A Copenhagen Itinerary: 7 Days to Stand Out From the Crowd
Eerie amusement parks, bloodthirsty piranhas and time travel; this list has it all
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Ah, Copenhagen. If you're searching for somewhere to visit with heaps of old-world character, a lively culinary (and nightlife) scene, and a seemingly neverending list of attractions, this is the city for you. Knowing what we know about the Danish capital, the team here at Plum Guide are certain you'll have the time of your life. We're so sure, in fact, that we’ve crafted a flawless Copenhagen itinerary – 7 days of a vacation that will seem like it came right out of a Hans Christian Andersen signature fairy tale (the fun stuff, not the gory bits). So here it is – the ultimate 7-day Copenhagen itinerary.
Day 1: Visit the main attractions
Day 2: Take a trip to Tivoli
Day 3: Admire Freetown Christiania
Day 4: Spend a day in Bakken
Day 5: Wander around Copenhagen Zoo
Day 6: Visit the Frilandsmuseet Open Air Museum
Day 7: Embark on a day trip to the Danish Riviera
Bonus: Head to the National Aquarium of Denmark
Day 1: Visit the main attractions
Nyhavn Copenhagen, Denmark
You probably want to be done with all the usual touristy sights and so-called must-see attractions during the first days of your trip – that way, you can dedicate the rest of your holiday to gorging Danish pastries and downing uncommon beers by a lake somewhere in the city centre. So let’s quickly cover all those things that friends and relatives might ask about when you get back home. If you’re into museums, you should be looking at the National Museum and the National Gallery of Denmark for a quick glimpse at Danish art and culture. If architecture and landscaped gardens are more of your thing, you should pay a visit to Amalienborg Palace, the Round Tower, and Rosenborg Castle. Regardless of interests, a trip to Copenhagen comes with an obligatory visit to the famous Little Mermaid and the colourful harbour named Nyhavn. And that’s about it. You’re welcome.
A Knack for Design, Plum Guide home in Copenhagen
Day 2: Enjoy a fun-filled day at Tivoli Gardens
Entrance gate of Tivoli Gardens lit up at dusk, Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen’s 175-year-old amusement park is utterly unavoidable on a family trip, and therefore, it's also unavoidable on this 7-day Copenhagen itinerary. No matter how hard you try, those sneaky little rascals are bound to catch a glimpse of one of the taller rides at some point. Luckily for you, apart from roller coasters, virtual reality rides, and exotic architecture, Tivoli Park also features numerous top-notch restaurants like Fru Nimb and Restaurant Paafuglen where you can be left in peace to ponder the actual purpose of an open sandwich and other philosophical matters. Doesn’t sound all too bad, does it?
Colour Coordinate, Plum Guide home in Copenhagen
Day 3: Find the perfect picnic spot in Freetown Christiania
Despite what you might have heard, Christiania is a peaceful and colourful place that rightfully deserves a place on your Copenhagen 7-day itinerary. Modern-day local hippies (if we can still call them that) have quite a healthy obsession with tea fusions and vegan cuisine that you can try in places like Cafe Nemoland and Cafe Wilder. If you walk down the notorious ‘green light district’ (not a recommended place for souvenir shopping), you’ll find a small, beautiful lake perfect for picnics and afternoon strolls.
Euphoria, Plum Guide home in Copenhagen
Day 4: Ride the coasters at Bakken amusement park
Bakken is the name of the world’s oldest amusement park, lying hidden in Deer Park’s dim lush woods. This sentence alone could probably make Stephen King scribble a series of novels off-the-cuff but, in fact, Bakken is not wholly nightmarish. The park brims with rides of all kinds and ages (including an 82-year-old wooden rollercoaster), pubs, restaurants and ice-cream parlours. If you think Tivoli is too mainstream for you, then a trip to the outskirts of Copenhagen will be worth your while. It certainly seems like Danes have a thing for amusement parks. Who would have thought?
Day 5: Say hello to the animals at Copenhagen Zoo
A lioness perched on a log at the Copenhagen Zoo, Copenhagen
Feral beasts, ferocious fiends, tameless critters – kids can really act up on a family trip. Try the Copenhagen Zoo for a pleasant change instead of the usual visits to museums and cultural sites that you might find on a standard Copenhagen itinerary. Here, they can get up close with the giant pandas, have a laugh by standing too close to a polar bear and learn all kinds of interesting facts about more than 4,000 animals. Before heading back to your Copenhagen Plum Guide apartment for the night, finish off your day by enjoying the Asian-French fusion cuisine of the Panda House. If you’re not travelling with kids, we still recommend that you go.
Candy Shop, Plum Guide home in Copenhagen
Day 6: Take a trip back in time at the Frilandsmuseet Open Air Museum
Frilandsmuseet is one of the largest and oldest open-air museums on the globe. Spreading over 86 acres of unspoiled land, the museum encompasses more than 50 farmhouses and windmills built in a span of three centuries and rebuilt with the purpose of bringing Denmark’s history to life. Walking through Frilandsmuseet is like going back in time to see what rural life was like in the 17th century. Rumour has it that the exact same experience can be had by taking a day trip to the Mid-Jutland region in western Denmark, but that is a completely different story.
Day 7: Embark on a day trip to the Danish Riviera
A view of soft sand at a secluded beach at sunset, Zeeland, Netherlands
They say that in order to experience the authentic side of Denmark, you have to get away from the capital and into the depths of the countryside. Why not give it a shot in your Copenhagen itinerary? There are many day trips from the capital, but one of our favourites is to visit the North Zealand coastline. Called the 'Danish Riviera', this long stretch of sandy beaches is the perfect spot to escape the hustle and bustle. Tisvildeleje is the most well-known town in the area, hosting a music festival, summer market, and an annual craft fair. Another popular option is Gilleleje, brimming with old-world charm – picture fishing cottages, cosy cafes, and a postcard-worthy harbour. The best part? You can get to both on the train, so you won't even need to worry about renting a car.
Bonus: Head to the National Aquarium of Denmark
Have you ever wondered what the day-to-day struggles of a Giant Pacific Octopus are? We didn’t think so. But pay a visit to Den Blå Planet, the National Aquarium of Denmark, and you'll soon find out. Spend the day learning all about hammerhead sharks, Alaskan sea otters, and manta rays, or step through a transparent underwater tunnel to marvel at the little creatures. The aquarium features several sections with impressive architecture that will make the trip all the way back to the airport – where it is located – worth it.
Master of Light, Plum Guide home in Copenhagen
