How to Spend Four Days in Copenhagen: an Anxious Traveler’s Guide
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Why You Should Visit Copenhagen, Denmark
As one of the happiest countries in the world, Denmark must know a thing or two about how to live, right? They do, and that’s what makes four days in Copenhagen your next destination! Find a cozy cafe to practice some Hygge while you gaze out at the beautiful canals and historic architecture in Copenhagen. Tour royal residences of the Danish Monarchy (which is still alive and well today!). Bicycle through the city for some exercise and sightseeing. Don’t forget to grab some pancake balls while you’re at it!
This four day Copenhagen itinerary could probably be condensed to two or three days if you’re the type of traveler that likes to knock out the sights quickly. But if you like to slow down, live that easygoing European life for a few days, and enjoy the scenery, I highly recommend this slow travel itinerary!
What You Need to Know Before You Go to Denmark
General
Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark, with a metro population of approximately 1.4 million people. When they say it’s the most bikeable city in the world, they are not kidding! There were more bikes than people. And cars. I can’t tell you how many times I accidentally stepped out in front of a bike simply because I’m not used to them being on the street!
Money
The Danish currency is the Danish Krone (DKK). We payed with credit cards the entire time and had no issue, so I don’t think you need cash while you’re there!
Language
Danish is the national language, though most people speak English and fairly well. We had no issues communicating anywhere!
Safety
Copenhagen is very safe! You can walk around no problem. The public transportation is clean and well-lit. One thing to note: if you have T-Mobile, for some reason, the network doesn’t like to stay connected. If you lose service for whatever reason, go into your settings and switch from automatic to manual network selection. I used Telenor and it worked fine after that.
Tips for Travelers with Anxiety in Copenhagen
Honestly, watch out for bicycles. I read online before I went that people biked everywhere but had no idea until we actually arrived just how many there would be. Like, I’m talking every time you cross the street, you’re competing with bikes. In car free zones, there are still bikes. There’s more bike parking than car parking. So if you’re not used to seeing people on them, just pay extra attention to your surroundings so you don’t crash into one and they don’t crash into you!
Copenhagen is busy. Cars, bikes, people, there aren’t many spots that aren’t crowded, and I’m saying this as someone who went in October, a shoulder season! If large crowds bother you, I’d definitely avoid peak travel months in the summer and opt for late fall trips or early spring. One thing to note: there is a country-wide holiday in October, which we weren’t aware of, and we happened to be there during that time, so it was also busier than usual. If you plan a four day trip to Copenhagen in October, check what dates the fall holiday are that year and adjust accordingly!
How to get to & around Copenhagen
Copenhagen has one international airport (CPH), which you’ll fly into. It’s about 30 minutes outside the city, and once you land, you can travel to the heart of Copenhagen by taxi (Uber and Lyft don’t operate in Denmark) or by public transport. We opted for a taxi on our first trip which was expensive. Our first hotel was about a 10 minute walk from the nearest train stop. Our second hotel was only a 5 minute walk, so we took the train.
***our time in Denmark was part of a longer trip around Europe. Check out my Swedish Lapland Travel Guide and combine the two itineraries for the perfect late fall Europe trip!***
If you can swing it, I’d recommend the taxi. Unlike most stations in Europe, or most tickets I’ve purchased in Europe, it is incredibly difficult to figure out where you are supposed to go to catch your train. At least at the airport, there were people standing around to point people in the right direction. When we returned, I had to ask several strangers for help to ensure we were on the right platform! And even then, we struggled to find the right spot.
Otherwise, Copenhagen is very walkable, especially if you stay in the heart of the city, close to Tivoli Gardens or one of the palaces. Many hotels offer bike rentals as well if you want to venture further or get around faster.
When to Plan Your Four Day Copenhagen, Denmark Trip
So, when should you plan your four day Copenhagen itinerary? Peak season is the summer, and while you’ll enjoy the nicest weather then, it will be far more crowded. You’ll likely have to wait in line for major attractions or book your tickets well in advance. That’s why I always recommend shoulder season travel, especially if you have anxiety. Spring and fall are ideal times to go, and if you venture beyond Copenhagen into other Danish cities, you’ll get a lovely view on the train of fall leaves or spring flowers.
In the fall, there is a school break that lasts about a week. During that time, it will be busier. I highly recommend checking what the dates are before you book your four day Copenhagen trip so you avoid all the families touring around the country on their holiday!
Where to Stay in Copenhagen
We stayed in two separate hotels during our four days in Copenhagen: Radisson Collection Royal Hotel and Hotel Kong Arthur.
Hotel Kong Arthur
Hotel Kong Arthur is right off the water and perfect for lovers of natural beauty. The interior of the hotel is richly appointed with natural tones and provides a serene atmosphere whether you’re hanging out in the lobby or in your room. It’s the perfect place to stay if you’re looking to be a little further away from the hustle and bustle on your four day Copenhagen itinerary.
Rooms
Hotel Kong Arthur offers a variety of rooms to suit your needs: Standard Double, Superior Double, and Suite. Something to note if you’re American—they do not have AC, so we ended up opening the windows at night to stay cool. Each room has a small fridge and coffee station as well. The room was spacious, though the bathroom was basically big enough for one person, and we got water everywhere when we tried to take a shower 🤣
Amenities
While breakfast is not automatically included, you can pay extra for it. I do not recommend because it was fairly expensive and there wasn’t much on the buffet that I liked. Unless you don’t mind the more fine dining spins on breakfast food, you can find cheaper, tastier options only a few blocks away. Additionally, there is an onsite spa. I was totally planning on booking something but we ran out of time between our other adventures!
Extras
If you stay at Hotel Kong Arthur, definitely have them arrange a taxi to and from the airport for you. It’s a flat rate and was significantly cheaper than the one we hailed on our own. Plus, every evening, they host a happy hour where your first wine, beer, or juice is free. We had some lovely conversation with fellow travelers!
Radisson Collection Royal Hotel
The Radisson Collection Royal Hotel is located right next to Tivoli Gardens, in the heart of the tourist zone. All you need to do is walk out the main entry and you’re right where the hop on hop off bus stops!
Rooms
The Radisson Royal Hotel boasts a variety of rooms to choose from, from your standard double room to ones with excellent views of the Copenhagen skyline or Tivoli Gardens. They also have a suites for anyone who is feeling extra boujee. While our room was a little small, the bed was soft and the bathroom was bigger than in our other hotel room. They also had more pillows available upon request, which when you have chronic pain like both my husband and I do, is an absolute necessity.
Amenities
The Radisson offers a host of amenities including a gym, an onsite restaurant, and bicycle rental. We used the gym while we were there, and it’s not like a regular hotel gym with a handful of machines and dumbbells. It’s actually like a full on membership gym you’d find in the States with group fitness classes and squat racks.
Extras
The Radisson also has a conference center, and I’m mentioning this because we stayed while there was a dental conference going on and we were very confused why there were so many people with badges around, asking people if they needed anything. The way we were dressed, I don’t think we quite belonged, yet we got asked anyway!
Four Day Copenhagen Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival, Rosenborg, Round Tower
Once you’ve dropped off your luggage, it’s time to head into the city and explore! Our favorite thing to do when we arrive is simply walk around and get a feel for the city and where things are. And also grab some food because I’m usually starving at that point. Copenhagen had tons of amazing restaurants if you’re a foodie, but if you’re not, you’re going to be like us and eat a ton of pizza 🍕
Rosenborg Castle
One of my favorite things we did on our four day Copenhagen itinerary was visit Rosenborg Castle. It’s where the Danish royal jewels are, which is always a favorite of mine anytime we visit major European cities. On the grounds, you can wander through the King’s Garden, especially if it’s a nice day. There is timed entry into Rosenborg Castle, so you’ll need to book tickets online in advance or wait a few minutes upon arriving to enter. Note that they are strict about your bag size, so if it doesn’t fit in this square box, you’ll have to grab a locker to put your things in. My camera bag was about two inches too big, so I just held my camera while we toured the castle.
Round Tower
Nearby is the Round Tower, which is a 17th century tower with an observatory and planetarium. Climb to the top (and get very dizzy along the way) for stunning views of the city! If stairs are hard on your knees, fret not, as it is a winding, circular ramp that leads the way. You can buy tickets in advance or wait in line once you arrive to tour. They do keep a count of how many people are coming and going to ensure it doesn’t become overcrowded.
Day 2: Day Trip to Fredricksborg and Kronborg
Rise early for day two of your four day Copenhagen itinerary because you’ll have to catch the train to Hillerød! Check opening times for Fredrickborg Castle, and you’ll definitely want to get there as close to opening as possible so you can appreciate it all to yourself before the crowds arrive.
Fredricksborg Castle
Your first stop is Fredricksborg Castle, a 17th century Renaissance style castle built for King Christian IV. It is the largest Renaissance style castle in Denmark as well. The architecture is simply stunning as are the gardens surrounding it. It is about a 20 minute walk from the train station, and I highly recommend walking alongside the lake and appreciating the peaceful nature. It’s also an excellent opportunity for a reflection photo of the castle!
On the self-guided tour inside, you’ll find plenty of history about the castle and the Danish monarchy. Don’t skip the basement, where statues of the Greek gods are being restored and you can learn all about the renovation efforts. Expect to spend about 3 hours here.
Grab lunch in Hillerød before hopping on the train to Helsingør!
Kronborg Castle
Kronborg Castle had its place in history solidified when Shakespeare wrote it as the notable Elsinore in Hamlet. It’s on the UNESCO World Heritage List! Of the two, Kronborg was definitely my favorite. A troupe of actors wander through the halls, acting as the Danish Royals or characters from Hamlet. Every day at 2:30, they gather around the cannons pointing at Sweden and fire them off. Definitely cover your ears because it is LOUD. And yes, you can see Sweden from the castle!
It’s also about a 20 minute walk from the train station, where you’ll see lovely harbor views and if you’re like me, wonder how people survive riding on the boats pulling up to the port in the roughest seas I’ve ever seen. Expect to spend 3 hours here exploring everything the castle has to offer.
For the best photos of the castle, take a right when you exit the glass tunnel entry and circle around into the grass and woods. A small path cuts through, and if you follow it along over some hills, you’ll come to the spot pictured above!
After you’re throughly spent, grab the train back to Copenhagen!
Don’t want to deal with the hassle of the trains? Book this guided group tour instead.
Day 3: Danish Royal Palaces, Frederik’s Church
Christiansborg Palace
Christiansborg Palace used to house the Danish monarchy but now houses the Danish Parliament and other official government offices. So much of the royal history is stored there, you won’t want to miss any of it. Guided tours are available to each part multiple times of the day, and for this one I highly, highly recommend booking your ticket in advance. Or go with a private guide and skip the line!
At 11 AM, the (free) tower opens, and you can climb to the top for more stunning views of Copenhagen. Since it is free, it was packed at 11. Honestly, I wish we’d gotten there at like 10:30 so we wouldn’t have had to stand in such a long line! Another favorite part of mine was the Royal Stables. We saw the horses turned out first thing in the morning before we got in line for the tower, so if you’re looking to save a few dollars, that’s an option too. Other tours include the Queen’s tapestries, the chapel, and the ruins beneath the palace.
Amalienborg Palace
Where the Royal family lives now, Amalienborg Palace is stunning from the outside and definitely worth the walk over from Christainsborg. Actually, at 12 every day, you can witness the changing of the guard. The soldiers walk between the two palaces, guided by some very helpful police officers, and exchange places with one another. It was so cool to witness! And their training is impeccable because one of the guards fainted and none of them even blinked. Their officer waved two over to carry him to the infirmary, and he ended up okay in the end!
Frederik’s Church
Just down the street from Amalienborg is Frederik’s Church, also known as the Marble Church. The church is open to the public and at 1 PM it’s possible to visit the top of the dome, though the availability varies throughout the year, so check this in advance if you want to make the trek. This church is one of the most popular for weddings in Denmark too!
Day 4: Spiral, Nyhvan, Canal Tour, Strøget
Stairway to Heaven AKA the Church of Our Savior
So we actually spotted the Church of Our Savior in the distance while we were out walking our first day, and upon arriving at it we discovered you can climb all the way to the top. However, you can only buy your tickets online and you have to buy it in advance because they have a timed entry. So we decided to book a slot for another day and came back. Let me warn you with how many stairs there are. They are narrow and steep and I was so out of breath by the time we reached the top! Out of all the panoramas of the city, this one was my favorite, though it’s not for the faint of heart. It definitely tested my fear of heights, especially as we climbed the spiral. You can literally go all the way to the top, but if a strong breeze blows, you will absolutely feel it. Totally worth it for the views though!
Nyhavn
On your walk back, stop by Nyhavn, the most famous canal in Copenhagen. The streets around there are lined with colorful houses on the water and boats are anchored everywhere in the canals. It’s a busy spot, so if you go in the middle of the day, expect there to be crowds. Restaurants spill onto the cobbled street, so it’s the perfect place to grab a bite to eat (if you don’t mind the prices) and enjoy Copenhagen’s most famous views. It is an absolute must-see on any four day Copenhagen itinerary.
Canal Tour
From Nyhavn, hop on one of the canal tour boats and learn about the history of them and more about Copenhagen. They’ll even take you by the famous mermaid statue and tell you it’s history. I won’t spoil the fun of it, so you should definitely do it. Plus, it’s inexpensive compared to basically everything else on your four day Copenhagen itinerary. The boats are wide and low, and they also move slowly, so if you’re like me and not a fan of boats, you’ll be fine. No panic attacks here this time 🤣
Strøget
Wrap up your four day Copenhagen itinerary with a stroll down Strøget, the longest pedestrian street in the world. This area is the heart of Copenhagen’s shopping district, with everything from luxury brand stores to—I kid you not—rubber ducky stores. Honestly, that is why I am telling you to go to this street. Do yourself a favor and stop in at Ducky Memories. I’m not going to say anything else, because discovering that was probably one of the highlights of our Denmark trip.
Other Things to Do with Four Days in Copenhagen
Tivoli Gardens. I guess I didn’t read enough about this before we went, because I assumed that Tivoli Gardens had some actual gardens. It’s actually an amusement park. While it has a ton of things to do, I don’t recommend for anxious travelers. We walked to it, intending to go inside, but once I saw how packed it was, I noped out pretty quick.
Food Halls. Copenhagen boasts a ton of food halls! We frequented TorvehallerneKBH, and with so many options to choose from, it was easy to return again and again. There is a gluten free dessert shop as well as a Paleo restaurant, both of which were delicious.
Other castles & palaces. While we didn’t have enough time to visit all the castles, here are some others we considered that can all be reached by train from Copenhagen. Jaegerspira Castle, Charlottenlund Castle, Frederiksberg Palace (adjacent to the Copenhagen Zoo), and The Hermitage. There are ton’s of gorgeous castles scattered all over Denmark, though you’d have to spend the night in a different city if you wanted to reach the farther ones.
Final Thoughts on How to Spend Four Days in Copenhagen
Four days in Copenhagen is plenty of time to see everything the city has to offer, including royal palaces, picturesque canals, and epic views from the top of a handful of spires. Copenhagen also makes a great jumping off point to other parts of Europe, including Swedish Lapland. Tack a few days onto the beginning or the end of your trip and explore the capital of Denmark!