Copenhagen has a little something for everyone. It's got history, culture, art, great food, beautiful architecture and an endless amount of unique things to in Copenhagen, that is literally all across the city. The capital of Denmark is a really comfortable place to visit since you can walk everywhere or rent a bike!
Full of delicious food and friendly locals and loads of amazing things to see, there's an incredible number of reasons why you should be thinking of this Danish gem as the place to visit on your next trip.
So what are the most unique things to do in Copenhagen?
Take a look, below, at some of the best things -touristy & non touristy- to do in Copenhagen on your next trip.
1. Embrace the hygge lifestyle
Hygge derives from the term hugga, meaning "to comfort" and is related to the English word "hug". The Danish word has exploded in popularity around the world in recent years because, in essence, hygge means creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people. Think cozy blankets, coffees with heart-shaped foam on top and great books. Is there anything better than that?
2. Indulge in the most delicious food
Eating your way thorugh Copenhagen is one of the best things to do in the city. Our hotel, Sankt Annae, serves organic breakfast every morning which is something we've never seen before. Local delicacies like smørrebrød -an open-faced sandwich that consists of a piece of buttered rye bread topped with cold cuts, pieces of meat or fish, cheese or spreads, and garnishes- or herring are a must. The quality of the products is impressive. Also, don't miss food markets like Torvehallerne.
Read more: What and where to eat in Copenhagen. The ultimate food guide
3. Go on a shopping spree
Strøget street is often thought of as Europe’s longest pedestrian street that’s filled with shops, cafes and lot of places to wander like Pistolstrade, a maze of perfectly preserved buildings from the 18th century. The most typical things to buy in this Danish city are Legos, china from Royal Copenhagen Porcelain or household items from Hay, Illum or Bodum.
4. Enjoy the ride at Tivoli Gardens
Opened in 1843, it is the second oldest amusement park in the world and one of Copenhagen's main attractions. Walt Disney loved Tivoli so much, it inspired much of his own Disneyland theme park. To avoid queues, book your ticket to Tivoli here.
5. High tea at Marchal
If you are looking for non-touristy things to do in Copenhagen, having tea at Marchal, the cafe at the emblematic Hotel D'angleterre is a great way to blend in with the locals. At Christmas they serve a lovely Christmas cookie etagere with the most delicious Danish sweets.
6. Wander the streets looking for the most beautiful houses
Danish architecture and colorful houses are a feast for the eyes. Nyhavn -New Port- is the most famous waterfront in the city with a row of houses painted in beautiful colors. Wandering neighborhoods like Vesterbro, Norrebro or Christianhavn is one of the best things to do in the city to find more unique houses.
7. Be king or queen of the castle
Rosenborg, Amalienborg and Christianborg are the three castles you must visit in Copenhagen. Rosenborg used to be a summer residence, Amalienborg is where the royal family currently resides and Christianborg is home to the Danish Parliament.
8. Visit Kastellet, one of the best preserved star fortresses in Northern Europe
Constructed in the form of a pentagram with bastions at its corners, this beautiful spot houses a historic windmill and lovely grounds. Kastellet is hands down one of the best places to visit. Nearby stands the statue of the Little Mermaid, probably the most visited attraction in Copenhagen but rather overrated in my opinion.
9. Read a book while it's cold outside at Radhaus -city hall- library
Another non touristy thing to do is to take advantage of the wonderful library at the City Hall. The Radhaus is an open public building where you can come and go as you please during the opening hours. So if the weather outside is frightful, grab a book and get cozy in this beautiful library.
10. Go up the round tower
Rundetaarn is known as Europe’s oldest observatory tower and really easy to visit when you’re exploring the city. Now, to get to the top of the Rundetaarn, you’ll need to spiral all around the tower itself so be sure to wear comfy shoes.
11. Visit the marble church
Frederik’s Church often referred to as the Marble Church is filled with history. The dome easily reminds you of the Capitol in Washington DC. Across the street you can find Amalienborg palace where the Royal family lives.
12. Find the most unique spires
While you visit the city, don't forget to look up. There are several unique spires to be found across Copenhagen. At the former stock exchange -Borsen- you can see the stunning dragon-tailed spire and at the top of the Church of Our Savior there's a serpentine spire that’s one of the symbols of the city.
13. Talk to the locals
The Danish have been the friendliest people we've encountered in Europe so far. In every single restaurant we ate, the waiters chatted with us for a while. People in the streets stopped to give us directions and gave up their seats on the metro on our way to their airport because we were carrying luggage. There are many memorable places in Copenhagen, but the kindness of the locals is something we'll never forget.
MAP
This map will help you plan your visit to Copenhagen. It includes all the sites to see, cozy cafes, wonderful restaurants and best shops for a shopping spree. To take this map with you simply click on the star next to the name and it will be saved to My Maps in Google.
MY TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
Liked this post? Pin it and save it for later.