Copenhagen is a stylish, pedestrian friendly city, with parks, squares and waterfronts that come alive in the summer. Suggestions below!
We also recommend booking a tour with Birgitte Witt, Cat's good friend, at
Delicious Denmark. She can do both general and specific culture, history and food tours. (Note: Birgitte is part of the wedding party, so she may not be available immediately before or after the wedding date.)
Activities and sights
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Tivoli Gardens👨👩👧🌿🍽
The world’s oldest theme park! A historic amusement park in central Copenhagen with rides, gardens, concerts, and restaurants. Good for families, but also adults who enjoy classic landmarks and atmosphere. Approx.
160–180 DKK entry (ride passes extra).
Website:
https://www.tivoli.dk/
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Copenhagen Canal Tours👨👩👧🌿
Boat tours through Copenhagen’s harbour and canals, passing major landmarks and neighbourhoods. You’ll see the Little Mermaid sculpture here too. Good for an overview of the city history and landmarks, delivered with humor and no walking.
Approx.
150–170 DKK adults,
75–85 DKK children.
Website:
https://www.stromma.com/en-dk/copenhagen/
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Kongens Have🌿
A central public park next to Rosenborg Castle. Good for picnics, walks and breaks between sightseeing.
Free to enter.
Website:
https://www.kongenshave.dk
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Frihedsmuseet (The Freedom Museum) 🏛 👨👩👧
A museum about the Danish resistance during the Second World War. Interactive exhibitions where you can follow historical figures through their experiences. Good for older children.
Website:
https://natmus.dk/museer-og-slotte/frihedsmuseet/
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Torvehallerne🍽
An indoor food market with Danish and international food stalls. Good for casual meals and trying a range of local foods in one place.
Free entry; food prices vary.
Website:
https://torvehallernekbh.dk/
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Frilandsmuseet 👨👩👧🌿🏛
An open-air museum showing historic rural buildings from across Denmark.
Good for children who enjoy outdoor space, animals, and seeing how people lived in the past.
Approx.
160 DKK adults,
free for children under 18.
Website:
https://natmus.dk/museer-og-slotte/frilandsmuseet/
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Christiania🌿🏛
A semi-autonomous neighbourhood founded in the 1970s, known for alternative housing, street art, and a distinct countercultural history. Good for seeing a different side of Copenhagen.
Note: Cannabis and some psychedelic drugs are freely consumed here, so don’t be shocked if you see/smell it. Free to visit.
Website:
https://www.christiania.org/
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Refshaleøen🌿🍽
A former industrial harbour area that has been redeveloped into a creative district with food markets, event spaces, and waterfront walks. Good for casual food and drinks outdoors and experiencing an experimental side of Copenhagen.
Free to visit; food and events are paid individually.
Website:
https://refshaleoen.dk/
The Hirschsprung Collection 🏛 🌿
An art museum of 19th and early 20th century Danish works, including the Danish Golden Age and Skagen painters. Lovely collection next to Østre Anlæg park.
Approx.
120–130 DKK adults,
free for children under 18 in high season.
Website:
https://www.hirschsprung.dk/en/
Rosenborg Castle 🏛🌿
A Renaissance castle housing the Danish crown jewels and royal collections, set within Kongens Have park. Good for Danish royal history and well-preserved historic interiors.
Approx.
130 DKK adults,
free for children under 18.
Website:
https://kongernessamling.dk/en/rosenborg/ National Museum of Denmark 👨👩👧 🏛
Denmark’s main history museum, covering prehistoric times through modern history. Sometimes good temporary exhibitions. Extensive collections on Danish history, but also stuff from other cultures e.g. ancient Egypt.
Permanent exhibitions are
free (special exhibitions cost extra).
Website:
https://en.natmus.dk/
Copenhagen Zoo👨👩👧🌿
A large city zoo with animals from around the world, located in Frederiksberg.
Good for children who enjoy animals and outdoor walking routes.
Approx.
245–260 DKK adults,
135–150 DKK children (3–11).
Website:
https://www.zoo.dk/
A note on the Little Mermaid sculpture: This is a smallish sculpture in Langelinie park. You can just walk through the park and see it—or see on the canal tour.
Copenhagen restaurants & Danish food (smørrebrød)
NEW NORDIC
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Aamanns 1921🍽
A restaurant specialising in modern, high-quality smørrebrød using seasonal ingredients.
Good for a more refined take on traditional open sandwiches.
Website:
https://aamanns.dk/
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Aamanns Deli🍽
A more casual version of Aamanns, focused on smørrebrød and lunch dishes.
Good for a quicker, informal meal.
Website:
https://aamanns.dk/
Norrlyst🍽
A restaurant offering modern Nordic dishes with a traditional influence.
Good for experiencing contemporary Danish cuisine.
Website:
https://norrlyst.dk/ Kødbyen 🍽
The old Meat Packing District in Vesterbro is walking distance from the Central Station and full of interesting, casual, trendy restaurants, bars and coffee shops serving New Nordic and other cuisines.
TRADITIONAL
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Restaurant Schønnemann🍽🏛
A classic Copenhagen restaurant known for traditional smørrebrød.
Good for experiencing long-standing Danish food traditions.
Website:
https://www.schoennemann.dk/
Husmanns Vinstue🍽
A traditional restaurant serving Danish comfort food in a historic interior.
Good for hearty meals and classic dishes.
Website:
https://husmannsvinstue.dk/
OTHER FOODS TO TRY
Hotdogs
Danish hotdogs from street stands are a common everyday food, with distinctive sausages and a range of toppings.
Danish ice cream
Often richer and creamier than in many other countries, commonly sold from small ice-cream shops.
Danish summer desserts
Koldskål is a cold, lightly sweet “dessert soup” made from buttermilk, typically served with crunchy vanilla biscuits (kammerjunkere) or fresh strawberries. Refreshing and delicious.
Rødgrød med fløde is a thick berry compote made from red summer berries, served with cold cream. A classic.
Copenhagen neighborhoods
Indre By (Inner City)
The historic centre of Copenhagen, with major sights, shopping streets, museums, and older buildings. Known for walkability, tourist attractions, and easy access to public transport.
Vesterbro
A former working-class area now known for restaurants, bars, and nightlife. Often lively in the evenings, with a mix of locals and visitors.
Nørrebro
A diverse, residential neighbourhood with cafés, street life, and parks. Known for a younger, more alternative atmosphere and good food options.
Østerbro
A quieter, more residential area with wide streets and green spaces. Known for parks, family life, and a relaxed pace.
Christianshavn & Islands Brygge
Canal-lined areas with historic buildings and modern waterfront spaces. Known for houseboats, swimming areas, and summer outdoor life along the harbour.