2 Day Copenhagen Itinerary: Ultimate Winter City Break

Founded by the Vikings, some historians say in the 11th century, though others think it was earlier still, Copenhagen was a natural and immediate success. With a deep harbor and herring aplenty, fisherman and merchants soon made it their home.

By 1416, having fended off attacks from the Hanseatic League, Copenhagen was crowned capital of Denmark. Since then, it has been besieged by Sweden, attacked by the British, ravaged by plague and destroyed by fire.

Yet, despite all this, today Copenhagen is the capital of the happiest country in the world. Quietly standing guard over the Øresund, Denmark’s largest city is at once historic and progressive, a city where the past is celebrated, and the future embraced.

Our 2 day Copenhagen itinerary showcases the best the city has to offer and ideal for a quick weekend escape. You’ll delve deep into Danish history, tuck into the best food Denmark has to offer and by the time you leave, we hope that you too will have found your hygge in Copenhagen.

When to Plan a 2 Day Copenhagen Itinerary

There’s never a bad time for a 2 day Copenhagen itinerary, but if you ask me, there’s something special about winter in Scandinavia. This is especially true of Copenhagen. In the run up to Christmas, Tivoli- home to one of the best Christmas Markets in Europe – transforms into a magical winter wonderland.

Whilst there’s no denying that Copenhagen isn’t known for winter sun, it enjoys a far milder climate than its Nordic neighbors. Even in the coldest months, January and February, average temperatures never drop below freezing. If you prefer to avoid the winter chill, July tends to be the warmest month to enjoy a 2 day Copenhagen itinerary. Temperatures sit around 18°C (64°F).

Where to Stay in Copenhagen

With so much to pack in to a 2 day Copenhagen itinerary, choosing a centrally located hotel is key. Our two favorite areas are Indre By and Vesterbro Ost.

Indre By, Copenhagen’s ever-busy central district, puts you closest to Nyhavn and Amalienborg. If you’re planning on indulging in a spot of retail therapy during your 2 day Copenhagen itinerary, Indre By is definitely the area for you. Our top pick here, for its prime waterfront location, is Copenhagen Strand Hotel. For a little more luxury, check out the Admiral Hotel.

Travel tip: Denmark as a whole (and Scandinavia for that matter), aren’t known to be the most budget-friendly destinations. Hotel prices in Copenhagen live up to those expectations- expect to be paying around 2000DKK ($300) per night. That said, if you know where to look, you can find the occasional bargain. Wakeup Copenhagen Borgergate is one such option; you’ll often find rooms here as low as 1000DKK ($150).

Vesterbro Ost is one of the city’s trendier neighborhoods. Comprising the old meatpacking and red light districts, it’s proximity to Tivoli and the central railway station make Vesterbro an ideal base for a 2 day Copenhagen itinerary.

Wakeup have a hotel here too: Wakeup Copenhagen Bernstorffgarde, another of the city’s best bargains. For a more conventional option, the Arne Jacobssen-inspired Radisson Collection Royal Hotel is a Copenhagen institution. If you’re staying to celebrate a special occasion, I love the uber-luxurious Nimb Hotel which has unbeatable views of Tivoli.

Getting to Copenhagen

By Air

Copenhagen Kastrup Airport (CPH), Denmark’s main international gateway, is located five miles south of the city center. It’s well connected to every corner of Europe, and finding low-cost flights is never a struggle. SAS, the joint Danish-Norwegian-Swedish flag carrier, provide connections to dozens of destinations across North America, Asia and the Middle East.

Getting from the airport to the city center is quick and hassle-free. Up to six direct trains an hour complete the journey in under 15 minutes, whilst slightly cheaper airport express buses depart every 20 minutes. The journey by road takes around half-an-hour.

Overland

If you’re visiting from afar, it’s a great idea to combine your 2 day Copenhagen itinerary with a longer Scandinavian adventure. Sweden, Denmark’s neighbor to the east, is just across the Oresund, with a convenient land crossing leading to the historic city of Malmo.

Travel tip: If you can extend your Copenhagen itinerary, taking a day trip to Malmo is an excellent way to tick off two countries on one trip.

In addition to Malmo, several other Swedish cities are easy to reach by train, including Gothenburg and Stockholm. Intercity coaches are also available if you prefer a slower, more affordable mode of transport.

For an even more leisurely pace of travel, consider traversing Scandinavia by ferry. Comfortable cruise ferries sail between Oslo and Copenhagen every night. It’s also possible to sail from Rostock in Germany to the southern Danish city of Gedser and take a road trip up to Copenhagen.

The Ultimate 2 Day Copenhagen Itinerary

Day One

Daytime – Regal Copenhagen

Morning

There’s only one way to begin any 2 day Copenhagen itinerary, and that’s with a Danish pastry. Head to Conditori La Glace for the most authentic; they’ve been baking them to the same recipe since 1870.

All fuelled up for a day’s exploring, cross the harbor canal to the island of Slotsholmen. Head first to Christiansborg Palace. Completed in 1927, but built on the site of a 12th century castle, Christiansborg is used by both the royal family and the Danish parliament.

One half of the palace hosts the Prime Minister’s Office, Supreme Court and Royal Reception Rooms, used by the royal family to greet visiting dignitaries. The remainder of Christiansborg is home to the parliament.

Once you’ve explored the palace, continue to the south side of Slotsholmen where you’ll find two excellent museums. The Danish Jewish Museum tells the story of over 400 years of Jewish history in Copenhagen, whilst the Danish War Museum is housed in a 16th century armoury.

Afternoon

Stop by Chill-ee for a quick lunch on-the-go. Their monster sandwiches might not quite be the traditional smorrebrod, but they’ll certainly fill you up. This afternoon, our 2 day Copenhagen itinerary moves onto Amailenborg.

The official residence of King Frederik X and Queen Mary, Amalienborg is four palaces in one. Constructed between 1750 and 1760, all four palaces surround a central courtyard and are named after Danish kings.

The third and final royal site on our 2 day Copenhagen itinerary is Rosenborg Castle. The oldest of them all, completed in 1624, the castle was built for King Christian IV. Unlike Christiansborg and Amalienborg, Rosenborg was never intended to be lived in.

In its 400-year history, Rosenborg has only been used as a royal residence twice; when Christiansborg burned down in 1794, and again in 1801 during a British naval attack. Interestingly, the British fleet, under the command of Vice Admiral Nelson, weren’t attempting to invade Denmark, but stop the Danes signing an agreement with France.

Evening- The Magic of Tivoli

From one symbol of Copenhagen to the next, the first day of our 2 day Copenhagen itinerary ends at Tivoli. The world’s second oldest amusement park, opened in 1843, Tivoli Gardens are also the second-most visited in the world.

The rides are the star attraction, especially the wooden rollercoaster, Rutschebanen. If you prefer seeking your thrills with your feet firmly on the ground though, Tivoli is still a must. The beautifully manicured gardens are lined with souvenir and food stalls, and in the run-up to Christmas, Tivoli’s Christmas Market is enough to make even the Grinch feel the magic of Christmas.

Day Two

Morning- Fairy Tale City

Kick off the second day of our 2 day Copenhagen itinerary with a brunch of smashed avocados or shakshuka at Ø12, before setting out to discover why Copenhagen is dubbed The City of Fairy Tales. The best way to do that, is to take a cruise on the city’s canals.

Take a 1-hour cruise from Gammel Strand. There are several departures every day, but I always recommend booking your spot in advance to guarantee a space. Along the way, you’ll get a different perspective on Amalienborg and Christiansborg, and pass the Opera House, Playhouse Theatre and Royal Library.

Most importantly of all, though, you’ll get a glimpse of The Little Mermaid statue. Unveiled in 1913, the Little Mermaid lives up to her name; the statue stands at just 1.25 meters tall. Dedicated to the memory of Hans Christian Andersen’s 1837 fairy tale, simply called The Little Mermaid, the statue is a Danish icon.

Afternoon – All Things Danish

Make a pit stop for lunch at the wonderfully named Bastard Café at the southern end of Gammel Strand. Their toasties and nachos are perfect winter warmers; the endless selection of Danish beers is just another feather in their cap.

This afternoon, continue your 2 day Copenhagen itinerary with a visit to the National Museum of Denmark. Housed in the 18th century Prince’s Mansion, once the official residence of the Crown Prince, the museum covers 14,000 years of Danish history. Aside it, countless objects from the wider Nordic region and across the world are on display.

Travel Tip: For a more in depth look at the museum, take a private tour with an archaeologist.

So far, our 2 day Copenhagen itinerary has introduced you to mermaids, royalty and smorrebrod, but there’s one Danish export that’s more famous and widespread than any: Carlsberg. Brewed in Copenhagen since 1847, Carlsberg is now the sixth-largest brewery in the world. Their flagship pilsner is sold in more than 140 countries.

Head to the Home of Carlsberg, housed in the original brewery, to hear the story behind their iconic green bottles. Naturally, like any good brewery tour, your experience will end with a tasting session.

An Evening in the Meatpacking District

Named after New York City’s Meatpacking District, this hip and trendy area of Copenhagen is actually called Kodbyen in Danish, though you’ll rarely see that name used. Kodbyen grew up around a cattle market which appeared in 1671 and is still home to Copenhagen’s meat and food industry. These days, with most meat auctions being held online, far less physical space is required to be given over to the industry, and Kodbyen has gone through an impressive gentrification.

Start your evening at MASH Penthouse, the living embodiment of modern Kodbyen. Housed in a former warehouse, their steaks are phenomenal. Whatever you do, be sure to try one of their delectable cocktails, they go down so smoothly it’s almost an invitation to have a second.

As our 2 day Copenhagen itinerary draws to a close, spend your evening bar hopping through Kodbyen. Start off with craft brews at Mikkeller Warpigs, sip handcrafted cocktails at 1656, and finish up in the early hours at unpretentious, anything-goes Sommersted Bar.

---

Read more of our best insights from around the world

• 
  10 Unique Places To Stay In Bali: Treehouses, Bamboo Villas, Jungle Stays & More
• 
  8 Unusual Things To Do In Hanoi: A Local’s Guide
• 
  The Ultimate 3 Months In Europe Itinerary
• 
  These Are The 5 Best Things To Do in Sarajevo in 2026
• 
  The Ultimate 10 Day France Itinerary
• 
  2 Day Copenhagen Itinerary: Ultimate Winter City Break