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 of your Weekend in Copenhagen: 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 Canal. It’s advisable to book the tour in advance as early as possible so you can maximize your time and tour the area calmly. Here, you can see the list of the best tours, which usually depart from Ved Stranden and end at Slotsholmen. This route is especially convenient for continuing to explore everything Copenhagen has to offer.

Enjoy the City's Cuisine

Now that you’ve explored the unbelievable Nyhavn canal, 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, specifically Sankt Annæ Pl street near Amalienborg Palace where you’ll find plenty of spots to grab a bite before continuing with the rest of your day’s itinerary. It’s simple to reach this area using the metro, which takes only 15 minutes from Slotsholmen.

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 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: Another Nearby Attraction to Explore

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 wel and its dome, with a span of 31 metres and a height of 46 metres, is the largest in all of Scandinavia. 

You can visiting the chucrh every day from 12h to to 17h but the dome is open for tourint only from 13h to 15h. The entrance to the temple is for free but visiting the dome has a cost of 50dkk (6,7 euros). Remember that, although some tourist attractions accept euros, you’ll need to have some local currency during your visit.

Ending the Day with a Good 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. Known as Store Kongensgade, this street is full of places where you can buy souvenirs or sit down to enjoy the best of Copenhagen’s food scene. 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 dosg or Rød Pølse.

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. By taking a couple of buses, you’ll reach the museum’s entrance in just 15 minutes. This museum houses the largest collection of Danish history, as well as various pieces from around the world. 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. 

The National Museum of Denmark is open every day but Mondays. Visitors under 17 have free admission and, for adults, you can book your ticket from 17,5€. Remember to pick up the free tickets on the reception desk if traveling with kids.

Enjoying a Pleasant Lunch Before the Next Stop

In the area surrounding the National Museum of Denmark, there are many intriguing places where you can sit and have a meal before continuing your exploration of the city. Restaurants in this area include Restaurant Karla, Charcuteri, Río Bravo, and many others.

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 and much more. Luckily, this spot is only 15 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 Karriere Bar, 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.

Starting with Breakfast at Torvehallerne Food Market

Taking advantage of its location just one metro station away, you’ll be at this food market in less than 10 minutes, ready to choose where to sit for breakfast. This spectacular food spot offers all kinds of regional and local delicacies, including some of Denmark’s most delicious, sweet treats.

Exploring Christiania

As one of the most captivating places to visit during your weekend in Copenhagen, Christiania is a very special part of the city. Known as the "Green District" due to its allowance of soft drug use, the government has become stricter in recent years, occasionally conducting raids in the area. Beyond this, Christiania is an incredibly artistic neighborhood, with many houses featuring unique designs, graffiti, and murals of all kinds.

Finishing Your Exploration of This Unique Place

To conclude your stay in Denmark, specifically in Copenhagen, it’s highly recommended to visit the Free City of Christiania. This place also stands out for its spectacular sculptures, where every corner is filled with art. Additionally, it offers spaces to relax and enjoy a drink. 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 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 straighforward 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 explore Copenhagen on foot?

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.

Can you see the Northern Lights from Copenhagen?

Technically, you can see the Northern Lights from Copenhagen, but unfortunately, light pollution makes it difficult to notice them.