Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark, a harbour city known for Nyhavn, Tivoli Gardens, royal palaces, design, cycling and some of Europe's best restaurants.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Copenhagen.
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1
Tivoli Gardens
One of the world's oldest amusement parks, opened in 1843, with gardens, a lake, a wooden roller coaster, concerts and restaurants in the middle of the city.
Tip: Check tivoli.dk for the season calendar, as the park closes for parts of the year · Entry does not include rides; compare a ride pass with individual tickets · Buy tickets online to skip the gate queue · Arrive in the afternoon and stay into the evening to see the park lit · Weekday mornings usually mean the shortest ride queues · Some rides have height limits, so check them before queueing with children
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2
Nyhavn
A 17th-century canal harbour lined with colourful townhouses, wooden ships and waterside cafes, once home to Hans Christian Andersen.
Tip: Visit early in the morning for empty quays and soft light · Terrace restaurants are pricier than those a few streets away · Canal tours leave from beside Nyhavn, so compare operators and prices · Walk on to Amalienborg Palace and the Opera House along the harbour · Watch bags and phones in summer crowds
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3
Rosenborg Castle and The Royal Treasury
A Dutch Renaissance castle built in 1606-1634 by Christian IV, holding the Danish Crown Jewels and royal collections, set in the King's Garden.
Tip: Arrive at opening time to reach the Crown Jewels before tour groups · Children under 18 enter free, so bring ID for any age concessions · Check kongernessamling.dk for seasonal hours and winter closures · Combine the visit with a picnic in the King's Garden · Rooms are small, so avoid the midday peak in summer
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4
Amalienborg Palace and Museum
The winter residence of the Danish royal family: four rococo palaces around an octagonal square, with the museum covering the lives of recent monarchs.
Tip: Arrive before 11:30 for a good spot at the noon guard change · Look for the flag to see if the royal family is in residence · Children under 18 enter the museum free · The square itself is free and open at all hours · Pair the visit with the Marble Church and Designmuseum Danmark nearby
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5
Christiansborg Palace
Seat of the Danish Parliament, Prime Minister's office and Supreme Court, with royal reception rooms, medieval castle ruins and a free 106-metre tower.
Tip: The tower is free but closed on Mondays in many seasons, so check hours · Buy separate tickets for rooms, ruins and stables, or a combined ticket if offered · Expect a security check at the tower entrance · Visit the tower at dusk for the best light · Check christiansborg.dk for guided tours of the Parliament
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6
The National Museum of Denmark
Denmark's largest cultural history museum, from the Stone Age and Viking treasures to the Children's Museum and ethnographic collections.
Tip: Children and under-18s enter free, so check the current fee for adults · Go on a weekday morning to avoid school groups · The Children's Museum is aimed at young children, so plan time for it · Pick up the English floor plan at the entrance · Closed on Mondays, so plan around it
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7
The Little Mermaid
The 1913 bronze statue by Edvard Eriksen, based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, on a rock beside the harbour.
Tip: Walk via Kastellet from Østerport for a scenic approach · Go early morning to avoid tour coaches and cruise crowds · The statue is smaller than many expect, so keep expectations modest · Bring a jacket, as the harbour breeze can be strong · Combine with Kastellet and the Gefion Fountain
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8
Round Tower (Rundetaarn)
A 17th-century astronomical observatory tower reached by a 209-metre spiral ramp, with a viewing platform 34.8 metres above the Latin Quarter.
Tip: Visit on a clear afternoon to get the best view · The ramp is stroller-friendly, so no stairs are needed · Weekday mornings are less crowded than summer weekends · Children aged 5-15 pay a reduced ticket · Check rundetaarn.dk for observatory evenings in the cold season
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9
Church of Our Saviour (Vor Frelsers Kirke)
A baroque church with a 90-metre spire climbed by an external spiral staircase of 400 steps, giving a view over the city and harbour.
Tip: Choose a clear, dry day, since the tower closes in ice or high wind · Wear sturdy shoes, as the final steps are narrow and exposed · Arrive near opening time to avoid a queue for the staircase · Check vorfrelserskirke.dk for tower opening hours · Skip the climb if afraid of heights, as the top is open-air
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10
Freetown Christiania
A self-governing alternative community founded in 1971 in former army barracks, with workshops, cafes, music venues and green spaces. Photography is banned on Pusher Street.
Tip: Photography is banned on Pusher Street, so keep the camera away · Visit in the daytime, since evenings can feel more intense · Do not run, as it can cause alarm among residents · Respect residents' privacy when taking photographs elsewhere · Bring cash for small cafes and stalls
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Landmarks
Nyhavn
A 17th-century canal harbour lined with colourful townhouses, wooden ships and waterside cafes, once home to Hans Christian Andersen.
The Little Mermaid
The 1913 bronze statue by Edvard Eriksen, based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, on a rock beside the harbour.
Round Tower (Rundetaarn)
A 17th-century astronomical observatory tower reached by a 209-metre spiral ramp, with a viewing platform 34.8 metres above the Latin Quarter.
Freetown Christiania
A self-governing alternative community founded in 1971 in former army barracks, with workshops, cafes, music venues and green spaces. Photography is banned on Pusher Street.
Kastellet
A 17th-century star-shaped fortress with grassy ramparts, a windmill and a church, still used by the Danish military.
Palaces_and_churches
Rosenborg Castle and The Royal Treasury
A Dutch Renaissance castle built in 1606-1634 by Christian IV, holding the Danish Crown Jewels and royal collections, set in the King's Garden.
Amalienborg Palace and Museum
The winter residence of the Danish royal family: four rococo palaces around an octagonal square, with the museum covering the lives of recent monarchs.
Christiansborg Palace
Seat of the Danish Parliament, Prime Minister's office and Supreme Court, with royal reception rooms, medieval castle ruins and a free 106-metre tower.
Church of Our Saviour (Vor Frelsers Kirke)
A baroque church with a 90-metre spire climbed by an external spiral staircase of 400 steps, giving a view over the city and harbour.
Museums
The National Museum of Denmark
Denmark's largest cultural history museum, from the Stone Age and Viking treasures to the Children's Museum and ethnographic collections.
Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek
A museum of antique, French and Danish art, founded by the Carlsberg brewing family, with a palm-filled winter garden.
Thorvaldsens Museum
The first purpose-built museum in Denmark (1848), holding the neoclassical marble sculptures and personal collection of Bertel Thorvaldsen.
Designmuseum Danmark
A rococo former hospital holding Danish furniture, ceramics and decorative arts, including Wegner, Jacobsen and Kaare Klint classics.
Family_and_parks
Tivoli Gardens
One of the world's oldest amusement parks, opened in 1843, with gardens, a lake, a wooden roller coaster, concerts and restaurants in the middle of the city.
Torvehallerne KBH
Two glass halls with about 60 stalls selling smørrebrød, seafood, pastries, coffee, cheese and produce, beside Nørreport Station.
Den Blå Planet (National Aquarium Denmark)
Northern Europe's largest aquarium, in a swirling building with a hammerhead shark tank and over 20,000 animals.
Copenhagen Botanical Garden
Denmark's national botanical collection, run by the University of Copenhagen, with 10,000 species and the 1874 Palm House.
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Hours
- Most museums open Tuesday-Sunday around 10:00-17:00 and close Mondays; Tivoli, Nyhavn, the Little Mermaid and Kastellet are open daily; royal sites change hours by season and when the Royal Family is in residence.
- Fees
- Tivoli about DKK 190 (about USD 29); Rosenborg about DKK 150 (about USD 23); Amalienborg museum about DKK 145 (about USD 22); Round Tower DKK 45 (about USD 7). Prices are approximate and rise slightly each year; verify on each official site.
- Passes
- The Copenhagen Card (copenhagencard.com) bundles entry to about 80 attractions plus public transport; compare it with single tickets for your list.
- Getting Around
- The centre is compact; the Metro (M1-M4), S-trains and buses run on one zone ticket, and Copenhagen Central Station (København H) is the main hub.
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Buy tickets online to skip queues at Tivoli, Rosenborg and the Church of Our Saviour tower.
Plan museums for Tuesday-Sunday; many close on Mondays, so use Monday for Nyhavn, Kastellet, the Little Mermaid and Christiania.
Combine Rosenborg, the Botanical Garden and Torvehallerne in one morning, since all three lie within a 10-minute walk of Nørreport Station.
Combine Amalienborg, Designmuseum Danmark and Kastellet in one afternoon along Bredgade and the harbour.
Check opening hours the day before: the Church of Our Saviour tower closes in icy or windy weather.
Rent a bike for about DKK 100-150 (about USD 16-23) a day; the city has dedicated cycle lanes.
Photography is prohibited on Pusher Street in Christiania.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Copenhagen?
Two days cover Nyhavn, the royal sites, Tivoli and a museum; three days add Christianshavn, Christiania, the harbour and a day trip such as Roskilde or Kronborg.
Is Copenhagen expensive?
Yes, prices are high, but many sights are free: Nyhavn, the Little Mermaid, Kastellet, Christiania, the Botanical Garden and the Christiansborg tower.
Is the Copenhagen Card worth it?
It pays off if you visit two or three paid attractions a day, since it also covers public transport including the airport; for a relaxed trip, single tickets are cheaper.
Can I see the Little Mermaid for free?
Yes. The statue stands on the Langelinie promenade and can be visited at any hour at no cost.
When is the changing of the guard at Amalienborg?
Daily at 12:00 when the royal family is in residence; the guard marches from Rosenborg through the city beforehand.