Last Updated on April 5, 2024
There’s a lot you can see during one day in Copenhagen, or even less…
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
By Jim Ferri
One day in Copenhagen may not seem like a lot of time, but actually you can see a lot of the city in a day. That’s because, thankfully, it’s a good walking city with excellent public transportation and, of course, there are those hop-on/hop-off buses.
Despite it being one of the loveliest cities in Europe, many travelers give Copenhagen short shrift. That’s because they’re in a rush to visit more northern areas of Scandinavia or other areas of Europe.
While you should give the city at least two days to really enjoy it, don’t despair if you’re short on time. There’s a lot you can do in Copenhagen in 24 hours or even less.
The key is to plan ahead.
24 Hours in the City – Cut Your Transportation Costs
You’ll most likely arrive in Copenhagen at Central Station, even if you’re coming from the airport. The metro from the airport is only a 13-minute metro ride (it departs above Terminal 3).
Before you leave the airport, or at Central Station if you are arriving by train, be sure to buy a transit card. It’s good for all buses and trains in the city before you board. The cost for a 24-hour card is DKK 80 (about $12 per adult) or DKK 130 (approximately $19) for 48 hours.
By comparison, the red Hop On-Hop Off sightseeing buses cost more than $31 per adult for 48 hours. Check Copenhagen’s English-language transportation site for more info and where to buy.
You could also purchase the Copenhagen Card for approximately $53 per adult ($27 per child). It provides both free transportation and also free admission to 74 museums and other attractions. But it may not be worth it if you’re only staying 24 hours since you will not have a lot of time to visit museums.
If you’re only visiting for a few hours, there’s a luggage storage room in Central Station. It’s two levels down in the basement near the exit to Istedgade stret. Lockers cost DKK50 for the small and DKK60 for the large, and you must use Danish coins. There are also luggage lockers at the airport.
Finally, travel in Scandinavia needn’t be exceptionally expensive. Be sure to read How to Travel About Scandinavia on a Budget for 2 Weeks.
Include Stroget and Nyhavn in Your One Day
If you’re starting your day from Central Station head towards Stroget, Copenhagen’s famous upscale shopping street that’s the longest pedestrian street in the world. Along the way, you’ll pass Christiansborg Palace with its copper-clad steeples, the seat of the Danish Parliament. When you reach stylish Strøget, window-shop for a little while, perhaps visiting the Royal Copenhagen store, the brand’s flagship.
It’s only about a 10-15 minute walk from Stroget to colorful Nyhavn where 18th-century gabled townhouses line a harborside promenade. Hans Christian Andersen lived in several houses along the promenade during his lifetime.
More a canal than a harbor, you’ll find Nyhavn lined with sailing vessels and a bevy of cafes and restaurants. It’s one of the most picturesque streets in Scandinavia and also a good place to stop for lunch, dinner or an afternoon beer.
Don’t Miss Amalienborg Palace
From Nyhavn continue to Amalienborg Palace, home of the Danish Royal Family. Only about a 10-minute away, the palace is actually four identical rococo buildings. It’s quite stately and looks as palatial as any regal residence should.
When I visited I missed the formal changing of the guard at noon. That turned out to be a blessing though, since I then had nearly the entire broad cobbled square to myself. The lack of a crowd also provided an unexpected benefit. In the empty the square I was able to have a conversation with one of the guards at his post..
Whether you’re in Copenhagen for 24 hours or a week, you should see the palace.
Must-Sees During One Day in Copenhagen
The world-renowned 100+-year-old statue of the Little Mermaid sits on the edge of the harbor about a 15-minute walk from Amalienborg Palace. You can also reach the mermaid via Bus #26 (Langelinie stop), which also stops at Central Station, Nyhavn, and Rosenborg Castle.
Based on the fairy tale of the same name by Hans Christian Andersen, the statue has become such a symbol of the city. Unfortunately, it’s been vandalized numerous times in social and political protests over the past 50 years.
It was created in 1913 for Carlsberg brewery magnate Carl Jacobsen. The sculptor’s wife was the model for the statue, which for a world-renown landmark, is surprisingly small.
When I visited, it looked even better than I remembered from years earlier. Near it I watched the canal tour boats slide in one right after the other with precision timing, giving passengers the ultimate Copenhagen photo op.
Rosenborg Castle is a 15-minute ride or a half-hour walk from the Little Mermaid and it’s well worth the trip. The former summer palace, it’s another step back in time in a city that sometimes seems lost in time.
Rosenborg is a beautiful castle, whose design was influenced by the Renaissance architecture of the Netherlands. It’s now the home to the Royal Treasury that contains both regalia and jewels.
Many Danes, however, are attracted to Rosenberg by the beautiful parkland about it, which includes a well-maintained moat around the castle, broad lawns, and a lovely rose garden. In the warmer months, amid the perfectly squared and trimmed hedges you’ll find people sunning themselves alongside the garden sculptures, reading books or viewing the majestic scene about them. It’s a beautiful panorama.
The Botanical Gardens
Be careful about not being lulled into spending too much of your 24 hours in the city at Rosenborg. When you leave cross Oster Voldgade to the beautiful Botanical Gardens. There you can walk one of the pathways that parallel the street as you head back towards Central Station (go left exiting the castle grounds).
You won’t be able to go too far in the park, but it’s a welcome respite. When you reach the street again just follow it all the way down to the station, a pleasant half-hour walk.
If you’re short on time during your 24 hours in Copenhagen, you may want to move your tour schedule ahead to leave time to visit famous Tivoli Gardens, directly across the street from the station.
A better option, though, if you’re overnighting in the city or have a late train or flight that evening, is to visit Tivoli in the evening. Then, when all of its twinkling lights give it a fairytale atmosphere, you can have dinner in the park and become part of the fairytale.
If you go:
Wonderful Copenhagen
Nørregade 7B
DK-1165 Copenhagen K
Tel: +45 3325 7400
http://www.visitcopenhagen.com
Rail Europe
http://www.raileurope.com
Tel: (888) 438-RAIL (7245)
Cabinn Hotel
Mitchellsgade 14
1568 1568 København V
Tel: (+45) 33 46 16 16
https://www.cabinn.com
Copenhagen has long been on my list of to do cities. Mostly because of the Nyhavn waterfront. I hear it is mesmerizing……and of course the shopping street.
After watching all of the episodes of “Borgen” we were thinking of visiting Copenhagen. Your posting about that city, and Scandinavia i general, may have convinced us to check them out for our post-pandemic travels.
Alfredo – Copenhagen is one of the great cities of Europe. You should really enjoy it.
Jason and I enjoyed walking to the Little Mermaid statue on kind of a rainy day. We also enjoyed walking aroundat the cafes by the sailing vessels. I love this Copenhagen story so much. Good memories. Thank you! I hope we all can visit again! Your suggestion of evening at Tivoli Gardens is a good one to be part of the fairyland!
Hi Carla, I’m glad I was able to bring the memories back.