The capital of Denmark, and perched on an island in between mainland Europe and Sweden, Copenhagen has the practicality and socialism of the rest of Scandinavia, but in the form of a charming city with a feeling of magic and playfulness in its design and in its people. Read on for my overview of things to do in Copenhagen, Denmark.
• CITY CENTER (INDRE BY): Near the train station and the main tourist sites, Copenhagen’s central district is conveniently walkable, though can get crowded and filled with tour groups.
• NORREBRO: A trendy, multicultural, food and beer haven filled with young people, hostels, and some high-end restaurants. A bus or bike ride from the main tourist sites.
• CHRISTIANHAVN: Across the harbor from Nyhavn, it has quieter streets and beautiful old buildings facing out onto the canals.
• VESTERBRO: This former red-light district, a short walk from the train station, has been turned into a hip area for restaurants, bars, and clubs. Cheap hostels can be found, though it will be noisy on the weekends.
• NYHAVN: The iconic photo-ready stretch along the harbor with colorful buildings and old ships. It’s a small area, but one with very highly trafficked streets and overpriced outdoor cafes.
• ØSTERBRO: For a quieter, greener stay a short walk or bike ride from the central district.
Things to keep in mind while planning your vacation (solo or otherwise)!
COPENHAGEN CARD
Many places that I’ll recommend in my itinerary will be covered by the Copenhagen Card, an all-inclusive tourist card that covers the main sites and activities. You can purchase it for a set number of days, and use either a digital version or pick up a physical card at designated areas. I didn’t get it while I was there. I added up the places I wanted to go to and realized it would still be less to buy tickets piecemeal. When planning your trip, decide what your must-see-and-dos are, and figure out if it makes more sense to you to pick up the card when you arrive.
BIKING AND BIKE LANES
You’ll find Copenhagen to be the safest place to travel - until you accidentally stand in a bike lane. There’s very little that a Dane takes more seriously than their biking. Everyone bikes. The royal family bikes. Bike lanes are everywhere, and they are filled 24 hours a day with people going to and from their home and activities. As the lanes are clearly marked, and often much better maintained than the sidewalks, this is the one time you’ll find Danes being rude and aggressive. If you are standing in the bike lanes, you might be run over. So watch out!
HIGH COST OF DANISH LIVING
As in much of Scandinavia, you will find the cost of hotels or airbnbs to be relatively high. Food and drink will be pricey as well, although not that far off from a nice meal in New York, London, etc. If you’re looking to save money, pick up some groceries and make your own picnic on the side of the harbor, bridge, or canals. Also check out hotels or airbnbs outside the central district. Since the city is compact and public transit is reliable (and bike rentals plentiful), it’s very easy to get around.
CLOTHING OPTIONAL?
In the summer months, Danes find relief from the heat by jumping in their incredibly clean harbor. There’s also beaches that can be reached by the subway. It’s not uncommon to see nude swimming or sunbathing in both locations. Danes aren’t very hung up on modesty. So if you forgot your suit - do as the Danes do! Just have some sunscreen on hand…
WINTER DARKNESS
Unsurprisingly, winters in Copenhagen are going to be cold and dark. Sunrise is about 8:30am, and sets shortly after 3pm, and in between is often cloudy and overcast. Outdoor activities might be at shortened hours, but the Danes don’t stop their daily bike commutes just because it’s dark and cold! Bike tours, canal boats, and walking tours will continue year-round. And Tivoli’s Christmas market lights up the city during December. Just pack some warm clothes, shoes with tread, and be ready to be out in the dark most of the time. And stopping in those warm cozy cafes will feel even better.
Language: Danish, though most Danes speak English
LGBT-Friendly: Yes
Female-Friendly: Yes
Timezone: CET (GMT +8)
Best Time of Year: Anytime, though Fall is the off season
Price: $$$
Suggested Itinerary: 2 days
Transportation: Walk, bike, or Metro
Currency: Danish Kroner
Credit Card-Friendly: Very
Wi-Fi Friendly: Yes
Oldest Amusement Park - North of Copenhagen is Dyrehavsbakken, known as ‘Bakken.’ Founded in 1583, it’s the oldest amusement park in operation. Often overshone by Tivoli, Bakken has free entry and can be reached by the C metro train line.
The wooden roller coaster at Bakken
Hygge - Pronounced ‘hooga’, it’s the comfortable, homey feeling of being cozy and at peace in your surroundings. It’s very much a part of the Danish culture. Find your hygge while in Copenhagen!
Metro - Copenhagen subways, trains, and buses are all on one system, run by DOT. Fares are based on zones, and a pay-as-you-go fare will range from 10-60 kr depending on the zones traveled. The fare will cover unlimited travel within a 1-2 hour period. You can also get a City Pass, either small or large, for however number of days you need it. City Pass Small will cover all of the central areas listed in this guide and itinerary, and will also get you to the airport. I would recommend the Small Pass unless you’re planning on doing a lot of day trips further outside of the city. Map to the zones covered is here. You can buy either a physical pass at the metro or train stations, at 7/11 stores, or you can purchase fares online or through their app. There’s no turnstiles to get onboard the trains - everything is digital. Just have your City Pass or proof of purchase available in case transit police are checking.
The metro is the newest built transit, and while it is incredibly helpful getting to and from the airport, it doesn’t cover a lot of the city. It also is not air conditioned in the summer and can get fairly stuffy in the cars. It’s also a very fast, convenient, and easy to navigate form of travel if the points you are starting and ending at are nearby stations.
The bus will cover much more of the city, and can also be a great way to see parts of Copenhagen while you’re traveling to and from sites. All buses are well marked and travel on a published schedule.
Bike - Biking is the preferred form of travel for most Danes in Copenhagen. Biking is done in all forms of weather year-round. You’ll see people riding Christiana bikes with storage in front for groceries, children, or anything else they need to carry. Bike rentals are plentiful around the city, as are city share bikes, in case you don’t want to have to worry about locking it up. Given the flat, well-marked streets, it’s worth looking into getting a bike for at least some of your stay.
Scooter - Electric scooters have risen in popularity in Denmark over the past several years. Unlike in the States, where you see them falling into sidewalks, streets, blocking cars, etc, in Denmark electric scooters are usually lined up orderly away from foot traffic. You should return your scooter in the same way.
Cars- Uber and local taxis are both available in Copenhagen, though given the efficiency of the metro system, and the easy walkability, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend unless you’re traveling late at night or carrying heavy luggage. I would not recommend renting a car anywhere in the city. It is both very expensive and difficult to drive around.
Bikes crossing the bridge from Nyhavn to Christianhavn
IS IT SAFE?
Did you know both the Danish Prime Minister, as well as the royal family, are often found walking out on their own during the day without any security? I’m not saying this translates exactly to your own experience, but it’s just an example of how safe Copenhagen is considered. They also have the Scandinavian belief in gender equality in all things, so it’s unlikely you’ll encounter cat-calling or other street harassment. Obviously you’ll want to follow basic safety protocols, especially if you’re out later, as Copenhagen’s drinking culture can lead to some unruly drunks as the bars are closing. Overall it’s best practice to always know your surroundings, don’t leave drinks or purses unattended, and take licensed cabs or ubers home if you’re uncertain about the streets.
MEETING OTHER TRAVELERS
Danes are far more outgoing and social with strangers than other Scandinavians (must be the proximity to the rest of Europe?), and you’ll find it easier to strike up conversations at bars, clubs, and cafes. As far as other travelers, I find food and drink tours are great ways to meet other people in a relaxed, fun, and sometimes educational setting. It also helps to give you any tips about the local dining scene, as well as local customs for ordering, tipping, etc. While in Copenhagen, you’ll also find small-group biking or boat tours that will give you a look into the Danish culture while introducing you to other people. Also seek out meetups, facebook groups, or couch-surfing for international travelers based in Copenhagen, many of whom have weekly or monthly gatherings. And if you’re single… dating apps (tinder, bumble, etc) are an option to meet other travelers or potential dates in Copenhagen.
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