Copenhagen, Denmark: What to do [2022]

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Traveling to Copenhagen, Denmark? If you're planning to go to Copenhagen and experience the wonderful Danish charm, the following is some important information about when to go, what to wear, and what to pack.

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Activities for Copenhagen, Denmark

Here are some general activity recommendations for Copenhagen.


  • Copenhagen 3-hour City Highlights Bike Tour

    For a great intro to the city, consider a bike tour of City Hall and the old town. You will traverse the city like a local, as well as learn about the history and significance of the area, which makes it much more special.

    Check out the tour


  • Hamlet castle and Sweden tour

    Sweden is just minutes away from Copenhagen. For a great excursion, take a tour to see Sweden, as well as the famous Kronborg castle, of Hamlet fame.

    Check out the tour


  • Food tasting tour

    If you love food, crisscross the city with a local, tasting some of the top foods and wine.

    Check out the tour

 

What to do in Copenhagen, Denmark by month

Already know when you're traveling?

January

What to do in Copenhagen in January:

There isn't a huge number of things to do in Copenhagen in January because of the cold weather. The days are short, and a lot of attractions are closed. Nevertheless, you can still enjoy some of the bars and restaurants in the city, of which there are many.

This is a good time to visit some of the wonderful galleries and museums in the city. Use your Copenhagen Card to get free access to the top museums. Make sure you don't miss the Danish National Gallery, which has works of artists including Picasso and Rembrandt, and the National Museum, with one of the best collections in Europe. You can also hop on a train and check out the Louisiana Museum of modern art outside the city.

Check out our article on what to wear and what to pack for Copenhagen in January.

February

What to do in Copenhagen in February:

Days are short in Copenhagen in February, so you will want to maximize your daylight -- if you can "weather" the cold. You will want to use your Copenhagen Card to visit the top museums for free (National Museum, Danish National Gallery, Louisiana Museum). You can spend an entire day in each of these.

During the daylight hours, tour Christianborg Palace or Amalienborg Palace. A private tour is a great way to see these top sites without wasting valuable daylight.

You can also check out one of the many Danish design museums included with your Copenhagen Card, such as the Danish Design Museum or the Danish Architecture Center. Bars and restaurants are a great way to spend the evening, and some are open late, but to experience some culture, consider getting tickets to the Opera.

Check out our article on what to wear and what to pack for Copenhagen in February.

March

What to do in Copenhagen in March:

If you visit Copenhagen during March, you should plan plenty of indoor activities, due to the near freezing temperatures. There is frequent rain, so get a Copenhagen Card and enjoy free admission to the top museums, such as the National Museum, the Danish National Gallery and the Louisiana Museum.

Since you'll probably have a lot of time for indoor activities, check out the Denmark Aquarium, with its 100+ tanks of sea animals, and the Copenhagen Museum, a fascinating look at the city's history. You can use the Copenhagen Card to get free admission.

On days with better weather, go see the palaces (Christianborg Palace, Amalienborg Palace). A car tour can be a good way to see these top sites efficiently -- even in the rain.

Check out our article on what to wear and what to pack for Copenhagen in March.

April

What to do in Copenhagen in April:

If you visit Copenhagen in April, you should plan a good mix of indoor and outdoor activities, since the weather starts to get milder. When it's not raining, use your Copenhagen Card to visit Tivoli, which opens in early April (make sure to check out the exact opening date before going).

On a different non-rainy day, tour the sites, including Rosenborg Castle, Christianborg Palace, and Amalienborg Palace. A private car tour can be a good way to see these top sites efficiently, and you won't have to worry if it does start to rain.

In the evening, try some of Copenhagen's many bars and restaurants, or get tickets to the Opera.

Check out our article on what to wear and what to pack for Copenhagen in April.

May

What to do in Copenhagen in May:

In May, you can experience Copenhagen without the tourists, although it can be cool. You'll want to visit Tivoli, which you can do for free with your Copenhagen Card. Just don't forget yor jacket.

Do the rounds and visit all of the main attractions, such as Nyhavn, Christianborg, and Amalienborg, either on your own or with a guided tour. A great way to see all of these while getting some exercise is a bike tour .

On cooler days, use your Copenhagen Card to visit the top museums for free. The most fascinating are the National Museum and the Danish National Gallery. If you have time, consider the Louisiana Museum as well.

In the evening, check out the many bars and clubs. A great way to find some of the best, and make new friends in the process, is a guided pub crawl.

Check out our article on what to wear and what to pack for Copenhagen in May.

June

What to do in Copenhagen in June:

June is a great month to visit Copenhagen, as there are some excellent events going on in the city. Copenhagen Distortion is a giant music and dance party. If you are into heavy metal music, the Copenhell metal music festival also occurs in June.

Copenhagen Carnival also takes place in June, with music, dancing and parades. The event draws hundreds of thousands of people.

Plan to spend a full day in Tivoli, the world-famous theme park. You can get free admission with a Copenhagen Card (which can be a big savings).

Spend at least one day touring the major sites: Christianborg Palace, Nyhavn, the Little Mermaid statue, and Amalienborg Palace. A guided full day tour is a great way to check off all of these while learning about their significance.

Even though the weather is nice, don't miss the top museums. Use your Copenhagen Card to get free access to the Danish National Gallery, which has works of artists including Picasso and Rembrandt, and the National Museum, with one of the best collections in Europe.

Check out our article on what to wear and what to pack for Copenhagen in June.

July

What to do in Copenhagen in July:

Copenhagen gets crowded in July, with mild temps. Music fans can enjoy the Jazz Festival, as well as some smaller events that take place in the city.

Use your Copenhagen Card to spend a day at Tivoli theme park, but make sure you get there early to avoid the crowds.

You'll want to see the top sites, so consider a half day bike tour for an overview, and then return to the ones you found most interesting.

For lunch, try a guided food tasting tour, and try the best foods and drinks with a local.

Enjoy the sun and go for a swim with the locals at the harbour bath in Vesterbro. And don't forget the museums. Your Copenhagen Card gets you free admission to most of them, so select one or two of interest and go.

Check out our article on what to wear and what to pack for Copenhagen in July.

August

What to do in Copenhagen in August:

Copenhagen is buzzing in August, and the weather is great. Copenhagen Pride is a giant LGBT pride festival with nearly a half-million attendees. And for nightlife lovers, RAW and Strom are two giant parties that take place in the city.

For a great day with the kids, go to Tivoli theme park. After that, check out the Copenhagen zoo, and see more than 4000 animals. The Copenhagen Card gets you admission to both for free.

For some excercise, and a chance to see the most important sites, try a private walking "grand tour" of the city. Your guide will help you select the sites you will find interesting, and you can skip the other stuff.

For something a bit different, and fascinating, go on a tour of Christiania, the self-governing "everything goes" section of the city. Or, if you're a castle lover, consider a day tour of Frederiksborg Castle, a 45 minute drive from the city.

For some shopping, check out Norrebro flea market. And at night, check out some of the many excellent restaurants and bars in the city. If you want advice from a local, as well as a chance to make new friends, try a guided pub crawl.

Check out our article on what to wear and what to pack for Copenhagen in August.

September

What to do in Copenhagen in September:

In September, Copenhagen's crowds start to disappear, and the chilly weather returns. You can still enjoy outdoor activities, so get your Copenhagen Card to spend a day at Tivoli, the famous theme park.

If you get a warm day, enjoy the sun at the harbour bath in Vesterbro. For lunch, get a restaurant recommendation from a local, or try a guided food tasting tour.

You'll want to see the top sites, so consider a half day bike tour for an overview. If you have extra time, you can return to the ones you found most interesting later.

For shopping, check out Norrebro flea market. Of course, don't forget to visit the museums. Your Copenhagen Card can get you free access.

Check out our article on what to wear and what to pack for Copenhagen in September.

October

What to do in Copenhagen in October:

In October, Tivoli theme park celebrates Halloween with special rides and events, but bring your jacket. Don't miss the spooky fun -- your Copenhagen Card gets you in for free.

Days start getting short, so be efficient during the daylight. You can do a half day guided tour of all of the top sites by bike. This leaves plenty of time to see the sites or do the activities you are most interested in.

In the late afternoon, check out the museums. The ones you shouldn't miss are the National Museum, Danish National Gallery, and the Louisiana Museum. Your Copenhagen Card gets you into all of them.

At night, get tickets to the Opera or try the city's great restaurants.

Check out our article on what to wear and what to pack for Copenhagen in October.

November

What to do in Copenhagen in November:

In November, you will want to spend a lot of time in the museums, due to the cold weather. With your Copenhagen Card you can visit them for free. The best are the National Museum, the Danish National Gallery, and the Louisiana Museum.

You should have time to tour the top attractions during the daylight hours. Don't miss Christianborg Palace or Amalienborg Palace. A private tour is a an excellent way to see these sites.

If it gets too cold to be outside, check the Danish Design Museum or the Danish Architecture Center. Both are free with the Copenhagen card.

If you visit toward the end of the month, you may also get to see Copenhagen gearing up for Christmas.

Check out our article on what to wear and what to pack for Copenhagen in November.

December

What to do in Copenhagen in December:

In December, Copenhagen is a snowy winter wonderland, all decked out for Christmas. Use your Copenhagen Card to see Christmas at Tivoli gardens, where a beautiful winter wonderland awaits. There is also an excellent Christmas market at the Copenhagen Zoo, which you can also visit with the card.

The cold, dark days mean you will want to spend a lot of time in the museums. The best are the National Museum, the Danish National Gallery, and the Louisiana Museum.

To see the top attractions, a car tour can help you maximize daylight and keep you out of the cold.

For kids, the Denmark Aquarium, is a great indoor option. You can use the Copenhagen Card to get free admission. Or if you're a castle lover, consider a day tour of Frederiksborg Castle.

Check out our article on what to wear and what to pack for Copenhagen in December.

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