Copenhagen Weekend Itinerary: Top Things to Do in Just 2 Days
Copenhagen is the heart of Denmark, one of the happiest countries in the WORLD. I have had the opportunity to go a few times, and it holds my heart in so many ways. I wanted to put together the perfect weekend itinerary, made for those who are trying to make the most of their time off.
I was able to catch up with one of the owners of Copenhagen Free Walking Tours when I went, so some of the places I’m recommending are from her! There’s no better perspective than a local’s.
So, here’s a weekend trip that’s perfect for those who only get a short amount of time away from work and want to fit the most in!
TLDR Itinerary
For those of you who don’t want the details, here’s the quick overview.
Day 1 TLDR: The Tourist Sights
- Grand Tour with Copenhagen Free Walking Tours
- Lunch at Nyhavn or Seaside Tolboden
- Rosenborg Castle
- The Round Tower (Rundetårn)
- Strøget to shop
- Restaurante Odette
Day 2 TLDR: An Adventurous Day
- Go on a canal tour + see the little mermaid
- Eat traditional open-faced Danish sandwiches at Kanal-Caféen
- Climb the Church of Our Saviour (over 300 feet high you can climb 400 steps on the outside)
- Rest & recoup
- Get drinks at 1656 Cocktail bar
- Get dinner at Mother
- Go out and dance in the meatpacking district
Day 1: The Tourist Sights
Morning
Take the Grand Tour with Copenhagen Free Walking Tours to get the perfect overview of the city. I personally know the owners and operators of the company and they really care about the city. There’s no better way to get to know the area than to have a local tell you about it!
Lunch Time
Eat lunch at Nyhavn or Seaside Tolboden. Nyhavn is a famous waterfront area that everyone takes pictures in front of! The colorful houses are beautiful and it’s a great place to hang out for a bit. Grab food at one of the restaurants but be ready for a wait depending on when you go.
Seaside Tolboden is a beautiful area on the water with a bunch of different cuisines to try. The food and drinks are both great! I had a burger and strawberry drink and it was a great experience to sit on the water and enjoy.
Afternoon
Walk to Rosenborg Castle, and enjoy the park after your meal. It’s a beautiful area in the summer, as well as throughout the year. The garden might look a little different in the winter but the view of the castle is unbeatable and any time of the year.
Climb the Rundetårn (The Round Tower) to get some more views. While it’s not incredibly tall it’s nice that there’s only a small set of stairs at the end, and that the rest is a cool ramp-like way up.
Walk along the Strøget and shop! There’s some fun stores here, and it’s such a great area to get some Scandinavian style clothing and other items. Perfect place for a souvenir!
Evening
Get dinner at Restaurante Odette (recommended to me by a local). It has some great European flavors in a chill setting, so it’s a perfect place to wind down and relax after your first day here.
Nightlife/Going Out
I personally didn’t go clubbing but I enjoyed a few bars out and about. Vesterbro is a good neighborhood for nightlife, and so is Nørrebro. If you want to go for a club that is more down to earth and fun, I’ve heard Culture Box is good.
Day 2: An Adventurous Day
Morning
Spend some time on the water by seeing the Little Mermaid and going on a canal tour. Personally, I felt fine seeing the statue from the canal tour itself since it’s pretty small anyways. However, if you’d like to see it up close, you can go after the tour ends.
The canal tour gave an amazing overview of the city and helped explain everything that I had already seen and also wanted to see! Perfect for wrapping up your experience in a bow.
Afternoon
Eat traditional open-faced Danish sandwiches at Kanal-Caféen. It’s a restaurant on a boat on the water, giving great views of boats passing by and more!
This made me feel like I was actually experiencing Danish culture (outside of eating chocolate milk + hot dogs, which I still need to do). At the time I went with a local, and it made us feel like a part of the city.
After lunch, climb the Church of Our Saviour. I know this sounds weird, but it’s a surprisingly exhilarating experience! It’s an over 250 year old church that’s over 300 feet high, with over 400 steps total. The last 150 steps are on the external portion of the church, going around its spiral.
The portion on the outside is the most exciting because there’s only a small fence between you and the edge, with a beautiful view of the entire city! The entire experience is awesome, honestly one of my favorites in the entirety of Europe.
From there, you can rest and recuperate for a bit until you’re ready to go out for some drinks.
Evening
Once you’ve gotten some rest, get drinks at 1656 Cocktail bar. It’s a great chill but hip vibe, which I loved. The drinks were delish and it was a great time!
Get dinner at Mother. The pizza is to die for (honestly I loved everything I tried), and it was also another chill vibe. It’s also in the meatpacking district, which is a great place to go out afterwards.
Nightlife/Going Out
Go out and dance in the meatpacking district.The whole area is a great place to be around at night, and there’s a ton of places to try.
Conclusion
With just two days in Copenhagen, you can experience both the highlights of the city and some incredible local spots, even if you only get a few days off. From walking tours that give you a deeper understanding of this beautiful city’s history to climbing churches that offer unbeatable views, there’s something for every kind of traveler.
This itinerary will help you make the most of your weekend by offering fun activities like shopping along Strøget, eating traditional Danish sandwiches, and exploring the vibrant nightlife of the meatpacking district. Copenhagen is a city of contrasts—calm, yet full of life—and I hope this guide helps you capture it all in just two days.
If you’re interested in learning more about the tips and tricks I have related to Copenhagen, check out all of my blogs for it here. Cheers!
