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One Day in a City > Destinations > Europe > Denmark > One Day in Copenhagen Itinerary

One Day in Copenhagen Itinerary

November 17, 2020 By Gina
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Top Things to Do for a Perfect 24 Hours in Copenhagen, Denmark

Beautiful Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen are a must-see even if you have just one day in Copenhagen.
Beautiful Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen | Photo by Annabel Kirk

Denmark’s capital city of Copenhagen is small and compact so it is easy to explore the highlights of Copenhagen in one day. The best way to get a real feel for Copenhagen is to take to the water or to hire a bicycle; boats and bikes are a great way to get around the city.

Although Copenhagen is best known for the sculpture of the Little Mermaid, there is a great deal more to the city than this mythical creature.

While you should make time to see the Little Mermaid statue even if you only have 24 hours in Copenhagen, there is so much more to do. I share that and more in this Copenhagen itinerary for those short on time.

One Day in Copenhagen Itinerary

Begin in the Copenhagen Neighborhood of Nyhavn

Nyhavn neighborhood of Copenhagen is a great place to start you day in Copenhagen.
Nyhavn

The best place to begin a visit to Copenhagen is beautiful Nyhavn (also referred to as New Harbor). It is in fact not new at all, dating back to the 17th century.

Colorful buildings overlook the canal where boats take visitors on trips around the harbor. The dock is lined with cafes and bars so if you are in need of a morning coffee, this is a great destination.

Boat Trips in Copenhagen to the Little Mermaid and Beyond

Walking around Nyhavn, also referred to as New Harbor, is one of the top things to do in Copenhagen.
Boat in the harbor of Nyhavn

From Nyhavn, there are boat trips of varying length plying the waterways of Copenhagen.

A one hour boat tour will take in the Little Mermaid which is a long walk otherwise and will eat into your precious time in the city.

Little Mermaid Statue in Copenhagen, Denmark
Little Mermaid Statue

Other boat trip highlights will likely include passing Amalienborg – home of the Danish royal family, the Copenhagen Opera House and also the independent community of Christiania. Tours are conducted in Danish and English and offer an excellent overview of the city if you only have one day to spare.

Copenhagen Opera House
Copenhagen Opera House | Photo by Annabel Kirk

Lunch in Copenhagen

There are endless places to consider for lunch in Copenhagen. If the weather is on your side, it is worth seeking out one of the outdoor street food markets such as Reffen or Bridge Street Kitchen – the latter is not far from Nyhavn.

Alternatively, if you need to take shelter during lunch another great food market destination is Torvehallerne, which is covered.

Try a Smørrebrød, the traditional Danish open sandwich –usually made with rye bread and topped with cured meat or fish such as herring.

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Early Afternoon in Copenhagen: Exploring Streets or Museums?

Bike Copenhagen’s Streets

Car-free zone in Copenhagen.
Car-free zone in Copenhagen

If you’re visiting Copenhagen in summer time, it’s worth hiring a bike to explore some of the city’s interesting neighborhoods. There are beautiful parks, appealing shopping streets and excellent play spaces if you are visiting Copenhagen with kids.

Central Copenhagen has very limited traffic, so the streets are very safe for cyclists. It is possible to hire a variety of bikes including tag along bikes and cargo trailers, perfect for young children.

Copenhagen Museums

Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek Museum in Copenhagen is one of the best museums to see if you have just 24 hours to spend in Copenhagen.
Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek Museum

If you have just one day in Copenhagen and it is winter time or the weather is not conducive to outdoor pursuits, the city has some excellent museums to explore. The best one to give you a general overview of the country is the National Museum of Denmark which covers the country’s epic history. It also has a very good children’s section.

Art lovers should not miss the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek museum, which houses a vast collection of artworks from prehistory to the present day.

Shopping and Legos in Copenhagen

Stroget Street in Copenhagen is a great place to shop for souvenirs.
Stroget Street

For a shopping experience, consider visiting Copenhagen’s pedestrianized Stroget shopping street where you will find all the main high street and international designer brands.

The department store Illum has (along with a whole host of shopping attractions) a rooftop café where you can take in the views over the city.

Be sure to stop at the famous Lego store if you have children in tow or are a Lego fanatic yourself. This is, after all, the country where Lego was born.

For a more low key and authentic shopping trip you’ll need to seek out a neighborhood such as Nørrebro where you’ll find interesting independent shops and second hand stores along with enticing coffee bars.

Architecturally stunning building in the Nørrebro neighborhood of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Nørrebro

Side Note: Nørrebro is also home to the excellent Superkilen Park and the beautiful Assistens Cemetery where, among others, Hans Christian Anderson is buried.

Sunset View From Round Tower

Round Tower is a great place to go for scenic views of Copenhagen.
Round Tower

For great views across the city, the Round Tower is not to be missed. This 17th century tower, which has a spiral ramp perfect for those with limited mobility or families using a stroller, offers a great panorama of Copenhagen.

Evening in Copenhagen

The Tivoli Gardens

Entrance to Tivoli Gardens, a must-see place on any Copenhagen itinerary.
Entrance to Tivoli Gardens

One of the most popular attractions in Copenhagen is the Tivoli Gardens, which is also a lovely place to end your day in Copenhagen.

This pleasure garden dates back over 175 years and it is a pleasant place to visit, particularly in the evening when the sparkly lights give the park a magical atmosphere.

Tivoli Gardens at night.
Tivoli Gardens at Night

At the Tivoli Gardens you will find fun fair rides, beautiful gardens and lakes, and an excellent play space for children.

Rides and Greenery in Copenhagen's Tivoli Park
Rides and Greenery in Tivoli Park

There’s a good range of places to eat and drink should you wish to enjoy an evening meal at the park, and there is usually seasonal entertainment at the two cultural venues, the concert hall and the glass hall theater.

If you would prefer to remain outdoors, the park’s very own youth band will likely be there to entertain you and there are numerous cafes serving refreshments outside too.

Nightlife in the Vesterbro and Meatpacking Neighborhoods

The Vesterbro neighborhood is a great place in Copenhagen to head for evening drinks and nightlife.
Vesterbro

If you prefer a more contemporary venue for your one evening in Copenhagen, head to the Vesterbro neighborhood. Once a slightly seedy part of the city, Vesterbro is now a popular destination to while away an evening in Copenhagen.

You will find a good range of places to enjoy an aperitif or an evening meal before heading to one of the trendy bars which are frequented by young locals of Copenhagen.

And if you really want to make the most of your one day in Copenhagen, the Meatpacking District will be open until dawn. Previously an industrial part of the city, the Meatpacking District is now the place to go for nightlife.

One Day in Copenhagen Budget Tip: The Copenhagen Card

For avid museum goers, it is worth considering purchasing the Copenhagen card which covers entry to a wide variety of city center attractions including boat trips, the Round Tower and the National Museum.

Copenhagen is not a cheap city to visit so you should do some research to decide whether the Copenhagen card will save you money.

Transportation in Copenhagen

Many people get to Copenhagen via Central Station. Once there, bikes are a fun way to get around the city.
Copenhagen Central Station

If you decide to purchase a Copenhagen card, transport on the city’s trains, buses and metro is included.

However, do not rule out exploring the city on foot or by bike if you would like to experience how the people of Copenhagen navigate their city.

Getting to Copenhagen

At a little over four miles from the center of the city, Copenhagen airport is just a 15-minute train or metro ride away. If you are planning a day trip to Copenhagen from neighboring Sweden across the famous Øresund bridge, the train from Malmo takes approximately 40 minutes.

Found this One Day in Copenhagen itinerary helpful? Pin to read again later!

Short on time in Copenhagen? This one day in Copenhagen itinerary will have you filling your day with the best things to do and see.

About the Author: After 10 years working in the travel industry selling and marketing holidays across the globe, Annabel Kirk decided to set up the Smudged Postcard blog to share her knowledge of family travel. The blog features adventure and cultural travel ideas with a focus on road trips and sustainable accommodation. Based in the UK, Annabel writes about where to travel in the British Isles with kids along with plenty of ideas for European holidays, with Italy being a particular focus.

About Gina

I'm a former travel agency marketing director turned freelance travel writer. My editorial and copywriting work has been published on and in USA TODAY, Travel + Leisure, the Travel Channel Cities app, TripSavvy, and many more online and print publications. I especially love sharing my knowledge of traveling with limited vacation time, making the most of cruise ports of call, and vacationing with kids. I also enjoy sharing my favorite travel gear and products to make traveling easier!

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