Tivoli Gardens
One of the world's oldest amusement parks, opened in 1843, with gardens, a lake, a wooden roller coaster, concerts and restaurants in the middle of the city.
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About Copenhagen
Copenhagen sits on the islands of Zealand and Amager beside the Øresund strait. The compact centre combines the Nyhavn waterfront, the royal palaces of Amalienborg and Christiansborg, Rosenborg Castle, Tivoli Gardens, Strøget and the Latin Quarter. Free harbour baths, a driverless Metro and over 390 km of cycle lanes make it easy to explore, and Copenhagen Airport is about 15 minutes from the centre by Metro or train.
- Capital
- Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark
- Largest city
- Copenhagen
- Population
- ~660,000 city (~1.4 million urban area)
- Languages
- Danish, English widely spoken
- Currency
- Danish Krone
- Time zone
- CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Explore Copenhagen by topic
Jump straight to the experience you're planning.
Best places to visit in Copenhagen
The 17 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
Nyhavn
A 17th-century canal harbour lined with colourful townhouses, wooden ships and waterside cafes, once home to Hans Christian Andersen.
Rosenborg Castle and The Royal Treasury
A Dutch Renaissance castle built in 1606-1634 by Christian IV, holding the Danish Crown Jewels and royal collections, set in the King's Garden.
Amalienborg Palace and Museum
The winter residence of the Danish royal family: four rococo palaces around an octagonal square, with the museum covering the lives of recent monarchs.
Christiansborg Palace
Seat of the Danish Parliament, Prime Minister's office and Supreme Court, with royal reception rooms, medieval castle ruins and a free 106-metre tower.
The National Museum of Denmark
Denmark's largest cultural history museum, from the Stone Age and Viking treasures to the Children's Museum and ethnographic collections.
Recommended itineraries
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
5-Day Copenhagen Explorer
- Day 1Arrive in Copenhagen, explore city center
- Day 2Visit top attractions and museums
- Day 3Day trip to nearby highlights
- Day 4Local markets and hidden gems
- Day 5Final sightseeing, departure
7-Day Classic Copenhagen
- Days 1-2Copenhagen city highlights
- Days 3-4Regional exploration
- Days 5-6Cultural immersion and local experiences
- Day 7Return and departure
14-Day Ultimate Copenhagen
- Days 1-3Copenhagen comprehensive city tour
- Days 4-6Northern region exploration
- Days 7-9Eastern highlights
- Days 10-12Southern attractions
- Days 13-14Return to Copenhagen, departure
Where to stay in Copenhagen
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Budget DKK 800-1,100 (~$124-171)
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Mid-range DKK 1,800-2,600 (~$279-403)
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
Luxury DKK 4,500+ (~$698+)
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
Hotel d'Angleterre
Historic five-star hotel on Kongens Nytorv, Copenhagen's grandest address, with a spa and pool, the Michelin-starred Marchal restaurant and the Balthazar bar.
Check rates on Booking.comNimb Hotel
Small luxury hotel in the Moorish-style Nimb building inside Tivoli Gardens, with a handful of individually designed rooms and several Tivoli restaurants and bars downstairs.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel Sanders
Design-led five-star boutique hotel behind the Royal Theatre, with a courtyard garden, a rooftop terrace and a bar.
Check rates on Booking.comManon Les Suites
All-suite boutique hotel in a restored villa on Gammel Kongevej in Frederiksberg, with a garden restaurant and bar.
Check rates on Booking.comWhere to eat in Copenhagen
Cafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
Restaurant Schønnemann
A lunch-only smørrebrød house founded in 1877 and run in the same traditional style for generations. Open-faced rye sandwiches are ordered one by one and paired with a cold snaps. Expect to spend about DKK 300-500 (about USD 47-78) per person.
Told & Snaps
A small restaurant steps from Nyhavn serving classic Danish lunch plates and house-infused snaps. A good first smørrebrød stop for visitors staying around the harbour. Expect DKK 250-450 (about USD 39-70) per person.
Aamanns 1921
A modern take on the open sandwich with carefully sourced ingredients, in a bright dining room in the old town. Smørrebrød are ordered à la carte, around DKK 110-190 (about USD 17-29) each, with dinner menus costing more.
Torvehallerne KBH
Two glass halls of about 60 stalls selling smørrebrød, seafood, cheese, produce, pastries and coffee. Most visitors graze for DKK 100-250 (about USD 16-39) per person. Nørreport station is a 1-minute walk.
Hija de Sanchez Torvehallerne
A taco counter inside Torvehallerne from the Danish-Mexican chef Rosio Sanchez, using hand-made corn tortillas. Tacos cost around DKK 50-75 (about USD 8-12) each.
Restaurant Sanchez
Restaurant of chef Rosio Sanchez, who trained at Noma, serving Mexican food with Danish ingredients. A full meal costs about DKK 450-900 (about USD 70-140) per person.
Book a food tour in Copenhagen We may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Getting around Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the rail, Metro, bus and cycling hub of Zealand and the gateway to Sweden across the Øresund Bridge. Copenhagen Airport (Kastrup) is about 8 km from the centre and linked by Metro and train in under 15 minutes. København H (Central Station) connects regional trains, S-trains, buses and international services, while the Metro reaches Nørreport, Kongens Nytorv, Christianshavn and Vesterbro. Most visitors walk, cycle or ride the Metro and never need a car.
Budget breakdown
Daily spend by tier in DKK, broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | DKK 350 (~$54) | DKK 1,200 (~$186) | DKK 3,000 (~$465) |
| Food (per day) | DKK 300 (~$47) | DKK 500 (~$78) | DKK 1,200 (~$186) |
| Transportation | DKK 80 (~$12) | DKK 100 (~$16) | DKK 250 (~$39) |
| Activities | DKK 100 (~$16) | DKK 300 (~$47) | DKK 500 (~$78) |
| Daily total | DKK 800-1,100 (~$124-171) | DKK 1,800-2,600 (~$279-403) | DKK 4,500+ (~$698+) |
Best time to visit Copenhagen
Weather through the year in Copenhagen
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C.
Visit in May-June or September for mild weather, long evenings and fewer crowds than July-August.
Summer is mild (18-22C) with up to 17 hours of daylight and open harbour baths; winters are cool and damp (0-4C). Rain falls in every month, so bring a waterproof layer.
Essential travel tips
- Buy a ticket before boarding the Metro, S-train or regional train; there are no ticket sales on board.
- Cards and phones are accepted nearly everywhere; some cafes do not take cash.
- Consider the Copenhagen Card (copenhagencard.com) if you plan several paid attractions.
- Book restaurants well ahead, especially Michelin-starred places and weekends.
- Rent a bike for flat, safe cycling across the city.
- Bring layers and a waterproof jacket; wind from the Øresund is frequent.
Safety information
Copenhagen is one of the safest capitals in the world, but petty theft is the main risk: keep phones and wallets in zipped inner pockets in Copenhagen Central Station (København H), on Strøget, at Nyhavn and on the Metro to the airport.
Bicycle theft is the most common crime: lock a bike to a fixed object with a frame lock and a second chain lock, and never leave a rental bike unlocked even for a minute.
Call 112 from any phone for police, fire or ambulance (free, works without a SIM and across the EU); dial 114 for non-urgent police matters and 1813 for the Capital Region medical helpline when it is not life-threatening.
Carry photo ID or a copy of the passport; police may ask for ID, and a passport is needed on arrival from outside the Schengen area.
Look carefully for cyclists before stepping into a bike lane: bike lanes run between the pavement and the road and cyclists move fast. Never stand or walk in a bike lane.
Do not cross against the red pedestrian light; cyclists and cars generally stop for red lights and jaywalkers can be fined.
Swim only at designated harbour baths and beaches (Islands Brygge, Kastrup Sea Bath, Amager Strandpark) and obey the flags; harbour water quality is posted online at kk.dk, and swimming after heavy rain is discouraged because of sewer overflow.
Do not photograph people on Pusher Street in Freetown Christiania; photography there is prohibited and can provoke a hostile response. Do not buy cannabis, which is illegal in Denmark despite the open trade.
Pickpocketing rises on crowded summer evenings in Nyhavn, Tivoli and the Vesterbro nightlife streets around Halmtorvet and Istedgade; carry only the cash and cards needed.
Dress for sudden weather changes and wind from the Øresund; in winter, pavements and cycle paths can be icy and slippery.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Copenhagen?
Denmark follows Schengen rules. EU citizens need only a national ID card; visitors from the US, UK, Canada and Australia can stay up to 90 days in 180 days without a visa with a valid passport.
What is the best time to visit Copenhagen?
May-June and September offer mild weather, long evenings and fewer crowds; July-August is warmest for harbour swimming, and December suits Christmas markets.
Is Copenhagen expensive?
Yes, it is one of Europe's pricier capitals, with budget travel from about DKK 800 (~$124) a day, but many sights are free and the Copenhagen Card cuts attraction costs.
How do I get from Copenhagen Airport to the centre?
Take Metro M2 from Lufthavnen to Kongens Nytorv in about 15 minutes, or a train to København H in about 13 minutes, using a 3-zone ticket of about DKK 36 (~$6).
Is Copenhagen safe?
Yes. Petty theft and bicycle theft are the main risks; keep valuables secure in crowded places and use 112 for emergencies.