A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chiang Mai vs. Copenhagen for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Chiang Mai or Copenhagen?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Chiang Mai and Copenhagen. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is a friendly, cultural, and welcoming city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Copenhagen

Copenhagen is a happy, welcoming, and relaxed city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Chiang Mai and Copenhagen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chiang Mai or Copenhagen?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Chiang Mai. Although Chiang Mai and Copenhagen are popular destinations, Chiang Mai has more sights and attractions for tourists. Chiang Mai is very popular for its museums, hiking, and big city activities, while Copenhagen attracts visitors for its nightlife and impressive beauty. Chiang Mai is more touristy than Copenhagen and is known for its lively night market, historical temples, local cuisine, and cultural rainforest treks. It is also well known for Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Copenhagen is famous for its colorful buildings, beautiful canals, progressive policies, and happy population.

How is Chiang Mai different from Copenhagen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Copenhagen and Chiang Mai. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Chiang Mai or Copenhagen?

Chiang Mai is renowned for its museums and history. Also, Copenhagen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Chiang Mai are world-renowned. The city is filled with culture and you'll find many beautiful temples in the area. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is a mountain-top temple that is an iconic landmark in the city. Other famous sights include Doi Inthanon and Wat Chedi Luang.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Copenhagen. There are many sights and landmarks around town including Tivoli Gardens, Christiansborg Palace, Nyhavn Harbor, and The Round Tower. Some of the most popular museums are the National Museum of Denmark and the National Gallery of Denmark.

Is the Food Better in Chiang Mai or Copenhagen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Chiang Mai and Copenhagen both to be fantastic destinations.

Eat your way through Chiang Mai, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. For many, this city offers some of the best food in all of Thailand. The cuisine is influenced by nearby Burma and China, with ginger and turmeric often used. Curries tend to be a bit milder and dishes are often served with sticky rice. Famous dishes around town include Khao Soi, Larb Kua, and Sai Oua. Cooking classes are also very popular around town and the courses often include a trip to a market.

For foodies, Copenhagen is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. In recent years the celebrity food scene has put this city on the map. There are many Michelin star restaurants around town including the world famous Noma. But there's also a diversity of restaurants to choose from, ranging from elegant, award-winning options to cozy local eateries. Danish food includes a lot of pastries and sandwiches. Make sure you try a rød pølse, or local hot dog from one of the many stands around town.

Is Chiang Mai or Copenhagen Better for Nightlife?

Copenhagen is a world-class destination for nightlife. Also, Chiang Mai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

People head to Copenhagen just to party. The nightlife scene stays active until the early morning hours with many bars and clubs staying open until 5 or 6 in the morning. Some of the most popular areas for nightlife include Istedgade and EnghavePlads in Vesterbro, Sankt Hans Torv in Nørrebro and some areas around Frederiksberg.

Chiang Mai offers plenty to do in the evening. It is the largest city in Northern Thailand, so it has the most active nightlife scene in the area. Whatever your style, you can find something to do at night here. Many people head to the riverside to drink and listen to music. You'll also find clubs concentrated around Nimmanhaemin Road and Loy Kroh Road. There's also the famous Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, which is packed with stalls and people sampling food and drinks.

Is Chiang Mai or Copenhagen Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the very good old town areas in both Chiang Mai and Copenhagen.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Chiang Mai. The old city is about 1.5 square kilometers in size and it has four gates, one on each side. The most famous area is Sunday Walking Street, which comes to life at 4pm every day when it is lined with stalls and filled with people.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Copenhagen. Indre By is the oldest part of the city and where you'll find most of the sights and attractions. This is where most visitors stay and you'll find many great restaurants and activities to enjoy.

Is Chiang Mai or Copenhagen Better for Hiking?

Chiang Mai is renowned for its hiking trails. However, Copenhagen is not a hiking destination.

Around Chiang Mai visitors will find world-class hiking trails. Many people use this city as a base for a trekking excursion into the surrounding countryside. The land is lush and beautiful and many treks also expose you to the welcoming Hilltribe people of Northern Thailand. Treks can be organized at almost any hotel or hostel as well the many tour agencies around town.

Copenhagen is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chiang Mai or Copenhagen?

If you're looking to go shopping, Chiang Mai and Copenhagen both offer plenty of fantastic spots.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Chiang Mai. The city is famous for its night markets, which run every night of the year until around midnight. You'll find the streets packed with people and vendors, rain or shine. This is a great place to search for local handicrafts and try some of the city's famous street food. Popular items to buy include rice boxes, silk, and Thai sky lanterns.

The abundance of shops in Copenhagen make it a world-class shopping destination. Design and style is notorious with Danish culture. You'll find many great local boutique or fashion design shops in town. Købmagergade is one of the busiest and most famous shopping streets in town, but you should also visit the street parallel to it, Pilestræde.

Is Chiang Mai or Copenhagen Better for Families?

Copenhagen is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Chiang Mai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Copenhagen is very family-friendly. The city almost feels like it was designed with kids in mind. There are countless playgrounds, beaches, and other kid-friendly places to explore. Also make sure you stop by Tivoli Gardens, which has rides and rollercoasters that everyone can enjoy. The city also has an aquarium, zoo, and even a deer park. The Little Mermaid statue may fascinate Disney lovers, and if you want to get out on the water there are boat tours through the canals.

Chiang Mai is a very kid-friendly city. This city is very friendly and welcoming to kids. There are many cultural and adventurous activities that the whole family can enjoy. One of the most popular kid-friendly places to visit is the Elephant Sanctuary, where kids can get up close and personal with these beautiful animals. Kids will also enjoy heading into the countryside to trek or visit one of Thailand’s Hilltribes. The cultural experience and opportunity to meet a diversity of kids will be an experience your children will never forget. In town, a cooking class is a popular option for budding foodies.

Is Chiang Mai or Copenhagen Better for Couples?

Copenhagen is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Chiang Mai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Copenhagen is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The city is filled with a positive energy that will rejuvenate any couple. You can hire a bike or hop on a boat to explore town, or simply wander through the cobblestone streets. There are many parks and gardens to explore and culture lovers will appreciate the many museums.

Chiang Mai is a very popular place to visit for couples. Trekking, rafting, temples, and some of the best food in Thailand all make this city a popular destination for a couple's getaway. The region is perfect for adventurous couples who want to experience more of the authentic side of Thailand.

Is Chiang Mai or Copenhagen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Chiang Mai is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Copenhagen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Chiang Mai is extremely popular for backpackers. This is one of the biggest backpacker mecca's in Southeast Asia, and you'll find the city flooded with budget travelers out to experience it all. There are countless hostels and budget hotels available and most will organize treks and activities for guests. It's easy to meet other backpackers and many visitors end up staying longer than they planned. Prices in Northern Thailand are also much more affordable than many other areas.

Copenhagen is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. While the city is expensive, there are still plenty of free things to do like simply wandering the neighborhoods. The city has a relaxed and friendly vibe that will almost make you forget all of the money you're spending.

Is Chiang Mai or Copenhagen Better for Students?

Copenhagen is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Chiang Mai is not popular with students.

Many students visit Copenhagen. The city has a reputation as the happiest in the world, and students are no exception. There are plenty of activities for students as well as a relaxed, yet productive, atmosphere. It's easy to explore the town on foot or by bike as well.

Chiang Mai is not popular with students.

Is Chiang Mai or Copenhagen Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Copenhagen is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Chiang Mai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

With a huge network, the transit system in Copenhagen can get you around easily. There are metros, s-trains, waterbuses, and regular buses available.

Chiang Mai has a few public transit options. Transportation options include red songthaew (converted pick-up trucks), buses, and tuk-tuks.

Is Chiang Mai or Copenhagen a more walkable city?

Copenhagen is a world-class destination for its walkability. Also, Chiang Mai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

Copenhagen is a very easy city to get around on foot. It is compact enough to explore on foot, but there are also plenty of bikes available as well.

Chiang Mai is a somewhat walkable place. Although there are a few walking streets, the city can get very crowded and many places are easier to access with a tuk tuk or taxi.

For even more information, also check out Is Chiang Mai Worth Visiting? and Is Copenhagen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Copenhagen or Chiang Mai?

How long in Chiang Mai or Copenhagen?

In either Chiang Mai or Copenhagen, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Chiang Mai than Copenhagen because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Chiang Mai, and 2-5 days is enough time in Copenhagen.

Families should spend more time in Copenhagen than Chiang Mai. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Copenhagen, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Copenhagen than Chiang Mai. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Copenhagen that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chiang Mai than Copenhagen if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Chiang Mai.

One day in Chiang Mai or Copenhagen?

When visiting Chiang Mai, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With museums and nightlife around the welcoming city of Copenhagen, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Chiang Mai or Copenhagen?

When visiting Chiang Mai, people usually allow for lots of time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Copenhagen, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Chiang Mai or Copenhagen?

Chiang Mai, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Copenhagen, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Chiang Mai or Copenhagen?

Chiang Mai is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Copenhagen is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Adventure Tours to Denmark, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Denmark.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Mai and Copenhagen, we can see that Copenhagen is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Mai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Chiang Mai is in Asia and Copenhagen is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Chiang Mai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chiang Mai and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Copenhagen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Copenhagen than you might in Chiang Mai.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chiang Mai Expensive? and Is Copenhagen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Copenhagen?

Copenhagen has a larger population, and is about 15% larger than the population of Chiang Mai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai and Copenhagen, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai or Copenhagen?

Copenhagen has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Chiang Mai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Copenhagen in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Chiang Mai and Copenhagen. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Copenhagen because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Chiang Mai is much warmer than Copenhagen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Chiang Mai in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Copenhagen averages at about 17°C (63°F).

Chiang Mai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Chiang Mai usually receives more rain than Copenhagen. Chiang Mai gets 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Copenhagen receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Copenhagen in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Chiang Mai as well as Copenhagen. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Copenhagen this time of year.

In October, Chiang Mai is generally much warmer than Copenhagen. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 29°C (83°F), and Copenhagen fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Chiang Mai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Chiang Mai usually gets more rain in October than Copenhagen. Chiang Mai gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Copenhagen receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Copenhagen in the Winter?

Both Copenhagen and Chiang Mai are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chiang Mai throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Copenhagen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Copenhagen. Chiang Mai is much warmer than Copenhagen in the winter. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 23°C (74°F) in January, and Copenhagen fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).

In January, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than Copenhagen. Chiang Mai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Copenhagen receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Chiang Mai is November to February.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Copenhagen in the Spring?

Both Copenhagen and Chiang Mai during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Chiang Mai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to Copenhagen in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

The heat can be very extreme in Chiang Mai. In the spring, Chiang Mai is much warmer than Copenhagen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Chiang Mai in April average around 31°C (88°F), and Copenhagen averages at about 7°C (45°F).

Chiang Mai usually gets more rain in April than Copenhagen. Chiang Mai gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Copenhagen receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai.

Typical Weather for Copenhagen and Chiang Mai