Copenhagen Itinerary in 3 days

Copenhagen, despite being a European capital, is a city on a human scale, perfect for exploring on foot. In a weekend you can fully grasp its essence, and the third day you can also dedicate to discovering its surroundings. It is therefore a perfect destination for a getaway of a few days, especially during spring and summer.
Here are all our tips for planning a 3-day Copenhagen itinerary.

Consider buying a card: to save on the cost of individual attractions or transport, we recommend buying the Copenhagen Card. Prices from €56.32. Find out more

Day 1

• Distance travelled: 5.9 km

• Places visited: Little Mermaid Statue, Kastellet (free), Rosenborg Castle (DKK120.00/€15.00), King's Garden, Nyhavn (free) and canal cruise (€13.30), Strøget, Tivoli Gardens(ticket €18.14)

• Where to eat: Lunch at Nyhavns Færgekro(Get directions), Dinner at Tivoli Gardens(Get directions)

First time in Copenhagen? Let us guide you: for a first approach to the city, we recommend a walking tour of the city, to locate landmarks and learn stories and anecdotes, or the evergreen Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing bus

1 - Statue of the Little Mermaid and Kastellet

Start this trip to Copenhagen from the symbol of the city: the Statue of the Little Mermaid! In Danish Den lille Havfrue, it is the work of E. Eriksen and depicts a bronze Little Mermaid inspired by the protagonist of Andersen's fairy tale. Mind you, don't expect a large statue: it is just over 1 m high and sits on a small rock. Many people are a little disappointed at the sight of the statue, because they were perhaps expecting it to be bigger and more visible, but it is one of Copenhagen's must-sees.

After taking a picture of the Little Mermaid Statue, head to the nearby Kastellet, a wonderful star-shaped park. In fact, it is built around the remains of an old fortress from the 1600s. Enjoy a walk and admire the views of the city, then continue with your itinerary.
SEE ALSO: Visit the Little Mermaid Statue: how to get there, prices and tips

Reach the statue as a first stop: this will allow you to admire the statue without having to wade through the crowds of tourists. Already very small, arriving as early as possible in the morning will allow you to enjoy it in all its beauty and take photos in peace.

2 - Rosenborg Castle and King's Garden

After strolling through the remains of the Kastellet fortress, head to King's Garden, in Danish Kongens Have, one of the locals' favourite spots. They are only a 10-minute walk from the Statue of the Little Mermaid.

As you stroll through the gardens, admire the Rosenborg Castle, one of the city's most beautiful historical palaces, in the background (daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; full price DKK 120.00/€16.10, concessions DKK 85.00/€11.40). A former royal residence, it is now home to the Danish Royal Collections Museum, in Danish Danske Kongers Kronologiske Samling. Here you can admire crown jewels.

If you aretravelling with children: in this case, a visit to the Rosenborg might be a little heavy. Alternatively, just behind the castle is the Botanisk Have, the city's wonderful Botanical Garden, which is a must-see for children. Get directions

3 - Nyhavn

For lunch, head to the Nyhavn Canal, one of Copenhagen's most famous and fascinating attractions. From Rosenborg Castle it is about a 15-minute walk through the city centre.

The Nyhavn Canal was once the site of the city's old harbour, which remained in operation until 1950. Today, however, it is a lively and, above all, characteristic meeting place. Moreover, it is one of the most Instagrammable places in the Danish capital thanks to its colourful little houses. For lunch, you can stop at one of the cafés or grab a Smørrebrød at a passing café or truck.

Enjoy a canal cruise: one of the must-do experiences in Copenhagen is a canal cruise. Boat tours depart from Ved Stranden and Nyhavn and last 1 hr. Book as early as possible to secure a place at a time that is convenient for you.

4 - Strøget and Tivoli Gardens

After lunch and a canal cruise (1 hr), it will be mid-afternoon by then. Then enjoy a stroll along Strøget, Europe's longest pedestrian street and the most famous in the Danish capital, packed with shops and clubs. Admire the shop windows and Danish pastry shops, maybe even stop at one of the many cafés for a drink and a bite to eat.

Walk all the way until you reach Rådhusplads Square, where you will find the entrance to Tivoli Gardens, the world's oldest amusement park: opened back in 1843, the entrance today is the same as it was that year (closed in winter, summer season Sun-Thu 11am-11pm, Fri-Sat 11am-24pm; entrance DKK 135.00/€18.15). We recommend that you take your time with this place, as it is truly unique. So enjoy the rides that interest you most in the late afternoon, and then stay in the evening to admire the fully-lit park. The park also has a food court to stop for dinner.

Buythe unlimited attraction pass: to visit the park you will first have to buy the entrance ticket, then inside buy tickets for the individual rides and attractions you want to do. We recommend purchasing the 1-day unlimited attraction pass for guaranteed fun!

Day 2

• Distance travelled: 12.8 km

• Places visited: Amalienborg Palace (125.00 DKK/€16.80) or Christiansborg (160 DKK/approx €21.51), Carlsberg Brewery (125.00 DKK/€16.80), Christiania, Rundetårn (40.00 DKK/€5.40)

• Where to eat: Lunch at Ofelia Plads(Get directions), Dinner at Cafe Flottenheimer(Get directions)

1 - Amalienborg Palace or Christiansborg

Start this second day by choosing which castle to visit. The options are Amalienborg or Christiansborg.

Option A - Amalienborg: one of the most beautiful palaces in the country (daily 10am-5pm; full admission DKK 125.00/€16.80, concessions DKK 80.00/€10.75, included in the Copenhagen Card). Built in 1750, this palace is one of the most important examples of the Rococo style of Danish architecture and consists of no less than four buildings. The visit will take you all morning.
If you have time left, from the Amalienborg Slotsplads square admire the huge Frederiks Kirke, Scandinavia's largest domed church and, if you want and find it open, visit it inside (Mon-Thu and Sat 10am-5pm, Fri and Sun 12pm-5pm, free admission).

Option B - Christiansborg: This is the Royal Palace of Copenhagen, located on the small island of Slotsholmen in the city centre and now the seat of the Parliament of Denmark. Partly visitable (09:00-17:00, combined ticket DKK 160/approximately €21.51), here you can also discover the palace's basement, definitely not a visit for everyone.

For lunch, head to the Ophelia Plads: located right behind the Amalienborg, it is a place with food trucks, stands and bars and a wonderful view of the Operaen, or Opera House. The pier also extends to the Ofelia Beach. Not to be missed, especially on a sunny day! Get directions

2 - Carlsberg Brewery

Photo by Jens Cederskjold. For the early afternoon, head to the Carlsberg Brewery, a real institution in the city (generally 10am-5pm, guided tour DKK 125.00/€16.80). To get there from the centre you have several alternatives. Go to the central station and from there you can either take the train to the Carlsberg stop (10 min) or take the free Carlsberg shuttle bus directly to the plant.

The brewery is the fourth largest and most important brewery in the world. Carlsberg was founded in 1847 thanks to the work of Jacob Christian Jacobsen. Here you can take part in guided tours through the brewery halls, discover the entire production process, participate in tastings and buy products. Definitely a must-do activity not only for beer lovers.

If you aretravelling with children: in this case, a visit to the brewery is certainly not an option. We recommend devoting the afternoon to the Copenhagen Zoo, located right next to the building.

3 - Christiania

Photo by News Oresund. After visiting the brewery, head back to the city centre to spend the second half of the afternoon in the Christiania district, where you can discover an unconventional Copenhagen! From the brewery, take the train back to Copenhagen Central Station (10 min), then walk to the district (25 min) or take the direct bus line 2A or 31 (Tivoli-Christianshavn St, 10 min).

Also called the Free City of Christiania ( Fristaden Christiania in Danish), Christiania is actually a partially self-governing district. Founded in 1970, it could be described as a small city within a city. It is inhabited by about 1,000 people and is certainly one of Copenhagen's most unique places, full of street art and murals, outdoor cafés, small shops and workshops. Take some time to wander through its streets.

Respect the rules of Christiania: being a partially self-governed neighbourhood, it has its own rules that even tourists must respect. Here, you can only get around on foot and by bike and it is absolutely forbidden to take pictures of people - privacy is very much protected!

4 - Rundetårn

As the last stop of the day, head to the Rundetårn, a tall tower in the heart of the city centre (daily 10am-8pm; full price DKK 40.00/€5.40, concessions DKK 10.00/€1.30). From Christiania you can take a 20-minute walk through the streets of the old town, passing beautiful buildings such as the Børsen, the former headquarters of the Danish Stock Exchange.

This tall tower, dating back to the 17th century and visible from every point in the old town, is characterised by its distinctive spiral staircase ramp, which creates a unique play of shapes. As you climb to the top, you can admire the view from the various windows. Besides the observatory, the tower also houses a planetarium, an event hall and numerous exhibitions throughout the year.

Spend the evening in the Old Town: where Copenhagen's nightlife is concentrated. This is home to numerous jazz clubs, breweries and wine bars, such as The Jane (Get directions) or Bar7(Get directions). In addition, you will find numerous nightclubs open until dawn such as Rumors(Get directions), Never Mind(Get directions) or Zefside (Getdirections).

Day 3

• Distance travelled: 148 km

• Places visited: Roskilde, Hillerød and Frederiksborg, Helsingør and Kronborg(tour from Copenhagen €141.00)

• Where to eat: Lunch at Halifax Burgers Hillerød(Get directions), Dinner at Restaurant Kronborg(Get directions)

1 - Roskilde

Photos by CucombreLibre. For this third and final day in Copenhagen, we recommend discovering its surroundings. The best way to do this is with aguided excursion to Roskilde, Frederiksborg and Kronborg, past castles, Vikings and the mysteries of Shakespeare's Hamlet! The excursion includes round-trip transport.

The tour starts in Roskilde, the medieval city that was the capital of Denmark until the 15th century. Here, the excursion includes a visit to Roskilde Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995, and its famous Viking Ship Museum (daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m.-5 p.m., entrance fee DKK 110.00/€14.80), the city's jewel in the crown.

If you are moving independently: you can reach Roskilde by car or by transport. In this case, take the direct RE train to Næstved from Copenhagen Station to Roskilde (20 min).

2 - Hillerød and Frederiksborg

The second stop on the excursion is Hillerød, a famous town in the north of Denmark (about 40 km from Copenhagen and 40 km from Roskilde).

This Danish town is famous for being home to Frederiksborg Castle, situated on Lake Slotsø. It is undoubtedly one of Denmark's most famous castles and a must-see. Built in the 17th century in Dutch Renaissance style at the behest of the Danish and Norwegian King Christian IV, it has housed the National History Museum since 1878. During the visit, you can also discover its beautiful Baroque and Romanesque gardens.

From Roskilde to Hillerød on your own: If you are driving, follow Route 6 (40 km, 40 min). By transport, take the direct bus line 600S to Hillerød (1 h 10 min). By train, you first return to Copenhagen (20 min), then take the direct line A to your destination (40 min).

3 - Helsingør and Kronborg

The last stop on the organised tour is Helsingør, a famous location in the north of Denmark. It is approximately 45 km from Copenhagen and 25 km from Hillerød, the previous stop.

Helsingør is famous for being home to one of the most important and famous Renaissance castles in Northern Europe, also known as Hamlet's Castle: we are talking about Kronborg, a visit to which is of course included in the tour. It is a splendid manor house dating back to 1574 and the location of the events of Shakespeare's Hamlet. It is certainly one of Denmark's most visited attractions and, inside, one of the most famous rooms is the famous Knights' Hall.

From Hillerød to Helsingør on your own: if you are driving, follow Route 6 (25 km, 30 min). By transport, take the direct bus line 930R to Helsingør (25 min). To then return to Copenhagen from Helsingør, take the direct train line RE (45 min).

How much does a weekend in Copenhagen cost

Copenhagen, like all Northern European cities, is an expensive destination. Fortunately you will be able to save some money on your flight, as there are many direct and low-cost connections from many Italian cities(compare flights).

For accommodation, Indre By is the best district to stay in. This is the area of the historical centre, with the main attractions, but it is also one of the most expensive. To save money, it is better to opt for more peripheral districts, such as Vesterbro, Nørrebro and Ørestad. Fortunately, in the centre you can mainly move around on foot, except on a few rare occasions. Alternatively, a good solution is the tourist bus. For excursions on the third day, the best solution is to rely on theorganised excursion with transport included. The attractions also have high entrance fees, which is why we recommend purchasing the Copenhagen Card, ideal for saving money!

Here are the detailed costs of a weekend in Copenhagen:

• Costs foreating: approximately €70.00 per person per day (including breakfast, lunch, dinner)

• Costs formuseums and attractions: average price €75.00 per day per person following our suggested itinerary (including the tour to Roskilde, Frederiksborg and Hamlet Castle)

• Transport: average price €5.00 per person per day

• Hotels, accommodation and B&Bs: from €70.00 per room - see offers

• Entertainment: from €30.00 per person per day (including snacks, coffee, drinks, ...)

• Total cost of a weekend in Copenhagen: from €620.00 per person (excluding flights and/or transfers)

Before you go: useful tips

• Avoid winter: temperatures are very cold and there are very few hours of daylight, museums keep reduced hours and several activities, such as the Tivoli Gardens or canal cruises are closed. Prefer spring and summer - find out more;

• Where to sleep: Indre By is the most central district, but the most expensive. For families also Frederiksberg. For young people Nørrebro, Christianshavn and Ørestad. To save money Christianshavn, Vesterbro, Nørrebro and Ørestad - neighbourhood map here;

• Get around on footor by transport: walking is ideal for discovering the historical centre. For attractions further afield, such as the Carlsberg Brewery, use transport. The tourist bus is also recommended;

• Visit the surrounding area with a tour: with only three days available, it is best to see as much as possible on the third day. So take a tour from Copenhagen, such as Roskilde, Frederiksborg and Kronborg, or visit Lund and Malmö;

• Discover Danish gastronomy: eating in restaurants is very expensive. For lunch, prefer food trucks and areas like the Ophelia Plads to save money. Also take part in a food tour to discover all the typical products and recipes;

• Local currency: Danish krone (DKK / Exchange rate: €1.00 = DKK 7.44). In almost all places you can comfortably pay with a card, without the use of cash, although it is better to always have some with you.