Comparison · Amsterdam vs Copenhagen · Netherlands / Denmark
Amsterdam vs Copenhagen
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Trougnouf (Benoit Brummer), CC BY 4.0
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Quick answer
Choose Amsterdam for Canals and Rijksmuseum; choose Copenhagen for Tivoli Gardens, Nyhavn and beaches. Amsterdam is generally less expensive, and the two are about 621 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 621 km
- Less expensive
- Amsterdam
- Best time for Amsterdam
- April–June and September
- Best time for Copenhagen
- May–September
Side by side
| Amsterdam | Copenhagen | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Netherlands | Denmark |
| Known for | Canals, Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum | Tivoli Gardens, Nyhavn and Cycling |
| Best time to visit | April–June and September | May–September |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $220–$360 | $240–$420 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Very expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 22°C (72°F) | July, 22°C (72°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 6°C (43°F) | January, 3°C (37°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 7 | 9 |
| Day trips in our guide | 8 | 7 |
| Beaches | — | Amager Strandpark |
| Airports | AMS | CPH |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Amsterdam for…
Canals and Rijksmuseum. Amsterdam's 17th-century canal ring, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, curves around a compact medieval centre where almost everything is within a 30-minute walk or a short tram ride. The Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House draw most…
Choose Copenhagen for…
Tivoli Gardens, Nyhavn and beaches. Copenhagen is a flat, compact harbour city where cycling is the normal way to get around and the harbour water is clean enough to swim in. The medieval centre, with Strøget and the Round Tower, sits between Tivoli Gardens and the painted townhouses of…
Top sights compared
| # | Amsterdam | Copenhagen |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rijksmuseum | Tivoli Gardens |
| 2 | Van Gogh Museum | Nyhavn |
| 3 | Anne Frank House | Rosenborg Castle |
| 4 | Canal Ring walk | Christiansborg Palace |
| 5 | Canal cruise | Amalienborg |
Food compared
| Amsterdam | Copenhagen |
|---|---|
| Stroopwafel | Smørrebrød |
| Raw herring | Danish pastries |
| Bitterballen | Danish hot dog |
| Kroket | Stegt flæsk med persillesovs |
Which is cheaper?
Amsterdam is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $220–$360 per person there, against $240–$420 in Copenhagen (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Amsterdam on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Amsterdam and Copenhagen are about 621 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Amsterdam and 4 in Copenhagen.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Amsterdam or Copenhagen cheaper?
Amsterdam is usually less expensive: about $220–$360 a day mid-range against $240–$420 (estimates).
+Is Amsterdam or Copenhagen better for a first trip?
Pick Amsterdam for Canals and Rijksmuseum, or Copenhagen for Tivoli Gardens, Nyhavn and beaches.
+How far is Amsterdam from Copenhagen?
About 621 km in a straight line.