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Best Things to do in Copenhagen (2026)

Copenhagen is a city best enjoyed outdoors and at a relaxed pace. The quaysides of Nyhavn, with their painted townhouses and wooden ships, are the classic starting point, and canal tours leave from the head of the canal. A short walk inland, Torvehallerne's two market halls near Nørreport are ideal for a lunch of smørrebrød, pastries and coffee, and a good place to buy picnic supplies for the King's Garden.

Across the harbour, Freetown Christiania shows a very different side of the city, with self-built homes, workshops and green ramparts; walk respectfully, follow the signs and consider a tour led by residents. Further out, Refshaleøen's Reffen street food market is the place for a long, informal meal by the water from spring to early autumn, although it closes in winter. For something truly unusual, CopenHill puts a year-round ski slope, a free hiking trail and a rooftop viewpoint on top of a waste-to-energy plant. Many of these experiences are free or cheap, which helps balance the city's high prices. Hire a bike or use the harbour buses to link them together, and keep an eye on the weather, since most of them are at their best on a dry, bright day.

5 places · Updated October 27, 2026

Our top 3 things to do in Copenhagen

  1. Nyhavn Historic canal and harbourfront, Indre ByCopenhagen's 17th-century harbour canal, lined with colourful townhouses, wooden ships and waterside restaurants, and the main departure point for canal tours.
  2. Torvehallerne Covered food market, Indre By / NørreportTwo glass market halls at Israels Plads near Nørreport, with stalls selling smørrebrød, seafood, coffee, pastries, fresh produce and Danish specialities from morning to early evening.
  3. Freetown Christiania Self-governing community and neighbourhood walk, ChristianshavnA self-governing community founded in 1971 on a former military base in Christianshavn, with self-built homes, workshops, cafés, waterside paths and green ramparts.

Thing to do

1. Nyhavn

Historic canal and harbourfrontIndre By

Copenhagen's 17th-century harbour canal, lined with colourful townhouses, wooden ships and waterside restaurants, and the main departure point for canal tours.

View details — Nyhavn

Thing to do

2. Torvehallerne

Covered food marketIndre By / Nørreport

Two glass market halls at Israels Plads near Nørreport, with stalls selling smørrebrød, seafood, coffee, pastries, fresh produce and Danish specialities from morning to early evening.

View details — Torvehallerne

Thing to do

3. Freetown Christiania

Self-governing community and neighbourhood walkChristianshavn

A self-governing community founded in 1971 on a former military base in Christianshavn, with self-built homes, workshops, cafés, waterside paths and green ramparts.

View details — Freetown Christiania

Thing to do

4. Reffen Street Food

Seasonal harbourside street food marketRefshaleøen

A large seasonal street food market on the old shipyard island of Refshaleøen, with food stalls, bars, concerts and harbourside seating from spring to early autumn.

View details — Reffen Street Food

Thing to do

5. CopenHill

Rooftop ski slope, hiking trail and climbing wallAmager

A waste-to-energy plant with a year-round artificial ski slope, free hiking trail and rooftop views on top, plus one of the world's tallest climbing walls.

View details — CopenHill