A 3-Day Copenhagen Itinerary
- Josi Hicks
- Jul 2, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 24, 2025
Explore the Danish capital in just one long weekend! Plus, knock two countries off of your bucket list with an added day-trip to Malmö, Sweden. Read below to find out how I packed as much Nordic charm as possible into 72 hours.
Back in April, my friend and I spent a long weekend in the charming Copenhagen. Despite the time of year, and to our southerner surprise, the weather was still quite cold (think in the 40s), but we still made the most of our days in Denmark. If you're craving a getaway with edge and excitement, then this Copenhagen itinerary is for you.
Day 1: Arrive | Tastes & Tours
Friday
Just around noon on Friday, Meg and I arrived at Copenhagen's airport, which is luckily a quick metro ride from the city center. We dropped our bags at our stay for the weekend and hit the ground running (or walking, in this case).
If budget traveling to Copenhagen, I recommend staying at Next House Copenhagen. This place has anything any traveller could ever dream of, including budget friendly meals, luggage storage, a gym, a cinema, and more.
2:00 PM | Lunch + Coffee
First order of business: food. We grabbed lunch and a cappuccino at a local café—think options like Roast, Buka, or the popular Juno the Bakery. Caffeine plus flaky carbs always equals my kind of meal, but especially when I get to simultaneously soak in the Scandinavian style.
Another food option is a grab-and-go hotdog from one of the many stands you'll see set up around Copenhagen. The hotdogs here are the street food to try!
3:00 PM – Free Walking Tour
When first visiting a city, I always enjoy joining a free walking tour to get my bearings. Since this was my first time in Copenhagen, I found a tour for Meg and I to join in on. Over about two hours, we passed the major historic spots: Nytorv & Gammel Torv, Christiansborg, Magstræde, and plenty of spots I wouldn’t have discovered solo.
If you're looking for a free walking tour to join, try joining the Grand Tour of Copenhagen. While it is called a "free" walking tour, keep in mind that it's always customary to tip your tour guide (for this one, I individually tipped around €14, as did Meg).
6:00 PM – Canal Tour from Nyhavn
From land to water: cap off your day of tours with a classic canal cruise leaving from Nyhavn. We personally decided against this activity (as we'd recently done various similar tours), but it's the fastest and easiest way to see the sights of the city. Float past colorful facades, modern architecture, and the Little Mermaid statue for the perfect golden-hour moment.
7:00 PM – Stroll Nyhavn
Afterward, we stuck around the harbor at Nyhavn to snap a million pictures. This is the classic Copenhagen postcard, with the colored buildings and bobbing boats. I would advise coming here either first thing in the morning or late afternoon to avoid as much crowding as you can!
8:00 PM – Dinner
Dine nearby in Nyhavn at one of the cozy harborside restaurants under the twinkling lights. Popular spots include Skipperkroen or Nyhavn 17. For a more budget friendly option, consider Palazzo Diner.
Day 2: Explore | Tropics, Towers & Tivoli
Saturday
Break your fast and prepare to last through a day of trains, tropics, toys, towers, and Tivoli!
9:00 AM – Morning Train to Malmö, Sweden
A bucket list moment: We hopped on a 40-minute train across the Øresund Bridge to Malmö! Even just an hour or so in Sweden feels like an adventure. Stroll the old town, kick it in some clogs, and snap a pic by St. Peter’s Church before heading back.
12:10 PM – Back in Copenhagen
Return in time for a full afternoon of Copenhagen classics.
1:00 PM – Butterfly House (Orchid House) in King’s Garden
The Botanical Garden is a hidden gem. Step into a tropical oasis by exploring the luxurious greenhouse, home to both botanics and butterflies. Afterwards, lay on the lawn and relax like a royal.
If you're visiting when it's cold, make sure to layer up if you do plan on visiting the Botanical Gardens. It is h o t on the inside of the greenhouse.
2:30 PM – LEGO Store (Build Your Mini-Me)
Childhood dreams come true—stop by the flagship LEGO store and make a mini-me. Yes, you can customize the hair and outfit. This is only available at select locations around the world, so manufacture your mini-me here!
3:45 PM – Climb the Round Tower
For panoramic views of the city, climb the spiral ramp up the Rundetaarn (Round Tower). Worth every step—on a clear day, you can see all the way to Sweden (swear).
5:30 PM – Tivoli Gardens + Dinner at Tivoli Food Hall
Unknowingly, we came on the perfect weekend: the season opening of the Tivoli Gardens. This magical amusement park is the second oldest amusement park in the world. Ride some rollercoasters and grab dinner at the Tivoli Food Hall, which has endless options (both indulgent and diet).
I tried out Chicks by Chicks, where I got my meal (a rotisserie chicken platter with veggies and slaw) for around $20 USD. The downside of Denmark is the pricing, so this is about as cheap as you'll find any drink and a meal in Copenhagen.
Optional – Night Out?
Depending on your energy levels, Copenhagen has a vibrant nightlife scene. Or just call it an early night and save your energy for vintage shopping (!) the next day.
Day 3: Shop | Thrifting & Free Time
Sunday
Before starting your day, head to a nearby ATM to withdraw some cash (local currency Danish krone) for thrifting!
10:00 AM – Veras Market
Head to Veras Market, a secondhand/vintage market known for its stylish Scandinavian fashion finds. At this market, the Copenhagen cool girls are selling their own clothes at their own price, almost all under or around $10 USD/item. Go early (around 10 am) for the best picks and come with cash. This is seriously the coolest market I have ever been to.
12:00 PM and on – Shopping the Streets
Spend the rest of the afternoon hitting up Copenhagen’s best thrift and design stores:
Episode – Massive secondhand store with great denim + graphic tees
Prag Secondhand – Well-curated vintage
Boii Studios – Scandinavian indie label worth the hype
Lidkøb – Trendy boutique with high-end streetwear vibes
Mads Nørgaard – Classic Scandinavian stripes everywhere, luxury
Free Afternoon
Before packing up, spend the afternoon strolling, shopping, and soaking up the sights. During our free time, we walked to see the Little Mermaid since we opted out of the canal cruise on Day 1.
If you do the same, bear in mind that this can be a hike (upwards of 45 minutes), but it can be worth it for the views along the way. Otherwise, the public transportation is super easy to navigate in Copenhagen. Simply plug in where you need to go on Apple Maps and it will direct you. Buy the Copenhagen Card in advance to avoid worrying about ticket costs for both the trains and attractions throughout your visit.
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