Things to do in Copenhagen

Copenhagen: the cycling city that takes you to the best experiences

Over the past few decades, the Danish capital has become one of Europe's leading destinations, and it is easy to see why. Nordic simplicity meets a real love of food, lively city life and a relaxed energy that makes it easy to feel at home. Along Nyhavn people sit in the sun with ice cream, while a few hundred metres away chefs serve dishes that rival the very best in Europe.

Much of the explanation lies on two wheels. In Copenhagen, the bike is most people's first choice, whether they are heading for one of the city's best bakeries or a Michelin restaurant by the harbour. Others prefer a kayak and paddle straight through the canals.

Tivoli: the amusement park that changes through the year

Tivoli is just a few minutes' walk from City Hall Square and one of Copenhagen's most visited attractions, and with good reason. The park is full of experiences, from wild rides to good restaurants and big concerts in its historic gardens. Tivoli has been part of the city's soul since 1843 and is still one of Europe's most loved amusement parks.

What makes Tivoli extra special is how much it changes through the year. In summer it is a classic amusement park with rides, concerts and green gardens. In autumn it turns to Halloween, with pumpkins, spiders and scarecrows and haunted houses for the brave.

When December comes, Tivoli transforms again, with Christmas lights everywhere, a cosy ice rink and tens of thousands of baubles in the trees, before ending the year with a New Year's celebration in the heart of Copenhagen.

Tivoli is not alone. Just north of the city, in the deer park at Klampenborg, lies Bakken, the world's oldest amusement park, surrounded by horse-drawn carriages and roaming deer. It has more than 30 rides and roller coasters and a more nostalgic, woodland atmosphere than Tivoli.

Family days out with animals

The Blue Planet is Northern Europe's largest aquarium, with around 50 tanks full of everything from small shoaling fish to sharks. The building itself, shaped like a whirlpool, sits on the Øresund coast in Kastrup and is an attraction in its own right.

Copenhagen Zoo in Frederiksberg is home to thousands of animals, from monkeys and elephants to hippos, lions and polar bears, and is easy to explore with children thanks to good paths.

The Christmas markets that take over the city in December

Copenhagen in December is an experience of its own, and the Christmas markets are a big part of the reason. Several places in the centre light up with thousands of lights, and the streets fill with stalls, the smell of mulled wine and decorations overhead.

In the centre you will find classic Christmas markets with crafts, sweets and hot drinks, and both Bakken and Tivoli dress up for Christmas from the end of November. A trip to the Christmas markets shows you a completely different side of the capital.

Cycling in Copenhagen: get around like a local

In Copenhagen you don't cycle to see the city, you cycle to live in it. It is how people get to work, to the bakery in the morning and to dinner in the evening. To experience the city like a local, rent a bike and join the flow of traffic.

The cycle bridges across the harbour have become part of the city's identity, and the Circle Bridge in Christianshavn, designed by artist Olafur Eliasson, is one of the most photographed.

We have gathered five reasons to see Copenhagen by bike, from bike rental and cargo bikes to getting home from a night out on two wheels.

CopenHill: skiing on a power plant roof

Only in Copenhagen will you find a ski slope on the roof of a waste-to-energy plant. CopenHill, designed by architect Bjarke Ingels, offers artificial-turf skiing and snowboarding all year round and a tall climbing wall, but it is the view that steals the show. From the top, 85 metres up, you can see across the whole of Copenhagen and all the way to Sweden on clear days. The roof, café and paths are free to visit.

Kayaking through the canals

To see Copenhagen from a new angle, get into a kayak. The calm canals make paddling one of the most relaxing ways to experience the city, and from the water Nyhavn and the old canal houses look completely different. Kayaking is not just a summer activity here, and many paddle through the canals in winter when the city is decorated with lights.

In Nyhavn you paddle past the iconic colourful facades and old sailing ships, while the canals towards Slotsholmen take you past historic buildings and busy quays. You will find kayak rental in several places along the water.

In summer, Kalvebod Bølge is a popular spot for both swimming and kayaking.

From Nyhavn to Vesterbro: the city's most exciting neighbourhoods

Much of Copenhagen is best explored on foot or by bike. Nyhavn is perhaps the city's most famous face, with colourful houses and canals stretching out to the harbour, but Copenhagen is much more than one postcard view.

The inner city has the Royal Danish Theatre and Strøget, one of Europe's longest shopping streets. Christianshavn, with its canals, is calmer, while Vesterbro is home to coffee bars, natural wine bistros and an urban energy that appeals to those who want to dig a little deeper. By the sea, Kastellet is a well-preserved star-shaped fortress from the 17th century.

Close to the ramparts stands St Alban's Church, an English church in Gothic style surrounded by water and, in spring, cherry trees in full bloom.

The Copenhagen food scene: from Michelin stars to fresh sourdough

Nobody talks about food in Copenhagen without mentioning Noma, the restaurant that revolutionised Nordic cuisine and put the city on the global gastronomic map. That legacy lives on through new generations of chefs and restaurants such as VÆKST, listed in the Michelin Guide, where modern Nordic dishes are served in green, garden-like surroundings.

Bakeries have an equally strong place in Copenhagen's heart. One of them is RUG, where master baker Gonzalo Guarda makes sourdough bread from local grain. His journey went from Buenos Aires via the kitchen at Noma to his own oven.

A Danish breakfast is often all about this: crisp, freshly baked bread, good butter, jam and a cup of coffee. To explore more, our guide to the six best bakeries in Copenhagen has plenty of tips.

Best time to visit Copenhagen

Copenhagen works all year, but each season offers something different. June to August is high season, with long, light days and city life spilling outdoors. In May or September you avoid the biggest crowds and often find better hotel prices. October brings Halloween at Tivoli, and December takes you into Copenhagen's Christmas magic.

Getting around Copenhagen

Copenhagen Airport is around 15 minutes from the centre by metro, and the Rejsebillet app is the easiest way to pay for metro, buses and trains. Once in the city, many visitors choose a bike over public transport, and you will find bike rental on most corners.

Hotels range from design hotels in the inner city to cosy boutique hotels in Vesterbro, so it is easy to find something that suits your budget.

Copenhagen is expensive by European standards, so always book the most sought-after restaurants well in advance, sometimes months ahead. Once you are here, though, Copenhagen is all about letting the bike take you wherever the road leads.

Copenhagen: frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in Copenhagen?

Two to three days is enough for a classic city break with Tivoli, Nyhavn, museums and good restaurants. With four days you can add a day trip to the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art or Kronborg Castle in Helsingør.

When is Tivoli open?

Tivoli usually opens from spring to autumn, with special seasons for Halloween and Christmas. Christmas at Tivoli is especially popular. Always check the latest opening times before you travel.

Is it easy to cycle in Copenhagen as a visitor?

Yes. Copenhagen has wide, separated cycle lanes, and bikes can be rented all over the city. Follow local rules: keep to the right, signal before stopping or turning, and use lights after dark.