How many days · Copenhagen · Denmark
How many days do you need in Copenhagen?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
4 days is the sweet spot for Copenhagen, and 2 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Two days covers Tivoli, Nyhavn, the royal palaces, Christiansborg and a canal tour. Four days adds Christianshavn, Vesterbro and Nørrebro, a harbour swim and a day trip to Louisiana and Kronborg; a week leaves time for Malmö and Roskilde.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 4 days
- Minimum
- 2 days
- Day trips available
- 7
- Daylight
- 7.1 h (Dec) to 17.5 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Tivoli Gardens, Nyhavn, Rosenborg Castle and Amalienborg |
| 2 days | Good | Amalienborg, The Little Mermaid and Strøget |
| 3 days | Good | Canal and harbour boat tour, Christiansborg Palace and National Museum of Denmark |
| 5 days | Relaxed | The highlights plus a day trip to Louisiana Museum of Modern Art |
| 7 days | Plenty | A slow trip with day trips such as Louisiana Museum of Modern Art and Kronborg Castle, Helsingør |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Copenhagen add up to roughly 18–24 hours of visiting time — about 3 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Tivoli Gardens (3–5 hours), Christiansborg Palace (2–3 hours) and National Museum of Denmark (2–3 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Tivoli Gardens | 3–5 hours | Vesterbro |
| Nyhavn | 45 minutes | Nyhavn |
| Rosenborg Castle | 1.5 hours | Indre By |
| Amalienborg | 1 hour | Frederiksstaden |
| The Little Mermaid | 30 minutes | Langelinie |
| Strøget | 1–2 hours | Indre By |
| Canal and harbour boat tour | 1 hour | Nyhavn |
| Christiansborg Palace | 2–3 hours | Slotsholmen |
| National Museum of Denmark | 2–3 hours | Indre By |
| Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek | 2 hours | Vesterbro |
| SMK – National Gallery of Denmark | 2 hours | Indre By |
| Freetown Christiania | 1–2 hours | Christianshavn |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 4 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 2 days | Focus on Tivoli Gardens and Nyhavn |
| With children | 5 days | Slower days and time for Tivoli Gardens |
| With day trips | 6 days | Add Louisiana Museum of Modern Art and Kronborg Castle, Helsingør |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 7.1 hours of daylight) than in June (about 17.5 hours). In winter, allow an extra day or plan museum-heavy afternoons.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Copenhagen with other destinations
Questions travellers ask
+Is 2 days enough in Copenhagen?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 4 days is more comfortable. Two days covers Tivoli, Nyhavn, the royal palaces, Christiansborg and a canal tour. Four days adds Christianshavn, Vesterbro and Nørrebro, a harbour swim and a day trip to Louisiana and Kronborg; a week leaves time for Malmö and Roskilde.
+Is a week too long in Copenhagen?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Louisiana Museum of Modern Art and Kronborg Castle, Helsingør.