The colorful capital of Denmark is packed with things to do and see. From castles to waterfront dining and from a world famous amusement park to amazing pastries! This itinerary and travel guide covers how to spend 2 days in Copenhagen.
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Table of Contents
Day 1
Nyhavn
Start your day at the most iconic spot in Copenhagen. This 17th century waterfront is lined with colorful houses, cafes, bars and restaurants. You may want to come back here to sit outside a café and enjoy the atmosphere but, starting your day at Nyhavn without the crowds can be peaceful!
Boat Trip
There are 2 companies at Nyhavn that offer boat trips around the canals of Copenhagen and I highly recommend doing this on day 1 of your 2 days in Copenhagen. It is a good way to orient yourself to the city and see some of the sites that you may not be able to see on foot. The trip takes about 1.5 hours.
Amalienborg & Changing of the Guard
This palace is the official residence for the Danish royal family. Now fair warning that I have laid out 2 more places to visit on your 2nd day in Copenhagen, so you may want to skip 1 of the 3 or 2 of the 3 IF you are not into palaces. I myself only visited 2 out of the 3 listed (skipped Amalienborg). However, I did still go and check out the outside of the palace complex. I have seen the Danish Royal family from the balcony of Amalienborg on tv and wanted to go see what it was like as a commoner waving to them from the ground!
The palace complex is made up of four buildings. The Amalienborg Museum is what you can visit and includes Christian X’s study, the Faberge Chamber, and the Gala Hall. There are also guided tours that you can book HERE.
If you are visiting around noon, you maybe able to see the famous changing of the guard ceremony.
Frederik’s Church
If you look straight down the road from Amalienborg, you may see a massive domed building ahead of you! This is Frederik’s Church and an important building for Danish Royalty. This Evangelical Lutheran church is also called Marble church and is the largest church dome in Scandinavia.
Little Mermaid
Another symbol of Copenhagen, this bronze statue of a mermaid has been vandalized so many times but still sits tall overlooking the harbor. Inspired by Hans Christina Anderson’s popular fairytale this statue has been around for over 100 years.
When you are in the area, also check out the majestic Gefion Fountain and Kestellet.
Kastellet Fortress is one of the best preserved fortresses in Northern Europe. You can walk through the grounds and enjoy the scenic surroundings. Best part is that it is free to enter.
Christianshavn
Translating to Christian’s harbor, this is another area, like Nyhavn that is dotted with restaurants and colorful houses at every turn. You may pass Christianshavn if you took the boat tour earlier in the day. Walk around and take in all the colors.
Church of Our Savior
Climb the winding tower of this church for sweeping views of Copenhagen! It’s fully worth climbing all the narrow stairs right to the top. However it may not be for everyone. Especially if you have a fear of heights or are claustrophobic or have mobility issues. It is recommended that you purchase tickets in advance HERE, especially during summer.
Olufsvej
If you are into colorful streets and places like I am, then you are sure to love this neighborhood. This street is lined with pastel and brightly painted houses and is a delight to see.
Tivoli
Tivoli and Nyhavn may share the spot for the most famous place in Copenhagen. First opened in 1843, Tivoli is the third-oldest operating amusement park in the world. This amusement park in the heart of Copenhagen and is much loved by locals and tourists. If you are traveling with kids, you may want to come a little earlier in the day and spend more time here. You can purchase just an entrance ticket (no rides) or a ride ticket which also includes entrance to the park. I did just the entrance and had a great time walking around, checking out all the places to eat and listening to some live music.
Day 2
Rosenborg Slot and Gardens
If you had to choose between all the castles on this 2 days in Copenhagen itinerary, I think Rosenborg is the one to prioritize over the rest. This 15th-century Renaissance palace was originally built as a summer retreat for Christian IV, the former King of Denmark. Each room is well preserved with beautiful furniture, paintings and many artifacts. They also have a treasury that I cannot recommend enough. Be dazzled by some of the jewels belonging to the Royal family. Tickets for Rosenborg usually sell out so book in advance. Also see if you can get the first slot for the day.
Check out the vast gardens before or after your tour. Espcially the rose garden with Rosenborg in the backdrop.
Rundetårn
For those who want to check out commanding views of the city but cannot climb the stairs of the tower at Christ our Savior, Rundetårn offers a better alternative. This 36 meter high “Round Tower” offers commanding views of the city. There is a set of stairs right at the end but most of it is a steady and manageable incline, which was a refreshing change. It is also the oldest functioning observatory in Europe. This is one of the rare attractions in Copenhagen where you cannot buy tickets in advance.
Old Town
Spend the next hour or two walking around the Old Town of Copenhagen. During your walk, you should check out the little, colorful square of Gråbrødretorv, Amagertorv and the famous Stork Fountain, the pedestrian, shopping street of Stroget and the busy square of Kultorvet.
Agnete and the Merman Statue
When you exit Old Town and walk towards the next place on this itinerary, do so via the Højbro Bridge. If you look at the water below on your left hand side, you will see mermen! They portray a merman and his seven sons with outstretched arms, begging Agnete to return home. This is an ode to an old Danish fairytale.
Christianborg Palace
This is the 3rd and final palace option for your 2 days in Copenhagen. I actually visited Christainborg along with Rosenborg. This palace complex was once home to Danish royalty but now houses the Danish Parliament, the Supreme Court, and the Ministry of State. You can visit the state rooms which is what I did. My favorite rooms were the library and the tapestry room. I feel like Rosenborg and Christainborg state rooms were different enough that you could definitely enjoy both. One was older with a more of a museum feel while the other is newer and feels lived in. In fact, the Prime Minister of Denmark uses The Royal Reception Rooms for state visits by foreign state leaders and the Alexandra Hall is used for official dinners.
You could also visit a tower and underground ruins in this same complex if you wish to.
When you exist the palace, do so via the Marmorbroen bridge and look back for a nice view of the palace and tower.
Magstræde & Snaregade
These two streets are two of the oldest in Copehnagen, dating back to the 16th century.
University Quarter
The streets around Copenhagen University is bursting with life and are packed with cafes and places to eat. In addition to this, these streets are also very colorful! So, if you are on the hunt for colorful streets, definitely check out this area.
Tovehallerne
I love a good food market and Tovehallerne did not disappoint! They have quite a few places to choose from and two areas but Hallernes Smørrebrød had a line at all times.
Copenhagen Must-Do’s – Food and Drink
Pastries
There is really no end to amazing bakeries with delicious pastries in Copenhagen! Their cardamom buns and cinnamon rolls are world famous. Don’t forget to step into a bakery or two during your 2 days in Copenhagen.
Or you could check out this highly rated pastry tour for the best pastries in the city!
Cocktail Bars
Copenhagen has some really good cocktail bars that you can check out.
- Ruby
- Duck and Cover
- Bird
War Pigs
This BBQ and brewery is very popular among locals and tourists alike. People go there for both the food and the atmosphere.
Smørrebrød
This one is not a Copenhagen recommendation per se! Smørrebrød is an open faced sandwich that is very popular in Scandinavian countries and is a must-try if you find yourself in Copenhagen and are not going anywhere else in Denmark or to another Scandinavian country. There are so many places to get good Smørrebrød. Even their chain Hallernes is very good!
Gasoline Grill
This famous burgher joint is popular day or night. It’s actually a chain so you will see multiple locations.
Hot Dogs
Hot dogs are pretty popular in Copenhagen and you will see stands everywhere. They have so many diffrent varieties too!
With More Time
Check out the following things to do if you have more than 2 days in Copenhagen.
Botanical Garden
If you have more time in Copenhagen and love a good botanical garden, then the one in the city will not disappoint. You may not have time to visit the botanical gardens with only 2 days unless you remove some other things from the list above but can easily be visited if you have more than 2 days.
Freetown Christiania
I didn’t go due to time and also because I had heard mixed reviews but I am putting in here because this is the 4th largest tourist attraction in Copenhagen. Freetown Christiania began in 1971 as a squatted military base but is more commonly known for its trade of cannabis although illegal in the country, for its unique architecture and free spirited residence. A visit here is considered an experience and the open trade of the substance has now been shut down. You may want to chat more with the locals before you venture that way to understand the current situation of the commune.
Day Trip from Copenhagen
If you have a 3rd day or more days in Copenhagen, then you could visit the following places as a day trip from the city. These are great because it doesn’t take more than an hour to get to them and some of them can even be combined. Two of the ones suggested are across the bridge in Sweden, so don’t forget to take your passport with you.
- Frederiksborg Castle
- Helsingør
- Malmö – Sweden
- Lund -Sweden
See HERE for a post on how to visit these 4 places and what is there to do in each place.
Guided Tours
Check out these great guided tours below!
Getting Around Copenhagen
I either walked or took the metro to see all the places during my 2 days in Copenhagen. My best recommendation is to download the DOT app on your phone. I got a city pass and it was super easy. All you need to do is to activate it and use it. If you are planning on going to Frederiksborg Castle for example, then you will need a pass with extended zones (1-99) or a “large” but if you are only using it within the city, then you can get away with the 1-4 or a “small” pass. Learn more HERE!
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