Wonderful Copenhagen! The happiest country in the world is filled with interesting people and a rich history. There are so many things to do like biking to the many castles, cruising along the canals, shopping on the famed pedestrian street, and of course, eating. Copenhagen Denmark is known for its world-renowned dining scene and Michelin starred chefs.
Here is my guide with everything you need to do as a first time visitor or even if it’s your second trip! There are so many wonderful things about Copenhagen, Denmark that you’ll be dying to plan your next visit!
How to Get to Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen Airport (CPH) is a major hub in Europe so it is pretty easy to reach. From the US, there are direct flights from several airports across many carriers. You will find many flights with airlines like Delta and United (and their partners) from Chicago, New York, Newark, Washington DC, and more. The flight is about 8 hours and the time change from EST is 7 hours.
If you are traveling from Europe or have a connection, there are many short flights from Amsterdam, Paris, Brussels, London, and Frankfurt to name a few.
Weather in Copenhagen, Denmark
The weather in Copenhagen varies throughout the year depending on when you visit. In the summertime, they experience long hours of daylight and warmer temperatures. You can count on it being comfortable during the summer, usually in the 70s. This is the best time of year to visit in my opinion since you can maximize your days and enjoy the nice weather.
However, it can rain out of nowhere in Copenhagen so always pack a raincoat. We have definitely been caught in a downpour before.
In the wintertime, the days are short and dark. The daylight window is about 9am until 4pm. However, there are still plenty of things to do in winter. The Danes are the happiest people in the world afterall, so it must be working for them! On that note, let’s talk about this….
What is Hygge?
Danish culture is known for hygge (pronounced hoo-ga), which is a term that is tough to translate. The best way to describe it is with the word “cozy”. Think blankets, candle light, home cooked meals, and your closest friends! Winter is the perfect time to experience this way of life that the Danes enjoy. Nothing screams hygge to me more than Christmas in Denmark. Sooo, don’t be afraid to visit in the winter months.
Here are a few books I HIGHLY recommend before you visit to learn more about this special culture.
Best Hotels in Copenhagen
Copenhagen is a charming city with some amazing luxury hotels and boutique style properties. Here are a few that I love and would recommend!
Hotel Sanders
Hotel Sanders is the best of the best hotels in Copenhagen. It is a boutique style, 5-star hotel in the heart of historic Copenhagen.
If you want to know what hygge feels like, step into the inviting living room of Hotel Sanders. It’s adorned with comfortable couch seating, candles, florals, and a warm glow from the dim lighting.
The rooms are decorated with beautiful furniture from local Danish makers that is classic and elegant.
The hotel also has great dining spaces. Their sidewalk seating is like a French bistro where you can sip coffee as the city comes to life. Later, have drinks in their Tata Cocktail Lounge or the rooftop terrace!
You will especially want to stay here for a couples trip – it feels utterly romantic! My husband and I return to this hotel with every visit to Denmark.
Villa Copenhagen
I stayed at Villa Copenhagen on my last vacation to Copenhagen after a flight cancellation left us needing an extra night unexpectedly. Thankfully, I already followed them on Instagram and knew to give them a call first! I am so glad we did, as this new hotel is amazing!
It is located in the city center right next to the train station and Tivoli Gardens. Housed in a former post office dating back to 1912, the property was renovated with a new, modern design.
The entry way is through an atrium with a clear roof so you can see the sunlight come in. The lobby is more of a restaurant & bar filled with seating and lounge areas. Right past there, you will find the check in counter and hallway to the rooms.
The rooms are super trendy with beautiful wood flooring, big windows, and fun artwork. The beds are super comfortable and the bathroom is very efficient. Our favorite part was the shampoo and soap made by a local company. It’s pine scented and my husband immediately bought some when we returned home.
Lastly, the rooftop overlooks the city and is the perfect spot for a morning swim or to relax with cocktails on a warm summer day. The fitness center is located by the pool and is well equipped for its size.
Manon Les Suites
Manon Les Suites is definitely on my list to check out next time. The hotel features 87 suites with an indoor pool that gives off major jungle vibes. It feels like you are in Bali or Tulum. It is an adults only hotel so will be the perfect relaxing and stress-free environment for a vacation.
What to do in Copenhagen Denmark
These are some of the must-do things for your first trip to Copenhagen.
Bike Everywhere
The best way to get around in Copenhagen is via bike. The city is super bike friendly featuring biking lanes with their own stoplights. There are bike rentals all around the city and the hotels even offer bikes to guests.
You can bike literally everywhere. I would hit all of the major sites that I am going to mention below on bikes.
Swim & Sauna at La Banchina
No trip to Copenhagen is complete without a visit to La Banchina. It’s a great spot for lunch or drinks and you can swim off of their dock in the quiet lagoon. They also have a sauna that you should pre-book so you can go back and forth between the water and the warmth!
Have a drink in Nyhavn
Nyhavn translates to mean “new harbor”. It’s the most photographed place in Copenhagen and you will recognize the colorful buildings along the canal. If it is your first visit, be sure to have snacks and drinks at one of the many restaurants along Nyhavn.
Channel your inner child at Tivoli Gardens
Tivoli Gardens is one of the oldest theme parks in the world! It opened in 1843 and still has that old world charm from the historic buildings, lush scenery, and nostalgic rides. It is a true fairytale kind of place. So much so that it inspired Hans Christian Anderson and Walt Disney himself! Whether you have kids or not, you HAVE to visit for a little while. There is also an amphitheater so it would be fun for a summer concert too.
Little Mermaid Statue (for first timers)
The Little Mermaid Statue is one of the most iconic tourist attractions in Copenhagen. As a first time visitor, swing by on your bike to see this statue inspired by Hans Christian Anderson’s famous story. It is touristy and can be crowded with people taking photos, but is cool to see once. Would even be a great area for a morning walk or run.
Castle Hunting
Castle hunting is one of the most fun activities for a first timer. You will want to bike around the city making stops at each one. If you like, you can go inside for a tour, but the outside holds the real beauty in my opinion. If you do a castle tour, I suggest going to Rosenborg to see the crown jewels. Here are all the castles to see:
- Rosenborg Castle – crown jewels, stunning castle with gardens
- Amalienborg Palace – famous for the changing of the royal guard. The royal family lives here and is one of the oldest monarchies in the world. You can literally ride your bike right up to the middle of the palace square. There’s nowhere else in the world that would allow this.
- Christiansborg Palace – 800 years old! Once home to kings and queens. Now houses the parliament, supreme court, and ministry of state.
- Kronborg Castle – a UNESCO World Heritage site dating back to 1420. Shakespeare used this castle when he wrote about Hamlet.
Cruise the Canals on your own boat
I love seeing a destination from the water as it provide such a different perspective. There are tons of touristy boats holding hundreds of people with a tour guide – DO NOT DO THOSE! Instead opt for a less-touristy choice. The city has a company called Go Boats that lets you rent a small boat to take through the canals. It is super easy and anyone could drive these. They go a slow 4 knots and there is a specific route you must follow. You can go for an hour and they will even offer you alcoholic beverages (2 max).
Shopping on Strøget
Strøget is one of Europe’s largest pedestrian streets home to amazing shops like Hermés, Louis Vuitton, Prada, H&M, Zara, George Jensen, and more. It is a popular area for street performers so you are sure to be entertained.
Kastellet
Kastellet is a fortress in Copenhagen – one of the best preserved in all of Europe. Today, it houses military offices, but is mainly used as a public park and historic site. It’s a great place to bike, walk, or jog in Copenhagen. You will see the five bastions around the pentagon shaped structure, historic gates, commander’s house, old church, and windmill.
Best Restaurants in Copenhagen Denmark
Copenhagen is a foodie town with multiple Michelin starred restaurants and is home to the #1 restaurant in the world. Twice, actually. Noma was named #1 in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards and Geranium was named #1 recently in 2022.
These are some of my favorite Copenhagen restaurants from my visits over the years. Read my full guide here for a more in depth review and list of places on my radar.
Esmée (French/Nordic)
Esmée is located steps from touristy Nyhavn, but tucked away in a quiet space. It’s super trendy while also keeping with the sleek Scandinavian design at this French-inspired brasserie. Be sure to sit on the intimate back patio – it will feel like your miles away from the hustle and bustle of a city.
The menu is incredible with plenty of fresh seafood and locally sourced vegetables. We shared green olives to start, followed by a green salad with grilled zucchini, avocado & pistachios, fish ceviche with gooseberries, and grilled monkfish with summer veggies. In addition, Esmée has a creative cocktail list with seasonal creations, wines, and fun mocktails, too!
It is vegetarian friendly with plenty of plant-based options like a whole globe artichoke, crudite and mushroom risotto.
Amass (Modern Scandinavian)
Amass is located more off the beaten path in an industrial part of town. It’s housed in a former warehouse featuring concrete walls and floors, decorated with modern decor and brightly colored artwork on the walls.
Amass has a preset tasting style menu that is very vegetable forward with produce from their onsite garden. Some of our favorites were the fermented potato bread with a shishito butter, marinated tomatoes and gooseberries, and fish bone “noodles”.
They do offer a vegetarian/vegan menu upon request.
La Banchina (Casual)
La Banchina doesn’t look like much, but they serve up great food focused on sustainable seafood, local vegetables, and natural wine. It is fun to go for lunch so you can take a dip off of their dock as I mentioned above.
Last time, we had a fried fish sandwich and vegetable plate with fresh zucchini. And of course, we always get their orange wine – it is so good!
The Pescatarian (Tasting Menu)
The Pescatarian is you guessed it – a seafood restaurant! However, with advanced notice they will make each dish on the tasting menu either vegan or vegetarian. Located in the historic Amalienborg area near Kastellet.
Admiralgade 26 (Japanese)
Admiralgade 26 definitely feels like a hidden gem in Copenhagen! Tucked away on a charming cobblestone street, this restaurant sits in one of the oldest parts of the city in a historic house. It is very relaxed and really feels like you’ve strolled into a friend’s home for dinner.
The menu changes seasonally, but we went in August and had the summer menu which was omakase style. It translates in Japanese to mean “I’ll leave it up to you” or chef’s choice! We were served creamy potato noodles, ceviche, fresh oysters, monkfish, and creative veggie dishes.
Simple Feast at Broens Gadekøkken (Casual, Plant Based)
Broens Gadekøkken is a super trendy outdoor food court located right across the harbor from Nyhavn. It is really casual so a great choice for lunch when you are out exploring.
The facility is constructed from containers with bars and individual restaurants serving food from around the world in their stalls. There are four different bars each focusing on a specialty like beer, wine or cocktails.
We love Simple Feast for a healthy, fully vegan option! I had the tofu bowl and it was perfectly crispy with a flavorful marinade.
Reffen (Casual, Street Food)
Reffen is a super large area with endless dining options. Similar to Broens Garden, it’s an open-air food court with 40+ dining stalls made from recycled shipping containers. There is literally every type of cuisine from around the world whether empanadas from Argentina, gyros from Greece, or creole from Louisiana. There are also themed bars like a Mexican one serving margaritas, palomas, and of course Mexican style lagers.
Mother (Italian)
Mother is the best place for a casual lunch (or dinner) of pizza and pasta! It’s located in the trendy meat-packing district of Copenhagen. They are known for their signature sourdough crust pizzas and they are so good! They cook in a wood fired oven and the chef uses filtered sea water instead of salt+water.
Kødbyens Fiskebar
Kødbyens Fiskebar is also located in the meatpacking district serving fresh seafood and natural wines. Expect a little bit of everything from lobster, mussels, herring, trout, crab, shrimp, sea urchins and more. It’s in a fun, industrial space with fish tanks throughout the dining room and a great outdoor patio.
What to Wear in Copenhagen
Deciding what to wear really depends on the weather and time of year. In winter, you will want to bundle up. Summers in Denmark are much more moderate so you can unlayer a bit.
I have experienced two totally different atmospheres both times I have visited. The first was July and it was much cooler so I found myself in a jacket and jeans most of the time. The next time was early August and it was super warm. Like 80 degrees. I wore the same short dress two days in a row because it was all I had! Be sure to check the 10-day forecast before your trip to plan accordingly.
Here are a few ideas of what to pack for summer in Copenhagen:
Copenhagen Outfit Inspiration
Here are some ideas of outfits that will look great in Copenhagen during the summer.
Copenhagen Packing List – Summer
All the clothing items you need to bring for 5 nights in Copenhagen.
- 2 pairs of jeans (denim, white, or black) or trousers
- 3-4 short sleeve tops
- 3-4 Dresses for dinners
- 2-3 Casual daytime dresses, jumpsuits, skirts
- 1 Sandals
- 1 Wedges or heels
- 1 Comfortable white sneakers
- Rain coat
- Light sweater or denim jacket
- Puffer coat optional
- Clutch or crossbody purse
- 1 Swimsuit
- Be sure you have all of my favorite travel essentials too!
Travel Tips and FAQ
How many days in Copenhagen are enough?
You could spend endless days enjoying Copenhagen. At minimum for a relaxing vacation, I think 4-5 nights is enough. This will allow plenty of time to see all of the major sights and take it slow for your first visit. However, if you are stopping through and it is not the priority of your trip, 2 days is enough to get a taste.
How to get around in Copenhagen Denmark?
The best way to get around in Copenhagen is via bike. The city is super bike friendly featuring biking lanes with their own stoplights. There are bike rentals all around the city and the hotels even offer bikes to guests.
I suggest downloading the Lime app before you get there so you will be ready to go. It seemed to be the best for finding bikes that were available and had the best functioning app.
Does Copenhagen have Uber/Lyft?
Copenhagen does not have uber and lyft. They do have DanTaxi which is great! The drivers are always so friendly and the cars are clean. I would download the app in advance, but the hotels can always schedule for you. We had the hotel schedule one for us at 6am and he was there waiting so it is super reliable.
At the airport, there will be a queue to wait for a taxi ride. You can taxi to the city center which is about 15-20 minutes. They also have a metro system that they are currently expanding. You can get a Copenhagen Card for unlimited, free public transportation. It also includes free admission to 90 attractions!
Do they speak English in Copenhagen?
Yes! They do speak English quite proficiently in Copenhagen. The official language is Danish, but everyone learns English too. They are taught as children through watching movies and listening to music. It’s such a small country, so to communicate with the rest of the world, English is important.
Is Copenhagen walkable?
Yes, Copenhagen is very walkable. The city is flat and built around canals in a compact area. You can walk pretty much everywhere and if not, then you can definitely bike there!
What is traditional Danish food?
Traditional Danish food consists of seafood as they are surrounded by oceans. They love fish like herring and root vegetables including potatoes. The open-faced sandwich, or smørrebrød, is one of the more popular dishes and one you have to try! They are like a fine art in some places with all different kinds of toppings.
Danes also really love gin so you will find gin & tonic all over every menu. Even if you aren’t a big gin fan, try it! I only every drink gin in Denmark. They are also have good local beers like Carlsberg.
Copenhagen Denmark Map
Use this map for planning your itinerary!
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