The Ultimate Copenhagen Travel Guide || 4 Day Itinerary

Whether you’re looking to shop till you drop, explore castles, adventure by bike and boat, or eat your way through a city, Copenhagen, Denmark has it all. Originally known as a Viking fishing village, Copenhagen became Denmark’s capital in the early 15th century and grew to be a booming political and economic center.

Today it is known as the happiest country in the world. With 33-hour work weeks, free education + health care, and some of the cleanest air quality, it’s no wonder this city is growing in popularity. Rich in history and culture, this is a must-hit spot on your next European endeavor. 

Sharing the ultimate Copenhagen travel guide so you can plan the best trip. As always sharing restaurant recommendations, favorite things to do, where we stayed, and more!

Things To Know Beforehand 

Just a few things to note before your trip to Copenhagen to ensure smooth sailing (both literally and figuratively!)

Language

Danish is the official language of Denmark. However, Copenhagen is home to people of all different ethnicities and is known as one of Denmark’s most touristy destinations therefore most people speak some English.

*Honestly, we ran into no issues here. Everyone was very friendly and many advertisements, menus, and signs were translated into English as well. 

Transportation 

FUN FACT: There are 5x more bikes than cars in Copenhagen— that’s more bikes than people! In turn, this leads to some of the cleanest air quality and fittest communities in the world. Renting a bike is a great way to explore the city.

Although Copenhagen is extremely walkable, with clean streets, large sidewalks, and beautiful views.

They are also home to one of the best public transportation systems in the world. Their train system is super efficient and eco-friendly. Clean, quiet, and timely I found myself excited to ride here! (Crazy, I know!)

Currency 

Danish Krone (DKK)

*We did not take out any paper money at this destination although there were ATMs on every corner if need be. Cards worked just fine!

Climate 

Copenhagen experiences all four seasons with temperatures varying drastically throughout the year– beautiful seventy-five-degree summers and chilly winters.

We visited in October and temperatures hovered in the low fifties the entire week. A jacket and umbrella were both necessities.

Where To Stay 

We spent four nights at Hotel Astoria. This hotel was built in 1934 as the first luxury hotel in Copenhagen. Originally designed as a station hotel for train conductors, this property is just steps away from the central train stop.

It has since been acquired by Best Western and has a mix of antique furniture and modern amenities. The staff here were incredible—making our stay so cozy and inviting. Click here for current availability and best rates.

We had a comfortable stay in one of their King bedrooms. Comfy bed with traditional European linens, a moody bathroom, and lots of room to spread out. We also had a large walk-out balcony that faced a beautiful row of painted homes. This was the perfect spot to enjoy morning breakfast.

Hotel Astoria couldn’t be in a better location. As I said the train station is directly across from the hotel and it’s just a short, fifteen-minute ride to and from the airport. We were centrally located just steps away from Tivoli and a ten-minute walk from the shopping, restaurants, and fun of the city center.

Very quiet area and super safe!

Restaurant Recommendations 

I quickly learned that Copenhagen is known for its unique blend of cuisine. They have every type of restaurant you could imagine here—whether you’re craving traditional Italian, a street hotdog, or an adventurous Asian dish, they have it all.

It’s safe to say we ate our way through this city, experiencing some amazing dining experiences and the yummiest foods. Here are my top restaurant recommendations to hit in Copenhagen.

Delambo

✈ Menu || Directions

Open-faced toast is a Denmark essential and this quaint cafe did it best! The perfect spot to grab a chai latte and get some work done. This was my first taste of local cuisine and I was blown away by the freshness of it all. Don’t skip out on the broken egg avocado toast topped with tons of seasoning.

Zahida 

✈ Menu || Directions

Our dining experience at this Pakistani restaurant was one of a kind. With a four-course tasting menu, we got to try everything from traditional chicken and lamb to spiced curry soup. I was skeptical about trying something new but these unique dishes blew my palette away.

Very vibey spot for an evening out or happy hour special!

Dining Room 

✈ Menu || Directions

The freshest meal I’ve ever had was at this farm-to-table Italian restaurant. Even after 10 days in Italy, their pesto bruschetta and burrata appetizers wowed me! I had an incredible truffle tortellini as my main course that I watched the chef make right in front of me.

Their dessert menu is full of local Danish favorites which make for a fun post-dinner treat. This is a much calmer spot, perfect if you’re looking to catch up with friends and have more of an intimate feel.

Tramonto 

✈ Menu || Directions

This Tuscan restaurant is tucked away in an area full of locals. Located on the rooftop level you get an incredible view of the city. We tried their four-course seasonal menu complete with five glasses of wine specifically paired. Needless to say, you’ll leave here in a food coma but wow, it was so fun getting to try so many things!

Must try their focaccia, fresh cod, and any wines from the Chianti region.

Neni

✈ Menu || Directions

Wanting to try something new? Neni serves unique dishes with Mediterranean, Israeli, and Austrian influences. Their menu is packed full of flavor and despite my doubts, I was pleasantly surprised by their Jerusalem plate. Don’t skip out on the tzatziki appetizer either.

This spot was packed full of locals even on a Tuesday night. I highly suggest calling and booking a reservation here beforehand.

Things To Do In Copenhagen

Unlike a lot of European destinations, Copenhagen is one of those cities to explore rather than check off “must-hit” tourist attractions,

Of course, you’ll stop by Nyhaven and many are eager to see The Little Mermaid statue, but otherwise, most of your time can be spent at leisure, enjoying the atmosphere. Wander around! Get lost! Explore!

Walk Along Nyhaven 

Nyhaven is Copenhagen’s most iconic sight. This 17th-century waterfront canal is full of iconic colorful restaurants, bars, and entertainment.

It’s also where you can hop on a boat to cruise throughout the city.

Visit Tivoli 

Tivoli is the amusement park that inspired our very own Disney! These grounds are not only a huge tourist attraction but a favorite spot for locals to enjoy the holidays as well. This amusement park has a mix of typical fair games, large rides, restaurants, food trucks, and more.

They change out the decor and lights seasonally and it’s just magical at night. We were here just before Halloween and everything was decked out in orange and pumpkins.

You could easily spend an entire afternoon here—give yourself several hours to wander around and don’t limit yourself to just one treat. The food options are endless!

Explore Christianborg Palace

There are several castles in Copenhagen. Denmark has a monarchy which means they have real-life princesses! We came to Christianborg Palace to explore the grounds and see the horses.

There are ceremonies here that periodically take place so if you’re lucky you might even get to see one in action.

Shopping in Stroget 

Copenhagen is one of the fashion capitals of the world which means the shopping is nothing short of amazing. Stroget is the main shopping area with several streets running from City Hall Square to Kognes Nytriv.

Whether you’re wanting something high-end like Louis Vuitton or Prada or something more budget-friendly like MANGO, H&M, or Zara they have it all. 

Get lost in the amazing fashion and shop till you drop. There are quite a few local Christmas stores and vintage shops that are worth checking out as well.

Take a Canal Tour 

Seeing Copenhagen by boat is one of the best ways to do it! We hopped on a canal cruise at Nyhaven for $15. The tour guide pointed out both historical landmarks and important modern buildings. Of course, we also stopped by the iconic Little Mermaid statue. The fairytale originated here in Denmark!

Copenhagen prides itself on having some of the cleanest canals in Europe so you’ll often find locals hanging around as well. *Do not do the tour at night. They claim things will be lit but it’s too dark to truly see anything.

Day Trip To Sweden 

Wanting to check another country off? Malmo, Sweden is just a forty-minute train ride away. You get stunning views as you cross over the water and are met with another quaint city center full of funky architecture, shopping, and local restaurants.

We spent four hours here and that was plenty long enough to wander around, snap some photos, and see the castle.

What To Wear + Packing List 

With Copenhagen Fashion Week growing in popularity each year, it should come as no surprise that the street style here is some of the best in the world. Now is the time to put your best fashion foot forward.

Need some Copenhagen outfit inspiration?  I’m sharing six outfits to wear in Copenhagen this fall in this blog post complete with links to shop and directions to each photo location.

Here are a few must-pack items for your trip to Copenhagen.

Packing List

• Solid Long Sleeves: You’ll want to layer up here. Pack a few solid long sleeves to wear underneath sweaters as a base layer.
• Chunky Sweaters: Pack your chunkiest, warmest sweaters for your fall trip to Copenhagen. The Danes wear lots of neutrals so I packed lots of black, whites, and grays.
• A Jacket: Everyone and I mean everyone in this city was wearing a knee-length, single-breasted jacket. Whether it be a fun houndstooth or a solid gray, even the kiddos were wearing one. The best part is these stylish jackets elevate a basic outfit in no time.
• Scarf: I bought a chunky scarf from H&M on my first day here and ended up wearing it every single day. A must to combat the windy afternoons.
• Comfy Sneakers: Everyone here was wearing sneakers. It didn’t matter if the girl was wearing tights, trousers, jeans, or leggings 99% of people were sporting a pair of Vejas, New Blanaces, or Asics. With how walkable the city is and how many bikers there are, it just makes sense that everyone is in their most practical shoes. 
• Umbrella: Lots of on-and-off showers in Copenhagen. I suggest bringing an umbrella along or buying one once you get here.

Watch My Week 

Want to watch the week on camera? Be sure to check out my latest travel vlog for all the fun + more views of Copenhagen!

 Click the subscribe button for new vlogs and detailed try-on hauls every week. 

Copenhagen was one of those destinations that lived up to all my expectations. Friendly people, beautiful views, and slower-paced days just taking in my surroundings were much needed after a crazy ten-day itinerary in Italy. We had the best week in the happiest country in the world.

Definitely adding this one to my “revisit” list! I hope you have the best trip. xx

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