20 amazing places to visit in Copenhagen

Steeped in history, alive with culture, and brimming with things to do at night, Denmark's capital Copenhagen is not to be missed. From exploring the majestic Rosenborg Castle to seeing breathtaking art, or checking out the city's amusement parks, seeking out the best places to visit in Copenhagen can be quite an adventure. Whether you're a history buff, art aficionado, or a family with kids, Copenhagen has something for everyone.

Best places to visit in Copenhagen for history

1. National Museum of Denmark

Explore a wealth of history at the National Museum of Denmark. As Denmark's largest museum of cultural history, the National Museum is a treasure trove of Danish artifacts. The museum's collections span thousands of years, from the Ice Age to the present day.

Highlights:

See the famous Sun Chariot, a Bronze Age artifact, and immerse yourself in Viking culture with authentic Viking weapons and tools on display.

Address and opening hours:

Ny Vestergade 10, 1471 København K, Denmark. Open daily 10:00 AM-6:00 PM.

2. Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg Castle is a magnificent Renaissance castle located in the heart of Copenhagen. The castle, originally built as a country summerhouse in 1606, is an impressive insight into royal Danish history.

Highlights:

Spend a full day at the castle and enjoy a guided walking tour of the grounds.

Address and opening hours:

Øster Voldgade 4A, 1350 København, Denmark. Open daily 10:00 AM-5:00 PM.

3. Freetown Christiania

Freetown Christiania is a self-proclaimed autonomous neighborhood of about 850 residents, established in 1971 in the abandoned military barracks. It's known for its colorful homemade houses, workshops, art galleries, and music venues.

Highlights:

Christiania is also where you will find the Church of Our Savior. Climb its 400 steps to the very top for exceptional views over Copenhagen. We would not recommend it for those with a fear of heights!

Address and opening hours:

Freetown Christiana, Copenhagen Municipality, Denmark.

4. The Round Tower

The Round Tower, or Rundetaarn, is a 17th-century tower built as an astronomical observatory. It has an unusual staircase, which was designed for horses to get to the top, and offers great views of Copenhagen.

Highlights:

The Round Tower has plenty of regular exhibitions and astronomy events for the whole family, so take a look at what’s on before your visit.

Address and opening hours:

Købmagergade 52A, 1150 København, Denmark. Open daily 10:00 AM-8:00 PM.

5. Kastellet

Kastellet is an excellently preserved 17th-century fortress, shaped like a pentagram. Here, visitors can learn about Danish military history. There is a changing of the guard ceremony at the Central Guard House every day at 12.00 PM.

Highlights:

Walk along the ramparts, enjoy the view of the windmill, and check out the military artifacts at the Kastellet Museum.

Address and opening hours:

Gl. Hovedvagt, Kastellet 1, 2100 København, Denmark. Open daily, 6:00 AM-10:00 PM.

6. Frederiksborg Castle

Frederiksborg Castle is a stunningly beautiful and historically significant castle built in the early 17th century. It served as a royal residence for King Christian IV and is now a museum of national history.

Highlights:

Explore Kronborg and Frederiksbrog castles, two locations where Shakespeare set his famous play, Hamlet.

Address and opening hours:

Frederiksborg Slot 10, 3400 Hillerød, Denmark. Open daily 10:00 AM-5:00 PM.

Best places to visit in Copenhagen for art

7. Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek

The Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek is one of the best art museums in Copenhagen, built around the personal collection of Carl Jacobsen. The museum has an extensive collection of sculptures and paintings, including French and Danish masterpieces.

Highlights:

The collection features the largest collection of Rodin sculptures outside of France and approximately 47 paintings by French artist Paul Gauguin.

Address and opening hours:

Dantes Plads 7, 1556 København, Denmark. Open daily except Monday, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM. Open until 9:00 PM on Thursdays.

8. ARKEN Museum of Modern Art

ARKEN Museum of Modern Art is a monumental landmark with an international perspective. It displays a distinguished collection of contemporary art, and its architecture is a sight to behold in its own right.

Highlights:

A revolving program of incredible contemporary art will leave you awed and impressed. The ARKEN features work from British artist Damien Hirst and acclaimed German artist Anselm Reyle.

Address and opening hours:

Skovvej 100, 2635 Ishøj, Denmark. Open Wednesday-Sunday, 11:00 AM-5:00 PM. Open until 9:00 PM on Thursdays.

9. SMK – Statens Museum for Kunst

The SMK: Statens Museum for Kunst is Denmark's largest art museum, featuring outstanding collections of Danish and international art from the past 700 years. There are more than 260,000 pieces on display here.

Highlights:

See art by Lucas Cranach the Elder, a German Renaissance painter born in 1472, and Cornelis Cornelisz. van Haarlem.

Address and opening hours:

Sølvgade 48-50, 1307 København K, Denmark. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM-6:00 PM. Open until 8:00 PM on Tuesdays.

10. Kunsthal Charlottenborg

Kunsthal Charlottenborg is one of the largest and most beautiful spaces for contemporary art in Europe, presenting an ambitious program of exhibitions and events with a strong international focus.

Highlights:

The kunsthal features an art cinema with a curated and regularly changing program, a bookshop, and a bar.

Address and opening hours:

Kongens Nytorv 1, 1050 København, Denmark. Open Tuesday-Friday 12:00 PM-8:00 PM and Saturday-Sunday 11:00 AM-5:00 PM.

Best places to visit in Copenhagen for kids

11. Tivoli Gardens

Copenhagen's Tivoli Gardens is an iconic amusement park in city center. Since it first opened its doors in 1843, the park has been a huge hit with both locals and visitors, offering a wide range of attractions for all ages, from thrill rides to fairytale-themed attractions.

Highlights:

Some of the best rollercoasters in the park are the heart-thumping Demon, the Snake, and the famous wooden coaster, Rutschebanen, which was built in 1914.

Address and opening hours:

Vesterbrogade 3, 1630 København V, Denmark. Open daily, 11:00 AM-10:00 PM. Open until 12:00 AM Friday-Saturday.

12. Open Air Museum

The Open Air Museum (Frilandsmuseet) is located just 30 minutes from the city, and is one of the oldest and largest open air museums in the world. The museum is a fully interactive experience for both kids and adults. The enormous space contains 50 farms, mills, and houses from between 1650-1940, which gives families the opportunity to step back into the past and experience Denmark as it once was.

Highlights:

The Open Air Museum is part of the National Museum of Denmark, and is one of the best places to visit when you’re visiting Copenhagen with kids.

Address and opening hours:

Kongevejen 100, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark. Open 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Tuesday - Friday. Open 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Saturday and Sunday. Closed on Monday.

Best places to visit in Copenhagen for culture

13. The Royal Danish Playhouse

The Royal Danish Playhouse is located on Copenhagan's harbor front and is home to the Royal Danish Theatre. The playhouse's modern architecture and fantastic views of the waterfront make it a cultural landmark in the city.

Highlights:

The theater features many performances for international audiences, as well as ballet, opera, and classical concerts.

Address and opening hours:

Sankt Annæ Pl. 36, 1250 København K, Denmark. Performance times vary.

14. Christian's Church

Christian's Church is a magnificent Rococo church in the Christianshavn district of Copenhagen. The church is noted for its carillon, which is the largest in Northern Europe and plays melodies every hour from 8 AM to midnight.

Highlights:

See Christian's Church as part of a guided walking tour around Christianshavn and Christiania.

Address and opening hours:

Strandgade 1, 1401 København K, Denmark.

15. Strøget

Strøget, one of Europe's longest pedestrian streets, is a vibrant thoroughfare in the heart of Copenhagen. The street offers a variety of shops, from budget-friendly chains to some of the world's most expensive brands, as well as numerous cafes and restaurants.

Highlights:

Strøget is part of Old Copenhagen, which is arguably the most beautiful and historic area of the city and one of the best places to visit in Copenhagen.

Address and opening hours:

Strøget, Copenhagen, Denmark.

16. Nyhavn

Copenhagen's Nyhavn is a 17th-century waterfront, canal, and entertainment district. Lined with brightly colored townhouses and bars, cafes, and restaurants, the area is always bustling with activity and is one of Copenhagen's best places to visit.

Highlights:

For the best way to see the colorful houses of Nyhavn, take a cruise down the canal of the same name.

Address and opening hours:

Nyhavn, Copenhagen, Denmark.

17. The Cathedral of Copenhagen

Vor Frue Kirke, also known as the Church of Our Lady, is the Cathedral of Copenhagen. This Neoclassical cathedral is known for its minimalist interior and beautiful statues, including a striking statue of Christ by the famed Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen.

Highlights:

Another must-see landmark is in Copenhagen, the Cathedral of Our Lady is home to the oldest bell in the country, dating from 1490.

Address and opening hours:

Nørregade 8, 1165 København, Denmark. Open daily, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Re-opens 8:00 PM-11:00 PM on Thursdays and Sundays and 8:00 PM-12:00 AM on Fridays.

18. Meatpacking District (Kødbyen)

Kødbyen, Copenhagen's Meatpacking District, is a trendy nightlife and cultural district. Once home to the city's meat industry businesses, today the district is filled with bars, clubs, and restaurants, along with art galleries and creative businesses.

Highlights:

Enjoy a night out at one of the many hip bars and clubs, sample cuisine from around the world at the district's diverse range of restaurants, or attend a gallery opening or cultural event.

Address:

Flæsketorvet, 1711 Copenhagen, Denmark.

19. Danish Jewish Museum

The Danish Jewish Museum, located in the old Royal Boat House, showcases the history of the Jewish community in Denmark. The museum's exhibits cover over 400 years of history, from the first Jewish immigrants to the community's significant role in World War II.

Highlights:

Learn about the fascinating history of Danish Jews at your own pace with a self-guided audio tour.

Address and opening hours:

Proviantpassagen 6, 1218 København, Denmark. Open daily, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM, except Mondays.

20. Danish Royal Library

The Danish Royal Library, known as the Black Diamond due to its striking modern architecture, is the national library of Denmark and the university library of the University of Copenhagen. It is one of the largest libraries in the world and the largest in the Nordic countries.

Highlights:

The library features a permanent collection of photographs from the Royal Danish Library's collections spanning 1845 to 2021. You can also take a guided tour of the building.

Address and opening hours:

Den Sorte Diamant, Søren Kierkegaards Pl. 1, 1221 København K, Denmark. Open Monday-Saturday 8:00 AM-9:00 PM. Open 9:00 AM-7:00 PM on Saturdays.

FAQs

How many days should I spend in Copenhagen?

On average, visitors should spend three to four days in Copenhagen. This allows enough time to explore the city's major attractions, such as the Amalienborg Palace, the Rosenborg Castle, and the Tivoli Gardens. However, if you wish to delve deeper into local culture and neighborhoods, a week-long stay might be more suitable. This would give you time to visit some of the city's lesser-known attractions, such as the National Museum of Denmark, the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, and the Carlsberg Glyptotek. You could also take some time to explore the city's many parks and gardens.

What is the best time of year to visit Copenhagen?

The best time to visit Copenhagen is during the spring (March to May) or fall (September to November). There are also fewer tourists during these seasons, so you can enjoy the city without the crowds. If you are looking for warm weather, you can visit Copenhagen during the summer (June to August). However, be prepared for high temperatures and large crowds.

How do I get around Copenhagen?

Copenhagen has a highly efficient public transportation system that includes the metro, buses, and trains. The metro is the fastest way to get around the city, and the buses and trains are also very reliable. The city is also renowned for its bike culture, with numerous bike rental services available. There are also many bike lanes and paths throughout the city, making it easy and safe to get around by bike. Copenhagen's compact size also makes it a highly walkable city. Most of the city's attractions are within walking distance of each other, so you can easily explore the city on foot.

What are the best neighborhoods to visit in Copenhagen?

Some of the must-visit neighborhoods in Copenhagen include the historic center of Indre By, the vibrant Vesterbro, trendy Nørrebro, and charmingly unique Christiania. Indre By is the city's oldest and most central neighborhood and is home to many of Copenhagen's most famous landmarks, such as Amalienborg Palace, Rosenborg Castle, and the Tivoli Gardens. Vesterbro is a more recent neighborhood that is known for its nightlife, shopping, and restaurants. Nørrebro is a trendy neighborhood with a diverse population and a vibrant arts scene. Christiania is a self-proclaimed autonomous community that is known for its alternative lifestyle and its colorful houses.

What are the best places to go shopping in Copenhagen?

If you're looking for high-end Danish design and fashion, Strøget is the place to go. This pedestrian street is one of the longest in Europe, and it's home to diverse stores, from luxury brands to independent boutiques. If you're on a budget, Vesterbro and Nørrebro are the neighborhoods to visit. These areas are known for their vintage shops and independent stores. Finally, no trip to Copenhagen would be complete without a visit to Torvehallerne, a modern marketplace with everything from fresh produce to gourmet treats.