3 Days in Copenhagen Itinerary For First-Timers

Getting from Copenhagen airport to the city

Both the metro and train run from Terminal 3 of Copenhagen Airport to the city, taking just 15 minutes. The train arrives into Copenhagen Central Station and the metro travels to Kongens Nytorv which connects to metro line M3, linking up the whole city.

3 day Copenhagen itinerary

Let’s get stuck in! This is my suggested itinerary for 3 days in Copenhagen followed by my personal food and drinks recommendations and some frugal budget tips…

Copenhagen itinerary – day 1

I love to start my sightseeing in a new city by touring the city centre and seeing the popular sights before moving on to hidden gems and more unusual attractions later. During the first morning of my Copenhagen itinerary, I did what I usually do in a new place…

When you’re in that initial sightseeing phase, don’t miss City Hall Square and Copenhagen City Hall. Wander the square, people-watch and get a feel for the city.

The City Hall combines Danish architecture with Italian Renaissance (the style of choice when it was built). Head inside to see Jens Olsen’s World Clock, a masterpiece with 14,000 moving parts that took 27 years to build.

Opening times: 9am-4pm daily.

Address: Rådhuspladsen 1, 1550 København.

Entrance fee: Free or 60 DKK for a guided tour.

Strøget

While exploring central Copenhagen, don’t miss Strøget. This is the city’s main shopping area comprising 5 streets that link together City Hall Square and Kongens Nytorv (New Kings’s Square).

Here you can shop everything from tourist souvenirs to designer goods. If you’re not much of a shopper, head up to Original Coffee at the top of Illum department store and soak up panoramic views over Strøget from the balcony.

I’ll mention some more palaces later in this Copenhagen itinerary but, for a great introduction, visit Amalienborg Palace Square in central Copenhagen. As you may know, Denmark is one of the new European countries to have an active royal family. Amalienborg is the Queen’s official winter residence.

If you can, aim to visit at midday to witness the changing of the guard. If a band is playing, you know the Queen is home!

As well as the impressive King Frederik V statue outside, there are four palaces in this majestic complex, two of which you can head inside: Christian VII’s palace and Christian VIII’s palace. The first can only be visited as a guided tour while Christian VIII’s can be visited with just an entrance ticket.

Right beside the palace is Amalie Garden, a small park beside the water with some impressive fountains.

Address: Amalienborg Slotsplads 5, 1257 København K.

Entrance fee: 95 DKK.

Opening times: 11am-4pm, daily.

Just a moment’s walk from Amalienborg Palace is this enormous church. If you think it’s impressive from the outside, wait until you see the intricate, detailed dome and religious artwork inside.

Address: Frederiksgade 4, 1265 København, Denmark.

Opening times: 10am-7pm.

Entry fee: Free but you can pay 35 DKK for a tower tour. Make sure to book your ticket for this at 1pm when they’re released. They go fast!

This is the famous harbour you’ll have seen online. There are lots of bars and restaurants here so it’s a great place to hang out. Come summer, it’s vibey with people eating and drinking outside, and during the winter months there’s a Christmas market.

Whatever the season, it’s a must for three days in Copenhagen even if just to get epic Instagram photos…

A fun option for your Copenhagen itinerary is a canal tour. You’ll cruise around the colourful harbour and past the Little Mermaid Statue and palaces.

Book a Copenhagen canal tour for €12.

Note – you get a free tour with a Copenhagen Card!

Round House Astronomy Tower

This beautiful building 10 minutes’ walk from Nyhavn offers the best panoramic views of Copenhagen and has a detailed astronomy dial at the top. It was built to be wide enough for the king to take his horse and carriage to the top as he couldn’t be bothered to walk!

Tower climb fee: 25 DKK.

Tivoli Gardens are a must for three days in Copenhagen. Even though it was freezing and dark by 3pm during my winter trip, I was keen to visit.

Tivoli is an amusement park and pleasure garden operating since 1843. There are 30+ rides and open-air concerts in the summer.

The perk of visiting Copenhagen in winter is that you don’t have to wait long to see the city lit up. More than 100,000 bulbs give Tivoli a romantic feel (is this hygge?). No wonder Hans Christian Andersen was a regular visitor.

During winter in Copenhagen, Tivoli turns into a Christmas market. I had some expensive mulled wine and wandered the atmospheric gardens. I just wish I’d been able to feel my feet!

Address: Vesterbrogade 3, 1630 København V.

Entry fee: 135 DKK on weekdays, 145 DKK on weekends. Dodge the queues by booking a fast track ticket for no extra cost. If you love rides, it’s worth getting an unlimited rides pass for an extra €10.

Opening times: 11am-10pm daily (’til midnight Fri-Sat).

Budget travellers visiting Copenhagen should make a beeline for Reffen Street Food & Craft Market. If dinner and drinks at a restaurant are out of your price range, opt for street food instead.

Not only is Reffen an affordable place to eat (with mains starting at 70 DKK) but the food is mouthwatering.

Browse seafood, crepes, pizza, Asian food, bubble waffles, sushi and more. I opted for an amazing surf and turf burger with a beef patty, prawns, fried onions and cheese sauce. Easily one of my favourite meals during 3 days in Copenhagen!

They serve food ’til 8pm and drinks until 10pm. In the summer, they hold various events outdoors beside the water.

Reffen address: Refshalevej 167 Unit A, 1432 København.

Opening times: Food stalls 12-8pm, bars 11am-10pm, coffee bar from 10am-8pm.

Copenhagen itinerary – day 2

For my second day in Copenhagen, I started with a warming breakfast at a local market before ticking off more must-see attractions and a few quirky ones, too!

Torvehallerne Market

The best way to start a day in Copenhagen is over fancy porridge at Grød in Torvehallerne Market. This indoor foodie paradise has 80+ stalls and colourful fruit and flower market outside. It’s an ideal place to combine eating and sightseeing.

Address: Frederiksborggade 21, 1362 København.

Opening hours: 10am-7pm (6pm on weekends).

Churchill Park and the Langelinie

Although the Little Mermaid is the most famous attraction at the waterfront, there are a few other places not to miss. Wander Langelinie promenade towards Churchill Park. This promenade is a lovely place to do as the locals do and enjoy a Sunday walk beside the water.

Places of interest include St Alban’s Church and Gefion Fountain in Churchill park, and the Angel of Peace statue on the Langelinie.

Keep walking and you’ll reach…

One of the most impressive structures in Denmark is easily the citadel, Northern Europe’s most impressive surviving fortress. It’s where royal physician, Johann Friedrich Struensee, was held in 1772 after being arrested for his affair with Queen Caroline Mathilde.

The citadel was built in the shape of a pentagon (although it looks more like a star on aerial maps), flanked by canals with five bastions of protection at each corner. Although it still has a military function, it’s a popular place for tourists to wander and look across the water. You can’t say Copenhagen is short of green spaces!

Address: Gl. Hovedvagt, Kastellet 1, 2100 København.

Entry fee: free!

Christiania Freetown

Soak up panoramic views from the Church of Our Saviour‘s top tower. Since it’s just a five-minute walk from Freetown Christiania on Christianshavn (the collection of islands connecting to the mainland via bridge), it makes sense to combine these attractions during your Copenhagen 3 day itinerary.

One of my favourite things to do in a city is see it from above – it always gives me a sense of perspective and a clearer idea of where everything is. The view from Church of Our Saviour is especially impressive because you can see over to Sweden.

Address: Sankt Annæ Gade 29, 1416 København.

Opening hours:

Feb-April: 10am-4pm, Mon-Sat; 10.30am-4pm, Sun & holidays.

May-Sept: 9.30am-7pm, Mon-Sat; 10.30am-7pm, Sun & holidays.

Copenhagen itinerary – day 3

I started the final day of my Copenhagen itinerary with brunch (can you see where my priorities lie?) before ticking off a few more sights.

If you prefer to take your time sightseeing, pick two of the following attractions and enjoy them at your leisure…

Although Gråbrødretorv Square hadn’t been on my radar, I wandered through it by accident on my way to brunch. If you have 3 days in Copenhagen, squeeze it in. Not far from Strøget, this was once a stylish student part of town. They’ve since gravitated elsewhere, leaving it quiet but picturesque with trinket stores and cafes.

Explore the palaces

Despite its hipster and alternative areas, Copenhagen is known for its grand palaces, one of which (Amalienborg Palace) we saw on day one.

Before leaving Copenhagen, check out a few other palaces near Strøget. These are…

As buildings go, Christiansborg is one of the most significant. It’s home to the Danish Parliament, the Supreme Court of Denmark and the Office of the Prime Minister.

While it now has a political function, it’s also been home to kings and queens during its 800 years of history. In fact, the Royal Reception Rooms are where the Queen still receives foreign ambassadors to this day.

On a visit, guests can tour various parts of the property including the Royal Reception Rooms, Kitchen, Stables, and Chapel. Don’t miss the Great Hall where the Queen’s tapestries depict 1,000 years of Danish history.

Ticket price: the 5 rooms have separate entrance fees. To see them all, opt for a combo ticket for 160 DKK.

Address: Prins Jørgens Gård 1, 1218 Københav.

Opening hours: Changeable; check Christiansborg Palace website.

With its turret and towers, Rosenborg is another of the most impressive and foreboding buildings in the city. Add it to your Copenhagen itinerary to marvel over the Danish Crown Jewels and other treasures.

The Castle is located in the King’s Garden, the oldest public park in the capital. Although anyone can now enter freely, it used to be a private garden for the royals.

Entrance fee: 120 DKK (75 for students). Free with a Copenhagen Card.

Address: Øster Voldgade 4A, 1350 København.

Opening times: 11am-4pm (closed Mondays).

To add a bit of culture to your three days in Copenhagen, swing by the city’s most popular gallery and museum. Here you’ll see Danish and French paintings, work by Manet and Van Gogh, and items from ancient civilisations like Egypt and Greece.

Don’t miss the Winter Gardens under a conservatory-style roof with Roman statues, grand fountains and tropical plants.

Opening times: 11am-6pm, Tues-Sun (until 9pm on Thurs).

Entry fee: 115 DKK. Free on Tuesdays.

Visiting the largest brewery in Denmark is a final fun activity for 3 days in Copenhagen. At Carlsberg Brewery you can sample pilsners, lagers and even ciders while learning fun facts from a tour guide.

There’s even a sculpture garden, cafe, bar and shop meaning you could easily spend a half-day there. There’s a free shuttle bus from the city centre.

Beer lovers can also support other microbreweries in Copenhagen.