One of the world’s most beautiful and compelling cities, Copenhagen has old world charm with its picturesque river, historic canals, ancient castles and squares, vibrant villages and medieval churches. Our 3-day suggested itinerary showcases the best of Copenhagen and what are the things you can accomplish in less than 1 week. Depending on your interests and travel priorities, you can certainly mix and match destinations, activities, and attractions.
Things to know before travelling to Denmark:
1.Language – The official language of the Kingdom of Denmark is Danish. Most Danes in Denmark speak excellent English, so you can absolutely get by without speaking Danish language. Speaking at least some Danish phrases or attempting to learn is greatly appreciated by the locals.
2.Money – The official Danish currency is called Kroner. Exchanging money in Copenhagen is easy and follows the same standard to elsewhere in Europe. It’s also good to know that most establishments accept Euros but it’s recommended to exchange some Kroner to pay for buses, taxis and smaller establishments that do not accept foreign currencies. The best way to get local currency is to use the ATM and withdraw in Kroner to get the best rate.
3.Etiquette – While most Danes are generally warm and laid back, it’s important to remember some do’s and dont’s to enjoy a faux pas free journey. For a foreign traveler, it is important to know that Danes stress public harmony and they don’t lose their cool. If they get upset, they will tell you in a more civil manner. Also, Danes value their privacy. They may appear “cold” but it is said that this attitude is derived from high regard for other’s privacy.
4.Getting there – Copenhagen Airport (Kastrup) is the main international airport serving Copenhagen, Denmark, the entire Zealand, the Øresund Region, and a large part of southern Sweden. From New York – round-trip tickets start at 410 USD; From Hong Kong – 530 USD (layover is Moscow); from Sydney – 1000 USD (layover in Bangkok) and from within Europe – round-trip tickets are priced under 100 USD if booked in advance (but you can get there by train, bus or car as well).
5.Transportation – Travelling in Copenhagen is relatively easy as all roads are well-maintained and the public transport system is one of Europe’s finest. You can travel around the city comfortably with a City Pass, which will give you unlimited travel on buses, trains and the metro in Copenhagen Zones 1, 2, 3 and 4. 72-hour pass costs 200 DKK or approximately 27 EUR (30 USD).
6.Accommodation – Copenhagen has a wide range of accommodation options, with something for every level of comfort and budget. Deciding where to stay will be just the beginning of your adventure so make sure to choose areas where you will spend more time. If you are going to follow our suggested itinerary, consider finding a hotel/hostel in Christianshavn (canals), Nyhavn (new harbor) or Indre By (inner city).
Day by Day Itinerary Get to know Copenhagen, Denmark in 3 Days
Day 1: The land of fairy tales
Your 3-day adventure in Copenhagen starts today! Schedule a flight that will arrive early in Copenhagen Airport (CPH). After check in at your preferred accommodation, minimize your jet lag by spending a lot of time out in the sunlight so your body can adapt to its new surroundings. Wear a comfortable walking shoes as you will do a lot of walking for today.
Where to stay in Copenhagen:
Avenue Hotel Copenhagen (Aboulevard 29, Frederiksberg, Copenhagen 1960, Denmark)
Bertrams Guldsmeden – Copenhagen (Vesterbrogade 107, Copenhagen 1620, Denmark)
Hotel Kong Arthur (Norre Sogade 11, Copenhagen 1370, Denmark)
Savoy Hotel (VesterbroGade 34, Copenhagen 1620, Denmark)
Hotel Nebo (stedgade 6 – 8, Copenhagen 1650, Denmark)
Start your tour at the heart of Nyhavn, a 17th century canal district in Copenhagen. It was originally a busy commercial dock packed with sailors and alehouses. Today, Nyhavn is full of old buildings, boats and restaurants. Do not miss to see the Little Mermaid Statue. Spend the rest of the afternoon in Copenhagen Harbor. In the evening, have a light and relaxing dinner at one of the top rated restaurants in Copenhagen such as The Olive Kitchen & Bar (Nørregade 22, 1165 København, Denmark; tel:+45 33 93 81 10), Restaurant Krebsegaarden (Studiestræde 17, 1455 København, Denmark; tel:+45 20 12 40 15) and Grams Laekkerier (Halmtorvet 1, 1700 København V, Denmark; tel:+45 53 54 60 28).
Day 2: Castles and more castles
Unless breakfast is included in the price of your accommodation, some of the perfect spots for breakfast and brunch in Copenhagen is in Nyhavn. A typical breakfast in Denmark includes coffee or tea, fresh-baked breakfast rolls with cheese or jam, pastries filled with custard, cereals or oatmeal.
After breakfast, head to Frederiksborg Castle, a 17th-century palace with Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque elements. To get there – take the S-train line A to Hillerød (approximately 40 minutes from Copenhagen) and then you can walk to the castle (15-20 minutes) through the city or along the Castle Lake; or if you prefer not to walk – take bus number 301 (towards Ullerød) or bus number 302 (towards Sophienlund) and get off at the stop “Frederiksborg Castle”. The Museum of National History inside the castle exhibits the fascinating history of Denmark and houses a vast collection of historical paintings and art pieces. Then, make your way to Kastellet, one of the world’s best preserved star-shaped fortresses. Next is Kronberg Castle, the most iconic Danish castle and is known worldwide from Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Spend the rest of the afternoon at Tivoli Gardens, one of the oldest amusement parks in the world.
Day 3: Discover Stroget
Taking into consideration that you most likely stayed out rather late the other night, you can start your third and last day in Copenhagen at around 10 to 11 in the morning. You can dedicate this day wandering around Stroget, one of the longest pedestrian shopping streets in Europe. This is a vibrant area full of bars, restaurants and shops. You can do your souvenir shopping here as well. Or you can start out early and make the most out of this day, you can do a walking tour of Copenhagen’s other famous attractions. The Round Tower, Rosenborg Castle, Christianborg Palace and Visit Carlsberg are some the places you can explore on this day.
This is the end of our 3-day suggested itinerary. Remember, this is just a guide for planning and is in no way, shape or form the only way to travel the country. There are several alternative routes of travel within the country and it will depend on your intended length of stay. Enjoy Copenhagen!
Have you been to Copenhagen or anywhere else in Denmark? Do you have any tips or suggestions to share? If so, you can leave your comments below.
