These are the best Day Trips from Copenhagen

The Northen paradise offers historical sites and natural beauty

Beyond the fact that this city is extremely picturesque and beautiful to explore, one of the advantages of being here is that you can take all kinds of day trips from Copenhagen to very nearby places, using, for example, just a bicycle. Popular choices include the Kronborg Castle (known for being Hamlet's Castle), Malmö, and the coastal towns of Helsingør and Tisvildeleje. Discover with us what other sites and plans you can do around Copenhaguen.

North Zealand, a green paradise full of nature

This huge area is located not far north of Copenhagen, about half an hour's drive. One of the things you will quickly notice about this place is that it has far fewer buildings and less light pollution, so you can enjoy the northern European night sky. In addition, you can discover numerous hiking trails and walks filled with a variety of biomes. 

In both winter and summer, you can explore the stunning green landscape of this part of Denmark on the trails it offers, either on foot or by bicycle. You can also enjoy kayaking on the rivers in the area. Last but not least, the picturesque food here makes it a must-visit place to try in the restaurants that offer the best delicacies and wines of the region. 

You can reach North Zealand by car in just half an hour, as mentioned above. However, you can also choose to go by bus from Nørreport St. station to Hørsholm Midtpunkt and then transfer to another bus that will take you to North Zealand. This trip takes about 2 hours and costs between DKK 40-55. Another option would be to take a train from Vesterport station in Copenhagen to Hillerød station, where you can transfer to another train that will take you to your destination in North Zealand. The total trip takes approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes and costs between DKK 40 and 65.

Malmö, an international Swedish city

Malmö is Sweden's third largest city, and its mix of history and modernity makes it an ideal day trip destination. Best of all, it is connected to Copenhagen via the Øresund Bridge, which makes it easy to get to Copenhagen and, in turn, to Sweden. 

The Swedish city is characterized by being very diverse, with inhabitants coming from 180 countries, which enriches the cultural life. It offers a rich cultural life with numerous museums, events and outdoor activities. One of our must-see recommendations is the Art Museum and the Natural History Museum, which are located inside the Renaissance castle of Malmöhus. 

The fastest and most comfortable option to get there is to take a direct train from Copenhagen Central Station to Malmö Central Station, which would take about 30 minutes. But if you prefer to enjoy the views offered by the Øresund Bridge, you can go by car or bus from the Danish city. The trip would take about 40 minutes and 1 hour respectively.

Roskilde

As one of the oldest cities in Denmark, Roskilde has several buildings dating back to the 15th century. One of the city's most recognized points of interest is its Gothic-style cathedral, whose construction began in the 11th century and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1955. Roskilde Cathedral is famous for its impressive architecture and for the royal tombs of many Viking and Danish kings and queens who reigned over the centuries since it was inaugurated. 

Another must-see in Roskilde is the Viking Ship Museum, which displays several Viking ships that have been reconstructed to offer a unique insight into the maritime history of the ancient Northerners. 

In addition to these historical sites, Roskilde is famous for its annual Roskilde Festival, one of the largest music festivals in Europe, which attracts thousands of visitors each year. 

To visit this Danish city, the best means of transportation is the train, which departs frequently from Copenhagen Central Station. The trip takes about half an hour and usually costs between 40 and 55 Danish kroner.

The most interesting castles in Denmark

One of the greatest day trips from Copenhagen awaits you further north from your room. In this area, you’ll find the imposing Frederiksborg Palace, an iconic castle that was a symbol of absolute monarchy in the 1800s and, eventually, became a museum. Visitors can enter the royal rooms, see all kinds of unique paintings, and explore every corner of this gigantic building. Using the public transport network, this castle is only about an hour and a half away at most. 

Continuing a bit further northeast of Copenhagen, you’ll find another wonderful castle to visit and explore, the Kronborg Castle, in which some areas are open to the public. The journey by public transport from the city center takes approximately an hour and a half. Another unique feature of this structure is that it served as the setting for William Shakespeare's famous play, Hamlet.

Why you should visit the Fishing Villages

If you are interested in visiting the different coastal villages near Copenahgue, we recommend three that are well worth seeing. 

First, just over 40 minutes drive away, is Dragør, one of the main fishing villages in the country. It is known for its old town and its traditional yellow houses. In its restaurants you can enjoy fresh seafood and views of the Öresund strait. 

To the southwest you can reach Køge in an hour by public transport, where you will find its peculiar medieval architecture and its famous harbor. You can also visit the exhibits at the local museum in Køge, which is housed in a 16th century wooden building. 

Finally, we recommend a visit to the fishing village of Humlebæk, located northeast of the Danish capital, about an hour away by public transport. This town is home to the Louisiana Museum of Art, which offers a unique combination of contemporary art and beautiful coastal scenery. Near the town are several interesting castles to visit, such as the aforementioned Kronborg Castle in Helsingør and Frederiksborg Palace in Hillerød.

Main Museums around Copenhagen

If you are interested in visiting different museums, you can find several within an hour following the coastal route from Copenhagen. 

First, located in Rungstedlund, you can visit the Karen Blixen Museum, which is dedicated to the life and work of the famous writer. You can walk through its gardens, visit its bird sanctuary, and relax in its small café for a break. 

Continuing north, you will find the Nivaagaard Museum, which has an impressive art collection that includes works from the Renaissance, Baroque and Danish Golden Age. You can also take a stroll through its park and have lunch in its cafe after visiting all its galleries. 

Again heading north along the coast, you’ll find Flynderupgårdmuseet. This small museum is ideal for families as it has many exhibitions for children and an open farm where they can interact with all kinds of animals. Added to this are spectacular gardens and the farm itself. Continuing even further north, there are a total of five more museums to visit and explore, offering insight into Denmark’s history.

Visiting nature and the mesmerizing Møns Klint

This is one of the farthest locations in these extraordinary day trips from Copenhagen. It's not easily accessible by public transport, but it's about 2 hours away by car. In this case, we’re referring to Møns Klint. It’s an ideal trip for nature lovers, featuring incredible cliffs to visit right by the water, with bridges and paths to walk and relax. 

This is one of the many beaches and coastal areas to keep in mind when staying in Copenhagen. On the other hand, not far from the city center, you’ll find the Svanemølle and Amager beaches. These are much quieter and closer spots to enjoy favorable weather and relax away from the noise of the busier parts of the city.

Some tips for travelers

Many of these places are more than an hour away from the city center. Therefore, it’s crucial to pack plenty of water and food for longer trips to stay hydrated. Always carry extra warm clothing in case night falls, as the temperature drops dramatically.

Transport options for getting around Copenhagen

One of Copenhagen’s greatest advantages is its very well-developed public transport network. This implies that you can travel anywhere using a train, metro, or even a bus. There are also many long-distance options, such as low-cost customized vans and other non-land transportation. A very fantastic ferry system allows for movement between islands.

When is the best time to visit Copenhagen?

This will depend on what kind of climate you enjoy most. Generally, it’s ideal to visit in summer, as the winter in this region of the planet is quite cold and harsh. This means that any long walking trips will be much more complicated due to the low temperatures.

Considering the general costs when planning this trip

Regarding general costs, for example, most trips on public transport will cost you, at most, just over 40 DKK, which is Denmark's national currency. This translates to a total of about 5 to 10 € per day to move around the different parts of the city, whether distant or nearby. However, museums offer reasonable prices, ensuring you can make the most of your stay. Their prices mostly range below 15 euros for entry to each of the museums. When you are in the more remote areas, you should consider purchasing food and water to stay refreshed and ensure you always have something to eat. This translates to spending approximately 20 euros on food and other essentials, depending on your location. But you will need to budget at least 60 euros per person for this. This makes the total cost of the trip, excluding accommodation, far below the ideal average for vacationers who don’t want to spend a lot of money.

Conclusions

One of the best things to enjoy in the fascinating city of Copenhagen is its proximity to many areas filled with lush greenery and truly splendid natural spots. For people who enjoy nature and exploring, there is no better city than this one. You can take advantage of everything nearby to discover and be amazed by the natural beauty. Added to this is the fact that while this city is generally expensive, these activities lower the costs because most of them are completely public and free, saving you money. You’ll make the most of the accessible public transport system if you want to try the day trips from Copenhagen that we recommended. 

If you are planning to visit Copenhagen, check out our hotels near the main city´s attractions: NH Collection Copenhagen and NH Copenhagen Grand Joanne.

FAQs

What else can you visit near Copenhagen?

As even the guide mentions, one of the most recommended places to visit, which is literally less than an hour away from this city, is Sweden. Starting with Malmö and heading north, you can actually tour all of Sweden if you wish after visiting Denmark.

What is the closest city to Copenhagen in Europe?

Beyond the previously mentioned Malmö, which is part of Sweden and only an hour away, if you head north of Copenhagen, you will find the beautiful city of Helsingborg in Sweden. One thing to keep in mind is that compared to Denmark, Sweden is much colder.

Where can you go from Copenhagen by train?

There are numerous destinations to visit by train from this beautiful city in Denmark. For example, in just over two days of travel, you can reach Milan, Italy. You can also visit cities like Oslo, Aarhus, Odense, Aalborg, Esbjerg, and many more. All these trips vary from 2 hours to even days, depending on the particular destination.

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