The Best Things to Do in Copenhagen + Hidden Gems

Last Updated on August 3, 2026 by Ioana

Copenhagen is a city where you can see the major sights in just a couple of days. But it also has plenty of hidden gems to explore.

During my trip, I did a lot of things. I visited the famous colorful Nyhavn, climbed the Round Tower, took a canal tour, explored royal palaces, wandered around Freetown Christiania, ate my way through Danish bakeries, and spent some time simply walking around the city center.

And while some of Copenhagen’s most famous attractions absolutely deserve a spot on your itinerary, a few were honestly underwhelming. I’m looking at you, Little Mermaid statue.

So in this guide, I’m sharing the best things to do in Copenhagen, including the attractions I enjoyed most, a few experiences I’d book, and some lesser-known places to add if you have extra time.

If you’re visiting for the first time, you can also use these recommendations alongside my 2-day Copenhagen itinerary, where I’ve organized the sights into a practical day-by-day route. This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Find out more here.

The Best Things to Do in Copenhagen

1. See the colorful Nyhavn Canal

If you’ve ever seen a photo of Copenhagen, you’ve probably seen Nyhavn.

The colorful 17th-century townhouses lining the canal are one of the city’s most recognizable sights, and yes, I think they’re worth seeing in person.

I went early in the morning and loved it. There were very few people around, which made it much easier to take photos and actually enjoy the atmosphere without fighting through crowds.

Later in the day, Nyhavn becomes much busier, especially during the warmer months.

You’ll find restaurants and cafés lining the waterfront, but I wouldn’t personally eat here.

The location is beautiful, but the restaurants are heavily geared toward tourists and I think you’ll find better food elsewhere in central Copenhagen.

Instead, come for a walk, take your pictures, and then continue exploring.

My tip: Go early in the morning if you want the prettiest photos with fewer people.

2. Take a Copenhagen canal tour

A canal tour was one of my favorite things I did in Copenhagen.

You get to see a huge number of the city’s main attractions from the water, including Nyhavn, Christiansborg Palace, the Copenhagen Opera House, and even the back of the Little Mermaid statue.

What made the experience particularly fun was the guide. Our live guide was genuinely funny and entertaining while still explaining the history and architecture.

Sso it didn’t feel like one of those tours where you’re just listening to someone recite facts for an hour.

And there is one very important thing you need to know before getting on the boat:

The bridges are LOW.

When the boat approaches some of them, you actually need to sit down or duck so you don’t hit your head.

It’s surprisingly funny watching everyone suddenly scramble down when the guide tells you a bridge is coming.

I thought the canal tour was a great way to see Copenhagen from a completely different perspective, and I’d recommend it even if you’re only in the city for a few days.

3. Climb the Round Tower

The Round Tower is one of my favorite viewpoints in Copenhagen.

It’s located right in the city center and is particularly easy to visit because you don’t have to climb hundreds of traditional stairs to reach the top.

Instead, most of the climb is a wide, gently inclined ramp that spirals upward through the historic tower.

There are some stairs toward the top, but the majority of the journey is much easier than climbing a conventional tower.

Once you reach the top, you get panoramic views across Copenhagen.

You can see the city’s rooftops, historic buildings, church towers, and parts of the surrounding area.

I think it’s absolutely worth doing, especially because it’s relatively quick and doesn’t require you to dedicate half a day to an attraction.

4. Visit Christiansborg Palace

Christiansborg Palace is one of the most important buildings in Copenhagen because it isn’t simply a royal palace.

It’s also home to parts of the Danish government, including the Danish Parliament. And the building has played an important role in the country’s history.

One of my favorite things to do here is actually completely free: go up the tower.

There’s an elevator that takes you toward the top, although there can be a line. Fortunately, it moves fairly quickly.

The views from the top are excellent. But since I had already climbed the Round Tower, I decided not to climb the tower at Copenhagen City Hall as well.

If you have limited time, I’d choose either the Round Tower or Christiansborg’s tower rather than doing every viewpoint in the city.

5. Explore Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg Castle is one of Copenhagen’s most beautiful royal palaces. And a great place to visit if you’re interested in Danish history.

The castle dates back to the reign of King Christian IV. And it has an impressive collection of royal interiors, artwork, and historical objects.

I particularly liked that it looks quite different from many of the grand palaces you’ll find elsewhere in Europe. The colors and interiors have a distinctly Nordic feel.

The castle is also located beside King’s Garden, so you can combine the visit with a relaxing walk through the green space.

Good to know: Rosenborg Castle is included with the Copenhagen Card, which can be a very good deal if you’re planning to visit multiple attractions and use public transport.

6. Visit Amalienborg Palace and watch the Royal Guard

Amalienborg Palace is the official home of the Danish royal family. So this is where you can get a glimpse of Denmark’s modern monarchy.

One fun detail: you can tell whether the royals are at home by looking at the flags above the palace.

The changing of the Royal Guard takes place at noon.

I arrived around 11:45 a.m. and there were already so many people that I couldn’t get a spot at the front.

The ceremony wasn’t as impressive to me as the changing of the guards in London or Athens. But it’s still a fun thing to see if you’re interested in the royal family.

While you’re here, take a look at Frederik’s Church, also known as the Marble Church. It’s just a short walk away.

7. Walk around Stroget and central Copenhagen

Strøget is the city’s main shopping street, lined with stores, cafés, restaurants, and Danish design shops.

I went early in the morning when the street was almost empty, and it was a completely different experience from later in the day when the crowds arrived.

But don’t feel like you need to stay on Strøget.

Walk down the parallel streets. Turn into random little squares. Look at the historic buildings. Stop for coffee. Browse shops you wouldn’t normally enter.

Copenhagen is incredibly pleasant to explore this way.

8. Visit Copenhagen City Hall

Copenhagen City Hall is another impressive historic building right in the heart of the city. If you’re trying to figure out if staying in central Copenhagen is the best thing for you, check out by Copenhagen neighborhood and hotel guide.

The main hall is free to visit, and you can see the astronomical clock inside.

There’s also a tower you can climb for another panoramic view of the Danish capital.

I skipped the tower because I had already climbed the Round Tower earlier that day, but if you haven’t done a viewpoint yet, it’s another option.

The large square outside City Hall is also a convenient place to take a break, and it’s close to Tivoli Gardens and Strøget.

9. Spend a few hours at Tivoli Gardens

Tivoli Gardens is one of Copenhagen’s most famous attractions and one of the oldest amusement parks in the world.

It’s also said to have inspired Walt Disney when he was developing the concept for Disneyland.

So naturally, I had to see it.

My experience was a little mixed.

When I arrived, the line was huge, easily a hundred people long. I’d already purchased my ticket online, so I assumed I’d still have to wait for hours.

Surprisingly, the line moved incredibly quickly and I was inside in around 15 minutes.

Once inside, though, I found Tivoli very crowded.

The park isn’t enormous, and almost every ride had a queue. There wasn’t really a ride where you could simply walk up and get on.

After about an hour of the crowds and constant hustle, I was ready to leave.

That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t recommend Tivoli. It’s a beautiful and unique place, and I’m sure the experience can be very different depending on the day and time of year.

Just don’t expect to walk in and immediately go from ride to ride without waiting.

My tip: Buy your ticket online before you go. Otherwise, you’ll have to deal with another line to purchase your ticket when you arrive.

10. See the Little Mermaid statue but manage your expectations

Let’s talk about the most disappointing tourist attraction I’ve ever visited.

The Little Mermaid statue is famous. Very famous.

But the statue itself is tiny, sitting on rocks in the water, and you can’t get particularly close to it.

On top of that, the area is packed with tourists because tour buses stop here.

I personally wouldn’t go out of my way to visit it.

If you’re taking a canal tour, you’ll get to see the statue from the water anyway, which I actually think is a much better experience.

If you really want the classic photo, though, you can stop by. Just don’t expect some enormous Copenhagen landmark.

11. Explore Freetown Christiania

Freetown Christiania is one of the most unusual places in Copenhagen.

It’s a self-proclaimed autonomous neighborhood that began in the 1970s when a group of hippies occupied a former military barracks.

Today, Christiania is known for its alternative culture, colorful street art, creative spaces, and very different atmosphere from the rest of central Copenhagen.

It’s worth visiting simply because it feels so different.

Just remember that this isn’t an amusement park or a tourist attraction. Real people live here.

Be respectful, follow local rules, and pay attention to photography restrictions.

One of the most famous areas is Pusher Street, although the neighborhood is much more than that one street.

12. Walk around Christianshavn

Christianshavn is another colorful waterfront neighborhood that I really enjoyed.

You’ll find canals, boats, colorful buildings, and a much slower pace than some of the busier central streets.

It’s a great place to wander around after visiting Christiania.

You can also see the distinctive Church of Our Saviour, recognizable by its spiral tower.

If you have a sunny day, this is one of those places where I wouldn’t rush. Grab a coffee or ice cream and simply enjoy being by the water.

13. Eat your way through Copenhagen’s bakeries

You can’t come to Copenhagen and ignore the Danish pastries.

Seriously.

The city’s bakery scene was one of my favorite things about the trip.

I visited several bakeries and ate my way through cardamom buns, cinnamon pastries, saffron buns, custard-filled pastries, and cakes. Check out my full guide on the best bakeries in Copenhagen.

Sankt Peders Bageri was my second favorite bakery after Juno the Bakery. Its vanilla custard and saffron bun was probably my favorite pastry in Copenhagen.

If you’re a serious pastry lover, I’d actually make bakeries part of your sightseeing itinerary rather than treating them as an afterthought.

14. Eat smørrebrød

Smørrebrød is one of the foods you should try on your first trip to Copenhagen.

It’s essentially an open-faced sandwich, usually served on dense Danish rye bread. It is topped with ingredients such as fish, meat, chicken salad, or eggs.

I’ll be honest: I didn’t love it.

But I still think it’s worth trying because food is such an important part of experiencing Danish culture.

For a traditional smørrebrød experience, Schønnemann is one of the famous choices, but you’ll want to reserve well in advance.

Aamanns 1921 and Restaurant Palaegade are other popular options.

If you’re looking for something more casual and budget-friendly, you can also find smørrebrød at smaller local places.

15. Take a Danish food tour

If you love food, a food tour is one of the best ways to get an introduction to Copenhagen’s food scene.

A guided tour can introduce you to local specialties, Danish pastries, traditional foods, and the history behind what you’re eating.

This is especially useful if you’re only visiting for a couple of days. You can get several tastings in one experience rather than spending your entire trip researching restaurants.

It’s also a great option for solo travelers who want a little social interaction without committing to spending an entire day with a group.

Unique Experiences to Try in Copenhagen

1. Take a Hygge and Happiness tour

You’ve probably heard the word hygge before.

It’s often translated as something along the lines of coziness, but the concept is much broader than candles and blankets.

A small-group hygge tour gives you the opportunity to explore some of Copenhagen’s charming neighborhoods while learning about Danish culture and everyday life.

The experience I found includes a walk through Nyboder, local history, Danish treats, pastries, chocolate, coffee, and stops in quieter green spaces and hidden corners of the city.

I think this is a particularly good choice if you’ve already seen the main attractions and want something that feels more local.

2. Visit the Home of Carlsberg

If you like beer, add the Home of Carlsberg to your Copenhagen itinerary.

The experience takes you into the historic world of the Carlsberg brewery and explores the company’s history and beer-making traditions.

It’s a good rainy-day activity and a nice change of pace from sightseeing around palaces and canals.

3. See Copenhagen on a bike tour with a local

If you want to combine sightseeing with a little exercise, a guided bike tour is one of the most efficient ways to see Copenhagen.

You can cover several neighborhoods and major attractions while learning about the city from a local guide.

Some tours cover highlights including Christiania, Christiansborg Palace, Rosenborg Castle, the Little Mermaid, and Nyhavn.

I’d especially recommend this for a first visit because Copenhagen’s cycling infrastructure makes biking feel very natural here.

4. Take a Danish pastry tasting tour

If you read my Copenhagen itinerary, you’ll know that pastries were basically one of the main characters of my trip.

A Danish pastry tasting tour is a fun way to sample local specialties while learning more about the city’s food culture.

And if you’re traveling with someone who doesn’t care about castles and royal palaces, I have a feeling they’ll be much more excited about this.

Hidden Gems and Alternative Things to Do in Copenhagen

Once you’ve seen Nyhavn, Tivoli Gardens, Rosenborg Castle, and the other top sights, these are the experiences I’d consider adding.

1. Discover Nyboder

Nyboder is a historic neighborhood of small, colorful houses that feels completely different from the busy streets around the main tourist attractions.

It’s one of the areas included on the hygge walking tour. And I love the idea of exploring it with a local guide because you’ll learn about the history rather than simply walking past the buildings.

It’s also a good place to see a quieter side of Copenhagen.

2. Visit the Designmuseum Danmark

Denmark is famous for its design. So if you’re interested in Scandinavian interiors, furniture, or architecture, Designmuseum Danmark is worth adding to your list.

It’s particularly good on a rainy day when you need an indoor activity.

3. Explore the Botanical Garden

Copenhagen’s Botanical Garden is a peaceful green space in the middle of the city.

It’s a nice place to slow down after spending hours walking through the city center.

The historic glasshouses are especially beautiful. And the garden is conveniently located near central attractions, making it easy to combine with sightseeing.

4. Visit the Copenhagen Opera House

The Copenhagen Opera House sits directly across the harbor from Amalienborg Palace. And it’s an impressive example of contemporary Danish architecture.

Even if you don’t have time to attend a performance, it’s worth seeing from the waterfront.

You can also get a particularly nice perspective of it during a canal tour.

But I recommend you go on a guided tour if you want to learn more about it.

5. Explore the Meatpacking District

The Meatpacking District, or Kødbyen, is one of Copenhagen’s best areas for food, drinks, nightlife, and a more contemporary atmosphere.

The former industrial area has been transformed into restaurants, bars, galleries, and creative spaces.

It’s a great place to come in the evening if you want to experience a different side of the Danish capital.

6. Visit Carlsberg’s historic district

Even if you aren’t interested in the beer experience, the Carlsberg neighborhood itself is interesting to explore.

The historic brewery buildings have been integrated into a much larger area with restaurants and cultural spaces.

It’s a good option if you’ve already seen the main sights and want to explore outside the most touristy part of central Copenhagen.

Best Day Trips From Copenhagen

If you have more than two or three full days, I would seriously consider taking a day trip outside Copenhagen. Check out my guide on the best day trips from Copenhagen for my recommendations.

One of my favorite options is Malmö, Sweden. It’s incredibly easy to reach from Copenhagen, and you can experience another country in the same trip.

I loved Malmö’s colorful squares, historic buildings, and relaxed atmosphere. I also had Swedish meatballs at Bullen Restaurant and coffee at Lilla Kafferosteriet.

And I even did some shopping at H&M because, well, when in Sweden.

Another great option is Møns Klint and the Forest Tower, which combines dramatic chalk cliffs with a forested observation tower.

The Forest Tower rises above the surrounding trees and gives you panoramic views over the landscape.

For castles and history, consider Kronborg Castle, the famous castle in Helsingør associated with Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

There are also organized day trips combining Kronborg, Frederiksborg Castle, and Roskilde if you want to see several historic sites without figuring out public transportation yourself.

Is the Copenhagen Card Worth It?

If you’re planning to visit a lot of paid attractions, I think the Copenhagen Card is worth looking into.

It includes admission to dozens of attractions as well as public transportation, and you can choose different durations depending on your trip.

I wish I had bought one.

I traveled with my mom and brother, and we spent around €20 on just three round-trip subway tickets.

Public transportation in Copenhagen is expensive enough that the card can quickly become worthwhile if you’re visiting several attractions.

Rosenborg Castle and many other major sights are included, so calculate the individual admission prices before your trip and compare them with the card.

My Favorite Things to Do in Copenhagen

If you asked me to narrow this entire list down to the experiences I enjoyed most, I’d choose:

1. Taking a canal tour — one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to see the city.
2. Eating Danish pastries — obviously.
3. Exploring Nyhavn early in the morning — much more peaceful than visiting later.
4. Climbing the Round Tower — great views without an exhausting climb.
5. Walking around Christianshavn and Christiania — very different from the polished center.
6. Exploring Copenhagen without a plan — the city is made for wandering.
7. Taking a day trip to Malmö — especially if you’ve never visited Sweden before.