Copenhagen and Malmö in One Weekend: A 4-Day Itinerary

Copenhagen is appealing for numerous reasons, and one of the coolest things about it is its close proximity to Sweden. In less than an hour, you can cross the Øresund Bridge by train or car—giving you the perfect opportunity to sample Copenhagen and Malmö in one weekend. 

If you’ve only got one or two days in Copenhagen, you should stick to the Danish capital and maximise your time as much as possible. However, if you have a little longer for your adventure, Malmö—Sweden’s third-largest city—is also worth checking out. Not to mention, it’s an easy way to tick another country off your list.  

This four-day itinerary will cover both Copenhagen and Malmö. Besides learning about the top things to do in both cities, you’ll also find out how to get from Copenhagen to Malmö. 

Side note: I’ve put this together after visiting Copenhagen seven times and living here for three years so far, along with going to Malmö on numerous occasions. So, you can rest assured that this will give you a fulfilling trip 🙂. 

Day 1: Copenhagen Highlights & Vesterbro

While you can take a direct train from Copenhagen Airport to Malmö, I would recommend basing yourself in the Danish capital for your Copenhagen/Malmö weekend trip. To commence your Scandinavian weekend adventure, we’ll explore the must-see sights in Copenhagen. You’ll also get to check out trendy Vesterbro, which is within touching distance of the inner city. 

Nyhavn

The best place to begin your Copenhagen and Malmö weekend trip is at iconic Nyhavn, and I’m specifically telling you to go here in the early morning because it’s much less crowded. This picturesque part of the Danish capital dates back to the 17th century, and famed writer Hans Christian Andersen lived in one of the houses here for part of his life. 

Today, the houses at Nyhavn largely consist of hotels, restaurants, bars, and souvenir shops. Nonetheless, wandering around here is a must-do—and if you’re into photography, you can check out my Nyhavn photography guide to capture the best pictures possible. 

Once you’ve finished checking out Nyhavn from the shore, you can also join a boat tour and explore Copenhagen’s waterways. Doing so will not only give you a unique perspective of the Danish capital, but you’ll also be able to get your bearings with where everything is. 

The closest Metro station to Nyhavn is Kongens Nytorv, but you can also walk or cycle from the city centre without too much hassle.

Rundetårn

Although Copenhagen is quite flat geographically, there are still several places where you can admire the city from above. The Round Tower, known as Rundetårnet in Danish, is one of the best places to do that. 

The Round Tower dates back to 1642 and is situated close to the main shopping streets in Copenhagen. You can enjoy the Danish capital and all of its surrounding areas from the top, which includes being able to see the Øresund Bridge connecting Denmark and Sweden.

The city hall is also visible from the tower, as are Christiansborg Palace and several other monuments. 

Tickets to the Round Tower cost 60 Danish Kroner for adults and 40 DKK for students. Everyone under 18 can visit for free.

Wandering Around the Old Town

Even after living in Copenhagen for three years, I still don’t get bored of wandering Indre By‘s many picturesque streets. Around every corner, there’s always something new to explore—whether that’s a house I never saw before or a scenic courtyard. One of the best things you can do on your Copenhagen trip is to simply wander around without a destination. 

Some of the most picturesque streets include Magstræde and the cross-section between Vognmagergade and Møntergade. You’ll also find plenty of places for a coffee or something to eat, so take your pick from whatever piques your interest. 

Tivoli

Whether you’re travelling with kids or not, Tivoli is a must-visit. It’s been in business for 180 years, and Walt Disney visited before creating his iconic resorts. The park closes at various points throughout the year, so make sure that it’s open for your trip. The Tivoli website has all of the information you need in this respect. 

It’s important to note that the entry ticket alone doesn’t necessarily grant access to Tivoli’s rides. If you want to hop on the rides, you can get a combined entry and ride ticket. Even if you don’t try any of the rides, Tivoli is still worth walking around. You’ll also find several other points of interest, such as restaurants and places to get sweet treats. Make sure that you book the entry-only ticket if that’s your preference. 

Tivoli is right next to Copenhagen Central Station; exit at Bernstorffsgade and cross the street. If you plan to visit multiple museums and attractions on your stay, consider getting the Copenhagen Card (which also facilitates free unlimited public transport rides). I’ve written a full Copenhagen Card review if you want more information before buying.

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Food and Drink

Copenhagen has Scandinavia’s best dining scene, and you’re certainly not short on options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Here are some places to consider visiting on your first day in the city. 

Meyers 🥧

Baked goods are one standout in Danish cuisine, and Meyers is—in my opinion—the best bakery in Copenhagen. The cinnamon buns are an absolute MUST. 

Meyers has a handful of bakeries dotted throughout Copenhagen at the following addresses… 

• Amagerbro: Amagerbrogade 48, 2300 København S
• Østerbro: Classensgade 33, 2100 København Ø
• Frederiksberg: Gl. Kongevej 107, 1850 Frederiksberg
• Nørrebro: Jægersborggade 9, 2200 København N

Warpigs 🍻

I first sampled Warpigs in 2019 before moving to Copenhagen, when I visited with a group of friends. Since then, I have organised various gatherings there for one simple reason: The food is fucking incredible. 

While the portion sizes look small when you get them, there’s a lot more food on that board than you think. You’ll also find an ever-changing selection of Mikkeller craft beers that cater for several tastes. Warpigs is in Kødbyen (the Meatpacking District), which also has several cool bars if you want to enjoy a night out while in Copenhagen. 

Address: Flæsketorvet 25-37, 1711 København V

Website: https://warpigs.dk/ 

Paludan Bog & Café 🥪

My girlfriend and I made this surprising discovery while randomly wandering around Copenhagen on a sunny Saturday afternoon. The interior will instantly appeal if you’re a book nerd (like me 🤓), and you can even borrow a book to read if you want to linger for a while. 

The menu at Paludan Bog & Café is no-fuss and affordable; I would especially recommend the smoked salmon sandwich. You’ll also find coffee and other drinks on the menu. 

Address: Fiolstræde 10, 1171 København K

Day 2: The Lakes, Nørrebro, and Frederiksberg

On the second day of your Copenhagen and Malmö weekend trip, we’ll explore some of Copenhagen’s many intriguing neighborhoods. You’ll get a better idea of how the locals live, and based on what you see, you might even decide that you want to move here 🙂. 

The Lakes 

The Lakes in Copenhagen are one of the most popular running and walking routes in the city, along with a meeting point for friends and first dates. These artificial bodies of water are my favourite place in the Danish capital—and regardless of when you visit, I thoroughly recommend going for a walk around them. 

Sankt Jørgens Sø is the southernmost lake and is split up by Kampmannsgade, while Peblinge Sø runs beneath Dronning Louises Bro—which is one of the busiest commuting thoroughfares for cyclists. At the top end bordering Østerbro is Sortedams Sø. 

The Lakes occasionally freeze over in the winter, allowing for superb photo opportunities. They’re also picturesque on a warm summer evening, when you can rent boats from Kaffesalonen. Several restaurants and cafés line the upper shores. 

Nørrebro

Nørrebro is the archetypal hipster district, and Time Out Magazine named it the world’s coolest neighborhood in 2021. Many of Copenhagen’s best places to eat and drink are in this part of town, and you’ll also find various off-the-beaten-path attractions. One such example is Assistens Kirkegård, the cemetery in which celebrated Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen is buried. 

In Nørrebro, you’ll also find various picturesque streets—such as Stefansgade (which, by the way, also has an excellent pizzeria called Stefanos Pizzabar). Jægersborggade is another trendy street with several independent stores; it’s right next to Stefansgade. 

Frederiksberg 

Frederiksberg is a separate municipality from Copenhagen, and it’s probably the poshest neighborhood in the city. The district is popular with young families and features wide streets, abundant green spaces, and several interesting shops. 

While Frederiksberg is worth spending time in throughout the year, it’s especially fun in the summer. You’ll find several places to grab an ice cream, and Frederiksberg Have is well worth a wander around (or having a picnic).

At the top of the hill, you’ll find Copenhagen Zoo; from inside Frederiksberg Have, you can admire the elephants for free. If you want to visit the rest of Copenhagen Zoo, you’ll need to buy an entry ticket. 

Food and Drink

Mad og Kaffe

Mad og Kaffe translates to “food and coffee” in English, and it’s a brunch chain with three restaurants in Copenhagen. You can choose your own menu with three, five, or seven pieces. 

When eating brunch at Mad og Kaffe, you can pick from baked goods, eggs, and much more. A broad selection of drinks is also available, including coffees and Danish sodas. 

Mad og Kaffe also serves lunch and dinner; it’s a good place to try traditional Danish smørrebrød if you haven’t yet done that. 

You can book a table online. 

Address (Frederiksberg): Godthåbsvej 45 st. th, 2000 Frederiksberg

BRUS

BRUS is another great place to check out Copenhagen’s buoyant craft beer scene. The interior is airy and cosy in equal measure; it gets quite crowded on weekends, so you should definitely book a table in advance if you want to also get food. 

Speaking of food, you should absolutely give the burgers at BRUS a try. Snacks are also available. 

Address: Guldbergsgade 29F, 2200 København N

Website: https://tapperietbrus.dk/

Original Coffee 

Original Coffee has a number of places to grab a hot drink throughout Copenhagen. You’ll find the most scenic view when you visit the one close to The Lakes, but there are also some in Frederiksberg. 

You can also purchase sandwiches, pastries, and brunch-style meals. 

Website (in Danish): https://originalcoffee.dk/

GRØD

It might seem weird that I’m recommending you visit a porridge bar, but GRØD is very much worth it (it’s also the world’s first porridge bar). You can enjoy porridge dishes with numerous toppings, and I personally recommend getting the “All In”. 

Smoothie bowls, juices (including a very good carrot juice), and savoury porridges are also available. 

Website: https://www.groed.com/en

Day 3: Malmö

After two days soaking in hygge, it’s time to head across the water and visit a new country as part of your Copenhagen and Malmö weekend trip. Malmö is Sweden’s third-biggest city, and it’s an appealing day trip from Copenhagen—partly because of its close proximity, but also as it has a lot to offer. 

The easiest way to pay for your journey between Copenhagen and Malmö is via the Skånetrafiken app (iOS and Android). A 24-hour ticket costs the same as a return, so I’d recommend buying that. Border checks do occasionally take place between Denmark and Sweden, so make sure that you bring your passport just in case. 

The best way to look at Malmö is to split it between the older architecture surrounding the main shopping streets, and the modern Västra Hamnen waterfront area. I’d recommend renting a bike and cycling to Ribersborg Beach and Västra Hamnen, the latter of which is where you’ll find the iconic Turning Torso. 

Also worth visiting in Malmö is the Disgusting Food Museum, where you have the chance to smell Surströmming (I’d recommend not doing that). Moreover, you can try various dishes if you dare. 

I can recommend going on a boat tour in Malmö, too; our guide was great when we went, even though we encountered a quite aggressive swan in the water 😆.

Malmö also has several picturesque parks, including Slottsparken and Kungsparken—both of which are close to one another. Pildammsparken is also pleasant. 

Food

Now that your appetite is well and truly up, you can head to 400 Grader (advance table booking recommended) for some of the best pizza you’ll ever have. Other good food options include El Sótano and The Orient House of Falafel Nr 1. You’ll also find a good selection of places to eat around Gustav Adolfs Torg. 

Day 4: Christianshavn and Surrounding Areas

After spending some time in Sweden and potentially ticking another country off the list, you can enjoy some more of Copenhagen before heading home. Christianshavn is just across the bridge from Nyhavn, and Christianshavns Kanal was inspired by the Canals of Amsterdam. This area is just as beautiful as Nyhavn, but has fewer tourists. 

Vor Frelsers Kirke

Vor Frelsers Kirke is arguably Copenhagen’s most visually appealing church, and the view from the top is also excellent. The spiral staircase gets quite narrow at the top, and the tower is closed during the winter. However, it’s worth checking out if you happen to be in the Danish capital at a time of the year when it is open. You should book your tickets in advance; note that adverse weather can cause the tower to close due to safety concerns. 

Holmen and Reffen

One of Copenhagen’s least-explored but most peaceful areas is Holmen, which is where you’ll find the Copenhagen Opera House. Further north, you can also sample various cuisines—plus drinks—at Reffen. This is arguably the best place to spend some time in Copenhagen on a sunny day. 

Another place worth checking out is Copenhill, where you can participate in skiing on an artificial slope. The walk to the top will give you a view of Copenhagen from above, and there’s also a bar.

Final Thoughts

Visiting Copenhagen and Malmö in one weekend is something that I recommend doing, regardless of when you come here. There are a million and one things that could have been included in this guide, but what’s here are the main things that you should experience on your first trip. 

Getting to Malmö from Copenhagen is straightforward, and you can decide to stay a few nights in Sweden as well if you wish. Visiting both cities will also allow you to sample Scandinavian life in a nutshell.