UPDATED 2/4/25

When people hear “Copenhagen” they think of beer, tall people, canals, chic dressers, and Hans Christian Andersen. These are all true but a drop in the bucket of the reasons why you should visit Copenhagen.

Ready to tick Copenhagen off your travel bucket list? Use this ultimate, one-stop-shop Copenhagen Travel Guide compiled from my first-hand, solo travel to Copenhagen, which has all things Copenhagen travel planning information with bonus budget travel tips, eco-travel tips, and more throughout to plan your first time in Copenhagen.

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For more Denmark travel tips to supplement your Copenhagen travel planning, consult my ultimate Denmark Travel Guide full of tips on culture, entry requirements, currency, tipping, using electronics, safety, and a lot more to plan Denmark travel.

Also, don’t forget to scroll to the end to check out fabulous Copenhagen itinerary suggestions, like how to spend 3 Days in Copenhagen, perfect for first-time Copenhagen travel.

Situated on the southern island of Zealand, Copenhagen (København in Danish), became the capital Denmark and the residence of the Danish royal family in 1445. It has experienced religious and civil conflicts, established a stock exchange, wared with Sweden and Britain, and destroyed by fires – twice.

For the past couple of centuries, Copenhagen has flourished and expanded with manufacturing, finance, trade and education. The University of Copenhagen was established in 1479 and is the second oldest university in Scandinavia.

Carlsberg Beer is also an institution in Copenhagen. Founded in Copenhagen in 1847, Carlsberg’s famous pilsner style beer is a classic and sustainable choice of beer to pair with Danish cuisine.

Copenhagen was Hans Christian Andersen’s home town. H.C. Andersen is famous for his 156 fairy tales, such as The Little Mermaid, Thumbelina, The Emperor’s New Clothes, and The Ugly Duckling. The Little Mermaid statue, erected in 1913, has served as one of Denmark’s national symbols.

On the Copenhagen Harbor, the city includes canals and waterways for boating activities, food and entertainment like iconic Nyhavn (“New Harbour”), a popular hangout.

Copenhagen is also flat, making it perfect for bicycling, a popular mode of Copenhagen transportation.

The city’s location also opens up to travel from mainland Europe to other Scandinavian countries. Hamburg, Germany to Copenhagen is less than 5 hours by train. A bridge and tunnel service makes entering Sweden less than an hour away.

In fact, this largest city in Scandinavia can be considered Scandinavia’s beautiful ‘welcome mat’.

You’re going to get hit from all sides on your Copenhagen trip. What does this city not offer?

Copenhagen is a city of history, art, royalty, castles and palaces, children’s fairy tales, baroque and contemporary architecture, bicycles, counterculture, a university, canals, beer, and more.

If you haven’t been, Copenhagen is a must.

When to visit Copenhagen may be subjective, but mostly relies on weather, costs, and activities offered.

Personally, I prefer warmer weather the older I get. If you do, too, then the summer months (June to August) are when to go to Copenhagen.

The weather in Copenhagen averages in the 50°s F to the low 70°s F in the summer. Outdoor activities and strolling the city’s Old Town is best in the summer, but more crowded. 

The winter months (December through February) are the coldest and rainiest, but also come with lower costs and fewer tourists.

Copenhagen ranks 29 out of 578 cities in cost of living (at time of writing), putting it in league with major cities in California, Isreal, Switzerland and France.

Still, if you plan it with this CopenhagenTravel Guide and book your bundled flight and accommodations early, you can bring your costs considerably down for your Copenhagen travel costs.

For example, instead of summer, go to Copenhagen in the shoulder season months (April, May, September and October) for lower airline and hotel costs. You’ll still experience longer day light hours, less tourists, and warmer weather than in winter. Dress in layers and bring an eco-friendly travel umbrella, and you’re good to go.

I highly recommend September to visit Copenhagen, which is when I was there last. Spring time in Copenhagen is also nice, but slightly chillier.

As you’ll see from my beautiful photos, there were far fewer tourists in September and the weather was lovely.

You may wish to travel Copenhagen around a holiday or festival. I suggest checking the events in Copenhagen to help determine which month is best for your Copenhagen trip and budget.

Copenhagen has two airports, Copenhagen Airport (CPH) and Roskilde Airport (RKE/EKRK).

For ease, book your flight to Copenhagen to arrive at CPH. Copenhagen Airport is serviced by most major and European airlines. It is also the closest airport to Copenhagen. International flights to Copenhagen arrive in Terminal 3.

If you can’t fly into Copenhagen, you could fly into Malmo (MMX) or Helsingborg (AGH) and take a train to Copenhagen. Both airports are 52.4 km and 79 km from Copenhagen, respectively.

Copenhagen Airport is only 7 km outside of the Copenhagen city center and offers multiple transportation options.

You can travel to central Copenhagen by hotel shuttle, taxi, private transfer, bus, train, or metro. Renting a car in Copenhagen is not necessary when you have the Copenhagen public transportation system.

If you do not have access to a free hotel shuttle, the quickest and cheapest way from Copenhagen Airport to Copenhagen is by train or metro, depending on where you’re staying in the city center.

Both the metro and train leave from Terminal 3. You can walk easily from Terminal 2 to Terminal 3. There is a free airport shuttle that can take you from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3 in minutes.

There are direct trains to Copenhagen from the airport.

Like Paris, there are multiple Copenhagen travel zones. The Copenhagen Airport is in Zone 4 and Central Copenhagen is in Zone 1.

Once you pass through security, you can buy your Copenhagen train tickets at any of the red DSB ticket machines. You can use your credit card.

A one-way Copenhagen Airport to Copenhagen ticket across three zones costs around $6 USD (at time of writing).

If you want to save time in the airport, buy the Copenhagen Card in advance, which I recommend, and just pick it up at the airport. It covers the Copenhagen airport train to central Copenhagen ride.

You can also purchase it on the app later, but why not get the Copenhagen Card in advance when it covers your transportation and attractions? I’ll cover more on the Copenhagen Card later.

From Terminal 3, follow the signs for the train platform. Trains from Copenhagen Airport to Central Station leave from platform 2. Trains run 24/7 and take only 12 to 15 minutes to reach Copenhagen Central Station (København H). It really is the way to go.

The Copenhagen Metro also goes direct to Central Station. You can walk to your hotel from there or switch metros to stop closer to your hotel.

Purchase your metro ticket at the same airport ticket machines. The cost of the metro is the same as the train.

Follow the signs for the metro station from Terminal 3.

The metro runs every 5 to 20 minutes, depending on time of day. Any metro from the airport can take you to central Copenhagen in approximately 20 minutes. Consult the metro map for the most convenient stop.

Note: if you’re only going to Central Station, I recommend taking the train with the Copenhagen Card.

The bus is going to be the slowest method to get to Copenhagen (35 to 45 minutes, depending on time of day).  With the train or metro, why bother?

Taxis can be hailed from Terminals 2 and 3.

Taxis are the most expensive way to get to central Copenhagen, which could cost upwards of 350 DKK and take the same amount of time as the metro. You can pay for a taxi by credit card. Tipping is not necessary.

I do not recommend a taxi in Copenhagen unless absolutely necessary.

However, if you need the convenience, try a Welcome Pickups private transfer. Welcome Pickups works with 5-star taxi companies, based on rider reviews, providing safe airport transfer service with local, English-speaking drivers. You can book the private transfer in advance on a flat, pre-paid fee, get flight-delay monitoring, and qualify for free cancellation.

I have not yet tried Welcome Pickups, but I hear they are a convenient, reliable and safe option for private airport transfers, something solo or female travelers can truly appreciate.

Copenhagen receives many regional Denmark trains and trains from outside Denmark. The trains can be an inexpensive way to travel to Copenhagen. Most trains will arrive at Central Station.

Same goes for regional and international buses to Copenhagen. There are variety of buses to take you to central Copenhagen or Copenhagen airport.

That’s a firm yes.  Not only is Copenhagen flat, a large portion of Copenhagen attractions are within walking distance of each other. Even walking between different districts is doable. City sidewalks and pedestrian streets are extensive in Copenhagen.

Of course, you can do like the Danes and rent a bike to save time getting around. Copenhagen streets are perfect for biking. Another option for quick transport is to rent an electric scooter. Have some fun!

Walking, biking or an electric scooter is ideal so you can see more of the city.

If you are planning on a short trip to Copenhagen, I would plan activities in sections of the city center that are closer to each other before moving to another section, and rent a bike or scooter to see more sights in less time.

Want to ride around Copenhagen, but not alone? Copenhagen has bike, e-bike and segway tours, too. I always say group excursions are a great way to learn more about a city while meeting new people. At any age.

If you want to slow it down and still learn more about the city, consider a walking tour of Copenhagen. In addition to Copenhagen free walking tours, you could take a self-guided walking tour or a private or group walking tour with that additional chance to meet others traveling in Copenhagen.

If you want to cover more ground quicker but use the options above, you can always take the metro. You do miss out on sites, though.

Don’t discount the bus as well. Both metro and buses are available 24 hours a day. These could also help those on short Copenhagen travel itinerary.

Getting a single or unlimited Copenhagen travel card is an option, depending on the amount of time you’re traveling in Copenhagen.

Again, there is the Copenhagen Card, which not only covers unlimited public transportation (including to and from the Copenhagen Airport), but it also provides entry to over 80 Copenhagen attractions, discounts on tours, cruises, restaurants, and more. Purchase a card for 24, 48, 72, 96 or 120 hours.

I was pleased with my 72-hour Copenhagen Card. Read the details of the card benefits before you purchase.

A trip to Copenhagen would not be complete without a harbor and canal cruise. Not only one of the prettiest ways to see, and learn about, the city, but kicking back for an hour cruise can rest the weary feet for a decent price.

More options include a jazz boat cruise, a Hop-on Hop-off bus with boat cruise, and more.

Most boat cruises depart from Gammal Strand or Nyhavn.

No, there is no Uber or Bolt rideshare service in Copenhagen. The above transportation methods should do you plenty in Copenhagen.

Even if you wish to explore beyond Copenhagen, taking the train, or organized day trips from Copenhagen, make for great Denmark exploration.

Copenhagen is considered one of the safest cities in the world due to many factors, including its low crime rate. I never felt unsafe as a Copenhagen solo female traveler.

Yes, it is even safe to walk around Copenhagen at night. I walked a lot at night by myself and always felt comfortable traveling in Copenhagen alone, even around Central Station.

As a general precaution, of course, I never really veered away from the city center or Christianhavn area, and I stayed on well-lit streets at night.

As always in crowded or touristy areas, I recommend using safe, travel day-bag keep your belongings with you at all times, and be watchful of pickpockets.

If you normally feel uncomfortable being out at night by yourself, you may want to do your lone trip to Copenhagen in the summer months when daylight hours are longest giving you more time to explore Copenhagen, Denmark.

Note: Christiana, is dubbed the ‘hippy counter culture’ area of Copenhagen. This area has seen some crime, mostly around drug use (marijuana is illegal in Denmark). If you go to Christiania and the Green Light District alone, I would recommend go during the day, or take an arranged tour of Christiania.

Whether you’re staying a week or a weekend in Copenhagen, the best area to stay in Copenhagen is north of Bernstorffsgade to any part of Old Town (city center) west of the harbor as noted on the map below.

This area, especially Old Town itself, is also a pricier area to stay, but it’s also the best area to stay in Copenhagen for sightseeing, especially for first-time travel.

Having safe, walkable Copenhagen attractions is worth the higher hotel cost for solo travel, in my humble opinion.

The island of Christianshavn (west part of Freetown Christianshavn) is also nice, with trendy restaurants and shops along the canal, so possibly consider this area if you have a longer stay in Copenhagen.

There are multiple Copenhagen accommodations across all budget types to choose from. Going in the off season, or booking well in advance, will get you the best Copenhagen prices.

Consider booking at a property that either is eco-friendly or sustainably rated, or at least employs these methods into their business to reduce your travel carbon footprint.

Hotels in Copenhagen will range from budget to posh.

For location, price, amenities (including free-cancellation), eco-friendly and sustainable operations, and customer reviews and ratings, here are my Copenhagen recommendations (i.e., where I would stay):

• Wakeup Bernstorffsgade
• The Square
• Radisson Collection Royal Hotel, Copenhagen
• Andersen Boutique Hotel
• CPH Hotel
• Scandic Spectrum
• Tivoli Hotel

In fact, I booked at Wakeup Bernstorffsgade for my last Copenhagen stay. The rooms are small, but the hotel has everything single travelers need, including great location, amazing breakfast and dining setting, friendly staff, and it’s a top-notch sustainable hotel. 

Wakeup Copenhagen hotels have been awarded Green Key status for is sustainable operations. Booking in advance can make this a budget-friendly option.

Yes, a hostel can be a budget accommodation in Copenhagen for travelers over 50. Using the same conditions above, and the ability to get a private room, here are my Copenhagen recommendations for a hostel stay:

• Next House Copenhagen
• Urban House Copenhagen

What would a Copenhagen Travel Guide be without providing best things to do in Copenhagen? Don’t worry, there are tons of things to do alone in Copenhagen, and all within a fairly close proximity for a capital city.

Now that you also know about the advantages of the Copenhagen Card, pick what you want to see and do in Copenhagen on your upcoming trip, just don’t miss the Copenhagen must-see items.

Start with this Copenhagen video. You’ll see what a wonderful trip in Copenhagen you’ll have.

After the must do’s in Copenhagen above, here are a slew of more must see in Copenhagen items for your Copenhagen itinerary. If you want to know how to see most of them on your first time Copenhagen travel, use the Best 3 Days in Copenhagen Itinerary. It’s all laid out for you.

Copenhagen landmarks are plentiful and can be free things to do in Copenhagen.

• Strøget – long pedestrian street full of shopping, dining and charm since 1962  
• The Little Mermaid statue – 1913 national symbol of Denmark
• Hans Christian Andersen statue – Copenhagen City Hall Square (there’s more than one)
• Cirkelbroen (Five Circles Pedestrian Bridge) – unique bridge in Christianhavn
• Gefionspringvandet (Gefion Fountain) – imposing fountain in Langelinie Park
• Storkespringvandet (Stork Fountain) – in Strøget center
• Dragespringvandet (Dragon Fountain) – Copenhagen City Hall Square

• Rosenborg Slot (Rosenborg Castle) – Renaissance-era castle that houses the crown jewels
• Frederiksborg Slot (Frederiskborg Castle) – 17^th century royal residence for King Christian VI
• Christiansborg Slot (Christiansborg Palace) – Denmark royal residence with trippy tapestries
• Our Saviour’s Church – spired church with Baroque interior
• Frederiks Kirke (Frederik’s Church) – 18^th century Lutheran church

• Nyhavn (New Harbor) – iconic, lively Copenhagen harbor with colorful buildings
• Rundetårn (Round Tower) – 17^th century astronomical observatory with circular “staircase” to city views
• Kastellet (The Citadel) – well preserved 17^th century fortress
• Københavns Rådhus (Copenhagen Town Hall) – 1905 building on Rådhuspladsen (Town Hall Square) with clock tower and more city views
• Copenhagen Opera House – national opera house of Denmark on the island of Holmen
• Børsen (the “Exchange”) – 17^th century stock exchange with distinct spire (under construction at time of writing)

Museums and Aquariums

Note, many museums may be closed on Monday.  Check the day and hours of operation in advance. 

• Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek (aka “Glyptoteket”) – Scandinavia’s top art museum
• Amalienborg Palace & Museum – the palace is home to the Danish royal family. Catch the changing of the royal guard at noon.
• National Museum of Denmark – Denmark’s largest museum of cultural history.
• Museum of Copenhagen – underrated museum telling Copenhagen’s history in a creative way.
• Cisternerne – contemporary art exhibition space.

• Danish Music Museum – holds musical instruments from around the world.
• Designmuseum Danmark – museum of international design and crafts.
• Davids Samling (The David Collection) – all things Davids Samling.
• Open Air Museum – located 16 km north of the city center.
• Statens Museum for Kunst (SMK) – the National Gallery of Denmark
• Thorvaldsen’s Museum – all things Bertel Thorvaldsen, the Danish sculptor.
• Danish Jewish Museum – 400 years of history of Danish Jews in a building by Daniel Libeskind.

Parks, Gardens, Plazas and Promenades

• Sondermarketn – park in Frederiksberg area
• Kongens Have (Kings Garden) – Rosenborg Castle
• Haveselskabs Have – Fredericksberg Castle
• Landbohøjskolens Have – a university park
• Botanical Gardens – part of the Natural History Museum of Denmark
• Det Kongelige Biblioteks Have (Garden of the Royal Library)
• Bølgen afslapningsanlæg – riverfront boardwalk and park with harbor and Christianhavn views
• Langelinieparken (Langelinie Park)

Copenhagen Restaurants, Nightlife & Shopping

From restaurants and bars, to theme parks and musical entertainment, Copenhagen has plenty to keep you satiated in between the above attractions.

A full Copenhagen experience would not be complete without sampling the local Copenhagen food and drink, especially through a guided food tour, Danish pastry tour, and/or beer tasting tour.

Some traditional Danish food to try in Copenhagen are:

• Stegt flæsk med persillesovs – (the “national dish of Denmark”), crispy pork, potatoes, and parsley sauce.
• Frikadeller – savory pork meatball often served with brown sauce, potatoes, and cabbage.
• Flæskesteg – roast pork with red cabbage and caramelized potatoes with boiled potatoes and gravy.
• Forloren hare – (“mock hare”), Danish meatloaf wrapped in bacon and served with a jelly sauce.

• Wienerbrød – croissant-like puff pastry served with chocolate, sugar pearls or glacé icing topping.
• Koldskål (“cold bowl”) – summer dessert of cold buttermilk soup, biscuits, and fruit.

• Smørrebrød – open faced sandwich on rugbrød  (rye bread) topped with meats, cheeses, and garnishes.
• Pølser – a kind of gourmet hot dog made with a red sausage, bun, and various toppings – the ultimate Copenhagen street food.

Grab-and-go or budget-friendly options are:

• Torvehallerne  – outdoor market full of vendors for fresh food, sandwiches, pastries and more.
• Reffen – multiple street food options.
• Pølser food stands – they are everywhere.

Copenhagen Things to Do at Night

• Tivoli Gardens – amusement park, with rides, live music, restaurants and bars and great option for night time fun. This is a must do in Copenhagen.
• Nyhavn – full of fun hangouts for locals and tourists alike.
• Strøget – too many places to eat to list with option for drinking and live music.

Beyond Copenhagen

If you have time or want to explore more of Denmark on your Copenhagen travel, try a day trip from Copenhagen.

Catch one of the many trains from Copenhagen to Malmo or a train to Kronborg Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Of course, there are organized day trips from Copenhagen, which, again, are a great way to meet other travelers.

Let Me Hear From You

I would love to hear if my ultimate Copenhagen Travel Guide was helpful in planning Copenhagen travel over 50. Post me your thoughts or questions in the Comments section below. Thank you!

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