25 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Copenhagen Denmark

If you’re thinking of traveling to Scandinavia, Copenhagen needs to be at the top of your list.

You’ve never seen a bicycling culture like the culture you’ll find in Copenhagen.

For example, there is a cyclist bridge in the city that sees over 40,000 cyclists EVERY day! That alone is reason enough to visit this city in Scandinavia.

I’ve lived in Billund Denmark (about 3 hours from Copenhagen) for 6+ years now and have made my fair share of trips to visit the city.

We’ll often go to spend a day in Copenhagen (or a long weekend) quite freqquently.

We know where to find cheap eats in Copenhagen (in a city that can be expensive to eat out) and have found our fair share of Copenhagen budget-friendly hotels.

I’ve created this post to give you all of my top recommendations of good things to know before planning a trip to Copenhagen. These Copenahgen tips will make your visit easy and fun!

*There are affiliate links in this post.  Read my privacy/disclosure policy to learn more.

25 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING COPENHAGEN DENMARK

1. There is nothing called black licorice in Copenhagen, it’s just called licorice

Okay, so maybe what to call licorice isn’t necessarily the most important thing you need to know before your trip to Copenhagen. However, it’s definitely a good souvenir that will give you a glimpse into Danish culture.

If you’re from the United States, you are used to what is called licorice (which is red) and then what is called black licorice (which is black).

However, licorice is an herb with a specific taste. Red licorice in the US really isn’t flavored like licorice; it’s just called licorice because of the similar texture to the original black licorice treat.

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In Denmark you’ll only find black licorice (aka real licorice) and boy do Danes love it.

You’ll see licorice-flavored ice cream, sprinkles for ice cream, licorice gum, chocolate covered licorice, chocolate covered almonds with licorice powder and tons of different licorice variations in the candy aisle (need I go on?).

They even have licorice balls covered in chocolate rolled in spicy licorice powder for those that want spicy chocolate licorice (I’m not joking, it’s called lakrids stærk or ‘strong’). I was so surprised the first time I tasted it.

I definitely recommend picking up some licorice while you travel in Copenhagen or asking for licorice sprinkles on your ice cream!

You can find plenty of licorice varieties at a grocery store. However, if you want the fancy stuff, swing by one of the many Lakrids Bülow shops in Copenhagen.

2. The best times to Visit Copenhagen Is in the Summer and at Christmas

By far the best time of year to travel to Copenhagen is from May to early September followed by December (with my top recommended months being late May to June and late August to early September.

Denmark is notoriously rainy, gray and west so if you want any chance of clear, blue skies and sun, then you’ll want to visit from end of May to early September.

July and August are the busiest months in Copenhagen and accomodations will be at their most expensive. However, you can for sure bleed into May and September and still have chances of great weather.

The next best time of year to see Copenhagen is when the city is decked out in Christmas lights, decorations,, markets, ice rinks, and more where you can taste yummy æbleskiver, risalamande (rice pudding), and gløgg!

You can expect Christmas festivities to begin mid-November and last through the end of December.

3. You’ll easily get by in Copenhagen Only Speaking English

Danes were recently ranked as the world’s second-best speakers of English as a second language.

A whopping 86% of Danes report being able to speak English fluently (which is awesome but a little tricky if you are trying to learn Danish).

Danes start learning English in the first year of grade school and continue learning all the way through graduation.

All of this to say, you’ll get by just fine in Copenhagen, only speaking English. But of course, it’s always nice to keep the Google Translate app handy for any written words you need translated.

4. Food and lodging in Copenhagen can be pricey

Food and lodging can be a bit pricey in Copenhagen, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit! I’ve put together both a list of budget-friendly (but highly-rated) Copenhagen hotels that won’t break the bank and a cheap eats Copenhagen food guide to help.

During July and August you can expect to pay around $200-$250 per night for a standard hotel room and that can drop to around $175 per night in the off season.

💰 MY TOP BUDGET-FRIENDLY COPENHAGEN HOTEL PICKS💰

MY TOP CHOICE: Copenhagen Strand

👉City Center:Wakeup Copenhagen - Borgergade

🎡 Near Tivoli:Good Morning City Copenhagen Star

🛍️ Near the Pedestrian Street(Strøget):The Square

🛥️ Near the Canals: Copenhagen Strand

👶 Perfect for Families/Groups:Modern 2 Bedroom Cottage 

🚊 Near the Central Train Station:Comfort Hotel Vesterbro 

🩱 Has a Pool:Adina Apartment Hotel 

🍽️ Has a Kitchen:CPH Studio Hotel, Adina Apartment Hotel & Modern 2 Bedroom Cottage

🚊 Short Train Ride in:CPH Studio Hotel

✈️ Close to the Airport:Comfort Hotel Copenhagen Airport

If you need larger accomodation to fit more than two people, the prices can double pretty quickly. It’s actually quite difficult for us to find affordable places to stay in Copenhagen as a family of 5.

There are getting to be more Airbnb units that are ONLY used as short-term rentals, however, a good amount of Airbnbs are people renting out their home while they are away (which I don’t like as much).

5. The Copenhagen airport is only a short train ride to the city center

Unlike the airports in Paris or London, the Copenhagen airport is just a short 15-minute metro ride from the city center! This means you may even be able to see a good amount of the city if you have a long layover at the Copenhagen airport.

If you plan on using public transit in Copenhagen, be sure to pick up the Copenhagen Card or the public transit City Pass.

6. The Copenhagen Card is a great way to save money on public transit and attractions

The Copenhagen Card is a great card that includes admission to over 80 attractions/experiences in Copenhagen, plus it offers free public transit within Copenhagen and to and from the airport. You can purchase the Copenhagen Card in increments from 1-5 days depending on how long you will be in the city.

I’m all about having a card that covers all public transportation. It’s so nice not to worry about paying for each ride on the metro or bus.

Some of the top sights you can use the Copenhagen Card for are a canal cruise, the Round Tower, Rosenborg Castle, Amalienborg Castle, the Danish Design Museum, and more!

✨ Click here to see if the Copenhagen Card is right for you! ✨

7. Copenhagen is often voted as one of the safest cities in the world

I’m all about feeling safe while I’m traveling and there are very few places that you may feel safer in than Copenhagen. Copenhagen is often ranked as one of the safest cities in the world because of its low crime rate and relatively narrow wealth gap.

This makes it a great destination for families and solo travelers, plus anyone else who just prefers a basic feeling of safety.

Of course, as with anywhere, you’ll want to exercise basic precautions to ensure safety and prevent pickpockets.

8. Taking a canal cruise will be a highlight of your trip to Copenhagen Denmark

Copenhagen is home to some very picturesque canals lined with tethered sailboats and colorful buildings. The most famous canal in Copenhagen is Nyhavn but on this canal cruise in Copenhagen you also get to see lesser-known, but super cute areas canals in areas like Christianshavn.

You can book a 1-hour guided canal tour from Nyhavn, a 2-hour guided tour with a small group, or even captain your own small boat through the canals (one of my favorite ways to cruise the canals).

I enjoy the canal cruises so much that I am sure to take any guests we have on one.

I’ve even written an entire post about my favorite Copenhagen canal tours.

It’s just such a great way to see a large amount of the city, learn a little bit of history and fun facts, and have fun while doing so.

🛥️✨ CLICK HERE TO CHECK PRICES FOR A COPENHAGEN CANAL TOUR 🛥️✨

There are two different canal cruises included for free with the Copenhagen Card if you plan to purchase a Copenhagen Card for your time in the city.

9. There are so many fairytale castles to see in Copenhagen

Another great thing about a city break to Copenhagen is that but you can also see many beautiful castles that look straight out of a fairytale.

While walking around Copenhagen, you can visit Rosenborg Castle, Amalienborg Palace, Christianborg Palace, and Fredriksberg Palace.

Plus, just within 1-2 hours of the city, you can see Fredriksborg Castle (one of my favorites), Kronborg Castle (from Hamlet), and Egeskov Castle (perfect for families).

For a true local experience, bring a picnic lunch to The King’s Garden next to Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen and relax with the picturesque castle as your backdrop.

10. There are separate paths for pedestrians and cyclists in Copenhagen

As I’ve mentioned, the amount of bicylists in Copenhagen is absolutely unreal. And because of this, you need to be aware of a few things concerning cyclists.

Copenhagen has specific bike lanes that are often nestled between the road and the sidewalk. You need to be sure to stay on the walking path and not accidentally step out into the bike lane because there is a good chance you will be hit by an oncoming bicylicist.

Stepping into the bike lane is basically the equivalent of stepping out into the road.

Cyclists pass quickly and frequently, so you need to be aware of your surroundings.

If you rent a car in Copenhagen, remember that cyclists always have the right of way and you need to check your side mirrors frequently before taking any right turns.

It can be hard to remember, but it’s very important.

11. There are great day trips to take from Copenhagen

If you are lucky enough to have more than one day in Copenhagen then you may have some time to take a day trip from the city.

Here are some of my favorite and most popular day trips from the city:

• Frederiksborg Castle (epic castle and chapel full of Carl Bloch paintings-my favorite day trip)
• Roskilde, Denmark (see original Viking ships at the Roskilde Viking Ship Museum and an epic cathedral)
• Kronborg Castle (the setting of Shakespeare’s Hamlet)
• Tisvildeleje Beach in the ‘Danish Riviera’ (see rolling sand dunes and beaches with colorful changing huts)
• Dragør, Denmark (see an idyllic fisherman village with cobblestone streets and yellow houses close to the city)
• Odense, Denmark (the birthplace of Hans Christian Anderson and close to Egeskov Castle)
• Møns Klint (see limestone and chalk cliffs along the Baltic Sea)
• Malmö, Sweden (see an additional country just a 35-minute train ride away!)
• Billund, Denmark (the home of LEGO world headquarters and the amazing LEGO House experience)

12. Seeing the Little Mermaid statue is a little underwhelming

If you’ve researched things to do in Copenhagen for more than a few minutes, you’ve probably come across The Little Mermaid statue.

The Little Mermaid statue was erected in the Copenhagen Harbor in 1913 based on the 1837 fairytale written by the Danish author Hans Christian Anderson.

Many people recommend seeint the statue while in Copenhagen, however, just know that it’s much smaller than you expect and it’s about a 1-mile walk in the opposite direction from most popular Copenhagen sites.

However, if you want a nice stroll along the harbor, it’s a nice thing to see along the way.

I only recommend adding the Little Mermaid to your itinerary if you are renting bikes. You can rent inexpensive E-bikes here or I have an entire guide about renting cargo bikes in Copenhagen which is one of the most local things you can do.

✨🚲 CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT E-BIKE RENTALS IN COPENHAGEN ✨🚲

Nearby The Little Mermaid statue you can see the Kastellet citadel or pick up ice cream at a kiosk near The Little Mermaid statue.

Another great way to see the statue is on a Copenhagen canal cruise. Every canal cruise in Copenhagen sails past The Little Mermaid Statue, plus you get to see the rest of the city’s picturesque canals and modern harbor as well.

You can choose between a large, 1-hour guided canal cruise or a smaller, more intimate 2-hour guided canal cruise.

13. The sun stays up late in summer and goes down early in winter

In the summer months, the sun can rise at 4:30 am and set at 10:00 pm. This means if you are a light sleeper, you may want to bring an eye mask along with you in case your accommodations don’t have proper blackout curtains.

On the other hand, in the winter, the sun won’t rise until around 8:30 am and it can set early around 3:30 pm.

If you are visiting around Christmas it’s not such a bad deal since there will be plenty of Christmas lights and lit-up markets you want to see (not to mention Tivoli Gardens sparkling in the night) so it’s almost kind of nice to have the evening start a little earlier.

14. Keep an eye out for parking meters

If you’re renting a car in Copenhagen know that almost all street parking costs. It isn’t too expensive, however, if you don’t pay and get a ticket that can be quite expensive.

The easiest way to do this is via the Easy Park app. However, you also pay at parking meters, but sometimes they are more than a block away making it difficult to know where to pay.

However, if you have the Easy Park app, you can allow it to know where you are so you will know immediately if you need to pay for parking.

Almost every parking lot, parking garage and the street parking in Copenhagen can be paid for via the Easy Park App.

My favorite part of having the app is that you can even add time to your booking without returning to your car. I definitely recommend it.

15. It’s illegal to turn right at a red stoplight (bikes included)

Another tip if you’re traveling in Copenhagen with a car, is that it is illegal to turn right at a red stoplight.

And once the light turns green and you’re ready to turn right, you need to be very aware of cyclists passing you on the right side of your car.

If you’re driving during commuter traffic, it can feel quite stressful with all of the bikes passing by. But it’s totally doable and honestly a very fun and interesting experience.

16. The Copenhagen Harbor is so clean that you can swim in it

Another unique aspect of Copenhagen is that the Copenhagen harbor is clean enough for swimming and there are multiple designated swimming areas!

The most popular and central harbor bath is Islands Brygge, where you’ll find both tall jumping platforms and shallow play areas!

You can even take a dip in most of the swimming areas in the winter if you want to try Danish winter bathing.

Read my guide here: How to Visit the Islands Brygge Harbour Bath in Copenhagen.

17. Copenhagen has multiple Michelin-star restaurants

If fancy food is your thing, Copenhagen is the place for you. Copenhagen boasts 20+ restaurants with Michelin stars!

I haven’t personally eaten at any of the Michelin restaurants in Copenhagen (I can barely afford the budget-friendly food in Copenhagen🤣).

However, if you’re looking for the best of the best, Noma is one of the most famous restaurants in Copenhagen/the world and has been awarded the max number of Michelin stars available.

But it will cost you a pretty penny and you need to get reservations months in advance.

18. You need to try a Danish pølse (hot dog) from a street cart

If you pick up just one typical Danish meal, for sure, have it be a hot dog from a Danish hot dog cart (of course, you also need to stop at a bakery for treats afterward).

Hot dog carts (or pølsevogns) have been a staple in Copenhagen since 1920. At one point, there were more than 400 street carts selling pølse!

The most traditional Danish hot dog is a ‘ristet pølse’ with, spicy mustard, remoulade, ketchup, fried onions, and thin pickle slices. I recommend trying it with all of the usual toppings, however, you can also make it how you wish.

You can find these hot dog carts all over the city; there’s even one right at Nyhavn, one next to The Round Tower, and others along the pedestrian-only area, Strøget.

19. Smørrebrød is a unique local food to pick up for lunch

Another traditional Danish food you are sure to see or hear about is called smørrebrød. Smørrebrød is basically a slice of hearty rye bread topped with various toppings.

The most common toppings are pickled herring, salmon, shrimp, and roast beef (not all together😅).

I personally prefer the vegetarian smørrebrød options with toppings like potato or avocado (which can be a little trickier to find).

One of the most popular places to pick up smørrebrød in Copenhagen is Aamanns but you can find smørrebrød all over and there is usually a stall selling it in any of the food halls.

20. Be sure to swing by a bakery in Copenhagen and try Spandauer, kanelsnegl, or romkugle

Every new place I visit, I’m sure to make a stop at a few local bakeries and Copenhagen is no exception.

If you’re coming from the US, you may be thinking you can pick up a pastry called a Danish ( I mean you are in Denmark after all). However, nothing exists by that name here.

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However, you will find something called a spandauer with cream filling and that’s the closest thing to what Americans call Danishes (although a spandauer tastes much better…shock, surprise).

Another top treat to try is a kanelsnegl which is Denmark’s answer to a cinnamon roll or romkugle which is a sprinkle-covered ball made up of leftover pastries all mashed together with rum flavoring (my kids favorite).

And if you like marzipan, then Copenhagen is the place for you! You will find SO many bakery options that include marzipan.

A great bakery to swing by is Sankt Peders Bageri aka the oldest bakery in Copenhagen famous for their kanelsnegls.

21. Copenhagen is home to Tivoli Gardens, an amusement park visited by Walt Disney

I usually don’t think to visit amusement parks on international trips, however, Copenhagen is an exception.

The center of Copenhagen is home to a beautiful amusement park called Tivoli Gardens. Tivoli has been around since 1843 and is the third-oldest operating amusement park in the world.

It is rumored that Walt Disney visited Tivoli and received inspiration for Disneyland.

Which would make sense because Tivoli is an incredibly beautiful, clean fun park with live shows, music, good restaurants and fun rides.

If you only go on one ride, I recommend the wooden Roller Coaster (Rutschebanen). It’s one of the oldest wooden roller coasters in the world and it’s so fun!

The crazy thing is that the coaster is braked by a real employee that sits on the ride and controls a large brake lever in a fun, almost theatrical way.

22. Many interesting tours/experiences can be booked in Copenhagen

One of the best things to know before visiting Copenhagen is that you can find many unique activities and tours led by locals to help you get a better feel for the city.

You can find a guided bike tour (or an e-bike tour) through popular neighborhoods and past top sights, a super fun Danish pastry baking class, a cozy Copenhagen hygge tour, and even a tour that will take you on a day trip to Sweden.

Choosing one of these locally led experiences is definitely a great way to experience Copenhagen and the surrounding areas.

My favorite sites to search for local tours and experiences is Viator.

✨ CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT TOURS IN COPENHAGEN ✨

23. There are other awesome places to see in Denmark besides Copenhagen

Copenhagen is by far the most popular place for visitors to see in Denmark; however, there are plenty of other beautiful and interesting places to see.

The best way to see the rest of Denmark is to rent a car and take 3-5 days to travel from Copenhagen to Denmark’s northernmost point, Skagen (where you can see the the Baltic and North Sea meet).

Other great places to see in Denmark include Roskilde, Odense, Billund, and Aarhus (just to name a few). Northern Denmark is just a ferry ride away from Norway or Sweden which makes it very easy to continue a greater Scandinavian roadtrip.

24. Copenhagen Denmark is a popular stop on Scandinavian Cruises

If cruising is your thing, you’ll be happy to know that you can find Copenhagen on many Scandinavian cruise itineraries.

Many cruises also leave from Copenhagen, so you could fly into the city, spend a few days inDenmark then continue on your cruise.

25. Copenhagen has some really fun playgrounds for kids

If you are visiting Copenahgen with kids, be sure to check out my guide: 13 of the Best Playgrounds in Copenhagen to Add to Your Itinerary.

One of our favorite ways to see the city is to rent a cargo bike and visit multiple playgrounds with bakery stops along the way.

🇩🇰🇩🇰 LOOKING FOR MORE ABOUT COPENHAGEN? 

🚤 8 Unique Canal Tours in Copenhagen You Need to Book

🇩🇰 The Only Itinerary You Need for One Day in Copenhagen

❗ 24 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Copenhagen Denmark

☀️ How to Visit Islands Brygge Harbour Bath in Copenhagen (Havnebadet Islands Brygge)

🚲 10 Things You Need to Know Before Renting a Cargo Bike in Copenhagen

😋 The Ultimate Cheap Eats Copenhagen Food Guide


LOOKING TO VISIT BILLUND DENMARK, THE HOME OF LEGO?

🧱 8 Awesome LEGO Things You Need to See in Billund Denmark

🎢 A Local’s Ultimate Guide to The LEGO House Home of the Brick in Billund Denmark

👉 15 Tips for Visiting LEGOLAND in Billund Denmark (from a local!)


OTHER GREAT PLACES TO VISIT IN DENMARK

⚓ Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde Denmark: Everything You Need to Know

🛡️ Explore Lindholm Høje in Aalborg Denmark: A Beautiful Viking Burial Site 

✨ 22 Best Things to do in Aarhus, Denmark

🚗 10 Perfectly Danish Day Trips from Aarhus Denmark

And those are the top 25 things I think you need to know before visiting Copenhagen, Denmark! Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions about my tips for visiting Copenhagen. I’ll be sure to get back to you.

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