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Heading to Copenhagen and looking for the best things to do? You’ve come to the right place!
We’ve visited the city several times now and love exploring this stunning capital. There’s certainly no shortage of cool things to do!
That’s why we decided to compile our top 10 list of things to do in Copenhagen, from beer and street food tours to canal cruises and castles!
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal FAVORITE tour is this private food tour! Not only did we try some of Copenhagen’s iconic dishes, but we also learned so much about the city.
Check out the 100+ 5-star reviews and book this tour here.
Tip: This tour is popular – book your spot now and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go!
- Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity
- Things to do in Copenhagen, Denmark
- 1. Explore Copenhagen by bicycle
- 2. Eat your way through the city
- 3. Explore the Hamlet Castle and Sweden on a day trip
- 4. Learn about the city on a private walking tour
- 5. Escape the city to see the Forest Tower and Forgotten Giants
- 6. Discover the trendy Vesterbro neighborhood on a beer tour
- 7. Cruise along Copenhagen’s canals
- 8. Go on a segway tour
- 9. Spend a day in Malmo, Sweden
- 10. Explore Copenhagen’s castles
- Where to Stay in Copenhagen, Denmark
- Thanks for reading!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Don't Forget Travel Insurance!
Things to do in Copenhagen, Denmark
1. Explore Copenhagen by bicycle
- Price: €62
- Duration: 2 hours
- Time: 10 am or 1 pm
- Highlights: King’s Square, the Little Mermaid Statue, Nyhavn, the Latin Quarter, Royal Danish Theatre, Christiansborg Palace
- Inclusions: English-speaking guide, luggage storage, bicycle rental, radio receiver, helmet, warm layers if necessary
- Rating: 5 stars (check 330 reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
Copenhagen stakes a claim at being the most cycle-friendly city in the world. Most locals rely on bikes and drivers are also very respectful of cyclists, so it’s easy and safe to get around. So the best way to see the city is without a doubt on this bicycle tour!
We did this tour on our very first visit to Copenhagen, and it was a fantastic way to get acquainted with the city. We loved exploring Copenhagen in the fresh air, and we saw so many of the city’s most famous attractions in just a few hours.
One of our favorite parts of the tour was cycling through Nyhavn, the city’s famous waterfront district. The colorful buildings that line the harbor here are the most iconic image of Copenhagen, so we were really excited to see them in person!
We also enjoyed learning about significant sites like King’s Square, the Royal Theatre, and Christiansborg Palace from our guide, Albert, who was super knowledgeable. He told us plenty of fun stories that gave us a better idea about Danish culture, and he made us laugh a lot when he took us to the Little Mermaid Statue, which is famous for being one of the most disappointing tourist attractions in Europe – yes, really!
I honestly can’t think of a better way to get to know Copenhagen than by booking this tour. Besides, cycling in the city is so easy that you really don’t need to be a great cyclist to enjoy the tour. Getting around by bike also allows you to cover a ton of ground in a fairly short amount of time, so this tour is absolutely perfect if you’re only here for a few days.
Check out the hundreds of 5-star reviews and book this tour in advance here!
2. Eat your way through the city
- Price: €102 – €217
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Time: 11 am – 4:30 pm
- Highlights: tasting local foods, visiting City Hall Square, seeing the Round Tower, personalized tour
- Inclusions: 6-10 food tastings (depending on the option selected), a private tour guide
- Rating: 4.5 stars (check 150 reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
We loved eating our way through Copenhagen on this food tour! It was the perfect way to enjoy the city’s beauty, learn more about its history and culture, and try tons of yummy food. This tour offers the choice between 6 and 10 tastings, and we highly recommend going for the full 10 if you can.
Our guide, Grazi, took us to some of the most beautiful parts of Copenhagen, including City Hall Square and the Round Tower, which dates all the way back to the 1600s. We not only got to try lots of delicious foods, including Danish meatballs, smørrebrød sandwiches, fishcakes, and the best hotdogs ever! Grazi also explained the social and historical contexts to these different foods, so we got to learn more about Danish culture as we chowed down.
No worries if you’re vegetarian, either. As long as you contact the tour operator through Viator and let them know about your literary requirements, they’ll be happy to cater for your needs. This is a huge benefit of doing a private tour!
Speaking of which, we loved that we got to do this tour by ourselves and tailor it to our preferences. We got to eat the foods that we most wanted to try and take the tour at our own pace. It was so much fun, and easily one of the best things that we did in Copenhagen. We would honestly recommend it to anyone, but do book it at least a few days in advance, because it’s a reputable tour that tends to sell out.
Book this tour here to access FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go!
3. Explore the Hamlet Castle and Sweden on a day trip
- Price: €121
- Duration: 8-9 hours
- Time: 9:30 am
- Highlights: free time in Helsingør, opportunity to visit Kronborg Castle, stop at Lund Cathedral, visiting Malmo in Sweden
- Inclusions: English-speaking guide, transport, ferry ride, audio guide
- Rating: 5 stars (check 1,600 reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
We love taking fun day trips in new cities, and we really couldn’t turn down the opportunity to explore Hamlet’s Castle, aka Kronborg Castle on this castle tour. We also got to cross the Oresund Bridge and venture into Malmo, Sweden. How cool is that?
One thing that we loved about the tour was that here was a lot of free time. All of our transport was organized for us and we had a great guide, but we were able to do what we wanted in each destination. For example, we had the choice between going inside the Hamlet Castle or just exploring the grounds – but of course, we wanted to check out the inside! We also had time to explore the city’s Culture Yard and St. Olaf’s Church, so we got a nice overview of this lovely port city.
After that, we hopped back onto the tour bus and went over the Oresund Bridge into Sweden. I loved crossing this bridge because there was nothing but ocean on each side, so it was a cool experience. Then, we loved having free time to explore Malmo, especially the storybook-worthy Lilla Torg Square, and walking along the water in Old Town.
Basically, we had an incredible time on this tour and loved soaking up all of the Scandinavian culture and history. We enjoyed the relaxed pace of the tour, and it was such an easy way to fit a lot into just one day. Plus, we have to give a shout out to Per for being such an incredible guide. If you’re looking for a fun day trip from Copenhagen, we cannot recommend this tour enough!
Don’t miss out on this castle tour – book your spot here to see it for yourself!
4. Learn about the city on a private walking tour
- Price: €289 per group
- Duration: 3 hours
- Time: 8:30 am – 6 pm
- Highlights: Stroget shopping street, Nyhavn, Lur Blowers monument, Christiansborg Palace, Magasin Du Nord, Royal Danish Theatre
- Inclusions: private guide, customizable itinerary
- Rating: 5 stars (check 3,900 reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
If you don’t want to cycle around Copenhagen, then this private walking tour is the perfect way to explore! I always love private tours because they’re so much more in-depth and personal than big group tours, and you get to customize the itinerary to ensure you get to see the places you want to.
We loved exploring the city with our guide, Jack, who was absolutely hilarious and had us laughing constantly with stories about Danish history, culture, and politics. Seeing the city sights was so much more fun with Jack’s witty commentary and insider perspective.
We got to see the famous Nyhavn District and snap photos of the iconic harborfront, experience Stroget shopping street, and see famous buildings like the Danish Royal Theatre. This tour was an awesome way to get a feel for Copenhagen’s unique character, and see some of its most scenic areas.
The fact it was a private tour allowed us to take it at our own pace, and we never felt rushed! Jack also showed us some hidden gems and gave us some fantastic recommendations for where to eat and drink in Copenhagen, which certainly came in handy during the rest of our trip.
All in all, this tour is an excellent choice for anyone looking to see the best of Copenhagen in just a few hours. Plus, it’s a set price, which means that it can be a pretty budget-friendly choice for larger groups and families. It was a really easy way to explore, and it went by so fast because we were just having so much fun the entire time!
Check availability and book this tour in advance here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
5. Escape the city to see the Forest Tower and Forgotten Giants
- Price: €114
- Duration: 5-6 hours
- Time: 10 am
- Highlights: Camp Adventure Forest Tower, Hill Top Trine troll statue, Sleeping Louis sculpture in Roedovre
- Inclusions: return transport, driver and guide, on board WiFi
- Rating: 4.5 stars (check 130 reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
If you’re the kind of person who likes to get out of the city and immerse yourself in nature, then you’ll probably love this fun forest day trip as much as we did! We wanted to experience the gorgeous Danish countryside, so we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to explore the Forest Tower in Rønnede, and see Thomas Danbo’s giant wooden troll sculptures.
We absolutely loved climbing up the 45-meter (147 ft) tall forest tower. The structure is a 12-loop spiral, so the views during the ascent are insane. It’s pretty much greenery as far as the eye can see, and it’s so tranquil and peaceful up there! It was a really unique experience and we would do it again in a heartbeat.
Then, we had time to buy lunch in the park and enjoy it, picnic-style in the middle of the forest. After that, it was on to see two of Thomas Dambo’s troll sculptures. Our guide gave us some interesting background info on this celebrated artist and environmental activist, which made seeing his statues even more interesting! My favorite was the Sleeping Lois, although I loved the views from the Hilltop Trine sculpture.
We loved this tour because it was such a wholesome adventure. We enjoyed fresh air, beautiful views, and plenty of tranquility, so it was an ideal escape from the city! Copenhagen isn’t a crazy capital city, but nothing beats the peace and serenity of the forest and the countryside.
Secure your spot on this tour here to get FREE cancellation options.
6. Discover the trendy Vesterbro neighborhood on a beer tour
- Price: €60
- Duration: 3 hours
- Time: 3 pm
- Highlights: exploring the former red light district, visiting authentic local pubs, trying different beers
- Inclusions: English-speaking guide, small group tour, 3 beers
- Rating: 5 stars (check 150 reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
If you’ve ever read any of our blogs before, then you’ll know that we are big craft beer fans. So of course, taking this beer tour of Copenhagen’s trendiest neighborhood was a no-brainer for us. It was so much fun, and an awesome chance to drink how the locals do!
We met our guide, Kenny, outside of Copenhagen Central Station and then took a walk through Istedgade, which is the city’s former red light district. You’d better believe Kenny told us some pretty hair-raising stories about this area! It was also cool to hear about how this area has transformed.
Then, it was time to grab a beer at a cozy local bar that we probably would have walked straight past without this tour! That’s what we love about bar crawls and food tours – they introduce you to spots you’d never visit on your own.
We also went to the flagship Mikkeller Bar, and learned the stories of two brothers whose love for beer birthed a global brand. We then explored the French Quarter and Skydebanehaven park, then ended the afternoon at another local bar, where the on-tap beers change every week.
This tour was easily one of the most fun experiences we had in Copenhagen. We fell in love with the Vesterbro neighborhood and gained way more insight into what local life is like here. As cheesy as it sounds, this tour was worth every penny, and we consider it a must-do for any beer lover visiting Copenhagen!
If you’re a craft beer enthusiast like we are – book this tour here!
7. Cruise along Copenhagen’s canals
- Price: €60
- Duration: 2 hours
- Time: 1 pm
- Highlights: exploring the canals, taking in the city’s most famous sights from the water, interesting commentary
- Inclusions: boat ride, English-speaking guide
- Rating: 5 stars (check 1,300 reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
Copenhagen is famous for its harbors and canals, so we think that this canal cruise is one of the best ways to see the city! Plus, a canal cruise is such a relaxing way to sightsee, because all you need to do is sit back and enjoy the views!
We loved listening to the commentary from our on-board guide, Sillas, which was very engaging. He encouraged the group to get to know one another, so the tour ended up being a great way to meet some new people! Sillas was clearly very passionate about Copenhagen and shared some personal anecdotes with us, as well as many tales from the city’s 850-year history.
This was a small group boat tour so it was much more intimate and personal than other boat tours that we’ve done in the past. We also loved the fact that there were drinks available for purchase on board, as it made the tour even more of a good time!
As far as we’re concerned, this tour is one of the most enjoyable sightseeing tours in Copenhagen. It’s perfect for anyone who’s short on time, as we saw a ton of famous landmarks from the water. It’s also a great choice for those who don’t want to do lots of walking or cycling in order to sightsee, but want to enjoy the city in the open air. But to be honest, we think this cruise would suit just about anyone!
Check availability and book this top-rated cruise here!
8. Go on a segway tour
- Price: €73
- Duration: 2 hours
- Time: 10 am or 1 pm
- Highlights: Stroget, King’s Square, Frederik’s Church, the Little Mermaid, Opera House, Nyhavn, Royal Danish Library, Latin Quarter
- Inclusions: Segway, helmet, radio receiver, storage lockers, raincoat if necessary
- Rating: 5 stars (check 460 reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
This Segway tour certainly added a dash of excitement to our time in Copenhagen! Zooming around the city on a Segway was such a novel experience. We think this would be ideal for parents looking to get their grumpy teens excited about sightseeing, or anyone who’s keen to try out this unique mode of transport.
The tour only lasted for two hours, but segways go pretty fast, so we pretty much covered all of the city’s main highlights this time! From historic highlights like the Old Royal Stock Exchange and the Amalienborg Palace to the famous diamond-shaped Royal Danish Library and the picturesque Nyhavn harborfront, we really did get to see it all.
Rolling along on a Segway was surprisingly easy, so we think that this tour would be a perfect alternative to a traditional walking tour. It was also a small group tour, so we got a personal experience and there was no danger of getting lost or not being able to hear our guide. It’s also a good option if you don’t have long to spend in Copenhagen, and want to see as much as possible!
Not only was this a super comprehensive sightseeing tour, it was also a ton of fun. It’s hard not to smile when you’re whizzing around on a Segway, and gliding past the city’s most beautiful landmarks. If you’re looking for a memorable way to explore Copenhagen, this is definitely it!
Reserve this tour now and pay later when you book in advance here!
9. Spend a day in Malmo, Sweden
- Price: €144 – €286
- Duration: 6.5 hours
- Time: 9 am – 11 am
- Highlights: Malmo Central Station, St Peter’s Church, Stortorget Square, the Optimist Orchestra, Lilla Torg, Gamla Vaster, Malmo Castle, the Turning Torso building, Castle Gardens, Old Cemetery, coffee in the city’s oldest bakery
- Inclusions: English-speaking guide, train tickets, lunch in a local restaurant, coffee and pastry at Malmo’s oldest bakery
- Rating: 5 stars (check 50 reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
The Swedish city of Malmo is under an hour’s drive from Copenhagen, so taking a day trip just makes sense! We booked this full day tour which took us across the Oresund Bridge, and spent a truly magical day enjoying everything that Malmo has to offer. It’s a really beautiful coastal city and we felt like this tour gave us a comprehensive overview of its character, history, and charm.
Our guide, Lesley, was so lovely and really made us feel like VIPs on this day trip. It was pricier than some of the other experiences on this list, but totally worth it in our opinion, because we got such a personalized and in-depth experience. We loved seeing Malmo’s most beautiful landmarks, including St. Peter’s Church, Lilla Torg Square, the oldest pharmacy in Sweden, and Malmo Castle!
One of the highlights of the day was a complimentary lunch at a lovely local gem of a restaurant in Stortorget Square. We also got to visit the city’s oldest bakery and get coffee and a pastry before we headed back to Copenhagen, which was such a treat. We honestly couldn’t have asked for more from this day trip.
This tour made it so easy to visit Malmo, and it meant we didn’t have to plan ahead or deal with the logistics of hiring a car for the day. All we needed to do was turn up and enjoy the experience – and we certainly did!
Don’t miss out on this fun day trip – book this tour here.
10. Explore Copenhagen’s castles
- Price: €1,031 per group
- Duration: 7 hours
- Time: 10 am
- Highlights: Kronborg Castle, Frederiksborg Castle, private tour
- Inclusions: private guide, private transport
- Rating: 4.5 stars (check reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
One of the best parts of traveling in Europe is the opportunity to visit enchanting castles, and Denmark is certainly no exception! We couldn’t wait to check out the castles on Denmark’s Zealand Island, so we booked this private tour.
We were especially excited to see Kronborg Castle, which is the inspiration for Elsinore Castle in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. As literary landmarks go, they don’t really get much more famous than this!
Meanwhile, Frederiksborg Castle is a gorgeous Baroque castle with an amazing landscaped garden. Not only is it huge, it’s also spread across three small islets on the edge of a lake. When we saw it for ourselves, we both agreed that it really couldn’t be more idyllic. So if you like castles, this is a real must-see!
Our guide, Edgar, was so knowledgeable and taught us a lot about the history of both of these castles as we explored. It was such an interesting insight into the history of Denmark, and we loved learning how the story of Hamlet came about. Having a private guide really made this experience extra special, as we were able to ask all of our burning questions and take the tour at our own pace.
We highly recommend this tour for those who are interested in history, architecture, or literature. Although it’s a more expensive experience, the price is set per group, so it does get cheaper the more people you have. For that reason, we think it’s ideal for families and bigger groups of friends visiting Copenhagen, although we loved doing it as a couple!
Check availability and book this tour in advance here!
Where to Stay in Copenhagen, Denmark
Now that you’ve planned the ideal Copenhagen itinerary, you need somewhere comfortable to stay! You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodations in the city, so whether you’re looking for a luxury, mid-range, or budget stay – we’ve got you covered.
Luxury – $$$
Villa Copenhagen is a luxury stay located in Central Copenhagen. The hotel itself is stunning, with historic architecture and modern design, and the rooms make for an ideal stay. You can book deluxe double rooms, all the way up to suite style rooms, and enjoy the restaurant, terrace, and pool.
Rooms range from €300 to €700, depending on your level of luxury, and can be reserved on Booking.com.
Mid-range – $$
If you love elegant accommodations that don’t break the bank, Grand Joanne is your spot! Each room is uniquely designed to have a cozy feel, ranging from queen rooms to full suites. The location couldn’t be better, just meters from Copenhagen station and the Tivoli Gardens. Plus, there’s a rooftop bar and terrace that’s ideal during the summer!
Rooms start around €160 and go up. You can check prices and book your stay on Booking.com.
Budget – $
Copenhagen Go Hotel offers shared hostel dorms or private rooms. It’s clean, comfortable, and has great shared spaces. Located only minutes from the airport and the train station, you can quickly get into central Copenhagen. Prices start around €66 per night.
Check availability and book this stay on Booking.com.
For even more options, check out all the hotels in Copenhagen here!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
Copenhagen is an easy place to fall in love with, and I’m sure after ticking off some of these tours you’ll be swooned! We loved exploring castles, canals, and all that yummy food, I’m already looking forward to my next visit. Who knows, maybe we’ll see you on a tour!
If you found this blog helpful, be sure to check out our other travel guides. We’ve been all over the world and love sharing our favorite places and travel tips. I’ll leave a few related reads below to further inspire your travels! Cheers!
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