Solo Trip to Copenhagen: 14 Things To Do in Copenhagen Alone

Planning a solo trip to Copenhagen? This guide is packed with the best things to do, see, and eat. 

Colorful buildings along a canal, historic places and castles, a flower-filled amusement park from the 1800s – Copenhagen is full of picture-perfect scenes. It also happens to be ideal for a solo trip to Denmark, with walkable streets, a reputation for safety, and lots of activities to do alone. 

Copenhagen has been on my travel bucket list for awhile, but I always imagined going over the holidays to see Tivoli Gardens full of seasonal displays. After years of not taking a December trip, though, I decided to jump on it when I saw a last-minute flight deal toward the end of summer. Even though the city is known to be expensive, I was able to find a decent deal on accommodations by staying at two different hotels, and there were still hostels available as well (I booked my stay about two days in advance).

I explored Copenhagen solo for nearly a week, visiting palaces, castles, museums, and parks, and going on a couple of day trips, including one to a whole different country! And now, I’ve put together this guide full of what to see and do to help you plan a solo trip to Copenhagen.

My hotel recommendations are below, followed by a list of everything I did solo in Copenhagen, and ending with tips to make your trip run smoothly. I’ve also included a couple of day trip ideas perfect for a longer stay in Copenhagen (I really loved the castle one).

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Where to Stay in Copenhagen

After spending a week here, I’d recommend on your first visit that you stay either in the central city (Indre By) close to Nyhavn for the best walkability to many of the palaces and museums, or, stay in Vesterbro as close to the Central Station as possible, which is close to Tivoli Gardens and makes airport transit and day trips super easy.

I chose to stay near the Central Station because there were TONS of hotels in this area. I tried out both a four-star and two-star hotel during my time in Copenhagen so that I could compare. They actually ended up being right across the street from each other, about a block from the train station. 

Hygge Stay at Axel Guldsmeden Hotels

I started my trip at Axel Guldsmeden Hotels, which is a small chain with other locations in Oslo and Berlin. This place was so cozy and had all the hygge vibes. There’s a spa and restaurant/bar onsite and the rooms have wood details, kettles, and eco-friendly amenities. I absolutely loved it and would stay here again in a heartbeat! 

Absalon Hotel and Andersen Hotel were two other four-star hotels I considered in this area that looked pretty luxurious but cost more when I was price shopping.

Budget Stay at MEININGER Hotel Copenhagen

MEININGER Hotel Copenhagen was the next place I stayed. It has both dorm and private room options and is quite large, with a shared kitchen, laundry room, and a restaurant on-site. It was basic but had everything I needed. 

I also considered Annex Copenhagen, another two-star in the same price range. Ultimately the first one just had a better room available for the price during my stay. Annex has rooms with both shared and private bathroom options, so you can pick what fits your budget and needs. 

Things To Do in Copenhagen Solo

Stroll the Canals at Nyhavn

Nyhavn is that beautiful zone of colorful houses along a canal that you’ve probably seen in pictures of Copenhagen. It’s stunning, it’s classic, it’s touristy and busy. You definitely must go here at some point, and I recommend the morning before it gets overrun with tourists snapping selfies.

I strolled along here around 9 am one morning when it was drizzling, so it wasn’t terribly crowded and I was able to take a few photos. I followed that up with brunch at a cute little spot with covered, outdoor seating called Hyttefadet. It was surprisingly good and well-reviewed for being in a tourist zone and I got to enjoy the views while I sipped my cappuccino. 

Take a Boat Tour

I didn’t go on a boat tour until the second to last day of my trip, and my first thought was – I should have done this on day one! A guided canal tour is the perfect introduction to the city. You get to sightsee in different neighborhoods from the water, learn some history, and discover things to do around the city.

The one that I did was called “Canal Tours Copenhagen, Stromma” on the Copenhagen Card, and the ticket window is at Ved Stranden 26, right across from the Christiansborg Palace. You just take your pass up to the window and exchange it for a paper ticket (either on the next available boat or you can reserve a future time).

There was a second boat tour option on the pass called GoBoat Harbor Tours. It’s on smaller boats and I think I would have enjoyed that one, but it was in a different area and there was less availability.

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Visit Tivoli Gardens

Tivoli Gardens is a Copenhagen must-do. The classic amusement park opened in 1843 and today you’ll find vintage rides and games, flower and light displays, tons of eateries, and a modern, Japanese-inspired zone. 

I will admit, I think this solo Copenhagen activity would have been more fun with friends, but I still enjoyed walking around admiring the gardens, watching a live show, and eating from the food hall. At Christmas time, it transforms into a winter wonderland, which I can’t wait to come back and see sometime. 

If you hop on the rides, you could easily spend half a day or more here, but I stayed for about 2 hours and then came back around sunset to see the lights after dark. The entry ticket for Tivoli is included on the Copenhagen Card, but you do have to pay extra for ride tickets.

Explore the Palaces

Copenhagen has three different palaces all within the central zone, so if you’re into all things royal and grand, this is the city for you. 

All three of the major palaces have interior tours available and are on the Copenhagen Card.

There’s also a totally unrelated Royal Palace Pass that lets you visit all three palaces over a 72-hour period. This is a better deal than individual tickets, but it can be an even better deal to add another day onto your Copenhagen Card, instead. To save the most money, you really need to plan out your days in advance to optimize your time and the pass.

I bought the Royal Palace Pass, but in retrospect, it would have been cheaper to add a day onto my Copenhagen Card and just rearrange my itinerary a little bit.

Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg Castle is a Renaissance palace that is home to the crown jewels. It’s beautiful, but I would definitely recommend getting an audio guide to make the most of your visit. I skipped it and the English brochures were also out, so without good signage I didn’t really learn much about the spaces. 

You need a timed reservation for this tour, and the crown jewels are in a different section than the rest of the tour, so don’t accidentally miss those! I also really enjoyed the garden outside. I would recommend visiting this one either at the very beginning or end of the day so that you can slow down and go for a stroll without wasting open hours (almost all attractions in Copenhagen are on a 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule). 

Christiansborg Palace & Tower

Christiansborg Palace definitely has the most to see out of the three palaces, so I would probably pick this one if you’re short on time. The Royal Reception Rooms and tapestries were my favorite, followed by the Ruins Under Christiansborg Palace. 

The other spaces you can see are the Royal Stables and horses and the Royal Kitchen (this one is skippable but doesn’t take long to see). On the grounds, there’s also the The Theatre Museum at The Court Theatre, which is confusingly not included on the Royal Palace Pass but IS on the Copenhagen Card. I actually really enjoyed seeing the historic theater!

You’ll also want to go up The Christiansborg's Tower here for the view, but this is both free and open much later than the museums, so I would either do it around sunset or immediately when it opens at 11 a.m. if there’s no line (the line can get very long). 

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Amalienborg Palace 

I never made it to the interior tour of Amalienborg Palace, but I did watch the changing of the guard that takes place daily at noon. It’s very well organized with police directing the crowds where to stand and avoid, but I found the ceremony to be a bit underwhelming compared to all the pomp and circumstance of the London version. This also seemed to draw all the bad tourist behavior for some reason, which is annoying.

The palace is actually a whole complex of 18th-century rococo buildings and the winter residence of the Danish royal family. Frederik's Church, about a block away, is a must-see while you’re here. It was built in the 18th century and has a massive dome.

Museum Hop

There are SO MANY museums in Copenhagen. I made it to three of them and felt like I barely scratched the surface.

It would be hard for me to rank these, but the ones I visited were:

• The National Museum of Denmark, which was great for a Denmark history and culture overview.

• The Statens Museum for Kunst (SMK), the national gallery of Denmark.

• Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, a cool art museum full of so many sculptures!

All of these museums are on the Copenhagen Card, so I didn’t feel guilty popping in for just a couple of hours, even though you could easily spend three or four hours at all of them. The best way to maximize your time is to visit the ones that have late hours in the evening, usually on a Wednesday or Thursday.

A few others on the pass that you may want to consider are the Design Museum Denmark, the Danish Architecture Center, and the Copenhagen Contemporary. Each museum that I researched was in the $20-30 range for entrance, so if you have a two-day or longer Copenhagen Card, it can really pay off here.

Shop Along Storget Street

You’ll probably find yourself strolling along Storget at some point even if you don’t intend to. It’s a major pedestrian street that stretches for nearly a mile between Radhuspladsen (the square at City Hall) and Kongens Nytorv (the King's New Square). 

Along the way are tons of shops, from basic souvenir gift stores to chains like Uniqlo to high-end spots like Louis Vuitton. I didn’t do much shopping here other than randomly popping into the flea market at Helligaandskirken but I later saw a vintage shop called Collectors Cage that I would have loved to check out.

There are plenty of places to eat in this zone, and I tried the stand called, DØP - The Organic Sausage Man, because they had loaded vegetarian hot dogs. 

Sip Coffee at Paludan Bog & Café 

I’m a sucker for a coffee shop bookstore combo, and Paludan Bog & Cafe was a pretty spectacular one! The vibes are immaculate, with vintage books filling walls of shelves behind the cozy little tables where you can dine.

The bookstore part did feel a little more like just a backdrop to a cafe, though you can purchase books here. I had a cappuccino and chocolate croissant when I visited for breakfast, but they also serve a brunch and dinner menu.

Paludan is on a street called Fiolstræde that is full of bookstores and book cafes (basically a dream). The Old University Library is also just across the street.

Admire the Old University Library

This may be one of the prettiest libraries I’ve ever been in! The Old University Library in Copenhagen has a stunning old book hall full where you can wander, take pictures, and check out the changing exhibits. 

You’ll need a ticket or the Copenhagen Card to enter, but it’s totally worth it if you’re a book lover. I just wanted to sit and soak in the scene and smells for hours! It does get a little busy, so for the the most peaceful environment, I recommend going when it first opens.

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Walk the Kastellet Walls

The star-shaped Kastellet is a 17th-century fortress above a moat on the water. It’s a beautiful spot for a walk if you’re looking for free things to do in Copenhagen. There’s a trail all around the upper castle, where you’ll also find a picturesque windmill. 

Below on the moat level, walking paths connect a few different monuments and the Museum of Danish Resistance, as well as the stunning St. Alban's Church with a showpiece fountain next to it. The famous Little Mermaid Statue is also in this area.

See the Little Mermaid Statue

The iconic Den Lille Havfrue, better known as the Little Mermaid Statue, sits on a rock in the water in the shadow of the Kastellet. Apparently she’s seen some things over the years and been vandalized on more than one occasion, but the 1913 bronze statue of the famous Hans Christian Andersen tale is an important nod to the country’s literary heritage.  

This is a huge tourist draw, so if you go in the middle of the day, be prepared to elbow your way into a spot for a clear picture. Just don’t cut off her head, or arm, or throw paint on her, or blow her up, please (yes, these things have all happened to the historic statue).

Visit the Royal Library

In a building aptly called the “Black Diamond” for its modern and sleek design, Det Kgl. Bibliotek, or the Royal Library, is a must-see for book lovers. It’s an actual massive library, with multiple reading rooms and an incredible view over the water.

You can explore the public spaces for free, eat in the cafe, and browse a gift shop, but guided tours are also available for a fee. The library has an old reading room from 1906, but visitors can only access it with a ticket on Sundays. 

Take a Day Trip

There’s enough to do in Copenhagen to fill several days, but I also recommend at least one day trip if you can squeeze it in! I spent six nights based in Copenhagen, so I did two different days trips (that really could have been three). The list below includes the places I went and another option I researched but ultimately didn’t have time for.

Frederiksborg Castle

Frederiksborg Castle is one of the most popular day trips outside of Copenhagen. The lakeside palace has a Danish history museum inside and stunning gardens outside. I presume I would have loved the gardens on a not-so-rainy day, but my favorite part instead was the absolutely decked-out chapel in the palace.

Palace admission and a boat ferry on the lake are both included on the Copenhagen Card, as well as transit. I took the train here from central station, about a 45-minute ride, and had lunch and coffee at a cozy spot called Slottes Kaffebar. The goat cheese panini with olive tapenade and honey was so delicious and they also make a tasty cardamom bun.

Kronborg Castle and the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art

Kronborg Castle and the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art make a perfect combo day trip, since they’re close to each other and the museum is open late. I actually got super ambitious and combined Frederiksborg Castle and Kronborg Castle into a single day trip, and unfortunately ended up too tired to stop by Louisiana.

The 16th century Kronborg Castle is well known as the inspiration for Elsinore, the setting of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” It’s even sometimes referred to as Elsinore, which can be confusing. On a visit, you can see several different sections of the castle, including banquet halls and royal chambers. There’s a lot less glitz and glamour here than in the more modern palaces I went to in Copenhagen, but the castle puts on fun Hamlet-themed performances.

My favorite part was the view from the tower and from the walls outside, since the castle is right on the water. The historic town of Helsingor just outside the castle is also fun to explore. I had some really good pizza for dinner at a spot here called Martinellis.

The Helsingor station is about an hour train ride from Copenhagen, 30 minutes from Hillerod for Frederiksborg Castle, and less than 15 minutes from the Humlebæk St. station near the Louisiana Museum. 

The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art is a well-loved spot on the water with a cool sculpture park outside. It’s open until 10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, so it’s perfect for a visit after the castle on summer nights.

Both Kronborg and the museum are on the Copenhagen Card and your train travel to this zone is included as well!

Malmo

If you love the idea of a country-hopping day trip, Malmo, Sweden is just a 35-minute train ride across a bridge from Copenhagen. I especially wanted to do this since I hadn’t been to Sweden yet, but Malmo actually turned out to be more fun than I anticipated.

I spent a long half-day there and saw the Malmo Old Light House, ate delicious creamy meatballs at Spoonery, saw the Malmo Castle and walked the neighboring park, popped into a couple of second-hand stores, found the not very pretty Town Square and the much prettier Lilla Torg Square, got coffee at Lilla Kafferosteriet, and did some browsing along the shop-filled Sodra Forstadsgatan heading toward the Triangeln train station.

Møns Klint

I was really hoping to go on a day trip to Mons Klint, but I ultimately ran out of time. The attraction is these white chalk cliffs on a beach a couple of hours from Copenhagen. Since it’s pretty far and not easily accessible by public transit, I was planning to book a guided tour that also goes to Forest Tower, this crazy looking spiral lookout tower that rises above the tree line at an outdoor climbing park.

It’s definitely still on my radar for a future trip, but with the rainy weather I experienced, I decided to prioritize indoor activities.

Eat at a Food Hall

As a solo traveler, I love eating in a food hall. It’s casual and fast, and I feel more comfortable than dining alone in a fancy restaurant. It also can be a slightly cheaper way to eat in the expensive city!

I got my first taste of smørrebrød at the TorvehallerneKBH food market, and tried both gyros and tacos at the Tivoli Food Hall. TorvehallerneKBH is a covered market with a blend of food counters and actual produce and meat stalls. The place I ate was called Rørt Torvehallerne and was super good! I would describe the Tivoli Food Hall overall as just OK but pretty convenient, since it’s right by the central train station and the amusement park.

Join a CopenPay Activity

I stumbled upon the CopenPay program while I was planning my trip to Copenhagen. The concept is simple – do good actions as a tourist, and get rewarded. The idea is to lower the negative impact of tourism on the environment by encouraging actions like collecting trash, using bikes and public transit, eating vegetarian, and staying in the city for four days or longer. 

The program also highlights initiatives like urban farming. For solo travelers who want to meet locals and other vacationers, you can join group activities like a park trash pick-up or architecture tour followed by a meal. Or, you can do things on your own, like get a free kayak rental or boat tour if you collect waste along the way. 

I was hoping to try out a couple of different things on the list, but the rainy weather hindered my plans. I did one activity where I earned a free audio tour for riding public transportation.

Tips for Visiting Copenhagen Solo

How to get to Copenhagen

I flew into Copenhagen Airport (CPH) from New York (JFK), but there are also nonstop routes from hubs like Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington D.C. in the U.S.

From the airport, I took a train to Copenhagen Central Station, which was very easy to find and book. If you get the Copenhagen Card, the train from the airport is included and you don’t have to do anything other than show your pass if a conductor checks. You can also buy a ticket from a kiosk at the airport or on the Rejsebillet app.

How to get around Copenhagen

I mostly walked around Copenhagen, but the Copenhagen card does include metro and bus rides around the city. You can also buy a version with a hop-on, hop-off bus, but I don’t find that to be super convenient in most cases. I did use the hop-on bus on my first day just to take a general tour of the city, but it’s definitely not a fast way to get around. 

Tap to pay with your credit card is not an option for the metro in Copenhagen, but you can buy tickets on the Rejsebillet app if you don’t have the Copenhagen Card.

Is Copenhagen safe for female solo travelers?

Copenhagen is consistently noted as one of the safest cities in Europe, and Scandinavia is generally known for being a low crime zone. Copenhagen has also been rated the happiest city on this index, which measures things like governance, quality of life, and sustainability.

My hotel was near the main train station, which in some cities can be a hub for crime, and I never saw anything unsavory or felt uncomfortable. I never walked around in the middle of night, but I was out after dark on a few occasions and felt safe. It’s also wise to stay alert, especially as a woman, and keep a handle on important things like your phone and wallet.

My personal lens and experience is as a white, cis, straight, English-speaking, U.S. citizen.

How long should you spend in Copenhagen?

I spent six days in Copenhagen – four around the city and two on day trips. Despite visiting several palaces and museums and sightseeing on foot, I still felt like I had so much more to see, including neighborhoods outside the central zone that I totally missed.

All that to say, you could easily spend a week here, and I’d recommend at least three days minimum. With a long weekend, you could visit at least a handful of attractions around the city, with four days I’d add in a day trip to a castle or Malmo, and with five or six days, you can do most if not all of the things I listed above. 

Even having done a lot on this trip, I would book at least three or four days on my next visit!

What’s the best season to visit Copenhagen?

There are pros and cons to all of the seasons in Copenhagen. I visited in late summer and loved it for the longer days, but happened to get a really rainy week (the weather was all over the place, really). Even if it is rainy, there are several indoor attractions, including tons of museums and palace tours. 

I’m hoping to come back during the Christmas season for my next trip, when Tivoli Gardens transforms into a holiday wonderland!