We’re Alex and Martin from LocalsInsider.com, and we’ve called Copenhagen home for over 15 years. We’ve got our “second-home” spots—the ones we take friends to as soon as they land—but we also keep chasing the new. And Copenhagen keeps delivering.
One minute, a new bridge opens across the harbor; the next, there’s a pyramid-shaped cultural center popping up on Paper Island or an entire park blooming in front of the opera. Old brewery buildings are turning into whole neighborhoods, and the food scene… let’s just say you’ll never run out of places to eat.
But the real magic? It’s the in-between moments. Riding your bike along the water on a quiet morning. Stumbling on a hidden garden behind the library. Swimming in the sea while planes glide toward Kastrup Airport. Sitting in a sauna that looks like it floated straight out of a Nordic fairy tale.
So if you’re wondering what to do in Copenhagen in one or two days, here’s the route we’d give a good friend: a mix of classic sights, little local quirks, and plenty of easy, free moments you won’t find in a guidebook.
It’s relaxed, unhurried, and just the right amount of spontaneous—exactly how Copenhagen should feel.
Copenhagen’s beauty lives in the in-between moments—floating wooden boardwalks, hidden gardens, cold-water swims, and mornings spent wandering a design museum or reading in a library by the harbor. These are the everyday spots we love most. Nothing fancy, just really good.
15 Things to Do in Copenhagen in a Day (Or Two If You Slow Down)
Copenhagen is best enjoyed at an easy pace. You don’t have to rush from sight to sight—this is a city where a bike ride along the harbor or a coffee in a sunlit café can be just as memorable as a famous landmark. We’ve picked 15 spots that mix design, food, nature, and a few local quirks.
- Slow Breakfast at Atelier September – Perfectly soft-boiled eggs, granola, and natural light in a chic yet laid-back café.
- Danish Design Museum – See 100+ iconic chairs, from modernist classics to Panton’s playful creations.
- Royal Route – Amalienborg Palace guard change, Marble Church dome views, and the hidden Russian Orthodox Church.
- Antique Toys Shop – Store Strandstræde 20, packed with handmade toys and slightly eerie old dolls.
- 25hours Hotel – Browse quirky design goods, spin vinyl, and see the only sex-toy vending machine in town.
- The Black Diamond – Browse art books, visit exhibitions, and enjoy the harbor view; hidden garden behind.
- Kalvebod Bølge – Swim or lounge on the wooden “wave” boardwalk.
- Opera Park – Six themed gardens, a greenhouse café, and harbor views right by the opera house.
- Lunch at Fishmarket – Oysters, lobster, and seafood platters in a lively setting.
- Storm Concept Store – Avant-garde Scandinavian fashion and design finds.
- Christiania & Sauna – Wander colorful streets and try the wood-heated, clothing-optional bathhouse.
- Refshaleøen – Street food at Reffen, big art at Copenhagen Contemporary, floating hot tubs.
- Amager Strand & Helgoland – Metro to the beach; swim or sunbathe with views of turbines and landing planes.
- Carlsberg Byen – Elephant Tower, historic brewery cellars with a spa, sourdough pizza at SULT, and zoo views from Søndermarken Park.
- Ruby Cocktail Bar – End the day with one of Copenhagen’s best-crafted drinks in a candlelit townhouse.
Start with calm mornings, drift through Denmark’s design history, dip into harbor life, and end with cocktails—all told with a local’s fondness and easy flow.
How to Spend a Slow, Perfect Day in Copenhagen – Our Ideas
Slow Breakfast in a Non-Touristy Neighborhood – Atelier September
(Kronprinsessegade 62 – daily 8 AM–5 PM)
We like calm and silent mornings, no rush, no tourists, and a smell of fresh coffee. With Parisian flair and Danish minimalism, Atelier September is a good one, known for perfectly soft-boiled eggs and artfully plated granola. It’s a spot to pause before moving toward the city’s heritage—right next to the peaceful King’s Garden. Alternatively, go to Cafe Victor – they serve gentle salmon and freshly baked bread.
See Danish Design & Iconic Chairs – Designmuseum Danmark
(Bredgade 68 – Tue–Sun 10 AM–6 PM)
A quick walk down leafy Bredgade, the Design Museum sits inside an 18th-century rococo building once used as Copenhagen’s first public hospital. By the 1920s, Kaare Klint had transformed it into a shrine to Danish design—a place where you’ll discover over 100 chairs, from 1920s modernists to Verner Panton’s flamboyant 1960s creations.
In 2024, the museum welcomed a record-breaking 350,000+ visitors and opened longer summer hours to keep pace. Don’t skip the view into the archives—the largest creative design collection in Scandinavia. The courtyard café offers a lovely spot for reflection before moving on.
Royal Route – Amalienborg, Marble Church
Just around the corner, Amalienborg Palace hosts the royal guard change at noon, a pageant worth watching. Behind it, the Marble Church (Marmorkirken) reigns with its massive green copper dome. Peek through narrow streets to find the little Russian Orthodox Church, built in 1883 for Princess Dagmar—its golden domes a sudden flash of exotic grace.
Antique Toys on Store Strandstræde – Dolls, Tin Soldiers & Oddities
If you’re strolling from Amalienborg Square toward Nyhavn, take a short detour to Store Strandstræde 20. Behind a small shopfront is a treasure trove of old-fashioned, handmade toys—wooden soldiers, delicate porcelain tea sets, and, yes, some slightly unsettling antique dolls. The shop Antique Toys feels like stepping into a time capsule, where every shelf has its own little story. It’s a rare find in a city where most toy shops are sleek and modern, and worth a quick stop if you love history in miniature form.
Drop by 25hours Hotel – Quirky Design Finds & Vinyl Vibes
Right next to the Round Tower in Indre By, the 25hours Hotel feels like a living mood board of Copenhagen’s more playful side. Pop into their tiny concept shop for design pieces you never knew you needed—think cool home goods, art books, and even the hilariously oversized Big Penis Book.
In the lobby, you can spin old vinyl records, grab a drink, or test out what might be Copenhagen’s first (and possibly only) sex toy vending machine. Step outside and you’re in the heart of one of the city’s coolest shopping districts, packed with indie fashion boutiques, Scandi design stores, youthy cafés, and bars that fill up fast after dark.
The Black Diamond & Hidden Garden
(Søren Kierkegaards Plads 1 – Mon–Sat until 8 PM)
A dramatic contrast to the palace architecture, the Black Diamond extends the Royal Library in angular granite and glass. A sleek skybridge unites old and new, while inside you’ll find much more than books. Browse cool art publications and rare finds in the ground-floor shop, or head down to the underground gallery for thought-provoking exhibitions.
Ride the escalator upstairs and take in the harbor through a massive glass wall that stretches several meters high—one of the best views in the city. Cross the bridge into the old library wing, where you can wander among historic archives and quietly watch students prepping for exams.
Behind the old wing lies Kierkegaard Garden, a tucked-away public nook with benches, a fountain, and a calm that even ducks seem to enjoy. Downstairs, the small café keeps things simple—fresh bread with butter and jam, coffee, and soups—making it a cosy stop before heading back into the city.
Kalvebod Bølge – The City’s Waterfront Wave
Just along the harbor lies Kalvebod Bølge, the “Kalvebod Wave”—a rippling wooden boardwalk used for swimming, lounging, and getting closer to the water. Built in 2013 on 284 stilts, it spans 4,000 m² and transformed a once dull office district into one of Copenhagen’s most dynamic public spaces. On hot days, beach vibes and even DJs surface; year-round, kayaks, slides, and exercise zones bring life to the edge of the canal.
Watch Copenhagen’s New Pyramid-Like Cultural Landmark
The new Waterfront Cultural Center on Copenhagen’s Paper Island, designed by Kengo Kuma and Associates with Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects. Its pyramid-like roofline reflects the island’s character while offering a 360-degree welcome from all sides.
The terraced design flows seamlessly from interior spaces to the water’s edge, integrating public baths, cone-shaped skylit pools, and rooftop hot tubs.
Explore New Green Harbor Opera Park
It’s just in front of the Royal Opera—cross the bridge with its colorful glass panels, stroll past the small food market, and you’ll arrive at Copenhagen’s new green retreat. Opened in 2023, Opera Park is a 22,000 m² oasis designed by COBE, sitting right beside the harbor.
The new urban Copenhagen park features six themed gardens, 628 trees, and a striking flower-shaped greenhouse café, making it a year-round escape. Beneath the park lies a 300-space underground garage with direct access to the opera. Seasonal blooms, gentle fountains, and sweeping water views make this spot a favorite for both locals and visitors.
Lunch at Fishmarket – Oysters and People Watching
(Hovedvagtsgade 2 – Mon–Sat until 10 PM)
Pull up a chair outside Fishmarket, where they serve fresh seafood. Expect Mediterranean-style dishes featuring local Danish fish: raw scallops dressed with Bloody Mary spices for about DKK 95 each, half lobster with rouille for roughly DKK 325, or a lavish plateau de fruits de mer (oysters, lobster, prawns, scallops) for around DKK 845 per person. I recommend 6 different oysters.
Shop Fashion – Storm Concept Store
(Store Regnegade 1 – Tue–Sat 11 AM–6 PM)
Three blocks away, Storm is a stylish wave of avant-garde fashion, curated art, and design surprises. Storm curates cool new Scandinavian labels and international brands like Thom Browne, Balmain, Céline, Comme des Garçons, Peter Pilotto, and Adam Kimmel. It’s where fashion-savvy locals and style insiders scout emerging trends and collabs.
Explore Freetown Christiania & Its Wood-Heated Public Bathhouse
Early mornings in Christiania feel like a different city—quiet, colorful, and full of murals and handmade houses. Among its winding dirt paths, you’ll find a small, no-frills, wood-fired sauna that’s been a community fixture for decades. It’s mixed-gender, everyone’s naked, and the vibe is relaxed and respectful. The Moroccan rhassoul clay treatment is worth a try, leaving your skin silky. Between sauna sessions, you can step outside into the fresh air, towel around your waist, chatting with locals. This is Copenhagen at its most human and uncurated.
Visit Refshaleøen: Copenhagen’s Industrial Playground
Refshaleøen is one of Copenhagen’s most interesting redeveloped districts, sitting on a former shipyard site where the Burmeister & Wain shipbuilding company once built massive vessels until the late 1990s. Today, its wide industrial halls, cranes, and waterfront views have been reimagined into a hub for creativity, dining, and alternative culture.
Spend an afternoon exploring Copenhagen Contemporary’s huge exhibition halls, taste your way through Reffen—Denmark’s largest street food market—or soak in harbor views from a floating hot tub at Hottub Copenhagen. There’s also Urban Ranger Camp for Europe’s highest indoor climbing, live music venues, and waterfront beer gardens.
Enjoy Sauna at Hottub Copenhagen
Refshalevej 325, 1432 København
Floating wooden tubs bob gently on the harbor, heated by wood fires so the water steams even in winter. From your seat in the hot water, you get an uninterrupted view of the Copenhagen skyline—opera house to the left, Paper Island to the right. It’s bookable by the hour for small groups (reserve in advance, especially in the colder months), and yes, you can bring drinks on board—locals often crack open a beer or a bottle of bubbly.
The contrast of cold air and hot water is addictive, especially on a gray day, and the sound of the water lapping against the pontoons adds to the slow, calming pace. You can also explore other saunas in Copenhagen.
Swim and Walk – Amager Strand Beach & Helgoland
From Kongens Nytorv, hop on the driverless M2 metro and in just 10 minutes you’ll be stepping onto Amager Island’s wide stretch of sand. Amager Strandpark is Copenhagen’s urban beach—perfect for a walk along the 4.6 km shoreline, a dip in the calm lagoon, or a bracing swim in the open sea.
At the far northern end sits Helgoland, a wooden bathing platform and beloved naturist section of the public beach. Here, locals swim year-round—often naked—and warm up on the sun decks between dips. The views are pure Copenhagen: offshore wind turbines turning slowly on the horizon, and planes gliding down toward Kastrup Airport just across the water. In summer, the atmosphere is lively; in winter, it’s pure Nordic grit.
Bike to Carlsberg Byen – Brewing History, Spa, Sourdough Pizza & Elephant Views
Rent a Bycyklen e-bike (unlock via app; pay by the hour) and pedal over to the former Carlsberg brewery site—now the vibrant urban neighbourhood of Carlsberg Byen. Named after brewer Carl Jacobsen and the “hill” (bjerg) it was built on, this district is a fascinating mix of preserved brewery heritage and sleek new apartment blocks.
You can still see the iconic Elephant Tower—complete with its stone elephants guarding the gateway—and if you head underground, you’ll find Aire Ancient Baths, a tranquil spa with saltwater pools and thermal baths set in the old brewery cellars. For something less steamy, grab a beer and the best burger in town at Gasoline Grill or a sourdough pizza at SULT, a popular local hangout.
Underground Art – Cisterns in Søndermarken
(Roskildevej 25A – Tue–Sun 11 AM–6 PM)
Go below for art under the city: the Cisterns are an atmospheric former reservoir with kaleidoscopic art shows in echoing, damp chambers. A sweater helps; the vibe is like walking through a dream.
Right next to Carlsberg Byen, Søndermarken is one of Copenhagen’s most historic green spaces, home to some of the city’s oldest trees and a charming 18th-century pavilion. Beneath its grassy slopes lies Cisternerne—a vast, underground art venue in a former water reservoir. In winter, you’ll notice a patch nicknamed Little Siberia, where snow lingers the longest thanks to its shaded, low-lying position. On the park’s western edge, a tall glass wall gives you a free peek into Copenhagen Zoo—elephants, giraffes, and all—without ever buying a ticket.
Final Toast – Cocktails at Ruby
(Nybrogade 10 – Mon–Thu until 1 AM; Fri–Sat until 2 AM)
End where warmth meets sophistication. Ruby’s tucked into a historic townhouse, lit by candlelight. Leather chairs, expert cocktails, and bartenders who treat each drink like a craft. Ideal nightcap territory.
What is the best time of year to visit Copenhagen?
The most popular time is late spring to early autumn (May–September), when the weather is mild, outdoor cafés are buzzing, and attractions like Tivoli Gardens are in full swing. December is also magical for Christmas markets.
Can I explore Copenhagen by bike?
Yes, cycling is the most popular way to get around. The city has excellent bike lanes, and you can rent a bike from services like Donkey Republic or Bycyklen.
Which attractions should I not miss?
Highlights include Nyhavn harbour, Tivoli Gardens, The Little Mermaid statue, Rosenborg Castle, the Designmuseum Danmark, and the free-town of Christiania.
Are there any free things to do in Copenhagen?
Yes—strolling around Nyhavn, visiting The King’s Garden, enjoying the panoramic view from Christiansborg Palace Tower, or exploring Copenhagen’s food markets like Torvehallerne.
What’s the best area for dining and nightlife?
The Meatpacking District (Kødbyen) is known for trendy restaurants and bars, while Nyhavn and Nørrebro offer a mix of casual and upscale dining plus lively nightlife spots.
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