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Bucket list destination:

Last updated: 20 August, 2023
Expert travel writer: Sarah Marshall

A compact, sexy, urban retreat, Copenhagen is arguably the most stylish, progressive and tastiest of all the Nordic capitals.

Copenhagen stands out on the cultural front. Spend afternoons gazing at Gothic churches, browsing ultra-modern design shops, or taking in a clutch of cutting-edge modern art and design museums, before spending long evenings in quiet cafés and laidback jazz clubs.

It’s also become a foodie capital – the wildly experimental Noma, voted the world’s best restaurant – has spawned an exciting culinary scene of worldwide acclaimed restaurants, alongside farmers’ markets and a strong local produce movement.

A network of canals begs to be explored by boat or kayak, while castles, royal gardens and Viking exhibitions, offering a glimpse into the city’s rich and varied past, enthral every visitor. Indeed, whatever your interests, sophisticated, culture- and character-filled, foodie Copenhagen never disappoints.

Orientation

Spread across a series of canals and lakes, this extremely walkable city is laid out in a series of easily navigable neighbourhoods.

Architecturally, the city runs the gamut from Gothic to ultra-modern, from leafy Frederiksberg and the palatial royal quarter of Frederiksstaden to the 17th-century rainbow waterfront of Nyhavn.

At the heart of it all sits Indre By, a maze of lively, pedestrianised medieval streets and squares.

Culture & Customs

One more reason this cosmopolitan capital is so appealing is its people. Danish culture is about family time, quiet nights with friends and enjoying the Scandinavian great outdoors.

Copenhageners have a typically Danish tradition of hygge (cosiness) that makes them very welcoming to outsiders – so don’t think twice about accepting an invitation to a Copenhagener’s home.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this destination, plus helpful tickets and transfers

Copenhagen 1.5-hour City Highlights Bike Tour

Copenhagen

Copenhagen 1.5-hour City Highlights Bike Tour
Get an up close and personal experience of the many attractions of Copenhagen on this relaxed 1.5-hour bike tour. Meet up with your expert guide at a central meeting point and get settled in your high-quality, easy-to-handle bicycles. Ride through the city in style and enjoy the views with your fellow tour companions. Let yourself get carried away in the guides unique storytelling that lets you know what Copenhagen is all about. The tour usually includes visits to the following attractions: Rosenborg Castle, The Lakes, The Little Mermaid, Amalienborg, Nyhavn, Christiania and many others. If you have any specific sights that you would like to see, please feel free to ask the guide and you might get to see the specific sight if it fits well with the route.

Price: €30

Min age: 0

Rating 4.54 / 5 [50 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Copenhagen In A Nutshell Highlight Express 2-Hour Walking Tour

Copenhagen

Copenhagen In A Nutshell Highlight Express 2-Hour Walking Tour
Ditch your guidebook and come out with us and take in Copenhagen in high resolution. Instead, let us take you under our knowledgeable wings on this fun, immersive and fairy-tale dusted experience of Copenhagen’s biggest sights! We'll introduce you to fascinating royal dramas, awe-inspiring fairy-tales and mind-blowing politics, all while you get to have that fantastic and authentic backdrop of Copenhagen’s major sights. - Visit 10+ of Copenhagen’s greatest hits on a funtastic walking tour with knowledgeable natives - Admire Copenhagen’s iconic castle Amalienborg that serve as The Royal Palace, experience the picturesque New Harbor and get to say hello to The Little Mermaid and so much more. - Stroll through some of the city's most calm green oasis’ and breathe in the Danish hygge that we Danes are so known for - Get personalized recommendations straight from a local to make your Copenhagen stay even better!

Price: €40

Min age: 0

Rating 4.79 / 5 [84 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Copenhagen 3-hour City Highlights Bike Tour

Copenhagen

Copenhagen 3-hour City Highlights Bike Tour
Get an up close and personal experience of the many attractions and beautiful sights of Copenhagen on this relaxed and easy going tour. Copenhagen is practically made for biking. With excellent infrastructure and almost no hills on the tour, the conditions cannot get any better.  Meet up with your charismatic guide at a central meeting point and get settled in your traditional, easy-to-handle bicycles. Ride through the city in style and enjoy the views with your fellow tour companions. Let yourself get carried away in the guides unique storytelling that lets you know what Copenhagen is all about. Wave hello to The Little Mermaid, see Christiansborg Castle and many other sights on this 3-hour City Highlighs Bike Tour.

Price: €45

Min age: 0

Rating 4.70 / 5 [311 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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3h walking tour, small group max 10 people Copenhagen

Copenhagen

 3h walking tour, small group max 10 people Copenhagen
Check out our other tours from our website! Experience with us the true Essence of Copenhagen, home to the world’s oldest monarchy and Danish hygge! With our Best of Copenhagen Tour you’ll discover that below the surface there is so much more! Our expert local guides will share with you their passion about Copenhagen and will uncover its most iconic landmarks.

Price: €57

Min age: 12

Rating 4.76 / 5 [225 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Good Morning, Copenhagen: Feel The Danish Hygge & Happiness

Copenhagen

Good Morning, Copenhagen: Feel The Danish Hygge & Happiness
If you want to understand Denmark, you need to understand hygge. The concept can be difficult to explain, but is easy to experience on a slow-paced walk with a native — and once you have it in you, you’ll know why Danes are some of the happiest people in the world! Take a peek into Copenhagen’s local life and find your own happy hygge place. - Get a better understanding of Danish culture and why the world-famous Danish concept of hygge is so important in an increasingly fast-paced world - Visit city sites that ooze hygge and find out how you can bring some of that vibe back home with you from your native guide - Learn why some people say Denmark is utopian, and how the local culture contributes to Danes being among the happiest people in the world year after year - Savour Danish treats and visit gems that simply scream hygge!

Price: €65

Min age: 0

Rating 4.92 / 5 [191 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Total Copenhagen Day Tour Highlights and Hygge

Copenhagen

Total Copenhagen Day Tour Highlights and Hygge
Join us for the full Copenhagen package on this fairy-tale and hygge-filled walking tour of the greatest hits of Copenhagen. This is a great introduction to your Danish experience, offering you a whole day of fun! - Tick off Copenhagen’s greatest hits on a full-day tour with a passionate and knowing native guide by your side - Admire the city’s many iconic and cute castles, picturesque Nyhavn and don't worry, you'll of course say hello to the Little Mermaid and much more! - Explore Danish happiness and score some tips on how to get more of that world-famous ‘hygge’ in your life - Find out why Copenhagen is one of Europe’s top foodie cities as you get to pop in and indulge in some amazing treats along the way - Discover Danish culture and history, tranquil green havens, and hidden gems that only locals know about on a more immersive cultural experience of Copenhagen than most tours - Get personalized recommendations straight from a local to make your Copenhagen stay even better!

Price: €108

Min age: 0

Rating 4.96 / 5 [128 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Copenhagen Bus and Boat ticket, Valid 48 Hours

Copenhagen

Copenhagen Bus and Boat ticket, Valid 48 Hours
See Copenhagen by open-air bus and boat with a hop-on hop-off tour. With a ticket valid for 48 hours from first use, explore the city on four comprehensive sightseeing routes. Hop on and off as many times as you like, and visit standout attractions such as Amalienborg Palace at your own pace. Or, stay aboard for a full loop to see the city from land and water.

Price: D307

Min age: 0

Rating 4.10 / 5 [460 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Copenhagen Highlights: 3-Hour Bike Tour

Copenhagen

Copenhagen Highlights: 3-Hour Bike Tour
Enjoy a 3-hour bike tour of Copenhagen, one of the world's best cycling cities. See all of the top attractions and learn about the city's history. Your guide lives in Copenhagen and will share with you their most beloved and hidden gems, to provide you with a real local experience.

Price: D375

Min age: 0

Rating 4.75 / 5 [232 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Guided Bike Tour in Wonderful Copenhagen

Copenhagen

Guided Bike Tour in Wonderful Copenhagen
Your stylish Copenhagen Bike and local guide awaits you ready to take you out on a fantastic bicycle tour in the greatest bicycle city in the world. On your way, experience some of Copenhagen’s most iconic landmarks and hidden gems, while you tune into fun and interesting local stories. We’ll of course also get to step off our bikes to shoot those picture-perfect snapshots at Copenhagen's green gardens, tucked-away cobble-stoned streets, grand castles and blazing colorful streets. All while we're covering Copenhagen's history, culture and way of life. HIGHLIGHTS: - Cruise Copenhagen on a stylish city bike - Experience 90 % of all the sights Copenhagen in just 2 hours - Get local recommendations after the tour. - Tune into a locals fun stories at picture-perfect stops and in-route via an Apple headset - Start and end in the heart of the city

Price: D450

Min age: 10

Rating 4.76 / 5 [198 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Copenhagen Card DISCOVER 80 attractions and public transport

Copenhagen

Copenhagen Card DISCOVER 80 attractions and public transport
Make the most of Denmark’s vibrant capital with a money-saving Copenhagen Card-Discover. How? Simply buy a card valid for 24, 48, 72, 96, or 120 hours and save your way around the city with free admission to more than 80 attractions and museums, including the must-visit Tivoli Gardens and much more. Plus, enjoy free public transportation throughout the Capital Region via bus, train, harbor bus, and metro. The Official Copenhagen Card is 100% digital. Download the app on your smartphone and tap in the card code. After redeeming and activating the card you are ready to explore Copenhagen. Please be aware not to activate (swipe) the card before you want to use it for transportation and visits at attractions and museums. When activating an order all cards in the order are activated at the same time. If you want to purchase cards that are going to be used at different periods please divide the booking on separate orders.

Price: D459

Min age: 0

Rating 4.57 / 5 [965 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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2 Hours Copenhagen Segway Tour

Copenhagen

2 Hours Copenhagen Segway Tour
Explore Copenhagen on a fun 2-hour-long Segway tour. After getting your necessary equipment and Segway, you will depart with your guide, who will provide live commentary on the locations you will visit along the way. You will view the sculpture of The Little Mermaid, Christiansborg Palace, Old Royal Stock Exchange, Amalienborg Palace and more, while receiving an informative narrative from your local expert guide. Tour is limited to a maximum of 12 travelers.

Price: D495

Min age: 10

Rating 4.93 / 5 [365 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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2 Hour Copenhagen Segway Tour

Copenhagen

2 Hour Copenhagen Segway Tour
Imagine getting on your Segway and cruising through Copenhagen experiencing all the must-see sights in just 2 hours on our most popular tour! After individual training on our spacious training ground, we begin along the water in a car-free zone. This is a great and safe way to take-off whilst still seeing iconic sights such as The Little Mermaid, Nyhavn, and much more! We really cover a lot of ground including must-see sights and some hidden gems - and of course there are some photo stops! We will take a small break half-way through in a 'hyggelig' cafe in the Royal Theatre. The fun and eco-friendly Segway allows you to see much more than by foot, and you can get up close to monuments where cars are not allowed. At the end of your tour please enjoy an organic complimentary refreshment & a fun Segway Souvenir. As the only officially authorized Segway Tour Operator in Denmark, we have the latest machines, a radio system and experienced guides to ensure you get the best possible tour.

Price: D499

Min age: 12

Rating 4.92 / 5 [239 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Grand Day Trip around Copenhagen

Copenhagen

Grand Day Trip around Copenhagen
See the attractions outside Copenhagen. The only tour that not only includes the royal castles but also visits the former capital, Roskilde. You see a lot more than on the other tours. You also get a more personal experience because we operate in small groups of 16 people or less. Knowledgeable and English speaking guide.

Price: D995

Min age: 0

Rating 4.82 / 5 [791 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Private Walking Grand Tour of Copenhagen

Copenhagen

Private Walking Grand Tour of Copenhagen
Join your private guide on a  3 hour walking tour through the heart of Copenhagen. Learn about the main city sites, history, culture, food and much more along the way.

Price: D2,000

Min age: 0

Rating 4.90 / 5 [3895 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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When to go

Copenhagen is at its best in the summer, when locals and visitors stay out until the early hours and cultural events bring live music, dance and art to the streets. Spring and autumn are also great – even for cycling – since the days are still warm but the bulk of the tourists have departed.

But don’t discount winter; it’s a charming time to drink cups of glog in cosy bars and enjoy the Danish tradition of hygge (cosiness). The festive Christmas markets at Tivoli, and the city’s Christmas Parade, make this an excellent destination for a festive break.

Getting there and away

Copenhagen Kastrup Airport is just 8km southeast of downtown; the train will whisk you directly to the city’s Central Station in just 15 minutes, while the Metro is also accessible from Terminal 3.

Taxis are readily available in the city and at the airport, though they tend to be expensive: a ride to the airport from the centre of town will take roughly 20 minutes. Buses are cheaper and take about 35 minutes to reach Central Station.

Getting around

Copenhagen has an excellent municipal transport system, with metro and buses covering all central locations and most of those further afield. Driving your own car isn’t really recommended unless you’re planning to tour the rest of the country.

By far the most popular method of transport for Copenhageners is the bicycle. Everyone rides a bike in the city and its wide roads, with separate bike lanes, are perfectly suited to life on two wheels. Avoid the free City Bike scheme if possible; the bikes are often in bad condition. Instead, pick up a snazzy cycle at Københavns Cyklebors in Indre By.

The Copenhagen Card gives free entry to 80-plus museums and attractions, plus free airport transfers and bus, train and metro travel within the city. Buy it from the airport, station, tourist office and hotels.

Where to stay

Central Copenhagen hotels range from affordable, homely guesthouses to sparkling boutique boltholes and opulent, fin-de-siècle properties.

The area around the town hall in buzzing Radhuspladsen is home to a number of sleek, ultra-modern hotels, while regal old Frederiksstaden, rising from the harbourfront, is good for smaller, more affordable places. The streets around Nyhavn have a handful of unique, restored gems.

The hip neighbourhood of Vesterbro, meanwhile, is home to many of the city’s artiest cafés and bars – and some of the funkiest places to stay.

Where to shop

The cobbled streets of Stroget, Købmagergade and Kompagnistræde are good for sleek Scandinavian homewares, modern design objets and home furnishings – both at smaller design shops and flagship department stores.

The Norrebro neighbourhood, meanwhile, is a good bet for clothing; Jaegersborggade in Nørrebro, one of the city’s hippest and most atmospheric streets, has art galleries, the best shops, great for up-and-coming jewellery designers, and a fleamarket in spring.

Another great bet is chic Vaernedamsvej, near Vesterbro. Sometimes dubbed ‘Little Paris’ it’s filled with cafés and delicatessens intermingled outlets for local designers.

Health & Safety

The city is generally very safe to walk around, even late at night, although pickpockets do exist. Compared to other parts of Europe, Scandinavia is one of the safest regions due to the benefits of a strong welfare state. Everyone – from the homeless to the unemployed to the very wealthy – is well taken care of by the state, meaning that few city denizens choose to resort to life on the fringes of society.