Planning to spend three days in Copenhagen but not sure what to do? You’ve come to the right place!
In this Copenhagen three day itinerary I have outlined everything you need to know about spending three days in Copenhagen.
From how to get around the Danish capital, to the best places to eat, the best things to do, where to stay and more! All your Copenhagen questions are answered in this article.
Copenhagen is a gorgeous city, which attracts thousands of visitors every year, and it’s easy to see why. With its unique architecture, fun vibe and interesting history, it has something for everyone.
Whether you want to go on a canal cruise in Nyhavn, or cycling between the castles of Copenhagen, or to see the Little Mermaid, in Copenhagen you can do all that and more.
So without further ado, read on and start planning your perfect Copenhagen itinerary!
Table of Contents
How many days in Copenhagen?
While you could spend any number of days exploring Copenhagen, what I’ve compiled here is a two to three day weekend guide to the Danish capital.
It’s obviously not enough time to properly see the city, or really any city, but it does give you some time to get to know it.
You know – wander, people-watch, see some sights, eat some great food… All the stuff that makes travel great! If you’re strapped for time and you can only do a weekend abroad, it’s ample time for discovery.
You’ll need a good Copenhagen itinerary to do so (like this one!), which will allow you to get a feel for the vibe and see the main attractions of the city.
I’d say two days in Copenhagen is the bare minimum – the third day I’ve added is for extra exploration: you can revisit or explore further any areas of the city you liked or spend longer at a few attractions. It’s up to you!
How to get around Copenhagen
According to VisitCopenhagen.com, 44% of all trips to work or school in the Danish capital are made by bicycle.
With all the other cycling they do, it adds up to a collective 1.44 million kilometres cycled daily by Copenhagen’s citizens.
This is all helped by the cycle lanes: 23 kilometres of cycle lanes on the road, 43 kilometres of off-road cycle lanes through green spaces, and 350 kilometres of curb-segregated cycle paths.
As you can probably tell, the power of the pedal is strong in this very bike-friendly city, so I’d definitely say it’s the best way to get around.
If you’re new to cycling however, or you don’t want to cycle by yourself, don’t worry: you have options. You could actually join a bike tour to see the sights and experience this popular mode of transport.
There are lots of great Copenhagen bike tours out there, all with different focuses, and I’m sure you’ll find out that fits your travel style best.
If you don’t want to cycle, that’s ok. There’s plenty of public transport in Copenhagen, so you can easily hop on a bus, the metro, trains and even waterbuses.
Alternatively you can also walk. While Copenhagen is a fairly big city, the main sights of the city centre are all quite close to each other, and can be easily discovered on foot.
I would avoid renting a car, as it would just be expensive and a nightmare to park in the city centre.
Click here to book your bike tour around Copenhagen!
Copenhagen itinerary day 1
The first day of this Copenhagen itinerary is the sightseeing intense one. You will spend most of it hopping (or maybe cycling?) from one iconic Copenhagen attraction to the next, taking in all the beautiful sights.
Indre By
Day one of your weekend in Copenhagen begins in the Old Town, or Indre By (literally “Inner City” in Danish).
This is the city’s historic core and the best place to get to grips with what makes Copehnagen tick – or at least get a feel for how it looked 400 years ago.
It was this district that formed the historic boundaries of the city. Though the city walls aren’t there anymore, you can still see evidence in street names and parks that edge Indre By.
Here you’ll find charming old buildings, and places to wander like Strøget – a pedestrianised street lined with boutiques.
If you don’t fancy wandering around Copenhagen alone, you can also join a walking tour like this private one, with a local guide sharing with you helpful insider tips.
Click here to book your private tour of Copenhagen with a local!
Christiansborg Palace
A short walk south of Indre By is the sprawling Christiansborg Palace.
This ornate 18th-century structure (which actually started life as a castle in the 1200s) features gilded rooms and lavish saloons that are, to this day, still sometimes used by the Danish Royal Family.
Otherwise, this is home to the Danish Parliament, Supreme Court and the Ministry of State.
And luckily, commoners are allowed to take a peek inside. Entrance costs 160 DKK (21.50 EUR), but it includes also a guided tour.
If you plan to visit the interior, make sure to purchase your entrance online beforehand, so that you can avoid the queues on the day. After all, if you only have a weekend in Copenhagen, you don’t want to waste it queuing!
Børsen
Stroll a few minutes from Christiansborg Palace and you’ll come face to face with Borsen. One of the oldest buildings in the city, Børsen is Copenhagen’s Old Stock Exchange.
It was here that the financial centre of the Kingdom could be found, with its doors opening in 1625.
In its heyday, Børsen was surrounded by water on three sides, allowing access for ships to unload their cargo and trade; there was room inside for dozens of market stalls.
You’ll have to gaze at it from afar though, as it’s not regularly open to the public. Thankfully, it’s a beautiful building complete with a legendary dragon-tailed spire protecting against misfortune.
Nyhavn
After that, it’s probably time for a spot of lunch – and where better to do that than at Nyhavn? This 17th-century harbour area, with its colourful townhouses, is a bustling area and is packed with bars, restaurants and cafes.
With its coloured houses and wooden boats, it’s one of the most famous sights in Copenhagen.
It’s a popular hangout with locals and visitors alike, who come here to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy some culinary delights.
Yes, it’s obviously quite touristy, but many of the eateries are set inside these stunning old houses, so you get to experience a slice of the area’s history. It’s pretty iconic.
The location is also convenient if you want to hop on a canal boat tour after lunch.
While Nyhavn might be the most famous canal in Copenhagen, it isn’t the only one. You can join a canal boat cruise to take you to admire the beautiful sights of Copenhagen, as seen from the water.
Click here to see prices and availability for your canal cruise from Nyhavn!
Amalienborg
Time for another royal palace. This palace, located just a stone’s throw from Nyhavn (around a seven-minute walk to be exact), is the home of the Danish Royal Family.
It’s not just one building, but four identical mansions symmetrically facing each other in an octagonal courtyard. Originally built in 1750, the palace is marked by neoclassical exteriors and elaborate rococo interiors.
It’s not just royals who can enter however; the Amalienborg Museum offers an insight into the history of the palace and the lives of the royals themselves (125 DKK; 16.80 EUR).
Fun fact: The Danish monarchy is one of the oldest in the world!
Again, if you want to visit the interior of Amalienborg make sure to purchase entrance online beforehand, so that you can avoid the big queues on the day!
Frederik’s Church
Immediately west of Amalienborg is Frederik’s Church. This impressive building sits in the centre of the Frederiksstaden district.
Also known as the Marble Church (even though it’s not made of marble), construction on this huge structure began in 1749.
One of the most popular things to do at this church is to catch a glimpse of the city below from its green copper dome. The dome is open at 1 p.m. every day during the summer (and only on weekends the rest of the year).
If you want to visit the church, it’s open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with weekends having shorter opening hours. Admission is free.
Gefion Fountain
Situated in Langelinie Park – on the doorstep of a star-shaped former military fortress (the Kastellet) – this enormous fountain is around a 10-minute stroll north from Frederik’s Church.
The history of the structure is pretty interesting: it was donated to the city by Carlsberg on the famous brewery’s 50th anniversary in 1908.
It depicts four oxen being driven by the Norse goddess Gefjon, with water trickling like a stream down a number of steps.
Kastellet
Cross over the Kastellet Bridge close to the fountain and you’ll soon be over a moat and in the Kastellet (Citadel).
Founded by King Christian IV in 1626, this fortress is one of the oldest of its kind in Northern Europe – and it’s amazingly still used as a military barracks and military offices to this day.
Thankfully, however, much of it is open to the public as a popular park hangout. There are tree-lined walkways to stroll along and lawns to picnic on. It’s open every day between March and September, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Little Mermaid
Just over the moat to the northeast of the Kastellet is one of Copehnagen’s most famous sights: the statue of the Little Mermaid.
Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale of the same name, the statue was given to the city as a gift by Carl Jacobsen, a brewer, in 1913. She sits (with human legs) close to the shoreline, perched on a rock and gazing out to sea.
The statue was modelled on a ballerina who played her in the Royal Danish Theatre Company. It may be small, but sitting near the statue in the evening is a nice round-up to your Copenhagen itinerary.
Night out in the Meatpacking District
If you’re not knackered by the end of this sightseeing day and want a night out, the Meatpacking District (aka Kødbyen) is the place to go.
It’s a hipster hangout with galleries and restaurants, as well as cool cocktail bars and nightclubs where you can dance the night away.
Copenhagen itinerary day 2
After a busy first day ticking off all the main sights, the second day of your Copenhagen itinerary will take things at a slower pace.
Enjoy brunch in Copenhagen
Start day two nice and easy with brunch.
There’s an extensive culinary scene in Copenhagen, with plenty of brunch spots to choose from; try the cool Bistro Lupa for something plant-based, or organic fare at Cafe Baryl – both in the family-friendly district of Østerbro.
Alternatively, Danish pastries are very much a thing; try Skt. Peders Bageri, Lagkagehuset, or sit in with a coffee at the hip Lille Bakery.
Tivoli Gardens
Wherever you ate brunch, it’s time to make your way to the magical Tivoli Gardens.
Founded in 1843, this is a national treasure of the country – it was a favourite of Hans Christian Andersen, and actually inspired Walt Disney’s Disneyworld.
It’s a historic, scenic spot with gardens and lush nature. The highlight is the wooden rollercoaster from 1914, but there are other, modern rides for thrillseekers to try out.
Entry for adults is 145 DKK (19.50 EUR); opening is April to September, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays, and till 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Personally, I didn’t go inside Tivoli Gardens on any of my Copenhagen trips, but I wish I had!
Especially if you’re a family or couple travelling to Copenhagen, it must be a truly magical experience, and will easily take up at least half a day of your Copenhagen itinerary.
However one thing you must be sure to do, is book your entrance to Tivoli Gardens beforehand! If you only have a weekend in Copenhagen after all, you don’t want to waste time queueing.
Click here to book your Tivoli Gardens admission ticket!
Rosenborg Castle
Once you tire of Tivoli Gardens, there are a few more iconic Copenhagen spots to check out.
From Tivoli it’s a 20-minute walk (or 10 minutes by train from Copenhagen Central Station to Nørreport Station) to this palace.
Built by Christian IV in the 17th century, this soaring castle is a fascinating place to explore.
Its well preserved interiors provide a glimpse into the past 400 years. You can discover the Knights’ Hall, with its coronation throne, alongside other royal treasures – including Denmark’s Crown Jewels.
Entrance costs 125 DKK (16.80 EUR); opening times vary depending on the day of the week and time of year, but you can rest assured that it’s open most days.
Street food dinner at Broens Gadekøkken
Work up an appetite as you stroll the 20 minutes southeast to Broens Gadekøkken.
Tucked between Christianshavn and Nyhavn, this outdoor eating extravaganza is the ideal place to grab a bite to eat and tuck into a melting pot of street food.
There’s an array of different kitchens serving various cuisines – and a few bars where you can grab something to wash it down with, too.
In the winter, an ice rink pops up here for extra fun. Check the website for its schedule of events.
If you’re a big foodie and are particularly interesting in trying local cuisines, you can also join a food tour. That way you’ll have a local expert taking you to all the best dining spots, and teaching you about local cuisines.
Click here to book your Copenhagen culinary experience tour!
Copenhagen itinerary day 3
Day three, if you’ve got it spare, is your chance to really make the most of your weekend in Copenhagen.
You can use this extra time to revisit Nyhavn for a canal tour (if you haven’t already done that), or spend some more time walking the cobbled streets of the Old Town.
If you have time, I suggest heading over to Freetown Christiania. This intriguing neighbourhood has been surrounded by controversy, but is a popular place for visitors to the city and alternative Copenhageners.
Founded in 1979 by a group of people who managed to get into the former military barracks here and form a sort of commune, Freetown Christiania became known for – among other things – the open sale of cannabis.
There’s no public transport into the area, and no cars are allowed, so you’ll have to catch the bus to nearby and walk.
One of the most famous locations is called Pusher Street (aka the Green Light District), where the sale of cannabis was once out in the open.
That’s no longer a thing, as there have been more restrictions placed on the community (around 1,000 people live here).
Today there are many cafes and restaurants, as well as live music venues, and the famous ALIS Wonderland skatepark (if you’ve got your board with you, or just want to watch).
Depending on how you feel about this sort of area, you could pretty much spend the whole day hanging out here.
If Christiana Freetown doesn’t take your fancy, you could use this day to explore other more local areas of Copenhagen – Vesterbro and Nørrebro are definitely some of the cooler districts to wander around.
Otherwise, you could finish up your three-day Copenhagen itinerary with a tour or experience.
Something like a cooking class could give you an awesome souvenir to take home – culinary knowledge! Learning the art of the Danish pastry, for example, would be super interesting.
If you’re a fan of eating food rather than making it, then spending half a day on a food tour of Copenhagen’s best foodie hotspots definitely wouldn’t go amiss!
Click here to book your Dani pastry cooking class!
Where to stay for a weekend in Copenhagen
As you’ll have seen from this Copenhagen weekend itinerary, all of the main sights and attractions in Copenhagen are quite close to each other.
I would pick a hotel close to the city centre, so you’re within easy access of everything. I have listed below some Copenhagen accommodation options for every budget.
Budget – Kanalhuset: This place offers good value for money in a waterside location. Rooms at this fashionable hotel are spacious, though simple, and boast large beds and period features.
Click here to book your stay at Kanahuset!
Mid-range – 25hours Hotel Indre By: This hotel is situated super close to a number of top sights. Plus, the rooms here are decorated with a mix of eclectic decor, with a cool, quirky vibe throughout the property.
Check out prices and availability at 25hours Hotel Indre By!
Luxury – Hotel Sanders: If you want to treat yourself, this elegant hotel is the place to do so. Boasting a rooftop garden, rooms here are decked out with designer furnishings and chic design features.
Don’t miss out, book your stay at Hotel Sanders here!
What to pack for Copenhagen
Besides the usual travel essentials, there aren’t many specific items you need for two days in Copenhagen. After all, it’s a big city, and you can easily buy anything that you forget at home.
That said, here are some things I highly recommend packing.
Camera – Copenhagen is a beautiful city, make sure you have a way to capture its beauty!
Comfortable shoes – Whether you’re walking or cycling, you’ll need a pair of comfortable shoes to get around the city.
Refillable water bottle – Tap water is good to drink in Copenhagen, so bring your own bottle to save money and plastic!
Umbrella – The weather in Copenhagen can be quite variable, so don’t forget to bring an umbrella with you!
Rain jacket – The same goes for a light rain coat. Better safe than sorry!
Final thoughts on how to spend 3 days in Copenhagen
There you have it, the ultimate Copenhagen three day itinerary! Have you been to Copenhagen before? How did you find it? Let me know in the comments below!
I’ve visited Copenhagen multiple times, and I’ve always enjoyed it. It’s a very liveable city, with lots of cool things to do and places to see.
It also has a very lively dining and nightlife scene, so regardless of whether you’re visiting solo, as a couple or with friends, it has plenty to offer to everyone.
I hope you will find this Copenhagen itinerary useful in planning your own three days in Copenhagen! If you have any questions, just let me know in the comments below.
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