7-day itinerary of Copenhagen and its surroundings

The capital of Denmark and an avant-garde city, Copenhagen and its surroundings mix innovation and tradition, ultra-modern design and old buildings, quiet atmospheres and late-night clubs.
Perfect for a long weekend or a week-long holiday, it is a place that has a lot to offer. Its efficient and punctual transport system also easily connects it to several other attractions that you can visit during your stay.

Are you ready to go? Here's an itinerary of Copenhagen and its surroundings in 7 days!
SEE ALSO: What to see in Copenhagen

Day 1: Christiansborg Slot, Rosemborg Castle and Surrounds

Photo by Julian Herzog. Start with the Queen's Palace, seat of the Danish Parliament, Christiansborg Slot: with a guide admire the many rooms and climb to the top of the tower to see the city from above. The palace is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission costs DKK 160.00 (about €21.51).
Passing through Stroget, the pedestrian street with many shops, you reach the Rundetarn from the top of which you can enjoy a beautiful view. Admission costs full DKK 40 (about €5.38), reduced DKK 10 (about €1.34) and is open from April to September daily from 10:00 to 20:00, from October to March from 10:00 to 18:00.
End the morning by walking to the beautiful Torvehallerne food market.

For lunch, choose one of the many food stalls right in the market. The one that makes smorrebrod, Danish sandwiches with different fillings, is excellent (average cost per person €10.00).
Then take a tour of the beautiful Botanical Gardens, with different varieties of plants from all over the world, open daily from 8.30 am to 4 pm, free admission.
From there, head to the majestic Rosenborg Castle with its typical red-brick Renaissance structure, surrounded by moats. Admission costs DKK 120.00 (about €16.00) and from June to August it is open from 10:00 to 17:00. In the remaining months the closing times often vary, so we recommend checking the official website for exact times on your day of visit.
The adjacent King's Garden is also very beautiful and worth a walk.

For dinner, we suggest Restaurant Tight, an unusual restaurant in the centre of Copenhagen made of stone and wood that serves special dishes (average cost per person €25.00). Finally, end the evening at La fontaine, a jazz club where you can listen to good music and enjoy a drink.

At a glance:

• Distance travelled: 3.4 km

• Places visited: Christiansborg Slot (€21.51), Stroget (free), Rundetarn (about €5.38), Torvehallerne food market (free), Botanical Gardens (free), Rosenborg Castle (€16.13), King's Garden (free)

• Daily expenditure: €76.00

• Card, tickets and recommended tours: small group walking tour Rosenborg Castle hop-on hop-off bus and Christiansborg Palace combo

• Where to eat: Lunch at Torvehallerne food market(Get directions), Dinner at Restaurant Tight(Get directions)

Day 2: Amalienborg Palace, Design Museum, Kastellet and Little Mermaid

Start the morning with a visit to theAmalienborg Slot, the royal residence consisting of four palaces arranged around a large square. Devote about three quarters of an hour to the rooms, reconstructed as they were originally. The palace is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from May to October. During the other months the hours are reduced and we recommend visiting the official website, the entrance fee is DKK 95.00 (€12.00).
Once outside, head to the nearby Marmorkirken, the Marble Church whose dome is inspired by that of St. Peter's in Rome. Admission is free and opening hours are as follows: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. and Fridays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Spend the rest of the morning at the Design Museum, an enchanting place to admire world-class design pieces, open daily except Mondays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesdays until 9 p.m. Admission is DKK 115.00 (about €15.00).

For lunch, refresh yourself at the Klint Café near the museum atrium where you can choose from a variety of Danish specialities (average cost per person about €20.00).
Then, in less than a 10-minute walk, visit the star-shaped Kastellet fortress, characterised by its green ramparts and 18th-century barracks. From here, you can admire the beautiful statue of the Little Mermaid from above and then, with a very short walk along a road bordering the sea, you can reach it and take a picture. These two attractions are always accessible and free of charge.
From Nordre Toldbod take a ferry that takes you to the Nyhavn district in about 20 minutes, or alternatively, you can walk there in the same amount of time.

For dinner, we suggest the Union Kitchen restaurant, which serves the best meatballs in Copenhagen (average cost per person about €28.00). Finally, if you feel like it, head to the nearby Union Bar, which is inspired by New York's prohibition bars.

In summary:

• Distance travelled: 3.9 km

• Places visited: Amalienborg Palace ( €12.00) Marmorkirken (free), Design Museum (€15.00), Kastellet (free), The Little Mermaid (free)

• Daily expense: €60.00

• Card, tickets and recommended tours: Copenhagen card (transport included) free city tour

• Where to eat: Lunch at Klint Cafe(Get directions),Dinner at Union Kitchen(Get directions)

Day 3: Canals, Christiansholm, Tivoli Gardens

From Nyhavn or Ved Stranden harbour, set off on a canal cruise. During the tour, which lasts about two hours and costs DKK 90.00 (about €13.00), you will see some of the most architecturally remarkable buildings such as the Library, the Stock Exchange Building and the Opera House.
Once disembarked, take the public ferry 992 that will take you to the small island of Christiansholm, characterised by post-industrial-style buildings where you will also find a food market with several food trucks offering excellent specialities.

Have lunch at Broens Gadekøkken (average cost about €15.00 per person) sampling whatever appeals to you, rest at one of the many small tables scattered around and then resume your tour.
A 10-minute walk takes you to the alternative district of Christiania and on a bike tour admire the atmospheric buildings, craft workshops, manicured gardens and walk without disturbing or photographing the dwellings of this hippie community. In the area, take a look at the Vor Frelsers Kirke church, with its distinctive tower open from 11 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. (50 DKK / €7.00).

Then take bus 2 A which will take you to the Tivoli Gardens in 10 minutes. The gardens are open from April to September from Sunday to Thursday from 11am to 11pm and Friday and Saturday until midnight (for the rest of the year the hours are reduced and you should consult the website). The adult ticket costs 135 DKK (approx. €18.15), reduced 60 DKK (approx. €8.07), but only includes admission (attractions must be paid for separately). It is therefore recommended to buy the ticket online with unlimited attractions from around €34.00.

Spend the late afternoon and evening in this amusement park, one of the oldest in the world. We suggest that between rides you dine at Groften (average cost per person €30.00), which has been in operation since 1874 and serves tasty meat and fish specialities and excellent smorrebroad.

In summary:

• Distance travelled: 5 km

• Places visited: canal tour (€13.00), Christiansholm (free), Christiania (free), Vor Frelsers Kriken church (€7.00), Tivoli Gardens (€18.15)

• Daily expense: €80.00

• Card, tickets and recommended tours: Canal cruise from Ved Stranden or Nyhavn Christianshavn and Christiania Bike Tour Tivoli Gardens: fast access and optional rides

• Where to eat: Lunch at Broens Gadekøkken(Get directions), Dinner at GRoften Get directions

Day 4: Frederiksborg Castle, Vesterbro district

Photo by Casper Moller. This morning we visit Frederiksborg Renaissance Castle on a private tour or take the train from Copenhagen Central Station, line A, to Hillerod in 40 minutes.
Dedicate yourself to visiting the castle and its gardens, which are located on the islets of the surrounding lake, Lake Slotso.
Since there are more than 70 rooms to visit, and it is worth walking around outside, the tour will take you all morning.
The castle is open daily from April to September from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., from November to March from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and costs DKK 75.00 (€10.00).

For lunch, stop at Spisestedet Leonora, inside the fortress, where you can enjoy excellent delicacies at reasonable prices (average cost €20.00 per person).
In the afternoon, visit the National History Museum, where you can immerse yourself in the history and culture of the Danish people (opening times are the same as at the castle and the ticket is included).
Then take the train back to Copenhagen to spend the evening in the lively Vesterbro district.

The liveliest part of this area is Kodbyen, also called 'meat town', full of restaurants, galleries and live music venues. We recommend dinner at Nose 2 Tail, an intimate and informal restaurant offering a simple but tasteful menu (average cost per person €30.00).

At a glance:

• Distance travelled: 81.6 km / 1 h 26 min by car including drive from

• Places visited: Frederiksborg Castle (€10.00 including National History Museum), Vesterbro district (free)

• Daily expense: €70.00

• Card, tickets and recommended tours: tours in Roskilde, Frederiksborg and Kronborg Frederiksborg Castle: private tour

• Where to eat: Lunch at Spisestedet Leonora(Get directions), Dinner at Nose 2 Tail(Get directions)

Day 5: Helsingør and Hamlet Castle

In the morning, take a 1-hour train ride (line 029) or a private tour to Helsingør where Kronborg, also known as Hamlet's Castle, is located. Visit this place, built in 1420 but repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt, where Shakespeare set the famous tragedy.
The castle is open from April to May and October from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., from June to September from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and during the other months it has reduced openings, which can be found on the website. Admission is DKK 125 (about €16.80).
After the visit, walk to the centre of Helsingor, the charming little town, via Kronborg street.

For lunch stop at Kulturvaerftets Spisehus, a very nice place with various dishes at medium prices, ideal for a break (cost per person about €23.00).
Then visit the historical centre with the medieval St.Olai church, Axeltorv square, famous for its market, Sankt Mariae Kirke and finally stroll along the oldest street: Stengade.
Finally go to the station and take the train back to Copenhagen.

In the evening, take the metro or bus to the city's most elegant district, Osterbro, and dine at Fischer. This former workers' bar is now a cosy trattoria serving excellent food (the average cost is €30.00).

In summary:

• Distance travelled: 98.5 km / 1 h 48 min by car including drive from

• Places visited: Kronborg (€16.80), St.Olai (free), Axeltorv square (free), Sankt Mariae Kirke (free), Stengade (free), Osterbro district (free)

• Daily expense: €75.00

• Card, tickets and recommended tours: Frederiksborg and Kronborg Castles: tour from Copenhagen Hamlet Castle: private tour

• Where to eat: Lunch at Kulturvaerftets Spisehus(Get directions), Dinner at Fischer(Get directions)

Day 6: Excursion to Odensen

Also this morning, take a train from Copenhagen station and in 1.30 hours you will reach Odensen, a small town in the heart of Denmark on the island of Funen.
Andersen was born here in 1805 and we suggest you start your visit here from the writer's yellow house, which today houses one of the oldest literary museums in the world. The museum is open from June to September from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in other months from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the entrance fee is DKK 45.00 (€7.00).
After this beautiful fairy tale excursion, lose yourself in the picturesque streets of the old town, full of clubs, shops and bars.

For lunch, stop at Burger Anarchy, which serves tasty sandwiches and good beers (average price per person €20.00).
Wander around the streets of the town, get lost among the beautiful colourful wooden and brick houses, visit the Church of Our Lady and the Sanctuary of St Canute.
When you are tired, board the train and return to Copenhagen. At sunset time, stroll around the square where the Radhus, the town hall, is located, which is completely illuminated in the dark.

For dinner we recommend the nearby Rio Bravo, a typical Danish restaurant where you can try stegt flaesk, fried pork slices baked to give them a crispy texture (average price per person €35.00).
If you are not tired, you can end the evening in the English-style pub'The Storm Inn' which serves excellent beers.

In summary:

• Distance travelled: 342 km / 4 h 13 min by car including drive from

• Places visited: Odensen (free), Andersen Museum (€7.00), Radhus Town Hall Square (free)

• Daily expense: €80.00

• Where to eat: Lunch at Burger Anarchy(Get directions), Dinner at Rio Bravo(Get directions)

Day 7: Nationalmuseet, Latin Quarter, Carlsberg Factory

Photo by Graham C99. For the last day, we suggest you start the morning with a visit to the Nationalmuseet, the national museum where all the archaeological artefacts found in Denmark are kept. It is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission costs DKK 100 (€13.00).

After a couple of hours get out and walk past Vor Frue Kirke, Copenhagen's cathedral, to the Latin Quarter, so called because of the University, around which there are several bookshops, cafés and the beautiful Grey Friars' Square (Grabrodretorv).

For lunch, go to Shonnemann, where we suggest you try the'King's Garden' smorrebrod (average price per person €30.00).
After you've fed yourselves, wander around the nearby city centre streets for a bit of shopping and when you're fed up, take the red metro to the famous Carlsberg Brewery, which produces the world's most famous Danish beer. Join a tour that will show you the old brewery and end with a tasting. The brewery organises tours every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at a cost of DKK 100.00 (about €13.00 including 1 beer tasting).
Finally, walk or take the metro (line 3 red) to Kodbyen in Vesterbro and check out the V1 Gallery where several avant-garde artists exhibit their work. The studio is open Wed to Fri from 12:00 to 18:00 and admission is free.

For dinner, we recommend the nearby Paté Paté, a former pate workshop that is now a wine-bar restaurant that reinterprets classic European cuisine (average cost per person €22.00).

At a glance:

• Distance travelled: 7.6 km

• Places visited: Nationalmuseet (€13.00), Vor Frue Kirke (free), Latin Quarter (free), Carlsberg Brewery (€13.00), V1 Gallery(free)

• Daily expense: €70.00

• Card, tickets and recommended tours: Gourmet tour in Vesterbro

• Where to eat: Lunch at Shonnemann(Get directions), Dinner at Paté Paté(Get directions)

How much does a week in Copenhagen cost

NB: The prices in the table above are per person.

Copenhagen, and Denmark in general, is a very expensive destination. The cost of living is quite high and for eating and sleeping you spend quite a lot even in mid-range locations.
The suggestion to try to save a bit is to rent a flat or sleep in a hostel, travel by public transport and get a weekly pass with which you get discounts and free rides on buses, metro, ferries and attractions. Finally, in order not to spend an exaggeration at the restaurant (a meal in average establishments costs €38.00), it can be useful to do your shopping at the supermarket, preferring the market chain 'Netto' which, unlike many other shops, has really low prices and the average cost of shopping for a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) is around €20.00.
If, on the other hand, you spare no expense, everything will be much easier, but be prepared to spend a lot!

• Cheap flights: from €65.00 - see offers

• Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €120.00 per room - see offers

• Card, tickets and recommended tours: Tivoli Gardens: fast access and optional rides Copenhagen card (transport included) canal cruise from Ved Stranden or Nyhavn

• Total cost for one week, including flights: from €1,030.00 per person

Before you go: useful tips

• When to visit Copenhagen: May, June and July are the most suitable months as daylight hours increase and temperatures rise to 20°. In addition, the first 10 days of July host the Jazz Festival. Summer is also ideal if you want to visit the city's surroundings. However, spring and autumn are also good times - find out more

• How to get there: from Italy there are many low-cost flights to the airport. From here you can reach the centre by train, bus or taxi in about half an hour. Tickets are around DKK 40.00 (about €5.00).

• Where to sleep: the area around Tivoli Gardens is ideal because it is close to many attractions and metro and train stops. If, on the other hand, you are looking for nightlife, the Vesterbro district is perfect as it is full of pubs, clubs and discos. Also, in an expensive city like Copenhagen, to save money by staying at a slightly lower than average cost, the recommended neighbourhoods are Norrebro and Vanlose.

• Gettingaround: there is no shortage of buses, trains and metro, they are very punctual and run 24 hours a day. Tickets for all modes of transport cost between DKK 24.00 (about €3.00 for two zones) and DKK 108.00 (about €18.00 for all zones). In addition, to spend a week in Copenhagen we recommend the 7-day Flexcard for €34.00 - find out more

• Recommended cards and passes: The Copenhagen card includes all means of transport, entrance to attractions, boat tours and various discounts in restaurants and on car and bike rental. The duration ranges from 1 to 5 days, so in the case of a week in Copenhagen, you could buy the 5-day card for €134.00.