets and hygge atmosphere, is one of the most charming times to visit if you don’t mind the cold.

💡 Top tips for visiting Copenhagen

🚲 Hire a bike if you’re confident. The city is flat, cycle-friendly and one of the best ways to cover more ground quickly.

🏊 Pack for a harbour swim in summer. The water quality is excellent, and it’s one of the more memorable ways to spend a warm afternoon.

💳 Go cashless. Denmark is one of the most card-friendly countries in the world; you’ll rarely need cash.

🎟️ Weigh up the Copenhagen Card carefully. It’s excellent value if you’re museum-heavy and using public transport a lot, less so for a slower, walking-focused trip.

☕ Book brunch ahead on weekends. Popular spots like Mad & Kaffe fill up fast, so arrive early or reserve where you can.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Do UK and US travellers need a visa for Copenhagen?

No, not currently. Both UK and US passport holders can visit visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, as Denmark is part of the Schengen Area. The EU’s ETIAS scheme will eventually apply to both nationalities, but it isn’t in force yet.

Does Copenhagen use the Euro?

No. Denmark uses the Danish Krone (DKK), despite being an EU member. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, so you’ll rarely need cash.

How do you get around Copenhagen?

By bike, on foot, or using the integrated metro and bus network. Cycling is how most locals get around, and the city is flat and well set up for it.

How long should you spend in Copenhagen?

Three to four days covers the main sights and a couple of neighbourhoods without feeling rushed. Add a day for a day trip to Louisiana Museum, Kronborg Castle or Malmö if you have time.

Is Copenhagen good for solo travellers?

Yes. It’s an incredibly safe city with friendly locals, efficient transport and plenty to do alone, from museums to a harbour swim.

Is Copenhagen expensive?

Yes, it’s one of the more expensive cities in Europe. Costs come down if you eat at food halls and markets, use public transport passes, and take advantage of free attractions like Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek.

Are there Christmas markets in Copenhagen?

Yes, three main ones: Christmas at Tivoli Gardens, Christmas at Bakken, and the Christmas market at Copenhagen Zoo. See my guide to the best Christmas markets in Europe for more.

Can you really go skiing in Copenhagen?

Yes, at Copenhill, a dry ski slope on synthetic grass and plastic built on top of a power station. It takes some getting used to even if you’re an experienced skier, but it’s a fun way to spend an afternoon.

Is Copenhagen worth a day trip out to Malmö?

Yes, if you have the time. Malmö is just 35-40 minutes away by train across the Øresund Bridge, making it an easy way to add a second country to your trip.

📝 Planning the rest of your Copenhagen trip

Copenhagen is a rewarding city to plan for: compact, well-connected, and easy to get right even on a first visit. Pick a neighbourhood that suits your pace, book the big-ticket restaurants and museums early, and leave room to just wander and cycle without a fixed plan.

If you’re still deciding how to spend your time, my other Copenhagen guides go into far more depth on food, hotels and things to do. I hope this guide helps you plan a wonderful trip to the Danish capital.

You may also like:

• 16 best things to do in Copenhagen
• 20 best luxury hotels in Copenhagen
• 15 best Michelin-star restaurants in Copenhagen
• 12 best brunch and breakfast places in Copenhagen
• 16 best beaches and swimming spots in Copenhagen