7 Best Day Trips from Copenhagen That Are Worth Taking

Last Updated on August 3, 2026 by Ioana

Copenhagen is a fun city with plenty of attractions. But if you have extra time, taking a day trip is a great way to see another side of Denmark or even another country.

The Danish capital has surprisingly easy access to charming small towns, historic castles, dramatic coastal landscapes, and even Sweden. You don’t necessarily need to rent a car either.

Several of these destinations are reachable by train or can be visited on an organized full-day tour from central Copenhagen.

I’ve put together this list of the best day trips from Copenhagen based on what I think is actually worth your time. I’ve included the easiest options as well as a few that require a longer day.

If I had to pick just three, I’d choose Malmö and Lund, Møns Klint and the Forest Tower, and Kronborg + Frederiksborg Castle.

They give you three completely different experiences: another country, spectacular nature, and Denmark’s royal history. 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.

1. Malmö and Lund, Sweden: Best for a Different Country

If you want to add another country to your Copenhagen trip, this is my top pick.

Malmö is across the Øresund Strait in Sweden, and getting there from Copenhagen is surprisingly easy.

You cross the famous Øresund Bridge, which connects Denmark and Sweden, and suddenly you’re exploring a completely different country.

I went to Malmö during my Copenhagen trip and loved it.

It’s a relatively small city, which makes it perfect for a day trip.

I found it very easy to explore at a leisurely pace, wandering through colorful plazas, looking at the historic buildings, popping into shops, and stopping for coffee.

It also felt noticeably more relaxed than Copenhagen.

What to do in Malmö

I’d spend most of your time around the old town and central areas.

Walk through Lilla Torg, one of Malmö’s prettiest squares, and explore the surrounding narrow streets. You can also see Malmö Castle, St. Peter’s Church, the city hall, and the waterfront.

One of my favorite parts was simply wandering around without a strict itinerary. Malmö is the kind of place where you can discover little cafés, shops, and green spaces just by walking.

And don’t skip Swedish food.

Sweden is also a great place to shop if you’re visiting from Denmark.

I had Swedish meatballs at Bullen Restaurant in the city center and really enjoyed them.

I stopped at H&M and found that prices were noticeably better than what I’d seen in Copenhagen.

For coffee, I went to Lilla Kafferosteriet, which was one of my favorite stops. There’s usually a line, but there is plenty of seating both outside and inside, including a lovely interior garden.

And definitely try the princess cake. It’s a traditional Swedish dessert and was much lighter than I expected.

Sweden also makes delicious cardamom buns. But the best one I had during this trip was in Copenhagen at Juno the Bakery. For all my bakery recommendations, check out my guide on the best pastries in Copenhagen.

Add Lund to your day

If you want to see more than Malmö, you can combine it with Lund.

Lund is one of Denmark and Sweden’s historic university towns and has a completely different atmosphere from Malmö.

The town center is filled with old buildings and cobbled streets, with Lund Cathedral as the main attraction.

A guided tour that combines Lund and Malmö is the easiest way to see both without having to figure out the transportation and logistics yourself.

My verdict: One of my favorite day trips from Copenhagen. If you’ve never been to Sweden before, I think this is absolutely worth doing.

2. Møns Klint and the Forest Tower: Best for Nature

If you’re looking for a complete change of scenery from Copenhagen’s cobbled streets and historic buildings, head into the Danish countryside.

This full-day trip combines two of Denmark’s most impressive natural attractions: Møns Klint and the Forest Tower.

Møns Klint is a spectacular stretch of white chalk cliffs overlooking the Baltic Sea on the island of Møn. It’s one of those places that feels very different from what you might expect to find so close to Copenhagen.

You’ll have time to experience the cliffs and surrounding landscape before heading to the Forest Tower.

The Forest Tower, or Skovtårnet, is an architectural attraction rising through the forest.

Instead of simply climbing a traditional tower, you walk along a winding wooden walkway through the trees until you reach the observation platform.

The reward is panoramic views over the surrounding forest and countryside.

The combination is what makes this such a good day trip.

You’re not spending the entire day looking at historical sites. You’re getting out into nature and seeing a completely different side of Denmark.

Good to know: The tour takes around eight hours, so this is a full day rather than a quick excursion. If you enjoy nature, photography, or simply want some fresh air after spending several days in central Copenhagen, it’s a great choice.

3. Kronborg and Frederiksborg Castles: Best for Castles and Danish History

If you love castles, this is probably the best day trip from Copenhagen for you.

Rather than choosing between Denmark’s most impressive royal residences, you can visit several major historical landmarks in one organized tour.

Kronborg Castle

Kronborg Castle sits in Helsingør, a small coastal town close to Sweden.

It’s best known around the world as Shakespeare’s Hamlet’s castle. Shakespeare called the setting Elsinore, and the castle became permanently associated with the story.

Even if you’re not an outlander fan or particularly interested in Shakespeare, Kronborg is worth visiting. Why? Well, for its architecture, history, and location overlooking the Øresund Strait.

The castle dates back to the late 16th century. It became one of the most important Renaissance castles in northern Europe.

After visiting the castle, take some time to walk around Helsingør. The old town has charming narrow streets and historic buildings, and it’s a nice contrast to Copenhagen.

Frederiksborg Castle

Frederiksborg Castle is another spectacular royal residence. But it looks completely different from Kronborg.

The castle sits on three small islands surrounded by a lake. It also has beautiful gardens and elaborate Renaissance architecture.

Inside, you’ll find the Museum of National History, with historical paintings and objects connected to Denmark’s rich history.

The castle is particularly impressive if you enjoy royal history and beautiful gardens.

Why take a tour?

You can technically visit these destinations using public transportation. But combining multiple castles in one day can become complicated.

A guided tour takes care of the transportation and timing. Thus, allowing you to see several historical sites without spending your day figuring out train connections and bus stops.

My verdict: One of the best day tours from Copenhagen if you want to learn about the Danish kings and see some pretty castles.

4. Roskilde: Best for Viking History

Roskilde is one of the easiest day trips from Copenhagen and a great choice if you’re interested in Denmark’s Viking history.

It’s a relatively short journey from the capital, making it possible to visit independently by train.

The two major attractions are Roskilde Cathedral and the Viking Ship Museum.

Roskilde Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the burial site of numerous Danish kings and queens.

The cathedral has a fascinating history spanning centuries. And it’s also one of the most important royal burial sites in Denmark.

The Viking Ship Museum is a completely different experience.

The museum focuses on Viking ships and Denmark’s maritime history. It has reconstructed and preserved vessels providing a fascinating look at how Vikings traveled and lived. Pretty cool if you ask me!

Roskilde itself is also worth exploring. After visiting the main attractions, take a leisurely stroll through the small town and its historic center.

5. Helsingør: Best for a Smaller Coastal Town

If you don’t want to spend an entire day on a tour, Helsingør is another easy day trip from Copenhagen.

It’s home to Kronborg Castle, but you can also visit just for the town itself.

Helsingør has colorful historic buildings, cobbled streets, small shops, cafés, and views across the Øresund toward Sweden.

It’s a great place to slow down and experience a smaller Danish town without going too far from the capital.

If you have extra time, combine Helsingør with Kronborg Castle and the Danish Maritime Museum.

The museum explores Denmark’s long relationship with the sea. It is built into a former dry dock next to the castle, making the setting part of the experience.

6. Louisiana Museum of Modern Art: Best for Art Lovers

The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art is one of the best modern art museums in Denmark. It is a great choice if you want something completely different from castles and historical sites.

It’s located north of Copenhagen in Humlebæk, right on the coast.

The museum itself is only part of the attraction. The building is surrounded by a sculpture park with views toward the Øresund.

And the combination of contemporary art, architecture, gardens, and water makes the entire experience feel very different from a traditional museum.

This is one of those places where you don’t necessarily need to rush from exhibit to exhibit.

Spend time looking at the art, walk through the sculpture garden, and stop to enjoy the scenery.

The museum is particularly beautiful during the warmer months, when you can spend more time outdoors.

7. Odense: Best for Hans Christian Andersen

If you have extra time in Denmark and want to explore one of the country’s other major cities, consider Odense.

Located on the island of Funen, Odense is famous for being the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen. He is the the author behind some of the world’s most famous fairy tales.

He wrote the Little Mermaid. The statue in Copenhagen is based on his work. It is, however, the most underwhelming attraction in Copenhagen. Check out my guide on best things to do in Copenhagen for attractions that are worth it.

Anyway! Back to Odense. Here you can visit the Hans Christian Andersen Museum and explore the historic streets associated with his childhood.

The city itself has a charming old town with colorful houses, cobbled streets, cafés, and pedestrianized areas.

Odense is farther from Copenhagen than the other options on this list. So I wouldn’t choose it for a short two- or three-day Copenhagen trip.

But if you’re spending five days or more in the capital, it can make for an interesting change of scenery.

8. Egeskov Castle: Best for a Fairytale Castle

If you want a castle that looks like it came straight out of a fairy tale, Egeskov Castle is one of the most beautiful options in Denmark.

The Renaissance castle dates back to the 16th century and is surrounded by gardens, parkland, and water.

It’s located on the island of Funen, so this isn’t one of the easiest day trips from Copenhagen. You’ll need considerably more travel time than you would for Roskilde or Helsingør.

But if castles are one of your favorite things when traveling, Egeskov can be worth the effort.

The castle grounds offer much more than just the building itself. There are also gardens, exhibitions, and outdoor attractions.

Which Copenhagen day trip should you choose?

Here’s my quick guide:

• Want to visit another country? → Malmö + Lund
• Want nature and panoramic views? → Møns Klint + Forest Tower
• Love castles and royal history? → Kronborg + Frederiksborg
• Interested in Vikings? → Roskilde
• Want a charming coastal town? → Helsingør
• Love modern art? → Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
• Love Hans Christian Andersen? → Odense
• Want a fairytale castle? → Egeskov Castle

My top 3 day trips from Copenhagen

If I were choosing just three, I’d go with:

1. Malmö + Lund. This is my personal favorite because you get to experience another country and the atmosphere is completely different from Copenhagen.

2. Møns Klint + Forest Tower. This is the best option for nature and a memorable change of scenery.

3. Kronborg + Frederiksborg. This is the best option for history, castles, and Danish royal heritage.

If you’re visiting Copenhagen for only two or three days, though, don’t feel like you have to take a day trip.

There is plenty to see in the Danish capital itself. I’d only add one once you’ve given yourself enough time to enjoy Copenhagen properly.

Check out my 2-day Copenhagen itinerary for recommendations on what to do in the Danish capital.

How to take day trips from Copenhagen

One of the best things about Copenhagen is the public transportation network.

Several destinations can be reached by train from Copenhagen Central Station. However, others are much easier to do with a guided tour.

Check out my guide on where to stay in Copenhagen if you want to choose a hotel that is close to the train station.

Take the train

For destinations such as Roskilde, Helsingør, Malmö, and Lund, traveling independently by train can be straightforward.

This is particularly useful if you want flexibility and prefer exploring at your own pace.

Take a guided tour

For destinations that involve multiple stops, a guided tour can be the easiest way to go.

That’s particularly true for the castle combination or Møns Klint and the Forest Tower.

Instead of coordinating trains and admission times, you have transportation and an itinerary organized for you.

How much time do you need?

Most of these are full-day experiences, although Roskilde and Helsingør can easily be shorter trips.

I’d avoid trying to squeeze several distant destinations into one day independently.

The point of a day trip is to enjoy the destination. Not spend the entire day watching Google Maps and worrying about whether you’ll make the next train.

Is Copenhagen worth using as a base for day trips?

Absolutely.

If you’re spending four or five days in Copenhagen, I’d seriously consider adding one day trip.

The city is compact enough that you can see many of the main sights relatively efficiently.

And then you can use an additional day to explore somewhere completely different.

And that’s the best part: you don’t have to choose between Copenhagen and the rest of Denmark.

You can have your Nyhavn, canal tour, palaces, Danish pastries, and design museums.

And then spend the next day standing beside Viking ships, go to Sweeden, or exploring a Renaissance castle.

That’s a pretty good reason to add an extra day to your Copenhagen itinerary.