Copenhagen offers a wealth of free activities that can keep you busy throughout the day. This itinerary doesn't require using public transport, so there's no need to pay for transport. All these places can be visited by walking in a loop that starts and ends at City Hall or Central Station. Just come prepared with good walking shoes, plenty of water, and a jacket for when it gets cold, and you're all set to have a fun day in Copenhagen.
You can also rent bikes or scooters from various places throughout the city. Copenhagen is a great city to explore by bike, with dedicated bike lanes and parking spots everywhere!
So, here's our list of all the activities you can do for free on your first day in Copenhagen.
1 ) City center -
I always like to start exploring the city on my own the first day. This way, when I begin visiting paid attractions, I already have a good sense of the place, which helps me manage my time and money more effectively. Copenhagen is a beautiful city that's perfect for exploring on foot!
On day one, head to the city center—take a bus to Central Station or City Hall. There's an information center just a 100-meter walk from the station; make that your first stop. Pick up your city map and let the fun begin!
If you're interested, you can also inquire about the Copenhagen Card and purchase it in advance. This way, you can start using it the very next day instead of waiting. It saves money and is extremely convenient.
Remember, the validity of the card starts not from the time of purchase but from the time you first use it (make sure to write down the time before boarding your first bus/train or visiting a paid attraction).
2) Torvehallerne market -
It takes around 20 minutes to reach Torvehallerne Market, which boasts over 60 stalls selling everything from meat, fish, chocolates, and breakfast items to beers, fresh fruits, flowers, and of course, coffee (you'll find a coffee shop every few steps in Copenhagen!). It's always the best way to start the day—eating some great food and feasting your eyes on the vibrant market offerings.
3) Botanical garden -
A vast green space adorned with the colors of spring—a perfect spot to soak up the sun, relax on the grass, and perhaps even chase the ducks!
The Botanical Garden also houses the Butterfly Garden, which is a must-visit and free with your Copenhagen Card.
Note: If you need to use a restroom, there is one available at the Geological Museum or another one located right across the street in the grounds of Rosenborg Castle.
4) Rosenborg palace grounds -
The palace itself is beautiful and worth a visit, but if you're short on time, strolling through the grounds around the castle is a perfect alternative. It's an ideal place to relax, enjoy a picnic lunch, and let the kids have fun running around while watching the huge fish and ducks in the pond.
5) Kastellet -
Walk around a few blocks and pass by beautiful gardens and quirky sculptures to reach Kastellet.
Kastellet is a fortress shaped like a pentagon. The commander's house, painted in yellow and red, provides a lively backdrop for pictures. The soldiers' barracks are charming two-story buildings. There's even a windmill on the grounds, which adds to its picturesque charm. Kastellet serves primarily as a place for administrative and military housing, as well as a public garden.
6) The langelinie promenade -
A short, picturesque walk from Kastellet will take you to the Copenhagen waterfront in the area of Langelinie, which is perfect for long strolls and home to the iconic Little Mermaid statue. Langelinie Pier and marina are spots for docking small boats and large cruise ships. On a sunny day, it's picture-perfect—a great excuse to enjoy ice cream while watching the ripples in the water!
7) The Little Mermaid -
The small bronze statue of the "Little Mermaid," based on the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen and created by Edvard Eriksen in 1913 (according to Wikipedia), has become an icon of Copenhagen. Despite multiple episodes of vandalism over the last century—including being painted over several times and once blasted off its base—the statue has been restored each time and continues to sit proudly as a symbol of Copenhagen.
However, be warned: it's often extremely crowded with tourists!
8) Langelinie park -
This small park on the promenade serves as a much-needed break, especially since we hadn't discovered any parks earlier in the day! It features a wooden boat, a watchtower, slide, and swing—enough to keep little kids happy. Plus, there are lots of ladybirds on the leaves of the bush fence around the park! It's these small things that make kids happy, which in turn keeps the adults happy too.
8) Gefion springs -
Located near Langelinie Park, the Gefion Fountain depicts a group of animals driven by the goddess Gefion. It's the largest monument in Copenhagen, according to Visit Copenhagen's website. According to legend, the goddess plowed the island of Zealand from Sweden. It's a truly beautiful fountain and a notable sight in the city.
9) St. Alban's church -
This is located next to Gefion Fountain: Churchill Parken.
10) Queen Mary statue -
When you walk along the waterfront heading to Amalienborg, you come across a large statue called "I Am Queen Mary". It depicts a black woman holding a sugar cane cutter in her hand. Curious about its significance, I did what should be done when in doubt—googled it! Turns out, it's a statue of Mary Thomas, a black woman who was one of the three women "queens" who led a rebellion against Dutch colonial rule in the Caribbean.
11) Amalienborg palace grounds-
There is no shortage of royal residences in Copenhagen. Amalienborg Palace boasts impressive architecture, and if you time your visit around noon, you can witness the changing of the guards ceremony.
12) Nyhavn-
And finally, after a long walk, you will reach Nyhavn—clearly the most popular spot in Copenhagen, judging by the crowds here. Multiple restaurants line the canal, along with several street food stalls. Take your pick and spend some time here admiring the characteristic colorful buildings. Once a busy commercial port, Nyhavn now serves as a vibrant tourist attraction. It's also where the famous Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen lived.
13) Walk through the old town-
Cobblestone streets, high-end brands, local bakeries, quaint old churches, and beautiful fountains—what a delightful mix! Finally, reach City Hall to admire it at sunset, then head home to rest and start the next day afresh.
The next two days, we explored the various paid attractions the city has to offer using the Copenhagen card. Read our blogs Exploring Copenhagen with the Copenhagen Card - Day 1 and Exploring Copenhagen with the Copenhagen Card - Day 2 to know how you can save a while lot of money and explore the treasure of things that Copenhagen has to offer!
In my opinion it is the best city break! Read more in our blog - Copenhagen with Kids: Your Essential Guide to Planning the Perfect Trip
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