Explore Copenhagen - An Exclusive Guide

A perfect day in... Copenhagen, Denmark

Explore colorful streets and fascinating museums by day and world-class restaurants by night in this buzzy capital of cool.

What to see in Copenhagen

The most picturesque – and most popular – corner of Copenhagen is the Nyhavn harbor, lined with multicolored 18th-century townhouses and tall ships. Take a stroll and stop for a coffee, before hopping on a boat for a cruise along the pretty canals. Look out for the bronze statue of Hans Christian Andersen’s Little Mermaid at Langelinie Pier (she’s smaller than you’d expect!),  the impressive Copenhagen Opera House designed by Henning Larsen, and the Cirkelbroen Bridge by famous artist Olafur Eliasson, featuring a series of masts that look like a ship’s rigging.

For an insight to Denmark’s history, visit the National Museum, a treasure trove of finds from the ancient world, plus artworks, Viking weapons and medieval jewelry. The Statens Museum for Kunst, is a vast collection that spans seven centuries, including Old Masters and Impressionist gems.

Modern design enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Designmuseum Danmark, showcasing works of famous Danish designers such as Arne Jacobsen and Kaare Klint. The museum is closed on Mondays (in fact, many attractions, museums and restaurants in Copenhagen are closed on Mondays) so do plan ahead.

As the sun sets, head into the gorgeously romantic Tivoli Gardens, the world’s oldest amusement park, dating back to 1843. Lit by strings of fairy lights and lanterns, there are rides, carnival games and open-air music, as well as a fireworks show every Saturday.

What to do in Copenhagen

Take a walk through Freetown Christiania, a (very) alternative commune dating back to 1971. With a ragtag of DIY homes, shops, allotment and cafés, it makes for an interestingly leftfield morning. For a view over the city, head up the Rundetårn’s spiraling pathway, rising up to 209 meters.

To truly fit in, rent a bike (or borrow one from your hotel; most of them have bicycles available for guests) and zip about the city on two wheels. Copenhagen is made for cyclists, with flat roads and bike lanes everywhere. Or for a lovely nature walk, head to Frederiksberg Have, a beautiful park in the middle of the city with winding paths, grottos, waterfalls and woodlands.

Finally, don’t miss hitting Copenhagen’s cutting-edge shops. Homegrown labels such as Ganni and Samsøe Samsøe offer great fashion finds, while Illums Bolighus stocks a fabulous variety of Danish designs. And Denmark is, of course, the home of LEGO…

What to eat in Copenhagen

Some will argue that Copenhagen has wrested the crown as Europe’s food capital from more traditional contenders such as Paris or Rome, and with good reason. Not only home to Noma (catch it while you can; the world-famous restaurant is shutting its doors in 2024), there are another 15 Michelin-starred restaurants dotted around the city, including Geranium, which last year was voted the best restaurant in the world.

For excellent lunchtime browsing, take a stroll around Denmark’s largest food hall,

Torvehallerne, crammed with over 60 stalls selling everything from artisan cheeses to gourmet sandwiches. And you can’t go wrong with Danish pastry – the delicious cinnamon buns, or Kanelsnegle, are best enjoyed at breakfast or with an afternoon coffee.

For more information, go to visitcopenhagen.com