Copenhagen Travel Guide: The Best Things to Do, See & Eat
Copenhagen, Denmark's capital, is a city where history and modernity weave seamlessly together, offering a compelling mix of cultural sights, innovative cuisine, and a welcoming atmosphere. From its historic architecture to its renowned biking culture, the city strikes a perfect balance between the old and the new.
With 420+ hand-picked places to explore, Copenhagen rewards travellers who look beyond the obvious. Below is our complete guide to the best of the city — organised by what you're in the mood for, with every place linked to its full profile.
Must-See Attractions in Copenhagen
The icons and landmarks no first visit is complete without.
Start with Church of Our Saviour — famous for its spiral staircase tower offering panoramic city views. Just as worthwhile is Amalienborg Palace Square: a regal square offering a glimpse into Danish royal life, surrounded by classical architecture. Rosenborg Castle completes the picture: a regal Renaissance castle housing Denmark's crown jewels and royal regalia.
Church of Our Saviour
Copenhagen • Historic Architecture
Famous for its spiral staircase tower offering panoramic city views.
Amalienborg Palace Square
Copenhagen • Scenic Viewpoints & Lookouts
A regal square offering a glimpse into Danish royal life, surrounded by classical architecture.
Rosenborg Castle
Copenhagen • Historic Architecture
A regal Renaissance castle housing Denmark's crown jewels and royal regalia.
Round Tower
Copenhagen • Famous Landmarks
A historical observatory offering panoramic views of Copenhagen's cityscape from its unique spiral ramp.
Museums & Culture in Copenhagen
Galleries, museums and cultural landmarks for a deeper look at the city.
Top of most lists is The David Collection: renowned for its Islamic art collection, alongside European and Danish fine and applied arts. Locals will also point you to Det Ny Teater (Gammel Kongevej) — det Ny Teater is known for its lavish musical productions and elegant atmosphere. And for something different, there's Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek: an impressive blend of classical sculpture and French impressionist masterpieces in a stunning architectural setting.
The David Collection
Copenhagen • Museums
Renowned for its Islamic art collection, alongside European and Danish fine and applied arts.
Det Ny Teater (Gammel Kongevej)
Copenhagen • Theaters
Det Ny Teater is known for its lavish musical productions and elegant atmosphere.
Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek
Copenhagen • Museums
An impressive blend of classical sculpture and French impressionist masterpieces in a stunning architectural setting.
Galleri Nicolai Wallner
Copenhagen • Art Galleries
A key player in Copenhagen’s contemporary art scene, showcasing innovative works.
Best Things to Do in Copenhagen
Activities and experiences to fill your days.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Louisiana Museum of Modern Art — renowned for its modern art collection, the museum offers stunning views over the Øresund Strait. Copenhagen Cable Park earns its reputation too — a thrilling spot for wakeboarding and watersports enthusiasts. Round out the shortlist with SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst — denmark’s national gallery showcases centuries of art, highlighting both Danish and international masterpieces.
Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
Copenhagen • Indoor
Renowned for its modern art collection, the museum offers stunning views over the Øresund Strait.
Copenhagen Cable Park
Copenhagen • Sports
A thrilling spot for wakeboarding and watersports enthusiasts.
SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst
Copenhagen • Indoor
Denmark’s national gallery showcases centuries of art, highlighting both Danish and international masterpieces.
Tivoli Gardens
Copenhagen • Outdoor
A historic amusement park offering rides, live performances, and beautiful gardens.
Where to Eat in Copenhagen
From local classics to standout modern kitchens.
Start with Alchemist — alchemist offers a multi-sensory dining journey, pushing the boundaries of conventional gastronomy. Just as worthwhile is Noma: pioneering Nordic cuisine, Noma is acclaimed for its innovative use of local ingredients. AOC completes the picture: aOC offers a sensory dining experience with two Michelin stars and a focus on Nordic flavors.
Alchemist
Copenhagen • Fine Dining
Alchemist offers a multi-sensory dining journey, pushing the boundaries of conventional gastronomy.
Noma
Copenhagen • Fine Dining
Pioneering Nordic cuisine, Noma is acclaimed for its innovative use of local ingredients.
AOC
Copenhagen • Fine Dining
AOC offers a sensory dining experience with two Michelin stars and a focus on Nordic flavors.
Kadeau Copenhagen
Copenhagen • Fine Dining
Kadeau brings Bornholm's unique flavors to Copenhagen, highlighting the island's culinary heritage.
Copenhagen After Dark: Bars & Nightlife
Where to go once the sun sets.
Top of most lists is Amager Bryghus Taproom: a haven for hop lovers, this taproom offers a broad selection of Amager's celebrated IPAs. Locals will also point you to Copenhagen Jazzhouse — a modern venue with cutting-edge performances, attracting innovative jazz artists. And for something different, there's Skybar Sticks'n'Sushi Tivoli Hotel: combines a stylish sushi menu with panoramic views of Copenhagen from the top floor of Tivoli Hotel.
Amager Bryghus Taproom
Copenhagen • Craft Beer Bars
A haven for hop lovers, this taproom offers a broad selection of Amager's celebrated IPAs.
Copenhagen Jazzhouse
Copenhagen • Live Jazz Venues
A modern venue with cutting-edge performances, attracting innovative jazz artists.
Skybar Sticks'n'Sushi Tivoli Hotel
Copenhagen • Rooftop Bars
Combines a stylish sushi menu with panoramic views of Copenhagen from the top floor of Tivoli Hotel.
Copenhill Rooftop Bar
Copenhagen • Rooftop Bars
Offers a unique rooftop experience with stunning views from atop an urban ski slope.
Where to Stay in Copenhagen
Hand-picked hotels, hostels and B&Bs across every budget.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Villa Copenhagen — combines historic charm with modern luxury, housed in a former post office building. Bertrams Guldsmeden earns its reputation too — eco-conscious boutique hotel with Balinese-inspired decor and organic breakfast offerings. Round out the shortlist with Kurhotel Skodsborg — a luxury spa hotel focusing on Nordic wellness, located north of Copenhagen.
Villa Copenhagen
Copenhagen • Luxury Hotels
Combines historic charm with modern luxury, housed in a former post office building.
Bertrams Guldsmeden
Copenhagen • Bed & Breakfast
Eco-conscious boutique hotel with Balinese-inspired decor and organic breakfast offerings.
Kurhotel Skodsborg
Copenhagen • Spa Hotels
A luxury spa hotel focusing on Nordic wellness, located north of Copenhagen.
Radisson Collection Royal Hotel
Copenhagen • Luxury Hotels
A design icon by Arne Jacobsen, this hotel offers a perfect blend of style and luxury.
Shopping in Copenhagen
Markets, boutiques and everything in between.
Start with Georg Jensen — luxury silverware and jewelry characterize this store known for its elegant and timeless Scandinavian designs. Just as worthwhile is Louis Vuitton Copenhagen: offers a luxurious collection of leather goods, ready-to-wear, and accessories. Gucci Copenhagen completes the picture: italian luxury fashion brand known for its eclectic style and fine craftsmanship.
Georg Jensen
Copenhagen • Souvenir Shops
Luxury silverware and jewelry characterize this store known for its elegant and timeless Scandinavian designs.
Louis Vuitton Copenhagen
Copenhagen • Luxury Shopping
Offers a luxurious collection of leather goods, ready-to-wear, and accessories.
Gucci Copenhagen
Copenhagen • Luxury Shopping
Italian luxury fashion brand known for its eclectic style and fine craftsmanship.
Bottega Veneta
Copenhagen • Luxury Shopping
Offers understated luxury with its signature woven leather designs.
Parks & Green Spaces in Copenhagen
Room to breathe when you need a break from the streets.
Top of most lists is Superkilen Park: this urban park stands out with its colorful and culturally diverse design elements. Locals will also point you to Frederiksberg Have — a tranquil park featuring canals and a small waterfall, ideal for peaceful escapes. And for something different, there's Jægersborg Dyrehave: expansive parkland with old-growth forests and a rich history.
Superkilen Park
Copenhagen • Playgrounds
This urban park stands out with its colorful and culturally diverse design elements.
Frederiksberg Have
Copenhagen • Parks
A tranquil park featuring canals and a small waterfall, ideal for peaceful escapes.
Jægersborg Dyrehave
Copenhagen • Hiking Trails
Expansive parkland with old-growth forests and a rich history.
Kalvebod Fælled
Copenhagen • Nature Reserves & Wildlife
A vast nature reserve offering diverse habitats and a peaceful escape from city life.
Copenhagen Like a Local
The spots most visitors walk straight past.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Amass — sustainable dining at its finest, with a focus on local and organic ingredients. Bæst earns its reputation too — renowned for its organic approach to classic Italian dishes, with an emphasis on sustainability. Round out the shortlist with Christianshavn — a picturesque area with canals and a laid-back, bohemian vibe.
Amass
Copenhagen • Secret Foodie Spots
Sustainable dining at its finest, with a focus on local and organic ingredients.
Bæst
Copenhagen • Secret Foodie Spots
Renowned for its organic approach to classic Italian dishes, with an emphasis on sustainability.
Christianshavn
Copenhagen • Hidden Neighborhoods
A picturesque area with canals and a laid-back, bohemian vibe.
Duck and Cover
Copenhagen • Secret Bars & Speakeasies
A stylish venue on Dannebrogsgade known for its cozy ambiance and expertly crafted drinks.
72 Explorer Picks We Held Back
Every list above is our free tier. On top of it, our editors mark the roughly one-in-ten places in Copenhagen that are genuinely special — standout stays, tables worth planning a day around, and rooms most visitors never find — as Explorer picks, with full write-ups reserved for members. A few currently on the Copenhagen list:
- Hermès· Luxury Shopping
- Kiin Kiin· Secret Foodie Spots
- Cisternerne· Exhibitions
- Palaegade· Local Cuisine
- CopenHill· Scenic Viewpoints & Lookouts
Planning where to stay in Copenhagen?
Our neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood guide covers the best areas and hotels for every budget.
Where to Stay in Copenhagen →Plan Your European Adventure
Explore 22,000+ places across 70+ European cities