Copenhagen Must Do Guide for First-Time Visitors
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Wondering what to see in Copenhagen on your first visit and looking for a Copenhagen must do list without scrolling through endless recommendations?
That’s exactly why I put this guide together for first-time visitors.
I already have a separate guide with 50+ things to do in Copenhagen, but this one is different — it’s only the absolute must-dos you really shouldn’t miss, especially if your time in Copenhagen is short or it’s your first visit.
I live in Copenhagen and have spent a lot of time exploring the city, so I know what’s actually worth your time and what can be skipped.
This guide will help you focus on the highlights and the experiences that truly make the first visit to Copenhagen special.
So, let’s get started!
1. Nyhavn
The colourful old houses reflecting on the water of Nyhavn are a dream place for many visiting Copenhagen.
I have been to Nyhavn countless times, and somehow I still stop to admire it whenever I pass by. It never really loses its charm. I even once sat there and sketched the harbour.
Yes, it is touristy and usually busy all year. The restaurants and hotels are also expensive around the harbour. Instead, grab a coffee, sit by the canal, watch the boats go by, and simply enjoy the lively atmosphere, especially in the evening when Nyhavn feels more magical.
Although a famous place, it is a must see for first-time visitors.
2. Guided Bike Tour
I highly recommend starting your trip with a guided bike tour. It’s the best way to get familiar with Copenhagen and helps you decide which places you’d like to explore more later in your trip.
Compared to walking tours, bike tours let you see much more of the city.
Copenhagen is a bike-friendly city, so cycling around feels very natural here. During the tour, you ride through the city with a local expert who explains the history, culture, landmarks, and everyday life in Copenhagen.
They even provide you with restaurant recommendations and other travel tips.
This top-rated guided bike tour lasts around three hours and covers many of Copenhagen’s main attractions and landmarks.
If you want to experience Copenhagen like a local, a guided bike tour is one of the best ways to do it.
3. Copenhagen Canal Tour
I’ve done the canal tour multiple times myself, and honestly, I still enjoy it every single time. It is a Copenhagen must do!
Seeing the city from the water gives you a completely different perspective compared to walking or cycling around.
Most Copenhagen canal tours take about one hour. You’ll cruise past famous attractions like the Little Mermaid, the Opera House, and colourful waterfront areas.
Along the way, the captain shares stories and history about the city.
Personally, I prefer the quieter electric canal boats. If you have the Copenhagen Card, the Stromma canal tours are included.
If you want something more flexible, you can also rent a small boat for one, two, or three hours (no boating license needed) and explore the canals on your own.
4. Tivoli Gardens
Tivoli Gardens is the absolute must see in Copenhagen, and I genuinely think it lives up to the hype.
It is the second-oldest amusement park in the world, and it even inspired Walt Disney while creating Disneyland.
Even after visiting Tivoli many times over the years, I still love going back. I even bought an annual pass last year to experience it in every season, and honestly, each visit feels completely different.
The park transforms beautifully during Halloween, Christmas, Easter, and Summer, with decorations, concerts, and seasonal events. Halloween at Tivoli is my personal favourite.
There are more than 29 rides for both kids and adults, from family rides to roller coasters.
But even if you are not interested in rides, you can simply walk around the gardens, enjoy the atmosphere, watch live performances, play carnival games, or try local food from the many stalls and restaurants inside Tivoli.
5. Danish Pastries
No trip to Copenhagen feels complete without tasting the Danish pastries.
Bakeries are everywhere across the city. Even the small neighbourhood bakeries make incredibly good fresh pastries every day.
I’ve tried pastries from so many places around Copenhagen.
If you are wondering what to try first, I highly recommend the pistachio croissant from BUKA Bakery and the famous cardamom buns from Juno the Bakery. Both are popular for a reason.
My personal favourite, though, is the cream-filled Danish carnival bun called Fastelavnsbolle. These special seasonal pastries are usually available only around February, so definitely try one if you visit Copenhagen during that time.
Grab a warm coffee, pick up a pastry, and slow down in the cafe. That combination in a cozy atmosphere is such a classic hyggelig thing to do in Copenhagen.
6. Changing of the Guard Ceremony
The Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place every day at 12:00 noon in the large square at Amalienborg Palace, the Danish royal family’s winter residence.
The royal life guards begin their march at 11:30 AM from the life guard barracks on Gothersgade near Rosenborg Castle and walk through the city past landmarks like the Round Tower and Kongens Nytorv before reaching Amalienborg Palace.
If the king or members of the royal family are staying at the palace, the royal life guard music band joins the guard’s march.
It’s completely free to watch the event. It attracts a huge crowd during the summer holidays.
I really like how these cultural traditions are still followed today, and it is one of the many reasons I love Denmark.
7. Rosenborg Castle
The city is home to many museums, but if it’s your first trip, start with Rosenborg Castle, a must visit place in Copenhagen. It holds 450 years of Danish history.
The biggest highlight of Rosenborg is the royal treasury in the basement, where you can see the Danish Crown Jewels and royal regalia. I really loved the tapestries and the throne room, too.
Right outside the castle is King’s Garden, a popular park where locals relax and picnic during the summer.
I also highly recommend joining the 60-minute guided tour (June to August). It costs a small extra fee (30 DKK), but definitely worth it and makes the visit more interesting.
If you have the Copenhagen Card, entry is included. Just remember to book a time slot online in advance, especially during the summer, to avoid long waiting times.
7. Round Tower
Round Tower is one of the most famous landmarks in Copenhagen city centre. It was actually one of the first places I visited after moving to Copenhagen.
The Round Tower has a unique 200-metre spiral pathway, with just a few steps near the top.
From the top, you get a beautiful 360° panoramic view over Copenhagen and many of the city’s famous attractions.
The observatory dome and telescope are currently under restoration, but the viewing platform remains open, so you can still enjoy the city views.
If you prefer a free alternative viewpoint in Copenhagen, go to the Christiansborg Palace Tower, where you can take an elevator most of the way up before climbing a few final stairs.
9. Carlsberg Brewery
Visiting the Home of Carlsberg is definitely a must do in Copenhagen.
Located at the original Carlsberg brewery site, the experience takes you through the history of the Carlsberg brand, the Jacobsen family, and the brewing process in a really engaging way.
The tour is self-guided, but everything is designed so well that it naturally keeps you curious as you move through the exhibitions, with a complimentary beer tasting at the end.
You can also visit the Carlsberg horse stables, where draught horses and ponies reside.
I actually visited during Copenhagen Culture Night, where a guide took us through the old 1847 cellars and explained the brewery’s history in detail.
The home of Carlsberg also hosts events and special programs throughout the year, so there’s often something happening.
If you have the Copenhagen Card, entry is free.
10. Freetown Christiania
Freetown Christiania is one of the most unusual and interesting places to visit in Copenhagen.
Located in a former military area, Christiania was occupied by hippies in the early 1970s and later developed into a self-governing community focused on freedom, communal living, and alternative lifestyles.
Even today, Christiania feels completely different from the rest of Copenhagen. And it is a car-free zone.
Many people know Christiania because of Pusher Street, where cannabis was openly sold for years. However, stricter regulations and regular police patrols have largely ended the open drug trade.
If you visit, I’d recommend stopping by Cafe Nemoland to try the local Christiania beer.
The best way to understand Christiania is by joining a guided tour led by a resident. Hearing stories directly from someone who has lived there gives you a much deeper understanding of the community and its history than any guidebook can offer.
11. Reffen
After a long day of sightseeing in Copenhagen, Reffen is the best place to relax, eat good food, and enjoy the harbour atmosphere, especially around sunset.
I’ve been to Reffen so many times since moving here. It’s the best place to try dishes from around the world.
The atmosphere by the harbour is lively and hard to beat.
Reffen, the largest street food market in Northern Europe, is built inside a former industrial area where old warehouses have been transformed into lively food and creative spaces.
Throughout the year, Reffen also hosts flea markets, DJ events, workshops, games, and seasonal activities.
During winter, they even open an ice skating rink.
Final Thoughts: Copenhagen Must Do List for First Timers
These Copenhagen must see places are a checklist that really captures the city, especially if you are visiting for the first time, on a layover, or on a short day trip to Copenhagen.
They help you enjoy the best of Copenhagen without feeling rushed or overwhelmed by trying to fit everything into one trip.
Instead of chasing every recommendation, you can focus on the places and experiences that give you a true feel of the city.
If this list helped, you may also enjoy my full guide to 50+ things to do in Copenhagen for even more ideas to explore.
