In addition to being Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen is top-notch restaurants, world-class cultural attractions, Amalienborg Palace, Rosenborg Castle, The Little Mermaid, picturesque Nyhavn and, not least, curious little neighbourhoods, such as Christianshavn or the remarkable freetown Christiania.

What to see in Copenhagen in 3 days? This itinerary will give you some of the best cultural experiences the city can offer. If you have more time in Copenhagen, you may stretch it over more days or include a few more things to do, and if you have just one or two days, you can just pick a few of the most enticing sights!

The first thing to do on Day 1 in Copenhagen is to visit Nyhavn and jump on a canal tour from there. That will allow you to get an overview of the city from Copenhagen’s waterside.

Nyhavn is one of the real iconic places in Copenhagen, charming, charismatic, and colourful. Stroll from Kongens Nytorv along the canal to the spectacular Royal Playhouse at the harbour. Just off the canal on the Kongens Nytorv side, you will stumble across the Memorial Anchor, commemorating the 1,700 Danish sailors who died in World War II.

Nyhavn | Photo: Travel In Culture

The pedestrian street, stuffed with vibrant restaurants, bars and cafés expanding well into the street, flanks the canal with some old sailing ships. Due to its idyll, the street is often packed with locals and tourists. You may see people sitting at Nyhavn with their feet dangling above the water.

Nyhavn was established in the 17th century by the former King Christian V. In 1675, it was ready for use by local fishermen, traders and merchants who could benefit from easy access to destinations along the harbour and coast.

Famous people have lived here at Nyhavn. One of them is the distinguished Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, who resided in more than one of the Nyhavn townhouses during his life: at No. 67 (1845-1864) and No. 18 (1871-1875).

The ambience is particular at Nyhavn, and it is picturesque here! If you have time, you may consider returning to Nyhavn at sunset on one of your evenings in Copenhagen to enjoy the stunning views of the colourful and vibrant Canal Street.

Regarding Nyhavn’s historical side, the harbour was established in the 17th century by the former King Christian V. In 1675, it stood ready for use by local fishermen, traders and merchants who could benefit from easy access to destinations along the harbour and coast.

Now, pick one of the canal cruises departing from Nyhavn – there are several to choose between. The Netto-Boats (Netto-Bådene) are probably the most budget-friendly option, departing just opposite the lively bars and cafés on the other side of the Nyhavn canal.

Christianshavn Canal | Photo: Travel In Culture

You will now get a unique opportunity to experience Copenhagen from the seaside. From Nyhavn past the ultramodern and stylish Copenhagen Opera House from 2004 to the Langelinie Quay, one of the highlights is perhaps the fabled Little Mermaid sitting on a rock in the water. Another spectacular sight is the old Batteri Sixtus, part of the naval base on Holmen, where the official cannon salutes sound on certain occasions!

Afterwards, the boat enters Christianhavn’s Canal, one of the favoured and alluring canal stretches within Copenhagen city. The canals surround several artificial islands where 12 bastions were constructed in the 17th century by King Christian IV, a lovely part of the city, full of atmosphere.

‘Batteri Sixtus’ | Photo: Travel In Culture

Catch a glimpse of the Church of Our Saviour before continuing to the old fish market at Gammel Strand with the famous statue of the fisherwoman. She symbolises the former fisherwomen known for shouting ‘Herring is good!’, or ‘Sild er godt’ in Danish, to sell their fish at this precise location.

Finally, listen to the guide explaining about Christiansborg, the governmental building, once a royal palace, and continue past the Old Stock Exchange (which burned down in April 2024), the Church of Holmen and the National Bank back to Nyhavn.

After the canal cruise, you will now be back at Nyhavn, which is close to Kongens Nytorv.

The impressive square dates from the 17th century and was established in 1670 under the reign of King Christian V.

Kongens Nytorv | Photo: Travel In Culture

Centrally located in the city, the eye-catching square is surrounded by significant 17th and 18th-century buildings. These include the Charlottenborg Palace, today housing the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, and the Royal Theatre, dating from 1748, designed by the architect Nicolai Eigtved. A world-famous institution belonging to the Royal Theatre is the internationally highly recognised ballet school from 1771 teaching the Bournonville tradition. The Royal Danish Ballet company was founded here at Kongens Nytorv in 1748.

At Kongens Nytorv you will also find the famous Hotel d’Angleterre, with a history dating back to 1755. The hotel still holds on to many old traditions. Also, the department store Magasin du Nord is one of the buildings flanking the plaza. It was originally a hotel, and, as an interesting fact, Hans Christian Andersen stayed here from 1838 to 1847!

Strøget | Photo: Travel In Culture

From Kongens Nytorv, continue along Strøget, the main pedestrian street in Copenhagen. It offers all kinds of shopping options and fashionable boutiques. Just off Strøget, you can visit both the 1800s edifice Copenhagen Cathedral, which is also known as the Church of Our Lady, and the church Helligåndskirken, where the distinguished Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard was christened in 1813.

You will easily find a place to eat in one of the small streets around Strøget or perhaps in the square Gråbrødretorv, which used to be the location of a Franciscan friary (established in 1238). At that time, the friary consisted of a church and a great hall. The church tower remained a part of the Copenhagen skyline for several hundred years, and over time, the friary was, paradoxically, converted into a jail! Today, you will find numerous restaurants in the old square.

Now it is time to stroll down Købmagergade, another major shopping street in the pedestrian zone and one of the streets existing since the Middle Ages, where the butchers had stalls along the street. The square Kultorvet along Købmagergade was established only after the Copenhagen Fire of 1728 and named after the trade in charcoal, firewood and peat, which took place here.

The Round Tower | Photo: Bente Jønsson / Pixabay

A favoured attraction in Købmagergade is The Round Tower from 1642. Built by the Danish King Christian IV as an astronomical observatory, the intention was to continue the astronomical traditions that the astronomer Tycho Brahe had begun with the construction of Stjerneborg on the island Ven.

From the viewing platform at the top, towers and other significant buildings in Copenhagen can be easily seen.

The Round Tower is also uniquely attached to the Trinitatis Church, the old university chapel, which you may look into from the tower. Despite burning down at the Great Fire of 1728, the Round Tower was reconstructed in all its grandeur in the years to come.

The expression ‘having eyes as large as the Round Tower‘ originates from Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale ‘The Tinder Box’, where one of the dogs has such large eyes!

At the other end of Strøget, you will reach the City Hall Square, Rådhuspladsen in Danish. In addition to the City Hall, it is flanked by several notable buildings, for example Politikens Hus, the headquarters of the national newspaper Politiken.

The City Hall | Photo: Travel In Culture

In 1888, a new city hall was planned on the grounds of the former expo area from the Nordic Exhibition of 1872 and the Nordic Exhibition of 1888, exhibitions of art, industry and agriculture in the Nordic countries. The architect Martin Nyrop, who had also designed the expo hall, won the competition with a design inspired by the Palazzo Pubblico and the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo in Siena.

In recent years, the square has been modernised on the occasion of Copenhagen being the European Capital of Culture in 1996.

In the afternoon, you will visit Glyptoteket (Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek).

Glyptoteket | Photo: Travel In Culture

Continue a few hundred metres from the City Hall Square to arrive at Glyptoteket, designed by Hack Kampmann, at H. C. Andersens Boulevard. The museum dates back to 1906 and is one of the top museums in Copenhagen if you are interested in antique sculptures.

The museum was initiated by Carl Jacobsen (1842–1914), whose father had founded the Carlsberg Breweries. His passion was art, and in particular, sculptural art. He donated his collection to Glyptoteket and naturally became a patron of the museum. Gradually, Glyptoteket’s collections expanded, and today, the building houses both an impressive collection of sculptures, as well as paintings by famous artists such as Renoir, Degas, Cézanne, David, Monet, van Gogh and Toulouse-Lautrec within French Impressionism and Post-Impressionism. Moreover, Danish Golden Age paintings are represented by Eckersberg, Købke and Lundbye.

Tivoli’s main entrance | Photo: Travel In Culture

One of the highlights today is a visit to the famous, historic Tivoli. It is the world’s second-oldest amusement park. Perhaps surprisingly, the oldest one is also located in Denmark, namely Dyrehavsbakken, set in beautiful surroundings in the forests north of Copenhagen! Still today, Tivoli is extremely popular – whether you are young, a family or a senior citizen, and whether you are a local or a tourist. There is something for any taste – and many Danes cherish lifelong memories of their childhood outings to Tivoli!

The founder and first director, Georg Carstensen, obtained exclusive royal permission to open the gardens in 1843. A former military base just off the city ramparts became the chosen location for the enchanting attraction park.

Hans Christian Andersen and Tivoli | Photo: M Del / Pixabay

Right since its opening, Tivoli has been both attractive and successful. World-famous people have over the years visited the thriving gardens, for example, Hans Christian Andersen, who found literary inspiration here to write the entertaining tale The Nightingale, and Walt Disney, who was motivated here for particular details in the design of Disneyland.

You will have fun and enjoy your evening in Tivoli with funfair rides, restaurants, games, a children’s play area, concert venues, and, not least, the beautiful flower gardens. Why not have fresh shrimp or smørrebrød at the traditional restaurant Grøften?

Night show in Tivoli | Photo: Travel In Culture

The outdoor stage and lawn Plænen offers top entertainment by prominent artists, and so does the Concert Hall. Occasionally, there is Friday Rock, which since the 1990s has been a big draw here.

With a little luck, you can experience the Tivoli Boys Guard, which dates from 1844. Ever since it has been hugely popular, and so is the open-air Pantomime Theatre from 1874, the oldest building in the amusement park, designed by Vilhelm Dahlerup. Here Pierrot, Harlequin and Columbine perform without a spoken word.

On a Saturday night, your visit will culminate with the most spectacular fireworks, which take place above the Tivoli Lake, and they are visible from all over the city!

The Royal Library Garden | Photo: Travel In Culture

Day 2, you will explore a couple of unusual neighbourhoods in Copenhagen, Christianshavn and the freetown Christiania, visit the parliament in Denmark, Christiansborg, as well as the royal Rosenborg Castle, and perhaps get tickets for an evening performance at the Royal Theatre.

As the first thing in the morning, you will explore Christiansborg on the islet Slotsholmen, which also houses the Old Stock Exchange (which tragically burned down in April 2024 but will be rebuilt!), the Royal Library and the Royal Library Garden. Christiansborg is a former royal palace, which since 1849 has been the seat of the Danish Parliament and now also houses the Supreme Court and the Danish Prime Minister’s Office. In addition to its governmental purposes, it is sometimes still used for both gala banquets and the recurring public audiences with the Queen.

The Old Stock Exchange, before burning down in April 2024 | Photo: Travel In Culture

Walk around Christiansborg and admire the old castle from 1928, designed in a Neo-baroque style. However, it is not the first castle erected here. The first palace structure was raised by Archbishop Absalon in 1167 – to protect Copenhagen from enemies.

In the 1400s, Copenhagen Castle was erected, and from the 15th century, the castles here changed status as the residence of Denmark’s kings and queens.

The current Christiansborg was designed in 1906 by the architect Thorvald Jørgensen.

You may also want to visit Christiansborg Castle inside. Parts of the building are open to the public, including the Royal Reception Rooms with a splendid décor and paintings by the Danish artists A. Abildgaard, C. W. Eckersberg, L. Tuxen and J. Skovgaard. An absolute masterpiece is the tapestry by B. Nørgaard, depicting 1000 years of history in Denmark.

Christiansborg | Photo: Travel In Culture

Afterwards, you can continue to the Royal Stables, Kitchen and Chapel. Under the palace, you will get the chance to take in the old ruins of Christiansborg, and if you choose to complete your visit by climbing the tower, you can enjoy panoramic views of Copenhagen city (free admission).

If you wish to attend a sitting in the Chamber of the Danish Parliament (from October to mid-June, check the website) or go on a guided tour here, this is also possible. The tour must be booked in advance but is free of charge.

Out again, you will walk over to The Black Diamond, Den Sorte Diamant, an extension to the Royal Danish Library’s traditional building on Slotsholmen, ingeniously constructed at the waterfront.

The Black Diamond | Photo: Travel In Culture

It is an architectural jewel from 1999 made of black granite, designed by the Danish architects Schmidt Hammer Lassen. The name Black Diamond is obvious when you see the water reflected on the walls of the building – sparkling like a diamond!

In addition to the library, the Black Diamond contains an auditorium, the Queen’s Hall, frequently used for concerts and exhibitions, a bookshop, a restaurant, a café, and a few museums on photography and cartoon art. It is free to visit the building, but you may additionally decide to buy tickets for a guided tour of The Royal Library.

You will now cross the bridge to get to Christianshavn, an old neighbourhood and working-class borough located on several artificial islands, which over the last decades has changed and today is hugely popular with locals and visitors alike! The area is bohemian and charming, and you may now look for one of the many informal places to have lunch, for example Broens Gadekøkken, a popular street food market.

Christianshavn | Photo: Travel In Culture

Afterwards, stroll along the idyllic Christianshavn canals, established in the 17th century by the former, highly productive king Christian IV. You will notice many locations in Copenhagen named after him. At his time, Christianshavn was part of the bastion-shaped fortifications of the Danish capital.

Christianshavn also features the eye-catching, alternative community in Copenhagen (and Denmark), the freetown Christiania, which will be your next stop.

You can enter the freetown Christiania through the particular gate marking the cease of normal society and the entrance to this experimental part of Copenhagen.

The area used to be an abandoned military base, and in 1971, a group of people broke into it to take advantage of the empty grounds and military barracks. At the time, Copenhagen had problems providing sufficient affordable housing. Some people saw this as an opportunity to acquire the demanded accommodation. An intentional community in Denmark, the freetown Christiania, saw the light of day in this part of Copenhagen, guided by the leader of the squatters, Jacob Ludvigsen. For a few decades, it became an autonomous society with its lifestyle and laws distinct from the usual Danish laws.

Freetown Christiania in Copenhagen | Photo: Travel In Culture

Walk around the Christiania village and be surprised at the primitive houses, unusual approaches and creative ideas which have sprung up here over the years and still today characterise the freetown in Copenhagen. Christiania features, as a freetown, a pronounced hippie culture and social experiments within unconventional ideologies, and even then, Christiania has coexisted more or less in peace with the rest of Copenhagen and Denmark for decades!

The downside has been the significant amount of drugs sold in ‘Pusher Street’ because Danish laws were not enforced in Christiania. That also gave rise to a lot of political debate in Denmark, and several times, the cannabis trade was prohibited (in vain) at Christiania. Nevertheless, in April 2024, ‘Pusher Street’ was closed permanently, and the freetown is now again under the same laws as their neighbouring areas in Copenhagen.

Anyway, the hippie community is still present at Christiania, and the residents have managed to turn the apart freetown into an enticing place in Copenhagen to locals and visitors alike. The Christiania economy is, to some extent, based on visitors from Copenhagen, Denmark, and abroad.

You may want to have a drink or a light meal in one of the Christiania restaurants, enjoy a gallery or two, or chill out in the freetown for an hour or so before continuing sightseeing in ‘conventional’ Copenhagen (Rosenborg Castle).

Christianshavn, Broens Gadekøkken | Photo: Travel In Culture

After your ‘freetown Christiania’ experience, you will visit Rosenborg Castle, one of the finest castles in both Copenhagen and Denmark. Here, you will also have time to enjoy the spectacular and popular park, Kongens Have, meaning the King’s Garden, from 1606, originally planned to provide the Court with fruits, vegetables and flowers from Rosenborg.

Again, Rosenborg Castle is one of the significant constructions undertaken by King Christian IV from 1606 to 1633, assisted by the architects Bertel Lange and Hans van Steenwinckel. The King showed great interest in architecture and considered it a personal challenge to contribute to constructions, such as the erection of Rosenborg Castle.

Rosenborg Castle and the King’s Garden | Photo: Travel In Culture

As a Dutch Renaissance palace, Rosenborg Castle had everything that a so-called pleasure palace at the time required: a real drawbridge, elegant turrets and a lavish Great Hall flanked by a series of tapestries depicting his superior victories.

Since 1710, Rosenborg Castle has, on Frederik IV’s initiative, served as the home of royal art treasures, and you can, for instance, experience the exclusive Crown Jewels in the Treasury Chamber here. Christian VI’s queen, Sophie Magdalene, contributed with her jewellery to the collection, and so did Frederik VIII’s queen, Lovisa, and Christian VIII’s queen, Caroline Amalie. Even today, the Queen will come to Rosenborg Castle to select the Crown Jewels she intends to wear.

Don’t miss the Rosenborg Porcelain Cabinet with Flora Danica, the Glass Cabinet, the armoury rooms and the Rosenborg Castle Wine!

The King’s Garden, Rosenborg Copenhagen | Photo: Travel In Culture

After Rosenborg Castle and the King’s Garden, you may want to continue to Torvehallerne at Nørreport Station to grab a quick bite. It is Copenhagen’s popular food market, which opened in 2011. You will find fresh fish, vegetables, and other produce among the many specialities here. There are lots of fantastic restaurant options around.

For your second evening in Copenhagen, you could book tickets for a play at the Royal Theatre!

The National Museum | Photo: Travel In Culture

Today is a museum day – and a glimpse of Amalienborg Palace and the Royal Life Guards, the Citadel, and the world-famous Little Mermaid.

Unless you are a true museum addict and want to cover both the National Museum and Thorvaldsen’s Museum, you will probably have to select just one of them, depending on your interest: Denmark’s past and cultural heritage – or sculptures.

If you choose to visit the National Museum, you will be exploring Denmark’s archaeological past.

The National Museum is the largest in Denmark of its kind, and you have a unique opportunity here to see outstanding finds for yourself, including the rare Golden Horns, the Egtved Girl tomb, the exclusive Trundholm Chariot of the Sun, as well as the renowned Gundestrup Cauldron.

The Gundestrup Cauldron, The National Museum | Photo: Travel In Culture

A visit to the museum is a 14,000-year journey through Denmark’s history, from the Ice Age and prehistory – until Viking kings ruled and the Middle Ages swept through the country. Anyway, the exhibitions won’t stop here but continue into present-day Danish culture. It is an occasion to gain insight into Danish archaeology and cultural heritage!

In case you pick Thorvaldsen’s Museum instead of the National Museum, you will dive into a world of sculptures!

The collection contains a selection of Thorvaldsen’s masterpieces and other works produced throughout his life. They comprise marble and plaster sculptures and models for cast bronze figures.

You will notice his neoclassical style and great inspiration from Rome, where he lived for many years. Moreover, the collection includes various artefacts from the Egyptian, Greek, and Roman cultures. If you love antiquity and sculptures, this is the museum for you!

The next thing on your agenda is Amalienborg Palace, the official royal winter residence. There are four palaces: Christian VII’s Palace ( Moltke’s Palace), Christian VIII’s Palace ( Levetzau’s Palace), Frederik VIII’s Palace (Brockdorff’s Palace) and Christian IX’s Palace (Schack’s Palace).

Amalienborg Palace | Photo: Travel In Culture

When built around 1760, the mansions were intended as residences for noble people in Copenhagen. However, when Christiansborg Palace burned down in 1794, the Danish monarchs moved in at Amalienborg Palace instead. Since then, they have more or less permanently occupied one of the four buildings here.

The Royal Life Guards, Den Kongelige Livgarde, guard Amalienborg, and they march from Rosenborg Castle at 11:30 am through the city to arrive at the royal courtyard for the changing of the guard.

Afterwards, you may enter selected parts of the Palace. You can visit The Amalienborg Museum in Christian VIII’s Palace and do a tour of Christian VII’s Palace.

The four identical buildings surround the octagonal plaza, Amalienborg Slotsplads, with the equestrian statue of Amalienborg’s founder, King Frederik V, in the middle.

Amaliehaven | Photo: Travel In Culture

Continue from the central courtyard in the direction of the sea. You will then arrive at the modern Amaliehaven from 1983, designed by the Belgian architect Jean Delogne. The small sculptural park with the beautiful fountain was a gift from the founder of the Mærsk company, A. P. Møller, to the citizens of Copenhagen.

Right behind Amalienborg, you will find the Frederik’s Church. The beautiful Rococo building, with a copper green dome, is also known as the Marble Church. It has the largest church dome in all of Scandinavia! The church is an Evangelical Lutheran church, designed by the architect Nicolai Eigtved in 1740 and much later, as late as in 1894, completed by Carl Frederik Tietgen and the architect Ferdinand Meldahl, who was also the architect behind Frederiksborg Castle.

Amalienborg Palace and the Marble Church | Photo: Travel In Culture

The Marble Church was planned to be part of Frederiksstaden, the new part of the city, laid out to commemorate the 300-year jubilee of the House of Oldenburg ascending the throne. However, Johann Friedrich Struensee changed the plans and left the church incomplete for several hundred years.

You are now, after the morning tour of central Copenhagen, ready to move a bit northwards to the old citadel, Kastellet, but first, you should take advantage of the many restaurant options in the city to have a late lunch!
The Royal Life Guards, Den Kongelige Livgarde, guard Amalienborg, and they march from Rosenborg Castle at 11:30 am through the city to arrive at the royal courtyard for the changing of the guard.

Afterwards, you may enter selected parts of the Palace. You can visit The Amalienborg Museum in Christian VIII’s Palace and do a tour of Christian VII’s Palace.

The four identical buildings surround the octagonal plaza, Amalienborg Slotsplads, with the equestrian statue of Amalienborg’s founder, King Frederik V, in the middle.

Amaliehaven | Photo: Travel In Culture

Continue from the central courtyard in the direction of the sea. You will then arrive at the modern Amaliehaven from 1983, designed by the Belgian architect Jean Delogne. The small sculptural park with the beautiful fountain was a gift from the founder of the Mærsk company, A. P. Møller, to the citizens of Copenhagen.

Earlier known as ‘King Frederik III’s harbour’, the citadel Kastellet is today a well-preserved fortress, dating back to the 17th century.

You can walk along the five bastions overlooking the old moat. Kastellet was initiated in 1626 under the monarch King Christian IV as part of the bastioned ramparts surrounding Copenhagen city.

The citadel Kastellet | Photo: Travel In Culture

Although a Danish citadel, the fortress was the work of two Dutch engineers, Johan Semp and Henrik Rüse, who redesigned it after the end of the Swedish siege of Copenhagen in 1660.

You will enter Kastellet through the gate, either the King’s Gate or the Norway Gate. Inside, a small village appears with guards, storehouses, and six barracks with dormitories for the garrison of 1,800 men.

Moreover, in the military complex, there is also the Commander’s original house, a granary, gunpowder stores, a church and a prison.

It is a lovely place to spend a couple of hours chilling after the more intense morning sightseeing in Copenhagen city!

Of course, a Copenhagen visit is not complete without a glimpse of The Little Mermaid. She sits within walking distance from Kastellet, actually at the foot of it. Stroll along Langelinie until you reach the small statue.

Commissioned by the son of the founder of Carlsberg, Carl Jacobsen, and created by Edvard Eriksen in 1913, she has, maybe a bit surprisingly, become one of the most significant landmarks in Copenhagen.

You will probably think she is even tinier than you have imagined, but that does not change her fame!

Only for the Expo 2010 in Shanghai was she removed from her sitting position on the rock at Langelinie and moved to the Danish Pavilion at the Expo.

The last thing today is a visit to the Opera House, but before then you may want to make a short detour to the Meatpacking District, or Kødbyen, at Vesterbro – and maybe pop into a restaurant there? The district used to house the meat industry in Copenhagen. Today, it is a vibrant place and cultural melting point, with trendy galleries, clubs, and restaurants for fine dining or an excellent casual meal.

Copenhagen Opera House | Photo: Lora Jakobsen / Pixabay

Approaching the sea again, you will arrive at Copenhagen Opera House. Here, you can enjoy stunning sunset views of Copenhagen Harbour and the waterfront.

Copenhagen Opera House is on the island of Dokøen at Holmen. Constructed just opposite Amalienborg and aligned with the Palace and the Marble Church, it has one of the best locations in the city. It was constructed in 2001-2004 and is one of the most top-notch opera constructions in the world! It is the perfect place to end your Copenhagen visit!

Read more about Copenhagen, Nyhavn, the freetown Christiania and Rosenborg Castle: 9 Cultural Things to Do in Copenhagen

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