23 Things To Know Before Visiting Copenhagen In 2026 [A Local’s Guide]

Copenhagen tends to sit high on travel wish lists – and it’s easy to see why. With its relaxed pace, standout food scene, flaky pastries, and unmistakably clean design, it offers a distinct slice of Nordic life that’s hard to resist.

But whether it’s your first visit or fifth, there are a few things worth knowing before you land in the Danish capital that don’t always make it into the guidebooks. As someone who lives here, I’ve pulled together a no-fluff list of tips, tricks and small details that can help you have a smoother (and cheaper) time in the city.

Read on from the top for all the details or use the options below to jump to the sections you’re most interested in.

1. There are so many incredible free things to do!
2. Museums are often free on the last Wednesday of each month
3. Save on sights with a Copenhagen Card
4. Save on the metro with a multi-day pass
5. Respect the rules
6. Cycle as much as you can (but be sure to learn bike hand signals!)
7. Always be aware of bike lanes
8. See beyond the city
9. Recycling collection is important business
10. The ultimate cheap lunch is a BMO or pølser
11. Tivoli Gardens isn’t open all year
12. Only trust the radar weather forecast
13. Punctuality is key
14. Don’t expect super quick service
15. Tipping isn’t expected
16. You probably won’t need cash
17. Danes speak great English
18. The Little Mermaid statue isn’t a must-see
19. The public holidays are a little different
20. Day trip to Sweden in just 30 minutes
21. Smoking indoors is allowed in bodegas
22. It’s one of the safest cities in the world
23. You’ll probably want to come back (again and again!)

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Copenhagen at a glance:

• Currency: Danish Kroner (DKK)
• Closest airport: Copenhagen Airport (CPH)
• Language: Danish (but English is widely spoken)
• Drinkable tap water? Yes! Some of the cleanest in the world
• Emergency number: 112

1. There are so many incredible free things to do!

One of the first questions I always get asked when I tell people I live in Copenhagen is “but isn’t it such an expensive city?”. And truthfully the answer is yes, it can be but it doesn’t have to be. There are so many amazing ways to spend the day in Copenhagen that don’t cost a single penny. Here are the main things to consider…

Swimming: one of the best ways to explore the city is by taking to the water. In summer you’ll find Danes lounging by harbours and lazing on the beach all day. When the sun is shining there’s no better place to be. This is true Danish living at it’s best and completely free. All the outdoor swimming spots are open for public use and the water quality is monitored for the perfect bathing conditions.

Viewpoints: almost all the best spots to catch the most panoramic views of the city are free. From CopenHill and Christiansborg Palace tower to Konditaget Lüders – just climb and enjoy!

Historic sights: many of Copenhagen’s architectural and historical gems are best enjoyed from the outside while exploring the city on foot. From castles and forts to towers, churches and harbours, there’s so much to see for free!

Markets: if you’re in the mood to browse, Copenhagen also has lots of great food, clothing and antique markets that can be so fun to explore. The best food market is Torvehallerne where you’ll find the freshest Danish produce, flowers and ready-to-eat treats. For the best flea markets and antiques shopping, find a list of all the main spots here.

2. Museums are often free on Wednesdays

On the topic of free things to do, one of the best opportunities comes on Wednesdays when some of the museums that would normally charge an entrance fee open their doors for free.

That means you could explore some of the city’s best (and most expensive) galleries and museums without denting your travel budget. All it takes is a little thoughtful planning to make sure you’re in Copenhagen on a Wednesday. The museums included in the scheme are:

• Thorvaldsens Museum (usually £12)
  • This is Denmark’s oldest museum, opened in 1848 to celebrate the world-famous work of Danish sculptor, Bertel Thorvaldsen. Today, the museum also houses exhibits on other Danish and international artists you can explore on your visit.
• Nikolaj Kunsthal (usually £12)
  • Here you can find some of the best of Danish contemporary art exploring key topics in Danish culture and society.
• Museum of Copenhagen (usually £12)
  • The best museum for understanding Copenhagen as a city – it’s history, development and changing presence.
• Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek (usually £17)
  • My personal favourite museum created by the founders of Carlsberg. Here you’ll find ancient Greek and Roman artefacts, Egyptian mummies and some of the most beautiful museum spaces you’ve ever seen.

Just note, the Glyptotek only offers free entry on the last Wednesday of each month, not every Wednesday!

3. Save on sights with a Copenhagen Card

Another good money-saving tip is to invest in a Copenhagen Card. A Copenhagen Card lets you travel on all public transport in and around Copenhagen (including to and from the airport) for free, as well as giving you access to all the best castles, galleries, museums and attractions. That includes most of the attractions I mention in this blog. So if you think you want to visit a few key sights during your stay, you could save a lot of money! Learn more and buy yours here.

4. Save on the metro with a multi-day pass

Speaking of public transport, if a Copenhagen Card isn’t for you, there are still great ways to save a little cash on the metro. The most effective ticket is a multi-day or full day pass. These will give you 24, 48, 72, 96 or 120 hour access to transport around the city at a reduced cost.

You can buy these tickets at every metro station or train station using the machines on the platform. Or buy your ticket online in advance using the DOT app – this is the official ticketing site for the metro and allows you to buy tickets on the go or in advance. Prices start at 100 DKK (£11) for 24 hours and go up to 340 DKK (£38) for 120 hours. But when you compare that with the price of a single journey at 24 DKK (£2.50) it soon adds up and you could save a lot over the course of your trip!

5. Respect the rules

As you board the metro, train or any bus in the city you’ll probably notice there are no ticket barriers and no need to show a ticket on entry. As Denmark’s culture is so built on trust and respecting each other, entrance like this can be a lot more relaxed. But don’t see this as your opportunity to break the rules.

Not only is not paying for a metro ticket disrespectful but you can land a hefty fine too. Metro staff often conduct random ticket checks and will hand out fines to anyone without a valid ticket – yep, even tourists and they’ve heard every excuse in the book so don’t even try it! The fine is around £100 and would certainly put a dent in your travel budget so always stick to the rules.

The same goes for crossing the road. While back in the UK jay-walking is so common almost no one waits for the green man before crossing the road, in Denmark it’s a cultural no-no to step out on a red light. Even if the road is completely empty, you’ll still see pedestrians waiting for a green man to cross the road. So take this as your opportunity to slow down and do as the Danes do!

6. Cycle as much as you can (but be sure to learn bike hand signals!)

Besides the metro, the other best way to get around the city is by bike. You’ve probably heard of cities like Amsterdam being bike mad but might not know Copenhagen is too. People here are more likely to own multiple bikes than they are a car because cycling here is a breeze.

Copenhagen is almost entirely flat, relatively compact and has excellent cycling infrastructure. So if there’s anywhere to explore on two wheels – this is it. Plus, you don’t need to buy your own bike, there are lots of rental options on the street that you can unlock with your phone. The main Danish-founded bike rental scheme is called Donkey Republic (look for the orange bikes everywhere!). In my opinion they have the best quality bikes, largest availability and easiest app to use so I’d always recommend them first. When you download their app, you’ll be able to see how many bikes are nearby ready to rent and can get started for just a couple of pounds (or Kroner).

Other bike rental apps you’ll see include Bolt (for e-bikes), Lime and Tier.

When you’re ready to set off, as there are so many other bike users you’ll need to know a few basic things for a stress-free journey…

• Always cycle on the right hand side, even within bike lanes so that people can overtake you on the left if needed
• Look out for wider cargo bikes (called Christiania bikes in Copenhagen) – these will need more room to pass and turn
• Put your hand out to the right or left to indicate which direction you’re turning
• If you’re stopping, put your hand up to the side of your face as if you’re waving hello with a flat palm – this helps indicate that you’re slowing down
• If in doubt, watch what others do and copy!

GOOD TO KNOW: Most bikes in Copenhagen, including rental bikes like Donkey Republic only lock with a mechanism on the back wheel so there’s less need to find a bike stand. Where it’s safe to do so you can pop out your kick stand and lock up, so easy!

7. Always be aware of bike lanes

Now even if you’re not cycling, as there are so many bikes, even as a pedestrian you need to be aware of them. Almost every single road in the city has a dedicated bike lane that you’ll need to cross as you cross the road. So be sure to look properly before you step out, check for bikes in the bike lane and cars on the road.

Oh and never, ever walk in the bike lane. You’ll very soon have someone ringing their bell angrily at you from behind (and probably muttering in Danish for good measure!). Stay alert, always look left and then right and check before you step out for a bike-friendly trip!

8. See beyond the city

Most first-time visitors to Copenhagen are drawn to the iconic little harbour with brightly coloured buildings you see on every post card. And while there’s nothing wrong with this spot (called Nyhavn) there’s a lot more to Copenhagen than these two tourist-lined streets…

Instead, split your time between exploring the classic sights and getting a little off the beaten track. There’s so much to explore in quieter neighbourhoods, further into nature and even beyond Copenhagen.

One place I always recommend is Dragør. This is a historic little harbour town just a few kilometres south of Copenhagen that feels like stepping back in time. Think strolling flower-lined cobbled streets, sipping coffee from the top of an old fort and swimming with locals in the bluest sea. You’ll be amazed at how ‘not like the city’ this feels when you’re less than half an hour away!

MORE INSPO: Discover my full list of the 20 best day trips you can take from Copenhagen here.

9. The ultimate cheap lunch is a BMO or pølser

To fuel your days of adventuring, you need the best lunch. For the ultimate Danish experience that’s still super affordable, choose a BMO or pølser. Here’s what they are…

BMO: This is a newer acronym of the Danish words ‘bolle med ost’ which just translates to bread with cheese. Now I know what you’re thinking – that sounds pretty boring. But here’s where you’re wrong. We’re talking the best sourdough rolls with lashings of salted butter and slices of tangy cheese that’s so popular it’s practically a religion. You can order these at almost every bakery and café in the city and you’ll see people snacking on them every single day. Somehow they just never get boring, I can’t explain the magic!

Plus, they tend to cost under £5 and are usually pretty filling which make them the perfect lunch. To order them in English just ask for a bun with cheese and butter – they’ll then ask you which type of bun you want if there are multiple options. Just be warned, buns often sell out on weekends so go a little earlier than lunch! My favourite places to grab a BMO are Hart Bageri, Andersen Bakery and Juno the Bakery.

Pølser: This is essentially a Danish hot dog which makes the perfect hot lunch. You’ll see hot dog stands all around the city where you can order a roasted hot dog with all the trimmings. This generally means a toasted bun with a roasted frankfurter style sausage topped with crispy onions, sliced pickles, ketchup, mustard and remoulade (a type of Danish tartar sauce). Again, you can pick up a pølser for less than £5 and they’re surprisingly filling. My favourite stand is run by DØP who are a more upmarket company with two stands in the city. In my opinion this is a must-try lunch!

10. Recycling collection is important business

As you explore Copenhagen more, another thing you’ll probably spot is people walking around collecting cans and bottles. This is called ‘pant’ in Danish and is essentially the aluminium cans and glass bottles (usually beer) that you pay a deposit on and can be returned at supermarkets in exchange for money to spend in-store. This is a brilliant incentive not only for litter reduction on the streets and recycling but also helps support lower income individuals who can collect additional pant to buy groceries. And you’d be surprised how much you can earn!

After my birthday party this year, we took two small bags of pant to the recycling point in our local supermarket and made £8 to spend on our shop. So it adds up quite quickly! With that in mind, if you’re drinking by the water, don’t be surprised if someone approaches you to ask if your can is empty or if there’s anything they can take.

Plus, if you’re ever done with a can or bottle and don’t want to recycle it yourself, leave it in the designated pant section of public bins. This is usually a separate ledge with a pant label so it’s easy for someone else to grab.

11. Tivoli Gardens isn’t open all year

If Tivoli amusement park is one of your must-see sights then it’s important to know that it does shut down for winter. Right after Christmas, the park closes its doors for maintenance, renovation and updating until Easter.

So if you want to see the oldest theme park in the world then make sure you visit after Easter. For the best experience, visit in summer when there are weekend firework displays and live music.

TOP TIP: If you’re on a tight budget, you are allowed to bring your own food and non-alcoholic drinks into Tivoli so pack a picnic to enjoy for a fraction of the price!

12. Only trust the radar weather forecast

When it comes to weather, as Copenhagen is so close to the sea new weather systems can blow in and out pretty quickly which makes for changeable conditions. So if you’re planning what to wear for the day, you can’t necessarily rely on Apple or BBC weather.

Instead, do as the locals do and turn to DMI and their Danish weather radar. This will give you the most up-to-date and accurate weather predictions so you know whether to pack an umbrella or slap on the SPF!

13. Punctuality is key

One of the biggest cultural surprises for me in moving from the UK to Copenhagen was punctuality. I think in the UK we do have a focus on timeliness and don’t often arrive late. But when it actually came to it, I thought nothing of turning up to a party 20 minutes late or dinner 10 minutes late – to me that’s just bound to happen to everyone. But not here – I’ve had a few instances where being just 10-15 minutes late for a social gathering is considered seriously late.

So bear that in mind if you’re booking any timed trips, have a dinner reservation or seek to meet any Danes – always be on time!

14. But don’t expect super quick service

With the previous point in mind, it’s perhaps surprising then that service in restaurants isn’t the quickest. Of course if it’s somewhere billed as serving faster meals then generally the service will be quick. But if you’re heading out for a tasting menu meal or somewhere a little more fancy, expect the dinner to take over 3 hours. Yep, you read that right. I’ve found every time I’ve dined at a more up market restaurant, particularly those with small plate style dishes or tasting menus, it’s taken ages.

Now this isn’t necessarily a bad thing – the meal is there to be savoured and enjoyed (especially if you’re paying more for it) but just bear this in mind if you have plans afterwards. To be on the safe side, I’d recommend booking shows, performances or anything with a timed ticket for before dinner so you’re not stressed about missing it. It’s also worth keeping this in mind to set your expectations.

I think especially in the UK and USA, fast service is a sign of attention and respect so it can feel a little off-putting if that’s not the case in a fancier restaurant. But keep in mind, this isn’t anything against you, it’s just culturally different and part of the experience.

GOOD TO KNOW: If there’s a specific restaurant you want to visit, be sure to book a table in advance. Especially on weekends, places book up quick!

15. Tipping isn’t expected

As service staff in Denmark are paid much more fairly than other parts of the world and bills often include a service charge, there isn’t so much of a tipping culture in the country. So don’t feel the need to leave some extra cash unless you really want to show extra appreciation for excellent service. If you do want to tip, adding 10% on is more than enough.

16. You probably won’t need cash

On the topic of money, after living here for a year and a half, I can say I’ve never paid for anything with cash. Yep, Denmark is so cashless that even the smallest shops, cafés and sights take card. In fact most places don’t even take cash any more!

So as long as your debit of credit card doesn’t charge you a fee for using your card abroad, there’s no need to take Danish Kroner with you.

17. Danes speak great English

The local language in Copenhagen is of course Danish, but don’t worry if hearing a word pronounced in the language brings you out in a cold sweat. Thankfully, most Danes speak excellent English and as a traveller you won’t have any problem communicating with local people.

Even after a year of Danish lessons, I’m still trying to master the basics so don’t worry if you can’t nail the pronunciation of place names. But of course, learning a few key words for your trip is always fun and appreciated. Here are some reference words I think it’s good to know with their pronunciation:

• Hej (hi) – hello
• Ja (ya) – yes
• Nej (nay) – no
• Tak (tack) – thank you (and please)
• Goddag (goday) – have a good day
• God morgen (go morn) – good morning
• Velkommen – welcome
• Undskyld (unskul) – sorry or excuse me
• Skål (skoll) – cheers!

18. The Little Mermaid statue isn’t a must-see

Now I don’t want to burst any bubbles here but if you don’t have time to get to the infamous Little Mermaid statue, your trip won’t be ruined 😂 In case you don’t know, this is the city’s most famous statue inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s iconic fairy tale.

While it’s a lovely tribute to a famous Dane, the statue itself is a little underwhelming. It’s much smaller than you’d think, super crowded and a little out of the way to get to. So if you don’t have the time, make this the thing you cut in your itinerary!

TOP TIP: You can see a much more impressive mermaid statue in Dragør, the nearby town I mentioned earlier in this blog!

19. The public holidays are a little different

Of course, as with any country, their public holidays differ and in the case of Denmark, can be pretty fun. As a tourist getting involved with a local holiday can be a great experience, here are a few you should know about…

Fastelavn: celebrated on the Sunday or Monday before Ash Wednesday, this festival is linked to the preparations before Lent in Catholic traditions. There are two main parts to know about – one being that you’ll see children hitting wooden barrels full of sweets. Yes, this will literally happen everywhere – from shopping centres and schools to street corners. It represents the old tradition of putting a black cat in a barrel and hitting the barrel until it broke to supposedly ward off evil spirits. Today, it’s almost more like Halloween as kids will dress up and there’s the same candy-giving culture. The best part for you is that this season comes with it’s own array of delectable pastries that are only available during this short season. They’re sweet choux buns with thick cream in the middle and come in a variety of flavours and each bakery produces their own version. You could happily spend a day just touring the bakeries to try each one!

Sankt Hans festival: on the 23rd June each year, this festival celebrates both the birth of Saint John the Baptist and the longest day of the year. It’s traditionally celebrated with huge bonfires, singing, dancing and lots of good beer and hot dogs. A straw witch is also sometimes burned on the top of the bonfire. With or without the witch it’s a lot of fun! 😂

Santa Lucia parade: on the 13th December each year, hundreds of canoes and kayaks decorated with Christmas lights take to Copenhagen’s harbours where they paddle and sing. It’s an incredible sight to see and one you can’t miss if you’re visiting then. Just be sure to snag a place on the riverside early enough and bring some mulled wine or a hot drink with you!

Christmas: of course this one isn’t unique to Denmark but there are some fun twists to enjoy. Firstly, the shops and markets are incredible. As winter is such a long and dark time in the country, a lot of the fun and light comes from celebrating Christmas so Danes go all out. There’s also a dedicated Christmas beer that’s launched on the first Friday of November, so called ‘J-day’ after Juledag (Christmas in Danish). As well as lots of mulled wine (gløgg in Danish) which is served with almonds and raisins in it and the Christmas desert – æbleskive (Danish pancake puffs).

20. You can day trip to Sweden in just 30 minutes

If you have the time, another great thing about Copenhagen is how close it is to a major Swedish city. In fact, Malmö is just a 30-minute train ride across the water where you can enjoy a taste of Swedish culture, food and history.

Take a day trip to explore or even head a little further to the pretty and historic city of Lund. You can find my ultimate list of the must-see sights in Lund here and the best coffee shops too.

21. Smoking indoors is allowed in bodegas

When you think of healthy and active Danes, one thing that might surprise you is the fact that smoking is still quite popular here. In fact, the percentage of the population that use tobacco products is higher than the UK and other Nordic countries. What’s maybe more surprising is that smoking is actually allowed in certain indoor spaces – one is bodegas which are a certain type of bar.

If you’re happy to be around cigarette smoke, bodegas can be fun to experience as they’re generally smaller, cosy bars serving cheaper beers for local people. But if you’re not comfortable with smoke, it’s worth knowing so you can steer clear.

Another thing you might also notice is nicotine pouches. These are becoming increasingly popular in Denmark and around the world. Often called snus here, you’ll see people with small white pouches tucked in their gums. So if you’re wondering what they are, now you know!

22. It’s one of the safest cities in the world

Copenhagen is a city where you can relax and worry less about pick pockets and more about having a good time. Denmark as a whole consistently tops the list as one of the safest countries in the world with low crime rates, political stability and high levels of tolerance. According to the Global Peace Index it’s also the 4th most peaceful country in the world and Copenhagen is no different.

Of course instances of petty theft do occur but generally speaking it’s still the city where mums leave their sleeping babies outside in their prams, people don’t always lock their doors and if you lost your wallet on the floor, you’d probably get it back with everything still there. So if you’re solo travelling for the first time, want to get off the beaten track safely or just want a worry-free holiday, Copenhagen is a great choice.

23. You’ll probably want to come back (again and again!)

With all that in mind, don’t be surprised if you develop the Copenhagen bug. After visiting just once, I now live here so it can happen fast… 😂 But in all seriousness, there’s a reason why Copenhagen is often ranked as one of the happiest cities and best places to live – because it’s brilliant. Plus, for a pretty compact city, there’s so much to do. So you might find yourself booking another trip back to this lovely land for another dose of hygge before you know it!

That completes my tips and advice for your first, fifth or 100th visit to Copenhagen. I hope you love your time here as much as I do and if you have any comments, questions or feedback of your own, please let me know in the comments box below. Happy travelling!

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