Ultimate Guide to Planning Your Dream Trip to Copenhagen

Named one of the best places to travel in 2023 by iBestTravel, Copenhagen continues to draw in tourists with its exceptional food, history, and architecture. The city was officially named the UNESCO World Capital of Architecture in 2023. Furthermore, its acclaimed architectural prowess attracts visitors who flock to popular destinations such as Noma, the Michelin three-starred restaurant that announced its closure in winter 2024, and the enchanting Tivoli Gardens.

This guide is your essential resource for exploring the best hotels, activities, restaurants, and more in Copenhagen.

Best Hotels

Coco Hotel

Coco Hotel is the hottest new spot in Denmark’s capital city. Recognized as the best hotel in Copenhagen by iBestTravel readers in 2022, it’s also acclaimed as one of the best new hotels worldwide in 2022. The 88-room boutique hotel features bold colors and a European-style cafe, in addition to providing complimentary bikes for guests. Moreover, it is eco-friendly, planting a fruit tree somewhere in the world with each guest’s check-in and operating on a private solar-powered grid.

Hotel d’Angleterre

Hotel d’Angleterre, an iconic 265-year-old establishment, was voted one of the best hotels in Copenhagen in 2022. The charming hotel showcases modern Nordic design and offers expansive views of Kongens Nytorv from suite balconies. Additionally, its heated indoor pool, the only one in the city center, and Michelin-starred dining mean you may never want to leave. Furthermore, the concierge provides various V.I.P. experiences, such as cooking classes and history tours.

Sanders Hotel

A tranquil retreat in the heart of the city, the Sanders Hotel is an excellent choice for your stay in Copenhagen, boasting midcentury modern touches throughout its 54 rooms. The hotel also offers a variety of amenities, including loaner bikes for guests (remember to request a prepared picnic basket) and a glass-encased rooftop terrace serving breakfast alongside stunning city views. Don’t miss out on the exclusive excursions offered by the hotel, which include a backstage pass to the Royal Theater, just a short two-minute walk away, or a private canal trip in a vintage mahogany boat.

TheKrane

TheKrane uniquely possesses one guest room, which is why it was referred to as one of the coolest hotels in Copenhagen. Located within an old coal crane dating back to 1944, the room hangs 49 feet above the ground on Nordhavn’s industrial waterfront. Despite the hefty price tag for a stay, guests receive much more than just a room; they also enjoy a complimentary on-site spa, prearranged airport pickup, and daily breakfast.

Best Things to Do

The Happiness Museum

Denmark has been recognized as the second happiest country in the world in 2023, and it is proud to host the world’s very first happiness museum. Opened in 2020, the museum showcases various exhibits focused on how different nations perceive happiness.

CopenHill

CopenHill is Copenhagen’s first ski area, cleverly constructed atop a waste management site. In addition to skiing, visitors can hike, run, or take on the world’s tallest climbing wall while enjoying this urban recreation destination.

Frederiksborg Castle

Located across three islands and surrounded by lush gardens and a large lake, Frederiksborg Castle is an ideal day trip from Copenhagen. This impressive castle also houses the Museum of National History, tracing 500 years of Danish heritage through art, furniture, sculptures, and more.

Tivoli Gardens

Despite its name, this expansive park features one of the best theme parks in Europe, which opens from mid-April to mid-September. Even in winter, guests can enjoy a whimsical Christmas market, extravagant decorations, and spectacular lights, along with numerous shops and restaurants on-site.

Best Shopping

Illums Bolighus

A design aficionado’s dream, Illums Bolighus serves as your go-to spot for Danish design, featuring top interior brands perfect for unique souvenirs.

Jægersborggade Street

This lively street is home to some of the best shops in Copenhagen, ranging from vintage clothing and organic produce to an impressive 40 art galleries. Be sure to explore ceramics boutiques like Keramiker Inge Vincents, renowned for its handcrafted porcelain.

Magasin

If you’re keen on tax-free shopping before heading to the airport, visit Magasin, a department store with a fashionable and vintage atmosphere. Founded in 1869, it remains a favorite among locals for its extended hours compared to most department stores.

Best Restaurants

Noma

Noma is globally recognized as one of the most famous restaurants. Recently, head chef René Redzepi announced its imminent closure at the end of 2024, so enjoy a dining experience while you still can. The Michelin three-starred restaurant changes its menu seasonally, focusing on vegetarian dishes in the summer, game and forest-inspired cuisine in the fall, and seafood during late winter and early spring.

Alchemist

At the Alchemist, one of Copenhagen’s most sought-after reservations, diners enter through a hand-sculpted bronze door. This venue is often regarded as one of the best dining experiences worldwide, featuring nearly 50 courses alongside performance art and immersive, multi-sensory decor.

Alouette

Alouette is a hidden gem within the Danish dining scene. Tucked behind a subtle garage door, patrons will find a surprisingly bright Michelin-starred restaurant serving a weekly changing five-course menu that showcases small producers and seasonal ingredients.

How to Get There

Copenhagen is most conveniently accessed by flying into its international airport, recognized as one of the best international airports in the world in 2022. The airport serves over 100 destinations and is the largest airport in Denmark.

Additionally, travelers can journey to and from other major European cities such as London, Paris, and Stockholm aboard Rail Europe trains or buses. A train ride from London to Copenhagen will take approximately 15 hours, while a bus trip could last up to 35 hours, with multiple stops and extended transfers.

Best Times to Visit

The prime time for visiting Copenhagen is during April, May, and September if you prefer warmer weather and longer days. During these months, you will encounter fewer crowds compared to the peak summer season, but still enjoy similar temperatures. However, many of the city’s most vibrant festivals take place from June to August, including the renowned Copenhagen Jazz Festival every July.

In December, Copenhagen truly shines as a hub for hygge (cozy) experiences and festive Christmas markets. Visitors can revel in the magical holiday light display at Tivoli Gardens. If you’re unable to visit in December, you can still experience a captivating light show in February when the city hosts the annual Copenhagen Light Festival.

Neighborhoods to Know

City Center: The City Center of Copenhagen features hotels such as Hotel d’Angleterre and the picturesque Nyhavn district, renowned for its colorful townhouses and boats bobbing in the canals. It houses top attractions including Kongens Nytorv, the city’s largest public square.

Frederiksberg: Known for exceptional shopping and attractions like Frederiksberg Palace and the Copenhagen Zoo, Frederiksberg is another tourist hotspot.

Nørrebro: Northeast of the city center, Nørrebro is recognized as “the most ethnically mixed neighborhood,” featuring some of Copenhagen’s finest pan-Asian and Middle Eastern restaurants.

Vesterbro/Kødbyen: Once known as Copenhagen’s red-light district, Vesterbro also offers charming family-friendly areas. Within this neighborhood lies Kødbyen, the city’s vibrant meatpacking district.

Christianshavn: A captivating cluster of small islands, Christianshavn is filled with canals and colorful homes. Visitors can rent boats or kayaks to explore the waterways or take a dip in one of Copenhagen’s harbor baths.

How to Get Around

Train, bus, and metro: Copenhagen’s public transportation system seamlessly integrates trains, buses, and metros into one user-friendly network. Tickets can be acquired at kiosks throughout the city and airport, via the DOT Mobilbilletter app, or online, with prices varying by zone. You can also opt for a City Pass, granting you unlimited access within specific zones. For real-time public transportation updates, download the Rejseplanen app.

Taxis: Taxis are readily available throughout Copenhagen. Should you require a cab, several companies, such as Dantaxi, can be contacted directly for pick-up services.

Car service: If taxis aren’t your preference, you can reserve town car or black car services through companies like Sixt, or use the eco-friendly ride-sharing service Viggo. Note that Uber and Lyft do not operate in Copenhagen.

Bikes: Copenhagen is ideally explored by bike, as reported by the Copenhagen Tourism website, where 49% of residents commute on bicycles. Plan your route according to the city’s extensive biking paths and bridges, or try the route used for the 2022 Tour de France Grand Départ held in Copenhagen.