Copenhagen in winter: why is it a magical destination?

Copenhagen in winter is like stepping into a Nordic fairytale. The city is decked out in lights and decorations, transforming every street into an enchanting landscape.

Even with the cold, the atmosphere is warm, thanks to the famous hygge, the Danish art of creating a cosy atmosphere.

Between the colorful houses of the Nyhavn district and themany Christmas markets, winter is the perfect season to discover the Danish capital in a new light.

Why visit Copenhagen in winter?

• ✈️ Affordable airfares: One of the great advantages of visiting Copenhagen in winter is the price of tickets. Outside the tourist season, flights, especially with low-cost airlines, are often very affordable.

• ❄️ A breathtaking winter atmosphere: Whether it’s under the snow or simply in the freezing air, the atmosphere of the city in winter is incomparable. Landscapes and gardens are transformed by the splendid Christmas lights, and winter activities such as a boat cruise in Copenhagen plunge you into a unique Nordic atmosphere.

• 🍵 Enjoy the hygge atmosphere: this Danish art of creating a cosy ambience is present in the city’s many cafés and restaurants.

• 👀 Cultural options indoors: Copenhagen is packed with museums to keep you warm and culturally enriched. From Amalienborg Palace and Christianborg Castle to the National Museum of Denmark, there’s no shortage of options for spending time indoors while discovering Denmark’s rich history and culture.

What to see and do in Copenhagen in winter?

See our selection of things to do and see in Copenhagen all year round.

Christmas at Tivoli: a holiday must-see

Tivoli amusement park is transformed into a veritable Christmas village at this time of year. The aisles are illuminated by thousands of lights, giant fir trees take their place and the decorations are worthy of the most beautiful postcards, sparkling everywhere!

Attractions operate even in winter, and there are plenty of stalls selling local specialities where you can enjoy a gløgg, a hot drink made from spiced wine. Tivoli becomes a veritable winter wonderland; allow around 3 hours to explore the garden illuminations.

🎄To visit Tivoli Gardens, three types of pass are available. If you have the Copenhagen Card, entry to the gardens is included, so you can enjoy the park at no extra cost. This is an excellent option for discovering Tivoli while gaining access to the city’s other attractions.

More information on Tivoli Gardens

Christmasmarket in Copenhagen

For Christmas markets, which run from late November to mid-December, are magical and the wooden huts are generously decorated with snow (if you’re lucky) the atmosphere is incredible. There are several in the city:

• Thorvaldsens Plads Christmas Market, between Christiansborg Castle and Strøget, where theatmosphere is magical. Exhibitors offer wooden objects, sweets, ceramics, jewelry and food stalls.
  
• Nyhavn is also a must-see, with its small canal-side cottages and magical illuminations (our favorite).
  
• For a more alternative and local feel, the Christiania district offers a unique market with more authentic artisanal products.

Museums to escape the cold

Copenhagen is packed with interactive museums for young and old, perfect for warming up.

• 🎨 Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, a museum that blends ancient and modern art in a sumptuous setting.
• 🪑 Design Museum, a must for learning more about Danish design.
• 🍻 Home of Carlsberg: interactive tour of the famous Danish beer brand.
• 👑 Lovers of royal history will appreciate a visit to Amalienborg Palace, where they can explore the royal apartments and watch the changing of the guard, while Rosenborg Castle, in the heart of the capital, is home to Denmark’s royal treasures.

🌟 Good deal in Copenhagen: With the Copenhagen Card, entry to most museums is included, so you can enjoy the museums at no extra cost.

More information on the Copenhagen city pass to save money

If you’re staying 4 or 5 days in Copenhagen , here are some winter activities to do in the surrounding area:

• 🌿 Louisiana Museum is renowned for its exhibitions ofmodern and contemporary art. The waterside setting and sculpture gardens add an original touch.
• 🏰 Frederiksborg Castle, located in Hillerød near Copenhagen, is an imposing Renaissance palace surrounded by magnificent gardens and home to the National Museum of Danish History.

⛸️ Ice skating

• Kongens Nytorv’siconic circular ice rink returns for a new season, offering an incredible experience right in the heart of the city.

👉 Prices and opening times: DKK 60 (approx. €8), including skate hire and access to the track. Open daily from 10am to 6pm, mid-November to late December.

• Skojtebane Frederiksberg Runddel has become one of Copenhagen’s must-see attractions, offering a great outdoor experience in the heart of Frederiksberg Park.

Whether you have your own skates (free access) or would like to rent some on site, this is the ideal place to spend a pleasant moment with family or friends in the bracing cold of the Danish winter.

Saint Lucia Festival and Kayak Parade

On December 13, Copenhagen lights up with the annual St. Lucia Kayak Parade, a tradition in which hundreds of kayaks decorated with lights and festive decorations sail through the city’s canals.

Organized by Kayak Republic, the event starts at 5pm from Kayak Bar, with musical stops at Nyhavn, Christianshavn, BLOX, Højbro Plads, before returning to the starting point.

You can enjoy Christmas carols sung by a large choir from a boat, while hot drinks and Danish specialties are available to warm up.

Sauna in Copenhagen

Copenhagen offers a true Nordic experience with saunas right in the heart of the city. Saunas are a year-round activity in Denmark. A small room (often a wooden hut) is heated to between 70 and 100 degrees, with very low humidity (around 20%).

One of the best ways to warm up after a cold day is to take advantage of the many urban saunas, often located near the water to combine sauna and Nordic bath.

Here are two addresses offering super saunas:

• AIRE Ancient Baths Copenhagen is a luxurious spa inspired by ancient baths, located in the heart of the city. It offers a unique relaxation experience with thermal baths at different temperatures, massages and wellness rituals in a soothing, historic setting. You can go there with your eyes closed, as we have since also tested the Barcelona address in Spain.
  
• The CopenHot offers a unique experience with floating saunas and jacuzzis on the Copenhagen harbour, a spa and a canal cruise!

Hop-on hop-off buses to keep you warm

Exploring Copenhagen in winter while staying warm is possible thanks to hop-on hop-off buses. These tourist buses allow you to discover the city’s main attractions without having to face the cold.

You can visit iconic sites such as the Little Mermaid, the Nyhavn district and Amalienborg Palace, all in the comfort of a heated vehicle. Ideal for stopping off at points of interest at your own pace and setting off again once you’ve warmed up.

New Year’s Eve in Copenhagen

🎆 At midnight, the Danes celebrate the New Year by shooting off fireworks from their homes, transforming the sky into a veritable festival of lights! It’s an incredible experience.

To take full advantage of this festive atmosphere, we recommend that you get to City Hall Square before midnight. This is where Copenhageners traditionally gather to celebrate the arrival of the New Year.

📌 On December 31, most attractions and museums will close their doors early, around 3pm. What’s more, most of them will remain closed on January 1. For New Year’s Eve dinner, remember to book your restaurant in advance. Special menus for this festive evening are often more expensive! Don’t forget the restaurants in Copenhagen’s major hotels.

The “hygge” atmosphere: Where to warm up in Copenhagen?

The concept of hygge comes into its own in winter. Make yourself comfortable in one of the many cosy cafés in the Indre By district, where you can enjoy a hot chocolate or coffee while enjoying the gentle warmth of candlelight. For an even more immersive experience, try one of the many Scandinavian saunas or Nordic baths located around town, an excellent way to unwind after a day spent exploring the snow-covered streets.

Here are three hygge cafés in Copenhagen, perfect for warming up and enjoying the cosy atmosphere:

• The Living Room (Larsbjørnsstræde 17): A cozy café with comfortable armchairs, a hushed atmosphere and candles, ideal for a relaxing break.

• Paludan Bog & Café (Fiolstræde 10-12): Located in a bookshop, this café is perfect for soaking up the hygge spirit while enjoying a good hot chocolate.

• Kaffesalonen (Peblinge Dossering 4): Situated on the edge of a lake, this café offers a magnificent view, especially in winter, with a cosy atmosphere inside.

Discover Copenhagen in the snow

When snow covers Copenhagen’s neighborhoods, the streets are transformed into a fairytale setting.

🎨 The Nyhavn district, with its colorful houses reflected on the frozen water, is particularly charming under the snow, the colors contrasting well with the white of the snow.

✨ To prolong the magic, a stroll through the Indre By district is ideal, where the Christmas illuminations and glittering shop windows of the famous Strøget shopping street add a festive touch. Last but not least, a visit to the Copenhagen Botanical Gardens will give you a warm break in its tropical greenhouses.

Where to sleep in Copenhagen?

It’s one of the most expensive cities in Europe. Book your accommodation as early as possible to take advantage of the best prices. Here are two ideas for good-value accommodation.

Winter temperatures in Copenhagen

Winter in Copenhagen is cold, with average temperatures ranging from -1 to 4°C. The north wind can make it feel even colder, so bring layers of clothing to keep warm.

Nevertheless, Danes are perfectly prepared for these temperatures, and many places, such as cafés and restaurants, offer blankets and heated areas to enjoy the outdoors without suffering from the cold.

• December temperatures in Copenhagen: Temperatures in Copenhagen range from 0°C to 5°C, but can dip slightly below zero, especially on cold, clear nights. This is the beginning of winter, often marked by the magic of Christmas and the first frosts.

• January temperatures in Copenhagen: The coldest month, with average temperatures of -2°C to 3°C. There can be cold spells when the mercury drops to around -6°C, sometimes bringing snow.

• February temperatures in Copenhagen: Winter conditions continue with similar temperatures, from 0°C to 4°C. Although the days are getting slightly longer, the cold persists.

What to wear in winter

To stay comfortable all day long in Copenhagen in winter, it’s essential to dress in layers. The idea is to layer clothes that you can adjust according to changes in temperature and activity, the famous onion technique.

1. Base layer: An under-sweater in merino wool or technical fabric to wick away perspiration and keep you dry.
2. Mid-layer: A wool or fleece sweater to keep out the cold.
3. Outer layer: A windproof and waterproof jacket, ideal for rain or snow.

Add wool tights, warm socks, gloves, a hat, a scarf and waterproof shoes to face the rigors of the Danish winter.

Don’t forget two small essentials for your suitcase: a thermos flask to keep a hot drink close at hand, and a headlamp, as it gets dark quickly. While Copenhagen’s city center is well lit, a headlamp can come in handy when walking outside the city, especially in less frequented areas.

Practical advice

• When it comes to accommodation, opt for a Copenhagen hotel in a central area like Indre By, so you can easily take advantage of all the attractions and limit your travel time. It’s also a good idea to opt for accommodation with a kitchen, so you can make the most of it in the evenings.
• Plan your days: In winter, with the short days and scarce light, it’s essential to organize your schedule. Take advantage of the brightest hours for outdoor activities, such as strolls in the Nyhavn district or visits to the parks.
• Book your museum admission tickets at the best price: we suggest the Get Your Guide platform, an official reseller, which offers tickets at the same rates while offering flexible cancellation conditions, with refunds possible up to 24 hours before the activity.
• Please note that most shops and attractions close early, so it’s important to check times in advance.
• To get around Copenhagen in winter, public transport is well organized and you’ll have no trouble getting around by metro, bus or boat.

Map of things to do in Copenhagen

💡 To help you find your way around, take a look at our summary map of must-sees in Copenhagen, which you can save to your favorites or download for offline use.

🗺️ How to proceed?

1. Select the “Add to my saved places” or “Save map” option, depending on the version of your application.
2. Open the map on Google Maps
3. Click on the three vertical dots at top left or on the map description.

We hope you enjoy your trip to Copenhagen in winter!