The 20 best things to do in Copenhagen

The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art is an impeccably designed, impeccably located museum with a world-beating modern art collection. Visit for the art; Louisiana’s permanent collection comprises more than 4,000 works produced since 1945, including pieces by Picasso and Giacometti, while its Sculpture Park houses work by Alexander Calder and Henry Moore. There’s also Louisiana’s idyllic location by the coast, overlooking Øresund and with views of Sweden. Finally, there’s its gift shop, packed with classic and contemporary Danish designs, plus a wide selection of books and exhibition posters.

Why is it worth it? Remember to bring your camera: the building itself is considered a significant work of Danish modernist architecture. 

There’s fun for all the family at Copenhagen’s world-famous amusement park, which has stood on this site for more than 175 years and even inspired a certain Walt Disney. Adrenaline junkies will love the rides – including one of the world’s oldest wooden rollercoasters, constructed in 1914. 

Why is it worth it? It’s not just the rides you should come here for: there's thrills to be found in Tivoli’s seasonal decorations, floral displays, fountains, carousels, lanterns and old-fashioned carnival games.

Denmark’s national art museum SMK is home to an immense collection of Danish and European works dating from the 1300s to the present day. It's Copenhagen’s most sizeable cultural attraction, and an excellent way to acquaint yourself with some of Denmark’s best-known works of art, including the masterpieces of the Danish Golden Age and Vilhelm Hammershøi’s highly influential interiors of 19th-century Copenhagen.

Why is it worth it? All its exhibitions are great, but the 20th and 21st-century collection, housed in a striking modern extension, is fantastic. Plus, with its simple but scrumptious menu, SMK’s beautiful café provides the perfect pit stop.

With its pastel-hued, 17th-century merchants’ houses, Nyhavn is Copenhagen at its picture-postcard finest. And yes, it’s a tourist trap – but it’s a gorgeous one and well worth visiting if only to get the obligatory shot of its brightly coloured houses (three of which were once home to fairytale writer Hans Christian Andersen). Nyhavn is also a great place to join a canal tour or set off on a stroll.

Why is it worth it? You can spend all day here. If you're hungry, there’s a bustling food market home to POPL, where you can try a Noma burger. And to escape the crowds, pop into Kunsthal Charlottenborg, a baroque building on Nyhavn’s south side, home to a contemporary art gallery and a beautiful café, Apollo.

Beached on the sands near Ishøj, Arken (‘the Ark’) is a contemporary art gallery showing head-spinning exhibitions that will make you look at the world in a new light. Works by the likes of Antony Gormley stud its gardens, while inside you could see anything from David Shrigley’s irreverent sketches and Anish Kapoor’s sensory black holes to Grayson Perry’s tapestries. Its quirky and colourful art and design shop is worth a visit too.

Why is it worth it? Arken is the most cutting edge of Copenhagen’s art galleries, immersive and often deliberately provocative, and the setting, right on a sandy beach, is fantastic on a sunny day. 

Located in the city centre since 1870 and home to more than 13,000 plant species, Copenhagen's Botanical Garden is the greenest place in town. Highlights include a rhododendron garden, rock gardens featuring plants native to Europe’s mountainous regions, and the Palm House. The historic victorian green house features a terrace from which there is a grand view of the entire garden. During summer, visitors can also explore the garden’s butterfly house, and there’s a small shop selling plants and seeds, allowing you to take home some botanical magic as a souvenir.

Why is it worth it? It’s ideal for a peaceful, leisurely stroll when you want to escape the crowds.

This fairytale castle is one of Copenhagen’s oldest royal parks. Built as a summer residence for Christian IV, the spectacular Renaissance castle Rosenborg Slot is home to the Danish crown jewels, several lavish rooms and a priceless wine collection.

Why is it worth it? The castle’s leafy surrounds are also delightful: the King’s Gardens (Kongens Have) is a much-loved green oasis where you’ll find a decent café, two pétanque pistes, a charming puppet theatre, and plenty of space for picnicking. 

To feel like a local, jump on a bicycle. Thanks to Copenhagen’s world-class cycling infrastructure, including miles of segregated bike lanes, peddling around the Danish capital is easy-peasy – and almost always the fastest way from A to B. The Harbour Ring (Havneringen) is a 13km marked route that takes in an array of big-hitting sights. You’ll discover how well-connected Copenhagen is. Just remember to stick to the city’s cycling rules.

Why is it worth it? You’ll whizz past eye-catching waterfront architecture such as the Black Diamond library extension, cross the city’s much-loved harbour bridges – such as artist Olafur Eliasson’s spectacular Circle Bridge and the elevated Cycle Snake – and catch some fresh air at the Amager Fælled nature reserve. 

Superkilen is a 33,000-square-foot urban park designed with the help of the surrounding community. It celebrates the multicultural melting pot that is Norrebrø and exemplifies the power of inclusive design. Constructed in 2012, it stretches for close to a kilometre through one of Denmark’s most ethnically and economically diverse neighbourhoods and contains more than 60 objects that reflect the area’s diversity.

Why is it worth it? Superkilen is all about the detail. Look out for swing benches from Iraq, a boxing ring from Thailand, a slide from Chernobyl and rubbish bins from Blackpool.

Practically synonymous with Danish cuisine, smørrebrød comprises thin slices of rye bread topped with ingredients like pickled herring, battered plaice and chicken salad. Though you’ll find dozens of smørrebrød joints across the capital, it’s worth splurging and picking a place that uses fresh seasonal ingredients. Our favourites include old-school specialist Kronborg, vegan-friendly Schønnemann and Aamanns 1921, set in a historic building in the centre and happy to pair your dish with a glass of homemade snaps.

Why is it worth it? Difficult to pronounce (try ‘smurr-brull’), Denmark’s classic open-faced sandwiches are a traditional lunchtime dish every visitor should try.