Make the Most of One Day in Copenhagen, Denmark: A Quick Hitting Copenhagen Itinerary
With only one day in Copenhagen, you won’t be able to see everything this city has to offer, but you’ll certainly be able to see more than you’d think! This Copenhagen itinerary walks you through how to do just that, and helps you tackle the best of Copenhagen in a day.
Many years ago, one of the first trips that I made after moving to Oslo was to take the overnight ferry across to Copenhagen.
Admittedly, as I was with a large group of fellow international students and sleep wasn’t exactly our first priority, I admittedly arrived a little tired. But a fresh danish and a large coffee later, and I was ready to explore.
Since that time (all the way back in 2010) I’ve been back to Copenhagen a couple of times, and it’s never disappointed. It’s a city that, to me, is very much a model of what any major or international city should strive to be. It’s very clearly a city that’s by and for its citizens.
There are bike lanes everywhere, people don’t look desperately overworked, leisure is prioritized, and parks and public spaces are clean and well maintained. There is a sense of community in the air, and a calm and relaxed pace that keeps many people combing back to this hip and captivating Scandinavian city.
It’s also a very colourful city, and I don’t just mean with the buildings. There’s a fun, almost covert, eccentricity that manifests itself across the city. I notice it in the city’s architecture, restaurants, stories, and just generally engaging with the people who call Copenhagen home.
The Danes, I’ve always found, do things their way, and the more Danes I’ve gotten to know, the more I’ve been convinced that their way is often worth observing and taking note of. Copenhagen is, of course, one of a kind.
Before we get really rolling here, a kind reminder that I’ve also crafted itineraries for how to spend one day in London, and how to visit Brussels in a day, along with countless other guides to places across Europe. If you’re planning a trip to Europe soon and will visit a couple different countries during your time there, definitely check them out.
Please note that this article contains affiliate links. Simply put, this means I may receive a small commission for sharing some of my recommendations, at absolutely zero additional cost to you.
About Copenhagen, Denmark: A True Scandinavian Capital
For starters, Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark, and the most populous city in the nation. Even still, it’s not a terribly big city from a population perspective, with last census numbers pegging the city proper around 600 thousand.
That being said, the Copenhagen Metropolitan Area has a population of over 2 million, so it’s fairly sizeable from that perspective.
Copenhagen was originally formed as a Viking fishing village in the 10th century, and within 500 years, it was the nation’s capital. I won’t wade too deep into the waters of history, but I do think it’s worth mentioning that the city and country became a regional power in the 17th century, when it controlled much of modern day Scandinavia.
This was the same time that this powerful city began to reimagine itself, and took its inspiration from other powerful European cities, like Paris, France. When you visit Copenhagen’s main square, Kongens Nytorv, you’ll see many of the building which survive from this era here.
As the Swedes became more powerful and wanted out from under the thumb of Danish influence, the two nations went their separate ways, and while this made the Danish empire smaller, the expansion in Copenhagen never stopped. Essentially, anytime a disaster befell the city (a fire, a naval bombardment, or a war—all of which, and more, took place here), Copenhagen used it as an excuse to build something new and magnificent. Certainly a lesson in planning and resilience can be learned from diving a little deeper into Denmark’s history!
Today, the city is a major financial and cultural centre of Northern Europe, and has a burgeoning economy. As someone who has had the privilege of learning about cycling in various parts of the world, from Czechia to Anguilla, I also love that Copenhagen is arguably the most bike friendly and bike conscious city on the planet.
Don’t forget this Copenhagen is a great spot to rent a bike and explore.
Getting To and Around Copenhagen
Unless you’re taking an overnight ferry from Oslo, your most likely port of entry to Copenhagen is by landing at the Copenhagen Airport. This airport is well-connected by public transport and other transportation options, and is only about 8km from the centre of Copenhagen.
Once you’ve arrived in Copenhagen, there are several different transportation options that I’d recommend looking into, aside from their excellent public transportation system, for your time in town:
Biking. As I mentioned above, in Copenhagen it is very popular to bike for locals, especially in the warmer months. It’s also a relatively flat city, making biking around town a breeze. Depending on where you’re staying, it’s possible your accommodation might have bikes available to rent or borrow, and there are many other options for bike rentals throughout the city.
Walking. This goes without saying, but I’d say especially if you have limited time to visit a place like Copenhagen, while it might be the slower option, walking offers so many opportunities to truly appreciate the place, restaurants, shops and culture of this city. Whether you walk to one of Copenhagen’s stunning canals, along one of the longest pedestrian streets in Europe, or plan to take a walking tour while you’re in town, then walking here is an excellent option.
Boating. As a city of canals and ports, getting on the water is an excellent way to truly take in the layout of Copenhagen and this impressive Scandinavian city. Whether you’re looking to take a canal cruise on a larger tourist boat, or a smaller guided tour in a private electric boat, then the world is your oyster in Copenhagen. Keep reading until the end of this post to learn about how you can rent your own electric boat in Copenhagen, too!
Hop On-Hop Off Bus. This is another nice option to get around the more spread out parts of Copenhagen while still seeing the sights of the city on your way. If you’re planning to visit Copenhagen for a day, then consider buying a ticket for the hop-on, hop-off bus ahead of your visit so you can hit the ground running.
Where to Stay in Copenhagen
If you’re planning on spending one full day in Copenhagen, then you’re going to want to find a place to rest your head for the night while you’re in town. And if you’re planning to spend a little longer in the city, then all the better!
It’s no secret that Copenhagen, like so much of Scandanavia, is a pricey destination. Depending on which currency you’re arriving with, some accommodation options may be more welcomed than others.
I’ve highlighted three different tiers of accommodation options below to help you find the best place for you to stay during your trip. You can also use the map below to see more possibilities.
Budget Accommodation: This eco-friendly hostel located in central Copenhagen is an excellent place to stay if you’re looking for a budget friendly accommodation. Booking a private room in a hostel in more expensive destinations is a great way to get a hotel feel for a fraction of the cost.
Mid-Level Accommodation: This five-star hotel in Copenhagen with a mid-level tiered cost is walking distance to several neighbourhood highlights in the city.
Luxury Accommodation: This luxury spa hotel is the portrait of opulence and luxury in central Copenhagen, and is walking distance to exciting destinations like Tivoli Gardens. Its old-world charm and indulgent design will make you feel like Danish royalty for the night!
How to Plan to Visit Copenhagen in One Day
Copenhagen, with its picturesque waterfront, centuries-old palaces and colourful building facades is a fantastic city to visit on your European tour. But, if you're spending one day in Copenhagen and are unsure what to do, then this guide is just for you!
It’s worth noting that Copenhagen is a walkable city with plenty of palaces, museums, and waterfronts. Wherever you’re headed, I can attest to it being a lovely place to walk around. I probably walked the entirety of the city on my last visit, and that alone made my experience so much richer. That’s something you’ll want to save for the warmer months, though! The city has old-world charm and it’s fairly compact, with only a few sites far from the centre (that can be easily explored by bike).
You can also buy the 24-hour Copenhagen card that gets you free public transportation and admission to most points of interest in the city.
Anyway, let’s get to it. Here's the ultimate Copenhagen itinerary you need if you’re trying to tackle Copenhagen in 24 hours!
Kick Things Off at the Little Mermaid Statue
If you didn’t know that the original fairy tale of The Little Mermaid was written by one of the most famous Danish authors, Hans Christian Andersen, then let this be your newly learned fact of the day!
Before it went on to the Disney fame it acquired for millennial masses, it was a more dark and gruelling tale about a young mermaid who saves a human in hopes of attaining an immortal soul. But of course this comes at a price. Despite the original story being much more intense than the Disney film, it was a famous Danish tale for so long, and it, along with over 150 other stories written by Hans Christian Andersen is memorialized here at the mermaid statue.
I’d recommend starting your day with a quick Danish-style pastry from any of the popular spots in Langelinie (which is a lovely pier, promenade and park in its own right), rent a bike and head to the iconic bronze Little Mermaid statue. It’s very easy to rent a bike in Copenhagen, by the way.
The easiest way to rent a bike is probably to get your hands on the Bycyklen, which are the e-bikes available across Copenhagen 24/7. If you’ve just got one day in Copenhagen, it’d be no problem to rent one of these guys in the morning, and then return it later that night.
The statue itself was created in bronze by sculptor Edvard Eriksen. It lives permanently in the water at Langelinie. It’s worth noting that the statue is probably going to be smaller than you expect. At least I thought it was. It isn’t a large or over-the-top commemoration, but it’s worth seeing because it’s arguably the most iconic statue in the city.
After you set eyes on The Little Mermaid, You can spend some time cycling along the Langelinie Pavillonen—a beautiful promenade area facing the waterfront.
Take a Stroll Along One of Europe’s Longest Pedestrian Streets
Seeing as Copenhagen is such a walkable city, taking some time to walk through its centrally located pedestrian areas is a highlight on your quick trip here.
Strøget is a well-known pedestrian street in town, and probably the most famous shopping area in Copenhagen. Despite Europe being home to many pedestrian streets across the continent, Strøget clocks in as one of the longest, spanning over 1km through the centre of the city.
You can walk the stretch of Strøget to its end at Kongens Nytorv. Its name translates to “The King’s New Square”, and it’s the largest city square in all of Copenhagen, whose planning might remind you of similar squares in Paris, since that’s what it was modelled after.
Here you’ll find significant buildings built as early as the 1600s, like the former Charlottenborg and Thott Palaces. The Royal Danish Theater is also located in the square, which was built in 1874.
Wander Around Rosenborg Castle & Nearby Museums
I’d recommend that you spend the rest of the morning exploring castles, palaces, and museums on the way to Nyhavn, which is Copenhagen’s most picturesque area (and talked about in more detail in another section below).
On the way, you can visit Rosenborg Castle, which is a 17th-century Dutch renaissance palace and royal museum, with guided tours. You may not have time for the guided tour, but you should at least see it from the outside and explore the grounds.
Conversely, you can walk around the nearby Copenhagen Botanical Garden. It covers about a ten hectare area, and has some famous historical glasshouses that date all the way back to 1874.
If either of those isn’t exactly your cup of tea, you can also spend time at The David Collection, a museum featuring displays of European, Islamic, and Danish early modern paintings and decorative art. It’s named after businessman and art collector C.L. David since it’s his private collection that is open to the public. It primarily showcases fine and applied art.
Marvel at the Architecture of Frederik’s Church
When you’re dealing with an 18th-century marble Lutheran church that also happens to have the largest dome in Scandinavia, it’s likely you’re not going to be disappointed. In Copenhagen, and to visiting tourists as well actually, Frederik’s Church is colloquially called “The Marble Church.”
It’s one of those Copenhagen sights that you probably want to say you’ve seen it, especially since it is the focal point of the Frederiksstaden District, so I’d make a little time to do just that.
Before or after, you’re going to want to spend a little time at the Amalienborg Palace, which is just a short walk from the church. This rococo complex of palaces is the royal family's residence, and also features a museum. You can also watch the marches and displays by the royal guards if that’s something you’re keen on.
If you’re feeling really ambitious, you can also take a detour to the Design Museum of Denmark, or head straight to Round Tower to catch a glimpse of that as well.
Again, this Copenhagen itinerary is for the travellers who want to get up early and fit in as much as they can. I’d recommend spending longer in Copenhagen if you can manage it, but these are just suggested highlights so you can understand all of the exciting places worth visiting. I figured I would throw out this ambitious day in Copenhagen, and you can decide what makes sense for you on your trip there.
Relish Some Danish Delicacies (and views) at Nyhavn
Nyhavn is a 17th century waterfront, canal, and entertainment district that is definitely the can’t miss spot if you’ve only got a day in Copenhagen. I’m guessing fifty percent of photos from Copenhagen are taken right in this area, and for good reason.
If I were you, I’d pick one of the canal-facing small cafes or eateries and relish some Danish specialties for lunch. I’d personally probably aim to nab some smørrebrød, which is one of their famed open-faced sandwiches, and then promptly order a pastry for dessert.
If you want to try a little something different with your smørrebrød, by the way, I’d recommend the pickled herring. You’re not going to find pickled herring that tastes quite like this outside of Scandinavia really, and expertly prepared and preserved fish is very much adored here.
After lunch, you can take a guided canal tour around Copenhagen Harbour. These tours take you on a tour of the city's marvellous array of sights, all from the water.
If you don’t have enough time to splurge on the tour (you may only have one day in Copenhagen if you’re reading this post after all), then visit the 17th-century observatory tower at Rundetaarn to get a bird’s eye view of the city instead (or just walk around Nyhavn).
It’s not as intimate of a way to see the city as it would be from the canal, but it’s also a lovely view of Copenhagen.
Visit the Historical Christiansborg Palace
Okay, I recognize that by here you’re likely questioning my sanity, and wondering how you can, in fact, see all this in a day. What can I say? I’m an ambitious person.
In all seriousness, I in no way expect you to tackle every one of these activities in a day, but I certainly want you to take this list and consider the 3-5 activites that really make your heart sing, and lean in that direction. If you just want to sit in Nyhavn nibbling on smørrebrød with pickled herring, then who am I to judge you? Because really, no matter what you do in Copenhagen, it will feel realxed, cool and right.
But alas, I must proceed with my ambitious desire to share all of the cool places to check out in Copenhagen.
Christiansborg Palace is located on the Castle Islet known as “Slotsholmen,” which is technically a small island in Copenhagen Harbour in the heart of the city. It is one of the many palace museums that would excite any history buff. In this case, it’s worth mentioning that Christiansborg Palace is also the seat of the Danish Parliament, the Supreme Court of Denmark, as well as the Danish Prime Minister’s Office.
Before it housed the parliament though, it was home to kings and queens. In fact, the history of this spot stretches back over 800 years, and so a visit here is a visit to gilded rooms, decorated salons, throne rooms, and other royal rooms galore.
The Great Hall is the can’t miss room here, since it’s where you’ll find all the Queen’s tapestries. A visit here is free if you purchased a Copenhagen Card, by the way.
Experience Wildlife at the Copenhagen Zoo
If you’re a longtime reader of mine, you’ll know that I don’t love zoos all that much, but I do respect zoos that respect their animals, and try to provide a habitat that isn’t all concrete.
With an arctic habitat for polar bears and an airy Norman Foster-designed elephant house, the Copenhagen Zoo is really considered more of a giant zoological garden than a prototypical zoo. Not to mention, it’s one of the oldest zoos in Europe!
Alternatively, if you want to engage with the natural side of things, but don’t want to go to a zoo, you can get head to the Zoological Museum, which is part of the Natural History Museum of Denmark. There's a cafe here that’s open only on weekends, by the way.
Have Some Fun at Tivoli Gardens
The light displays at night are nice and romantic, by the way!
While the name sounds like you may only be in for some greenery, Tivoli Gardens is actually a 19th-century amusement park located in central Copenhagen and contained within one neat and tidy little city block. Believe it or not, it actually set a lot of precedents for how modern day amusement parks are designed and run.
I’ve been here a few times, and I know it’ll be hard to fit into your one day Copenhagen itinerary unless you’re rushing through the city, but even if you can spare an hour or two here, even at night, it’ll be worth it. I’d personally even consider skipping one of the palaces or castles to prioritize Tivoli Gardens, if push came to shove. Its history, design and magical feeling makes it feel truly unique in the way of world travel.
Anyway, at Tivoli Gardens, you can find antique roller coasters and live entertainment programs like musicals, ballets, and major concerts. It’s also known for its famous flowers and gardens. Tivoli Gardens is actually the third oldest operating amusement park in the world, so I do think it has a place on any Copenhagen itinerary, no matter how little or much time people have set aside for their visit.
If you plan to pay to enter one place in Copenhagen, I’d highly recommend you make it Tivoli Gardens. You can click here to learn more and book your ticket.
Climb the Stairs of the Church of Our Saviour
Bri and I climbed the 400 or so steps of this famed Baroque tower the last time we were here, and it was well worth it for the views and the experience.
For reference, this church is the one that is known of its famous external spiral winding staircase (an iconic part of the Copenhagen skyline). If I’m not mistaken, Bri actually walked up the outdoor staircase to the top, but don’t quote me on that. If I remember correctly, it was a clear day, and the wind was howling, but the views were exceptional.
A visit to this 17th century Copenhagen tourist icon can actually be quite quick, so could fit in fairly easily to your one day in Copenhagen.
Catch a Play at the Copenhagen Opera House
The Opera House is a harbourfront auditorium that can seat up to 1400 people. You can book a spot to see their opera tour, catch a Danish play, or an unmatched live music performance.
Not a fan of plays and musicals?
In that case, the alternative activity is to head to CopenHill—a purpose-built ski slope on a rooftop of an energy plant. You can hike up the artificial hill and catch an incredible sunset. Honestly, I’d probably be even more partial to this, but I figured I’d throw both options your way.
Finish the Night at Reffen for Copenhagen Street Food
This hip and eco-conscious street food market isn’t only a destination for foodies and craft beer lovers, but offers incredible afternoon light and sunset views over downtown Copenhagen from across the Copenhagen harbour. The market is open from late March to late October every year.
This sprawling street food venue is, in my humble opinion, a must-visit spot. It’s a lot more than just a typical street food market though. It’s more of a creative hub, which also features plenty of startups, innovation and creativity.
There are food stalls, bars, events, and a whole heck of a lot more. Bri and I loved this spot overall. They’re open every day of the week, and you can check out their site to see what, if anything, may be on while you’re there by heading to this link.
If that isn’t your thing, you can always stroll to the nearby B&W Flea Market and shop your heart out. It’s not my favourite spot personally, but it’s still one of the largest flea markets in the country, and I know some people are into that.
By the way, if you're in Copenhagen on a Thursday, you should likely also glimpse the avant-garde installations near the Copenhagen Contemporary Art Center. They’re open until 9. p.m. on Thursdays.
Another unique Highlight Worth Squeezing In
Of course it’s impossible to cram everything in during a one day visit to Copenhagen, and I’d encourage you to stay longer if you can! But I understand that some people operate with more limited time to travel, so you have to take advantage of the time you do have.
If you have a little extra time in Copenhagen, then I’d highly recommend renting a boat. This is such a fun thing to do in Copenhagen that is unique compared to other cities in Europe.
These aren’t your luxury yacht or dinner cruise rentals. You can rent electric boats from FriendShips that anyone over 18 can drive, and explore the canals of Copenhagen for the day or evening. This is, of course, a seasonal activity that’s only available during the warmer months.
A note on recommendations about Freetown Christiania: We distinctly left this activity off of our recommendations for places to visit during your one-day trip to Copenhagen.
This part of the city began as a positive, alternative hippy enclave and arts community in the 1970’s, but its atmosphere has changed drastically over the past two decades. We have personally noticed the vibes shift even between our visits in 2010, 2015 and today, and the general rejection of police and law enforcement in this commune and occasional gang and gun violence makes governance and safety questionable at best—this coming from well-seasoned travellers who have lived in populous international cities and seen all sorts of “dangerous” places.
If you plan to visit to check out its murals and art installations, we’d recommend doing so during the day, and with a group.
That’s a Wrap on a Busy 24 Hours in Copenhagen, Denmark!
So, can you really explore Copenhagen in one day?
Not entirely, but yes, you can most definitely get a good taste for it, especially if you start early and end late.
The Danish capital has a vibrant culture, some great cuisines on display (very much including their own!), and plenty of attractions to explore, even if you have just one day in Copenhagen.
Use this list to visit the places that interest you the most, and stroll around the city or explore via bicycle; the choice is yours to make! But know that I always recommend using a bicycle in a city that’s so bike-friendly, and if you’re feeling ambitious.
Copenhagen is a fantastic city, and if you’ve got a few days, you’ll certainly be able to fill them, but I sincerely hope this article helps those with a tight timeline make the most of this fantastic European capital.
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