You can start your cruise day in Copenhagen with a traditional Danish breakfast, consisting of rye bread, white bread or rolls with cheese and jam. It will usually also have raw vegetables, herring, boiled eggs and salmon, and you can try a glass of Danish bitters to round out the meal.
One of Copenhagen’s most famous attractions, Nyhavn, is every tourists first stop. Translated to “New Harbor” Nyhavn is a row of colorful buildings that is easily the most photographed part of the city. Acclaimed author Hans Christian Anderson lived there at one time, and today Nyhavn is full of restaurants, bars and museums. You will also find canal tours here. However, if interested, check the prices with a few different operators as they may differ significantly.
Next, you can walk over and see one of the most iconic statues in the world, The Little Mermaid. A top tourist attraction, this statue has been through a lot. Her head was cut off, her arms were cut off, she was covered in paint, but the city repeatedly rehabilitated the statue and now it’s a huge attraction for tourists from around the world. The statue is on the bay by the Langelinie Promenade, which is also on the path of many of the canal cruises if you don’t feel like walking.
Copenhagen Shopping
Next, you can visit Stroget, which is a pedestrian only area considered the shopping area of Copenhagen. It is one of the longest and biggest shopping streets in Europe, and has souvenir shops, popular American stores, and high-end boutique stores. You will also find the Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Factory, which itself is a tourist attraction.
For lunch, you can try Copenhagen’s famous open faced smørrebrød sandwiches, which are a Scandinavian speciality. They are sandwiches with slices of cold meat, sausage or hard-boiled eggs on rye bread and are extremely filling.
Next, you can walk to City Hall Square and check out City Hall, a beautiful building that houses the Olsen’s World Clock. This astronomical clock is extremely intricate and shows lunar eclipses, different times around the world and solar times. The clock and City Hall are free for visitors.
Visit a Copenhagen Palace
Next, you can visit Amalienborg Palace, the winter home of the Danish royal family. The palace is made up of four mansions and a courtyard, but only two are open to the public. The palace is guarded 24/7 by Royal Guards who have a changing of the guard ceremony every day at noon in the front of the palace. If you’re in the area, you can also check out the Marble Palace nearby.
From here, you can walk to Tivoli Gardens via the Vesterbrogade or go to Christiania. This is a self-proclaimed autonomous region within Copenhagen that has many artists, musicians and street vendors.
Finally, you can end your trip with a visit to Christianborg Palace, the Danish house of power. You can see the Parliament building as well as the royal reception rooms, Supreme Court and the Prime Minister’s office. Tickets are available for entry and for tours, but can be costly in high season. It’s still worth it to see the antique building and catch a glimpse of some of Copenhagen’s government officials.
Activities
Visit the iconic Little Mermaid statue. Take a stroll along the Langelinie promenade. See the famous bronze statue of the Little Mermaid, inspired by the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale.
Explore the colorful Nyhavn. Take a leisurely walk along the picturesque harbor area of Nyhavn, with its charming houses, cafes, and restaurants.
Discover the historic Tivoli Gardens. Enjoy a few hours of fun and excitement at the Tivoli Gardens amusement park/ This offers thrilling rides, delicious food, and beautiful gardens.
Admire the impressive Christiansborg Palace. Explore the royal palace and the Parliament building, which offer stunning views of the city from the tower.
Visit the Carlsberg Brewery. Learn about the history and brewing process of Denmark’s famous Carlsberg beer at the brewery’s visitor center, including tastings.
Check out the Rundetårn. Climb to the top of this historic tower to enjoy panoramic views of Copenhagen. See the unique spiral ramp inside.
Learn about Danish art and history at the National Museum of Denmark. Experience Denmark’s rich cultural heritage through the museum’s vast collection of art, artifacts, and exhibits.
Eat traditional Danish cuisine. Sample some of Copenhagen’s delicious traditional foods, such as smørrebrød (open-faced sandwiches), pastries, and fresh seafood.
