About Copenhagen
Copenhagen began as a fishing village and became Denmark's capital in the fifteenth century; its Danish name, København, means "merchants' harbour". Bishop Absalon built a fortress here in 1167 on the islet of Slotsholmen, where Christiansborg Palace, seat of the Danish parliament, stands today. King Christian IV, the great builder of the early seventeenth century, gave the city some of its most recognisable landmarks, including the Rundetårn (Round Tower), Rosenborg Castle and the dragon-tailed spire of the old stock exchange, Børsen, which was badly damaged by fire in 2024 and is being rebuilt.
Modern Copenhagen is consistently ranked among the world's most liveable cities. Around half of residents commute by bike on a dedicated network of cycle tracks, the harbour is clean enough to swim in, and the city's restaurant scene, led by Noma and the New Nordic movement, has made it a global food destination. Visitors come for the colourful houses of Nyhavn, the Tivoli Gardens amusement park opened in 1843, the Little Mermaid and the freewheeling community of Christiania, but stay for the hygge of candlelit cafés.
Our three guides cover areas to stay, top experiences, and practical advice on transport, prices, seasons and the Danish way of life.
Copenhagen city guides
- Where to stay in Copenhagen
Copenhagen is compact, flat and easy to navigate by bike, metro or foot, so there are few bad places to stay. Accommodation is expensive, but the city offers everything from design hotels to stylish hostels. The medieval centre within the old ramparts includes Strøget, one of Europe's longest pedestrian shopping streets, Rådhuspladsen (City Hall Square), the Latin Quarter around the university, Nyhavn's colourful seventeenth-century harbour and Kongens Nytorv. Staying here puts you within walking distance of nearly everything. Prices are high, and Nyhavn and Strøget are crowded in summer. Next to Nyhavn, Frederiksstaden is an elegant eighteenth-century district built by King Frederik V, with the four rococo palaces of Amalienborg, the royal family's winter residence, and the Marble Church. Hotels are upscale, and the area is quiet at night. It is a short walk to the Little Mermaid and the Design Museum.
- Things to do in Copenhagen
Copenhagen mixes royal history, world-class design and food with laid-back urban life. Here's what to prioritise. Opened in 1843, Tivoli is one of the world's oldest amusement parks still in operation and is said to have inspired Walt Disney. It has historic wooden roller coasters (the Rutschebanen dates from 1914), gardens, concert halls and restaurants, and is magical at night when thousands of lights come on. It is open in summer, at Halloween and at Christmas, so check dates. The colourful canal-side townhouses of Nyhavn date from the late seventeenth century; Hans Christian Andersen lived at numbers 18, 20 and 67. It's the classic Copenhagen photo spot. Take a canal boat tour from here to see the city from the water.
- Practical tips for visiting Copenhagen
Copenhagen Airport (CPH) in Kastrup is only 8 kilometres from the centre. The metro M2 line runs 24 hours to Kongens Nytorv and Nørreport in about 15 minutes, and trains go to Central Station in 13 minutes. Taxis cost around 300 to 350 DKK. Copenhagen has an automated driverless metro running 24 hours, plus S-trains, buses and harbour buses. Tickets cover zones; the airport and city centre are within zones 1 to 3. Use the DOT Tickets app or a Rejsekort card. The Copenhagen Card includes transport and entry to more than 80 attractions. Biking is the best way to get around; rent from a shop or use Bycyklen or Donkey Republic bikes. Follow local cycling rules: signal stops and turns, stay on the right and do not ride on pavements. May to August brings long days, with the sun setting around 22:00 in June, and outdoor life at its peak; temperatures are typically 18 to 22°C. September is pleasant. Winters are cold, dark and windy, with temperatures around 0 to 4°C and just 7 hours of daylight in December, but Tivoli's Christmas market and cosy cafés make it hyggeligt. Distortion street party in early June and the Copenhagen Jazz Festival in July are highlights.
Destination overview · Copenhagen
Stays via Hotellook
Flights via Aviasales
Partner 718768
This site contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book through our partners — at no extra cost to you.
See our Affiliate Disclaimer.
What to see in Copenhagen
Famous attractions and neighbourhoods — pair them with stays near the action.
What to do
Experiences that make a short break feel complete — with links to stay nearby.
Places to stay in Copenhagen
Compare hotels and apartments via Hotellook (Travelpayouts). Deep links include partner marker
718768. Optional dashboard widgets can be pasted in config.
Get there · Flights to Copenhagen
Aviasales search with affiliate marker. Enter origin IATA (e.g. RIX, LHR) and destination IATA.