Free things to do · Copenhagen · Denmark
9 free things to do in Copenhagen
Copenhagen without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Falk2, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Copenhagen without paying an entry fee: Nyhavn, Amalienborg, The Little Mermaid and Strøget are all free. Rent a bike instead of taking taxis; it is the fastest way around the centre.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 9
- Low-cost extras
- 4
- Cost level
- Very expensive
- Lowest hotel prices
- February
Free sights and experiences
Waterfront · Nyhavn
1.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.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Photo spot
- Couples
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Palace · Frederiksstaden
2.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.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Kids
Landmark · Langelinie
3.The Little Mermaid
Walk the grassy ramparts of Kastellet on the way, and come early in the morning before the tour coaches arrive.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Street · Indre By
4.Strøget
Turn into the parallel lanes of Strædet, such as Læderstræde and Kompagnistræde, for independent shops and cafés.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Free
- Iconic
Gallery · Indre By
5.SMK – National Gallery of Denmark
Combine it with Rosenborg and the University Botanical Garden across the road.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Free
- Rainy day
Neighbourhood · Christianshavn
6.Freetown Christiania
Walk the paths along the ramparts and the lake to see the most inventive homes, and follow the residents' signs.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Outdoors
- History
Waterfront · Islands Brygge
7.Islands Brygge Harbour Bath
Come on a warm weekday evening when locals arrive after work; lifeguards are on duty only during the summer season.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Active
- Kids
Architecture · Amager
8.CopenHill
Walk up the free trail on a clear day; skiing and climbing sessions need booking in advance.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Views
- Active
- Architecture
- Free
- Off the beaten path
Historic site · Nørrebro
9.Assistens Cemetery
Pick up a map at the entrance to find the famous graves, and keep your voice down near recent burials.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Off the beaten path
- Outdoors
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Nyhavn | Nyhavn | 45 minutes |
| Frederiksstaden | Amalienborg | 1 hour |
| Langelinie | The Little Mermaid | 30 minutes |
| Indre By | Strøget and SMK – National Gallery of Denmark | 1–2 hours + 2 hours |
| Christianshavn | Freetown Christiania | 1–2 hours |
| Islands Brygge | Islands Brygge Harbour Bath | 2 hours |
| Amager | CopenHill | 1–2 hours |
| Nørrebro | Assistens Cemetery | 1 hour |
Worth a small ticket
Experience · Nyhavn
Canal and harbour boat tour
Sit on the open side, bring a layer even in summer, and pick a boat with live commentary.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Views
- Couples
- Iconic
Religious site · Christianshavn
Church of Our Saviour
The last stretch of steps is outside and very narrow, and the tower shuts in bad weather, so pick a calm, clear day.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Architecture
- History
- Active
Landmark · Indre By
Rundetårn (Round Tower)
Stop at the library hall halfway up for its exhibitions, and peer down through the glass floor into the tower's hollow core.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- History
- Kids
- Architecture
Market · Nørreport
Torvehallerne
Go before noon on a weekday to avoid the Saturday crowds, and try a smørrebrød from one of the open-sandwich counters.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Shopping
- Rainy day
More ways to save
- Rent a bike instead of taking taxis; it is the fastest way around the centre.
- Make lunch your main meal at Torvehallerne, a bakery or a sausage wagon, and keep dinner simple.
- Buy drinks and snacks at supermarkets and picnic on the harbour front or in the King's Garden.
- SMK's permanent collection, the Christiansborg tower, the harbour baths and the parks are free.
- The Copenhagen Card pays off only if you visit several paid attractions a day and use public transport heavily.
- Travel between January and March for the lowest hotel prices.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Copenhagen expensive to visit?
Copenhagen is very expensive for most visitors, but 9 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Copenhagen?
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.