DK
Copenhagen
A design-minded harbour capital of colourful quays, royal palaces, cycle lanes and New Nordic food
A design-minded harbour capital of colourful quays, royal palaces, cycle lanes and New Nordic food
One of the world’s oldest amusement parks, opened in 1843, with gardens, rides, concerts and restaurants. It opens in seasons, including summer, Halloween and Christmas.
Check the season dates before you go; it is closed for part of the year.
Photo: Daderot, CC0
A Renaissance castle built for King Christian IV in the early 17th century, home to the Danish crown jewels, set in the King’s Garden.
Photo: GattoCeliaco, CC BY-SA 4.0
Home to the Danish parliament, the Prime Minister’s office and the Supreme Court. You can visit the Royal Reception Rooms, the ruins beneath the palace and the free tower viewpoint.
Photo: Moahim, CC BY-SA 4.0
Edvard Eriksen’s small bronze statue from 1913, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale, sits on a rock at Langelinie. Combine it with a walk around the star-shaped Kastellet fortress.
Photo: Olivier Bruchez, CC BY-SA 2.0
Try smørrebrød (open sandwiches), Danish pastries, hot dogs from a pølsevogn stand, and the city’s New Nordic restaurants.
Food halls such as Torvehallerne and Reffen street food offer good-value meals.
Copenhagen Airport (CPH) is about 8km from the centre; the metro and trains reach the city in around 15 minutes. The metro runs around the clock, and buses, harbour buses and city bikes cover the rest.
Denmark is in the EU and the Schengen area. EU citizens need only an ID card; citizens of the UK, US, Canada, Australia and many other countries can visit visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, with biometric registration under the EU Entry/Exit System. An ETIAS travel authorisation is also due to be introduced. Check current rules before you travel.
Copenhagen is expensive, especially for accommodation and eating out. Denmark uses the Danish krone (DKK), not the euro. Cards and mobile payments are accepted almost everywhere, and some places are card-only.
Palaces, harbour and neighbourhoods.
See Nyhavn, Amalienborg Palace and the Marble Church, walk to Kastellet and the Little Mermaid, then take a canal tour.
Visit Christiansborg, Rosenborg and the Round Tower, then spend the evening at Tivoli.
Rent a bike to explore Christianshavn and Christiania, Vesterbro and Nørrebro, or take the train to the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art.
🛂 Entry rules: EES and ETIAS
Denmark is in the Schengen area, which has two EU border systems for non-EU visitors.
EES (in force): since 10 April 2026 the EU’s Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors’ passport details, fingerprints and a photo the first time they enter the Schengen area, replacing passport stamps. Allow extra time at the border on your first trip; later crossings are quicker. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens are not registered.
ETIAS (not yet running): a €20 online travel authorisation for visitors who don’t need a visa, such as UK, US, Canadian and Australian citizens. It hasn’t started and no start date has been confirmed, so nobody can apply yet; ignore websites that offer to “pre-register” you for a fee.
Visa-free visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area, not per country.
Official information: EU: Travel to Europe (EES & ETIAS) · Reviewed September 2026
Cycling is the local way to get around; keep to the right in bike lanes and use hand signals.
The Copenhagen Card includes public transport and many attractions; it pays off if you visit several museums.
In Christiania, respect the signs asking visitors not to take photos in certain areas.
In summer, swim at the free harbour baths such as Islands Brygge.
Quick answers for planning time in Copenhagen.
No. The currency is the Danish krone (DKK), and cards are accepted almost everywhere.
By metro or train, in about 15 minutes.
Yes, it is one of Europe’s more expensive cities, though many sights and activities are free.
Three days covers the main sights, with time for neighbourhoods.
It opens in seasons, including summer, Halloween and Christmas; check dates before you visit.
Danish is the language; almost everyone speaks good English.
Free
Planning a wider trip? Our Denmark travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.