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See most of Copenhagen in one day
When we’re in Denmark, we typically don’t stay in Copenhagen. We go to visit our family in Nykøbing, about an hour from the capital city. That means that we usually only take day trips to Copenhagen. And, having shown a lot of friends and family around over the years, we have mastered what to see in Copenhagen in one day! Of course, it’s nice to have more than one day to really get to know the city, but if you only have a short time, these are definitely the highlights. And if you’re there for longer, if you do this on the first day, you get a good idea of the city and can explore other things in more depth, like museums, or even spend a full day in Tivoli. So, without further ado, here’s the itinerary!
Bakery: Hart Bageri
Obviously, where you’re going to start fully depends on where you’re staying. But, a bakery is always a good place to start! This bakery, Hart Bageri, is centrally located, and offers all the Danish classics at their best. The pastries are flaky and buttery – definitely try the cardamom bun – and the coffee is delicious! Is there a better way to start a long day of walking and exploring a new city? For other bakery recommendations, check out our other blog post guide to Copenhagen.
Marmorkirken (Marble Church or Frederik’s Church)
Immediately next to Hart Bageri is a beautiful church called Frederik’s Church or the Marble Church. It features one of Europe’s largest church domes, and the interior is very beautiful. Definitely worth snapping a few photos and walking around to see it from all sides, and of course, you should go inside if you have the time.
Amalienborg Palace
From the church, head down towards the water and you’ll enter the square at Amalienborg Palace, the Danish royal family’s winter residence. If the Danish flag is flying, you’ll know that the royal family is there! We like to see this palace on the earlier side while we’re on the way to Nyhavn, but if you want to see the changing of the guard ceremony, time your visit around 11:30 am instead, or just come back.
Nyhavn
Now, walk along the water past The Playhouse, a beautiful building with a blue glass exterior, and turn the corner into Nyhavn. This is one of the most iconic views you’ll get in Copenhagen, with plenty of colorful townhouses, historic ships, and bustling cafes along a picturesque canal. We like to go early to avoid the crowds, and on a sunny day, it can be a nice place to have a coffee or an ice cream. You can also get a boat tour from here, which is a great way to see all the beautiful architecture throughout the city.
Den Lille Havfrue (The Little Mermaid)
What else is there to see in Copenhagen? Head for a bit of a walk back up along the water. You’ll backtrack on yourself a little bit and pass by Amalienborg again, but this is a beautiful walk up to the mermaid statue. Some people might call The Little Mermaid overrated, and it’s smaller than a lot of people expect, but I still find it very beautiful. This famous bronze sculpture was, of course, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s tale. The walk takes you through beautiful Kastellet fortress as well, so it’s worth it just for that. Be prepared for a massive crowd of people surrounding the tiny statue, though!
Rosenborg Castle and Kongens Have
As you head back from The Little Mermaid, start walking into the city and away from the water, and head towards Rosenborg Castle. This is a beautiful Renaissance castle right in the middle of the city, and it houses the Danish Crown Jewels. Book ahead of time here if you want to enter the castle; otherwise, expect to only be able to walk around the grounds. You’ll also want to walk around and explore Kongens Have, or the King’s Garden, which is a popular spot for locals to hang out. And definitely worth it to see such a beautiful green space in Copenhagen!
Lunch: Torvehallerne
If you want a fun spot to try for lunch, walk about 10 minutes over to Torvehallerne, a food market. This market features independent businesses and shops, and there are plenty of food options. The food is high-quality and a lot of it is organic, and you can even buy fruit and vegetables and meat and fish from some of the stalls. Definitely a great place to check out, especially in a group, so everyone can get whatever they want to eat or drink!
If you have time: Rundetårn
If you have the time, you can walk another 10 minutes over to Rundetårn, or the Round Tower. Climb the Round Tower for panoramic Copenhagen views – you can find opening hours and prices listed here. This 17th-century tower features a unique spiral ramp instead of stairs. It’s also Europe’s oldest functioning observatory, so if you’re there on a lucky clear winter weeknight evening, you might even be able to look through the telescope at some planets!
Tivoli Gardens
Another 15-minute walk will take you down to Tivoli, another iconic part of Copenhagen, and something you have to see, in my opinion. This is one of the world’s oldest amusement parks. Founded in 1843, Tivoli inspired Disneyland and offers rides, beautiful gardens, restaurants, and even concerts. You can even try one of the oldest rollercoasters in the world, built in 1914, which still has a brakeman on it who controls the speed of the ride.
If you’re a fan of amusement parks, I would set aside a few hours to spend in the park, especially if you are paying for an entry pass that includes rides (it’s not cheap). If not, it’s still worth walking by it and seeing all the rides in the middle of the city.
Disclaimer: Keep in mind that Tivoli is not always open! The busy spring and summer season means it’s open from late March to late September, then again for a few weeks over Halloween and Christmas, but make sure to check this before planning a visit.
If you have time: Christiansborg Palace
Head over to Christiansborg, particularly if you didn’t have time to go up in the Round Tower, for a great view of the city. It’s also free, but the line does tend to be pretty long. Even if you aren’t going to go up in the tower, though, it’s cool to see the place where Parliament meets and the Prime Minister works. If you’ve seen the TV show “Borgen”, you have to check it out! If not, and if you aren’t going up in the tower, this is very much a skippable one, in my opinion (sorry).
Strøget and Kongens Nytorv
Time for shopping! Start at the bottom end of Strøget, by Rådhuspladsen, and head up the iconic shopping street in Copenhagen all the way to Kongens Nytorv. There are lots of shops, places to eat, and hotdog carts (most importantly)! You’ll find all the classic stores on this street, as well as some high-end stores. I really love walking around here in the winter with all the Christmas lights making everything feel so festive.
If you have time: Christiania and Christianshavn
If you have the time to spare, you could also explore Christiania in Christianshavn, a self-declared autonomous commune established in 1971 within a small section of Copenhagen. This unique neighborhood has evolved into one of the city’s most intriguing tourist destinations. What makes it special is the residents who built many of their own homes, and filled the community with colorful murals and street art. Some would say it’s a must-see in Copenhagen, but it’s a little bit out of the way if you only have one day to explore. Christianshavn itself offers canals, houseboats, and the Church of Our Saviour with its external spiral staircase.
Anything else to see in Copenhagen?
That’s a jam-packed day of walking around and seeing as much as possible, but what did we miss? There’s definitely more to see in Copenhagen, and you should really reserve a few days to explore the city, and then a few more to go to other parts of Denmark. Let us know in the comments if this sounds like a good itinerary – what would you add?
