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Are you squeezing a day trip to Copenhagen into a larger European getaway? This gorgeous Nordic city is well worth the effort, with its rich history and modern infrastructure that makes day tripping a breeze. As Copenhagen is known to be one of the safest cities in Europe, I felt comfortable planning a solo trip here after exploring Ireland with my husband.
Copenhagen is famous for its beautiful canals, colorful facades, and cheerful hygge culture. The city is very tourist friendly, with the cost-saving Copenhagen Card and efficient public transportation. Perks like these almost make one overlook Copenhagen’s unpredictable weather, which can see four seasons in one day.
With such a short time in this awesome, albeit blustery city, it’s important to be as efficient as possible. Therefore, this Copenhagen day trip itinerary carefully considers the location and opening hours of each site. I’ve also planned this itinerary for best usage of the Copenhagen Card, so you get the most bang for your buck.
Let’s see what this joyful, forward-thinking destination is all about!
Day Trip in Copenhagen Itinerary
Breakfast in Christianshavn – 8:00am
Begin your morning in the Christianshavn neighborhood, which is a short stroll over the canal from Copenhagen’s best attractions. I stayed in this charming neighborhood during my solo Copenhagen trip, and adored my hotel’s romantic view and convenient location.
Here are three cute spots to grab breakfast:
- Grød: Stop here for a porridge bowl, which is basically loaded oatmeal. This popular Danish breakfast is so warming on the chilliest days. My porridge bowl was artfully topped with banana, cacao nibs, and freeze dried raspberries.
- Packhouse: Located along the canal, this adorable cafe is the perfect hideaway for a steaming cappuccino and yummy pastry.
- Les Amis: I visited this quaint cafe during a respite from the rain. It’s the perfect place to warm up with a hot drink and pain au chocolat.
Church of Our Savior – 9:00am
Just 100 meters away from Grød is Church of Our Savoir, with its elegant black spiral steeple. Buy tickets on the church’s website or use the Copenhagen Card to climb the tower for 360 degree views over Copenhagen. Note that there is no elevator to the top, so you must take the stairs.
If you are afraid of heights, the tower may not be for you. The stairs start out normal enough, but get steeper and steeper. By the end of the climb, they are practically a ladder!
Once you get outside, there are even more stairs to ascend around the spiral steeple. I personally got vertigo just from standing on the first deck, so passed on the steeple climb.
National Museum of Denmark – 10:00am
Next, head to the National Museum of Denmark. You can either catch the bus, which is included with the Copenhagen Card, or take a scenic twenty-minute walk over the canal.
When taking the bus or metro, you do not need to present your Copenhagen Card before boarding. Just be prepared to show it when inspectors come around.
To be honest, I didn’t know much about Denmark before my trip. Therefore, I was hoping the National Museum of Denmark would help me understand the history and culture of this country. I especially wanted to know how Denmark came to once own the US Virgin Islands – my beloved tropical hideaway.
Happily, this museum answered all my questions. I particularly loved the “Stories of Denmark (1600 to 2000)” exhibition. It’s essentially a crash course on Danish modern history, enhanced by an amazing collection of artifacts.
Travel Savvy Tip
Bring an umbrella! It rains almost every day in Copenhagen, and you can never fully trust a sunny weather prediction.
During my visit, I even encountered a short, sudden hail storm while on a walk. The wind was so strong that my umbrella broke. Thankfully, I was able to quickly duck into Christiansborg Palace for shelter.
Christiansborg Palace – 11:30am
Next, cross the bridge over the canal to explore Christiansborg Palace. As with the previous attractions, admission to the palace is included in the Copenhagen Card, with access granted to four sites on the palace grounds.
Similar to the United Kingdom, Denmark is a constitutional monarchy and is currently ruled by Queen Margrethe II. Christiansborg Palace provides a glimpse into the monarch life with a tour of the Royal Receiving Rooms. These rooms host events like glamorous balls and coronations, with heads of states and celebrities in attendance from around the world.
In addition to the Receiving Rooms, admission includes a tour of the medieval castle ruins buried under today’s castle, the Royal Kitchen, and the Royal Stables. You can even ascend the castle’s tower for more views over Copenhagen.
Lunch and Shopping – 1:00pm
Just a short walk away from Christiansborg Palace is Copenhagen’s finest shopping street: Strøget. The top floor of Illum is a great lunch spot with pretty street views, and you can choose among several food stalls and cafes. Don’t forget to peruse the store’s extensive home decor selection, which is full of inspirational and creative finds.
After lunch, take a short ten-minute stroll to Magstræde Street. This charming, quiet cobblestone thoroughfare is playfully lined with colorful facades. It makes for a great photo spot!
Canal Tour – 3:00pm
Next, rest your legs while taking a leisurely Canal Tour through Copenhagen. The meeting point is just a four-minute walk from Magstræde Street to Gammel Strand.
This activity is covered by the Copenhagen Card, and gives a pleasant, one-hour ride through Copenhagen’s canals. While you admire the scenery, a guide tells stories and provides background on your surroundings.
During my visit, the tide happened to be quite high, which made passing under the low bridges over the canals very interesting. More than once, our guide warned us to watch our heads!
Canal Walk to Little Mermaid and Nyhavn – 4:00pm
A visit to Copenhagen would not be complete without a visit to two iconic sights: The Little Mermaid sculpture and Nyhavn. If you’re up for a walk, you can hit both of these sites in one gorgeous stroll along the water. While you will technically pass both of them during the canal tour, the sighting is brief and they are much better appreciated up close.
Little Mermaid
First, make your way to The Little Mermaid. This maiden, made of bronze and granite, sits overlooking the canal. Gifted to the City of Copenhagen in 1913, the sculpture is a nod to Hans Christian Andersen’s famous fairytale: The Little Mermaid.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a direct route to the sculpture via public transportation. However, you can take the metro to the Marmorkirken stop, and then complete the rest of the journey on foot with a fifteen-minute walk to the waterfront.
During my trip, I did get caught in a downpour while walking. It was worth it, though, when I reached The Little Mermaid to see a giant rainbow framing the horizon.
Nyhavn
Next, take a sightseeing stroll along the waterfront towards colorful Nyhavn, one of Copenhagen’s most beloved sights. While walking, you will pass other famous locations, like Amalienborg Palace (the Queen’s winter residence) and the Copenhagen Opera House.
After about twenty minutes, you’ll encounter Nyhavn, with its vibrant, multi-hued facades lining the canal, being obstructed only by the occasional sailboat mast. You’ll probably see a bunch of tourists posing for selfies, but who can blame them?
Established by King Christian V in the 1670’s, Nyhavn historically served as a busy seaport. The structures along the canal ranged from stately mansions, pubs filled with sailors, to a red-light district. Hans Christian Andersen even lived in Nyhavn at one point and wrote several of his fairy tales here.
Today, this revitalized area is tourist friendly, with the rowdy sailors and red-light district being a thing of the past. However, tourists and locals alike still enjoy visiting the bars and restaurants within Nyhavn’s lively nautical setting.
Where to Eat Dinner After a Day Trip in Copenhagen
At this point, it’s been a full day of exploring, you’re probably ready for some food. It just so happens that Copenhagen has a great foodie scene! Here are some options to check out:
When you are done taking in the view at Nyhavn, there are plenty of restaurants along the canal to grab a bite or glass of wine with a view.
- Dine in Nyhavn and enjoy its maritime atmosphere.
- Make a reservation at Selma to discover why the Michelin guide recommends its famous smørrebrød (open face sandwiches).
- Purchase hot dogs from a stand like DØP – Den Økologiske Pølsemand, in the Strøget shopping area. I tried their original dog, which definitely wasn’t basic, with the perfect combination of crunch, mild onion, and pickles. It was messy, yet totally satisfying.
- Tivoli Food Hall, situated across the street from the Tivoli Gardens amusement park, features a variety of quality food stalls. While there is something for every taste, I personally treated myself to a lobster roll and glass of white wine from Lobster Shack.
Is the Copenhagen Card Worth It for a Day Trip?
Be a savvy day-tripper and take advantage of the Copenhagen City Card, which includes the city’s best attractions and public transportation. It’s more cost effective than buying individual tickets, and you will never have to wait in a line!
The itinerary has been crafted with the Copenhagen Card in mind. To be honest, this was not hard to do, since the card covers just about all of Copenhagen’s best sights.
After tallying up individual tickets vs. using the card, you not only come out ahead financially, but save time as well. You will never have to worry about waiting in line to purchase tickets for popular attractions, the bus, or the metro.
Purchase Your Copenhagen Card Here
If You Have More Time
Do you have more than one day available to explore Copenhagen? If so, consider adding the following top activities:
- Tivoli Gardens: Amusement park in the middle of downtown Copenhagen. Purchase Tivoli Gardens tickets here.
- Rosenborg Castle: Wonderfully preserved royal palace that dates back to the 17th century.
- Danish Pastry Class: Possibly the tastiest activity you could do in Copenhagen, while also learning new skills.
- Hygge Walking Tour: Join this tour to learn about the cheery culture that keeps Copenhagen’s citizens’ spirits high through blustery days and dark winters.
- Day trip to Sweden: This tour will bring you to the cities of Malmo and Lund for sightseeing and shopping in Sweden.
Where to Stay for a Day Trip in Copenhagen
Spending the night in Copenhagen? For a short trip, maximize your time by staying in close proximity to Copenhagen’s top attractions. Here are some great hotel choices (including where I stayed):
- NH Collection Copenhagen: This is where I stayed in the charming Christianhavn neighborhood, which was right across the canal from Copenhagen’s top sites and close to many cozy cafes. Nyhavn was only a fifteen minute walk away, and I had easy bus and metro access to everything else.
- Near Nyhavn: For a romantic and historical stay with gorgeous water views, book a room at Copenhagen Admiral Hotel. Alternatively, check out Wakeup Copenhagen – Borgergade, for simple and efficient rooms that won’t blow your budget.
- Near Tivoli: Stay at WIDE Hotel for colorful, quirky rooms in a fantastic location. Sights like Tivoli Gardens and the Strøget shopping street are within a ten minute walk. For a more luxurious choice, check into Radisson Collection Royal Hotel, Copenhagen, which architect Arne Jacobsen designed as the city’s first sky scraper.
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There you have it: how to have an incredible day trip in Copenhagen. From the colorful buildings and cobblestone streets to the extensive canals and easy public transportation, exploring Copenhagen is a dream. This Scandinavian country completely charmed me during my solo trip, and I hope it does the same for you!
What would you like to see in Copenhagen?
