The Ultimate City Guide to Copenhagen: Where to Eat, What to Do and How to Get Around
Copenhagen is hands down one of the best city breaks in Europe. Even in the colder months (which are honestly so cosy and magical), this place is an absolute dream destination. Think incredible food, stylish designs everywhere, warm saunas, and that classic Danish ‘hygge’ feeling all the time.
So if you’re planning a trip and are looking for the best things to do in Copenhagen, here’s my ultimate city guide to Copenhagen - starting with how to get around, where to stay in Copenhagen and of course, all the best places to eat and explore.
💳 Get a Copenhagen Card
Before we get into all the wonderful things to do in Copenhagen, here’s my top tip: If you're planning to visit a lot of attractions such as museums and classic Copenhagen sights, the Copenhagen Card is totally worth it. It gives you free entry to over 80 museums and attractions, plus unlimited use of public transport. It's super handy and could save you quite a bit. Buy a Copenhagen Card here
🚲 How to Get Around Copenhagen
Getting around Copenhagen is easy and efficient - which honestly makes all the things to do in Copenhagen even more enjoyable:
Walking: The city is super walkable, especially around the city centre and popular neighbourhoods like Nyhavn
Metro or Bus: Quick, reliable and truly one of the cleanest public transport systems I’d ever come across on my travels. We used it to get to and from the airport and around town, and remember, it’s free with the Copenhagen Card.
Cycling: Very Copenhagen! Renting a bike is such a fun way to explore like a local.
We felt really safe using all forms of transport, and everything just kinda worked and was on time, all the time 😝 Very enjoyable.
🏨 Where to stay in Copenhagen
This is probably the easiest question to answer - we stayed at the absolutely stunning Manon Les Suites Guldsmeden hotel and it was hands down one of the dreamiest hotels I’ve ever stayed in. Why? The entire hotel is centred around a heated pool that instantly transported us to hot places like … Thailand maybe? It kinda feels a little unusual at first, but it’s an absolute vibe. There are loungers around the pool, a cocktail bar, and occasionally yoga classes etc. So if you decide to stay here, you must make sure to plan at least half a day just enjoying the pool. The hotel rooms at Manon Les Suites Guldsmeden are stylish and give a sort of 70s feel. We loved the extremely cosy beds and overall amenities, and I would stay here again in a heartbeat.
Best hotels in Copenhagen:
Manon Les Suites Guldsmeden - Best for luxury and a unique experience
Bryggen Guldsmeden - Best for sustainability
Kanalhuset - Best for vintage charm
Hotel Alexandra - Best for no frills and a modern design
🧖♀️ Things to Do in Copenhagen
There are so many lovely things to do in Copenhagen that it’s kinda hard to pick the best ones, but I believe this list will shows you the best side of Copenhagen and avoids the overly touristy places like the Mermaid Statue (which you can visit of course, it’s just… very famous already):
Explore Christianshavn - This neighbourhood was one of our favourites to walk around, and it’s literally the best alternative to Nyhavn (if it gets too busy there). It’s got pretty canals, colourful houses and feels super calm overall.
By the canals in Christianshavn
Climb the Church of Our Saviour (Vor Frelsers Kirke) - This iconic spiral church tower in Christianshavn is climbable, and the view from the top is pretty epic to be honest. A bit of a climb, but totally worth it for the views alone.
Stroll along Nyhavn - Yes, it’s touristy. But it’s also beautiful. The pastel buildings, docked boats and general atmosphere are sort of worth the hype? At least for a quick stroll along the water.
Visit the Botanical Garden - A peaceful little spot in the city centre, perfect for a slow afternoon walk. The tropical greenhouses are absolutely stunning, especially on a colder day. Get tickets here
Spend a day at Tivoli Gardens - I’m gonna be honest with you, I only visited as a kid and remember LOVING it, but I strongly assume it’s still fun as an adult (or with kids), as it is just one of the most iconic things to do in Copenhagen. Get tickets here
Visit Malmö in Sweden! - Yes, you read that correctly. If you’ve got a bit of extra time in Copenhagen, why not consider hopping over to Malmö in Sweden, it’s super easy and only takes about 35 minutes by train. The ride takes you across the famous Øresund Bridge (which honestly looks epic), and trains run pretty frequently throughout the day. It’s a fun way to tick off another country while you're here, and you don’t even need to fly. Just make sure to bring your passport or ID, they don’t always check, but it’s better to have it just in case! Here is the link to my (very old) blogpost from Malmö.
Go on a cycling tour - Or rent a bike! As I’m sure you know, Copenhagen is THE city for cycling so either joining a cycling tour with a local or renting a bike to explore the city on your own is an absolute must do when in Copenhagen. Get tickets here
Warm up at CopenHot - One of the more unique things to do in Copenhagen, and honestly such a fun winter (or summer?) experience. You can book a private sauna or hot tub right by the harbour (from around £80 per hour), bring your own drinks - we loved it! Get tickets here
🥪 Best Places to Eat in Copenhagen
Now onto one of the tastiest things to do in Copenhagen: eating your way through the city. The food scene truly blew us away, from cosy local restaurants to incredible international food. Here are some of the best places we tried:
For traditional Danish food:
Restaurant Schønnemann - Classic smørrebrød in a warm, authentic setting. Make sure to try the fried plaice with homemade remoulade, it’s heavenly! Pro tip: Order it the traditional way, with schnapps and beer.
Selma - A modern, elevated take on smørrebrød. Delicious, beautifully presented, and best enjoyed as a light dinner or lunch
For pastries and baked treats:
Sankt Peders Bageri - Copenhagen’s oldest bakery and home to the flakiest, most buttery pastries. Try the lemon meringue pastry if they have it.
Hart Bakery - If you have watched ‘The Bear’ this amazing Danish bakery may be familiar to you - and if not, still make sure to pay a visit to any of the branches in Copenhagen. Don’t miss their crispy almond croissants!
For variety and international flavours:
Torvehallerne Food Market - Perfect for snacking, trying various international cuisines or picking up foodie souvenirs.
Bar Amore - A cosy Italian restaurant with lovely wine and pasta, it felt like a very trendy hidden gem 👀
Reffen Street Food Market - If you're visiting in the warmer months, this is a must visit. It’s full of food stalls from all over the world, right by the water and is perfect for sunset cocktails by the harbour.
🛍️ Shopping in Copenhagen
If you're into Danish design, vintage clothing, or unique finds, shopping is one of the most fun things to do in Copenhagen. We loved:
Studio Arhoj - A must-visit for cute ceramics and colourful homeware. Very Danish, very trendy.
Collector’s Cage - A fabulously curated vintage handbag shop with real gems. I ALMOST got one for myself 😉
🗿 Best Museums in Copenhagen
If museums are your thing, there are plenty of cultural things to do in Copenhagen to add to your list. Here are a few we liked, and remember, entry with the Copenhagen Card is free for the first two:
Designmuseum Danmark - Super interesting and educational if you love interiors and Scandi style
Glyptoteket - Classical sculptures, beaut indoor gardens and lovely light for photos
Rosenborg Castle - For a royal touch and a viewing of the crown jewels - they are very beautiful to be honest. Get tickets here
🌤️ What’s the best time to visit Copenhagen?
Sitting by the pool at Manon Les Suites Hotel
Winter (Nov - Feb): Super cosy and perfect for indoor activities, saunas, museums and Christmas markets. It gets dark very early, but hygge vibes are unmatched.
Spring & Summer (May - Aug): Warmer weather, lots of outdoor food markets, longer days and bike rides by the canals.
📸 Where to take the best photos in Copenhagen?
These are the most instagrammable places in Copenhagen:
Nyhavn (especially at sunrise before the crowds)
The Round Tower (Rundetaarn)
Botanical Garden greenhouses
Amalienborg Palace courtyard
Christianshavn canals
Manon Les Suites Hotel
Magstræde
Grundtvig's Church
Koedbyen (Meatpacking District)
🧳 Final Thoughts: Is Copenhagen Worth Visiting?
100% yes. Copenhagen is hands down one of the best cities in Europe for a super stylish, relaxed and delicious city break. Whether you're wandering through colourful neighbourhoods, soaking in the hot tub, relaxing in the sauna, or tucking into the best pastries of your life, it’s going to be a lot of fun.
It’s clean, cosy, cool, and incredibly easy to get around. Plus, the food scene is chef’s kiss!
That said, it is pricey. Definitely one of the pricier destinations I’ve visited in Europe, so just be prepared budget-wise. If you’re on a tighter schedule or want to keep costs down, I’d say 2 nights here is just perfect. It’s enough time to experience all the highlights - without spending too much money.
Trust me, you’ll be very glad you came. Best things to do in Copenhagen - I’ve got you!