These Are the 21 Best Things to Do in Copenhagen When It’s Raining

Regardless of when you visit, there’s a pretty good chance that it’ll rain on your trip to Copenhagen. The Danish capital gets well over 150 days of rain on average per year, and compared to where I’m from (London), the rainfall is often heavier here. 

But even if the heavens open, you certainly won’t be bored. The Danes know that the wind howls and the rain falls for much of the year, and as such, they’ve designed their cities to be enjoyed regardless of the weather (this is the capital of hygge, after all).

Having lived in Copenhagen for over four years at the time of writing, I’ve seen my share of rain. Based on my personal experiences, here are my top recommendations for things to do in Copenhagen on a rainy day. 

1. Go Out and Photograph the Empty Streets

“There’s no bad weather; only bad clothes” was one of the first phrases I heard when I began my Scandinavian obsession. Seven years later, it’s still one of the most important daily mantras I like to live by. Copenhagen is great for photography regardless of the weather, but I love going out to take pictures on moody days. 

You’ll have much of the city to yourself, and as a result, you’ve got plenty of opportunities for some eerie-style pictures. And when there are people out, they’re often wearing colourful rain jackets that’ll look great in your street photography. 

Since bright colours are a common fixture in Copenhagen’s architecture, you’ll also find plenty of great contrasts. I should, however, note that it’s quite hard to take pictures from different viewpoints when it’s raining due to visibility. 

2. Go Museum-Hopping 

I’ve spent many happy weekends going from museum to museum in Copenhagen, especially on rainy days. I highly recommend Glyptoteket (close to Tivoli and the main train station). The recently-renovated Design Museum on Bredgade is also in my top three Copenhagen museum recommendations.

Thorvaldsens Museum is another excellent place to spend the afternoon; it’s close to the National Museum and Christiansborg Palace. Statens Museum for Kunst (SMK) is another of my favorites; this museum is close to Rosenborg Castle. 

You might also want to visit Københavns Museum, also known as the Museum of Copenhagen. As the name suggests, you’ll get a comprehensive view of the Danish capital’s history here. When I visited, it was also pretty relaxed with few other people at the museum.

Many of these museums are included in the Copenhagen Card. If you’re planning to visit multiple museums, along with other attractions like Tivoli, I recommend buying the card. It also includes free public transport, meaning you can stay dry when getting around.

My Top Pick: the National Museum of Denmark

The National Museum of Denmark, also known as Nationalmuseet, was the first museum I visited in Copenhagen. Having been to many others since then, it’s still one of my favourites. 

Discover Danish history through multiple eras at this museum, including—of course—the Viking era. My favourite exhibition is Stories of Denmark, which covers the country’s history from 1660 to 2000. Here, you get a comprehensive understanding of Denmark’s journey to being the prosperous nation that it is today. 

Tickets for the National Museum cost 140 DKK for adults. Everyone under the age of 18 can enter for free, making it a great choice if you’re visiting Copenhagen with kids. You can also get free entry to the museum if you buy the Copenhagen Card.

Address: Ny Vestergade 10, 1471 København K

3. Enjoy a Warm Drink at Original Coffee 

Coffee chains are always hit and miss, in my opinion, but Original Coffee is definitely a hit. Original Coffee is all over Copenhagen, and my favourites are by the Lakes and in Nordhavn. Its welcoming interiors are even more inviting when the wind starts blowing sideways. 

Original Coffee focuses on beans roasted locally, and its pastries come from the bakery in Copenhagen’s Meatpacking District. Besides warm drinks and pastries, you can buy some coffee beans to take home as a souvenir. 

4. Sample Copenhagen’s Brunch Scene

The word brunch has very “Jeans and Sheux” vibes (Google it if you don’t know what I mean), but Copenhagen is one of Europe’s best cities for it. Mad & Kaffe (pictured below) is my top suggestion, and Café Dyrehaven is also up there. However, you should book a table in advance at Mad & Kaffe because it’s incredibly popular. 

I also really like Apotek 57, but the queue outside is quite long (not exactly ideal when it’s raining!). 

5. Sample Pastries at HART Bakery

HART has rightly exploded in popularity over the past few years, and I particularly love the bakery close to Copenhagen’s Opera House for hanging out on a rainy day. 

At HART, you’ll find some excellent sandwiches and a broad range of pastries. Of course, as this is Copenhagen, coffee is very much on the menu. 

You can find all of HART’s locations, along with each bakery’s opening times, here. 

6. Get Creative at Creative Space 

At Creative Space, you choose whether you want to paint a pot, bowl, or something else. You can paint whatever you want; as you can tell, my Nordic obsession shows no limits with my pot 😀. 

You’ll need to book a table in advance; do this via “Book Et Bord” on Creative Space’s website. If you’re not living in Copenhagen or staying for an extended period, you can get your ceramics delivered; rates differ depending on where you live, and you can see these on this page. 

Creative Space delivers throughout the EU, EEA, Switzerland, and UK; you’ll need to contact them if you’re based outside of these regions. 

7. Play Board Games at Bastard Café 

Bastard Café is right next to the city hall and has over 600 games for you, including several multiplayer games. With food and drink also available, it’s a lovely place to spend a rainy day with your loved ones. 

Besides the location in the city centre, you can also visit Bastard Café’s other branches in Valby and Nørrebro. Booking a table in advance is a good idea for the one at Huset in particular; you can find each branch and booking information here. 

8. Stroll Along Nyhavn Without the Crowds 

Look, I love Nyhavn. Even after 4+ years of living in Copenhagen and thousands of photos, I still have a child-like sense of awe when I’m walking or cycling along its shores. But at the same time, it’s *so* busy most of the time. 

Since most people are indoors when it’s raining, you’ve got a great opportunity to explore this beautiful quarter without the usual crowds. With no selfie sticks to jostle through, you can take more time framing your pictures in a unique way. 

I’ve written a full Nyhavn photography guide if you want more details on lighting, composition, and ideal camera settings. 

9. Enjoy the Best Cinnamon Buns in Town 

Despite stiff competition, I still think that you’ll find the best cinnamon buns in Copenhagen at Meyers Bageri. My favourite one is in Østerbro, but it’s small and you can’t sit inside—which isn’t so ideal when it’s raining. So, if you want to take it easy for a few hours, I suggest visiting the bakery on Gammel Kongevej between Vesterbro and Frederiksberg. 

The area is pretty spacious and you shouldn’t have too many problems finding a seat. Meyers’ menu has plenty of other treats for you to enjoy, along with more substantial food—such as sandwiches—if you need it. The menu changes from month to month. 

Address: Gammel Kongevej 107, 1850 Frederiksberg

10. Go to GRØD for Some Porridge 

GRØD is another place that has become increasingly popular since I first moved to Copenhagen and expanded to multiple parts of the city. The word “grød” is Danish for “porridge”. 

While the service can be quite slow at peak times, I think the porridge here is worth waiting for. My favourite is the “ALL IN!”, which has all the toppings you’ll find throughout the menu. You can also customise your porridge with any of three servings. 

Besides porridge, GRØD serves smoothie bowls and buns. You’ll also find risotto and other savoury dishes. You can find the full menu here.

11. Go to BRUS 

I very rarely drink alcohol these days, but I like a dark craft beer when I do. BRUS is the best bar in Copenhagen for this, and you’ll find plenty of other drinks on its changing menu. 

Besides drinks, you can also order burgers, fries, and various small snacks at BRUS if you’re hungry. The interior is a perfect mix of airy, spacious, and cosy. BRUS is opposite the popular BÆST restaurant in Nørrebro (which, by the way, is also worth a visit).

Address: Guldbergsgade 29, 2200 København N

12. Enjoy a Boat Tour With Fewer People 

You might think I’m absurd for suggesting that you go on a boat tour when it’s raining outside, but hear me out. Many boat tours in Copenhagen can be incredibly busy, especially on weekends. If you aren’t close to the front of the queue, you don’t have much of a say in where you sit. Wouldn’t you rather enjoy the city from the water without having to climb over someone to take a photo? 

Boat tours in Copenhagen run year-round, and having done them in multiple weather conditions, I can categorically say that I enjoy hopping on one when it’s raining for the reasons mentioned above. I’ve used all the major boat tour providers in Copenhagen, and Stromma is my top recommendation. Besides, Copenhagen, I’ve also used them in Stockholm and Malmö. You can book a tour directly below. 

13. Rock Climbing at Beta Boulders 

You’ll quickly notice that Copenhagen is a very active city, and as such, it has plenty of indoor activities. I used to do some rock climbing when I was younger and really enjoyed it; naturally, I was delighted when I discovered Beta Boulders. 

Beta Boulders has gyms in Sydhavn, Østerbro, and Vanløse. You’ll also find walls for varying climbing difficulties, and they’ll provide you with shoes. Beta Boulders also has a café and coworking space. 

Website: https://betaboulders.com/ 

14. Visit Paludan Bogcafé 

Paludan Bogcafé is a balance of great food, reasonable prices, and a lovely interior. I *love* reading books, and being in these kinds of environments sparks my creativity. You can read one of the books there or bring your own. 

Besides cakes, this café has breakfast-style dishes and burgers. You can also choose from various sandwiches. If you can find a seat, I think that the upstairs area is particularly cosy. 

Paludans Bogcafé is right next to the Round Tower. So, when the rain subsides, consider going there for a birds-eye view of Copenhagen. I’ve added all the details you need to know in this guide to the Round Tower. 

Address: Fiolstræde 10, 1171 København K

15. Pizza at Forno a Legna 

Copenhagen is blessed with many excellent pizza joints that I, as someone with an Italian passport, approve of. Forno a Legna is one of the best; even though waiting times are sometimes lengthy, I think it’s worthwhile. 

Forno a Legna has a huge pizza menu, along with the Italian drinks you probably know and love (e.g. San Pellegrino).The space is quite compact, but it has adequate seating (even though you’ll sometimes need to wait for one). 

This restaurant is in Frederiksberg and a short walk from Frederiksberg Metro Station. 

Address: Falkoner Alle 42, 1952 Frederiksberg

16. Enjoy The Lakes’ Moody Atmosphere 

The Lakes, which run between Copenhagen’s inner city and its main districts (Frederiksberg, Vesterbro, Østerbro, and Nørrebro), are great to walk around regardless of the weather. But when it’s raining, I love their moody atmosphere—especially when it’s also foggy. 

I recommend coming here in particular if you like photography. I think that Sortedams Sø, the lake closest to Østerbro, is the most picturesque—but all of them will look great on your Instagram feed. It can get quite windy here, so make sure you have a good jacket. 

17. Get Some Ramen 

Ramen to Biiru has some of the best ramen in Scandinavia, let alone Copenhagen, and it’s a welcoming place to retreat to when the rain gets too much. My favourite one is in Østerbro, but the one in Vesterbro—close to Carlsberg Byen—is also nice (and, from experience, has fewer crowds). 

You’ll find ramen with varying spice levels, along with sides like kimchi. Ramen to Biiru also serves numerous Mikkeller beers. You can’t book a table in advance. 

Website: https://ramentobiiru.dk/ 

18. Shop for Denmark’s Finest Design and Clothing Brands

Copenhagen’s design and fashion heritage is well-documented and for good reasons. HAY, Samsøe Samsøe, GANNI, and Stine Goya are just some of many brands that have made a huge global impact. 

At the very least, I recommend going to the HAY House when it’s raining and browsing its comprehensive collection of household items. It’s a great place to get inspiration for your own designs at home; the store is close to Strøget (the main shopping street).

You’ll also find numerous clothing brands at Magasin Du Nord on Kongens Nytorv and at ILLUM on Strøget. Samsøe Samsøe and ARKET also have stores close to each other, and while LEGO is from Billund and not Copenhagen, the Danish capital has a large LEGO Store. 

If you’re based outside the EU, you can get up to 20% of your purchase refunded. Global Blue has more information on this; you’ll need to fill a form and to return it at Copenhagen Airport. 

19. Enjoy a Sauna Experience at CopenHot

The sauna culture in Denmark is nowhere near as big as it is in Nordic cousin Finland, but nonetheless, Copenhagen has some nice spots to get a sweat on. CopenHot is one of the most popular experiences; you’ll find a sauna at CopenHill with a panoramic view, for example. 

CopenHot also has a hot tub; the price for both is a fixed price of 1,300 DKK. You can book in advance online. 

Website: https://copenhot.com/ 

20. Go to Politikens Boghal

I mentioned earlier that I love books; I read all the time and making my own coffee table-sized book is a big dream of mine. To get inspiration and look for new titles, I often go to Politikens Boghal—one of Denmark’s biggest bookstores.

Politikens Boghal has several books in English covering all genres, including plenty about Copenhagen that you can get as a souvenir. The bookstore is right next to the city hall and is open Monday through Sunday. 

Address: Rådhuspladsen 37, 1550 København V

21. Craft Beer and Food at Warpigs

Warpigs is one of my favorite places to eat in Copenhagen, and it’s also one of my many recommendations for things to do in the Danish capital. Besides staying out of the rain, Warpigs is also nice in the rain because the interior is nowhere near as humid as in the summer.

The brewpub’s brisket is excellent, and I’m also a huge fan of the mac ‘n’ cheese. If you’re feeling really hungry, consider getting the potato salad, too.

In addition to its comprehensive menu, you’ll find an ever-changing menu of craft beers. The menu is pretty comprehensive, and while Warpigs is busy, the service is pretty good and queues move quickly. The brewpub is in Kødbyen and not far from Copenhagen Central Station.

Address: Flæsketorvet 25-37, 1711 København V

Website: https://www.warpigs.dk