Guide to Copenhagen
First time in Denmark’s capital? Here’s the practical, no-fluff guide to neighborhoods, what to see, transport, food, prices, and local etiquette—so you can do more and stress less.
Overview
🚲 Easy to move
Bike lanes everywhere, frequent metro, and walkable areas around the center.
🧭 Small but layered
Historic core, waterside promenades, and creative districts with their own vibe.
💳 Cashless
Cards + MobilePay widely accepted; ATMs are fewer than you might expect.
Key neighborhoods
🏰 Indre By (Old Town)
Colorful Nyhavn, Strøget shopping, royal palaces, museums, canals.
🌿 Nørrebro
Creative, diverse, Michelin to street eats, Assistens Cemetery, buzzing nightlife.
🌊 Vesterbro
Trendy cafes, Kødbyen (Meatpacking), Tivoli next door.
🏞️ Østerbro
Green, refined, Fælledparken; calm base close to center.
🏗️ Nordhavn & Refshaleøen
New waterfront living, food halls, architecture, harbor baths.
🧪 Frederiksberg
Leafy enclave with palace park, zoo, and great dining.
Getting around
🚇 Metro & S-train
24/7 metro on core lines, frequent S-trains. Buy tickets in the DOT app or machines.
🚲 Bikes
Rent city bikes or local shops. Helmets optional but recommended. Respect bike traffic lights.
🛥️ Harbor buses
Ferries along the harbor—great for scenic hops with standard tickets.
🚕 Taxis & rides
Metered and card-friendly. For late night, metro usually beats cost/time.
Must-see highlights
🏛️ Rosenborg & Amalienborg
Royal history, crown jewels, and changing of the guard.
🎡 Tivoli Gardens
Classic rides + dining under lights; magical at night.
🧱 Christiansborg Tower
Free panorama over the city, plus state rooms and ruins.
🌉 Nyhavn & canals
Harborside strolls and boat tours for the postcard view.
🖼️ SMK & Glyptoteket
Top art museums—old masters to modern classics.
🏊 Harbor baths
Swim in summer; saunas pop up in winter. Check flags for water quality.
Food & drink
🥪 Smørrebrød
Open-face rye sandwiches—classic lunch done right.
🍻 Craft beer
Bars, taprooms, and festivals across town.
🍽️ New Nordic
Seasonal menus, local produce, and design-forward dining.
Sample itineraries
⏱️ 24 hours
Nyhavn → Canal tour → Amalienborg → SMK/Glyptoteket → Tivoli by night.
🗓️ 48–72 hours
Add Nørrebro food crawl, Christiansborg tower, harbor bus to Refshaleøen, harbor swim.
When to go
🌸 Spring
Mild, fewer crowds, cherry blossoms in parks.
☀️ Summer
Long days, outdoor swimming, street life at full volume.
🎄 Winter
Hygge season—markets, saunas, museums; pack layers and boots.
Safety & etiquette
🔒 Low crime, normal sense
Pickpockets in tourist zones; bikes should be locked.
🚲 Bike rules
Use lanes, signal with hands, don’t block paths, watch right-turning trucks.
♻️ Clean & considerate
Sort waste, keep noise down late, queue for buses/metro.
Useful links
Related on exploringdenmark
🚲 Cycling in Denmark
🌳 Fitness & Outdoors
🩺 Health & Wellbeing
🍽️ Food & Diet
Frequently asked questions
💶 Is Copenhagen expensive?
It can be. Save with lunch menus, bakeries, and transit day passes.
💳 Do I need cash?
Not really. Cards and contactless are the norm.
🌧️ Weather packing list?
A light rain jacket year-round; layers outside summer; comfy shoes.
🕘 Sunday opening hours?
Many shops open with reduced hours; supermarkets typically daily.
🗣️ Will English be okay?
Yes—widely spoken across the city.
🚲 Bike rentals?
App-based city bikes or local shops; lock whenever you park.
Got a question about Copenhagen?
Tell us a bit about your trip—budget, days, interests—and we’ll reply with practical next steps.