Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Copenhagen?

Q: Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Copenhagen?

A weekend trip is usually not enough time to experience the relaxed city of Copenhagen, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. Or, perhaps you'll want to return another time to take it all in. You don't want to miss the chance to dine out at amazing restaurants, dance the night away, take in the beautiful scenery, and go shopping. Many tourists set aside two to five days for their visit. However, if your schedule only gives you a couple of days, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your weekend adventure in Copenhagen below.

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Copenhagen?

Most people spend two to five days in Copenhagen during their visit. The relaxed city offers amazing highlights such as the cuisine, the nightlife scene, the gorgeous scenery, and shopping.

Copenhagen is the capital city of the small country of Denmark. It has a colorful and scenic old town which includes many palaces, gardens, and other landmarks. The city is known for its canals and waterfront setting. It's also a progressive city with many sound environmental policies and a happy population.

Do you have one or two days to visit Copenhagen? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Copenhagen?

Copenhagen is popular with tourists and offers some fun sights and attractions. Given only one day, you will likely find yourself hurrying to experience the key highlights such as the cuisine, the nightlife scene, and the gorgeous scenery. To truly savor all that the city boasts, a more generous amount of time is advisable. Many travelers opt for two to five days to thoroughly relish the wonders of the city. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations for making the most of your visit.

How to spend a day in Copenhagen

Shopping in Copenhagen is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. 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.

The culinary scene in Copenhagen is world famous, and draws visitors from around the globe. Make sure you spend time enjoying breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this city's best restaurants. And consider a food tour, too. Many are either a half day or just a few hours, so you can fit one into your schedule easily. 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.

A few tour suggestions include:

Copenhagen Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours ($125)
Copenhagen Food & Drink Private Tour: Scandinavian Delights Tasting ($161)
Copenhagen Alternative: Vesterbro & Christianshavn with Local Tasting ($146)

Copenhagen is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. It is compact enough to explore on foot, but there are also plenty of bikes available as well.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Copenhagen?

A weekend trip is usually not enough time to experience the relaxed city of Copenhagen, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. Or, perhaps you'll want to return another time to take it all in. You don't want to miss the chance to dine out at amazing restaurants, dance the night away, take in the beautiful scenery, and go shopping. Many tourists set aside two to five days for their visit. However, if your schedule only gives you a couple of days, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your weekend adventure in Copenhagen below.

Nyhavn Harbour, Old Town Copenhagan

How to spend 2 days in Copenhagen

Having a weekend (two to three days) in Copenhagen will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.

Don't miss Tivoli Gardens during your trip to Copenhagen, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. 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.

The public transit in Copenhagen is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. There are metros, s-trains, waterbuses, and regular buses available.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Copenhagen, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.