The Capital Region of Denmark (Region Hovedstaden) is the country's most populous and vibrant region, anchored by the world-famous city of Copenhagen. Stretching from the bustling urban core across North Zealand's forests and coastlines to the island of Bornholm, it blends state-of-the-art design, royal history, and Scandinavian joie de vivre. From Nyhavn's colourful harbourfront to the spires of Christiansborg Palace, the region offers an extraordinary wealth of culture, gastronomy, and outdoor experiences.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Capital Region.
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1
Tivoli Gardens
One of the world's oldest amusement parks, Tivoli opened in 1843 and enchants visitors with rides, live music, pantomime theatre, and beautifully landscaped gardens. The park is especially magical after dark when thousands of lanterns illuminate the paths, and during Christmas when it transforms into a winter wonderland.
Tip: Buy tickets online for a discount · Visit during Halloween or Christmas for special events
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2
Nyhavn
Copenhagen's most photographed spot, Nyhavn is a 17th-century waterfront canal lined with brightly coloured townhouses, restaurants, and old wooden ships. Hans Christian Andersen lived at numbers 20, 67, and 18 at different times in his life. The north side buzzes with cafes and bars while the south side is quieter.
Tip: Visit early morning for the best photos without crowds · Take a canal boat tour departing from here
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3
Kronborg Castle (Hamlet's Castle)
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kronborg Castle in Helsingør is the setting of Shakespeare's Hamlet and one of the most important Renaissance castles in Northern Europe. Built in the late 16th century to control the Øresund strait, it features vast halls, a dungeon with the legendary sleeping warrior Holger Danske, and stunning views of Sweden just 4km away.
Tip: Take the S-tog train from Copenhagen Central Station · Arrive early to beat tour groups
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4
Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
Widely considered one of the finest art museums in the world, Louisiana sits dramatically on a clifftop above the Øresund strait in Humlebæk. Its stunning modernist buildings are integrated into a sculpture park with works by Henry Moore, Alexander Calder, and Jean Arp. Inside, the permanent collection features Picasso, Giacometti, Warhol, and major Danish modernists.
Tip: Take the train from Copenhagen (40 min) · The museum café has excellent views over the strait
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5
The Little Mermaid (Den Lille Havfrue)
Edvard Eriksen's iconic bronze sculpture, created in 1913 and inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale, sits on a rock at the Langelinie promenade. Though modest in size at just 1.25 metres, it is one of Copenhagen's most visited landmarks and a symbol of the city known worldwide.
Tip: Visit at dawn to avoid the crowds and get good photos · Walk along the Langelinie promenade for a pleasant stroll
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6
Rosenborg Castle
Built by King Christian IV in the early 17th century as a summer residence, Rosenborg Castle is a fairy-tale Dutch Renaissance palace set in the King's Garden (Kongens Have). It houses the Danish Crown Jewels and regalia, a collection of royal artefacts spanning 400 years, and some of the most opulent interiors in Denmark.
Tip: The surrounding King's Garden is free and great for a picnic · Book tickets online to skip queues in summer
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7
Christiansborg Palace
The seat of the Danish Parliament (Folketing), the Supreme Court, and the Prime Minister's Office, Christiansborg occupies an entire island in central Copenhagen. Visitors can tour the royal reception rooms, the ruins beneath the palace, the royal stables, and climb the tower—the only free tower in Copenhagen—for panoramic city views.
Tip: The palace tower is free and offers the best views in Copenhagen · Download the free audio guide app before visiting
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8
National Museum of Denmark (Nationalmuseet)
Denmark's largest museum of cultural history, spanning prehistory to the present day, is housed in a grand 18th-century palace in central Copenhagen. Highlights include the world-famous Sun Chariot (Solvognen) from 1400 BC, the Golden Horns, Viking Age treasures, and extensive exhibitions on medieval Denmark and global cultures.
Tip: The permanent collections are free · Don't miss the Danish prehistory floor and Viking section
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9
SMK – National Gallery of Denmark
The National Gallery of Denmark houses the country's largest art collection, spanning seven centuries from the 14th century to the present. The collection includes masterworks by Rembrandt, Rubens, Matisse, and Picasso alongside world-class Danish and Nordic artists such as Vilhelm Hammershøi and C.W. Eckersberg.
Tip: Free every Wednesday evening from 5-8PM · The museum café is excellent for lunch
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10
The Round Tower (Rundetårn)
Built in 1642 by King Christian IV as an astronomical observatory, the Round Tower is one of Copenhagen's most distinctive landmarks. Instead of stairs, a unique helical corridor winds 7.5 times around the hollow core to the top, from which visitors enjoy a spectacular 360° view over the city's copper-spired skyline.
Tip: The spiral ramp is unique—no stairs! · Evening visits offer beautiful city light views
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Landmarks
Tivoli Gardens
World's second-oldest amusement park, a Copenhagen institution
Nyhavn
Iconic colourful canal harbourfront
The Little Mermaid
Famous bronze statue, symbol of Copenhagen
Kronborg Castle
UNESCO Heritage Renaissance castle, Shakespeare's Hamlet
Rosenborg Castle
Royal castle housing the Crown Jewels
Christiansborg Palace
Seat of Parliament with free tower views
Museums
National Museum of Denmark
Largest cultural history museum, free entry
SMK – National Gallery
National art gallery with European and Nordic masterworks
Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
World-class modern art with Øresund views
Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek
Superb collection of ancient and French 19th-century art
Designmuseum Danmark
Celebrating Danish design from arts and crafts to industrial design
Nature
Dyrehaven (Deer Park)
UNESCO-listed ancient deer park with 2,000 free-roaming deer
Frederiksberg Gardens
Romantic royal landscape garden with lake and canal
Copenhagen Zoo
One of Europe's oldest zoos with pandas and polar bears
Cultural
Christiania
Autonomous alternative community with art and live music
Assistens Cemetery
Resting place of Andersen and Kierkegaard; doubles as a park
Torvehallerne
Gourmet food market with the best of Copenhagen cuisine
Copenhagen Opera House
Stunning contemporary architecture and world-class performances
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Hours
- Most attractions open 10AM-5PM; check individual sites for seasonal variations
- Fees
- Museum admission averages $15-25; many free on certain days
- Best Times
- Early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds at major sites
- Booking
- Book Tivoli, Kronborg, and popular restaurants online in advance
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
The Copenhagen Card gives unlimited public transit and free entry to 89 museums and attractions
Many national museums (National Museum, SMK) have free admission on specific days
Copenhagen is very walkable—the city center's main attractions are within 2km of each other
Combine Kronborg and Louisiana on the same day via the coastal rail line
Rent a Bycyklen electric city bike for exploring beyond the historic center
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season to visit attractions in Capital Region?
May and June offer long days, mild weather, and fewer crowds than peak summer; September is also excellent
Are guided tours available for Capital Region's attractions?
Free walking tours depart from Copenhagen City Hall daily at 11AM and 3PM; private guides from $80/2 hours
Can I take photos at attractions in Capital Region?
Photography allowed in most locations; no flash in museums and churches; photography prohibited in Pusher Street at Christiania
How much time do I need for Capital Region's main attractions?
Plan 4-5 days for Copenhagen highlights; add 2-3 more days for North Zealand castles and coast