Copenhagen packs a remarkable density of attractions into a walkable city center. From Renaissance castles to a self-declared freetown, from top-tier art museums to open-water harbor swimming, the Danish capital rewards visitors who venture beyond the postcard sights. Most attractions cluster in Indre By (the inner city), with additional concentrations in Christianshavn, Vesterbro, and Nørrebro. Here are the best things to do in Copenhagen, organized by category with practical details for each. For more on this topic, see our Copenhagen Weather by Month guide. For more on this topic, see our Best Time to Visit Copenhagen guide.
Things to Do in Copenhagen: Iconic Landmarks
Tivoli Gardens
Tivoli Gardens (Vesterbrogade 3) is the world’s second-oldest operating amusement park, opened in 1843, and the inspiration for Disneyland. It’s not just rides; Tivoli is a meticulously landscaped garden with 120,000 flowers, open-air concert stages, and 40+ restaurants. Entry costs DKK 155 (US$22) for adults, with ride passes starting at DKK 259 (US$37) for unlimited rides. The park runs April to early January with seasonal transformations: Halloween (mid-October to early November) and Christmas (mid-November to December 23). Friday night concerts in summer are free with entry. Buy tickets online to skip the queue. Open daily 11am to 11pm (until midnight Fri/Sat in summer). The Nimb Hotel and its restaurants sit inside the park grounds. For more on this topic, see our Copenhagen Events and Festivals guide. For more on this topic, see our Best Neighborhoods in Copenhagen guide.
Nyhavn
The 17th-century waterfront canal and entertainment district with its iconic brightly colored townhouses is Copenhagen’s most photographed spot. The northern side (sunny side) is lined with restaurants and bars; the southern side is quieter with classic wooden ships docked along the quay. Canal tours depart from Nyhavn (DKK 95 / US$14 for a 1-hour guided tour, no booking needed). Hans Christian Andersen lived at No. 20, No. 67, and No. 18 at different times. It’s free to walk the quay; expect crowds from 10am to 4pm in summer. Visit at 8am for photos without tourists or at sunset for the best light on the facades. For more on this topic, see our Where to Stay in Copenhagen guide. For more on this topic, see our Copenhagen Travel Tips and FAQ guide.
The Little Mermaid
The 1.25-meter bronze statue at Langelinie promenade is Copenhagen’s most famous and most divisive attraction. Commissioned by Carlsberg brewery founder Carl Jacobsen in 1909 after he saw a ballet based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, the statue sits on a rock at the water’s edge. It’s a 20-minute walk from Østerport Station or a stop on the hop-on-hop-off bus routes. Free to visit, open 24/7, and perpetually crowded. Go early morning (before 8am) for photos without the selfie-stick gauntlet. The nearby Kastellet (star-shaped 17th-century fortress) and Gefion Fountain are worth visiting in the same walk.
Things to Do in Copenhagen: Museums and Culture
National Museum of Denmark
Denmark’s largest museum of cultural history (Ny Vestergade 10) spans the Stone Age to modern Denmark. The standout exhibits include the 3,400-year-old Sun Chariot, Viking rune stones, and a comprehensive ethnographic collection. Entry is DKK 120 (US$17) for adults, free for under-18s. Open Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm (closed Mondays). The Children’s Museum on the ground floor is excellent for families with hands-on exhibits including a Viking ship replica. Budget 2 to 3 hours minimum. The museum cafe serves a good smørrebrød lunch.
Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek
This art museum (Dantes Plads 7) houses the personal collection of Carlsberg brewery founder Carl Jacobsen with an exceptional French Impressionist collection (Monet, Degas, Gauguin) and an extensive ancient Mediterranean collection of Greek and Roman sculpture. The Winter Garden atrium with its palm trees and dome is a destination in itself. Entry DKK 125 (US$18), free on Tuesdays. Open Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm (until 9pm Thursdays). The rooftop terrace offers great city views. Budget 1.5 to 2 hours.
Rosenborg Castle
This 17th-century Renaissance castle (Øster Voldgade 4A) was built by Christian IV and houses the Danish Crown Jewels in the treasury vault below. The castle interior is preserved with original furnishings, including the coronation throne and three life-size silver lions. Entry DKK 130 (US$19) for adults. Open daily 10am to 4pm (shorter hours in winter, closed some Mondays November to April). The surrounding Kongens Have (King’s Garden) is Copenhagen’s oldest royal garden, free to visit, and fills with picnickers on summer days. Budget 1.5 hours for the castle.
Things to Do in Copenhagen: Unique Neighborhoods
Freetown Christiania
Christiania is a self-proclaimed autonomous neighborhood founded in 1971 when squatters took over abandoned military barracks. Home to roughly 900 residents, it operates under its own rules and is famous for its colorful homemade houses, organic eateries, live music venues, and the car-free Green Light District along Pusher Street. Photography is prohibited on Pusher Street (clearly signposted). The community runs guided tours (DKK 60, weekends at 3pm) led by residents. Morgenstedet and Spiseloppen are excellent vegetarian and organic restaurants here. Access via the main entrance on Prinsessegade; Christianshavn Metro is a 10-minute walk.
Superkilen Park
This striking urban park in Nørrebro (Nørrebrogade 210) is divided into three zones: the Red Square for sports, the Black Market with its iconic wavy line pattern, and the Green Park for picnics. Designed by Bjarke Ingels Group with Superflex and Topotek1, the park incorporates objects from 60+ countries reflecting the neighborhood’s immigrant communities; Moroccan fountains, Japanese octopus slides, Bulgarian chess tables. Free, open 24/7. Take bus 5C to Nørrebro Station. It’s especially photogenic at golden hour.
Things to Do in Copenhagen: Outdoor and Active
Harbor Baths and Swimming
Copenhagen’s harbor is clean enough to swim in, and the city has several free public harbor baths. Islands Brygge Harbor Bath (Islands Brygge 14) is the most popular, with five pools including a diving tower, children’s pool, and a 50m lap pool. Open June through August, free entry, lifeguards on duty. Fisketorvet Harbor Bath (Kalvebod Brygge) and Sluseholmen Harbor Bath are quieter alternatives. Water temperature peaks at 18 to 20°C (64 to 68°F) in July and August. All baths are within 10 minutes of a Metro station.
Rent a Bike and Explore
Copenhagen is one of the world’s most bike-friendly cities with 385km of dedicated cycle lanes. Rental shops charge DKK 100 to 150 (US$14 to 22) per day. Donkey Republic (app-based rental) has stations throughout the city at DKK 120/day. The classic cycling route is the 13km loop around the lakes (Sortedams Sø, Peblinge Sø, Sankt Jørgens Sø) and through Østerbro, then south along the harbor. For a longer ride, follow the coastal route 9km north to Bellevue Beach in Klampenborg, passing through the deer park Dyrehaven (UNESCO World Heritage). Cyclists in Copenhagen are assertive; use hand signals, stay in the cycle lane, and watch for the dedicated traffic lights at intersections.
