What to Do in One Day in Copenhagen: The Best Itinerary (+ Free Map)

Where to Stay in Copenhagen

Before diving into the details of the itinerary, it is important to find the most convenient accommodation given the limited time you’ll spend there.

With only 24 hours in Copenhagen, you should stay in the city center, that is to say in the districts of Indre by, Nyhavn, or Christianshavn. Here are some good recommendations that will allow you to easily follow this itinerary: 

✅ Best Hotel – Motel One Copenhagen: this 4-star hotel is simply incredible! Beautifully furnished in a typical Danish style and offering all the comfort of the greatest palaces, Motel One will level up your stay in Copenhagen. Look no further, this is the one.

💰 Best Budget Hotel – Wakeup Copenhagen Borgergade: this place is perfectly located only 5min from Nyhavn’s main canal and Strøget. Very comfy with all the facilities you could ever need although the rooms are quite small. But you won’t spend the day in it, so who cares?

✨ Best Luxury Hotel – NH Collection Copenhagen: located along the canal, this hotel provides everything you’ve been dreaming of with an exceptional view of the city as a bonus. Location, staff, facilities, food, everything is 5-star.

Just for you to know, Nesrine & I have chosen to stay at Wakeup Copenhagen on our trip, and it was great.

The bed was incredibly comfy, everything was perfectly clean and the facilities were beyond our expectations as they included a huge lounge with a snack counter and a concierge service to keep our luggage after checking out. Not to mention the location, which was ideal of course.

Read more: Best areas to stay in Copenhagen

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How to Get Around Copenhagen in 1 Day

The last key point to mention so you can execute the following itinerary is transportation. Several possibilities are available to you: 

🚶 Walk: you can do this itinerary on foot only, but be aware you’re going to walk a lot, so wear proper shoes. But Copenhagen is very flat, so it’s not difficult to do if you’re used to walking long distances. 

🚎 Public transport: Public transport in Copenhagen is fast, efficient, and punctual. Metro, bus, train, or boat, everything is possible. To use them, you’ll need one of these: 

• Copenhagen Card: with this card, you’ll be able to use public transportation in the Copenhagen region as you wish for 24 hours (48, 72, 96, and 120-hour cards are also available). It also includes free entrance to 80+ attractions.
• City Pass: this pass also grants you unlimited rides on Copenhagen’s trains, buses, harbor buses, and metro. It exists in 2 versions, the City Pass Large (to go outside the city) and City Pass Small (Copenhagen area only), and is also available for 24 to 120 hours. You can get one on the vending machines in the metro stations.

🚲 Bike: With more than 350 kilometers of bicycle lanes, Copenhagen is one of the most bicycle-friendly capitals in Europe and cycling is an essential part of Danish life.

• Donkey Bike: you’ll see lots of orange bikes everywhere while wandering in the city. You can ride one by simply downloading the app and paying about 55 DKK (7,4€) for 2 hours. But you should know some hotels provide bike rentals, so ask your hotel staff.
• Guided bike tours: you can prefer to discover the town by bike with a guide. It’s more expensive but very efficient as you’ll be able to see most of the city in 1,5 to 3 hours.

➡️ To follow this itinerary, the best option is to walk since you’ll have a max of 20 min walk from one stop to the other. But if you’re not comfortable walking the whole day, you can combine walking with public transport by taking the 24-hour City Pass Small, which costs 80 DKK (10,75€), or ride a bike as you wish. 

Enough talk, let’s visit Copenhagen in 1 day NOW! 

1 Day in Copenhagen FREE Map

I’ve made a map of this 1-day itinerary to make it super easy for you to follow, especially while you’re exploring.

Simply download it for free right here!👇

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1 Day in Copenhagen Step-by-Step Itinerary

I recommend being at the first step of this route at 9.30 am so you can enjoy your Copenhagen one day trip at best. 

Prefer taking your breakfast at your hotel, or close by. You’ll find lots of coffee shops like the local Espresso House or Lagkagehuset where you’ll be able to taste delicious Danish pastries. 

9.30 am – Discover Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg Castle is the first stop of the day. Of all the treasures in central Copenhagen, this castle is by far one of the most beautiful. Built in the early 17th century by King Christian IV in the Kongens Have (King’s Gardens), it’s a must-see for all local culture lovers who wonder what to do in Copenhagen in one day.

Rosenborg Castle first served as a royal residence until 1710 before being opened to visitors in 1830 as a museum. Today, it still houses a magnificent collection of royal objects and various pieces of furniture and art.

Because the schedule is tight, I recommend not entering but visiting the royal garden and admiring the castle from the outside. 

10.30 am – Kastellet & the Little Mermaid

From Rosenborg Castle, walk about 15 min through the streets of Copenhagen to reach the Kastellet. 

It is a military fortress in the shape of a star built by King Christian IV who decided to build it in 1626 to protect the north of the city. The place has had an eventful history, especially during WWII when the Germans invaded Denmark and took the citadel.

Composed of 5 bastions and 2 gates spanning canals, you’ll enjoy strolling through its red brick buildings and the beautiful views of the windmill and Saint Alban’s church.

Then head to the seaside in the direction of the famous Little Mermaid statue. Although it is not exceptional and not very impressive, the character from Hans Christian Andersen’s story is the city’s most iconic landmark and deserves a visit. Located at Copenhagen’s harbor estuary, seeing it also allows you to take a stroll along the Øresund.

12 pm – See Amalienborg’s changing of the guard

Keep walking south along the Øresund canal for about 17 min to reach Amalienborg. You’ll love this relaxing and soothing interlude thanks to the sea air, and you’ll be able to admire some of the buildings that stand on the other side, such as the Opera House or the Copenhagen.

When arriving in Amalienborg, you’ll find yourself in a large square surrounded by 4 buildings with a statue of King Frederik V from 1771 standing in the center. Amalienborg Palace is the winter residence of the Danish royal family and houses a museum open to the public tracing the Danish royal life of the past and present. 

The changing of the guard takes place every day: the guards (Den Kongelige Livgarde in Danish) leave their barracks on Gothersgade at 11.30 am and arrive at the palace at noon to perform a codified and legendary show. The ceremony lasts almost an hour and the orchestra plays several pieces, but no need to see it entirely given that you only have 24 hrs in Copenhagen. 

12.30 pm – Visit Frederiks Kirke

Located right behind Amalienborg, you simply can’t miss Frederiks Kirke as it is so impressive and massive. 

Also known as the Marble Church (Marmorkirken in Danish), this is one of the most remarkable churches in town and has the largest dome in Scandinavia. Designed by architect Nicolai Eigtved in 1740 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the first coronation of the House of Oldenburg, you’ll certainly notice its similarity to Rome’s St. Peter’s Basilica. 

You should enter it to admire the dome and the stained glass windows and enjoy the peacefulness of the place. Definitely a must see in Copenhagen in 1 day. 

1 pm – Have a break at Nyhavn

What better place than Nyhavn to have a break? 

From Frederiks Kirke, walk about 10 min to reach the iconic canal. There, you’ll have plenty of choices to eat, from gourmet restaurants to food kiosks selling smørrebrød (traditional Danish open-faced sandwich) and pølser (traditional Danish hot dog).

Locals advise avoiding restaurants in this area that attract crowds of tourists and are very expensive for not much. So prefer to buy a pølser (or a sandwich from a nearby café) and sit along the canal to eat it, while admiring the pastel-colored houses. 

Despite the years (the oldest building, house N°9, dates back to 1681), the charm of Nyahvn has not aged a bit, like a place spared by time. You should know that these houses were the home of several Danish artists such as Christian Andersen, the famous poet, and novelist. 

2 pm – Take in the views from the Round Tower

After this well-deserved lunch break, head to the Round Tower (Rundetårn) to get some height!

From Nyhavn, walk about 15 min crossing by Kongens Nytor to reach the tower which is located on Købmagergade, one of the liveliest streets in Copenhagen. 

Built in 1642 in baroque architecture, this red brick building is an astronomical observatory part of the Trinitatis Complex, along with the Trinity Church and a library. It’s the oldest observatory in Europe still in operation. 

To get to its top, you have to climb a unique spiral paved ramp (not a classic staircase). It’s really beautiful and not tiring at all to climb, you’ll reach the observation deck in only about 5 min. 

From the top of its 34.8 meters, you’ll have a breathtaking 360° view of Copenhagen. From there, you can also access the planetarium in which there is an astronomical telescope dating back to 1929. 

Don’t forget to check out the building’s other floors, as they often house all kinds of exhibitions that are included in the entry ticket. 

3 pm – Stroll on Strøget

From the Round Tower, walk south for about 5 min to find yourself on Strøget, one of the longest pedestrian shopping streets in Europe. It’s here you can connect with Copenhagen’s bustling vibe as this is a street that runs right through Indre by, from Kongens Nytorv square in the west to the City Hall square in the east.

There, you’ll find a wide range of fancy fashion stores, international brands, small specialized stores, a large shopping center, street stalls, restaurants, fast food stores, and of course… a Lego store!

Strøget is the perfect place to buy a souvenir and have a short Hygge break in one of the many cute coffee shops you’ll encounter in the area. Another chance for you to treat yourself to some Danish delicacies. 

4 pm – Visit Christiansborg Palace’s Royal Reception Rooms

Only 5 min away from Strøget, Christiansborg Palace sits on a small island separated from the city center by a canal serving as a moat.

This huge palace houses the Folketinget (the Danish parliament), the Ministry of the State, and the Supreme Court. The royal family also uses a few parts of what was once the king’s main residence until 1794.

It is possible to visit all the rooms open to the public, but the castle’s main parts can be visited individually. In this itinerary, I’d recommend you to either climb the Christiansborg Tower (the tallest tower in town) to get another lookout over Copenhagen or to enter the Royal Reception Rooms only. 

Right behind, you’ll see a surprising building with a spectacular spine: it’s the Børsen, Copenhagen Stock Exchange. 

5.30 pm – Enjoy Tivoli Gardens’ attractions

Time to have fun in one of Copenhagen’s best attractions! From Christiansborg Slot, walk about 9 min or take the subway line 3 or 4 to reach Tivoli Gardens, the second oldest amusement park in the world.

Opened in 1843 and still very popular with both tourists and locals, it boasts an unwavering success mainly thanks to 2 of its attractions, the wooden roller coaster and the carousel, one of the largest in the world. 

You can either have fun trying out its many rides and games or simply roam around marveling at the beautiful scenery with its architecture, green gardens, ancient buildings, and fascinating lights.

For dinner, head to the Tivoli Food Hall where they offer everything from traditional Danish cuisine to internationally inspired cuisine. And if your stay is on a Saturday between May and September, you’ll even have the chance to end your evening with fireworks at 11.45 pm. 

Extending your Copenhagen Trip

Lucky enough to spend more time than expected? Fortunately, there are so many things to do in Copenhagen that you can at least extend your stay by a day, 2 days, or even more! 

Here’s a quick list of things you can do on your extra time in Copenhagen:

• Wander around Christiana Freetown, a self-managed district that will make you live a rare historical libertarian experience;
• Visit the Church of our Saviour, famous for its black and gold spiral bell tower from which you can enjoy a spectacular view of the city;
• Discover the Botanical Garden which dates back to the 17th century and has magnificent gardens and monumental greenhouses;
• Take a boat cruise through the canals of Copenhagen to get a full overview of the city and go a bit out of town
• Learn more about the country at the National Museum which tells Denmark’s history from prehistory to the present day.

Best Tours to Discover Copenhagen in One Day

If you enjoy guided tours and activities when visiting a new city, Copenhagen doesn’t disappoint since it has heaps to offer. From canal tours to treasure hunts, you’ll have plenty of choices to choose from.

But here are my personal picks that are perfectly suited for 1 day in Copenhagen: 

• 1-hour Copenhagen Canal Cruise: departing from Nyhavn, this canal cruise will take you to see all the seaside landmarks, including the Little Mermaid statue, Amalienborg & Chrstianborg.
• Copenhagen Hop-on Hop-off bus & boat: this is the most efficient tour as it will take you almost everywhere in Copenhagen by bus or cruise. Undoubtedly the best way to see Copenhagen in one day if you’re not into walking.
• Copenhagen 1,5-hour guided bike tour: greatest way to try the local way of life and to learn fun facts about the city.
• Copenhagen 2-hour small group walking tour: if you don’t want to plan your itinerary, discover the city at best (+15 attractions!) and make some friends (groups of 10 people max), look no further.
• Copenhagen 1 or 2-hour segway tour: easy to ride and quite fast but safe, this is a quirky way to discover the city.

FAQ About Visiting Copenhagen

When is the best time to visit Copenhagen?

Overall, the climate is not as harsh as you might think, even though Copenhagen belongs to the northern part of European. The winter is never very cold thanks to the maritime influence and summers are mild without being hot.

☀️ Summer (June to September): if you want to enjoy warm temperatures on your one day trip in Copenhagen, summer is the best time to visit. The weather is pleasant with temperatures between 15-21°C with some showers from time to time, but nothing bad. However, July and August are the months with the busiest crowds, so not the best if you’re seeking a relaxing, quiet stay. 

🍂 Fall (September to December): being located by the sea, the city is hit by strong winds and a cold snap from October. In November, the average temperature already drops below 10°C. So if you want to go there in the fall, prefer the month of September – early October when the climate is still very favorable. Note however that the rains are less frequent.

❄️ Winter (December to March): temperatures stay above zero most of the time, but are still quite low. The sun only appears for a few hours a day, giving way to fairly gray weather, and snowfall is frequent. The season still has a certain magic and can be worth the detour.

🌸 Spring (March to May): temperature difference is quite significant between the start and the second part of the season which is much more favorable with temperatures varying between 15 and 19°C and sunnier days. Definitely a nice season for a 24 hours Copenhagen trip.

➡️ I recommend going to Copenhagen in the shoulder seasons (spring or fall), ideally in May, June, September, or October. These are the best months since temperatures are ideal for walking around the city without being bothered by the tourist crowds and avoiding high prices. But if you like the winter atmosphere, try going in December, when the city turns into a real illuminated fairy tale. 

Is one day enough to see Copenhagen?

Although Copenhagen is a human-sized city, it has a large variety of sights and attractions to visit. So one single day is certainly not long enough to experience the Danish capital properly.

For me, the perfect amount of time to fully discover Copenhagen is 3 to 4 days. But if you only have 1 day, I still recommend going to have a glimpse of the city rather than skipping it altogether. It’s still worth it!

How to get to Copenhagen?

To get to Copenhagen, you can choose the train, the plane, or the boat depending on your departure city. 

If you’re coming by plane, you’ll arrive at Copenhagen Kastrup Airport, from which you can access the city center easily in 15 min by subway line 2.

Train is a great option if you’re coming from other areas in Denmark or other European cities such as Sweden’s Malmo or Germany’s Hamburg. You’d arrive at Copenhagen Central Station which is located in the city center. 

Finally, if you’re on a cruise, you’ll dock in Copenhagen through one of its 3 terminals. From there, simply take the subway line 4 or line 3 to get to the city center in about 40 min.

More Useful Readings to Visit Copenhagen

Find below several other posts about Copenhagen to help you prepare for your upcoming trip:

➡️ Spending more than a day in Copenhagen? Here are longer Copenhagen itineraries:

• 2 Days in Copenhagen Itinerary
• 3 Days in Copenhagen Itinerary
• 5 Days in Copenhagen Itinerary

➡️ And here are other posts to better discover Copenhagen and beyond, along with travel tips:

• Best Things to Do in Copenhagen in Winter
• Best Places to Stay in Copenhagen
• Best Train Trips from Copenhagen
• Most Beautiful Copenhagen Castles to Visit
• Day Trip to Frederiksborg Slot
• Must-Eat Food in Copenhagen

I hope you enjoy your one day Copenhagen trip; if you have any questions, let me know in the comments below.

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