11 Places You Must See In Copenhagen

This post may contain affiliate links. By purchasing through my links you can help support me at no additional cost to you, thank you!

Welcome to the beautiful capital city of Denmark. When visiting this city for the first time, there are certain places you must see in Copenhagen. This guide will make sure you won’t miss any of them!

Copenhagen will always be one of my favorite cities in the world, the atmosphere here is hyggeligt, and it just feels like home. For those unfamiliar with the word hyggeligt – it only exists in Danish but roughly translates to “cozy”. If you’re coming to Denmark, you should get familiar with this word. Copenhagen has it all: beautifully lined streets of old houses, sea views lining the city, serene parks, and a fantastic up-and-coming urban scene. This post will focus on the places and things you must see in Copenhagen.

The best time to visit Copenhagen is definitely during the summer. While many European destinations get fantastic weather during the spring, Denmark is not one of those places. Always be prepared for a lot of rain and even more wind! July and August are the driest months here, so you will have the highest chance of a clear sky. Otherwise, visiting during December is also great, with the Christmas atmosphere everywhere.

As a first-time visitor, there are certain places you simply must see in Copenhagen, before you go looking for the hidden gems. In this guide, I have included 8 must-see places, along with 3 foods/ drinks you must try while visiting, for the ultimate Danish experience. If you want to experience more authentic and local regions here, then I have another guide with all the less-touristy things to do in Copenhagen.

Table of Contents

General Tips:

The currency here is the Danish Krone and 1 euro = roughly 7.5 dkk
The coffee here is ridiculously expensive (1 latte = 50-60 dkk = ~7.3 euros)
A lot of places are completely cash-free, so make sure your credit card works abroad
Tipping is not a part of the culture nor is it expected, but you can always leave a tip if you really enjoyed the service

This post is all about places you must see in Copenhagen

1. Nyhavn – the picture-perfect place you must see in Copenhagen

If this name doesn’t ring a bell, then I am sure you will be able to recognize the photo. If there is one photo that screams Copenhagen, then it’s of these beautiful old-colored houses lining a small canal. Honestly, it is one of the most beautiful areas in Copenhagen, however, due to the number of tourists here, locals will avoid it at all costs. I recommend coming here earlier in the day before it gets extremely busy, so you can enjoy your walk here. This place is a must-see in Copenhagen.

Even though it looks extremely appealing, I would not recommend sitting in a restaurant here. The menu is overpriced and the service isn’t very good. Instead, grab a beer or a coffee and sit on the edge of the canal on the other side, so you have a free and amazing view of Nyhavn (which means new harbor).

If you want to take a canal tour, the generic tourist boat leaves from here. It gets pretty crowded so try to come early. if you want a nicer alternative that locals use to see the canals by themselves – then check out my other Copenhagen guide.

Pro tip: Copenhagen doesn’t have a lot of public bathrooms (and definitely not many that are free). At Nyhavn, you can find a free clean bathroom so make sure to stop here before you leave. 😅

2. Strøget

This iconic shopping street used to be the longest pedestrian street in the world at 1.1 km and is today still one of the longer streets in Europe. Here you will find all the big brands as well as some local shops, however, on the main street (Strøget) it will mostly consist of well-known brand names.

Strøget starts from the city hall and continues down until Kongs Nytorv square. The city hall is where it begins and thus the more affordable shops such as H&M etc. will be found here. As you walk towards Kongs Nytorv you will reach the more expensive shops such as Tommy Hilfiger and more.

A nice side street I highly recommend checking out is Købmagergade which also has some nice shops and a pretty square in the middle.

3. Kongens Nytorv

Connecting Nyhavn and Strøget, we have the famous square called Kongens Nytorv (which means the king’s new tower). There isn’t much to do here, but it is a pretty square and often a local meeting spot. The famous d’Angletter hotel is located here and you should definitely stop and see this square on your way to Nyhavn.

4. Visit the Queen at Amalienborg

In case you didn’t know, Denmark is a constitutional monarchy. The queen is called Margaret II and she is dearly beloved by the Danes. My grandmother wasn’t religious and rarely ever went to church, but the Queen’s Birthday was the most important holiday of the year for her. The royal family is very active within society. Prince Joachim is the Danish Military Attache in Paris and Crown Prince Frederik is very involved in sporting events and runs in marathons etc.

Amalienborg is the complex where the royal family resides when in Copenhagen. There are four identical palaces in an octagon shape with guards lining them. If you want to witness the changing of the guards, then it occurs every day at noon. And if you happen to visit Denmark on the 16th of April, don’t go to Amalienborg. It is the queen’s birthday and the whole square will be flooded with thousands of adoring Danes. You can read more about the changing of the guards here.

Once at Amalienborg, make sure to check out Amalienborg Have (garden) on the other side of the street. It is a small but charming garden you can sit and relax in for a while.

5. Visit Frederik’s Church

Also known as Marmorkirke (marble church) among the locals. This church lies just behind the Amalienborg quarter and is free to enter. It is very impressive and looks like it belongs in Rome, so make sure to check it out while you’re in the area.

6. Tivoli

Tivoli is the main amusement park in Copenhagen and it is actually the third-oldest operating amusement park in the world. Tivoli is great to visit all throughout the year, however, the tickets can get a bit pricy. An entrance ticket to the amusement park (not including rides) costs around 150 DKK, whereas, a ticket including the rides costs around 250 DKK. Although this, visiting the park is a must for any visitor – even if you aren’t interested in the rides. You can find more information regarding admission here.

There are always events happening in the Tivoli Gardens – especially in the summer, as many concerts are held here. During the winter months, the whole park is decorated with Christmas lights, so make sure to stop by during your visit!

7. Den Lille Havefrue – another must-see in Copenhagen

In English known as “the little mermaid”, this statue is a Danish Icon. However, I, unfortunately, have to warn you that it is not nearly as impressive as it appears to be. Although this, it still has to be on the list of must-sees in Copenhagen. Luckily, it lies along the Langelinie path which runs from around Kastellet (the citadel) along the water into town, so you get a wonderful walk when you visit the sculpture.

The little mermaid statue is based on a fairytale by the Danish author, Hans Christian Andersen. The fairytale was about a mermaid who gave up everything in order to be united with a young, and handsome prince on land. Although it attracts thousands of visitors, the sculpture is quite small and potentially underwhelming. Saying this, I still encourage you to pass by – because no trip to Copenhagen is complete without it.

8. Climb up Rundetaarn / Vor Frelsers Kirke

The two best views over Copenhagen can be found at these towers. I have added both in the same category since you may find it unnecessary to visit both, but if you love a good view, they do offer different views over the city.

Rundetaarn – translated into “the round tower” is the iconic tower most people tend to visit. Conveniently, it is located along a side street off Strøget (on Købmagergade). Entrance to the tower costs 40 DKK for adults (15+) and it includes a visit to an exhibition, as well as of course beautiful views. If you want some more information regarding a visit, click here. Personally growing up in Denmark, I prefer Rundetaarn as it is simply iconic, and no trip to Copenhagen is complete without a stop here. Simply the walk up is an experience in itself as there are barely any stairs.

On the other hand, if you like going to ‘lesser known’ places, then Vor Frelsers Kirke – translated into “Our Saviour’s Church” is for you. Located in Chritianshavn, this church is a bit outside the city center. However, Christianshavn is an amazing area (more on that in my other Copenhagen blog post) to walk around in. The entrance is more expensive as adult tickets cost 65 DKK, although it offers an arguably more exciting climbing experience. To get to the top, you must actually climb and spiral staircase located on the exterior of the church. In addition, the view here offers a more panoramic perspective of the city, as well as views over the canal. You can find more information here.

9. Get a Danish Pastry

Possibly the one ‘food’ Denmark is most famous for is the Danish pastry, or as it is called here, “Wienerbrød”. There are bakeries around every corner in this city, open from around 7 AM. Traditionally, Danes eat these pastries on special occasions or on Sundays. Usually, Sunday mornings are spent eating fresh bread rolls called “morgenbrød” (morning bread) with all kinds of spreads, and a few pastries on the side. You can either join this tradition during your visit or simply indulge in a delicious pastry at any time of the day.

Wienebrød is a big deal here, and there are some specialty bakeries where you can get a fancier pastry that also comes with a larger price tag. If this is your thing, make sure to check out either Umiddelbar, Juno the Bakery, or Meyers Bageri.

For my fellow vegans, don’t worry, there are also some options for you to enjoy traditional Danish pastries. Det Rene Brød has many vegan options, mostly including traditional pastries, and they are amazing. If you’re staying by Nørreport and you don’t feel like going all the way to one of their stores, there is also Landbageriet with mostly only vegan pastries and even some gluten-free ones.

10. Drink Craft Beer

Welcome to the land of amazing beer! If you are a fan of good craft beer, then you will love your time in Copenhagen. Not only is there an amazing array of specialty beer in the supermarkets, but Copenhagen is filled with microbreweries. While the beer will not be cheap at these places, it will be well worth the price.

I recommend looking into going to Mikkeller (several branches), Brus, Nørrebro Bryghus, and Anarkist Bar.

11. Eat Porridge at Grød

Porridge is such a loved meal here, that there is a famous cafe dedicated to making the best oatmeal you can find. I have to admit that it really lives up to this saying, and is indeed the best oatmeal I have ever eaten. While the name of this place is called “Porridge”, they also make other one-pot meals, such as smoothie bowls, risotto, and daal.

Make sure not to miss out on eating a delicious bowl of porridge while in Copenhagen.

Overall, Copenhagen is a beautiful city that tends to be underrated compared to many other European destinations. There are many beautiful places to visit in Copenhagen and in the surrounding area. With its new rise in popularity, there are certain places you must see in Copenhagen before looking for hidden gems. My next post will highlight the other amazing things to do in this city, should you find the time.