How to Make the Most of Copenhagen in 3 Days

Without any doubt, Copenhagen is one of the most beautiful cities in the world that I have ever visited. It is full of impressive places and history. A bid to plan a short trip may be quite difficult, especially if you want to absorb as much as you can within the limited time you may have. This travel guide for Copenhagen in 3 days is my attempt to help you through the twists and turns of the city as well as its sights without having to hurry on any particular one.

What can be the reasons making one prefer this tourist hot spot, in particular, over say Malta for instance? My answer is that you should try to imagine narrow streets and alleys with charming little colourful houses, modern architecture balancing harmoniously with the old, and a multitude of entertainment options throughout the day. The Danish capital has something for every visitor whether you are an art lover, history lover or, like me, just a person who wants to relax embracing the hygge culture (don't worry if you don't know this term, I'll get back to it later).

Aerial view of city buildings in Copenhagen.

This itinerary includes the following within three days:

• Important historical sites
• Places for cultural activities
• Off the beaten path sites
• Wonderful food experiences

What's really impressive about this city is that, in every part of Copenhagen, it is possible to experience something new. So prepare yourself as we are about to undertake a wonderful trip to one of the most beautiful cities in Europe!

Your planned three days in Copenhagen should really start with Indre By on the first day. This ancient area consists of stunning narrow stone pathways, beautiful old buildings and a good mix between the present and history.

Morning: Amalienborg Palace

I advise you to visit Amalienborg Palace, where the Danish royal family lives during the winter, to begin your journey. If luck is on your side, some of them might even be in sight! Nevertheless, the best attraction here is the daily Changing of the Guard at noon. It's quite a show and you cannot afford to miss that: spring boots, shiny epaulettes and textbook perfect drill marching. Be sure to get there a little earlier than required for such occasions to get a good place.

Horse statue in Amalienborg Palace.

Late Morning: Strøget Shopping Street

Perhaps you have already got the royal feeling and are ready to visit Strøget, which proudly holds the title of the longest pedestrian zone in Europe. The area is a very lively street with a multitude of shops including the most classy ones and the most entertaining ones. Strøget offers a lot of options, whether you feel like doing some shopping or just taking a stroll down the lane. Moreover, it is a prime opportunity to be acquainted with the busy street culture of Copenhagen.

Lunch: Local Flavours

For lunch, you should take a break and treat yourself with some local fare to please your palate. No visit is complete without the spectacular open-face sandwich called smørrebrød. A place to relax in a very cosy atmosphere is The Coffee Collective, on Jægersborggade, which serves great food and is a great place for people-watching.

Afternoon: Nyhavn District

Having replenished your strength, you can go to the historically important place which is the Nyhavn District (I'm sure you have already seen this one in picture at least once in your life). This charming location along the water is known for its vivid colored houses and busy environment. Once a busy bustling port where numerous vessels would berth, Nyhavn is now one of the hot spots in Copenhagen.

• Canal Boat Tours: If sightseeing is your thing, why not take a canal boat tour here? It is another way to view the city that is completely different than walking or biking.
• Cafés and Bars: To add charm to the quayside, there are several cafes and bars. Don't forget to savor a cup of coffee as you admire the traffic on the water and the blue pastel buildings in the background.

Colourful boats in Nyhavn.

Evening: Dinner in Nyhavn

When the sun begins to set and millions of tiny lights reflect off the water, I can assure you it's quite soothing. For dinner, you may pick one of the restaurants on the shore of the traditional harbor. If you are looking for delicious seafood, you will be surprised with several options available to meet your expectations. For example, I think you should really go to Restaurant Havfruen, which is truly a great place to have dinner. They serve seafood in a welcoming setting with nice views of the canals.

Spending your first day in Indre By and taking it slowly is the best way to start appreciating Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen. The city is dotted with castles, boutiques and a magnificent waterfront, which will make your first steps in the Danish capital a unique experience.

Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek: A Must-Visit on Your Copenhagen in 3 Days Itinerary

Let's go for day 2! One of the first places you should head to while in the city would be the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek. This art and history museum has left everyone fascinated (including me!). Founded by the Carlsberg brewery magnate, it bears a collection which cuts across several millennia. Stroll around the rooms to see some of the most remarkable Egyptian artifacts, classical Greek and Roman statues, and a vast collection of French and Danish art of the 19th century. After spending some time in the fine art, you could visit the Winter Garden, which I can assure you will be a relief thanks to its greenery and peace.

Christiansborg Palace

Next, I suggest you take a look at the representation of Danish politics, the Christiansborg Palace. It is the official home to the Danish Parliament, the Prime Minister's Office, and the Supreme Court. A deeper understanding of Danish politics can be gained from the Royal Reception Rooms, the archaeological remains in the basement of the palace structures and the spectacular Tower where you can have a view of Copenhagen from above. A visit would be incomplete without visiting the Royal Stables to see some of the finest equestrian bits of Denmark.

Christiansborg Palace, a must-see during your 3 days in Copenhagen.

Tivoli Gardens

End your day with an exciting twilight visit to Tivoli Gardens. This amusement park is not only for children but also for everybody, regardless of their age. Opened in 1843, Tivoli Gardens is among the oldest theme parks in the world. Enjoy the adrenaline-charged rides such as The Demon roller coaster or more laid-back options like the old Ferris wheel. The magnificent, well-kept gardens are the perfect counterpart to the thrills of the park.

Tivoli Gardens.

When night comes in the Tivoli, there are several theatres or open-air stages offering a variety of shows, from pantomimes (yes, that's a real word) to rock concerts. When it comes to food, you'll find everything including fine cuisine at various establishments inside the word’s attractive theme park - Tivoli. In any case, I think you've understood that Tivoli is a quite pleasant place to visit.

Cycling, a Must in Copenhagen in 3 Days

When you are at it, you may want to rent a bicycle for yourself for part of your journey. Copenhagen is known to be very bike-friendly, and there are plenty of bike paths that make getting around town fun and easy, similar to other bike-friendly cities I have visited, such as Malmö or Amsterdam. The other advantage of cycling in the city is that it allows you to immerse yourself in the urban life, while respecting the environment.

Embark on this educational tour with great enthusiasm, as every leg of this journey brings forth something different about the culture of Copenhagen. Day 2 is geared towards memorable experiences and will include different activities from art appreciation, politics, and even amusement park. In other words, fun activities embracing different sides of this wonderful city.

I know, it goes by fast when you're having fun. But I've still got a few things for you on Day 3! Start your final day in Copenhagen by discovering the serenity of Kastellet Fortress. This well-preserved star-shaped structure offers views of the city's integrated skyline and waterfront. Walk the entire length of its ramparts before going inside the historic buildings located in between the complex, which includes a lovely windmill. Its surroundings, although in the centre of the city, are peaceful and ideal for some early morning reflection.

Windmill at Kastellet.

Next, head over to Gefion Fountain that is not so far from Kastellet. This stunning fountain has a statue of the Norse goddess Gefion who, it is said, ploughed the land in order to form the island of Zealand. The rather spectacular sculpture with the huge volume of water pouring in circles is a good place to rest and discover Danish mythology.

The Gefion fountain, essential to see during your 3 days in Copenhagen.

A short walk from Gefion Fountain will lead you to Frederik's Church, which is also known as The Marble Church. This Church, although is not as famous as the rest, is however an exceptional architectural sample of Rococo period style with one of the largest domes in Scandinavia (In person, it's even more mind-blowing). Get to the top to see Copenhagen within a 360 degree view, although it’s a bit of a workout, but it is quite worth it.

Impressive dome of Frederik's Church.

While these sights might not be the main focus of your trip, I really think you should still think about incorporating a bit of food tourism into your journey:

• Torvehallerne Market: It is heaven on earth for eaters which offers smorrebrod and you can also buy fruits and vegetables there.
• Local Bakeries: Stop by bakeries like Meyers Bageri or Lagkagehuset and taste some traditional Danish pastries like wienerbrød (Danish pastry) and kanelsnegl (cinnamon rolls).

On the other hand, if you still have more time, perhaps consider going on a day trip from the city of Copenhagen. Here are highly commendable choices that I think you will like:

• Roskilde: You can’t miss the Roskilde Cathedral included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the Viking Ship Museum.
• Kronborg Castle: This castle, which is known as Elsinore in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, is only an hour train ride away.
• Louisiana Museum of Modern Art: This museum is situated along the coast with a marvelous view of Øresund.

Such trips thus elaborate your visit to the capital city and allow for more insight into Denmark’s history and culture.

One of the breathtaking views of Roskilde.

It's sad, I know, that your journey has already come to an end. That's why I think that at the end of your third day, you may want to treat yourself to one last hyggelig experience, especially with a good café or restaurant. From local to foreign cuisine, foodies will find what they are looking for in Copenhagen.

Best Seasons to Visit Copenhagen

Visiting Copenhagen in 3 days has no limitations, but be aware that each season brings a slightly different atmosphere to the city. Spring (March to May) revives nature with flowers and green leaves making the visit more pleasant. When tourists are most common is in Summer (June to August). Warm climates and long daylight hours are helpful for outdoor excursions and fests, such as the Copenhagen Jazz festival. Autumn (September to November) has colored leaves and less number of people. In the Winter (December to February), it's quite cold so it feels like people are not really invited. However, Christmas fairs and the atmosphere of coziness make people forget about the freezing temperatures.

Getting Around with Copenhagen Public Transport

Navigating Copenhagen is easy thanks to its efficient public transportation system:

• Buses: Extensive network covering almost every corner of the city.
• Trains: Useful for bigger distances or trips out of town.
• Metro: Modern and fast with 24 hours service covering major parts of the city and also the airport.

Public transport is user-friendly and generally on time. You can buy tickets at stations or use the mobile app for convenience.

Benefits of the Copenhagen Card

The Copenhagen Card is a tourist’s best friend (and maybe it'll be yours too):

• Enters in the form of free admissions to more than 80 tourist attractions including Tivoli Gardens, Rosenborg Castle as well as boat rides.
• Access to the capital's public transport system - bus services, train and the underground system without restrictions.
• Fully utilized by getting the access to more than 15 tourist spots that are available on the card without wasting much time standing in the line to buy tickets for various places.

Cards are available in various durations (24, 48, 72 hours), meaning for instance, that if you buy a card for 24 hours and find that it is enough for your purposes you can do so (quite useful right?).

Affordable Travel Tips

As it is true everywhere in Europe, so is in Copenhagen – it’s expensive and if you plan to spend some time enjoying its beauty you will have to manage to stick to a budget:

• Accommodation: Book hostels or budget lodging places. Airbnb offers great deals too.
• Food: For breakfast, visit local bakeries as they have reasonably priced pastries that are very delicious. There are food courts such as Reffen where one can try almost all types of food without spending a fortune.
• Attractions: Several museums have scheduled free-entry days. Most parks and the landscape gardens like the King’s Garden on the other hand, do not charge a penny.

Good planning keeps you within the limits of what you can afford and in the end allows you to enjoy the best of Copenhagen in 3 days (which is quite expensive, I admit).

While it is very possible to enjoy Copenhagen in 3 days without really adopting any of the Danish cultural values, it will certainly be more rewarding to combine the two.

Experience Hygge on your Visit to Copenhagen in 3 Days

I told you at the beginning that I was going to explain this term to you, and here we are. You should know that Denmark is famous for its concept of hygge, which can be loosely translated to cosiness. To truly experience hygge relaxation, one must visit some of the quaint cafes in Copenhagen:

• The Living Room: A beautiful café that provides relaxation with warming lights.
• Tante T: A tea house with a nice selection of tea and quiet surroundings.

Be sure to sample the traditional sweet pastry which is known in Danish as wienerbrød. The sweet pastries are not only yummy but form a very important part of experiencing the culture of the place.

Commitment to Sustainability

Copenhagen is proud to be a sustainable and eco-friendly city. This can be seen in the large number of its citizens who use bicycles as a means of transport. Rent a bike and enjoy the well-paved paths with other locals who commute during a normal working day.

In regards to eating places, it is advisable to go for those that use eco-friendly practices:

• Noma: Known for fusing the traditional Nordic cuisine with modern advances whilst maintaining high levels of sustainability.
• Rebel: This restaurant is seasonal and has a deliberate policy of avoiding the wastage of food supply.

In addition to this, these experiences also bring forth the modern trends of the city. It will also provide you a better appreciation of what makes the Danish way of life so remarkable when these aspects are practiced when you visit Copenhagen in 3 days.

The entire concept of making the best of Copenhagen in 3 days is purely about trade-offs. It’s possible for you to follow our cycling route and see the major sights as well as the interesting places located off the beaten path. However, spontaneity is always encouraged. It can be boarding a tiny boat cruise around the city or rolling on one of the city’s safe cycling networks, it is these expeditions that will provide an additional feel to the trip.

However, even in this case, three days are enough to understand the value of the local history, design, and culture scene. Every inch of Copenhagen is remarkable from the cobbled street of Indre By to the lovely gardens of Tivoli in the evenings, every place in this city has a charm.

So take a map, get a bike or on the metro, and head to the capital of Denmark. It doesn’t really matter whether you follow my advices or go off on your own adventure, a trip to Copenhagen will definitely be memorable, filled with lots of fun and pleasure which will leave you with happy heart forever.