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Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, sits on the eastern coast of the island of Zealand, facing the Øresund strait toward Sweden. A former fishing village that became a royal seat and trading city, it combines old palaces and canals with a reputation for clean design, cycling and a strong food scene. Harbor swimming spots and bike lanes are part of everyday life.
Tivoli Gardens, one of the world's oldest amusement parks, sits in the center near the main station. Christiansborg Palace houses the Danish parliament, and the Round Tower has a spiral ramp instead of stairs, leading to an observation deck. Rosenborg Castle holds the crown jewels and stands within the King's Garden. Nyhavn, with its brightly painted townhouses and old ships, is the city's postcard view. Amalienborg, the royal residence, is paired with the domed Frederik's Church, and a walk along the waterfront leads past Kastellet, a star-shaped fortress, to the Little Mermaid statue. Across the harbor, the Church of Our Saviour has an external spiral staircase, and Freetown Christiania remains a self-governing community. The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art lies north along the coast.
Copenhagen suits travelers who enjoy design, food and easy cycling. The compact center is walkable, and the metro is efficient.
WiserMap travel guideCopenhagen Denmark Nyhavn Tivoli Gardens and SmørrebrødPlan a Copenhagen trip: Nyhavn, Tivoli Gardens, Rosenborg, the Round Tower, Christiansborg, Christianshavn, Louisiana, smørrebrød, neighborhoods and seasons.Read the guide
One of the world's oldest amusement parks, opened in 1843 in the heart of the city next to the Central Station. It mixes historic rides such as a wooden roller coaster from 1914 with gardens, a concert hall, a pantomime theater and many restaurants. Visit in the evening when thousands of lights come on.
The palace on the islet of Slotsholmen houses the Danish Parliament, the Supreme Court and the Prime Minister's office, while the Royal Reception Rooms, royal stables, kitchen and ruins of earlier castles below are open to visitors. The tower has a free viewing platform, one of the highest in the city.
A 17th-century tower built by King Christian IV as an astronomical observatory, still home to Europe's oldest working observatory. Instead of stairs, a wide spiral ramp winds up to a platform with views over the old city's rooftops. A library hall halfway up hosts exhibitions. It is a quick, inexpensive visit.
Amalienborg is the Danish royal family's winter home, four identical rococo palaces around an octagonal square, with a museum in one of them. The changing of the guard happens daily at noon. Right behind stands Frederik's Church, the Marble Church, whose great dome you can climb on guided tours in summer.
A small bronze statue from 1913 of the character from Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale, sitting on a rock by the Langelinie promenade. It is only about 1.25 meters tall, which surprises many visitors. Arrive early in the morning to avoid tour bus crowds, and combine it with a walk through Kastellet next door.
A Renaissance castle built by Christian IV in the early 1600s, now a museum of royal life with richly decorated rooms, the Knights' Hall and coronation thrones guarded by silver lions. The Danish crown jewels are displayed in the basement treasury. The surrounding King's Garden is free and popular for picnics.
One of the best-preserved star fortresses in Northern Europe, built in the 1600s, with grassy ramparts, moats, red barracks buildings and a windmill. It is still an active military area, but the grounds are open to the public as a park. Walk the ramparts for views, and pass the Gefion Fountain on the way to the Little Mermaid.
A 17th-century canal harbor lined with brightly painted townhouses, old wooden ships and busy restaurants and bars. Hans Christian Andersen lived at three different addresses here. It is the starting point for most canal boat tours, a good way to see the city. Meals on the quay are pricey, so consider a picnic on the edge.
A self-governing community founded in 1971 by squatters on a former military base in Christianshavn, known for colorful homemade houses, murals, workshops, cafes and a lakeside green area. Respect local rules, such as no running and no photos on Pusher Street. Guided tours by residents explain its history.
A baroque church in Christianshavn famous for its black and gold spire with an outside spiral staircase that winds to the top, about 90 meters above the ground. The 400 steps get very narrow near the tip, and the climb closes in bad weather. Inside, see the large carved organ supported by elephants.
A world-renowned modern art museum in Humlebæk, about 35 km north of Copenhagen, set in a park by the Øresund with sculptures by Henry Moore, Alexander Calder and others. Collections and big exhibitions cover art since 1945. Take the train from Copenhagen Central, about 35 minutes, and have lunch on the cafe terrace.
An art museum near Tivoli founded by brewer Carl Jacobsen, with a large collection of ancient Mediterranean sculpture, Danish Golden Age paintings and French Impressionists including Degas and Gauguin. The central Winter Garden, a glass-domed palm house, has a cafe. Admission is free on the last Wednesday of each month.
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