Best Things to Do in Copenhagen: Family-Friendly Attractions, Hidden Gems + Easy Day Trips

Our family spent a full week in Copenhagen as part of our trip across Europe.

We had the advantage of being able to stay with my brother and sister-in-law. My sister-in-law is Danish and has lived in and around Copenhagen her entire life, so we had our own—very knowledgeable—tour guide.

This meant free accommodations, plenty of local recommendations, and access to a car and driver when I got a hankering to go hunt for wooden trolls in the Danish countryside.

Copenhagen is expensive. There is no getting around that fact. But it’s also easy to navigate, very walkable, filled with beautiful green spaces, and home to a surprising number of free attractions. In 2026 it was ranked (once again) the most liveable city in the entire world.

We mixed iconic Copenhagen sights with playground stops, lots of picnics, boat rides of various sorts, Danish food, quirky troll statues, and two trips outside the city.

This guide brings together our favourite things to do in Copenhagen with kids, along with practical tips and some easy day-trip ideas.

For the full day-by-day details, you can also read:

• Getting to Denmark + Our First Two Days in Copenhagen
• Copenhagen Day #3: Kastellet, Gefion Fountain + GoBoat
• A Day Trip to Roskilde
• Our First Day on the Island of Møn
• Visiting Møns Klint
• Denmark Catchall: Tivoli, Church of Our Lady + Kaptajn Nalle

Okay, let’s jump in!

Best Things to Do in Copenhagen at a Glance

Our favourite Copenhagen experiences were:

• Climbing the spiral tower at the Church of Our Saviour
• Renting a GoBoat and piloting ourselves (I let my brother and husband actually man the controls!) around Copenhagen’s main harbour
• Seeing the Gefion Fountain, Little Mermaid, and Kastellet
• Riding Copenhagen’s Harbour Bus
• Wandering through Freetown Christiania
• Visiting Tivoli Gardens
• Finding giant Thomas Dambo trolls (they’re hidden to be a bit like a treasure hunt)
• Taking a day trip to Roskilde
• Spending two days exploring the island of Møn

How Many Days Do You Need in Copenhagen?

I think three full days would be enough to see most of Copenhagen’s major attractions without feeling too frantic.

That said, we spent seven nights in Copenhagen, which gave us enough time to explore the city at a relatively relaxed pace and take trips to both Roskilde and Møn.

Depending on how much time you have in the city, I’d suggest:

• Three days: Copenhagen’s main landmarks
• Four or five days: Copenhagen plus Roskilde
• One week: Copenhagen, Roskilde, and an overnight trip to Møn

You absolutely do not need a car if you’re staying within Copenhagen. Public transportation is excellent, and a lot of the major attractions are clustered together.

A car is necessary for a trip to Møn (unless you take some sort of organized tour/shuttle) and for reaching two of the more remote Thomas Dambo trolls.

Iconic Things to Do in Copenhagen

Climb the Tower at the Church of Our Saviour

Climbing the tower at the Church of Our Saviour was one of our favourite Copenhagen experiences. My brother had lived in the city for over a decade and this was his first time reaching the summit! Highly recommend.

The church is very distinctive, with its dark spiral spire and a golden staircase winding around the outside.

There are about 400 steps to reach the top. The final section is outdoors, and the staircase becomes increasingly narrow as it circles the spire. If you get claustrophobic or the thought of climbing that many stairs sounds daunting (physically or psychologically), this might not be a great choice!

That said, the views over Copenhagen are spectacular.

It happened to be extremely windy during our visit. Our son made it through the indoor portion of the climb but decided he had zero interest in tackling the final outdoor staircase.

The rest of us kept going to the top and had the entire outdoor section to ourselves because I had accidentally purchased tickets for the wrong day. (Thankfully, the staff graciously allowed us inside anyway. My mistake ended up working in our favour, though I don’t recommend incorporating this into your own Copenhagen itinerary.)

Tickets are timed, and I would book them in advance (for the correct day… *facepalm*), especially during busy summer travel periods.

You can read more about our experience climbing the tower in this post.

Visit the Colourful Buildings of Nyhavn

Nyhavn is arguably Copenhagen’s most recognizable location.

The waterfront is lined with colourful historic buildings, restaurants, boats… and dozens of tourists trying to take the same photograph.

It’s busy, but very pretty.

Nyhavn is centrally located and easy to add on to an itinerary while exploring other nearby attractions. We strolled along the canal, admired the buildings, took the obligatory pictures, and continued on our way.

I don’t think anyone needs to devote hours to exploring Nyhavn (there are lots of restaurants in the area, though), but it is absolutely worth seeing.

Walk Through Kastellet

Kastellet is a remarkably well-preserved star-shaped fortress.

It’s still an active military site, but visitors can walk through the grounds and along lots of pathways.

There are red military buildings, grassy ramparts, a moat, a windmill, and plenty of places to walk. (Our son was particularly interested in looking at the giant fish swimming around in the water; there were multiple people fishing on the day we visited.)

Kastellet is free and conveniently located close to the Little Mermaid and Gefion Fountain (see below), so it makes sense to visit all three places in quick succession.

Visit the Little Mermaid

Copenhagen’s Little Mermaid statue is famously small.

People frequently compare the experience of seeing her to viewing the Mona Lisa: it’s smaller than anticipated, and there are always crowds of people trying to get a picture!

That said, it’s one of the most iconic things to see/visit in Copenhagen, and I’d make sure to incorporate it into your visit.

Admire the Gefion Fountain

The nearby Gefion Fountain is one of my favourite stops in Copenhagen. (I also think it’s my favourite fountain anywhere. And yes, I have seen the Trevi Fountain. There’s something so natural and rugged about it and the water is exceptionally clear.)

Gefion depicts the Norse goddess Gefjon driving four enormous oxen (the mythological story behind the fountain is also fascinating).

It was less crowded than the Little Mermaid and, in my mind at least, more visually impressive.

Walk by Amalienborg Palace

Amalienborg Palace is the official residence of the Danish royal family.

The palace is made up of four matching buildings surrounding a large octagonal courtyard.

We viewed the complex from outside and didn’t tour the palace museum. Even without going inside, it is worth walking through the courtyard—particularly since it is close to Nyhavn and several other central Copenhagen attractions.

You may be able to watch the changing of the guard, depending on the timing of your visit.

Walk Through the King’s Garden

We ate a picnic lunch in King’s Garden, which surrounds Rosenborg Castle.

The park is beautiful and there is lots of room for kids to run and play.

(We appreciated the view of Rosenborg Castle from the outside but didn’t tour the interior or see the Danish crown jewels. I’ve heard it’s great, though!)

Visit the Church of Our Lady

The Church of Our Lady is Copenhagen’s main cathedral.

The church has a white neoclassical interior and contains statues by Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen.

My husband and I visited the church during an earlier trip to Copenhagen, and I remembered being struck by how different it felt from the ornate cathedrals we had seen elsewhere in Europe.

It remained one of my favourite Copenhagen churches on our return visit!

The church was almost completely empty when we arrived, though preparations were underway for a wedding later in the day. Check the current opening information because sightseeing access may be restricted during services or other events.

Walk Along Strøget

Strøget is Copenhagen’s major pedestrian shopping street.

It passes through the centre of the city and is lined with shops and restaurants.

We didn’t do much shopping (a few souvenirs), but it’s a convenient route for connecting several central attractions and you don’t have to worry about traffic.

This is also where the top brands are located: so if you have a hankering for a Louis Vuitton bag, this is the spot to get one.

We looked through the windows (which has the delightful price tag of FREE).

Best Things to Do in Copenhagen With Kids

Rent a GoBoat

Renting a GoBoat was one of the highlights of our time in Copenhagen. They’re small electric picnic boats that visitors can operate themselves. You don’t need a boating licence, and instructions are provided before you leave the dock.

The boat has a picnic table in the centre, so you can bring snacks and drinks (or there are combo packages where you can buy a prepared picnic from the GoBoat rental company).

We rented our boat for two hours (that was the max time limit; you can get it for an hour-long rental as well and they have laminated maps with suggested routes based on your rental length) and made our way through the main harbour and into some of Copenhagen’s smaller canals.

I loved that this experience was both an activity and a form of sightseeing. We weren’t just sitting on a tour boat listening to recorded commentary. We were deciding where to go, navigating under bridges, and seeing Copenhagen from the water at our own pace.

Obviously, this is a weather-dependent activity. You can see more pictures and read about our experience here: Copenhagen Day #3: Kastellet, Gefion Fountain + GoBoat.

Ride the Harbour Bus

Copenhagen’s Harbour Bus is part of the city’s regular public transportation network.

It looks like a sightseeing boat and travels past most of the top-ticket landmarks, but it costs the same as other public transit. Such a great deal!!!

We rode past the Copenhagen Opera House, the Royal Yacht, waterfront neighbourhoods, and the Circle Bridge.

It was an inexpensive and relaxing way to see Copenhagen from the water.

The Harbour Bus is not a tour boat, so you’ll need to identify the landmarks yourself. But it’s a great option for families, particularly if everyone is tired of walking.

You can check current routes and transportation tickets through DOT.

Sit at the Front of the Driverless Metro

This isn’t technically an attraction, but the youngest member of our family found it entertaining.

Some Copenhagen Metro lines are driverless. If you sit at the very front of the train, you can look directly through the front window into the tunnel!!

We said it felt a bit like an amusement park ride. (Or a low-budget virtual-reality experience.)

We regularly walked through the train to see whether the front seats were available.

Explore the Black Diamond

The Black Diamond is the modern waterfront extension of the Royal Danish Library.

The building has an enormous glass atrium overlooking the water and is connected to the older portion of the library.

It’s free to enter and well worth visiting.

We wandered through the building, admired the architecture, and explored some small exhibits. There were also costumes and interactive elements for kids during our visit.

The contrast between the historic library rooms and the dramatic modern addition is striking.

Have a Picnic in the Royal Library Garden

The Royal Library Garden—or Bibliotekshaven—is tucked between Christiansborg Palace and the old Royal Library.

Despite its central location, the garden feels quiet and hidden. (That said, there were two wedding parties there taking photos the day we visited.)

There are lots of flowers and benches and a pretty reflecting pool.

We brought a picnic and ate beside the water. (Picnicking here pairs perfectly with a visit to the Black Diamond.)

Visit Tivoli Gardens

Tivoli Gardens opened in 1843 and is one of the oldest amusement parks in the world.

It’s located in the heart of Copenhagen.

Tivoli is more than a collection of rides (I’d argue most people don’t visit for the rides). There are gardens, restaurants, concerts, theatrical performances (we saw a hilarious pantomime show the first time we went), and seasonal decorations.

The entrance fee is substantial, and ride access generally requires a separate ticket. We were fortunate enough to get in for free because one of my brother’s friends had a pass that allowed him to bring four extra people into the park.

Our kids went on several rides (you pay for these separately once you’re inside), including Rutschebanen, Tivoli’s wooden roller coaster from 1914.

(We also tried smørrebrød in the Tivoli Food Hall. There are a lot of eating establishments in and around Tivoli.)

Even if you are not particularly interested in amusement park rides, Tivoli is worth considering for its atmosphere—especially after dark when the park is all lit up (we did this on a previous visit to Copenhagen).

You can read more about our visit in Denmark Catchall: Tivoli, Church of Our Lady + Kaptajn Nalle.

Wander Through Freetown Christiania

Freetown Christiania is a self-governing community in Copenhagen known for colourful buildings, street art, alternative lifestyles (Ahem)… and a complicated history.

We walked through during the day and found it interesting, quirky, and even more touristy than the last time we’d visited. It’s much… tamer than years earlier and it’s become a major tourist destination (I hear the guided tours are fantastic and I wish we’d had time to fit one it).

Even still, there was a pervasive smell of marijuana. So keep that in mind.

It is not going to appeal to everyone, but our family felt very safe walking through the main public areas during daylight hours.

Christiania is also home to Green George, one of artist Thomas Dambo’s enormous recycled-wood trolls.

Which leads me to…

Find Copenhagen’s Giant Thomas Dambo Trolls

Danish artist Thomas Dambo creates enormous sculptures using recycled wood and hides them in forests and parks around the world.

Looking for his trolls feels like participating in a large-scale treasure hunt.

We visited three during our time in Denmark.

Green George

Green George is inside Christiania and is the easiest Thomas Dambo troll to see while visiting Copenhagen.

Lille Tilde

Lille Tilde is hidden in a forest outside Copenhagen and was one of our stops on the way to Møn.

This troll has birdhouses tucked into her body, and the surrounding forest makes the entire experience feel magical. LOVED this stop.

Kaptajn Nalle

Kaptajn Nalle was the final troll we visited. Technically you could walk/bike/take public transit to get to this troll, but it’s a lot easier with a vehicle.

Free Things to Do in Copenhagen

Copenhagen can be expensive, but a lot of our favourite attractions were free.

Some of the best free things to do in Copenhagen include:

• Walking through Nyhavn
• Exploring the Black Diamond
• Visiting the Royal Library Garden (bonus points if it involves a picnic)
• Walking through Kastellet
• Seeing the Little Mermaid
• Visiting the Gefion Fountain
• Visiting the Church of Our Lady
• Walking along Strøget
• Exploring Freetown Christiania
• Finding Green George

What to Eat in Copenhagen

Since we were staying with family, our experience with food is a bit different from a typical vacation. My brother is an excellent home cook, so most meals were enjoyed at their home (or we prepped picnics for on-the-go lunches).

Koldskål

Koldskål was my favourite Danish food discovery.

It’s a cold, lightly flavoured buttermilk-esque dessert usually topped with small biscuits called kammerjunkere. We also added fresh fruit.

It’s refreshing, slightly tangy, and perfect during warm weather. So good!!!

Smørrebrød

Smørrebrød are traditional Danish open-faced sandwiches.

The base is usually dense rye bread and then it’s topped with meat, seafood, cheese, vegetables, eggs… basically whatever suits your fancy.

We tried smørrebrød at Tivoli Food Hall. There are endless variations, and it’s an easy way to sample traditional Danish flavours without committing to a large restaurant meal.

Danish Bakeries

It should come as no surprise that Denmark has excellent baked goods.

Stopping at a bakery for pastries or bread is generally less expensive than sitting down for a full restaurant breakfast—and considerably more delicious than whatever emergency snack is crushed at the bottom of your backpack.

Practical Tips for Visiting Copenhagen

Use Public Transportation

Copenhagen’s public transportation system includes buses, trains, the metro, and the harbour bus!

We found it easy to navigate and used public transportation regularly.

Check DOT’s current ticket options to see whether individual tickets, a day pass, or another travel product makes the most sense for your itinerary.

Group Nearby Attractions Together

A lot of Copenhagen attractions are close enough to combine.

One possible route includes:

• Kastellet
• The Little Mermaid
• Gefion Fountain
• Amalienborg Palace
• King’s Garden
• Rosenborg Castle

Another convenient grouping includes:

• The Black Diamond
• Royal Library Garden
• Christiansborg Palace
• Circle Bridge
• Christiania
• Church of Our Saviour

Nyhavn, Strøget, the Church of Our Lady, and Tivoli are all relatively central.

Watch for Bicycles!!!

Copenhagen has extensive cycling infrastructure, and bicycles move quickly.

Look carefully before crossing a bike lane… and then look again!

Pedestrians who wander absent-mindedly into bike traffic are unlikely to win that particular confrontation.

Book Certain Attractions in Advance

I would recommend booking the following ahead of time:

• Church of Our Saviour tower tickets
• GoBoat rentals
• Tivoli tickets

Prepare for Changing Weather

Copenhagen weather can change quickly.

Bring layers and an umbrella or waterproof jacket. Wind is also an important factor—particularly when climbing an exposed church tower (ask us how we know!) or travelling on the water.

Do You Need To Rent a Car?

A car would be more of a hindrance than a help while exploring central Copenhagen.

Parking is expensive, traffic can be complicated, and public transportation is excellent.

A rental car becomes much more useful for visiting Møn or searching for Thomas Dambo trolls outside the city.

Best Day Trips From Copenhagen

Roskilde

Roskilde is one of the easiest day trips from Copenhagen.

It is less than an hour away by train and is home to two major attractions: the Viking Ship Museum and Roskilde Cathedral.

Viking Ship Museum

The Viking Ship Museum was built around five original Viking ships that were recovered from Roskilde Fjord.

You get to see the preserved ships, learn about Viking shipbuilding, and watch craftspeople construct full-scale ship replicas using traditional methods.

During certain seasons, the museum also offers sailing experiences.

Our son loved the model boat-building area, and we spent about three hours at the museum.

It was educational without feeling overly academic, which is a delicate balance when travelling with kiddos in tow.

Roskilde Cathedral

Roskilde Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the burial place of generations of Danish monarchs (almost 40 Danish kings/queens are buried here).

The cathedral is constructed primarily from brick (surprisingly majestic and gorgeous) and contains a lot of royal chapels and tombs.

The architecture and interiors were very different from many of the cathedrals we had visited elsewhere in Europe.

You can read our complete itinerary in A Day Trip From Copenhagen: Roskilde Viking Ship Museum + Cathedral.

The Island of Møn

Møn is home to dramatic chalk cliffs, historic churches, burial mounds, beaches, forests, and tiny villages.

While it can certainly be a day trip from Copenhagen, we stayed overnight and had the better part of two days to spend exploring the island.

Møns Klint

Møns Klint has stunning, tall white chalk cliffs overlooking turquoise water.

The cliffs stretch for several kilometres and are now part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Getting to the beach requires going down a very long, very steep staircase—which means climbing all those stairs again when you leave. So keep that in mind if you’re travelling with small children or anyone with mobility or other health concerns.

The scenery was spectacular.

Check current trail and stair conditions before visiting because erosion and weather can cause closures! (When my sister visited a year previous, they walked all the way down the stairs, but were prevented from actually getting onto the beach because the bottom stairs had washed away.)

Historic Churches

Three different churches on Møn contain medieval frescoes attributed to the Elmelunde Master. The paintings are colourful, intricate, and remarkably well-preserved. This was a sleeper hit for me, and I’m really glad we ended up visiting all three locations.

Burial Mounds

We got to see a variety of burial mounds that PREDATE the Egyptian pyramids.

Lille Tilde

Lille Tilde (see above) is located in a forest along the route from Copenhagen to Møn.

Seeing this troll was one of my highlights on the trip to Møn.

For more details, these posts have the play-by-play:

• Our First Day on the Island of Møn
• Visiting Møns Klint

Popular Copenhagen Attractions We Didn’t Visit

Even after spending a week in Copenhagen, we didn’t have time to see everything.

Some popular attractions we skipped (or perhaps it’s better to say we’re saving them for another visit?) include

• The interior of Rosenborg Castle and the crown jewels
• The interior of The Church of Our Saviour; by the time we got down from the tower, it was closed for the day and we never made it back over
• Christiansborg Palace
• The Rxound Tower (we went inside before and it’s SO cool; you get to the top via a twisting ramp, but it was shut down when we were visiting because of renovations to the observatory)
• Any of the great art museums; we went to most of them on a previous visit and enjoyed them immensely, but the kids had absorbed a lot of art by this point, so we skipped it this time around.
• Designmuseum Danmark
• Copenhagen Zoo (I’ve heard they have pandas!)
• The National Gallery of Denmark

One of the lessons we learned while travelling around Europe for 110 days is that it’s impossible to see everything (at least if you want to maintain family harmony and get an adequate amount of sleep)

Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Copenhagen

Is Copenhagen Good for Families?

Yes!

Copenhagen has excellent public transportation, oodles of parks and playgrounds, family-friendly museums, and plenty of activities that appeal to both children and adults.

Our kids particularly enjoyed the GoBoat, Tivoli, Thomas Dambo trolls, and the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde.

Is Copenhagen Expensive?

Also yes!

Accommodations, restaurant meals, and paid attractions can add up quickly.

We reduced expenses by staying with family, using public transportation, packing picnic lunches, and prioritizing free attractions.

Copenhagen isn’t a budget destination, but you can still fill several days without paying admission everywhere you go.

Can You Visit Copenhagen Without a Car?

Absolutely.

You do not need a car to explore Copenhagen, and I would actively avoid renting one for exploring the city itself.

Public transportation is excellent, and many attractions are walkable.

Roskilde is also easy to reach by train.

A car is helpful/necessary for visiting Møn and reaching some of the Thomas Dambo trolls outside Copenhagen.

What Is the Best Day Trip From Copenhagen?

Roskilde is the easiest day trip from Copenhagen, particularly if you’re travelling without a car.

Møn offers the most dramatic scenery but requires more travel time and a car rental or some sort of tour service (there are no public transit options).

What Was Our Favourite Thing to Do in Copenhagen?

It is hard to choose one thing.

The Church of Our Saviour provided the best views. A GoBoat rental was our favourite family activity.

More Copenhagen and Denmark Travel Posts

For all the details, and day-by-day itineraries:

• Getting to Denmark + Our First Two Days in Copenhagen
• Copenhagen Day #3: Kastellet, Gefion Fountain + GoBoat
• A Day Trip to Roskilde
• Our First Day on the Island of Møn
• Visiting Møns Klint
• Denmark Catchall: Tivoli, Church of Our Lady + Kaptajn Nalle

Your turn:

• Have you visited Copenhagen (or Denmark more generally)?
• What would you add to this list?