Copenhagen: The Ultimate Guide

Thanks to its rich culture and stunning architecture, Copenhagen is one of the quintessential European destination cities, that sadly, many travelers overlook. With a combination of luxury stays, budget eats, and iconic experiences, there’s plenty to enjoy on a visit to this marvelous city, no matter what kind of visitor you are.

Best Hotels in Copenhagen

 Copenhagen offers a truly fabulous selection of hotels many of which feature unique and original exteriors making them truly marvelous pieces of history where you can actually stay!  They boast design-centric interiors and many also offer outstanding services and onsite facilities!

Whether you’re looking for a simple, luxurious modern hotel with unique and innovative design, or a unique and historical place to stay, you’ll find the perfect hotel for your dream getaway in Copenhagen.

Hotel Ottilia, Vesterbro, Copenhagen

Located in the Carlsberg district, this iconic, luxury boutique hotel is actually housed inside the former Carlsberg brewery, known for its world-famous beers. This results in not only a gorgeous building rich in heritage, but also, means that this stay provides guests with an exceptional location, just a short distance from the likes of Copenhagen Zoo, Tivoli Gardens Theme Park, and Copenhagen Central Station.

Despite being a boutique hotel, it isn’t small in the slightest, boasting a selection of gorgeous shared spaces, including lounges, bars, restaurants, meeting rooms, and conference halls. Guests can take advantage of free Wi-Fi throughout the property, an organic breakfast, bike rentals, and even a complimentary wine hour! Be sure to stop by the iconic Italian restaurant Tramonto, located on the top floor. It boasts 360-degree views of the city, and its own garden that grows hops, used in the hotel’s signature beer!

Thanks to its history as a former brewery, the hotel’s interior boasts a modern, raw, and industrial feel that gives it that luxurious edge. Think exposed concrete, iron beams, and turret windows, perfectly paired with leather and gray furnishings and modern features. Each room provides amenities such as high-speed Wi-Fi and a flat-screen TV.

Radisson Collection Royal Hotel, Vesterbro, Copenhagen

Situated beside the famous Tivoli Gardens Theme Park and Copenhagen Central Station, this iconic hotel is not like others by the name of Radisson. That’s because this one was actually the world’s first-ever design hotel, and boasts a timeless style and functionality, courtesy of legendary Danish designer and architect Arne Jacobsen. Its style dates back to the 1960’s, and brings egg and pot chairs to the modern day!

This hotel boasts stunning views of the city and offers guests a great range of amenities, including free Wi-Fi, 24-hour room service, a buffet breakfast, and bicycle rental. The property is also home to a selection of great facilities, including a fitness center, a steam sauna, and the on-site restaurant Café Royal Copenhagen, and its adjoining cocktail bar, where guests can indulge in delicious craft cocktails, named after famous Danish designers.

Each of the rooms boasts a timeless, contemporary style, and feature air conditioning, tea and coffee-making facilities, and a flat-screen TV.

Villa Copenhagen, Vesterbro, Copenhagen

This stunning hotel is not only conveniently located in the heart of the city, but it is also housed in the 100-year-old premises of the Central Post and Telegraph Head Office, showing off its grandiosity from the get-go, and cementing it on this list as one of the best hotels in all of Copenhagen. It is located near many points of interest, including Tivoli Gardens Theme Park and Copenhagen Central Station.

The hotel boasts a great range of on-site amenities and facilities, including free Wi-Fi, a garden, room service, a fitness center, a business center, and a 24-hour front desk, with a currency exchange service. There is also a truly stunning rooftop pool, alongside a gorgeous terrace bar, coffee shop, bakery, and a restaurant combination.

Boasting a slick design that seeps into the rooms, the elegant features of the historic building are complimented by timeless, contemporary furnishings and decor that elevate the elegance of this luxurious hotel. All of the rooms are equipped with air conditioning and a flat-screen TV.

Nimb Hotel, City Center, Copenhagen

This stylish boutique hotel is set in a striking Moorish-style building and is actually located in Copenhagen's iconic Tivoli Gardens theme park! It’s located just a minute's walk from Central Station, and provides guests with direct access to the rides and attractions of Tivoli Gardens.

Guests can exceptional on-site dining at Nimb Brasserie, with stunning views of the surrounding Tivoli Gardens and a delectable menu of seasonal Scandinavian dishes and French cuisine. The on-site Bar’n’Grill specializes in grilled delicacies with an Asian twist. There’s also a selection of other great on-site amenities, including a stylish bar, designed by Hans J. Wegner, which serves up coffee and afternoon tea during the day, before transforming into a cocktail haven at 5 pm. Guests can also enjoy access to a fantastic rooftop pool!

Each of the designer rooms comes complete with flat-screen TVs, and elegant antique furnishings, such as four-poster beds. Select rooms also feature a fireplace and free-standing bathtub.

Hotel Sanders, City Center

This elegant boutique hotel is located in the center of Copenhagen, less than a 20-minute walk from iconic locations such as the Tivoli Garden Theme Park, and Copenhagen Central Station. It is also just steps from Nyhaven’s pastel-colored waterfront promenade, making this a gorgeous spot for an early morning stroll or afternoon bike ride!

Guests can enjoy great perks from this hotel, including free Wi-Fi access, and complimentary bike and scooter rentals (thanks to Copenhagen being a cycling city). Staff are helpful, and can assist you not only with car hire rentals, but can also arrange laundry and concierge services, for booking a great selection of cultural walks and behind-the-scenes tours.

There are also plenty of great on-site facilities, including a gorgeous rooftop conservatory garden and modern restaurant “Sanders Kitchen”, where guests can dine on fresh, healthy, Mediterranean dishes that revolve around local, seasonal produce. Tata is a beautiful bar that serves up a selection of wines and classic cocktails, pairing perfectly with the alluring vintage setting. Guests can also enjoy a drink or breakfast in the inner courtyard if the weather is fine.

Each of the stylish rooms boasts its own complimentary mini-bar, which comes stocked with soft drinks and snacks, a flat-screen TV, and air conditioning. 

Best Restaurants in Copenhagen

Copenhagen’s dining scene is truly as magnificent and diverse as the city itself! With a huge range of innovative dishes from both local cuisine and international menus, you can indulge in a huge range of dishes, no matter your taste.

Whether you’re looking for a cheap spot that’s popular with the locals, or a one-of-a-kind experience that’s among the top 10 restaurants globally, there’s the perfect spot for everyone when it comes to dining in Copenhagen!

Folkehuset Absalon, Vesterbro, Copenhagen

One of the best ways to eat like a local in any city is to go where the locals go, and there’s no place that does this in Copenhagen quite like Absalon. This community center is a great place for locals and visitors alike to dine on cheap, hearty, healthy meals at communal dinners at a long table.

Whether you’re looking to simply find some great authentic Danish cuisine, dine at the best budget spot in town, or make some new friends to recommend other great places for you to enjoy during your stay, head to Absalon. Be sure to book online or simply turn up early at 5 pm to buy a ticket at the door. Dinner service begins at 6 pm, so don’t be late!

Alchemist, Indre By, Copenhagen

Situated near the end of the docklands, the area surrounding this amazing restaurant is actually quite an eyesore, but once you step inside, it’s almost as though you’ve been transported to a new world.

Included in the top 10 of many of the ‘World’s Best Restaurants’ lists for 2024, the Alchemist is a truly one-of-a-kind experience, and an unmissable fine-dining spot on any visit to Copenhagen. Get ready for a sensory explosion at Alchemist, where chef Rasmus Munk pulls out all the stops to provide guests with a selection of 50 small and totally unique courses! 

Whether you’re licking food from a silicone tongue (who’d have thought you’d be kissing your dinner, huh?), or eating a snowball that tastes like a tomato, you’ll certainly be having a unique and unusual experience at this truly outstanding restaurant.

H15, Vesterbro, Copenhagen

In Kødbyen (aka the meatpacking district) of the popular Vesterbro/Kongens Enghave area in Copenhagen’s city center, you’ll find a huge array of restaurants catering to all tastes. One of the best though, is this informal cafeteria spot, operating in an old freight hall.

It’s a welcoming spot with a bit of a boho vibe, that serves up delicious food at a reasonable price to locals and foodies in the know! Indulge in some truly great Nordic dishes, such as roasted mushrooms, roast porchetta with salted lemon, and forest berries served with creme fraiche!

Nihao YAO, Nørrebro, Copenhagen

If you’ve had your fill of Danish cuisine, but are still on the hunt for an outstanding restaurant, then look no further than Nihao YAO!

This small, 16-seat, family-run Taiwanese restaurant boasts a delicious menu of homemade dishes, including soft pork belly bao buns, and classic potsticker dumplings. If you’re in luck on the day you visit, the owner may have also had a chance to cook up two off-menu bao specialties - One with minced pork, and the other, a sweet offering filled with red bean paste!

Barr, Indre By, Copenhagen

Located inside a former whaling warehouse that dates back to the 16th century, and sitting on the docklands of Indre By, this casual bar and restaurant boasts stunning views over the harbor, and the surroundings are simply the perfect pairing for what’s on the menu.

Indulge in some of the restaurant’s best dishes, including Belgian waffles served up with tantalizing roe and sour cream, grilled bone marrow with thyme, toasted rye, and beer vinegar!

Reservations are expected if you’d like to dine in the restaurant, however, the bar area accepts walk-ins and serves up many of the same dishes as the restaurant menu, including their famous Wiener schnitzel!

Best Things to do in Copenhagen

Copenhagen is a city rich in culture, history, and design, making it a gorgeous spot for a variety of tours. There are also some unique and interesting things to do here, so once you’ve had your fill of iconic landmarks and historical architecture, why not head for a drink at the birthplace of Carlsberg beer?!

Take a Canal Cruise, Copehnhagen

Enjoy all the sights of Copenhagen from the water, in a laid-back tour along the main harbor and adjoining canals, where you can admire the city’s stunning architecture, ancient castles, and beautiful churches.

Highlights of this tour will include the famous Little Mermaid statue, the home of the Danish Royal Family at Amalienborg Palace, and the home of the Danish Parliament at Christiansborg Palace.

Carlsberg Experience, Vesterbro, Copenhagen

Copenhagen is the birthplace of the legendary beer ‘Carlsberg’, and what better way to discover the world of Danish beer, than with a visit to the birthplace of this drink? Take a tour of this historic brewery to dive into the origins of Carlsberg beer, admire the 19th-century architecture, explore various interactive exhibits to learn about the brewing process, visit the sculpture garden, see a unique collection of unopened beer bottles, and even savor the flavors of the unique taste of Carlsberg with a tasting session!

You must enter the exhibition at least 2 hours before closing time to ensure you’ll be permitted. Children are able to enter, but those under 18 will be exempt from the tasting session.

Take a Bike Tour of the City, Copenhagen

Since cycling is the most popular way to get around this famous Danish city, what better way to take a tour of all of the significant historical sites here, than on a bike?! With an expert guide to lead the way and provide in-depth information on each of the places you stop at, you can cycle around the city as you learn about Copenhagen’s rich history!

Bicycle rental is provided as part of this tour, and you can enjoy free use of helmets on request too!

IKONO Immersive Experience, Indre By, Copenhagen

IKONO is an immersive journey that takes you through eclectic worlds through a combination of art and play. It’s a short activity that can take you anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour to experience, but thanks to Copenhagen being a famous city for art and design, it’s a one-of-a-kind exhibition you simply can’t miss!

This immersive experience is open to visitors of all ages, making it a great choice for families, children, and those looking to experience art in a whole new way across it’s 12 different rooms. 

Whether you want to draw with light using only your hands, re-live the 80s in a nostalgic arcade, or meander through a calming lantern sanctuary, the choice is yours!

Tour the City Highlights, Copenhagen

Take a guided tour of the city to explore Copenhagen’s iconic highlights and lesser-known hidden gems, all with the guidance of a knowledgeable tour guide! Learn about the history behind many of the city’s unique and interesting landmarks on this 3-hour tour.

Whether you’re hoping to marvel at the quaint houses in the colorful canalside district of Nyvhan, see the popular medieval square of Amagertov, or uncover the home of the Danish parliament at Christiansborg Palace, there’s something on this tour for everyone!