Planning a trip to Copenhagen? Read on for my guide to the city—from iconic landmarks and great museums to cafés, neighbourhoods and some of my favourite places to spend time while you’re there.
3 Days in Copenhagen: Where to Stay, What to Do & How to Plan Your Trip
Copenhagen is one of the coolest cities I’ve visited. It’s design-led, incredibly liveable, and known for its café culture, museums and easy pace of life.
I have family here, so I’ve visited quite a few times over the years, which has given me the chance to explore the city beyond just a quick weekend trip.
Because it’s such a lived-in city beyond anything, it’s not always obvious what’s actually worth seeing for your trip, especially if you want to mix the main sights with a bit of everyday Copenhagen hygge.
After spending a lovely amount of time exploring Copenhagen—from museums and neighbourhood walks to cafés, food spots and harbour-side strolls—this guide brings together the places that are genuinely worth your time.
In This Guide, I’ll Cover:
Where to stay in Copenhagen
A simple 2–4 day itinerary to help structure your trip
Landmarks and museums worth visiting
Cafés, restaurants and wine bars I recommend
Neighbourhoods, walks and markets to explore in the city
Shall we?
About the Author
Hi, I’m Candace — a London-based travel writer and content creator who traded the East Coast of the US for the charm of the UK back in 2016. London’s been my home ever since.
On this blog, you’ll find hundreds of thoughtfully crafted London, UK, Europe and Worldwide travel guides alongside lots of insider London tips, honest hotel and restaurant reviews and advice for content creators.
P.S. – For more trip inspiration, travel videos, and behind-the-scenes adventures, be sure to follow along (and say hello, if you fancy) on Instagram, TikTok or YouTube.
🗞️📺 As featured on the BBC, USA Today & Recipe.TV.
To make planning easier, I’ve created a curated Copenhagen Travel Map with my favourite places already pinned across the city, so you can easily navigate your way around while you’re there—from cafés and wine bars to museums, neighbourhoods, harbour walks and more.
It’s designed to make exploring Copenhagen simple, especially if it’s your first time and you want everything saved and ready to go.
Inside the map you’ll find:
✔ 70+ recommendations organised by category (landmarks, sights, restaurants, cafés, viewpoints, markets) ✔ pre-saved in Google Maps ✔ easy to use on your phone while travelling ✔ hidden gems not included in this blog
🚆 Getting around: The metro is quick and easy to take from the airport to your accommodation and you can purchase tickets or a Rejsekort card for travel easily at the station. For the rest of the time, you’ll end up walking or cycling!
🚲 Bikes: Copenhagen is very bike-friendly—just be mindful of bike lanes as they’re taken seriously here (i.e. try your hardest not to be the tourist taking pictures in the bike lane!). More info on how to rent a bike in Copenhagen here.
💳 Money & Cards: The currency in Denmark is 1 Danish Krone, and outside of a few flea markets, card payments are accepted almost everywhere, you’ll rarely need cash. It’s an expensive city from a European perspective, especially for food and drinks.
🌷 Best time to visit: In my opinion, spring to early autumn is ideal, especially for sitting outside and making the most of the city.
🗣️ English: Most people in Denmark—especially in Copenhagen—speak excellent English, but it’s always appreciated if you use a few Danish words during your trip, like Tak(thank you) — pronounced “tahk” and Undskyld(excuse me / sorry) — “oon-skyld”.
🧥 Weather: Layers are key in Copenhagen as the temperature can change quite quickly, especially in summer.
🤳🏽 Data: If you don’t have international roaming, I’d recommend using an eSIM like Airalo—it’s quick to set up, and you’ll have data as soon as you land.
Which Area of Copenhagen Should You Stay In?
City Centre / Kongens Nytorv If it’s your first time in Copenhagen, this is the easiest place to base yourself. You’re right by many of the main sights, with great transport links and plenty of cafés, shops and restaurants nearby.
Vesterbro One of the most interesting areas in the city for food, wine bars and a slightly more local feel. It’s lively without feeling overwhelming, and a great base if you want to be out in the evenings.
Christianshavn Known for its canals and colourful houses, this area has a slightly slower, more relaxed pace. It’s still very central, but feels a bit more tucked away.
Frederiksberg A quieter, more residential part of the city with lots of green space. A good option if you prefer somewhere calmer while still being well connected to the rest of Copenhagen.
Overall, Copenhagen is very compact, so wherever you stay, it’s easy to get around—but staying fairly central will make exploring a bit simpler.
For any stay in Copenhagen, I always personally recommend the Axel Guldsmeden. I’ve stayed here several times now, and it’s a place I always come back to.
It’s in Vesterbro, close to the centre, but with much more of a local feel, especially when it comes to restaurants, wine bars and cafés.
The hotel itself is very bohemian with a strong focus on sustainability and organic products used across the hotel, which feels very nicely aligned with Copenhagen as a city.
One of the standout features is the spa area, which has a small pool, sauna and the perfect end to a nice full day of exploring.
Their hotel breakfast is genuinely one of the best I’ve had in Europe.
For a second option, make sure to check out the Bali-inspired Manon Les Suites Guldsmeden hotel in Copenhagen; they’re both under the same brand!
🗺 How to Spend 3-4 Days in Copenhagen: My Itinerary
I’ve visited Copenhagen several times, and this is how I’d structure a first trip.
2–4 days is a great introduction to the city—enough time for the main sights, museums, neighbourhoods and some slower exploring (my favourite).
Copenhagen’s café culture is also big part of the city—so I’ve woven a few of my favourite spots into this itinerary.
Day 1 — Iconic Copenhagen & First Impressions
For your first day, I’d suggest leaning into the more iconic parts of Copenhagen—it’s the easiest way to get your bearings before moving into the neighbourhoods and cafés.
Nyhavn
Nyhavn is Copenhagen’s most iconic harbour, lined with colourful buildings and historic wooden boats. It’s busy, but a great place to start your trip, take your beautifully obligatory Copenhagen photo and get your bearings.
Practical tips: • Cost: Free • Best time to visit: Morning (less crowded) • How to get there: Metro to Kongens Nytorv
The best cafes near Nyhavn are on its side streets (not the main one), I recommend Democratic Coffee.
Amalienborg Palace & Changing of the Guard
Home to the Danish royal family, Amalienborg Palace is made up of four identical palace buildings surrounding a central square. The Changing of the Guard takes place daily and is worth timing your visit around.
Practical tips: • Cost: Free (palace interior ticketed) • Guard change: Around 12:00 daily • How to get there: 10–15 min walk from Nyhavn
Churchillparken
One of the best places in Copenhagen for a walk and a nice break from monument and landmark sightseeing.
Practical tips: • Cost: Free • How long to spend: 30–45 minutes • How to get there: Walk from Amalienborg along the harbour
Little Mermaid Statue
Your walk in Churchillparken will eventually lead you to Copenhagen’s most iconic statue.
Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s famous story, the Little Mermaid is one of Copenhagen’s most visited landmarks. It’s small and often busy, but worth seeing while you’re in the area.
Practical tips: • Cost: Free • How long to spend: 10–15 minutes • Tip: Expect crowds
Tivoli Gardens
One of the oldest amusement parks in the world, Tivoli Gardens, sits right in the city centre and is especially atmospheric in the evening when it’s lit up.
Practical tips: • Cost: Entry ticket required • Best time to visit: Evening • How to get there: Metro or 10–15 min cycle from city centre
Day 2 — Cafés, Museums & City Walks
After your first day, I’d slow things down with a mix of cafés, museums and easy walks through the city.
Rosenborg Castle & King’s Garden
For your start of day 2, I suggest going to the beautiful Rosenborg Castle & King’s Gardens. A renaissance castle set within one of Copenhagen’s most central green spaces. You can go inside or simply admire it from my next recommendation.
Practical tips: • Cost: Gardens free, castle ticketed • How long to spend: 45–60 minutes
P.S. – If you’d like a proper brunch before exploring the area, I recommend The Union Kitchen, about a 10–15 minute walk from the gardens.
Herkules Pavillonen
Right in the King’s Gardens, you can visit Herkules Pavillonen, a small café that’s fabulous for a light bite, a glass of orange wine, and soaking up the Copenhagen sun.
Practical tips: • Best for: Midday break • Seating: Outdoor tables in good weather
Copenhagen Botanical Garden
Close to Rosenborg, you’ll find one of my favourite botanical gardens in Europe. Fit with lovely landscaped gardens and glasshouses worth spending some time in for your trip.
Practical tips: • Cost: Free (some greenhouses ticketed) • How long to spend: 30–45 minutes
Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek
One of the city’s most interesting museums, known for its sculpture collection and indoor winter garden.
Practical tips: • Cost: Ticketed entry • How long to spend: 1–1.5 hours
If you’re craving more Danish art & culture you can also visit the stunning Kunsthal Charlottenborg, a contemporary art space in the heart of the city.
Day 3 — Neighbourhoods, Food & Markets
By day three, I’d focus on neighbourhoods like Vesterbro and Christianshavn, where you get a better feel for everyday Copenhagen.
Vintage & Design Markets on Paper Island
For your third day in Copenhagen, I suggest heading to the quirky Paper Island. A redeveloped waterfront area that often hosts design and vintage markets depending on the time of year.
Practical tips: • Best time: Late morning • Note: Markets are seasonal
Broens Gadekøkken
Near to Paper Market you can grab a bite at the trendy and fantastic Broens Street Food Market. An outdoor street food market right by the water with lots of casual food options.
Practical tips: • Best for: Lunch • Seating: Outdoor, relaxed
Christianshavn
Fabulously so you can also explore Christianshavn from here. A picturesque neighbourhood known for its canals and colourful houses, often compared to a Scandinavian version of Amsterdam.
Practical tips: • Best explored: On foot • How long to spend: 1+ hour
Just nearby is Freetown Christiania, a more alternative and unconventional area of the city—worth a quick walk through if you’re curious, but very different from the rest of Copenhagen.
Vesterbro
For local food, drink nightlife, head to Vesterbro—one of Copenhagen’s most interesting neighbourhoods for restaurants, wine bars and clubs.
Practical tips: • Best time: Evening • Atmosphere: More local, less touristy
P.S. – For a casual bite near here, I love Otto Pizza, especially their potato pizza (yes, it exists and yes it’s as delightful as it sounds).
Day 4 — A Local’s Day in Copenhagen
If you have more time, I’d keep your final day slower and a bit more open. Head over to Frederiksberg for a quieter, more residential feel with green spaces and local cafés, and if your timing works you might come across one of the flea markets in the area. It’s a nice contrast to the busier parts of the city.
To make planning easier, I’ve created a curated Copenhagen Travel Map with my favourite places already pinned across the city, so you can easily navigate your way around while you’re there—from cafés and wine bars to museums, neighbourhoods, harbour walks and more.
It’s designed to make exploring Copenhagen simple, especially if it’s your first time and you want everything saved and ready to go.
Inside the map you’ll find:
✔ organised by category (landmarks, sights, restaurants, cafés, viewpoints, markets) ✔ pre-saved in Google Maps ✔ easy to use on your phone while travelling ✔ hidden gems not included in this blog
Copenhagen is such a stylish, creative and incredibly easy city to explore—whether you’re spending lovely time in museums, cycling between neighbourhoods, or simply sitting outside at a café for a few hours (one of my favourite Copenhagen activities).
Have a brilliant trip—farvel!
I hope this guide helps you plan your visit to Copenhagen.I’d love to hear how your trip wenton Instagram.
