Copenhagen, Denmark is the most relaxed of all the Scandinavian capital city. With its laid back attitude and easy access from the airport to the city center, it’s a wonderful city to explore whether you have 3 days on hand or 12 hours. While every article on Copenhagen will tell you to visit Nyhavn, the Little Mermaid, Tivoli Gardens, Carlsberg, Rosenberg Castle and Strøget amongst others, as you very well should, we are going to make a few different suggestions. We are not here you tell you that visiting those places are a waste of time, after all, you don’t go to New York City and skip Empire State Building or the Statue of Liberty. But, once you are done with the required list or if this is your second or third visit, these are the top 5 spots we feel are the best places in Copenhagen which deserve your attention.
Love books? Visit Black Diamond Library.
If you love books, libraries or beautiful architecture, visit the Black Diamond, the Royal Danish Library. Although it can be visited on your own, we recommend a guided tour to really learn about the history behind the beautiful old library building from 1906 and the stunning Black Diamond extension from 1999. Both public and private tours are available.
If you do not get a chance to visit the interior, be sure to make some time to visit the exterior. The building, situated on the waterfront, will glisten like a diamond against the sun due to the 2,500 square meters of black granite in the structure and its slightly irregular shape.
Address: Søren Kierkegaards Plads 1, Copenhagen
How To Get Here: Bus 66 to Søren Kierkegaards Square or Metro to Kgs Nytorv Station, followed by a 10 minute walk.
Admissions: Free, DKK 60 (guided public tour), click here for private tour prices. Regular
Hours: 8:00am – 9:00pm (Monday – Friday), 9:00am – 7:00pm (Saturday), closed on Sunday Summer Hours (July – August): 8:00am – 7:00pm (Monday – Saturday), closed on Sunday
For the love of books and structures, this is why Black Diamond made our list of best places to visit in Copenhagen.
Love fine dinning? Make reservations at Kiin Kiin.
Copenhagen is known for its cusines, especially the high levels of exquisite culinary delights. So, if you are looking to indulge in one of those lavish fine dinning experiences without breaking the bank, we suggest reserving a table at Kiin Kiin. Kiin Kiin is the only Michelin star Thai restaurant outside of Thailand and has retained its Michelin star for 10 consecutive years!
We had the most fun time dining here, the food is unique in both presentation and taste (that is not to say it was not tasty, simply different). Two types of menus are offered, Theater Menu and Tasting Menu. The Theater Menu is served only at 5:30pm & 5:45pm, snacks & appetizers followed by a 4 course menu that is composed daily. The menu is designed to be finished by 7:30pm and priced at DKK 495. The Tasting Menu (vegetarian tasting menu available) begins with an assortment of street foods as appetizers and starters, served at a high pace (30 minute experience), followed by a 7 course menu served at the table in the restaurant. The tasting menu is priced at DKK 975.
An amazing Michelin star experience you will always remember, without feeling a huge pinch in your wallet in comparison to other Michelin star restaurants in the city.
Address: Guldbergsgade 21, 2200 København N
How To Get Here: Metro to Nørreport station, followed by a 10-15-minute walk
Hours: Theater menu 5:30pm to be finished by 7:30pm. Regular Menu 6:00pm – 12:00am (last reservation at 8:30pm), closed on Sundays
For the love of food and elegance, this is why Kiin Kiin made our list of best places to visit in Copenhagen.
Want an overview of the city? Hop on a Canal Tour or your own Private Boat.
Some places will tell you that canal tours are too touristy and not worth it, but given that Copenhagen is surrounded by water, it is the most convenient way (in fact, we think it is the BEST way) to get a quick grasp of this beautiful city. While on the 1 hour tour, you can make a metal list of all the places you’d like to come back on foot!
Copenhagen is one of the greenest cities in the world, so you can be sure that everything they do is with keeping the environment in mind. Their boats are no different. The tours operate from two places, Nyhavn or Gammel Strand. We recommend beginning at Nyhavn.
Admission: DKK 80 Adult, DKK 40 Children 6 – 15. Free with Copenhagen card.
Hours: Open Everyday. 9:30am – 6:00pm (18 March – 22 June), 9:30am – 9:00pm (23 June – 13 August), 9:30am – 7:00pm (14 August – 17 September), 9:30am – 5:00pm (18 September – 22 October), 9:30am – 3:00pm (23 October – 15 March)
If you have more time on hand or would like a private boat for your own group, then consider driving your own boat! GoBoat is an excellent eco friendly company. Their boats are silent, solar powered, and made from sustainable wood. Each boat can hold up to 8 people. The boat may be operated by anyone over the age of 18, and requires no license or prior experience. Instructions will be provided on how to operate the boat before departure.
They offer FREE CANCELLATIONS until 24 hours before scheduled departure!
Admission: DKK 399 (1 hour), DKK 749 (2 hours), DKK 999 (3 hours)
For the love of sea and city views, this is why Canal Tours and GoBoat made our list of best places to visit in Copenhagen.
Want to experience the epitome of Copenhagen? Hang out at Nyhavn.
Nyhavn is one of the most photographed places in Copenhagen, probably second to the Little Mermaid and rightfully so. It is housed with rows of colorful of historic buildings, one of which was the home of Hans Christian Andersen, who once lived in number 67.
Nyhavn is a great place to people watch, eat your hearts out (though be ware, there are plenty of tourist traps), watch the sunset and catch up! We have always closed down the restaurants whenever we are there. On a beautiful day, highly recommend sitting outdoors. Even if it’s a bit chilly, the heated lamps and blankets at every restaurant is enough to keep you warm. If that doesn’t work, order a drink or two!
Address: Nyhavn 1-71, 1051 København K
How To Get Here: Metro to Kongens Nytorv, followed by 10 minute walk
Hours: Open Everyday. 9:30am – 6:00pm (18 March – 22 June), 9:30am – 9:00pm (23 June – 13 August), 9:30am – 7:00pm (14 August – 17 September), 9:30am – 5:00pm (18 September – 22 October), 9:30am – 3:00pm (23 October – 15 March)
For the love of culture and history, this is why Nyhavn made our list of best places to visit in Copenhagen.
Want to eat and buy local? Stop by Torvehallerne.
Tovrvehallerne is a giant open market with over 80 stands selling everything from fresh produces, gourmet chocolates, handmade beauty products, small cafes and everything in between. They pride themselves on diversity, taste and quality.
We not only ate our hearts out but bought some of Denmark’s finest beauty products that we still use!
Address: Torvehallerne KBH, Frederiksborggade 21, 1360 København K
How To Get Here: Metro to Nørreport Station
Hours: 10:00am – 7:00pm (Monday – Thursday), 10:00 – 8:00pm (Friday), 10:00am – 6:00pm (Saturday), 11:00am – 5:00pm (Sunday & Holidays)
For the love local awareness and authentic products, this is why Tovrvehallerne made our list of best places to visit in Copenhagen.
Bonus: Best place to eat in Copenhagen used to be the Copenhagen Street Food on Paper Island (Papiroen), which closed since our visit but reopened as Reffen in May 2018.
Sadly, one of our favorite foodie spots (and the one we are usually most eager to tell everyone about), Copenhagen Street Food on Paper Island, closed down permanently as of December 22, 2017, it served not only a plethora of cuisines but absolutely delicious and authentic delights!
However, much to our delight, we found out that it REOPENED in May 2018 as Reffen! Although we cannot verify personally what it currently looks like, we do understand from the website that it follows a similar concept as before (multiple stalls of authentic cuisines owned and operated individually)! We are so excited to try it out next time we are in the city. So if you are headed to Copenhagen in the near future, you MUST stop by here. We promise you, if it is anything like the previous street food market, nothing here will disappoint you.
Address: Hal 7 & 8, PapirØen, Trangravsvej 14, 1436 København K
How To Get Here: Walk across the pedestrian bridge, which connects Nyhavn with the opposite side of the harbour, followed up a 5 minute walk to Paper Island.
Hours: currently closed. Check back in May 2018 for new hours.
For the love local and affordable eats, this is why Copenhagen Street Food made our list of best places to visit in Copenhagen.
How To Get to City Center
Metro
Location: above ground, direct extension to Terminal 3
Frequency: every 4-6 minutes during day/evening, 15-20 at night (operates 24 hours)
Travel Time: 13 minutes to Norreport Station (city center)
Cost: DKK 36 (3 zone)
Ticket Purchase: at the machine (coins and cards only) or DSB ticket sales counter
Good to know: M2 is the only Metro from airport going in the direction of Vanlose, so it is impossible to get on the wrong metro.
Train
Location: above Terminal 3
Frequency: every 4-6 minutes during day/evening, 15-20 at night (operates between 05:00 – 00:30)
Travel Time: 13 minutes to København Station (city center)
Cost: DKK 36
Ticket Purchase: at the machine (coins and cards only) or DSB ticket sales counter
Good to know: S-train and Metro are essentially interchangeable, so take the one that seems most convenient to you.
Bus
Location: above Terminal 3
Frequency: Bus 5A, every 10 minutes, less frequent at night (operates 24 hours)
Travel Time: 30-35 minutes to Central Station
Cost: DKK 24
Ticket Purchase: at the machine or on bus
Good to know: machines only accept cards and coins while bus drivers only accept coins, no notes.
Taxi
Location: outside each terminal
Frequency: 24/7
Travel Time: 20 minutes
Cost: DKK 250-300
Good to know: There are three of the main companies are DanTaxi, Taxa 4×35 and 4×27.
These are the best places in Copenhagen that are often overlooked (well, minus Nyhavn). Have you been to Copenhagen? What are your favorite things to do? Please share below. We would love to here from you!
As always, Happy and Safe Travels!
