31 Best things to see & do in Copenhagen

Unmissable boat tours through the city’s historic centre, ideal for seeing all of the main sights and getting an insight into the city’s culture and history along the way.

It may be short on scary rollercoasters, but this historic, fairytale theme park captures Copenhagen’s soul.

One of Europe’s most magnificent Renaissance castle-palaces, built in the 17th century by King Christian IV. It now houses the Museum of National History, which traces Denmark’s history through portraits, paintings, furniture and decorative arts.

Founded in Copenhagen in 1947, this global beer brand has become a trademark of Denmark. Tours offer a fascinating insight into probably the best beer museum in the world.

Northern Europe’s largest aquarium, housed in a striking piece of modern architecture, is home to over 20,000 animals, including 4m long hammerhead sharks.

A must-see museum in the medieval town of Roskilde, with five remarkable 1,000-year-old Viking ships on display – the best Viking ship museum in the world.

Combining farm-to-table eating with foraged fine dining, Copenhagen has become one of Europe’s gourmet stars. Home to 14 Michelin-starred restaurants, including the world’s best restaurant.

A huge collection of international applied art and iconic Danish industrial design that showcases Denmark’s world-class creative talent, that took the design world by storm in the 20th century.

Unearth Denmark’s fascinating cultural history, from prehistoric to modern times, at this world-class museum.

A splendid Renaissance castle in the city centre, home to Denmark’s crown jewels, a collection of precious gems – including some of the world’s finest emeralds – and displays of weapons, scientific instruments, a set of toy soldiers and other royal treasures.

Considered by many as the best restaurant in the world, three Michelin-starred Noma has re-set the bar for molecular gastronomy, with a focus on locally-sourced Scandinavian produce.

Once used by the Royal Family, Christiansborg is now the seat of the Danish government, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Supreme Court. The palace features royal reception rooms, a great hall bedecked in tapestries, royal stables, a kitchen and a royal chapel – all of which can be explored independently or on guided tours.

The official residence of the Royal Family welcomes visitors for behind-the-scenes tours of a real working palace, offering an insight into the lives and history of one of Europe’s oldest monarchies.

The city’s historical museum showcases hundreds of years of history dating back to the Vikings, through interactive exhibits, installations, and local historical artefacts. Worth a visit for history buffs and anyone interested to understand where the city came from, and how events have created and shaped the buzzing metropolis it is today.

This treasure trove of art and archaeological artefacts is in two parts; there’s a fine collection of antiquities from Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Rome, and Etruscan Cultures. The modern collection features French sculpture from the 19th century – notably sculptures by Rodin – French Impressionist painting from 1800 to 1950, notably by Paul Gauguin, and a collection of Danish Golden Age Art.

With over 5,000 miles of coastline adjoining three different seas, you’d expect Denmark to be a seafaring nation with a rich maritime history. This museum in the nearby town of Helsingor preserves that fascinating heritage through interactive exhibits, real-life stories and historical artifacts, notably from the booming trade era of the 18th century to the technology-led shipping of today. Open daily, except Mondays in winter.

Denmark’s biggest art gallery has permanent exhibitions of national and international art spanning the past seven centuries. Highlights include works by Edvard Munch and one of the world’s best Matisse collections.

Dramatically situated on the crest of a hill, Kronborg is a 15th-century castle and stronghold. Said to have inspired Shakespeare’s Hamlet, it’s also one of Copenhagen’s most impressive UNESCO World Heritage sites. Helsingor itself is a charming town of half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets – worth a wander while you’re there.

A foodie hotspot, in a global culinary capital, is not to be missed. This gourmet food market sees a plethora of seasonal foods for sale, alongside more staple Danish specialties like fresh pastries. Food stalls aplenty offer tempting treats to snaffle on the go or at the outdoor tables.

This small, buzzing street is a great spot for shopping and soaking up the local vibe. It’s packed with independent art galleries, jewellery designers, vintage clothes, plus charming cafes, restaurants and bars for relaxing and people-watching.

The flagship store of this legendary Copenhagen brand, with the world’s largest selection of their beautifully designed and crafted silverware.

These 10-hectare gardens in the city centre is both a haven for more than 13,000 plant species, and a pleasant respite from the city bustle. Highlights include a butterfly house, a Nordic beer garden showcasing plants used by Nordic beer brewers, and the magnificent Victorian 27-glasshouse complex, dating back to 1874. Open Tuesday-Sunday.

A waterfront street food market and creative hub, this is a favourite after-work haunt for locals, who come to graze on everything from sushi to tacos and burgers, and laze in deckchairs by the sea. A magnet for foodie and street food lovers. Closed in winter.

Ambitious annual extravaganza – Europe’s best Jazz festival – hosting hundreds of concerts across the city.

Established in 1775, this specialist combines high-quality porcelain with uniquely Danish style. A Danish institution, this is its flagship store.

For showstopping views across Copenhagen, climb the 17th-century Round Tower (Rundetaarn), which houses Europe’s oldest working observatory at the top.

This award-winning interactive science museum is packed with experiments, interactive exhibits, and animations that will occupy science-lovers – and inquisitive, energetic kids – for hours. Don’t miss the ‘Bubblearium’. Open daily.

This Modernist art museum was founded to showcase the contributions of Danish artists in movements such as European Nouveau Realisme, American Pop Art, and Minimalism. The rotating 4,000-strong collection, featuring Danish and international artists, includes works by Francis Bacon, Picasso and Kandinsky. There’s also a 60-piece Sculpture Park.

On the second Friday in October, Kulturnatten is a cultural evening of live music, poetry, art and food, held in hundreds of interesting venues across town, showcasing the city’s rich culture.

Copenhagen’s answer to Selfridge’s is this upscale, 5-storey department store and a good find for foodies. The basement has an excellent food market, and the rooftop restaurants are a pleasant, centrally-located spot to stop in for refreshments in between shopping and sightseeing. There’s also a Japanese teahouse on the 4th floor. Open daily.

Started in 2007 by two friends, this pioneering craft beer success story has since spread to multiple cities, including Stockholm and San Francisco. A Copenhagen institution now recognised worldwide, it’s the place to go for consistently great tasting beer and some enticingly experimental brews.