A One Day in Copenhagen Itinerary You’ll Want to Steal

Last Updated on 20th February 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

This post may contain affiliate links. Please check out my privacy policy and disclosure for more information.

Home of hygge and the Little Mermaid, Copenhagen is Denmark’s capital and a unique city to visit in Europe. Dating back over 850 years, Copenhagen has historical buildings, beautiful canals, and a compelling coastline. And while one day in Copenhagen isn’t a much, it’s definitely enough to scratch the surface if you know where to go.

On your Copenhagen itinerary, enjoy its regal buildings, browse fascinating museums and even experience Freetown Christiana – somewhere where the rules of Denmark don’t apply. 

Copenhagen means ‘Merchant’s Port’ and it was from trading by sea that the city’s wealth and prosperity grew during the Middle Ages.

However, there’s one thing that you should know about Copenhagen before visiting – it’s one of the most expensive capitals in the world.

Due to this, many tourists opt to just spend a short time in the city. And you’d be surprised at the amount of ground you can cover in just one day in Copenhagen! 

In this blog post, we’ll detail how to spend a day in the Danish capital. For more Danish inspiration, be sure to check out our guide to the best secret spots in Denmark, and if you’re planning to spend longer in Copenhagen, here are the best day trips from Copenhagen.

Is one day enough time to visit Copenhagen?

As the capital of Denmark, Copenhagen is a large city with plenty of attractions and even more to see. As such, you won’t be able to cover everything that there is to do in Denmark over the course of 24 hours.

With that being said, if one day is all the time you can allocate to visiting Denmark, then it’s better to go and get a taste for the city than forgo it altogether. The ideal amount of time to explore Denmark is three or four days.

One day in Copenhagen Itinerary

Breakfast at Mad & Kaffe (Sonder Boulevard) 

Mad & Kaffe is one of the most-loved Copenhagen breakfast establishments. There are actually three locations in the city, but Sonder Boulevard is most central. They have a huge breakfast/ brunch menu, with eggs any way you like and great coffee! 

Rent a bike at Copenhagen Bicycles

The best way to see Copenhagen is as the locals do – on two wheels! Copenhagen Bicycles is centrally located and they offer 24 hour rental. If you don’t want to rent a bike, Copenhagen is well-connected with buses and a metro service. 

Cycle to see the Little Mermaid and Coastline 

Your first stop is none other than The Little Mermaid! While The Little Mermaid primarily takes place under the sea (as the song goes!) in the kingdom of Atlantica, the land-based scenes are set in Denmark.

This is the country where the novelist Hans Christian Andersen was from. The link is commemorated with a famous bronze statue that sits overlooking the ocean. It’s a great photo spot and you can also enjoy the sea views while you’re there! 

If you’re not cycling, you can take the M3 metro to ​​Østerport and walk from there. Note: Uber and other ride-sharing apps don’t operate in Copenhagen. You can hail taxis or call one from this list, but they are expensive. 

See the Guard Change at Amalienborg 

Amalienborg is the residence of the royal family and home to the Amalienborg Museum. Even if you don’t go into the museum, it’s worth stopping by to marvel at the exterior, a grand 18th-century facade with a piercing blue dome. 

I’d recommend scheduling your visit for midday, which is when you can see the changing of guards. If you happen to be in Copenhagen in the spring, then please note that the nearby Amalie garden is one of the best places to see cherry blossoms in Copenhagen.

Hop-on-hop-off boat tour

Next up is a hop-on-hop-off boat tour. This will take you around Denmark’s canals, enabling you to see the city from a different perspective. A bilingual guide will detail the surroundings as you go (tours are available in Danish, English, and other European languages). 

You’ll pass by The Black Diamond (Royal Danish Library that is made from polished granite and topped with a copper roof) and go through Christinhavn, which is lined by pretty canal boats and is home to Freetown Christiana. You’ll visit this area later during the day, but it’s worth seeing it from the water as well! Purchase your hop-on-hop-off boat pass here.

Lunch at Nyhavns Faergekro 

There are plenty of restaurants lining the canalside area, serving everything from pizza to noodles. 

However, if you want to try something authentic, check out Nyhavns Faergekro. This is a Danish buffet restaurant serving Scandanavian pilchards amongst other Danish dishes! 

Christiansborg Palace

Next up, take a walk to Denmark’s second palace, Christiansborg. This elaborate building houses the Ministry of State, the Danish Parliament and the Supreme Court. 

Situated in Slotsholmen, an urban islet near the centre of Copenhagen, this palace has an elaborate exterior. You can also venture inside and see the rooms indoors, like the Royal Reception Rooms, the Royal Kitchen, the Royal Stables and the ruins. 

In all honesty, you could spend all day here, but if you’ve only got one day in Copenhagen I recommend that you just explore the outside of the palace and perhaps the gorgeous Royal Reception Rooms. 

These rooms include the lavish Oval Throne Room with an elaborate balcony and the Tower Room. 

Freetown Christiana

Next, head to Freetown Christiana, the most infamous area of Copenhagen. While Denmark has always been known for being one of the happiest countries on earth, a group of ‘rebels’ who were dissatisfied with the Copenhagen lifestyle moved to the Cristiana area, where they set up their hippie community.

Over time, this developed into the neighbourhood it is today. This hippie paradise is fascinating; it’s a brightly coloured place where drugs (which are very much illegal in Copenhagen!) are sold without police intervention.

As a tourist, I still advise you not to get involved in these things! However, it’s still worth walking around and taking in the atmosphere of the Copenhagen district. Something else to remember is that you can’t take photos here. You’ll be asked to stop and to delete any photos if you try. 

Dinner at Restaurant Kanalen or Souls Street Food

There are plenty of incredible restaurants in Copenhagen, and you can choose from them for your dinner! Here are a couple that we recommend. 

Restaurant Kanalen: This restaurant is set against the backdrop of a historic building that used to be the Harbour Police Office. Enjoy incredibly riverside views as you enjoy traditional Danish cuisine. If Scandanavian food isn’t your favourite, there is Mediterranean fare on offer too. 

Souls Street Food: This laid-back restaurant is the perfect place for plant-based eaters. Indeed, Copenhagen is one of the best vegan cities in Europe. Enjoy vegan burgers and salads, as well as delicious cocktails which are ideal for a summer’s evening! 

Where to stay in Copenhagen 

There are a few excellent hostels and hotels in Copenhagen, including the following: 

Generator Copenhagen: This is a reliable hostel brand with many throughout Europe. Enjoy features like a bar and modern dorms when you stay here! Check prices and availability here.

Cabinn Copenhagen: This budget hotel has modern facilities, but is a relatively cheap price for the Danish capital. Check prices and availability here.

WIDE Hotel: This highly-rated hotel has plush features like comfortable beds with lavish linen and roll-top bars. Check prices and availability here.

Whether you’re interested in culture, food, or even nature, you’ll love spending a day in Copenhagen. It’s a pricey city, but it’s worth every krone!

Enjoyed reading about how to spend one day in Copenhagen? Pin this article now, read it again later: