2 Days in Copenhagen - What To See

Travel Itinerary

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Itinerary by: Dan Hill

a month ago

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Start location: Nyhavn - Nyhavn 1, 1051 København, Denmark

Duration: 2 days

Day 1
Day 2

2 Days in Copenhagen is best spent around the central locations. There's loads to see in this friendly city. I've been living here (and loving it!) for the last 10 years, and this is the tour I give to visiting friends. Photo credits: Nyhavn - Chris Lawton, unsplash.com

Day 1

Central Copenhagen

Today, we'll introduce you to some of the highlights around central Copenhagen. Starting with Nyhavn - the canal harbour with wooden boats and colourful houses that makes the most picturesque of photos - we'll go to to see the Royal Palace, The Little Mermaid, enjoy a water side lunch, The Design Museum, The Marble Church and end the day at Tivoli.

09:30 - 10:00

Nyhavn

Nyhavn 1, 1051 København, Denmark

SUMMARY: Get a glimpse into Danish history by taking a stroll through one of the most iconic sites in Copenhagen. Follow the cobbled streets, admire the colourful buildings and marvel at the old sailing boats bobbing in their mooring. The port dates back to the 17th century from when it was a thriving waterway and local hub. Today many of the buildings have been updated to restaurants, cafés, and bars, making this historic harbour a wonderful mix of old and new. WHEN TO VISIT: It's a beautiful spot all year round. During warmer months the area is packed with people eating outdoors, drinking beers on the harbour, and ambling in the sunshine. But, the Danes like to get cosy (or "hygge") in winter too and in December a bustling Christmas market fills the streets. The heaters come on, blankets come out, and people pile into the taverns for a cold beer or spiced gløgg (Scandinavian mulled wine). DON'T MISS: The homes of the famous Danish writer Hans Christian Anderson who used to live along the harbour in Nyhavn buildings no. 20, 67, and 18. HOW TO GET THERE: Nyhavn is centrally located and within walking or biking distance from many other main sites in the heart of Copenhagen. Take the M1/M2/M3 line to Kongens Nytorv and the harbour is a short walk across the square.

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10:30 - 11:00

Amalienborg - The Royal Palace

Amalienborg Slotsplads 5, 1257 København, Denmark

Amalienborg palace has been the home of the Danish royal family since 1794. Built in 1754, it was designed as part of the Frederiksstaden area of Copenhagen, commissioned by King Frederik V. Amalienborg is actually a complex of four palaces, each one home to a different member, or members of the royal family. Queen Margrethe II, the current queen, lives in one, and a second is occupied by her son, the Crown Prince Frederik, his Australian wife Princess Mary, and their four children. The other two palaces serve as temporary residences for Prince Joachim, the queen’s younger son, and visiting heads of state. When you visit, be sure to look out for which flags are flying to find out who’s at home! One of the most striking things about Amalienborg is that unlike other royal residences such as Buckingham Palace, the complex is totally open, and there are only a few guards separating the general public from the doors of the palaces, no locked gates or high walls. This reflects the status of the Danish royal family, who are generally regarded as relatively approachable, likeable people. Some Danes can tell stories of seeing Queen Margrethe II in a local corner shop, and Prince Frederik can sometimes be spotted out for a morning run nearby the palace. Only the outside of the complex can be visited, as the palaces are all functioning homes, after all! If you can, try to get there for 12pm, when the changing of the guard takes place. As you admire the richness of the architecture, keep in mind that the most expensive thing to design and build in the complex were not the palaces themselves, but the statue of King Frederik V on horseback, which is right in the centre. The statue took 13 years to design and build - so long that King Frederik himself actually died before its completion, and never saw the final result! Images by Nils Nyvang and Bente Jønsson from Pixabay.

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11:00 - 11:30

The Little Mermaid(s)

Langelinie Allé 17, 2100 København, Denmark

Mention Denmark or Copenhagen to most people, and the Little Mermaid immediately springs to mind. The iconic statue was unveiled in 1913 after Hans Christian Andersen wrote the famous fairytale, and was actually financed by Carlsberg breweries. The mermaid has been sitting on her rock in the harbour in the north of the city for over 100 years, but those 100 years have been far from peaceful. She has suffered countless acts of mostly politically-motivated vandalism; she’s been beheaded twice, and has had paint poured on her several times! But, apart from a brief stint at the 2010 Shanghai Expo, she has remained a stalwart of the Copenhagen waterfront. The area around the Little Mermaid is usually packed with tourists trying to catch a glimpse of her. She really is a little mermaid, so you might have to wait your turn for a good view! Just around the corner from this famous statue is another one - the Genetically Modified Little Mermaid. She sits on the other side of the harbour with her genetically modified friends, which together make up a project by Bjørn Nørgaard called the ‘Genetically Modified Paradise’. So, while you’re in the area visiting the more famous mermaid, why not pay a visit to her lesser-known, but just as interesting cousin? The Little Mermaid is in the north of the city on Langelinie, a long pier that stretches from the city centre up to the north harbour. It’s a nice walk or cycle up the waterfront to get to the statue, or you could take the yellow harbour bus. Alternatively, most canal boat tours from Nyhavn or Gammel Strand pass by the Little Mermaid, so you could see her from a different angle from the water. Image credit: enriquelopezgarre from Pixabay.

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12:00 - 13:00

Toldboden

Nordre Toldbod 18-24, 1259 København, Denmark

Toldboden is a restaurant and bar, that does a particularly excellent buffet-style brunch. In the summer months, you can also sit outside - and enjoy great views over the harbour in Copenhagen.

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13:30 - 15:30

The Design Museum Denmark

Bredgade 68, 1260 København, Denmark

Denmark is famous for its design, and many people around the world aim to emanate the Danes’ sleek, functional style in their homes and interiors. To learn more about the history and importance of Danish design, take a trip to the Designmuseum Danmark. Conveniently located in the centre of the city, the Designmuseum Danmark presents a fascinating journey through the 20th and 21st centuries, where you can learn about the design of everything from furniture to fashion to bicycles. One of the highlights has to be the permanent exhibition called 'The Danish Chair: An International Affair', which tells the story of how Danish chairs became international exports and put Denmark on the map as a world design powerhouse. Marvel at Arne Jacoben’s iconic ‘Swan’ and ‘Egg’ chairs and learn about the importance of this seemingly simple piece of furniture. After you’ve had your fill of design, you can refuel at the museums’s cafe, which serves coffee, snacks and full meals, including lots of Danish classics. There's also a small garden to enjoy some fresh air with your refreshments.

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16:00 - 16:30

The Marble Church

Frederiksgade 4, 1265 København, Denmark

The magnificent Marble Church, or 'Marmorkirken', sits in the heart of Copenhagen, in the Fredriksstaden area of town. King Frederik V ordered the church to be built, and construction started under the management of the royal architect Nicolai Eigtved in 1754, but it was not completed until 150 years later, due to changing monarchs and architects, and financial issues. But the long wait for the finished product wasn’t all bad - while the church lay unfinished, students from the Royal Danish Art Academy took the opportunity to practise painting ruins. After all, it was cheaper and easier than going to Italy or Greece! The design for the church was inspired by St Peter’s in Rome, and the 46m high copper dome is the third largest in Europe. Make sure you climb to the top to see the amazing view of the city! The dome is open to visit at 1pm every day during the summer, and at the same time every weekend at other times of the year. The church itself is free to visit, but you'll have to pay 35dkk to visit the dome (20dkk for children). The Marble Church lies on a breathtaking architectural line with the royal palace, Amalienborg and the Opera House, so it couldn’t be easier to incorporate into your sightseeing schedule. Image credit: Nils Nyvang from Pixabay.

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17:30 - 19:30

Tivoli Gardens

Vesterbrogade 3, 1620 København, Denmark

The most visited theme park in Scandinavia, and the fifth most visited in Europe. Copenhageners are right to be proud of this bustling family fun-hub in the centre of their city. It’s called Tivoli Gardens with good reason: the gardens themselves are stunning - with immaculately tendered flowers, shrubs and trees, lakes laden with fish and wandering peacocks and other birds, it can (if it's a quiet day!) feel like you are in the gardens of a stately home. With rides for the very young and also the most daring, Tivoli is continuously modernizing it’s arsenal of rides. Throughout summer, the evenings end with a spectacular fireworks shown over the lake, enhanced with synchrnoised music. Tivoli really excels when it comes to its seasonal decorations: Halloween and Christmas in particular are spectacular with lights and markets, speciality seasonal foods and added atmosphere. Tivoli is well stocked with restaurants and cafes, from family themed to the acclaimed Nimb restaurant. Rides must be paid for in addition to the entrance fee either via a wrist band or individual tickets.

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Notes

Tivoli is packed with eateries - although there are also loads nearby you could head to before you enter. Stay until late enough, and each evening closes with spectacular fireworks.

Getting there

Tivoli is located near the main Copenhagen central station. You could rent and bike to cycle here, walk up the main shopping street (Strøget - I recommend), or use the Metro train from Kongens Nytorv.

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Day 2

Copenhagen - Southside

Today, we'll explore the land south / east of central Copenhagen. Starting at the picturesque Christianshavn (there's a Metro train stop to take you here), you'll get a bird's eye view of the city at The Church of Our Saviour. Later, you'll explore Freetown Christiania, and then head to Reffen street food for an incredible culinary experience on the water.

09:30 - 10:00

Christianshavn

Christianshavn, Copenhagen, Denmark

Christianshavn is a 3.4 square km residential neighbourhood in Copenhagen. It both borders the main canal through Copenhagen, and has waterways running through it - making it a popular destination with tourist sight-seeing boats. Christianshavn sits on artificial islands - and was founded in the early 17th century by Christian IV - who modelled the area on Dutch cities which he had visited. The harbour is picturesque - and their are a few nice restaurants and bars along the water front. There are numerous historical buildings - such as the Church of Our Saviour, and Christiana may also be found here. Photo credits: Kristian Klausen, unsplash.com Gints Gailis, unsplash.com Peter Ivey-Hansen, unsplash.com

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10:00 - 11:00

Church Of Our Saviour / Vor Frelsers Kirke

Sankt Annæ Gade 29, 1416 København, Denmark

If you would like a birds eye view of Copenhagen, the Church of Our Saviour (Vor Frelsers Kirke), is one of the few places you will get an overview of this beautiful city. It's located in the Christianshavn quarter of the city. The climb to the top is not for the faint of heart, nor for anyone who might suffer either claustrophobia or vertigo. The passage way leading up is narrow and steep, and when there are other tourists present, there can be quite a few waits for others to come down while you want to go up. The reward, however, is worth it. Along the way up, you'll pass the old workings for the church clock and see in intricate detail how the nearly 400 year old building is held together. When nearly at the top, the last climb is outside, along a narrow path with an iron rail giving an incredible view across the city and over to Sweden. At the very top of the spire, one finds the gilded globe, which is a point of reference in this part of town. I would highly recommend going only in dry weather due to this last section of the climb. I would not recommend the climb to those with small children, nor to anyone not strong enough for the 400 step steep ascent.

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11:00 - 12:00

Freetown Christiania

Freetown Christiania, Copenhagen Municipality, Denmark

With its own flag, Christiania, a borough of Christianshavn, consists of 19 acres of land covering city ramparts and former military barracks. A controversial area, due to an open cannabis trade, the area is home to around 1000 residents. With half a million annual visitors, Christiania is the 4th most popular tourist destination in Copenhagen to wander around. Here, you can find street vendors selling trinkets, cafes, bars and takeaways, and occasional street performances. The area has a hippy feel, and meditation and yoga are popular among residents. Street art and graffiti adorn many of the walls. There are signs indicating where photography is not permitted - take care to obey. Photo credits: Kristijan Arso, unsplash.com Annie Spratt, unsplash.com Victor Xok, unsplash.com

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12:30 - 14:00

Reffen - Copenhagen Street Food

Refshalevej 167A, 1432 København, Denmark

Open during the warmer months (from April), Reffen Copenhagen Street Food is a district that could have been designed for hungry hipsters. Its "streets" are constructed from stacked shipping containers and wooden huts, each housing one of the 41 food stalls and bars. Set on the water in Copenhagen, its location is a little distance from the city centre - in an old industrial area - and it is perhaps best reached by bicycle (rent if needed). There really is food for everyone here - with most international cuisines represented. A visit for lunch or dinner on a warm summer's day is real treat. Also, check out the Mikkeller brewery next door, which is also open to the public.

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Article By: Dan Hill

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Notes

We're heading deep into hipster territory for Reffen street food. Please check it's open before you go (mainly warmer months).

Getting there

Want to travel like the Danes? I can highly recommend renting a bike to cycle to Reffen. Check out Donkey Republic bikes (download their app), or similar - there are several alternatives. The ride is beautiful along the waterfront and adjoining streets.

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Submitted by: Dan Hill, a month ago

About the author

Dan Hill

I’ve lived in 5 different countries so far: the UK, France, USA, Canada and Denmark. I’ve also visited 33 countries in 5 continents for vacations. We're building MapADay to help people get the most out of their free time - via building a directory of great travel articles combined with local events - and algorithms that can serve users with relevant content. As we all face a new reality with the climate & virus challenges ahead, I hope that MapADay will enable users to discover exciting experiences not only on long distance vacations, but also closer to home. I've really enjoyed building the MapADay platform - and contributing content. If you enjoy using it, we'd love you to contribute too - by leaving a review, adding your own favourite places or sharing your own itineraries.

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