Copenhagen Zealand
3
Day Itinerary •
Denmark
Three days in Copenhagen and Zealand covers the essential highlights of one of Europe's finest capital cities. The extraordinary Nyhavn canal with its coloured merchant houses, the remarkable Rosenborg Castle and Crown Jewels, Tivoli Gardens and the world-class Louisiana Museum of Modern Art with Kronborg Castle are all achievable in three extraordinary days of cycling, eating and exploring. This route gives two full days in Copenhagen exploring the old city and the remarkable museum quarter, followed by a day in north Zealand combining the extraordinary Louisiana museum with the remarkable UNESCO Kronborg Castle at Helsingor.
Best Time To Visit
May to September
Getting There
Copenhagen Airport (CPH), direct from most European cities
Getting Around
Metro, cycling and train for day trips
Budget Per Day
Approx 1,200 to 2,000 DKK per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, cycling and walking
DAY 1
COPENHAGEN OLD CITY
MORNING
NYHAVN AND THE HARBOUR FRONT
Nyhavn, the extraordinary 17th-century canal district of brightly coloured merchant houses, is the most photographed scene in Denmark. The remarkable old wooden ships moored along the canal, the extraordinary outdoor cafe terraces and the fine coloured facades make it the finest introduction to Copenhagen. Hans Christian Andersen lived at number 20 for years. Walk north along the harbour to the extraordinary Opera House for the finest view of the city skyline. Free. Travel: 15 min walk
MIDDAY
AMALIENBORG PALACE AND THE MARBLE CHURCH
The four identical Amalienborg rococo mansions around an extraordinary octagonal courtyard are the residence of the Danish Royal Family. The changing of the guard at noon is a remarkable daily spectacle. The extraordinary Marble Church, its dome the largest in Scandinavia at 31 metres in diameter, is visible from the palace square and its remarkable interior is outstanding. The Frederik's Church is the finest baroque interior in Denmark. Entry museum approx 110 DKK. Travel: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
TIVOLI GARDENS AND THE EVENING
Tivoli Gardens, the extraordinary 19th-century pleasure garden in the heart of Copenhagen, is the finest amusement park in Europe and the inspiration for Disneyland. The remarkable rides, the extraordinary open-air concerts, the remarkable pantomime theatre and the outstanding illuminations at night create an atmosphere entirely unique in the world. Walk the Stroget pedestrian street before entering Tivoli for the finest Copenhagen shopping street experience. Entry approx 120 DKK.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Christiania free-town commune in Christianshavn, established in 1971 in a former military barracks, is the most extraordinary urban social experiment in Denmark. The remarkable Pusher Street and the alternative architecture are outstanding. Free to walk.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hart Bageri, Gammel Kongevej The finest bakery in Copenhagen. Extraordinary sourdough and pastries. | Lunch: Torvehallerne food market, Norreport The finest food market in Denmark. Outstanding smørrebrød. | Dinner: Nyhavn canal restaurant Classic Danish dinner on the most photographed canal in Denmark.
DAY 2
COPENHAGEN CULTURE AND CYCLING
MORNING
ROSENBORG CASTLE AND THE CROWN JEWELS
Rosenborg Castle, built by Christian IV between 1606 and 1633, is the finest Renaissance castle in Denmark. The extraordinary treasury contains the Danish Crown Jewels including the remarkable Crown of Christian IV and the outstanding Oldenburg Horn. The extraordinary state rooms with their remarkable collection of 400 years of Danish royal history are outstanding. The castle sits in the King's Garden, the oldest royal garden in Denmark. Entry approx 150 DKK. Travel: 20 min walk
MIDDAY
THE NATIONAL MUSEUM AND NY CARLSBERG GLYPTOTEK
The National Museum is the finest museum in Scandinavia with an extraordinary collection from the prehistoric Sun Chariot and the remarkable Grauballe Man to Viking treasures. The Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek next to Tivoli has the most extraordinary collection of ancient Mediterranean and French Impressionist art in Scandinavia, its remarkable Winter Garden the finest indoor space in Copenhagen. National Museum free. Glyptotek approx 125 DKK. Travel: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
CYCLING VESTERBRO AND NORREBRO
Hire a bike and cycle through the remarkable Vesterbro Meatpacking District with its extraordinary converted slaughterhouse buildings and outstanding restaurants, then north to Norrebro's extraordinary multicultural neighbourhood with the finest independent shops, the remarkable Assistens Cemetery and the outstanding street food market at Norrebro Runddel. Copenhagen by bike is the finest way to experience the city. Bike hire approx 100 DKK per day.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Assistens Cemetery in Norrebro where Hans Christian Andersen and Soren Kierkegaard are buried is used daily by locals as a park. The remarkable combination of extraordinary graves and Copenhagen daily life is outstanding. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Juno the Bakery, Norrebro Extraordinary cinnamon rolls and cardamom buns in the finest bakery district. | Lunch: National Museum cafe Good Danish lunch in the extraordinary old mansion. | Dinner: Kul, Vesterbro Meatpacking The finest wood-fired restaurant in the most vibrant Copenhagen neighbourhood.
DAY 3
NORTH ZEALAND: LOUISIANA AND KRONBORG
MORNING
LOUISIANA MUSEUM OF MODERN ART
Louisiana, 45 minutes north of Copenhagen by train, is among the finest modern art museums in the world. The extraordinary building integrates seamlessly with its remarkable sculpture garden above the Oresund strait, with Sweden visible across the water. The collection includes remarkable works by Giacometti, Warhol, Calder and Bourgeois. The outdoor sculpture park with the extraordinary views and the remarkable architecture of the building itself are as outstanding as the art. Entry approx 175 DKK. Travel: Train from Copenhagen
MIDDAY
KRONBORG CASTLE, HAMLET'S ELSINORE
Kronborg Castle in Helsingor, the UNESCO World Heritage castle that Shakespeare used as the setting for Hamlet, is the most extraordinary Renaissance castle in Scandinavia. The remarkable Great Hall, the largest in northern Europe, the extraordinary casemates where the legendary Holger Danske sleeps and the outstanding maritime history of the castle guarding the Oresund narrows are all remarkable. The view from the castle ramparts to Sweden 4km away is extraordinary. Entry approx 140 DKK. Travel: 20 min train
AFTERNOON
HELSINGOR OLD TOWN AND RETURN
Helsingor's extraordinary medieval old town with its remarkable St Olai Cathedral, the outstanding Carmelite monastery and the remarkable coloured harbour buildings is the finest small historic town in north Zealand. The extraordinary Maritime Museum of Denmark built underground next to Kronborg in a dry dock is a remarkable architectural achievement. Return to Copenhagen for a final evening. Entry museum approx 120 DKK.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Fredensborg Palace between Louisiana and Helsingor, the spring and autumn residence of the Danish Royal Family, opens its remarkable palace gardens to the public every July. Free in July.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Copenhagen hotel or cafe Good breakfast before the Louisiana train. | Lunch: Louisiana museum cafe Extraordinary lunch overlooking the Oresund strait with Sweden visible. | Dinner: Final dinner, Copenhagen Madklubben or Amass for a farewell Copenhagen evening.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Copenhagen centre, all 3 nights Indre By or Vesterbro. Approx 900 to 1,800 DKK per night. Copenhagen Card Consider the Copenhagen Card for unlimited transport and museum entry. Booking ahead Copenhagen is expensive and books fast. Reserve at least 4 weeks ahead.
Top Tips
1. Copenhagen is very expensive. Buy supermarket lunch and save restaurant budgets for dinner.
2. Hire a bike for Days 1 and
2. Copenhagen's cycle infrastructure is the finest in the world.
3. The Copenhagen Card covers transport and over 80 museums. Worth it for 3 days.
4. Louisiana Museum is extraordinary. Allow at least 2.5 hours and do not rush the sculpture garden.
5. Book restaurant tables at least 2 weeks ahead. Copenhagen dining is world class and very popular.
6. Torvehallerne food market near Norreport station is the finest lunch option in Copenhagen.
Total Budget
1,350 to 2,500 DKK/day