Copenhagen in 5 days: detailed itinerary

Five days in Copenhagen is the perfect compromise for making the most of this Nordic capital and its surroundings.

For the first three days, you’ll have plenty of time to discover the city’s must-sees: its cultural treasures, vibrant neighborhoods and unique art de vivre. The remaining two days will allow you to explore the wonders just around the corner, from majestic castles to exceptional museums.

It’s not too short to miss the essentials, nor too long to lose the rhythm. Five days offers you the ideal opportunity to savor the Danish way of life, while adding a touch of escape and diversity to your stay.

Days 1, 2 and 3: our must-see downtown and outlying districts

It’s the perfect time to soak up the essence of the city and explore its museums and must-see buildings. Below, we detail our day-by-day schedule.

Outside Copenhagen: days 4 and 5

For the last two days in Copenhagen, we recommend you concentrate your explorations on the surrounding area, which is brimming with treasures.

🚇 Just a 40-minute train ride away, Sweden is within easy reach for a getaway, as are must-see historic sites such as Kronborg Castle and Frederiksborg Palace.

Practical links for a stay in Copenhagen :

🛏️ Hotels: find our selection ofideally located hotels in Copenhagen
🎟️ Visits and activities: Top 25 activities in Copenhagen

Booking tips for Copenhagen

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.

Here are the activities and museums to book in advance of your stay, so you can choose your time slot.

• 🎢 Reservation for Tivoli Gardens
• ⛵ Tickets for a canal cruise
• 🚲 Guided bike tour of Copenhagen’s highlights
• 🇸🇪 Excursion to Malmö in Sweden from Copenhagen
• 🎭 Kronborg + Frederiksborg Castle excursion

Practical information for your 5-day stay in Copenhagen

• The local currency: Danish kroner (DKK). In Copenhagen, you can pay for almost everything by card, even a simple coffee or subway ticket – so there’s no need to run to an ATM. Banks such as Revolut, N26 and Boursorama offer free payments abroad.
  
• The Copenhagen Card (Copenhagen’s city pass), an invaluable ally: This all-in-one card gives free access to over 80 museums, attractions (boat cruises) and sites in the region (Frederiksborg Castle, Kronborg…), as well as covering public transport in and out of Copenhagen, including trains to Helsingør, Kronborg, Hillerød, the Louisisana Museum and Frederiksborg.
  
  👉 It can quicklypay for itself, especially for 5-day stays in Copenhagen, as the price is degressive.

More information on the Copenhagen City Pass to save money.

• Opening hours: Shops and many tourist attractions close early. To make the most of your day, find out in advance and plan your program accordingly.
  
• For shopping in central Copenhagen, you’ll easily find supermarkets like Netto or Rema 1000, convenient and affordable for everyday needs.
  
• For a bite to eat (without breaking the bank), the Torvehallerne and Tivoli food courts, accessible even without entering the park, offer a fine selection of Danish specialties and takeaways. And if you’re looking for a more trendy atmosphere, head for Reffen, the large street food market on the harbour, perfect for sampling a wide range of flavours from around the world.
  
• A budget to think about: this is one of the most expensive cities in Europe. Book your accommodation as early as possible to take advantage of the best prices. See our selection of budget hotels.
  
  After extensive research, we’ve unearthed and tested two little nuggets that offer good value for money.
  

Our best addresses on our map for your 5 days in Copenhagen

💡 To help you find your way around, here’s a summary map of our discoveries in Copenhagen, which you can save to your favorites or download for offline access.

How to proceed?

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

When is the right season to visit Copenhagen?

The best time to visit Copenhagen depends on your preferences:

• 🌳 May to September: Ideal for enjoying long days, pleasant temperatures (18-25°C) and numerous outdoor events such as festivals and markets.
• ❄️ December: copenhagen lights up in winter with its magical Christmas markets and warm atmosphere, perfect for lovers of winter magic.
• 🌷 Spring (March-April) and autumn (October-November): Fewer tourists, more affordable rates and a peaceful atmosphere, although temperatures are cooler.

For a balanced experience of pleasant weather and varied activities, June and September are often the most recommended months.