Copenhagen, Denmark: What to pack, what to wear, and when to go [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.

Contents

About your travel guide

Hi! I'm Dev. I've traveled all over the world and in my travels, I have made many packing lists. In this series, my team and I have compiled the most useful information, as well as things we couldn't live without, to help you plan your trip.

When to go to Copenhagen, Denmark

Based on the climate and weather in Copenhagen, the best time to go is July. However, Copenhagen is a great destination between May and October, and if you go earlier in that period, you may be able to attend the world famous Copenhagen Carnival.

There is also a huge music festival called Copenhell in June, and August brings the Copenhagen Pride event.

If you want to avoid all of the crowds of tourists, you may consider going in the shoulder season. See below for details.

Important essentials for Copenhagen, Denmark

Here are some general tips on what to wear in Copenhagen, as well as several items to remember to pack when traveling there.

IMPORTANT COVID-19 ESSENTIALS

Other health necessities


  • Travel first aid kit

    This one is a excellent kit.


  • Emergency rapid COVID-19 test

    U.S. residents can get them free here. Otherwise, you can buy them here.


  • Emergency motion sickness relief

Don't forget these

 

Activities for Copenhagen, Denmark

Here are some activity recommendations and activity-specific packing tips for Copenhagen.


  • Copenhagen Card

    Don't go to Copenhagen without a Copenhagen Card. It gets you into all of the top museums and many other tourist attractions, like Tivoli.

    Check out the tour


  • 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

The Copenhagen Opera House is a 1700 seat architectural wonder. If you come here when the opera is in session, you should definitely attend a show. You can buy tickets here. Just be sure to wear proper attire:

If you go to the National Museum, with its five different collections, expect to do a lot of walking. This is also true for the many palaces in Copenhagen, such as Amalienborg and Rosenborg Castle.


  • Small portable cooler

    Food and drinks can be expensive here, so you may consider this portable cooler.


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.

 

 

What to wear/what to pack for Copenhagen, Denmark by month

Already know when you're traveling?

January

If you are traveling to Copenhagen in January, you will notice that it can be extremely cold. Expect it to rain or snow about half of the time. Daytime temperatures are in the 30s F (single digits C). This is not a great time to go, as many attractions are closed.

What to wear/what to pack:

What to do in Copenhagen in January:

There isn't a huge number of things to do in Copenhagen in January. 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.

February

February is frosty. Temperatures average in the 30s F (single digits C) during the day. It rains or snows about half of the time. You won't be able to see many attractions during this time, due to the weather or closures.

What to wear/what to pack:

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.

March

In March, Copenhagen is pretty cool. Temperatures routinely are in the low 40s F (single digits C) range. At night, lows are in the low 30s F (single digits C). This is also a rainy time for Copenhagen, with several of the days of the month having rain. In March, humidity reaches as high as 80%.

What to wear/what to pack:

What to do in Copenhagen in March:

If you visit Copenhagen during March, you should plan plenty of indoor activities. 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.

April

In April, Copenhagen is pretty cool. Temperatures routinely are in the high 40s F (single digits C) range. At night, lows are in the 30s F (single digits C). This is also a rainy time for Copenhagen, with several of the days of the month having rain. In April, humidity reaches as high as 70%. April is when Copenhagen starts to open up again, and attractions like Tivoli gear up for the summer.

What to wear/what to pack:

What to do in Copenhagen in April:

If you visit Copenhagen in April, you should plan a good mix of indoor and outdoor activities. 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.

May

In May, Copenhagen is chilly. Temperatures routinely are in the high 50s F (mid 10s C) and about half of the time jump into the low 60s F (mid 10s C) range. At night, lows are in the 40s F (single digits C). This is also a rainy time for Copenhagen, with several of the days of the month having rain. In May, humidity reaches as high as 60%. If you're interested in going to Copenhagen Carnival, you will want to visit around this time (although check with the tourist office, as the dates change).

What to wear/what to pack:

What to do in Copenhagen in May:

In May, you can experience Copenhagen without the tourists. 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.

June

If you are traveling to Copenhagen in June, you will notice that it is relatively cool. Expect it to rain about half of the time. Daytime temperatures are in the 60s F (high 10s C). This is a good time to go if you want to beat the huge tourist crowds that come between July and August. You may be able to catch Carnival or the rock festival Copenhell.

What to wear/what to pack:

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.

July

If you go to Copenhagen in July, you will notice that it is mild. Expect it to rain about half of the time. Daytime temperatures are in the high 60s F (low 20s C). This is the time when all of the tourists visit the city, so expect crowds. Nevertheless, you will get to experience all that Copenhagen nightlife has to offer, such as nightly concerts at Tivoli and plenty of outdoor bars.

What to wear/what to pack:

What to do in Copenhagen in July:

Copenhagen gets crowded in July. 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.

August

August in Copenhagen is balmy. Temperatures average in the high 60s F (low 20s C) during the day. It rains about half of the time. There are lots of tourists in Copenhagen during this time, but there are also some excellent events, such as Copenhagen Pride. You will get to experience the full nightlife scene as well.

What to wear/what to pack:

What to do in Copenhagen in August:

Copenhagen is buzzing in August. 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.

September

September in Copenhagen is chilly. The rain can amount to several inches/centimeters. During this time, temperatures average in the 50s F (low 10s C) to low 60s F (mid 10s C). Nevertheless, since this is the shoulder season, crowds -- and prices -- are much smaller. So it may still be a good time to visit.

What to wear/what to pack:

What to do in Copenhagen in September:

In September, Copenhagen's crowds start to disappear. 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.

October

If you visit Copenhagen during October, you might notice that it can be very chilly. Temperatures tend to hover around the low 50s F (low 10s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the low 40s F (single digits C). Humidity is generally between 70 and 80% during the day. In terms of precipitation, you can expect it to rain about two thirds of the time. This is the end of the shoulder season, and there will be few crowds. However, events and attractions begin to shut down, so you should make sure whatever you want to see is still open.

What to wear/what to pack:

What to do in Copenhagen in October:

In October, Tivoli theme park celebrates Halloween with special rides and events. 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.

November

If you visit Copenhagen during November, you will probably notice that it can be very chilly. Temperatures tend to hover around the low 40s F (single digits C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the 30s F (single digits C). Humidity is generally between 80 and 90% during the day. In terms of precipitation, you can expect it to rain about two thirds of the time.

What to wear/what to pack:

What to do in Copenhagen in November:

In November, you will want to spend a lot of time in the museums. 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.

December

December in Copenhagen is brisk. Temperatures average in the high 30s F (single digits C) during the day. It rains or snows about half of the time. But if you visit at this time, you will experience beautiful Christmas events and markets. You will see beautiful Christmas lights and decorations, and be able to ice skate in Tivoli. If you don't mind the cold, this is a great time to go.

What to wear/what to pack:

What to do in Copenhagen in December:

In December, Copenhagen is 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.

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