Copenhagen Attractions & Highlights: How to explore the city in 3 days

Copenhagen is creative, modern, child-friendly and full of joie de vivre. With its blend of design, harbour atmosphere and Nordic cuisine, the city shows itself at its most stylish. Whether it’s a bakery in the morning, street food by the water or art in a museum – this guide takes you to the most beautiful sights and experiences for three unforgettable days in the Danish capital.

Photo: A view of Copenhagen city centre with Lake Peblinge – a peaceful attraction, seen from the Queen Louise Bridge in the city centre.

Day 1 – Classics, art and Copenhagen’s creative side

Morning – Breakfast & Art

Start your day at Apotek 57, a former chemist’s that is now a café and concept store – featuring minimalist design, excellent coffee and fresh sourdough bread. A quiet and stylish alternative to the nearby, but often overcrowded, Atelier September. Well fortified, continue on to the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, where a unique atmosphere reigns amongst palm trees, marble statues and Impressionist paintings. Right next door, the SMK – Statens Museum for Kunst – offers a comprehensive overview of Danish and international art history, from the Renaissance to the present day.

Lunch – Copenhagen from the water

At midday, we head towards the harbour – more specifically to the popular Nyhavn, one of Copenhagen’s most famous landmarks, with its colourful façades and historic boats. It’s the perfect way to discover the city on a boat trip through the canals. Whether on a guided tour or in your own little GoBoat, the route takes you past modern residential buildings, the Opera House and the BLOX building, home to the Danish Architecture Centre. What makes it special is that the GoBoats have a small table, so you can easily bring a picnic or takeaway and enjoy lunch on the water whilst you’re out and about.

Photo: Art, palm trees and tranquillity beneath glass – the Glyptotek is Copenhagen’s most beautiful fusion of culture and architecture.

Photo: From Rembrandt to Louise Bourgeois – the SMK brings together Danish and international art.

Photo: Colourful façades, historic sailing ships and a lively harbour atmosphere – Nyhavn is a real must-see and the very essence of Copenhagen.

Photo: Experience Copenhagen from the water – drift along at a leisurely pace, have a picnic and see every one of the city’s sights from a new perspective.

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Afternoon – Three options to choose from

  • Option 1: Experience creative Nørrebro: Explore the lively Nørrebro district, now home to many artists, students and young families. As well as its multicultural atmosphere, there are exciting places to visit such as the leafy Assistens Kirkegård, home to Hans Christian Andersen’s grave, the adjacent Hans Tavsens Park, and the public space Superkilen – a kind of urban design park featuring elements from over 60 countries. For dinner, it’s well worth booking a table at BÆST. Here, Italian cuisine meets Danish organic ingredients: homemade cheese, sourdough pizza from a wood-fired oven and natural wine, all served in a relaxed atmosphere. Unpretentious, creative and absolutely delicious.

  • Option 2: Sustainable visions at CopenHill: Or visit CopenHill, the spectacularly designed waste-to-energy plant featuring a ski slope, climbing wall and rooftop terrace. The view over the city is breathtaking – and the building itself is a symbol of modern, sustainable Copenhagen.

  • Option 3: Discover architecture at the Danish Architecture Centre (DAC): For anyone interested in urban planning, design and sustainable living, a visit to the DAC is a must – one of Copenhagen’s modern landmarks, situated right by the water in the striking BLOX building. The interactive exhibitions show how Danish architecture shapes everyday life. A café overlooking the harbour and a lovely design shop round off the visit.

Evening – a dazzling display of lights at Tivoli & culinary nightlife in Vesterbro

No matter how you spent your afternoon – the evening belongs to Tivoli. Amidst nostalgic rides, garden restaurants and atmospheric lighting, a magical charm unfolds that delights young and old alike. The amusement park itself is a popular attraction that combines tradition and atmosphere. Anyone who still has energy and an appetite afterwards should definitely head to the Meatpacking District (Kødbyen) in the Vesterbro neighbourhood. Once purely an industrial and abattoir district, the area has been transformed in recent years into a hotspot for cuisine and creative nightlife.

In the evening, the square fills with young people, music fills the air and the food on offer is first-class:

  • The best tacos in town can be found at Hija de Sanchez Kødbyen – Michelin-star-worthy street food.

  • At the charming Prolog Coffee, speciality coffee is served with passion and craftsmanship.

  • And if you fancy something hearty, pop into Warpigs Brewpub: here you’ll find slow-cooked BBQ pork, served with pickles, coleslaw and craft beer from their own brewery.

Video: Design, architecture and a slide – the DAC brings urban planning to life.

Day 2 – Design, contemporary art and green oases

Morning: Handmade – from sourdough to art

Start the day with breakfast at Lille Bakery on Refshaleøen. In a relaxed industrial setting, the air is filled with the aroma of freshly baked sourdough bread, cinnamon buns and savoury tarts. Everything is prepared using natural ingredients and with a great deal of care and craftsmanship. The coffee is strong, the crowd creative – just the right start to a day full of new experiences.
Just a few steps away lies Copenhagen Contemporary , one of the most exciting centres for contemporary art in Scandinavia. The large-scale installations, light and sound installations, and performance art unfold in a former welding hall – an experience that engages both space and the senses. If you want to not just see art but feel it, this is the place for you.

Afterwards, head back towards the city centre to the Designmuseum Danmark. Housed in an elegant Rococo building, it tells the story of Danish design – from classic furniture and fashion to ceramics and innovative everyday solutions. Particularly impressive: the original pieces by Arne Jacobsen, Poul Henningsen and others.

Lunch – street food with a sea view

After your visit to the museum, why not pop into Broens Gadekøkken – a small but excellent street food market right by the bridge between Nyhavn and Christianshavn. The air is filled with the aroma of fresh bao buns, Danish hot dogs, organic beer and handmade ice cream. And if you fancy a truly special burger, just a few steps away you’ll find POPL Burger – founded by a team from the world-famous Noma. The burgers are simple in concept but cleverly put together: juicy meat or plant-based options, fermented sauces and perfectly baked brioche buns – Nordic cuisine in street food form.

 

Video: Street food with a view of the water – relaxed, varied and perfect for a delightful break in Copenhagen.

Afternoon – Art between the sea and the sky

In the afternoon, an excursion takes you to the south of Copenhagen, specifically to the Arken Museum of Contemporary Art in Ishøj. Getting there by train is easy – from Ishøj station, it’s about a 20-minute walk to the museum. If you prefer a more comfortable journey, you can also take the number 128 bus, which departs right outside the station and takes you almost right to the museum entrance. For those walking, the art experience begins on the way there: The path to the museum is lined with a series of unusual, almost sculptural street lamps, which serve as a visual prelude to the museum’s architecture. It feels as though you are slowly stepping into another world – from the suburbs into an art landscape.

The Arken itself captivates with its expressive form, reminiscent of a shipwreck, and its location amidst an open dune landscape near the sea. As one of the region’s modern landmarks, it offers impressive temporary exhibitions inside, featuring international names such as Damien Hirst and Ai Weiwei, as well as a light-filled sculpture gallery.

Evening – Sunset on the waterfront

After a day full of new experiences, Islands Brygge is the ideal place to relax. Sitting by the water, watching the sunset over the harbour and enjoying the hustle and bustle around you – this is where Copenhagen shows its most laid-back side. Whether with a drink, an ice cream or simply barefoot on the jetty: the evening draws to a close in a relaxed and atmospheric way.

 

Photo: The Arken lies in the dune landscape like a shipwreck – a major work of art set amidst the tranquil coastal landscape.

Day 3 – Nature, art and Copenhagen’s green oases of tranquillity

Morning – Breakfast at Hart Bageri & a trip to Humlebæk

The day begins with a breakfast that sets new standards: at Hart Bageri, one of the city’s trendiest bakeries, Danish craftsmanship meets culinary sophistication. The branch near the opera house is ideally situated if you want to start your day in the city centre. Incidentally, the coffee is supplied by Prolog Coffee – considered by many to be the city’s finest speciality roaster. A perfect start to the third day of your trip.

From there, take the train to Humlebæk (approx. 40 minutes), where the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art awaits – an architectural gem right on the coast. The expansive glass façades, the sculpture park by the sea and works by Ai Weiwei, Yayoi Kusama and Giacometti create a unique fusion of art and nature. If you fancy it, enjoy a snack in the museum café with a view of the Öresund – on a clear day, you can even see as far as Sweden.

Afternoon – A feast for the eyes at the Botanical Gardens

After an impressive morning of art, a stroll through the Botanical Gardens makes for a welcome change of pace. The sprawling grounds are a green oasis in the heart of the city – featuring 19th-century greenhouses, medicinal herb gardens and hidden paths winding through lush vegetation. Particularly popular: the magnificent Orangery with its Palm House – one of the most photogenic sights, whose metal dome and white staircase regularly feature on Instagram. A peaceful, almost magical spot for a short stroll or a brief break.

Evening – a farewell by the sea or a culinary finale

The weather is the best guide to how your last evening in Copenhagen will unfold.

If the sun is shining, there’s hardly anything better than a stroll through Amager Strandpark. The view across the calm water, the golden light on the horizon and the gentle sound of the waves create an atmosphere that could hardly be more fitting for a farewell. Just take a deep breath, barefoot in the sand, with an ice cream in hand or sitting on the promenade – a quiet sight that captures the whole of Copenhagen in a single moment.

If it’s raining or windy, it’s best to move your farewell indoors – for example, over dinner at one of the city’s many Michelin-starred restaurants. Whether at the visionary Noma or the elegant Geranium, which has been recognised multiple times as one of the world’s best restaurants – here, your final evening will become a culinary memory. Booking well in advance is a must, making the evening itself all the more unforgettable.

Photo: Amager Strandpark – Copenhagen’s city beach with dunes, a promenade and views of the Öresund.

Copenhagen with children – where culture meets the playground

Copenhagen is a city that not only welcomes children but actively caters for them. Whether in museums, parks or the metro – almost everything is designed to make families feel at home. Many places are not only practical but also genuine attractions for young and old alike. Many museums have interactive areas where children can explore through play, such as the slide and Lego corner at the Danish Architecture Centre, the Experimentarium with its water features, the Planetarium, or the Danish Museum of Science & Technology with its old aeroplanes and trains that visitors can touch. There’s never a dull moment outdoors either: The Botanical Gardens with their palm house, imaginatively designed playgrounds such as those in Fælledparken or Superkilen, the zoo with its view of the castle in Frederiksberg, the Amager city beach and, of course, a visit to Tivoli or the Little Mermaid make Copenhagen an ideal destination for families.

And what about transport? An experience in its own right!

The Copenhagen Metro is fully automated – with no driver. One of the most unusual sights in the city’s everyday life! Be sure to get on right at the front, as that’s where children (and adults) get the best view – it feels as though they’re driving the train themselves. Particularly exciting: the front section looks like a little cabin with buttons and displays – even though none of it actually works, it sparks the imagination and leaves young passengers wide-eyed. And if you want to get around like a local, hire a cargo bike – because in Copenhagen, seeing children riding in stylish front baskets is simply part of the cityscape.

Photo: Superkilen – Copenhagen’s most colourful park, where design, a playground and world culture come together.

Our tips for a great city break in Copenhagen:

  • It’s worth setting off early: popular spots such as Nyhavn, Tivoli or the museums are much quieter in the morning. If you head out early, you’ll experience the city at a more relaxed pace – and in beautiful light.
  • Get around like the locals: whether by bike, on foot or by metro – Copenhagen is perfect for sustainable travel.
  • Make the most of the Copenhagen Card: Many top attractions such as Tivoli, SMK, DAC or the Botanical Palm House are included – as is public transport. Ideal for anyone keen to explore as much as possible.

  • Make time for some peace and quiet: the Botanical Gardens, Frederiksberg Have or a boat trip along the canals – amidst all the culture, a break in nature does you good. Copenhagen thrives on this balance.
  • Don’t just focus on Instagram – capture real moments too: whether it’s the Little Mermaid, the glass Palm House or Superkilen – Copenhagen is photogenic. But it’s worth putting your mobile away every now and then and simply letting the city work its magic on you.

 

Photo: Cycling in Copenhagen – stylish, fast and quintessentially Danish.

Conclusion: Copenhagen is a place worth returning to

Copenhagen shows just how relaxed, stylish and down-to-earth a city break can be. The Danish capital combines design, cuisine, culture and nature into an experience that inspires without being overwhelming. Whether strolling along the harbour promenades, cycling through creative neighbourhoods or visiting the many sights, Copenhagen surprises with its character and serenity.

Anyone who has been here takes away more than just impressions – namely the feeling that, in Denmark, the beauty lies in simplicity. And that’s exactly why you’ll want to come back.