A Local’s 4-Day Copenhagen Itinerary

Copenhagen is, in my opinion, Europe’s best long weekend getaway. Maybe I’m biased because I live here and chose to make this my home, but it has everything you need for a 4-day adventure. 

Besides being beautiful and welcoming, Copenhagen has so many fun things to do—regardless of your interests. The city is incredibly easy to get around, too, thanks to its compact nature, comprehensive biking infrastructure, and efficient public transport. 

I visited Copenhagen 7 times before moving here, and my first trip in 2016 was a 4-day stay. I’ve learned *a lot* about the Danish capital since then, especially having called this my home for over 4 years. Based on first-hand experience, I’ll help you plan the best long weekend trip with this comprehensive itinerary. 

Before We Start: How I Recommend Using This Itinerary

I’ve written this itinerary in a way that you should have a fun trip if you use it to the letter. However, it’s also fine if you take what you like, leave the rest, and customize it for your own interests. 

This itinerary is also organized so that you can access many of the places I speak of on the same day by mainly walking or cycling. You can take public transport if you want, but walking and cycling are more enjoyable ways to explore Copenhagen. 

It doesn’t matter if you use the days another way around. If it makes more sense for you to use my day 3 recommendations on your first day, go ahead. This itinerary is customizable and flexible. You can also pick and choose the restaurants and bakeries I’ve mentioned here. 

If you don’t have 4 days, you can always check out my 3-day Copenhagen itinerary instead.

Day 1: Maritime Copenhagen

To truly appreciate Copenhagen, you need to understand its close relationship with the water. Not that you’ll need to try too hard, mind; there are harbors, lakes, and canals almost everywhere you look. 

Exploring Copenhagen From the Water

My top recommendation to this day is to start 4 days in Copenhagen by admiring the city from the water. This is precisely what I did in 2016. You can join this Stromma boat tour, which covers most of the city’s main waterways, for example.

If you want to explore the city on your own terms, it’s also possible to rent boats from GoBoat. You don’t need a license and can choose whether you want to rent your boat for 1-3 hours. 

Nyhavn 

You’ll explore Nyhavn from basically any boat tour in Christianshavn, but this canal’s pretty shores are also worth checking out. Once a notorious red light district, those days are long gone. Now, the only thing that’s “notorious” here is the inflated prices at the restaurants and bars. 

Exploring Nyhavn’s side streets is pleasant, and I also recommend spending a bit of time photographing the area. On a sunny day, you can buy some beers from a grocery store and sit along the waterfront. 

Since Nyhavn is very busy, I recommend visiting as early in the morning as possible.

Christianshavn

Christianshavn is an easy walk from Nyhavn. Despite being one of Copenhagen’s smallest neighborhoods, it’s also one of the prettiest. 

The canals here were inspired by the Canals of Amsterdam, and I certainly am reminded of the Dutch capital when I come here. In my opinion, this area is just as picturesque as Nyhavn (if not more). 

While in Christianshavn, be sure to visit the Church of Our Savior for the best view over Copenhagen. The church itself is also beautiful. You can book tickets in advance; entry costs 69 DKK. Admission is included in the Copenhagen Card, but you’ll still need to book a free time slot before visiting. 

The spiraling staircase can be quite disorienting if you’re afraid of heights, so just keep this in mind. The Round Tower or Christiansborg Palace are more comfortable alternatives, the latter of which is free. 

Note: 

The Church of Our Savior tower is closed during high winds and wet weather.  

Slotsholmen

Slotsholmen is one of the best photography spots in Copenhagen. This tiny island is also home to Christiansborg Palace, which you might recognize from the popular Borgen TV series.  

Though still home to the Danish government, Christiansborg Palace is more than just that. The building itself is beautiful, and you can enjoy a great view from the tower without needing to pay. 

It’s also possible to purchase tickets and visit the interior of Christiansborg Palace. 

Christiansborg Palace’s outer areas are worth exploring while here, and I also really enjoyed visiting Thorvaldsens Museum in 2022. 

Where to Eat on Day 1

• Broens Gadekøkken: Enjoy street food from multiple cuisines between Nyhavn and Christianshavn. Gasoline Grill is a personal recommendation, and I also really like Phago. You can get drinks here, too; it’s a superb place to hang out when visiting Copenhagen in the summer. 
• Les Amis: This cute Christianshavn Café is a great place to experience Copenhagen’s famed hygge. My friend and I visited in 2024; I had a quiche, which was pretty good. Some seating is available, but it’s quite small.  
• Lille Bakery: Though a bit out of the way, this bakery is well worth traveling to Refshaleøen for. You’ll find a solid selection of sweet and savory pastries, along with meals if you’re hungry. The coffee here is pretty good, in my opinion. 

Day 2 

The Round Tower

The Round Tower offers another superb view of Copenhagen and is right in the center of town. Many famous landmarks—such as Christiansborg Palace, the Church of Our Savior, and Marmorkirken—are easily visible.

Besides the view, the Round Tower has a cool staircase worth photographing. There are only stairs at the last part, and it shouldn’t take too long to get to the top.

You can buy your tickets at the ticket booth downstairs. To avoid queues, I recommend arriving when it opens at 10:00.  

Rosenborg Castle 

Built in Dutch baroque style, Rosenborg Castle is one of the nicest buildings in Copenhagen. It’s located in the pretty Kongens Have park, which is worth visiting regardless of the season (but particularly in autumn). 

Though beautiful from the outside, it’s also possible to purchase a ticket and visit the castle’s interior.

Exploring Indre By 

You’ll already have a good grasp of the inner city at this point, but aimlessly exploring Copenhagen’s beautiful side streets is worthwhile. Magstræde is one of the most colorful streets in the city, for example, and you should also check out the lovely Gråbrødretorv square. 

Knabrostræde, Åbenrå, and Hyskenstræde are also pretty. After admiring Copenhagen’s many beautiful streets, learn about Danish history at the National Museum of Denmark. There’s a nice restaurant here if you’re ready for lunch at this point. 

Vesterbro

Though I wasn’t the biggest fan of Vesterbro when I first moved to Copenhagen, this district has really grown on me since then. I probably spend more time here than anywhere else in the city, and I pretty much never went anywhere else when I lived in Sydhavn. 

Vesterbro has many fantastic places to eat and lots of nice places to chill out on a warm day. For example, I really like Enghave Plads. You’ll perfectly see Copenhagen’s tight-knit community in this trendy part of town.

Nørrebro

Vibrant Nørrebro is *the* place to hang out if you’re a hipster. This multicultural district has some of Copenhagen’s best bars, including BRUS (my personal favorite). It’s also home to numerous cool streets, such as Jægersborggade. 

Nørrebro has many interesting and less-seen attractions, too. For example, Assistens Kirkegård is the burial place of Hans Christian Andersen and many other famous Danes. Meanwhile, Superkilen and Nørrebroparken are great places to people-watch on a sunny day. 

Where to Eat on Day 2

• The Union Kitchen: I’ve been here for both brunch and dinner, and I particularly recommend it for dinner. There is one Union Kitchen in Østerbro close to The Lakes and another in the city center near Kongens Nytorv. I highly recommend advance booking; you can do this on the website.
• Llama: Llama is a higher-end Latin American-style restaurant in the city center; I went here for a meal around Easter 2024 and thoroughly recommend it. The menu changes seasonally, and dishes are made for sharing. Booking a table in advance is recommended, and like The Union Kitchen, you can do this online. 
• Darcy’s Kaffe: This artisan café has some of Copenhagen’s best coffee and the nicest bread and cheese rolls. Plenty of pastries are also available here. 
• GRØD: The name of this restaurant is Danish for “porridge”, and it specializes in several oatmeal-based dishes—both sweet and savory. There are establishments in both Vesterbro and Nørrebro.
• Café Kaf: This excellent Nørrebro bakery has several superb pastries. All are made using plant-based ingredients. 

Day 3 

Østerbro

Østerbro was the first neighborhood I lived in after moving to Copenhagen, and I would love to move back here again sometime. It’s a peaceful part of town with some of the Danish capital’s most elegant architecture. 

In particular, you should make time to explore Brumleby and Olufsvej. Brumleby is a complex of yellow and white houses that were originally built as—and still are—social housing. It’s a popular place with families in particular, and the area feels like a village within the city. 

Østerbro is also home to several excellent bakeries if you’d like a quick stop. Meyers on Classensgade is particularly great, and you should also make time for Juno (which almost always has a queue outside). BUKA is another Copenhagen classic.

You can check out Nordhavn if you’ve got some time. It’s a nice place to hang out in the summer, and you’ll also find a couple of nice bakeries here. However, the district is mainly residential. 

Amalienborg Palace, Marmorkirken, and Kastellet

These 3 attractions are very close to each other and easy to visit on the same day. Amalienborg Palace is the main residence of the Danish Royal Family, and you can walk around the exterior for free. The changing of the guards happens here daily around 12:00. Tickets are available for the museum. 

Marmorkirken has the biggest church dome in Scandinavia and is one of Copenhagen’s most beautiful churches. The area around it is also pretty and very Parisian. You can visit the tower at 13:00 on weekends year-round and daily at the same time during the summer for 50 DKK.

Nearby Kastellet is free to walk around; the citadel dates back to the 17th century. You’ll find a small museum here detailing its history; nearby Langelinie is a great place to see cherry trees if you visit Copenhagen in the springtime.  

The Danish Design Museum 

Denmark punches well above its weight in design, and you can learn all about the country’s history in this field at the Design Museum. I visited in October 2022, just after it was renovated, and I can thoroughly recommend it. 

You’ll find various temporary and permanent exhibitions, including the popular Danish Modern. The museum also has a pleasant garden. You can buy tickets at the reception or on the official website.

Where to Eat on Day 3

• Meyers Bakery: Meyers has a bigger bakery in Frederiksberg and a smaller one in Østerbro. The cinnamon bun is the best in Copenhagen, in my opinion. I also recommend the “Madbrød”, a sandwich/pastry with potatoes, cheese, and pesto. 
• Rosetta: A budget-friendly Italian eatery in Østerbro with pizza sandwiches and more. We visited this place twice in as many weeks because it was so good. 
• Juno: Arguably Copenhagen’s most popular bakery always has a long queue outside. The cardamom buns are an instant winner, but you can’t really go wrong here. It’s quite expensive, but the price is worthwhile. 
• Warpigs: Several pork-based dishes and an ever-changing Mikkeller beer menu make this a cherished eatery in Kødbyen. Try the brisket with macaroni and cheese, if nothing else. 
• Ismageriet: Also in Kødbyen (but with some other places in Copenhagen), Ismageriet is home to the Danish capital’s best ice cream. Expect queues outside, but it’s popular for a reason. 

Day 4 

The Lakes and Frederiksberg

I recommend starting your 4th day in Copenhagen with a walk around The Lakes, ideally close to sunrise when there aren’t so many people. This time of day is also the best time to get some fantastic photos. My top spots along The Lakes are looking toward Østerbro and the houses that form Kartoffelrækkerne (The Potato Rows). 

These artificial lakes border many districts, but I suggest branching off into Frederiksberg and continuing onward. Be sure to check out the beautiful Frederiksberg Have park. 

Frederiksberg has several excellent places to eat, and the main joy here is to stroll around. 

Carlsberg Byen 

Carlsberg Byen is a new district close to Vesterbro. I used to work here from 2021 to 2023, and it amazes me how much it’s changed even since I left. Besides several new apartments, the district has a large number of places to eat.

Carlsberg used to produce beer here until 2008, and today, you can join the Carlsberg Experience. Just in case you wanted to try “probably the best beer in the world”. 

Where to Eat on Day 4

• Ramen to Biiru, Vesterbro: You’ll find a few Ramen to Biiru joints around the city, including one close to Carlsberg Byen. Here, you can enjoy several ramen dishes with a decent selection of Mikkeller beers. Outdoor seating is available if the sun is shining. The restaurant doesn’t take reservations. 
• Cadence Bakery: This brunch spot is always busy; be sure to book a table in advance. The baked goods are great, and you can get these and coffee for takeout if you don’t want to stay for brunch. 
• Forno a Legna: My favorite pizza place in Copenhagen; this Italian restaurant is on Falkoner Allé in Frederiksberg and has a comprehensive menu. Waiting times can be long, especially in the summer—but it’s worth the wait. 
• Mad & Kaffe: This is another great place for brunch; you’ll find an establishment in Frederiksberg as well as others elsewhere. Choose 3-5 items that you want to customize your dish. Book in advance via the website (select “Book Bord”).

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