Copenhagen is one of the most beautiful European cities to visit. Picturesque, historic, with fashion, design, and the best pastries… it truly is a unique destination worth exploring and a perfect getaway for a few days. In this itinerary, I’ll tell you what to see in Copenhagen in 3 days.
- What to see in Copenhagen in 3 days
- Day 1 in Copenhagen: City Hall, Amagertorv Square, Christiansborg, Royal Danish Library, Kogens Nytorv Square, Nyhavn
- Day 2 in Copenhagen: Christiania, Church of Our Savior Broens Street Food, Reffen, The Little Marmaid
- Day 3 in Copenhagen: Amalienborg Palace, Frederik’s Church, Rosenborg Castle, Orstedsparken, Rundetårn, Tivoli Gardens.
- Other places to visit in Copenhagen
- Where to stay in Copenhagen in 3 days
- 3 days in Copenhagen Map
- Tips for visiting Copenhagen in 3 days
- Coffees and pastries in Copenhagen
Before we begin, I want to clarify that this guide won’t be objective because I am IN LOVE with Copenhagen. When I first visited this city, I immediately wanted to move there. Its streets seem like something out of a fairy tale, everything is perfect, the hygge philosophy is present in every detail, and Scandinavian design stands out in every building. It’s a city that is both historic and cosmopolitan, perfectly blending the past with the present.
If you have three full days to explore Copenhagen, you’ll be able to see its main attractions with ease. It’s a small, walkable city. But I assure you, three days won’t be enough because you’ll want to stay much longer! Without further introduction, let’s dive into the 3-day Copenhagen itinerary.
What to see in Copenhagen in 3 days
Day 1 in Copenhagen
- Copenhagen free walking tour
Start your first day in Copenhagen with this free walking tour of the city , which will give you a glimpse into its history and some interesting facts. The tour departs from City Hall Square and is available at various times. It’s free, and at the end of the tour, you can leave a tip that you feel is appropriate. For more information about the free tour in Copenhagen, click here.
- Copenhagen City Hall
The City Hall Square in Copenhagen is one of the city’s main hubs. Here, you’ll find several historic buildings and the statue of Hans Christian Andersen, the famous Danish author known for writing children’s stories such as The Little Mermaid.
- Amagertorv Square and Strøget Street
From City Hall, you can walk to Amagertorv Square, a central square surrounded by shops and historic buildings. Strøget, located in this area, is known as the largest pedestrian street in Europe. It’s filled with all kinds of stores, making it the perfect spot if you’re looking to do some shopping.
- Christiansborg Palace
Christiansborg Palace is a government building that houses the Danish Parliament, the Prime Minister’s office, and the Supreme Court. Access to its tower is free, and the view from the top is spectacular. Just head to the palace, and you’ll find signs directing you to the elevator that takes you up to the tower.
- Royal Danish Library
From Christiansborg Palace, continue walking to the Royal Danish Library. The building, known as the Black Diamond, is constructed with black marble and glass. It’s definitely worth exploring the interior if you’re in the area.
- Kongens Nytorv Square
This is another very central square in the city, surrounded by important buildings such as Charlottenborg Palace, Thott Palace, and the Royal Danish Theatre. You’ll also find a small kiosk and a 1913 telephone booth in the square, which has been converted into a café.
- Nyhavn and canal cruise
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We’ve reached the final stop of this first day in Copenhagen, and it’s probably the most iconic and touristy spot in the city. Nyhavn is a waterfront promenade and canal lined with the typical colorful houses in the background. It’s an incredibly picturesque area, filled with restaurants and shops.
In addition to strolling along the canal, you can also take a canal cruise through Copenhagen’s canals, departing from here. The tour lasts about an hour and allows you to admire the city from a different perspective.
Day 2 in Copenhagen
For this second day I recommend renting a bicycle since it includes some places that are a little further away from the city center. That’s what I did and I loved the experience since the bike is the most common means of transportation in Copenhagen and the entire city is very well connected. Another option is to take a guided bike tour of Copenhagen like this one.
- Christiania
The Free City of Christiania is a self-governed neighborhood with about 1,000 residents. It is a community of neighbors that proclaims itself as an independent state from the Danish state. Within the neighborhood there are several cafes, art galleries, shops and a market. It is a rather curious place.
If you want to know more about its history and curiosities, you can book this free tour of the Christiania neighborhood.
- Church of Our Saviour
Within the Christiania neighborhood is the Church of Our Saviour, a baroque church from 1696 that stands out for its external spiral staircase that leads to the top, offering panoramic views of the city.
In my opinion it is a visit that is 100% worth it if you like viewpoints but it is not suitable for people with vertigo since the staircase has very narrow areas. You have to climb almost 400 steps to reach the highest point of the church. Tickets to climb the tower can be purchased at the church entrance and cost around €6.
- Broens Street Food
After touring Christiania, grab the bike and go to Broens Street Food, an open-air food market where you can find a lot of food trucks with some of the most famous fast food restaurants in Copenhagen such as Gasoline Grill or Hija de Sanchez.
Even if you don’t want to eat anything, I recommend visiting the area, which is very beautiful because it is right next to the canal. On the way to the next stop, a building with a large chimney will surely catch your eye. This is the Amager Bakke, a building designed by the Bjarke Ingels Group that is an energy and waste plant.
- Reffen Street Food
The next stop of the day is Reffen, another open-air food market. If you travel in spring or summer, you will love the atmosphere of this area. There are different food stalls, shops and places to simply rest along the canals. It is a very picturesque area that I recommend you visit even if it is somewhat far from the city.
Also here are some of the best bakeries and cafes in Copenhagen such as Lille Bakery and Hart.
- The Little Marmaid statue
From Reffen you can take the ferry that crosses the other side of the canal to visit the sculpture of The Little Mermaid. The ferry trip costs the same as a metro ticket and you can get on your bike.
The sculpture is not a big deal but it really is an icon of the city of Copenhagen.
Near the sculpture of The Little Mermaid is Kastellet, a military fortress that today functions as a public park.
Day 3 in Copenhagen
- Frederik’s Church
Start the last day of this 3-day Copenhagen itinerary at Frederik’s Church, known as the Marble Church. It is a Lutheran temple from 1749 with a round floor plan inspired by the Basilica of Saint Peter in Rome. Its large green dome does not go unnoticed.
- Amalienborg Palace
Very close to the Church is Amalienborg Palace and its square, where the changing of the guard takes place every day at 12 noon.
Amalienborg Palace is the residence of the Danish royal family and is currently used as a winter residence.
- Rosenborg Castle
Rosenborg Castle is a castle built in 1606 as a country house for the king’s summer use, and today it is open to the public with a museum containing art collections owned by the Danish Crown. If you like this type of museums, you can book a guided tour of Rosenborg Castle.
The best thing about the castle for me is its gardens, known as The King’s Garden. The park is public and if you travel in spring or summer it is the ideal place to have a picnic.
Right next to these gardens is the Copenhagen Botanical Garden, which is part of the Danish Natural History Museum, and has several glass greenhouses with different plants.
- Orstedsparken
Another park you can visit in Copenhagen is Orstedsparken, a very large public park with a beautiful lake in the center. Another ideal picnic site if you travel in spring or summer.
- Rundetaarn
Rundetårn is a 17th-century tower located in the center of Copenhagen built as an astronomical observatory. Nowadays it is very visited since from the top of the tower there is a viewpoint with panoramic views of the city. The ticket to enter the tower can be purchased right there.
- Tivoli Gardens
The plan to end this trip to Copenhagen is to visit Tivoli Gardens, considered the second oldest amusement park in the world, having opened its doors in 1843. In addition to attractions such as roller coasters, there are gardens and shows. An ideal plan to spend a fun afternoon. During Christmas or Halloween the park has special decorations. It is advisable to buy your ticket in advance, especially if you are traveling during high season:
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Tivoli Gardens entry ticket – simple entry ticket to the park
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Tivoli Gardens entry ticket with unlimited rides – Entrance and Ride Pass in one combined package
Other places to visit in Copenhagen in 3 days
- Superkilen Park: a public linear park designed by the Bjarke Ingels Group.
- Frederiksborg Castle: Considered the largest castle in Scandinavia, it is an incredible palace located on islets in Hillerod, about 40 minutes from the city. The most convenient way to get there is by booking a tour to Frederiksborg Castle.
- Malmo: The Swedish city of Malmo is only 30 minutes from Copenhagen so if you have extra time you can make a trip to this city. A good option is to book a tour to Malmö and Lund from Copenhagen.
Where to stay in Copenhagen in 3 days
The hotel I stayed at and recommend in Copenhagen is the 25hours Hotel Copenhagen. It is located in the heart of Copenhagen and very well connected to the entire city. The hotel is incredible, with a very fun decoration and full of details. It is one of the most original hotels I have stayed in and with an excellent breakfast.
If you are looking for a cheaper option, I recommend the Hotel Urban House Copenhagen, located near Tivoli Park.
I also recommend you read my complete guide on where to stay in Copenhagen to explore all the options.
3 days in Copenhagen Map
Tips for visiting Copenhagen in 3 days
- Book the accommodation in advance. Copenhagen is a popular destination in Europe so I recommend booking your accommodation as early as possible since prices increase significantly as the day of your travel approaches.
- Avoid currency exchange fees on your credit card. Make sure you bring a card that doesn’t charge international transaction fees like N26 or Revolut.
- Bring a universal travel adapted. In Denmark the plugs are different from other European destinations like Spain so it is best to bring a universal travel adapter like this one. You can use it in all the destinations you visit.
- Buy an eSIM in advance. Staying connected to the internet is super useful for checking Google Maps or resolving any doubts while exploring the city. Airalo is the company I usually use on my trips, they offer really cheap eSIM packages.
Coffees and pastries in Copenhagen
If there is something that Copenhagen stands out for, it is the quality and quantity of its pastry shops and cafes. I leave you some of the best: La Cabra Coffee, Hart, Orsa, Buka, Lille Bakery, Coffee Collective and Andersen & Maillard. Watch my video of Copenhagen’s cafes and pastry shops.
Other useful guides about Europe:
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