Copenhagen in winter: fun things to do | Denmark

Are you looking for the perfect winter city trip, then Copenhagen is the place to be. In winter it’s very cold in Copenhagen, but there is so much to discover. Besides the impressive sights in Copenhagen, you will experience a unique urban feeling! You’ll find a lot of hip and trendy establishments but you’ll have the chance to learn more about the rich history of the city as well.

Below I list the best things to do for a pleasant winter city trip in Copenhagen. But that’s not all! We will be sharing our local culinary experiences and best place to stay as well.

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Copenhagen in winter

Copenhagen is a fantastic city where the old and the new merge harmoniously. The beautiful and colorful architectural styles from different historical eras meet the contemporary minimalist Danish Design. This combination makes Copenhagen so unique and interesting.

Copenhagen isn’t really a very big city, so you can explore everything perfectly by foot. That is why it’s so important that you’re aware of how cold it can be during the winter.Be sure to bring warm clothing. Don’t forget a warm coat, hat, scarf and gloves, because you will definitely need them.

Although there is well organized public transport, we prefered discovering the city by foot. This way we could absorb Copenhagen in all its splendor.

Best things to do in Copenhagen in winter

1. Botanical gardens

Imagine yourself in a tropical destination and warm up in the high temperatures of the botanical garden. Besides the pleasant temperatures, the botanical garden is certainly worth a visit because of its impressive greenhouses.

The botanical garden contains about 13,000 plant species divided into different sections. There are 27 greenhouses, so if you want to discover everything, you can certainly spend a few hours there. The most beautiful greenhous is by far the old palm house because of the beautiful spiral iron stairs. A true paradise for photographers looking for beautiful and unique places.

2. Rosenborg Castle

If you are completely into history or just a fan of impressive architecture? Then visit the magnificent Rosenborg Castle which is one of the most beautiful castles in Copenhagen. Here you will be completely immersed in the Dutch Renaissance style. The Danish architect had roots in Antwerp and was educated in the Netherlands.

The castle is fully decorated with furniture that dates from that period and creates an image of how the aristocracy lived in that era.

During the 18th century, many treasures were collected in Rosenborg Castle. You can still admire some of these in the treasury. There the crown jewels are kept under lock and key.

3. Frederik’s Church

Admire another example of stunning architecture, the Frederiks church with the largest and most impressive dome in Scandinavia.This beautiful marble church was designed in 1740, but it took almost150 years for the church to be actually built. And fortunately, otherwise we would not be able to enjoy this enchanted building today.

4. Nyhavn

Visit the picturesque harbor of Nyhavn and stroll along  the colored houses with a beautiful view of the canal where authentic wooden ships float on the water.

The canal was dug in the 17th century as a road connecting with the sea. On one side of the canal impressive merchant houses were built and the other side became a typical area for sailors with the necessary entertainment consisting of bars and brothels.

Today it is a pleasant neighborhood with hip, trendy bars and cozy eateries. Since this is one of the most touristic places in Copenhagen, the prices are also significantly higher here.

From Nyhavn you can also book organized tours on the waterways through Copenhagen. View the best canal tours below.

5. Black diamond

This building houses the royal library of Copenhagen as well as the photography museum. From the outside, it looks like a black, ultramodern building with lots of windows. From the inside you will be suprised by a beautiful panoramic view over the water. Besides this modern design you can also find authentic elements in the library, which makes this place a good example that old and new can go hand in hand.

6. Christiansborg palace

This palace is the place where the royal family and parliament still operate from, today. Certain parts of the palace are open to the public. We have only visited the royal reception rooms and were overwhelmed by the decadence of these lavishly decorated rooms.

Each room had a new and different theme that made you fall from one surprise into the other. Each time you entered a new room you were impressed  by new colors and artworks. It’s certainly worthwhile to visit the palace if you want to immerse yourself in the wealth of the royal family.

7. The little mermaid

A must see during a city trip in Copenhagen is the iconic statue of the little mermaid. Unfortunately, this is the most famous tourist attraction. So if you like an individual photo with this beauty you have to be very patient. There are still a lot of gems to discover in the nearby area. So take your time to explore this neighborhood.

8. Christianshavn

Christianshavn is the lesser-known brother of Nyhaven and therefore a little more quiet to wander around and, in my opinion, more pleasant. Get lost in the streets around the harbor and discover the most cute colored houses.

Make sure to visit ‘Church Of Our Savior’, known for its spiral-shaped golden tower from which you have a beautiful panoramic view of Copenhagen.

Unfortunately we were unable to acces the tower due to the stormy weather. Instead we glimpsed inside the church where we could admire an impressive organ.

10. Freetown Christiana

Stroll along the water in Freetown Christiana. The name explains it all – Christiana freetown is a free state within the city of Copenhagen. It’s a more alternative neighborhood where you can find many home-made houses, workshops, art galleries, eateries, … next to the beautiful nature. It is very impressive to explore this community.

11. Superkilen

If you want to experience the real urban vibes, head to Superkilen. This is a hip public city park with a childerens playground. The idea for this park was to create a place where people encourage cultural integration. The park is decorated in a unique but trendy way with street art and is therefore a popular attraction for people who want to take an artistic photo.

12. Tivoli

The amusement park Tivoli gardens was high on our bucket list when visiting Copenhagen. Unfortunately the 2nd oldest attraction park in the world was closed during our stay. Nevertheless, definitely a must to visit.

You have different seasons the park opens: a summer season, Halloween season and Christmas season. So take a good look at the site before you plan a visit.

13. City centre

Wander through the centre of Copenhagen and enjoy all that this city has to offer. Only in this way you will discover the most stunning hidden gems.

Don’t forget to walk past Magstræde. This cobbled street is the most picturesque spot in Copenhagen. On both sides you will find beautiful, colored house dating from the 17th and 18th century. Moreover, it’s a beautiful location for a instagram worthy photo!

Below you can also discover the best deals from Getyourguide on entrance tickets to the best sights or original, organized tours and day trips in and around Copenhagen.

Local food experiences in Copenhagen

During our stay in Copenhagen, I fell in love with Nordic cuisine. This trend consists of a few basic principles such as small portions with fresh, local seasonal products. This was one of the best culinary experiences that I have tasted in a long time.

My favorite neighborhood for dining was Ravnsborgrade. This is a lively area with many trendy eateries and bars. It is also a very pleasant area to stroll through in the evening. Here you can certainly find some restaurants that offer Nordic cuisine. I can recommend the following 2, where you can dine in a cozy and trendy interior.

Ravnsborg Vinbar

Nørrebro Bryghus

Riz Raz

There are of course many other places where you can have a tasty lunch or dinner that offer other dishes than Nordic cuisine. In the centre, Riz Raz is an excellent place for a vegetarian lunch. Join in at the welcoming buffet and taste the most delicious salad combos with falafel.

Torvehallerne

In the neighborhood of the Nørrebro station you will find Torvehallerne. This is a food market that houses many multicultural food stalls. This is the place to be, if you want to discover the wonderful flavors of world cuisine. We enjoyed some delicious Spanish tapas at Tapas del Torre.

Where to stay in Copenhagen?

We stayed 3 nights in the 4 star hotel Kong Arthur. This hotel is situated in a quiet area of ​​Copenhagen, within walking distance of the Nørrebro station and the Ravnsborgrade area. Hotel Kong Arthur is hidden in a narrow, cobbled side street, away from the busy city.

A peaceful place where you can  relax after a busy day of city tripping in every sense of the word. This hotel houses one of the most beautiful spas in Copenhagen where you can relax in an oriental-inspired water temple.

The Kong Arthur hotel has a modern style where rustic and chic elements are combined and create a unique atmosphere. This style is also extended into the rooms.

In the cozy lobby you can enjoy “cozy hour” where you will be treated to a complimentairy drink and if you are lucky, with live jazz music.

Breakfast takes place in a stunning room and is in buffet-style. Here too, breakfast is served according to the principles of Nordic cuisine. You will find small dishes made from local and organic seasonal products. The best thing about this is that you can taste every dish and get acquainted with the local Danish cuisine.

We really enjoyed our stay at the Kong Arthur hotel.

Would I recommend traveling to Copenhagen in winter?

Copenhagen is the perfect destination  for winter city trip. Don’t let the cold weather deter you from visiting Copenhagen in the winter months. If you take my advice and take the time for the necessary preparation during packing, you won’t be cold at all.

Would you like to travel to Copenhagen in winter? Let me know in the comments below.

Thanks for reading!

Yours truly,

Sarah

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Would you like to plan an unforgettable trip? Then be sure to check out this useful overview of my personal travel tips!

Skyscanner is the place-to-be to book flights. This useful travel comparison website helps you find great deals for numerous destinations. Because I travel a lot, I often use airport parking. I already had good experiences with Parkos and Quickparking.

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Are you looking for fun tours and unique travel experiences? Then head over to Getyourguide. Besides that, here you can also find some of the best deals for popular sights at your vacation destination.

Would you like to travel with public transport from one destination to another? Then 12togo is the place to be. Here you can easily find transfers in several countries.

Being a travel blogger I get a lot of questions about which photography equipment I use to photograph my travels.

I shoot with full-frame system camera: Nikon Z6II. I have a few lenses, but these 3 are my absolute favorites when traveling:

• All-round lens: NIKKOR Z 24-70 mm f/2.8. (I shoot almost everything with this. Are you just starting to shoot? Then I would recommend this lens)
• Wide-angle lens: NIKKOR Z 14-24 mm f/2.8. (Architecture, interior, landscapes,...)
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A tripod is also important if you want to take pictures of yourself, or if you want to photograph with a low shutter speed (dark space, night photography, waterfall,...). I use one from Sirui. For videos to post on  my social media channels with I use my iPhone. When I travel alone I take my Joby GripTight GorillaPod PRO 2 with me. It's a small, useful tripod that I can attach to anything. Do you want to learn more about how to take the best vacation photos? Then take a look at my e-book where I share all my photography tips. Would you like to be able to edit your holiday photos quickly and beautifully? Then my Lightroom presets are an absolute must-have.

I wish you an unforgettable time on your next vacation!

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