How to See Copenhagen in a Day Without Breaking the Bank

Copenhagen is beautiful, walkable, and full of character, but it is not a cheap city. Even before we landed, our flight attendant warned us that food and drinks would be shockingly expensive. He was right. With a bit of planning fueled by wanderlust, however, it was totally possible to see many of the highlights in one day without spending excessively. Here is how we structured our full day in Copenhagen and how you can too!

First: Consider a Copenhagen Card

A Copenhagen Card (Discover option) offers unlimited public transportation in many zones (including to the airport) and admission to 80+ attractions. You can get anywhere from a 24-hour ($88) to a 120-hour ($210) pass. You can visit the official website here, plan out your trip, and decide if the card is worth the price. The public transport in Copenhagen is super efficient and easy, so it’s likely worth it for a day or two if you’re going to check out a few attractions.

Note that all the prices below in USD are estimates, and the exchange rate was not favorable at our time of travel. You may have better luck!

Visit the Glyptotek Art Museum

We got a late start to our day, so we began with a visit to Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, an art museum founded by the Carlsberg brewing family. The building itself is impressive, with a winter garden under a glass dome. We were excited to see there was a special impressionist exhibit on our visit. Tickets are about $20-$25 with discounts for youth and when you buy online (or they’re included with the Copenhagen Card). The last Wednesday of the month is free.

Enjoy Breakfast at Hart Bakery

Next, we indulged in some pastries and coffee at Hart Bakery, which has ten locations in the city. We chose the Islands Brygge cafe, where the outdoor tables are perfect for a sunny day like the one we had. But you can choose the Hart location closest to your accommodation.

We highly recommend the cardamom croissant, which was sticky, flaky, and slightly sweet. The spandauer was a little more indulgent, as it was filled with custard, but also not too sweet. These were honestly some of the best pastries we’ve every had. With coffee, breakfast cost about $13 per person.

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Chill on the Water for a Bit at Islands Brygge

After breakfast, we walked down to the water at Islands Brygge. This area is one of the most popular swimming and sunbathing spots in Copenhagen. On this sunny September day, locals spent the afternoon here swimming and relaxing along the promenade. Even if you don’t plan to swim, it is a nice place to sit with a coffee and enjoy a relaxing moment.

Stop at Church of Our Saviour

From there, we walked toward the Church of Our Saviour, which is known for its corkscrew spire. You can climb the tower and burn off those pastries. Then it’s a short walk from the church to Freetown Christiania.

Walk to Christiania

Christiania was originally established in the 1970s as an alternative, countercultural community. It has since become more touristy, though it is still filled with murals, workshops, and quirky architecture that makes it a great stop. We stopped for a beer at Café Abegrotten, which cost $6 each, and then walked through some of the shops and art galleries.

Refuel at Broens Gadekøkken

From Christiania, we wandered along the river back toward the city center. The path is popular with cyclists and joggers, and it is a pleasant way to return to the heart of the city. If you’re ready for lunch, you can refuel at Broens Gadekøkken, an open-air food center with many affordable, tasty options and great people watching. You can get traditional smørrbrød, a famous Gasoline Grill burger, or spicy Greek fries with feta. Plan on spending $25 pp here for lunch.

Stroll Along the River to Nyhavn

After about a 15-minute walk from Christiania (with a stop at Broens in between) we arrived at Nyhavn. This harbor is lined with colorful 17th- and 18th-century townhouses and is one of the most photographed places in Copenhagen. It’s crowded but worth seeing. Be sure to get your quintessential Copenhagen photos here.

Take In Rosenborg Castle and King’s Garden

The next stop was Rosenborg Castle (and the original Gasoline Grill along the way). Before visiting the castle grounds, we had an Aperol spritz at Orangieret, a café located inside the King’s Garden. Drinks here cost about $15, but the location is peaceful and provides a comfortable break.

Rosenborg Castle was built in the early 1600s by Christian IV and houses the Danish crown jewels. You can go inside and wander around for about $22 (or with your Copenhagen Card), but even if you skip it, the King’s Garden is worth a walk, and the castle itself is striking from the outside.

Stunning castle views from the King’s Garden

Climb the Round Tower

From Rosenborg, we continued to the Round Tower, which was built in the 17th century as an astronomical observatory. The interior has a spiral ramp rather than stairs, and visitors can climb to the top for a view of the city ($9-$10 for adults, free for children).

Wander Down the Pedestrian Streets

We then walked down Købmagergade and Strøget, two of the main pedestrian shopping streets in Copenhagen. They are lively with shops and street performers. We grabbed a delicious hot dog at DØP.

Soak Up the Scene at Rådhuspladsen

Rådhuspladsen is a large and lively square in front of City Hall that is often filled with street performers and offers plenty of people-watching opportunities. It is a good place to chill before heading to dinner.

Dinner at Tivoli Food Hall

We chose Tivoli Food Hall, which is next to Tivoli Gardens amusement park. The food hall has a wide range of options at various price points, including Danish, Greek, French, Mexican, Thai, Japanese, Chinese, and more. We decided on Sushi Market, where dinner for two (two rolls, eight pieces of nigiri, and a glass of wine each) cost $90. While this was expensive for a food hall, it was still more affordable than a traditional restaurant in Copenhagen, and the quality of the sushi was excellent.

You can also opt for Danish dishes at the food hall

If you want to visit Tivoli Gardens after dinner, it was open until 10:00 PM during the summer months. This will cost you $25-$60 (with discounts for children) depending on what type of pass you purchase and if you want a ride pass. If you are just visiting the gardens without going on rides, entrance is included in with the Copenhagen Card.

Nightcap at CitizenM Rooftop

We finished the day at the CitizenM rooftop bar, which is also where we stayed for $200 a night. We love their chic design, simple but comfortable and tech-savvy rooms, and ideal locations around the world. Cocktails at their 7th floor lounge cost a shocking $20, but the view over the city is excellent and the setting is whimsical and comfortable.

Cost Savings Options

If you want to save money on food and drinks, prices at the markets and convenience stores were much more reasonable than restaurants or even food halls.

For example, a bottle of wine at Føtex City cost the same as a glass at the Tivoli Food Hall, and 7-Eleven had fresh, healthy breakfast and lunch options for just $5-$10. 7-Eleven convenience stores were prominent throughout the city and much nicer than what we may be used to in the US.

You are also allowed to buy beer in the stores and drink it in public if you are respectful, so instead of spending $12-$20 on a beverage at the bar, you can grab something to go and enjoy it in the square.

Great wine and snack selection at Føtex City

We Didn’t Forget the Little Mermaid

This is a bit further afield and not necessarily worth the trek, so we didn’t do it this time, but many people have their hearts set on seeing it. The easiest way to get there is to take the metro from Rådhuspladsen to Østerport. From Østerport station, you can pass through the Kastellet fortress for a scenic route that’s worthwhile.

Spoiler alert: I grew up with the authentic Hans Christian Andersen story (which is so different than the Disney version) and it was the first story that made me ugly cry. 😭
Fun fact: When I visited Copenhagen in 2010 the Little Mermaid statue was on tour in China, so a live feed was set up in her usual spot on the water.

Our Take

Copenhagen is an expensive city, but there are free or low-cost attractions throughout. Exploring a mix of bakeries, street food, and food halls allowed us to experience the local flavors without overspending. It is possible to enjoy a full day in Copenhagen, see many of its highlights, and spend carefully while still fully enjoying the experience.

Have you been to Copenhagen? What are your favorite things to do? Let us know in the comments.