A Long Weekend in Copenhagen: Castles, Canals & Cosy Cafés
- Sara Sobral
- Oct 1, 2025
- 4 min read
Copenhagen is one of those cities that feels both royal and effortlessly cool at the same time. On one side, you’ve got palaces, castles and centuries of history. On the other, there are hip neighbourhoods, street food markets, and even a colourful hippie commune.
If you’re planning your own trip, here’s everything you need to see, do, and eat - plus a suggested itinerary you can follow at the end.
What to See in Copenhagen
Let’s start with the essentials. These are the places that make Copenhagen, well, Copenhagen:
Tivoli Gardens – A historic amusement park that’s as magical at night as it is during the day, especially given its seasonal decorations
Christiansborg Castle – Seat of the Danish Parliament and the tallest tower in the city (entry is free!)
Frederiks Kirke (Marble Church) – Gorgeous both inside and out, with a dome you can climb for panoramic views
Rosenborg Castle – Step inside for royal treasures, including Denmark’s crown jewels
Amalienborg Palace – The royal residence. Time your visit for noon to see the changing of the guards
Opera House – Best admired from across the water
Nyhavn – That postcard-perfect canal with colourful houses and boats
The Little Mermaid – Tiny but iconic, so don’t leave without saying hi
Christiania – A one-of-a-kind hippie commune full of murals, art and laid-back cafés
Church of Our Saviour – Climb the spiral staircase for one of the city’s best views
The Former Stock Exchange – A striking piece of old architecture worth a quick stop
If you love just wandering around, add these to your walking list:
Strøget – One of Europe’s longest pedestrian shopping streets, with everything from H&M to Prada (and the LEGO store!)
Magstræde & Snaregade – Two of the oldest and prettiest streets in Copenhagen
City Hall Square – The buzzing heart of the city
Meatpacking District – Great for food and nightlife
Vesterbro Torv Square – Perfect for a quick coffee stop and people-watching
Museum lovers: I didn’t squeeze them in, but locals recommend the National Museum (for Denmark’s history) and Glyptotek (classical antiquities and 19th/20th century art, free on Tuesdays).
And if you’re staying longer? The Öresund Bridge connects Copenhagen to Malmö, Sweden—you can be there by train in just 36 minutes. Two countries in one trip!
Food & Coffee Tips
Copenhagen has plenty of Michelin-starred restaurants, but some of my favourite finds were much more casual:
7-Eleven hot dogs – Trust me, they’re a Scandinavian thing
Max Burgers – The Nordic version of McDonald’s, but better
Espresso House – A cosy coffee chain you’ll spot everywhere
TorvehallerneKBH – Food market heaven
The Bridge Street Kitchen – Street food with a waterfront view
My 4-Day Itinerary in Copenhagen
Day 1 – The Classics
If you're staying in the city centre, you can take the train or metro from the Airport's Terminal 3 to the Copenhagen Central Station. They run every 10 minutes and the journey takes roughly 15 minutes.
After checking into your hotel, start with a walk by the Little Mermaid at Langelinie Pier. From there, stroll along the water and you’ll spot the Opera House across the canal. Head inland to see Frederiks Kirke (the Marble Church) before making your way to Nyhavn for the city’s most iconic view (if you're craving a quick coffee, check out the nearby Atelier September).
For dinner, if it isn't raining, cross the bridge at Nyhavn to The Bridge Street Kitchen - a fun street food market with international flavours and a relaxed vibe for an outdoor meal.
Day 2 – Nørrebro & Royal Treasures
Begin your day in Nørrebro, one of Copenhagen’s trendiest neighbourhoods. Walk down Jægersborggade, a street full of vintage shops, ceramics and jewellery designers, bakeries and coffee spots.
Here you will find the Michelin-starred restaurant Relæ, not to mention some of the best coffee around at The Coffee Collective, which is a specialty micro-roastery and coffee consulting company. On Jægersborggade you will also find the only caramel cookery in Copenhagen, Karamelleriet, Meyers Bakery, Ro Chokolade, the restaurant Manfreds and the underground wine bar Terroiristen.
Then head to Copenhagen's Lakes (Peblinge Lake).
For lunch, head to TorvehallerneKBH, a huge food hall where you’ll find everything from smørrebrød (open sandwiches) to sushi. Don’t miss the cinnamon rolls at Laura’s Bakery.
In the afternoon, explore the Botanical Garden, then head to Rosenborg Castle to see the crown's jewels. Afterwards, relax in the King’s Garden, a favourite hangout for locals when the sun is shining.
Day 3 – Tivoli, Shopping & Hippie Vibes
Start your day at Tivoli Gardens. Even if you skip the rides, the entrance is worth seeing.
Then wander through City Hall Square and walk down Strøget, Copenhagen’s main shopping street. Here you will find expensive brands, but also store chains and Scandinavian brands like Vero Moda, Gina Tricot and Søstrene Grene (decor).
Extra tip: pop into ILLUM, a stylish department store with a rooftop café, for a quick break with a view over Amagertorv Square, Christiansborg Palace and Strøget.
Later in the day, explore the cobbled streets around Magstræde (don’t miss the cosy café Kompa’9).
In the afternoon, join a free walking tour of Christianshavn, which ends in the legendary Christiania - a unique way to see this alternative community.
Day 4 – A Royal Goodbye
On your last day, head to Amalienborg Palace, which is made up of four identical buildings in the same square.
Catch the changing of the guards at noon. It’s a royal send-off before you grab lunch, pick up your bag, and make your way back to the airport.
Final Thoughts
Copenhagen is a city of contrasts: royal castles and playful amusement parks, historic streets and modern design, peaceful canals and buzzing nightlife. You can see a lot in just a long weekend, but it never feels rushed.
My best advice? Leave time to just sit by the water with a coffee, watch the bikes go by (or people diving from the piers in the summer) and soak up the Scandinavian charm.
(These tips are based on my experience of visiting Copenhagen in September 2014, May 2016 and June 2019)
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