Last updated: 1 Nov 2025

That’s the question I have gotten asked quite a bit recently, and I hope this writing can help anyone who is trying to find their way in Copenhagen and enjoy the city!

How to get around

The public transport is fantastic. If you are here only for a short period of time, get a city pass. But if you are here for longer (1 week and above), get a rejsekort at a 7-11 or other places. if you want to buy one off tickets, buy it at dsb.dk or use either the DSB app or DOT app.

If you like bikes, use Donkey Republic. Before renting, also check if your accommodation (if you are in a hotel) provides bikes. It’s often a service they provide.

If you would like e-bike/e-scooter, use Lime. Additionally, when you use e-scooter, there is a regulation that you should wear a helmet, and the e-scooter companies do not provide it. So you have to bring your own helmet. Read more on the regulations here. Personally, I don’t recommend e-bike/e-scooter.

Where to visit if you only have 1 day

If you only have 1 day in Copenhagen, this is likely a good route. Checkout the map here.

1. Little Mermaid
2. Amalienborg – Castle where the Queen lives in
3. Marble Church / Frederik’s Church
4. Ofelia Plads – Great view of the harbor and the Opera House
5. Nyhavn – New harbor, where all the tourists come to take photos
6. Kongens Have – Beautiful big garden. If you have time, there’s the Rosenborg Slot here where the crown jewels are stored
7. Round Tower – Cheap entry ticket to get to high grounds to see Copenhagen
8. Stork Fountain – Nice fountain in the middle of town, grab a coffee at Original Coffee at Illum’s top floor and see the fountain and people watch from above
9. Christianborg castle – Castle where parliament works at and they have a horse stable and field. There’s also a viewing platform that is accessible for free
10. Rådhusplasen – City hall square

Where else to visit if you have more than 1 day

Nørrebro area:

1. Assistens Kirkegaard – Graveyard of Niehls Bohr
2. Jæggersborggade – hipster shopping street

Inner city:

1. Rosenborg Castle – nice park and the castle where the royal jewelry is stored
2. Tivoli – amusement park – Closed early Jan – early April
3. Torvehallerne – Food market
4. Kalvebod bygge – nice swimming spot in the canals. Also beside the Danish Architecture Center
5. Ny Carlsberg Glyptoteket

Other areas:

1. Reffen – Outdoor street food market, great when the weather is good. Also have a good brewery. To come here, use the harbor bus! Fantastic way to enjoy the city.
2. Christiania – Free town, and interesting view to a bit of a 60s hipster paradise

What to eat and drink

In all the categories here, the numbers also denote my personal preference, with 1 being my favorite in the category. I also only put places I have personally visited or the ones high in my list to visit, and I hope to expand this list when I visit more! To convert from DKK to EUR, multiply it by 0.13 or divide it by 7.

Restaurants (Reservation is strongly encouraged):

1. If you’re a big spender and is coming to Copenhagen for food:
   • Noma
   • Alchemist
   • Jordnær
   • Sushi Anaba
   • Alouette
2. Danish Food:
   • Cafe Halvvejen – ~200 DKK pp – Phone reservation only
   • Smagsløget – 50-100 DKK pp – if you’re like me, just order 1 sandwich for 2 person. Big portion here.
   • 1733 – ~150-300 DKK pp
   • Restaurant Kronborg – 300-400 DKK pp
   • Væskt – ~700 DKK pp
   • Høst – ~700 DKK pp
   • Schønemann – Lunch only, 300-500 DKK pp
   • Restaurant Radio – One of my favorite upscale restaurant . Michelin Bib Gourmand – ~2000 DKK pp
3. Burgers:
   • POPL Burger – Burger by Noma, best burger in town. No 4 of best burgers in the world – ~300 DKK pp
   • Poulette – Absolute best fried chicken burger I’ve had, takeaway only – 150 DKK pp
   • Gasoline Grill – the other contender for best burger, try the first outlet that’s at a gas station. No 6 of best burgers in the world – ~150-200 DKK pp
   • Dandelion Burger – 100-200 DKK pp
4. Chinese food
   • Lee’s Kitchen – Cantonese Food – 200-300 DKK pp
   • Noodle Joint 35 – Homestyle Chinese noodles – ~150-200 DKK pp
   • Zen Dimsum and Sushi – Dimsum – 200-300 DKK pp
   • Captain H – North Chinese and Korean – 200-300 DKK pp
5. Japanese food
   • Bento – 300-400 DKK pp
   • Tokyo Restaurant – 300-400 DKK pp
   • Posh Jah / Jah Izakaya – 300-400 DKK pp
   • Selfish CPH – 200-300 DKK pp
6. Italian food
   • Fabro – No booking, fantastic pasta, come early – 100-200 DKK pp
   • Pizzeria La Fiorita – 100-200 DKK pp
   • Bæst – Pizza – 300-600 DKK pp
   • Pizzeria Luca – Pizza – 200-400 DKK pp
   • Pasta la pasta – Pasta – 100-200 DKK pp
7. Indonesian food
   • Saji – 200-300 DKK pp
   • Warung – in Fisketorvet mall – 200 DKK pp
8. Others
   • Ismageriet – Best ice cream shop around
   • Pho Hanoi – Vietnamese, reservation not required, but possible via telephone – ~150-300 DKK pp
   • Capa – No 21 of best steaks in the world – 700-1000 DKK per person
   • Pluto – Classic western bistro with drinks – 300-500 DKK per person
   • Hanoi Alley – Legit Vietnamese food, no alcohol – ~150 DKK per person
   • Ambassador – My favorite Indian place – 400-800 DKK per person

Coffee places:

1. Democratic Coffee – Close to Nørreport or Rundtårnet
2. Prolog Coffee – At Kødbyen
3. Roast Coffee – One close to Rådhuspladsen, one close to Islands Brygge
4. H A N S Coffee
5. Coffee Collective
6. Risteriet Coffee – Close to Kbh H, so if you have a train to catch, this one’s easy

Bakeries – Get spandauer (in the airport called the danish), tebirkes (in the airport called the copenhagener), and kanelsnegl/cinnamon roll

1. Andersen Bakery
2. Juno Bakery
3. Hart Bageri
4. Meyers Bageri
5. Andersen & Maillard

Brunch places (Reservation is strongly encouraged):

1. Mad og kaffe
2. Wulff og Konstali
3. Les Trois Cochons
4. Cadence
5. Ø12
6. Polly
7. Next Door Cafe – Completely different vibe than any of the above. This is a queer friendly cafe with great music and vibes. Food feels homemade compared to the others. No reservation possible.

Cocktail bars to visit (Reservation is strongly encouraged):

1. Bird – cozy cafe style cocktail bar
2. Bar Deco
3. Atze Peng
4. Library Bar – old classic bar, live music Friday and Saturday 20.30
5. Balderdash
6. 1105
7. Gaia Cocktail
8. Ruby
9. Balthazar – Champagne bar at Hotel D’angleterre, wear at least a shirt
10. The Barking Dog
11. Strøm
12. Brønnum
13. Nimb Brasserie – H.C. Andersen stories inspired cocktails

Wine bars:

1. Lille Blå Vinbar – Austrian wine specialist
2. Ved Stranden 10 – Cozy wine bar close to Christiansborg
3. Rascal
4. Melo Vin Bar

Other places to drink:

1. Jernbanecafeen – Old school Danish bar, family-owned spanning generation, right across the central station
2. Jah Izakaya and Sake Bar
3. Brus – Tap beer bar with >30 beers
4. Oscar Bar & Cafe – Gay bar with chill vibe
5. Den Anden Side – Queer, safe space club. Opens midnight
6. Cafe Intime – Old school Danish bar in Frederiksberg
7. Kayak Bar
8. Åben brewery– Tap beer bar at Kødbyen
9. Two socks – Gin specialist bar
10. Warpigs Brewpub – Mikkeller brewery + no nonsense good pub food – Booking not required at all

Where to stay

Similar to the above, this is sorted based on preference. All of the hotels below will be reasonably close (or even right beside) a train station, with easy access to public transport.

I do not recommned Airbnb due to recent friends’ experiences getting multiple Airbnbs cancelled last minute.

Luxury hotels (300+ EUR/night):

1. Hotel d’Angleterre
2. Radisson Collection Royal Hotel
3. Copenhagen Marriott Hotel

Midrange hotels (150-300 EUR/night):

1. 25Hours Hotel
2. AC Hotel Bella Sky – part of Marriott Bonvoy
3. Phoenix Copenhagen
4. Villa Copenhagen
5. Scandic Palace Hotel
6. Tivoli Hotel
7. Four Points Flex by Sheraton

Budget hotels (<150 EUR/night):

1. CPH Studio Hotel
2. Zoku Copenhagen
3. Wakeup Copenhagen close to Kongens Nytorv
4. Ibis Styles Ørestad – part of Accor hotels
5. Generator Hostel

What to bring home as souvenirs

This list is not sorted based on preference

1. Tea from A.C. Perchs Thehandel – Available also in CPH airport
2. A glass or plate from Royal Copenhagen – Note! Most of these are NOT made in Denmark. Available also in CPH airport
3. Rainjacket from Rains – Note! Most of these are NOT made in Denmark. Available also in CPH airport at Illum Bolighus
4. Abe from Kay Bojesen – This is made in Denmark
5. Coffee from:
   • Coffee Collective
   • Prolog Coffee
   • Roast Coffee
6. Danish cookies from Conditori La Glace – If you see a queue, don’t worry and just go in and go to the second floor. The queue is usually only for the first floor where people can sit and eat/drink
7. Lego. Available also in CPH airport
8. A random souvenir from a souvenir shop – There are many around Nyhavn and Strøget, close to Rådhuspladsen

What apps should be installed

1. Rejseplanen – App to find public transport options. In normal situation, Google Maps will also work just fine. This is useful only on unique situations like metro being not available suddenly.
2. DSB – App to purchase public transport tickets
3. DMI – Weather forecast app, you can even see the movement of the clouds, very helpful in predicting when the rain will pass in your area