CopenhagenTravel Guide
Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, has been called the Happiest City in the World. Now there’s a great reason to visit! People are happy because they have shorter workdays and more vacations, plus they live in an uber cool city of beautiful canals, flashy modern architecture and get to indulge in world-class cuisine and excellent craft beer.
Copenhagen also has a romantic, historical side to it with fairy-tale castles, narrow cobblestone streets and colourful timber houses. Museums, galleries and the Danish royal residence of Amalienborg, add to its cultural richness.
Boasting one of the oldest amusement parks in the world, the city is also known for its many bicycles – the preferred mode of transport for people of all ages.
Start mapping out your next unforgettable holiday with our Copenhagen travel guide!
Copenhagen quick facts
Language
National language
Danish
Beverages
Bottle of Coke/Pepsi (330ml)
ZAR R67.93
Local time
Thursday
5:13am
Currency
Danish krone
ZAR R1.00 = DKK kr0.38
Eating out
Restaurant meal (casual dining)
ZAR R387.45
Electricity
Plug type: C
2 or 3 pins • 230V
Explore Copenhagen
Where to stay in Copenhagen?
The city has several cool neighbourhoods, each with its own unique vibe, and accommodation options are many, from luxury hotels and B&Bs, to aparthotels and hostels.
If you’re keen to splurge, the district of Indre By is one of the best areas to stay. The historic centre of Copenhagen, this is where you’ll find most of the finest luxury hotels. Its central location also means you’ll be within walking distance to many of the attractions, museums, art galleries, shops, and restaurants.
Of course, the hotel that catches everyone’s eye is the gorgeous Hotel D’Angleterre. Established in 1755, this iconic five-star hotel sits on Kongens Nytorv (King’s New Square) near the popular Nyhavn waterfront and entertainment district. Get pampered at the spa, linger in the Champagne Bar, and dine at the Michelin star restaurant.
For a unique experience, why not stay in a floating hotel? You’ll find Hotel CPH Living in the romantic neighbourhood of Christianshaven, its 12 comfy double rooms offering front-row views of the waterfront and city centre. Relax on the rooftop terrace with a coffee and watch the seagulls as you make plans for the day – or evening.
Prefer an area that’s more edgy with a pumping nightlife? Then the Andersen Hotel in trendy Vestebro should do just fine. A quirky, colourful 4-star boutique hotel, it’s a short walk to the Central Station and Tivoli Gardens amusement park. On a tight budget? Then consider Urban House by MEININGER, a funky self-service hostel in the same area.
Further away in the district of Amager (but still conveniently close to the city), Zoku offers a designer home-from-home experience. Near the airport, with the metro station on your doorstep, this ultra-trendy apartment hotel includes high-speed Wi-Fi, a fully equipped kitchen, a roof-top terrace and an on-site restaurant. Couples and digital nomads – this one’s for you!
Believe us when we say, this is just the start. Book your accommodation today!
Things to do in Copenhagen
As you’d expect from a city that dates back to Viking times, there are all sorts of historical treasures to discover. But there’s fun and culture to experience, too. Here are three standouts that make it onto every traveller’s list.
With its turrets and spires, Rosenborg is a fairy-tale castle in the heart of the city. Originally built as a summer residence for King Christian IV in the 17th century, it’s now a royal treasure open to visitors.
Pop in for a tour of the lavish rooms, view the coronation thrones and inspect the glittering crown jewels up close – but no touching!
Your visit to Copenhagen wouldn’t be complete without a swing through Tivoli Gardens. The famous amusement park that inspired Walt Disney is especially enchanting at night. Buckle up on one of the oldest wooden roller coasters in the world and take the plunge on the Star Flyer – if you dare! Afterwards, stroll around the exotic gardens, take in a live show, and grab a Danish hot dog at the food pavilion.
Another gem you have to track down on your visit to Copenhagen is The Little Mermaid. You’ll find the iconic bronze statue on a rock close to the shore at Langelinie Pier – a short walk from bustling Nyhavn. Inspired by the fairytale of the same name by Hans Christian Anderson, it’s smaller than you’d expect, but truly beautiful.
Looking for an immersive experience? Then a tour is the way to go.
Flights to Copenhagen
Copenhagen food and drink
Where do we start? From street food to fine food, Copenhagen is a culinary hotspot of note! It also happens to have the most Michelin-starred restaurants in the Nordics.
The first restaurant in Copenhagen to receive three Michelin stars, Geranium, also takes the honour of The World’s Top Restaurant in 2022. (So don’t be fooled by its location in a soccer stadium!) Opt for the 23-course Universe tasting menu, then watch how the chefs jump into action in the open-plan kitchen.
Boasting two Michelin stars, Alchemist is true to its name, offering a choreographed, mind-expanding, culinary journey lasting for up to six hours. Arrive with an open mind and Alchemist will do the rest.
Copenhagen has some of the coolest food markets, but the best, hands down, is Torvehallerne. Open all year round, its twin glass halls showcase all sorts of seasonal fruit and vegetables, fresh meat and seafood, cheeses, baked pastries, handcrafted chocolates, and more. Get your favourite smørrenbrod (Danish open sandwich) and beverage and tuck in at one of the tables outside.
For the best plate of traditional Danish food, take your place at Restaurant Schonnemann. A historical lunch venue since 1877, favourites include the herring plate of the day, the potato sandwich with smoked mayo and fried onion, and smoked eel with scrambled egg and chives. Washed down with a beer, of course. Skol!
Another Copenhagen favourite, Kodbyens Fiskebar, as you might guess is a fish eatery. It also has a Michelin Bib Gourmand Award (Michelin’s best value for money restaurant). Enjoy its informal vibe as you tuck in to the ‘catch of the day’, or some oysters, which are their speciality.
Fancy something different? Then how about dining between heads of cabbages and lettuce at Gro Spiseri. You’ll find this vegetarian-friendly restaurant in the middle of Denmark’s first urban rooftop farm. Expect delicious organic fare served up on shared plates as you sit at a long table in a cosy greenhouse.
No matter where you’re staying, you’ll never be far from the wonderful smells of a bakery or patisserie. Tuck in to a kanelsnegle (a spiralled cinnamon bun) at the city’s oldest bakery, Sankt Peders Bagerei, or get one to go from Lagkagehuset. But whatever you do, leave some space for the sportskage (a creamy confection of crushed nougat, whipped cream, a macaroon bottom and caramalised choux pastry) at Conditori La Glace.
Get a real taste for the local cuisine by booking a tour.
Copenhagen through your eyes
Where to shop in Copenhagen?
Forget London, Paris and Milan. Copenhagen’s designers and fashion scene are world-famous. The city also boasts cutting-edge interior design showrooms, fabulous department stores and it’s a hotspot for furniture, accessories, art and jewellery shopping.
For the ultimate shopping spree, put on your sneakers, grab your shopping bags and head straight for Strøget. One of the longest pedestrian streets in Europe, it’s where everyone shops. Find international high-end brands like Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Cartier towards the end of the 1.1km street at Kongens Nytorv (King’s New Square). More budget-friendly chains like H&M and Zara, and LEGO, are closer to the City Hall.
The Fredericksberg Centret is a good option for when the weather looks dodgy. With 90 stores and all the Danish high-street brands under one roof, you’ll find it in upmarket Fredericksberg, less than 10 minutes from the city centre.
Other popular malls and classic departments stores for luxury shopping include Fisketorvet Copenhagen Mall, Fields and Magazin du Nord.
Bargain-hunting is popular in Copenhagen at any time of the year, but come springtime, outdoor flea markets pop up in every neighbourhood over weekends until winter sets in. Then the indoor flea markets are popular like Loppedmarked i Bella which is also Copenhagen’s largest.
Prefer browsing in unique stores and vintage shops? Then hit Jaegersborggade in Nørrebro or Istedgade in Vesterbro. Also worth exploring is Vaernedamsvej, a lively shopping street between Vesterbro and Frederiksberg. Oozing charm, it has been dubbed Copenhagen’s ‘Little Paris’. From bookshops to florists, you’ll find lots of lovely goodies to splurge on.
Looking for a safe and simple way to bring your money when you travel? Our Travel Money Card has you covered!
When is the best time to travel to Copenhagen?
Situated next to the ocean, Copenhagen has a typical temperate climate – mild summers and cold, windy, wet winters. (It rains on average 170 days a year – so packing a raincoat is a must.)
The best time to visit Copenhagen is in the summer months from late June to mid-August. July and August tend to be the warmest months with an average of 22°C (72°F) and the most hours of sunshine. January and February are the coldest, with temperatures dipping as low as -1.1°C (30°F).
Peak season is summer with July and August being the busiest months. The sun only sets after 9pm, so the days are long and perfect for travellers wanting to squeeze in as much activity outdoors as possible.
In September things slow down a bit with fewer visitors, but it picks up again in late November and December as people flock to the city for the Christmas markets. January to March is cold and dark (the sun sets as early as 3.30pm), but this means not having to battle crowds and hotel rates are cheaper. With the arrival of spring in April, Copenhagen starts to get busier again as the days warm up and get longer.
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How to get around Copenhagen
When in Copenhagen, the best way to get around is on foot – or even better, by bicycle like the locals! Whether you opt for a regular bike or an electric bike this is one way to feel right at home on the streets of Copenhagen!
But if you’re not up to it (or it’s too cold or wet), you’ll find the public transport system is excellent and easy to use.
What’s more, with a Copenhagen card, you won’t have to worry about zones and ticket prices. As an all-inclusive city pass, it allows you unlimited travel on the city’s metro, S-trains, and buses (including the water buses). Plus, you get free access to dozens of museums and top attractions.
While ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft don’t operate in Denmark, being such an environmentally conscious city, Copenhagen has a “green” taxi service. Download the Viggo app and order an electric car to collect and drop you off at your destination. Best of all, like Uber, you will know the price upfront.
Let us help you organise your own wheels for exploring. Hire a car today.
What are the best parks in Copenhagen?
For a change of scenery between shopping and sightseeing, there’s plenty of gardens and green spaces to go for a stroll, work up a sweat, have a picnic, or just chill out. Here are a few of our favourites:
With Rosenborg Castle as its backdrop, King’s Garden is one of the most popular outdoor retreats in central Copenhagen. Enter through one of three entrances, then stroll along tree-lined paths and under archways and admire the statues and roses. In summer, enjoy a picnic on the lawns while the kids check out the puppet theatre or the adventure playground.
Faelledparken is the city’s largest public park. Next to the National Football Stadium with sports grounds and a range of outdoor facilities, it’s perfect for sports-loving families. Skateboarders will have a blast at the skate park, and little ones will have fun exploring the playground with miniatures of Copenhagen’s most famous landmarks.
Nature lovers will delight in a day trip to Kalvebod Faelled, a flat wetland reserve just 10 minutes by metro from the centre of Copenhagen. Rent a bike and outdoor equipment at the nature centre, chat to the guides and spend a few hours exploring the area. Besides the rich birdlife, there are deer, horses, sheep and cows roaming around. Afterwards, tuck into an organic meal at the café or enjoy a picnic around a bonfire.
Want to escape the crowds? Then head to the city’s Botanical Garden to enjoy tranquil walking trails, spot the turtles at the lake and browse through the many glass greenhouses. In the largest one, you’ll find an enormous palm dating back to 1874, and there’s also the Butterfly House, for close encounters with these beautiful insects.
Superkilen Park, a green space that runs through the neighbourhood of Nørrebro, offers outdoor exercise facilities and cleverly designed bike paths. As you walk through the park, look out for unusual objects from around the world, like the boxing ring from Thailand and the octopus-shaped slide from Japan.
Getting from park to park is so much better with your own wheels. Hitch your ride now!
