If you’re looking for the perfect city break, why not consider 2 days in Copenhagen!
This bustling, historic city is full of culture, fantastic food, and vibrant neighborhoods. This 2-day itinerary will give you a walking tour route and outline the best attractions the city has to offer.
You will visit the awesome Nyhavn waterfront, Strøget shopping street, and Rosenborg Castle. There is also helpful information on where to stay, the best guided tours, and how to get around.
Whether you’re in Copenhagen for 2 days or more, it’s somewhere you should definitely visit whilst in Denmark.
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2 Days in Copenhagen Itinerary
So you’re wondering:
What is there to do in Copenhagen in the summer?
Use this 2-day Copenhagen itinerary for inspiration and to help plan your trip. You can navigate around the different attractions from here.
2 Days in Copenhagen Itinerary
Day 1:
Walking Tour | Nyhavn |Christiansborg Palace | Tivoli Gardens |City Hall Square | Strøget |The Round Tower | | Rosenborg Castle | Frederik’s Church | Amalienbord
Day 2:
The Little Mermaid | Guided Tours | Kastellet
Day 3 (Optional):
Christiana | Parks in Copenhagen | Explore Outside Copenhagen
What is Copenhagen famous for?
Copenhagen is famous for its rich history, including the numerous castles that are both in the city or a short drive away! The Danes are famous for their love of cycling and you will see many locals on bikes during your visit.
Tivoli Gardens, the second oldest amusement park in the world, is an attraction in the center of the city that draws a crowd. Rosenborg Castle and The Kings Garden were incredible and form a key part of the walking tour I suggest for your first day!
Quick Tip: Check out World Nomads for travel insurance!
2 Days in Copenhagen Itinerary Map
Here is a map of the main things you will see on day 1 of your 2 days in Copenhagen! On the first day, I have created a walking tour itinerary.
- Neyhavn
- Christiansborg Palace
- Tivoli Gardens
- City Hall Square
- Strøget
- The Round Tower
- Rosenborg Castle
- Frederiks Church
- Amalienbord
Google Maps Link to Start Point
2 Days in Copenhagen Itinerary – Day 1
On the first of your 2 days in Copenhagen, I recommend taking a walking tour around the city. I’ve outlined the route I took during my recent visit.
If you are interested in taking a guided tour to learn more about the history of Copenhagen then you can check out GetYourGuide.
You can book a food tour, walking tour, or pub crawl in advance.
Copenhagen Free Walking Tour
I’ve outlined some information about each of the stops on the walking tour. It will take up a full day if you choose to spend some time in each place so I’d suggest starting right after breakfast.
Nyhavn
The walking tour begins at Nyhavn, the 17th-century waterfront famous for its vibrant atmosphere and assortment of bars and cafes. It’s perfect to start here as it’s in the cultural heart of Copenhagen.
It’s just a short walk to the next stop, Christiansborg Palace
Christiansborg Palace
This palace and government building is one of the examples of the fine architecture which makes Copenhagen such a special place to visit.
Located just 10 minutes walk awake from Nyhavn this building is right in the center of the city.
Tivoli Gardens
Tivoli Gardens is an amusement park that opened in 1843! It’s full of old and interesting rides. The best-known ride is Rutschebanen which is one of the world’s oldest wooden rollercoasters.
You will need at least a few hours to visit properly so it’s up to you if you want to spend that much time there.
City Hall Square
This is one of the primary public squares in Copenhagen. It’s a short walk from Tivoli Gardens.
Strøget
This is a bustling, pedestrianized shopping area in the heart of Copenhagen. It’s popular due to it being one of the longest in Europe and is full of shops, restaurants, and bars.
The Round Tower
The Round Tower is a 17th-century building located nearby. You can pay a small fee to walk up the winding ramp to the top and get a great view of the city.
Rosenborg Castle
Rosenborg Castle is surrounded by amazing gardens that are a pleasure to walk through. It was originally built in 1606.
The surrounding area is called The Kings Gardens. There are many benches and places to sit so it’s perfect for a picnic lunch.
Frederik’s Church
This building is popularly known as the Marble Church due to its fantastic rococo architecture. It’s worth a stop but unfortunately, I forgot to take a photo whilst I was there!
Amalienborg Palace
This impressive building is home to the Danish Royal Family.
Food and Drink in Copenhagen
Denmark is home to some fantastic Nordic cuisine so food and drink are definitely a highlight whilst visiting.
There are many cafes and restaurants including in the busy areas of Nyhavn and City Hall square.
Hot dog stands located are located around the city and the locals love sausage. Give one of them a try!
There are many local dishes worth a try. Another of my favorite European cities for cuisine is Amsterdam!
Smorrebrod is a local dish you should definitely try. This was originally a farmer’s dish. It’s an open sandwich of rye bread and sauce with fish, meat, or vegetables.
You may also be interested in this 2 day Amsterdam Itinerary from Destguides.
2 Days in Copenhagen Itinerary – Day 2
On the second of your 2 days in Copenhagen, you have a few options to choose from. In the morning you could go back to Nyhavn for breakfast and then make a start on these attractions.
- The Little Mermaid
- Guided Tours in Copenhagen
- Kastellet
The Little Mermaid
This is a bronze statue located at the Langelinie promenade. It’s a nice excuse to take a walk down the waterfront and enjoy the view. It was created in 1913.
You can walk there from Nyhavn if you do choose to go there for breakfast. There is also a great park called Amaliehavn which you can stop off at on the way.
Kastellet, which I’ll discuss in a moment is also nearby!
Guided Tours in Copenhagen
When I am visiting cities and I want to go on a guided excursion, I generally use GetYourGuide because of the ability to book quickly online.
Kastellet
This is one of the best-preserved fortresses in Northern Europe. It’s located not far from the Little Mermaid statue so you could go and visit it afterward.
Copenhagen Itinerary Day 3
If you are lucky enough to have a third day in the city then here are a few options! You could either check out some of the parks in the city or alternatively head over to the “hippie” area of Christiana. If you are prepared to leave the city I’d certainly recommend the trip to the castles of Roskilde, Frederiksbord, and Kronborg.
Parks in Copenhagen
When you visit Rosenborg Castle you will have the pleasure of walking around “The Kings Garden”.
However, there are other nice parks in Copenhagen such as Frederiksberg Gardens and Amalie Garden.
If you walk to the Little Mermaid along the waterfront from the center you will pass Amalie Garden on the way.
Freetown Christiana
Christiana in Copenhagen is the “hippie” area of the city.
There is lots of street art and there are people openly selling different types of “smoke-able products” on the street. Its located in the Christianshavn area which you can get to easily by public transport.
I went there on my first day as it was easy to get to from the hotel I was staying in. There are lots of cool market stalls to buy souvenirs and fresh food from.
Roskilde, Frederiksbord & Kronborg Day Tour
After exploring Copenhagen we were fortunate enough to take a road trip around Denmark. There are some fantastic castles located within driving distance. The first picture above is Kronborg castle which was built in the 16th century.
The picture below is Frederiksbord castle which is probably the most incredible one I have ever seen!
You can either rent a car and go there yourself or go with a tour group in which you will visit three castles in a day.
Lund & Malmo: Guided Tour
If you would like to check out two cities in Sweden you may want to consider this tour. It involves seeing the main attractions such as Hamlet’s castle and also crossing the famous Oresund bridge!
The bridge was a massive highlight for me. It’s probably the most incredible example of engineering I’ve ever seen.
Other Places to Visit/Things to do in Copenhagen
If you still have time during your 2 days in Copenhagen, here are a few other options.
- Ny Carlsber Glyptotek – Fine-art museum of sculpture & painting.
- City Hall Square – Square used for celebrations and festivals
- National Museum of Denmark
- Copenhagen Opera House
- Copenhagen Zoo
- The Royal Library
- Gefion Fountain
- Frederiksberg Gardens
Frederiksberg Gardens are located right next to Copenhagen Zoo. You could combine the two places as it’s slightly outside of the city center.
Where to stay in Copenhagen
Whilst in Copenhagen I stayed south of the city center in an area called Amager Vest. From here it was a short metro ride into the center but the hotels were significantly cheaper.
Accommodation is quite expensive in Copenhagen so if you are on a budget then staying slightly further out could be a good option.
Here is a list of a few accommodation options in Copenhagen.
Hotels
Try to find a hotel with breakfast included saving on costs!
Cabinn Metro – Breakfast included, 15 min metro to center.
DGI-byens Hotel – Closer to the center, 3-star hotel.
Hostels
Hostels are quite expensive compared to other cities in Europe.
Steel House Copenhagen – 1.8km from the city center.
Danhostel Copenhagen City – 0.6km from the city center.
a&o Copenhagen – budget 5km from the city center.
Air BnB can be an excellent option for finding accommodation options in Copenhagen
Options range from studio apartments in the center of the city/town/village to chalet-style cabins nestled in the woods.
Copenhagen Travel Tips
Here are my travel tips for your 2 days in Copenhagen.
My thoughts on Copenhagen
This was one of my favorite cities in Europe. I also explored more of Denmark in a short road trip following my 2 days in Copenhagen.
Before arriving, we drove over the famous Öresund Bridge to arrive in Copenhagen from Malmo.
The main highlight of the city was the incredible buildings. The Rosenborg Castle has really nice grounds that you can walk around and enjoy a coffee. There is a great deal of history there and it’s worth taking the time to visit a few museums.
Nyhavn was also a fun place to visit. The famous picturesque waterfront was a great place to sit and have lunch at one of the many eateries.
Denmark was generally quite expensive, but I was able to get a decent price on accommodation by staying just outside the center and using the metro.
Check out my other article: 2 Days in Tallinn
Costs in Copenhagen
Here’s a rough breakdown of essential travel costs in Copenhagen.
Accomodation
Hotel room for 2: $60+
Hostel: Dorm – $25+; Private – $85+
Air BnB: $75+
Local Transport
Metro / Bus: $3.5
Day travel card: $11
Bike rental: $50/day
Taxi from airport to center: $45
Eating Out
Dinner: $20+
Lunch: $12+
Take-out meal: $8+
Drinking
Beer in local bar/pub: $6
Beer in high-end bar: $9
Cocktail: $11
How to get to Copenhagen
You can fly to Copenhagen easily and there are many flights per day. The airport is located around 5 miles from the city center, which is easily accessible via a 15-minute train journey.
You can drive from Germany or alternatively cross the famous Öresund Bridge from Malmo, Sweden. As Denmark is within the Schengen Area there are no border controls.
Trains services are excellent and you can depart directly to Copenhagen from Hamburg or Malmo.
Europe also has great bus services. You can take a direct bus from Berlin to Copenhagen which takes around 9 hours.
How to get around Copenhagen
Whilst in Copenhagen I stayed just outside of the city center. After a short metro ride into the city, I spent most of my time there walking around on foot. You can also use the E-scooters which are located around the city. They are easily accessible using a smartphone.
The center itself is small enough to walk around but there is also an excellent 24-hour public transport system. This includes metro, rail, buses, and harbor buses.
If you don’t want to use individual tickets you can purchase a 24-hour or 72-hour City Pass. Alternatively, I recommend the Copenhagen Card which also includes entrance to 87 museums and attractions!
Metro
The metro runs throughout the day in Copenhagen. The only quiet times are Sundays to Thursdays from midnight to 5 am. Even at those hours, the trains run approximately every 20 minutes!
Buses
All of the public transport uses the same ticketing system meaning that you can transfer from a metro to a bus easily using the same ticket. Buses are frequent and there is also a reduced service during nighttime hours.
Harbour Buses
I highly recommend giving one of the many “harbor buses” a try! There are 10 different stopping points around the harbor front. These boats are a great way to get around the city but also see some of the famous sites, such as the Little Mermaid!
Rent a Bike
In Copenhagen, a city bike project installed a network of electric bikes all over the city which are available for hire. Each bike also has navigation installed. Find out more information here.
Copenhagen Card
You can either buy tickets at the station or alternatively get a Copenhagen Card. This card can be for 24-120 hours and gives unlimited access to all public transport as well as entrance to 87 museums and attractions.
Best time to visit Copenhagen
The busiest time to visit Copenhagen is during the summer months of June to August. There is warm weather and a wide range of festivals. Key events include the Jazz Festival, Roskilde Festival, and Copenhagen Pride. Fashion week also draws a crowd in the Month of August and if you’re looking to try some culinary delights you could attend the Food Festival!
For a quieter experience and a milder climate, you could visit during the Spring months of March to May. You may be persuaded by the cheaper airfares and hotel rates. There are still a plethora of events to fit into your schedules such as the Spring Festival and the Copenhagen Light Festival.
Christmas in Copenhagen is enlightening as the streets come alive with holiday celebrations. The weather can be bitter cold as the cold air from the Baltic sea hits land so pack some warm clothes. Key events include the Tivoli Christmas Market.
How to save money in Copenhagen
- Book tours in advance on Getyourguide
- Book accommodation with free breakfast
- Use public transport where possible
- Change money in advance
- Book a hotel with free parking if you have a car
Practical Information for Visiting Copenhagen
- Timezone: Central European Standard Time (GMT+1)
- Currency: Danish Krone (Kr)
- Power: Two pin socket
- Internet access: Excellent
- Drinking Water: Yes it is very safe
Safety in Copenhagen
- Be careful of pick pockets
- Double check cover charges and drinks prices in restaurants
- Use an anti-theft backpack.
- Do not leave drinks unattended
Check out this in-depth info on Safety in Denmark by World Nomads.
Further Reading for Your 2 Days in Copenhagen
I hope my 2 days in Copenhagen itinerary has been helpful to you.
To help you further plan your visit to Copenhagen, here are some useful resources:
- Lonely Planet Guide to Denmark
- Lonely Planet Guide to Copenhagen
- Public Transport in Copenhagen
- Cost of living information for Copenhagen
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is a must for any trip. Hopefully, everything will go smoothly, but it’s best not to take any chances.
I recommend insurance from WorldNomads.com.
Not only is it available to people from 140 countries, but you can buy a policy and even claim online after you’ve left. That means it’s never too late!
Ensure you are covered for medical expenses, theft, cancellations, baggage loss, and activities.
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