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Established by the Vikings in the 11th century, fish put Copenhagen on the map. It’s bounty of herring transformed this small fishing community into the Danish capital in under 400 years. Attacked, on several occasions, by the Hanseatic League, besieged by the Swedes and ravaged by fire, seemingly nothing could stop Copenhagen from prospering.
In the early 19th century, the city played host to British Admiral Nelson’s bloodiest battle in an offshoot from the Napoleonic Wars. Despite his victory, shortly followed by war with Germany, Copenhagen continued to thrive.
All these set backs aside, today Copenhagen is the capital of the second happiest country in the world. Whilst Denmark’s high GDP, excellent healthcare, social security and all round chart-topping standard of living no doubt help, to Danes, happiness is simple. It’s just a matter of finding your hygge.
A state of mind evoked by contentment, hygge can be found in something as basic as a home cooked meal on a chilly winter’s night. As you work your way through Copenhagen’s top museums and tuck into delicious Danish cuisine, by the end of our 3 day Copenhagen itinerary, you might just find your own hygge.
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When to Visit Copenhagen
Despite Scandinavia’s reputation for cold weather, Copenhagen has a surprisingly mild climate. Summer (June to August) sees average temperatures of around 18°C (64°F), though is the wettest time of year. Given it’s northerly latitude, summer days are long. Around the summer solstice, you can expect over 17 hours of daylight.
Whilst winters aren’t warm, average temperatures never drop below 1°C (34°F). If you want to see Copenhagen dusted in a covering of snow, December, January and February are the best months to visit, though Denmark doesn’t get nearly as much snowfall as its Nordic neighbors.
December is my favorite time for a 3 day Copenhagen itinerary. Denmark does Christmas properly. From the last week of November to a few days before Christmas, Tivoli Gardens are transformed into a magical winter wonderland.
Getting to Copenhagen
Copenhagen Airport (CPH) is five miles from the city center. As Denmark’s largest international airport, it sees flights from every corner of Europe, plus several daily flights from North America, the Middle East and Asia. Trains run every ten minutes between the airport and Central Station, taking around 20 minutes to complete the journey. Taking the Metro is a cheaper, sometimes quicker alternative, though a little cumbersome if you have heavy luggage.
If you’re tagging this 3 day Copenhagen itinerary onto a longer Scandinavian adventure, the Danish capital is well connected with the rest of the country. Unmissable Denmark highlights include Aarhus’ timber clad old town and the Legoland resort in Billund.
Long-distance trains and intercity buses provide links to all major cities. International trains operate daily between Copenhagen and several Swedish cities including Malmo, Gothenburg and Stockholm as well as Hamburg in Germany.
For a slower pace of travel, starting your 3 day Copenhagen itinerary with a relaxing ferry ride is a great alternative. Overnight ferries run between Copenhagen and Oslo, Norway. If you’re arriving from Germany, fast and frequent ferries run from Rostock to Gedser on Denmark’s south coast. These are ideal if you’re road tripping through Northern Europe.
Where to Stay for a 3 Day Copenhagen Itinerary
Choosing a centrally located hotel will help you to get the most from your 3 day Copenhagen itinerary. The city center is very walkable, and public transport is excellent, so whichever of our favorite areas you pick will be perfect for exploring.
Indre By
Copenhagen’s buzzing central district, Indre By is perfect for first time visitors. Packed with museums, the city’s historic heart is lined with colorful buildings, quirky galleries and home to Copenhagen’s best restaurants.
Our top pick here is waterfront Copenhagen Strand Hotel. The rooms are cozy, but modern and great value- by Danish standards at least, just like the rest of Scandinavia, Copenhagen isn’t a cheap city. For a spot of luxury, the Admiral Hotel is a wonderful blend of Scandic simplicity and chic boutique. The hygge inducing sauna and private boat and buggy tours are the cherry on top.
Vesterbro Ost
The area surrounding Central Station, flanked by Tivoli Gardens, Vesterbro Ost is Copenhagen’s hipster hub. Once the red light district, it’s now home to the city’s trendiest restaurants, great coffee shops and indie music venues.
Good Morning City Copenhagen Star is our pick of the dozens of boutique hotels which have cropped up in Vesterbro in recent years. They’ve done an impressive job of preserving the grand building’s heritage without skimping on touches of modern Scandi-sophistication.
What might just be Copenhagen’s best bargain, City Hotel Nebo, is another great choice. I can’t recommend Vesterbro’s best hotels without a mention of the Radisson Collection Royal. It may be a Radisson, but it’s Arne Jacobsen inspired design is quite something. If you have five-thousand Danish Krone to spare, you can even take home one of his iconic chairs.
Christianshavn
Just across the water from Indre By, Christianshavn is a collection of tiny islands separated by canals. Perfect for enjoying a quieter 3 day Copenhagen itinerary without having to travel far to the action, Christianshavn is all about café culture.
Kanalhuset is our top pick here. This classic 18th century townhouse has just 12 rooms, some of which come with canal views. Even if you don’t stay, it’s well worth dropping by for a smorrebrod at lunchtime. If you prefer something a little more contemporary, 25hours Paper Island is the Christianshavn hotel for you, occupying a former paper factory.
3 Day Copenhagen Itinerary
Day One
Morning: Arrive & Settle In
Once you’ve made it into the city, drop your bags before seeking out the staple of every morning in Denmark- a Danish pastry. Conditori La Glace on Skoubogade is a Copenhagen icon. They’ve been perfecting the art of baking the flakiest pastries for 155 years; if anyone can make the perfect pastry, it’s La Glace.
To get your bearings and some extra inspiration for your 3 day Copenhagen itinerary, spend what’s left of the morning taking an open-top sightseeing tour. I always find that doing one full loop is a great way to start exploring a new city.
Afternoon: Royal Copenhagen
Grab a quick lunch from vegan street food hotspot Vital Foods. Their mushroom mince burrito is divine. It’s also available as a salad bowl if you fancy something lighter. Then, cross the canal to Slotsholmen – or Castle Island in English- to Christiansborg Palace.
Whilst Christiansborg is relatively modern as palaces go, having been completed in 1928, it stands on the site of a 12th century castle. Once the castle fell into ruins, the first Christiansborg Palace was built in 1745. Ravaged by two devastating fires, little remains of the original, but it’s well worth taking a guided tour which leads you deep into the foundations where you’ll get glimpses of the past.
Tours run daily at 1100 and 1300. These are guided in Danish, but through the summer months an additional English language tour is offered at 1500. All tours are free with the purchase of an entrance ticket.
Travel Tip: To save costs on this 3 day Copenhagen itinerary, consider purchasing a Copenhagen Card. Available for 24, 48 and 72 hours, cards include entrance to over 80 attractions as well as unlimited travel on local public transport (including to and from the airport). Purchase yours online before you leave.
Continuing your exploration of regal Copenhagen, cross back to the mainland and follow the canal-side path to Amalienborg Palace. Essentially four individual palaces constructed around a central courtyard, this is the official residence of the Danish royals.
Currently home to King Frederik X and Queen Mary, the Rococo palace complex has been the seat of royalty since 1760. If you haven’t purchased a Copenhagen Card, it’s well worth getting tickets to explore inside the palace to get an insight into Danish history.
Evening: Danish Delicacies
On the first night of your 3 day Copenhagen itinerary it’s only fitting to seek out a traditionally Danish dinner. Head to Restaurant Puk for the most authentic experience.
Opened in 1750, and still in the same location today, Puk was once a regular haunt of King Christian VII and his mistress Stovlet-Catherine. He was, of course, married, but had little contact with his wife who spent her days alone at Amalienborg. In fact, their relationship became so strained that Christian’s tutor and advisor took to writing love letters to the Queen in Christian’s name.
For the ultimate Danish meal, go for their three-course Danish Favorites tasting menu. Start off with herring, a Scandinavian staple, smoked salmon and plaice before tucking into traditional roast pork.
Day Two
Morning: The (Very) Little Mermaid
Start your day with a classic continental breakfast at quirky Paludan Bog. A cute bookshop-cum-café, their Morning Plate comes with cold cuts, cheese and fresh fruit. If you prefer something sweeter, go for the American pancakes with maple syrup.
The next stop on our 3 day Copenhagen itinerary is a national icon. The Little Mermaid statue, perched beside the harbor, depicts the title character from Hans Christian Andersen’s famous fairy-tale written in 1837.
In the tale, the Little Mermaid lives in an underwater kingdom ruled by her father but is fascinated with the world on land. When she’s old enough to be allowed to swim to the surface, she falls in love with a prince. I won’t spoil the ending, but have some tissues on hand when you read it. It’s alarmingly sad for a children’s story.
The best way to see the Little Mermaid is from a canal cruise. This 1-hour guided cruise goes right past the statue, with views of Amalienborg and Christiansborg along the way.
Afternoon: Copenhagen’s Best Museums
Copenhagen is, unsurprisingly, home to Denmark’s top museums, and one afternoon is far from enough time to see them all. Indeed, devoting your entire 3 day Copenhagen itinerary to museums wouldn’t even scratch the surface, so we’ve picked our favorites for you to explore.
Start off at the National Museum of Denmark which covers 14,000 years of history. From the Ice Age to Vikings, this is the place to go to get a flavor of life in Denmark through the ages. Next, head for The Happiness Museum to learn all about hygge.
Round off your afternoon seeking happiness of a different kind at the Home of Carlsberg. Founded in 1847 and exported since 1868, Carlsberg is Denmark’s most-loved beer. A visit to the Home of Carlsberg gives you the chance to tour the original brewery and, of course, taste a glass or two for yourself.
An Evening in Tivoli
Every now and again, you come across a tourist trap which is worth its salt. Tivoli Gardens is Copenhagen’s offering. Yes, it’s awash with visitors from all over, so much so that it earned the title of the second most-visited amusement park in the world in 2024, but there’s something special about Tivoli.
Travel Tip: Purchase tickets for Tivoli Gardens in advance. If you’re a thrill seeker, make the most of your visit by upgrading to an unlimited rides pass.
Opened in 1843, the second-oldest amusement park in the world is home to four rollercoasters, including Rutschebanen, one of the oldest wooden roller coasters still operating. There’s dozens of other rides, including several for children, making Tivoli a great destination if you’re taking this 3 day Copenhagen itinerary as a family.
Aside from the rides, Tivoli hosts a theatre, concert hall and acres of landscaped gardens. Grab dinner from one of the many food stalls or dine inside at Tivoli Food Hall.
Day Three
Daytime: Across Oresund
For your final day, our 3 day Copenhagen itinerary takes you out of not only Copenhagen, but out of Denmark. Lying just 40-kilometers across the Oresund, the Swedish city of Malmo is one of Scandinavia’s best kept secrets.
Travel Tip: Check out our detailed guide for everything you need to know about taking a day trip from Copenhagen to Malmo.
Given the short distance, it’s easy to get to Malmo by public transport. Trains and intercity buses depart frequently, making the journey in under an hour. Alternatively, you can join a tour or book a private transfer.
During your time in Malmo, don’t miss the chance to visit Scandinavia’s tallest skyscraper which stands in great contrast to the 700-year old Old Town. Take a walking tour to uncover the city’s long and varied history. Denmark and Sweden may be allies now, but a few centuries ago, these neighbors across the Oresund were at loggerheads.
Naturally, no visit to Sweden would be complete without sampling a meatball or two. Known locally as kottbullar, they’re traditionally served with mashed potatoes and lingonberries, doused in a creamy whisky sauce. For a plate which tastes slightly better than the ones you’ve tried at your local Swedish flatpack furniture store, head to Bullen.
Evening: Clink and Drink
Back in Denmark, round off your 3 day Copenhagen itinerary with a night at one of the city’s best cocktail bars. In the words of Danny Kaye’s iconic song Wonderful Copenhagen, “on this merry night let us clink and drink to wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen”. There’s no more fitting way to end your time in this wonderful city.
Head to Ruby for handcrafted cocktails right by the canal. The Fjord Martini puts a local touch on the classic, with dill-kaviar akvavit and brine on top of the usual vodka and vermouth. Round the night off with stunning views over the city from Roof CPH in Christianshavn.
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