The Ultimate Guide to Copenhagen

Explore the charm and sophistication of Copenhagen with our ultimate guide. From fairy-tale castles to cutting-edge design museums, Copenhagen blends old-world charm with modern innovation seamlessly. This guide will help you make the most of your visit, whether you’re biking through the friendly streets or enjoying a coffee in a cozy café.

Copenhagen, Denmark’s capital, is a city celebrated for its high quality of life, rich historical backdrop, and bustling cultural atmosphere. If you’re planning a trip there, knowing a bit about how the city works can really enhance your experience. Here’s a handy guide to help you get around Copenhagen and give you a heads-up on what to expect during your visit:

Public Transportation

Copenhagen has an efficient and well-integrated public transportation system, which includes buses, trains, and the metro. The city is part of the greater Copenhagen public transit area, which is coordinated by DSB (Danish State Railways) and Movia.

  • Tickets and Zones: Public transport operates on a zone system, and tickets are valid across buses, trains, and metros. You can purchase tickets from vending machines at stations, online, or through mobile apps like DOT Mobilbilletter. Consider buying a Copenhagen Card, which offers unlimited public transport and free admission to many attractions.
  • Metro: The Copenhagen Metro operates 24 hours a day, with increased frequency during peak hours. It is one of the fastest ways to get around, connecting major parts of the city and the airport.
  • Trains (S-tog): The S-train network is ideal for longer distances within the city and to nearby suburbs. It’s especially useful for traveling between central Copenhagen and outlying areas.
  • Buses: A comprehensive network of buses covers the city extensively, including areas not served by the metro or S-trains.

Biking

Copenhagen is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world. With over 390 kilometers of designated bike lanes, cycling is a safe, efficient, and enjoyable way to explore the city.

  • Bike Rentals: Bikes can be rented from numerous outlets across the city or through bike-sharing programs like Bycyklen, which offers electric bikes.
  • Rules and Etiquette: Always signal your turns and stops to other cyclists. Keep to the right in bike lanes, and only overtake on the left. Remember to check the passenger side mirror before opening car doors.

Danish Culture and Etiquette

Danish culture is characterized by simplicity, politeness, and equality. Here are some etiquette tips to help you fit in:

  • Punctuality: Danes value punctuality for both business and social gatherings.
  • Greetings: A firm handshake with direct eye contact is common when meeting someone for the first time.
  • Dining: If invited to a Dane’s home, it is customary to bring a small gift such as wine, chocolates, or flowers.

What to Expect

  • Weather: Weather can be unpredictable; it’s a good idea to dress in layers and be prepared for rain or wind.
  • Language: Danish is the official language, but the vast majority of Danes speak excellent English, so communication for English speakers is straightforward.
  • Cashless Transactions: Denmark is largely a cashless society. Credit cards and mobile payment systems are widely accepted.

Navigating Copenhagen can be a seamless experience if you familiarize yourself with these elements. Whether you’re using its efficient public transport system, enjoying its robust bike culture, or engaging with the local Danes, Copenhagen offers a welcoming environment for visitors.

Below is your specific guide on the best places to go, eat, and drink in the city:

Where to Go

  • Frederiksborg Castle: Unbelievable castle. Just a simple S-train ride outside of the city. Bring some food and picnic in the gardens on a sunny day. This is my personal favorite castle in Denmark.
  • Christianborg Castle: Danish Parliament. You can take an elevator to the top for a nice view of the city and it’s free! Also, there’s a great lunch place at the top.
  • Black Diamond Library: An architectural marvel. Make sure to turn around while you ride the escalator up for a view of the harbor.
  • Nyhavn: Copenhagen’s port…It’s the classic picture with pretty colorful houses and home to some of the most expensive restaurants in town.
  • Carlsberg Brewery: a fantastic way to spend a sunny afternoon. You get two free beers with a tour and are able to guide yourself around the brewery.
  • The Little Mermaid: overrated tourist attraction, but you have to go at least once. Take an afternoon to discover the kastellet right next to it. You can also see it on any canal tour.
  • Norreboro: hipster area with lots of cool bars and restaurants. Walk/bike around the lakes!
  • Tivoli: UNREAL amusement park that was the inspiration for Walt Disney World. They also have concerts every Friday night! Opens mid April.
  • Soccer Game: try to go to an FC Copenhagen game! Make sure you sit behind the home team goal for the best experience.
  • Royal Danish Opera: An architectural marvel on the water that puts on some of the most well known operas.
  • Louisiana Museum: my personal favorite museum, and its just a train ride away, but so worth it. Make sure you go when it is sunny. Includes modern art and a sculpture garden right on the water.
  • Arken Museum of Modern Art: A thought provoking museum with incredible international works. The building itself is a piece of art and it is right on the beach. I honestly still think about the art I saw here.
  • Grundtvig’s church: Architectural marvel of a church, really famous, across from beautiful famous cemetery where you can see cherry blossoms in Spring.
  • Christiania: an old hippie commune where you can enjoy the rule free neighborhood with amazing art, beer, and people.
  • Church of our Savior: The views are the best here by far! The tower is climbable but doesn’t open until March!
  • Amager Strand: This is the beach in Amager and is manmade and beautiful! Take the metro to Amager Strand or bike. Side note: you can see Sweden from here.
  • Botanical Garden: pretty and relaxing. Right near glass market so that’s where you can grab food before, but I do recommend that you wait until spring to go here.
  • GOBOAT Canal Tour: HIGHLY recommend. You can pay $14 a person for 2 hours and take out a boat with 8 people, bring food/drinks/music, etc. SO much fun, easy way to see the city.
  • Amalienborg: where the royal family lives, just a short walk from Nyhavn along the water.
  • Magasin: A great department store at kongens nytorv that has a rooftop coffee shop with the best views.
  • Malmo, Sweden: take a 30-minute train ride to Sweden on the famous Øresund Bridge.
  • King’s Garden: Famous garden behind Rosenborg Castle that comes alive in the warmer months.
  • Faelledparken: This is the largest park in Copenhagen, and it is where May 1st celebrations are that you CANNOT miss.
  • Bispejerg Cemetery: This place is beautiful, and it has the prettiest cherry blossom flowers when you walk all the way through to the back. They only bloom for a little while, so be on the lookout.
  • Stroget: This is the city’s famous walking street that leads to Nyhavn. It has every store imaginable and then some.
  • Islands Brygge Harbor: My recommendation is to jump off the ledge! It’s freezing but fun to say you did it.
  • Kronborg Slot: This is better known as Hamlet’s castle. The surrounding town is called Helsingor, and I really encourage you to take enough time to explore the town when you visit.
  • Mons Klint: This is an absolutely beautiful hike. I rented cars with my friends and drove here, and it was absolutely amazing. Just remember that what climbs down the cliff must come back up 900 stairs, so be in shape.
  • Studenterhusset: This is the student union in the city with cheap drinks and young people all looking for friends!

Where to Eat

  • Mad & Kaffe is a brunch place in Amager where you pick multiple small dishes that are featured all over Instagram and brunch guides. Truly delicious.
  • Hot Dog: There are hot dog trucks all over the city that carry what most people think is the national dish. Make sure you don’t spill the sauce all over yourself like I did my first time.
  • Sushi Norregade: This is a great sushi place with all you can eat sushi, but I recommend that you make a reservation
  • Sticks & Sushi Tivoli hotel: This is the best (and most expensive) sushi in the city with great views of the city
  • Bio Mio: This restaurant in the meat-packing district is known for its really good risotto
  • Mother’s: This restaurant has an extremely fun atmosphere, good pizza, and is in the meatpacking district
  • Gorm: This restaurant is well known for having great pizza with multiple locations around the city
  • Noma: This was once named the best restaurant in the world with the highest Michelin star rating
  • Grod: This place in the Glass Market & Norrebro has unreal oatmeal (get the dulche de leche)
  • La Glace: This is must go-to place off of Stroget. They claim to be the oldest dessert makers in Europe! The cake is amazing.
  • Mikkelar and Friends: This is a great microbrewery in Norrebro that is well known among young people and also visitors
  • Nemoland Café: This no frills cafe in Christiania is complete with beer and featured concerts in the summer
  • Smagsolet: A fantastic and hefty sandwich shop right next to Norreport
  • Donut Shop: You can get a donut and coffee for cheap at this student friendly favorite
  • The glass market: Go with friends and get a bunch of stuff to try/share, it’s all delicious! The fresh produce outside is also amazing.
  • St. Peder’s bakery: Make sure you show up early for the discount for cinnamon rolls on Wednesdays
  • Café Paludan: This is an amazing place to eat and do work. It’s housed in an old library and you are surrounded by books.
  • Bizzarro: This is the one amazing brunch place I found living in Amager!
  • Wulff og Konstali: You pick either 5 or 7 things depending on how hungry you are, and it’s so so so good. This is similar to Mad and Kaffe.

Where to Drink

  • Hive: This is a fun club on Skindergade, but you need to be on the guest list
  • Jolene’s: This is a fan favorite in the meatpacking district that plays a lot of disco
  • Vega: This is an awesome concert venue that features international artists
  • Butcher’s: A bar known for free champagne on Thursdays and the cause of many of my Danish hangovers
  • Dupong: This is Ping Pong bar in Norreboro where you can gameify your weekend drinking
  • Culture Box, Bakken, Kassen: Some of the best night clubs right in the city center!
  • Happy Pig:  This is probably my favorite bar! A local hangout downtown with a laid back vibe and dancing.
  • Francis Pony: A sophisticated and cozy bar where you get 2 for 1 drinks until midnight
  • Mikkeler & Friends: This is a well known microbrewery in Norrebro. A fantastic option for a laid back night out with friends.