Spending one day in Copenhagen? This post is for you! I visited Copenhagen in a day and fell in love with it fast.
In this post I share my top recommendations of things to do and see in Copenhagen in 24 hours. You will surely be left wanting more time, but a lot can be done one day in Copenhagen. Keep reading to learn more about the best sights, things to eat, and places to stay during your quick trip.
Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links. This means that I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products, hotels and experiences that I personally use, love and spend my own money on.
Can You Do Copenhagen in a Day?
You can most definitely do Copenhagen in a day! Of course you will not be able to cover everything there is to see in Copenhagen, but you will get a great taste of the city. Copenhagen is very walkable and easy to explore on a bicycle, so you can cover a lot of ground in just a day.
Getting Around Copenhagen
How Do I Get from Copenhagen Airport to the City Center?
You can get from Copenhagen Airport to the city center by using the metro, train, bus lines, or a cab. I took the metro and the trip into Copenhagen city center from the airport couldn’t be easier.
You can get on the metro or the train in Terminal 3 at the Copenhagen Airport. The Copenhagen City Card includes free transportation by train, bus and metro.
How Far is Copenhagen Airport to the City Center?
The metro ride into the city was approximately 15 minutes and the distance is less than 5 miles. For reference, I was staying at a hotel near Nyhavn, so I got off the metro at Kongens Nytrov station. From Kongens Nytrov station, it is less than a 10-minute walk to Nyhavn.
Can You Walk Around Copenhagen?
Copenhagen is most definitely a city made for walking. When I spent one day in Copenhagen I walked everywhere. The city is flat, easy to navigate, and most points of interest were reachable on foot.
What to Do & See in One Day In Copenhagen
Nyhavn
Nyhavn is the iconic and picturesque waterfront area in Copenhagen that is lined with colorful buildings. If you’ve ever seen any photos of Copenhagen, you’ve most likely seen Nyhavn. Buildings in just about any color you could imagine line the famous canal.
You can take boat rides, or simply hang out, people watch and admire the postcard-worthy scene. As touristy as the area might be, I just couldn’t pull myself, or my camera, away from it.
Copenhagen Bike Tour
After you spend one day in Copenhagen it will be clear that this city loves its bikes. Therefore riding a bike is one of the best ways to explore this city.
This 3-hour bike tour of Copenhagen covers all of the city’s historic highlights. So not only do you get to knock out the major sights, but you get to see what it’s like to ride through one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world.
Rosenborg Castle
Rosenborg Castle is a renaissance castle located in the heart of Copenhagen. On the castle grounds, there is a stunning royal garden. With over 400 years of history, Rosenborg Castle contains a museum housing the crown jewels, which was really cool to see in person.
I’ve been to my fair share of European castles, but really enjoyed the charm and character of this one in particular. I loved the design and all of the castle characteristics in the interior. It feels and looks like you’d imagine it to.
Canal Cruise
Often when I have a short amount of time in a city I like to take a tour of some sort. This helps me see major sights in an efficient manner since it’s led by someone who knows their way around.
This 1-hour boat tour in Copenhagen will take you past some of the top highlights in Copenhagen. Additionally, boat rides are such a fun and unique way to explore a city. This also presents excellent opportunities to take beautiful photos around the city from the water.
Christiania
Christiania also referred to as Freetown Christiania, is a car-free, self-proclaimed autonomous district that was founded by hippies in the 1970s. For the nearly 1,000 residents who live here Christiania is a way of life. The colorful area is home to vibrant artwork, music venues, and homemade houses.
Note: Visitors are advised not take photos once entering Pusher Street due to the sales of hash. When I visited, there was a sign that made it clear not to take photos after a certain point. I’ve recently heard that they now allow photos, but this was not the case when I was there. Be aware of this.
Christiansborg Palace
Located in central Copenhagen, Christiansborg Palace is a government building and is used by the royal family for events. The palace tower is the highest tower in Copenhagen, which means one thing—views for days! I’m a sucker for a good view, so this was a must-stop for me. Even better, entry to the tower is completely free for visitors.
Free? That’s practically unheard of. You do have to go through a security and get your bags, and yourself, checked before being let in. They only allow 50 or so guests to go up at once, so you may need to wait a bit if it’s a busy day.
The Little Mermaid
This a popular stop for fans of the story The Little Mermaid. The status is made of bronze and granite in honor of the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale. As someone who grew up in the 90s, this one grabs my attention after watching the Disney movie for years straight.
Copenhagen Food tour
Copenhagen has such a cool food scene. It has changed a lot in recent years with new waves of chefs and restaurants that put the city on the map in the culinary world. A few of my favorite things to eat are shared in the next section, but I also highly recommend a food tour.
This 2.5 hour food tour is the perfect activity for a foodie spending one day in Copenhagen. The tour provides beer tastings, a few dishes, and dessert so you get to try a variety of Copenhagen’s tastiest items.
Where to Eat in Copenhagen in One Day
Torvehallerne
It’s hard to find a better foodie-stop for one day in Copenhagen than Torvehallerne. With over 60 stalls, Torvehallerne is the ultimate food market, offering everything from fresh fish to locally made products. I fell madly in love with Torvehallerne and the food options it has. Show up hungry, because you need to have the stomach space to try dishes from more than one vendor.
Recommended: Duck confit sandwich from Ma Poule
Restaurant Cofoco
Cofoco is a restaurant group in Copenhagen, and Restaurant Cofoco is the first of their dining establishments. If you know anything about dining in Copenhagen and the wave of new Nordic cuisine, then you might know many of the city’s best restaurants are not cheap.
Restaurant Cofoco is the more affordable option when it comes to this extremely popular style of restaurant, but they do not sacrifice quality. The dishes come in small portions, so they are perfect for sharing, allowing you to try a few different things.
Recommended: Cockerel nuggets and potato fries
Mayers Bageri
Mayers Bageri is a bakery in Copenhagen, and there are multiple locations scattered around the city. The bakery specializes in items you’d expect, such as fresh bread, cakes, and other pastry-like items. I loved stopping in here for an early morning treat and coffee.
Recommended: Cinnamon roll (sooo good!)
Where to Stay For One Night in Copenhagen
ADMIRAL HOTEL COPENHAGEN — To this day my husband and I still talk about the bed and pillows at Admiral Hotel Copenhagen. We stayed here during our one day in Copenhagen and it’s one of the most comfortable hotel experiences we have had. The Admiral Hotel Copenhagen is less than ten minutes walking from Nyhavn, so it was incredibly convenient. Click here to check pricing and availability.
CITIZENM COPENHAGEN RADHUSPLADSEN — This property is newer to Copenhagen, but the hotel group can be found in other cities and is also super highly reviewed. CitizenM Copenhagen Rahuspladsen is centrally located within a few minutes walking distance to Tivoli and the central station. The hotel design is so trendy and fun. Click here to check pricing and availability.
RYE115 HOTEL — This small family-owned and operated boutique hotel is so darn cute. I adore the clean, minimal design of this property. Rye115 Hotel was recently renovated and reopened in 2019. Click here to check pricing and availability.
Helpful Copenhagen Travel Tips
- The Copenhagen City Card includes free entry or discounts at over 80 attractions. The card also allows you to use public transportation for free, including airport routes. Depending on how much time you have and what you want to do, the card can be of great value. Click here for more details and pricing.
- Do not even try to bring a camera out at Freetown Christiania. The locals will not be happy, so you’re better off not testing it.
- If you won’t have cell phone service, rent a portable Wifi device from Tep Wireless. This is what I use when I am traveling abroad.
You did see a lot in one day! I always like seeing other peoples visits to my hometown! We also love the duck confit sandwich at Torvehallerne and I had to smile as we know the woman who works at the Mikkeller kiosk as it is my husbands’ favorite! Cheers from Denmark.