The Best Activities to Do in your Three Days in Copenhagen

Known as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, Copenhagen offers all kinds of activities to enjoy during a weekend getaway. Whether you have time to spend several weeks in the city or, as in this case, only three days to make the most of it, this picturesque place is renowned for its efficiency in getting around using public transportation. The city stands out for its spectacular architecture, colorful areas, and exceptional sites.

Day 1: Discover the City’s Higlights

To make the most of your three days in Copenhagen, the best thing to do is divide the weekend and organize activities for each day. To begin, it is highly recommended to visit and explore the incredible Nyhavn and also to book a tour with one of the canal boats.

Enjoy the City's Cuisine

Now that you’ve explored the astonishing Nyhavn, spend your midday and afternoon by visiting one of the city’s most imposing palaces. However, before continuing, it’s important to be well-fed and energized to keep exploring this colorful destination. Therefore, after disembarking at Slotsholmen at the end of the canal tour, head to the Indre By area where you’ll find plenty of spots to grab a bite before continuing with the rest of your day’s itinerary.

Visiting Amalienborg Palace

During your trip to Copenhagen, it’s a must to visit Amalienborg Palace, one of Copenhagen’s architectural marvels. This massive site beside the canal and the Marble Church is home to the Danish royal family. Designed by architect Nicolai Eigtved, this masterpiece took nearly 20 years to complete, finishing in 1768. Exploring the palace, which is actually a set of four palaces, is undoubtedly one of the best activities to enjoy while visiting Copenhagen.

The Marble Church

Just a few meters from Amalienborg Palace is another fascinating architectural site to visit: the world-famous Marble Church. This spectacular building in Denmark is known by two different names: Frederiks Kirke (Frederick’s Church) and Marmorkirken (Marble Church). High costs interrupted its construction in 1750, leading to its completion around 1894. It’s a Lutheran temple, initially designed by Nicolai Eigtved as well and its dome, with a span of 31 metres and a height of 46 metres, is the largest in all of Scandinavia.

Ending the Day with a Lovely Dinner in Copenhagen

One of the advantages of touring near the Marble Church is that it’s one of the busiest areas in the city. Store Kongensgade, one of the near by streets, offers everything from galleries, jewellery boutiques and restaurants. You can check out the best budget-friendly spots to eat or even some top restaurants in the area where you can enjoy the must try of typical Nordic Cuisine from the sild (pickled herring) to the Smørrebrød (open shandwiches) and, of course the Danish hot dogs.

Day 2: Time for History and Culture

It's time to start your second day on this wonderful weekend in Copenhagen. First on the list is the National Museum of Denmark. This museum houses the largest collection of Danish history. Before it became a museum, it was the residence of Frederick V, also known as Frederick of Denmark. Some items in the museum are over 400 years old and were part of Frederick’s personal art collection.

Go to Sonny’s close by for lunch. The most popular breakfast and lunch place in this neighborhood. 

Tivoli Gardens: A must stop during your trip to Copenhagen

Whether you are traveling with children or for a romantic getaway, Tivoli Gardens is a must during your three days in Copenhagen. This place, full of rides, is a mix of an amusement park and a tourist attraction where you can enjoy and experience all sorts of activities. Book tickets in advance to save time and maximize your day. Click this link to learn how to get your tickets. 

Tivoli Gardens offers a wide variety of roller coasters, carousels for family fun, and many other attractions. Another great advantage of this splendid location is that you can eat and drink inside, allowing you to continue enjoying the various rides. Depending on the time of year you visit, this site may also host live performances by renowned artists and orchestras.

Ending the Day by Experiencing Copenhagen’s Nightlife

Your experience in Copenhagen should include a bit of everything, and one of the most recommended activities is visiting Vesterbro. This area concentrates most of the city’s nightlife spots. Once known as the city's red-light district, it has evolved over the years into a fantastic area with various nightclubs, bars, restaurants and much more. Luckily, this spot is only 10 minutes from Tivoli Gardens, making it a quick and convenient addition to your second-day itinerary. Some of the most popular venues in this area include Jolene, Bakken, and KB3, among others.

Day 3: Discovering More Experiences in the City

To wrap up your visit to this magnificent city and conclude your weekend, there are a few more experiences you can enjoy before leaving. This final day focuses more on exploring the city’s culinary scene, relaxing, and discovering a bit more of its charm.

Go visit Torvehallerne which is many different stands offering all kinds of food and delicacies. This spectacular food spot offers all kinds of regional and local delicacies, including some of Denmark’s most delicious, sweet treats.

Exploring Christianshavn

As one of the most captivating places to visit during your weekend in Copenhagen, Christianshavn is a very special part of the city and is an incredibly artistic neighborhood, ‘hyggelige’ canals and amazing atmosphere. 

This entire area is one of the most intriguing parts of the city and is well worth visiting before leaving this vibrant destination.

Transportation Tips

One of Copenhagen’s standout features is its extensive bus and metro network and spectacular system for getting around the city. Despite being a relatively expensive city, transportation is more accessible and affordable. Most central locations have nearby bus or metro stations, making them straightforward to reach. Many destinations are just a 15-minute journey away using public transportation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days are enough for Copenhagen?

Copenhagen is one of the best places in Europe for a getaway for several reasons. It is easily walkable or bikeable and yet there is so much to see; it is historic and yet not at all dull or monotonous; and the food is out of this world. You can easily spend more than two days in Copenhagen and, if you have the time, we recommend staying for at least 3 or 4 to fully enjoy the city.

Is it expensive to spend three days in Copenhagen?

Although the city has relatively high prices, its excellent public transportation system balances this out. 

If your budget is tighter, you can opt to explore the city on two wheels and on foot. The biggest expense is likely to be eating out, but when the food is so spectacular, it's worth splurging.

Can you see the Northern Lights from Copenhagen?

Technically, you can see the Northern Lights from Copenhagen, but it rarely happens.

Can you explore Copenhagen on foot?

Yes, you can indeed. Copenhagen is a compact sized city, which allows for easy exploration of nearly every location on foot without missing a single corner. If you get tired of walking, you can also choose to take a bike and explore Copenhagen in a unique way.