5 days in Copenhagen

Day by day

1. Day 1: Tivoli Gardens and Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek

   Tivoli Gardens, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek and Nyhavn, then Kødbyen (Meatpacking District) in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Tivoli Gardens

      Come in the evening when the lights come on; an entry ticket alone lets you stroll, and ride passes only pay off for several rides. (3–5 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek

      Pair it with Tivoli across the road on a rainy day; the Winter Garden café is a calm place to warm up. (2 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Smørrebrød

      Traditional lunch restaurants in Indre By and Nyhavn, and modern counters at Torvehallerne.

   4. Afternoon

      Nyhavn

      Buy a drink from a shop and sit on the quayside like the locals instead of paying restaurant prices, and come early in the morning for photos. (45 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      Kødbyen (Meatpacking District)

      Bars, clubs and restaurants in white-tiled former slaughterhouses in Vesterbro, busiest on Friday and Saturday nights.

2. Day 2: Rosenborg Castle and Strøget

   Rosenborg Castle, Strøget and National Museum of Denmark, then Nørrebro in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Rosenborg Castle

      Head to the treasury first, then picnic in the King's Garden afterwards. (1.5 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Strøget

      Turn into the parallel lanes of Strædet, such as Læderstræde and Kompagnistræde, for independent shops and cafés. (1–2 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Danish pastries

      Bakeries across the city, many with queues out of the door on weekend mornings.

   4. Afternoon

      National Museum of Denmark

      Start with the Danish prehistory galleries, then take children to the Children's Museum to dress up and climb aboard a Viking ship. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Nørrebro

      Natural-wine bars, cocktail bars and cafés around Jægersborggade, Elmegade and Ravnsborggade.

3. Day 3: Amalienborg and Designmuseum Danmark

   Amalienborg, Designmuseum Danmark and The Little Mermaid, then Indre By and the Latin Quarter in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Amalienborg

      Watch the guard change at noon, then walk through to Frederik's Church, whose dome can be climbed on guided visits on some days. (1 hour, free).

   2. Late morning

      Designmuseum Danmark

      Spend time in the chair galleries and the garden courtyard, and browse the museum shop for design souvenirs. (1.5 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Danish hot dog

      Sausage wagons on Strøget, City Hall Square and near stations.

   4. Afternoon

      The Little Mermaid

      Walk the grassy ramparts of Kastellet on the way, and come early in the morning before the tour coaches arrive. (30 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      Indre By and the Latin Quarter

      Cocktail bars, student pubs and jazz venues in the lanes of the old city.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Louisiana Museum of Modern Art

   About 35–40 minutes by train each way. Getting there: Regional train to Humlebæk, then a 10-minute walk.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Louisiana Museum of Modern Art

      About 35–40 minutes by train (Regional train to Humlebæk, then a 10-minute walk); about 35 km.

   2. Day

      Louisiana Museum of Modern Art

      A museum of modern and contemporary art in a seaside villa linked by glass corridors, with a sculpture park of works by Henry Moore, Alexander Calder and others running down to the Øresund and views across the water to Sweden. Best for culture, couples and quiet stays.

   3. Evening

      Back in Copenhagen

      Dinner: try Stegt flæsk med persillesovs.

5. Day 5: Canal and harbour boat tour and Christiansborg Palace

   Canal and harbour boat tour, Christiansborg Palace and SMK – National Gallery of Denmark, then Istedgade, Vesterbro in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Canal and harbour boat tour

      Sit on the open side, bring a layer even in summer, and pick a boat with live commentary. (1 hour, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Christiansborg Palace

      Go up the free tower first (expect a security check), then choose which paid sections to visit. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Stegt flæsk med persillesovs

      Traditional Danish restaurants and lunch places (frokostrestauranter).

   4. Afternoon

      SMK – National Gallery of Denmark

      Combine it with Rosenborg and the University Botanical Garden across the road. (2 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      Istedgade, Vesterbro

      Cafés and bars along Istedgade and around Halmtorvet, close to Central Station.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Tivoli Gardens and Rosenborg Castle before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Indre By keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Nyhavn and Frederiksstaden ($$$$) suits first-timers, couples and luxury. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 18–23 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 7.1 hours in December to 17.5 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Copenhagen
• 2 days in Copenhagen
• 3 days in Copenhagen
• 4 days in Copenhagen
• 7 days in Copenhagen

Questions travellers ask