31 Best things to see & do in Copenhagen

The historic centre of Copenhagen, including both the mainland side and the island of Amager, is diced and diced with some rather picturesque canals. The canals link many of the major city sights, including Nyhavn, The Little Mermaid, Amalienborg Castle, Holmen, The Opera, The Royal Library (The Black Diamond), Christiansborg, The Stock Exchange, Langelinie, and Christianshavn Canal.

That makes a kanalrundfart (canal tour) a must in Copenhagen – it’s an enjoyable, lazy way to tick off the key sights, get orientated, and gain an understanding of the city’s rich history – there are fascinating facts and insightful commentary along the way. It’s the perfect way to start a first-time visit.

A veritable national treasure, this fairytale theme park opened in 1843 and features beautifully landscaped gardens, fairground stalls, bandstands, theatres and plenty of amusement park rides. Perfect for kids (and big kids), it’s especially magical on a summer’s evening when illuminations twinkle and fireworks explode overhead.

It’s also interesting historically, thanks to the many well-maintained period buildings, such as the Chinese-style open-air Pantomime Theatre dating from 1874. Every visitor should take a ride on the iconic Rutschebanen (rollercoaster), the oldest wooden rollercoaster still in operation and one of only seven attractions in the world that is operated by a brake man on each train.

Tivoli is a must-visit attraction that captures Copenhagen’s soul.

Frederiksborg is one of Europe’s most magnificent Renaissance castle-palaces, its iconic russet and mint-green frontage rising up above immaculate formal gardens.

It was built in the 17th century by King Christian IV, to show off and enhance Christian’s reputation as a powerful European monarch.

Rich in art and unusual decorative touches, the building now houses the Museum of National History, which traces the nation’s history through portraits, paintings, furniture and decorative arts, with a section aimed at children.

Outside the expansive gardens surround a vast boating lake, with regular concerts held in the baroque castle church.

** Temporarily closed for renovations ***

With whiffs of the old Carlsberg brewery pervading the air, tours of this beer mecca cover the history of brewing and beer consumption in Denmark.

Exhibits range from the first known Danish beer to a comprehensive overview of the history of the company, with models of old workers’ quarters and antique brewing machinery.

At the end of the tour, treat yourself to a few rounds at the bar (two beers are included in the ticket). One compelling display features Egtved Girl, the preserved body of a child from prehistoric times found in a Danish bog. A small pot at her feet contained traces of beer.

Founded in Copenhagen in 1947 by J C Jacobsen, and named after his son, Carlsberg has become pretty much a trademark of Denmark, so a visit here is a history lesson in cultural iconography.

Every city these days has an aquarium, but in Copenhagen’s case, it’s a bit special. This national aquarium (also known as ‘The Blue Planet’) reopened in 2013 to become the largest aquarium in northern Europe.

Inside there are more than 50 separate aquaria housing almost 17.000 animals and 700 species, including 4m hammerhead shark, sea otters and moray eels.

The building is also notable for its innovative architecture: clad in scale-like aluminium panels, the aquarium resembles a giant whirlpool from above, while from the ground it appears to float in a circular reflection pool.

Roskilde, a city 30km west of Copenhagen, has been settled since prehistoric times, when the Vikings sailed their longboats up and down the Roskilde Fjord.

A picturesque, medieval town, it’s worth a visit in its own right, but it also boasts the world’s best Viking ship museum, holding five remarkably well-preserved Viking vessels – a deep-sea trader, merchant ship, man-of-war and longship – that were scuttled in the 11th century and discovered at the bottom of the fjord in 1962.

Once you’ve seen the original 1,000-year-old Viking ships in the hall, board and explore exact replicas on the museum harbour. You can also meet the boatbuilder and see his tools, dress like a Viking, and write your name in Runic letters.

During summer, the museum puts on boat-building and sail-making demonstrations and runs excursions on the fjord in a reconstructed Viking longship for an additional cost (but get ready to row).

Locally caught fish and seafood is one of Danish cuisine’s strongest suits: herring, in particular, is a local favourite and has been caught, salted, dried and smoked here for centuries.

Along the famous Danish pastries, try hot dogs and open rye bread sandwiches called smorrebrod, which often features herring.

For drinks, beer is king but look beyond Carlsberg: craft breweries like Mikkeller and Friends and Norrebro Bryghus are picking up deserved accolades. Or wash things down with a shot of ice-cold caraway snaps, or in the colder months try glog, Scandinavian mulled wine.

The Danes made a big mark in the world of design and architecture over the course of the 20th century, with ‘Danish Design’ now recognised as a school of functionalist and industrial design and architecture.

Iconic examples include the egg chair by Arne Jacobsen, the artichoke light by Poul Henningsen, jewellery and tableware by Georg Jensen, furniture by Charles Eames, and the Sydney Opera House by Jorn Utzon.

That’s why any visit to Denmark, and especially Copenhagen, must include this design museum on its itinerary. Housed in a striking, 17th-century hospital near the royal Amalienborg Palace, it provides a great overview of Danish industrial design, alongside a large collection of applied art from medieval times onwards.

This world-class museum, home to Denmark’s finest collection of ethnographic artefacts, is a must-visit for any culture, history or anthropology aficionado. Exhibits range from peat bog excavations to the gorgeous Trundholm Sun Chariot model from 1400 BC.

The extensive Viking collection features everyday tools and artefacts, clothes and weapons, as well as silver jewellery and coins from private stashes. buried by the wealthy during times of unrest.

Denmark’s crown jewels have been carefully guarded for 400 years behind the gates of this splendid Renaissance castle in the centre of the city. Find the collection of precious gems – including some of the world’s finest emeralds – in the basement alongside glass cabinets filled with weapons, scientific instruments, a set of toy soldiers and other royal treasures.

Upstairs, in the Knight’s Hall, three life-size silver lions guard coronation thrones made from narwhal tusks, while tapestries and fine furnishings fill the King’s private quarters.

Even if the intricacies of Danish history don’t interest you, the amount of bling on display is impressive. The surrounding gardens are also worth exploring.

Crowned the best restaurant in the world four times in the last decade (by a panel of 800 chefs and critics) this tiny spot has become the icon of Danish cuisine.

Provocative head chef Rene Redzepi has made waves with his strict dogma of seemingly simple Nordic dishes made from seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients. Its El Bulli-like status draws VIPs, celebrities and consummate foodies from around the globe to dine in the converted 18th-century warehouse.

Expect anything from live shrimp with ants to ‘Hen and the Egg’ – a DIY dish where guests cook their own duck egg with spinach. A spectacular dining experience, not for the fainthearted.

Once used by the Royal Family, Christiansborg is now the seat of the Danish government, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Supreme Court. The palace features royal reception rooms, a great hall bedecked in tapestries, royal stables, a kitchen and a royal chapel – all of which can be explored independently or on guided tours.

Copenhagen’s city palace is the official residence of the Royal Family. It consists of four identical buildings – Christian VII’s Palace, Frederik VIII’s Palace, Christian IX’s Palace and Christian VIII’s Palace.

The latter is home to the Amalienborg Museum, where you can visit a part of the palace including royal bedrooms, the Gala Hall, Fabergé Chamber, and royal reception rooms still in use today..

Time your visit for noon to see the changing of the guard.

The city’s historical museum showcases hundreds of years of history dating back to the Vikings, through interactive exhibits, installations, and local historical artefacts. Worth a visit for history buffs and anyone interested to understand where the city came from, and how events have created and shaped the buzzing metropolis it is today.

This treasure trove of art and archaeological artefacts is in two parts; there’s a fine collection of antiquities from Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Rome, and Etruscan Cultures. The modern collection features French sculpture from the 19th century – notably sculptures by Rodin – French Impressionist painting from 1800 to 1950, notably by Paul Gauguin, and a collection of Danish Golden Age Art.

With over 5,000 miles of coastline adjoining three different seas, you’d expect Denmark to be a seafaring nation with a rich maritime history. This museum in the nearby town of Helsingor preserves that fascinating heritage through interactive exhibits, real-life stories and historical artifacts, notably from the booming trade era of the 18th century to the technology-led shipping of today. Open daily, except Mondays in winter.

Denmark’s biggest art gallery has permanent exhibitions of national and international art spanning the past seven centuries. Highlights include works by Edvard Munch and one of the world’s best Matisse collections.

Dramatically situated on the crest of a hill, Kronborg is a 15th-century castle and stronghold. Said to have inspired Shakespeare’s Hamlet, it’s also one of Copenhagen’s most impressive UNESCO World Heritage sites. Helsingor itself is a charming town of half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets – worth a wander while you’re there.

A foodie hotspot, in a global culinary capital, is not to be missed. This gourmet food market sees a plethora of seasonal foods for sale, alongside more staple Danish specialties like fresh pastries. Food stalls aplenty offer tempting treats to snaffle on the go or at the outdoor tables.

This small, buzzing street is a great spot for shopping and soaking up the local vibe. It’s packed with independent art galleries, jewellery designers, vintage clothes, plus charming cafes, restaurants and bars for relaxing and people-watching.

The flagship store of this legendary Copenhagen brand, with the world’s largest selection of their beautifully designed and crafted silverware.

These 10-hectare gardens in the city centre is both a haven for more than 13,000 plant species, and a pleasant respite from the city bustle. Highlights include a butterfly house, a Nordic beer garden showcasing plants used by Nordic beer brewers, and the magnificent Victorian 27-glasshouse complex, dating back to 1874. Open Tuesday-Sunday.

A waterfront street food market and creative hub, this is a favourite after-work haunt for locals, who come to graze on everything from sushi to tacos and burgers, and laze in deckchairs by the sea. A magnet for foodie and street food lovers. Closed in winter.

Denmark has long had a reputation for its jazz music traditions, so no surprise then it’s host to Europe, if not the world’s, greatest jazz festival.

Held every July since 1979, this is Copenhagen’s largest cultural festival with concerts performed everywhere from cobbled streets and outdoor spaces to bars and concert halls. Music is wide-ranging, from bebop to post-industrial fusion, with spoken word poetry and world music thrown in too.

It’s an absolute must for jazz fans and anyone else interested in broadening their cultural horizons.

Established in 1775, this specialist combines high-quality porcelain with uniquely Danish style. A Danish institution, this is its flagship store.

For showstopping views across Copenhagen, climb the 17th-century Round Tower (Rundetaarn), which houses Europe’s oldest working observatory at the top.

This award-winning interactive science museum is packed with experiments, interactive exhibits, and animations that will occupy science-lovers – and inquisitive, energetic kids – for hours. Don’t miss the ‘Bubblearium’. Open daily.

This Modernist art museum was founded to showcase the contributions of Danish artists in movements such as European Nouveau Realisme, American Pop Art, and Minimalism. The rotating 4,000-strong collection, featuring Danish and international artists, includes works by Francis Bacon, Picasso and Kandinsky. There’s also a 60-piece Sculpture Park.

On the second Friday in October, Kulturnatten (Culture Night) is a cultural evening of live music, poetry, art and food, held in hundreds of interesting venues across town – museums, churches, libraries, exhibition halls and on the streets.

It’s a compelling showcase of the city’s rich cultural life, all for the price of the Culture Pass.

Copenhagen’s answer to Selfridge’s is this upscale, 5-storey department store and a good find for foodies. The basement has an excellent food market, and the rooftop restaurants are a pleasant, centrally-located spot to stop in for refreshments in between shopping and sightseeing. There’s also a Japanese teahouse on the 4th floor. Open daily.

Started in 2007 by two friends, this pioneering craft beer success story has since spread to multiple cities, including Stockholm and San Francisco. A Copenhagen institution now recognised worldwide, it’s the place to go for consistently great tasting beer and some enticingly experimental brews.