How to spend a long weekend in copenhagen
Copenhagen is the kind of city that rewards slow travel. As much as I love an itinerary to see all the sites, a long weekend here is best spent mixing cozy cafés, sightseeing, and a few Danish classic experiences. Think of this itinerary as suggestions rather than a strict schedule. Pick what excites you, move things around, and leave room to wander.
To make getting around even easier, I recommend looking into the Copenhagen Card. It includes unlimited public transportation and free entry to many of the city’s top attractions, which is ideal for a long weekend. Copenhagen’s public transport system is easy to use and incredibly efficient, including direct trains and metro lines to and from the airport, so you do not need a car at all during your stay.
DAY 1
After landing at Copenhagen Airport, take the train or metro straight into the city, which is fast, simple, and stress free. Depending on where you are staying, you can reach Indre By, Vesterbro, or Nørrebro in about 15 minutes.
Once you check into your hotel, use your Copenhagen Card or transit pass to take a short ride or walk around your neighborhood to get oriented. Copenhagen is very walkable, but it is nice knowing you can easily hop on public transport if it is cold or you are tired from traveling.
Spend the afternoon exploring nearby streets, stopping for a coffee or pastry along the way. In the evening, use public transport to head to dinner, or stay close to your hotel and keep the first night relaxed.
Here’s a list of favorite cafes if you’re looking for inspiration.
DAY 2
Start the morning by using public transport to hop between neighborhoods for café hopping. With unlimited rides included on the Copenhagen Card, it is easy to stop for coffee in one area and move on to the next without worrying about tickets.
Later in the morning or early afternoon, use your Copenhagen Card for a canal boat tour, which is included and one of the easiest ways to see the city from the water. I loved doing this as I got to see a lot of the sites within an hour and the tour guides were amazing!
From there, take the metro or bus to Tivoli Gardens, another attraction covered by the Copenhagen Card. Tivoli is centrally located and easy to reach by public transport, making it a simple afternoon stop. Another great option is the Botanical Garden. It is part of Denmark’s Natural History museum and is also covered by the Copenhagen card.
In the late afternoon or early evening, use public transport to explore vintage shopping neighborhoods:
Nørrebro, especially Jægersborggade and Elmegade
Vesterbro, known for curated vintage shops and independent boutiques
Indre By, where vintage shops are mixed in with classic Copenhagen stores
End the day by stopping at the LEGO Store, which is centrally located and easy to reach by metro or on foot. Creating a custom LEGO mini-figure is a fun, lighthearted souvenir and a uniquely Copenhagen experience.
Pro-tip: If you want to make a custom mini-figure go first thing in the morning when they open. Following the advice of the sales associate, I lined up an hour before opening and there were already some people in line.
DAY 3
On day three, use your Copenhagen Card for the train ride to Hillerød to visit Frederiksborg Castle, as both transportation and entrance are included. The journey is easy and makes for a perfect half or full day outside the city.
After exploring the castle and its grounds, take the train back into Copenhagen. This is where public transport really shines, allowing you to enjoy a day trip without any planning stress.
For dinner, keep things casual and budget friendly, and use public transport to get there:
Gasoline Grill for a quick, classic burger
Fabro for affordable Italian comfort food
Pico Pizza for an easy, no-frills meal
These spots are ideal after a long day of sightseeing when you want something good. These places are popular but definitely worth the wait!
DAY 4
Before heading to the airport, I recommend getting one final coffee and pastry, and then spending the rest of the morning shopping for Danish design and hygge-inspired homeware. Many of the best shops are centrally located and easy to reach by public transport, including:
Studio Arhoj, for colorful ceramics and handmade pieces
HAY House, for modern Scandinavian design and home accessories
When it’s time to head to the airport, you can catch the Metro (M2 line) or the train from Copenhagen Central Station, both of which run directly to Copenhagen Airport. The journey takes roughly 15–20 minutes, trains and metro run frequently (every 5–10 minutes during the day), and your Copenhagen Card or a single ticket covers the trip if you haven’t already included the airport ride.
The trains are clean, efficient, and easy to navigate, even if you are traveling with luggage. Signs are in English, there’s plenty of space for bags, and the trip is stress-free compared to arranging a taxi or shuttle. It’s a simple, reliable way to end your trip without worrying about traffic or getting lost, which is especially nice after a full long weekend exploring the city.
