Colourful houses and sailing ships on the Nyhavn canal, Copenhagen
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Copenhagen in 2 days

  • 2 days
  • 9 km on foot
  • 18 stops
  • Audio guide

With two days, Copenhagen stops being a sprint: you can step inside the places others only photograph. Day one pairs the postcard sights with the legends of dusk; day two covers the city's history plus an afternoon of museums and water. It's the perfect weekend plan, and you'll come away understanding why the Danes are so proud of their design, their builder kings and their life on the harbour.

Day 1Design, crowns and legends

Set off early on "Copenhagen highlights: from Tivoli to the Little Mermaid", which takes you from Strøget to Nyhavn, Amalienborg and Marmorkirken. After the Little Mermaid, walk back down Bredgade for smørrebrød at Sankt Annæ. The afternoon is for going inside: the Designmuseum, on the same street, then Rosenborg, whose gardens are made for a lie-down on the grass. From there, Købmagergade and Strøget lead back to City Hall Square for "Traitors, dragons and spirals": Gråbrødretorv, Børsen and the spire of Vor Frelsers Kirke. End in Christianshavn with stegt flæsk at Christianshavns Færgecafé.

  1. Morning

    Copenhagen highlights: from Tivoli to the Little Mermaid

    Mixed · 4.3 km · 2 h 30 min

    1. Tivoli GardensOne of the world’s oldest amusement parks, born on the old ramparts with a king’s blessing.
    2. Strøget and AmagertorvThe pedestrian street that changed European cities, and a fountain of storks that many swear are herons.
    3. NyhavnThe canal of colourful houses was once a harbour of sailors and taverns and, for years, Andersen’s home.
    4. Amalienborg PalaceFour twin palaces built for four noblemen that ended up as the royal family’s home after a fire.
    5. The Marble Church (Marmorkirken)A church that lay in ruins for almost a century and a half before a banker saw it finished.
    6. The Little Mermaid (Den lille Havfrue)A small statue with a turbulent life: two beheadings, a stolen arm and a trip to China.

    Start the audio guide See the route

  2. Lunch

    Try Smørrebrød at Restaurant Schønnemann. Hauser Plads 16

  3. Afternoon

    Designmuseum Danmark

    Denmark's design museum fills the former Frederik's Hospital, an 18th-century rococo building on Bredgade. Its collection of chairs alone explains the country's reputation. It's a few minutes from Amalienborg and has a lovely café in the courtyard.

    Directions

    Rosenborg Castle

    Christian IV, the builder king of our tours, put up this Renaissance castle as a pleasure palace. Its basement treasury holds the Danish Crown Jewels and royal regalia. Around it lies Kongens Have, the city's oldest royal garden. Booking ahead is wise in high season.

    Directions

  4. Early evening

    Traitors, dragons and spirals: hidden Copenhagen

    Mysteries & legends · 2.7 km · 2 h

    1. The Lur Blowers (Lurblæserne)Two Bronze Age musicians atop a column, and a cheeky legend every Copenhagener knows.
    2. Gråbrødretorv and the Pillar of ShameA charming square where a traitor’s mansion once stood, torn down so that no one would forget his name.
    3. Christiansborg and the Blue TowerBeneath the palace of the three powers lie the foundations of the tower where a princess spent almost 22 years as a prisoner.
    4. Børsen, the Dragon Stock ExchangeFour entwined dragons guarded the old Stock Exchange from fire for almost four centuries, until one April morning in 2024.
    5. Church of Our Saviour (Vor Frelsers Kirke)A golden staircase coiling around the outside of the spire, and an architect who, legend says, leapt to his death.
    6. Christiania, the FreetownA former barracks occupied in 1971 that became Scandinavia’s most famous social experiment.

    Start the audio guide See the route

  5. Dinner

    Try Stegt flæsk med persillesovs at Christianshavns Færgecafé. Strandgade 50

Day 2Eight centuries and an afternoon on the water

Today it's "From Absalon to Christian IV": start at City Hall Square, carry on past Gammeltorv and the cathedral, climb the ramp of the Round Tower and finish at Christiansborg, where the tower is worth going up for the highest view in the centre. Lunch on frikadeller at Restaurant Kronborg on Brolæggerstræde, just round the corner. In the afternoon, cross the canal to the National Museum, then board a boat at Gammel Strand to see the city from the water. On a summer day with energy to spare, the harbour baths at Islands Brygge are calling.

  1. Morning

    From Absalon to Christian IV: the city that rose from its ashes

    History · 2 km · 1 h 55 min

    1. City Hall Square and City HallA square born where the ramparts fell, and a city hall that looks to Siena and shows off a golden founder.
    2. Gammeltorv and NytorvCopenhagen’s oldest square, a fountain from Christian IV and a courthouse proclaiming that the land is built on law.
    3. Church of Our Lady (Vor Frue Kirke)A cathedral lost twice over, reborn as a Greek temple filled with Thorvaldsen’s apostles.
    4. Rundetårn, the Round TowerChristian IV’s observatory, with a spiral ramp instead of stairs and a royal rebus on its façade.
    5. Højbro Plads and the statue of AbsalonThe warrior bishop who founded the city rides towards the castle he built in 1167.
    6. Christiansborg PalaceThe only building in the world housing all three branches of government, raised on eight centuries of castles.

    Start the audio guide See the route

  2. Lunch

    Try Frikadeller at Restaurant Kronborg. Brolæggerstræde 12

  3. Afternoon

    National Museum of Denmark

    Housed in the Prince's Palace opposite Christiansborg, it tells the country's story from prehistory on: the Trundholm Sun Chariot, the Egtved Girl, Viking finds and a 19th-century bourgeois apartment kept just as it was. It's huge, so pick two or three galleries.

    Directions

    Canal boat tour

    Tour boats leave from Gammel Strand and Nyhavn and, in just over an hour, squeeze under very low bridges and glide past the Opera House, the Royal Library and the Little Mermaid. The best rest your legs will get. Bring a jacket: it's chilly on the water.

    Directions

The map

Copenhagen in 2 days, on the map

Each route’s stops are numbered in order; the stars are the extra sights.

Mixed Mysteries & legends History Extra sight

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Before you go

Tips for Copenhagen in 2 days

  • Do the maths on the Copenhagen Card: it covers public transport, airport included, plus entry to many museums and attractions. With Rosenborg, the National Museum and the canal tour in two days, it often pays off.
  • Many museums close one day a week, often Monday. Check opening times for Rosenborg and the Designmuseum before you settle the order of your days.
  • Renting a bike is the most local way to get around, but follow the rules: keep right, signal with your hand before turning or stopping, and use lights after dark.

Questions

Copenhagen in 2 days: your questions

Are two days enough for Copenhagen?

For the centre, yes. You'll see the big landmarks, do all three tours and visit two or three museums without rushing. What you'll miss are the outer neighbourhoods such as Nørrebro and day trips to Kronborg or the Louisiana, which call for a third day.

How far will I walk?

The tours total about 9 km: 7 km on day one, between the highlights and mysteries tours, and 2 km on day two with the history tour. Add the walks between museums and expect around 12 km on the first day and far less on the second, with the boat to rest your feet.

Is Christiania safe to visit at dusk?

Yes, it's a lived-in, much-visited neighbourhood. What matters is respecting its rules: no running, no photos of people or homes without permission and no photos at all around the former Pusher Street. Selling cannabis is still illegal in Denmark.

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