Copenhagen is full of iconic attractions that you can visit for free. From historic landmarks to beautiful parks, exploring the city on a budget is easier than you think. Looking for free things to do in Copenhagen? We’ve gathered the best tips and included a map to help you plan your perfect adventure in Denmark’s charming capital!
The Little Mermaid is known around the world and is one of the most iconic sights in Copenhagen – well, in all of Denmark, to be honest – and you can go see her for free! She is perched on a rock in the water along Langelinie, and it’s very easy to walk there from the city center. She is very popular, so if you want a picture of her alone and not a group photo, we recommend you go early in the morning.
Find the Danish icon at Langelinie.
The Citadel – Kastellet in Danish – is an important piece of Danish history, with parts still in use by the Ministry of Defense today. Founded by King Christian IV in 1624, it stands as one of the best-preserved fortresses in Northern Europe.
Take a leisurely walk on the star-shaped ramparts, where you’ll pass by old cannons, statues, and a historic wooden windmill. After your walk, you can pay a visit the St. Alban’s Church or the Information Center. On Sundays in May, June, August, and September, you can also explore the museum ‘Livjægermuseet’.
Find the main entrance to the Citadel at Gl. Hovedvagt, Kastellet 1.
Every day at noon, the royal guards in front of Amalienborg Palace holds a ceremony when they change shifts. The ceremony is called ‘The changing of the guard’ and this tradition has been around for about 350 years. While the ceremony itself has changed a few times over the years, the primary reason is still to symbolize the protection and stability of the Danish monarchy.
Watch the royal guards in the courtyard of Amalienborg Palace.
The colorful houses and cobblestoned streets of Nyhavn are depicted in lots of guidebooks, on postcards, and are even featured in the movie “The Danish Girl”. Famous writer Hans Christian Andersen lived here for most of his life, and this is where many of his fairy tales were written.
Stroll along the water and admire the brightly colored houses and beautiful boats lining the canal. If you want to add even more color, you can visit some of the city’s other colorful areas. Discover more of Copenhagen’s colorful houses in our blog post.
One of the most remarkable buildings in Copenhagen is the Marble Church. Located right by Amalienborg Palace, this cultural landmark has been an important part of the city since 1894. King Frederik V laid the foundation stone himself during a great ceremony.
Some days, it’s possible to visit the dome and enjoy a panoramic view of the city, though there is a fee for doing so.
Find the Marble Church at Frederiksgade 4.
Below you’ll find our suggestions for free activities you can enjoy while you are here, both on land and in water.
Enjoy a refreshing swim in the canals by visiting one of the harbor baths. Thanks to numerous initiatives to help keep the canals and harbor clean, you can enjoy swimming in quite a few places. This is a very popular activity among both locals and visitors.
See locations for some of the harbor baths on the map below.
If you need a break from the busy city life, the King’s Garden is the place to go. This public park is a wonderful place to take a walk all year round, and with the historic Rosenborg Castle as a backdrop it doesn’t get much better.
In the park you’ll find many statues and busts and there’s also a playground for smaller children. You’re surrounded by trees, bushes, and flowers that change color throughout the seasons. In the summertime, you can also enjoy a visit to the rose garden.
Take a stroll at Øster Voldgade 4A.
If you enjoy hiking, you can’t miss the Amarmino! The route is 27 kilometers, and along the way, you’ll encounter Highland cattle (perhaps the most Instagrammable of all cow species!) and pass Denmark’s largest bird reserve. You’ll walk across marshlands, beaches, and beach meadows. Climb ‘Mount Anna’, aka the trash mountain, and take in the view of Copenhagen. In Kongelunden, look for the famous troll named Bjarke Cirkelsten, who is hiding in the woods. Don’t worry - he’s completely harmless and was made by renowned artist Thomas Dambo.
The Amarmino offers a diverse and engaging trail, perfect for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.
Please note that you’ll need to use public transportation to get to the starting point and back into the city, which is not free of charge.
How to get to the starting point:
How to get back to Copenhagen:
Good tip:
Some museums and other attractions in Copenhagen offer free entrance on specific days each month, and some are even free to visit year-round.
The small Magasin du Nord Museum tells the fascinating story of the legendary department store and displays objects such as dresses, shoes, catalogues, and advertisements dating back to its beginning in 1868.
You can also visit the tiny apartment where famous fairy tale writer Hans Christian Andersen lived from 1827-1828, and it looks almost exactly like it did 200 years ago. Even though he only lived there for a little more than a year, he managed to write nine stories, and the apartment meant so much to him, that it is mentioned in one way or another in a few of his other stories.
This museum is always free to visit, and you can find it at Vingårdstræde 6.
Climb the tower at Christiansborg Palace and enjoy a panoramic view of the city. The tower stands at 106 meters tall, making it the tallest in Copenhagen. However, visitors can only go up to 44 meters, where a viewing platform, called ‘the View’, is located. See if you can spot the Round Tower, Tivoli Gardens, and the Marble Church. On a clear day, you can even catch a glimpse of Sweden to the north-east.
On your way up, visit the tower room, which was once a secret and forgotten box room used for storing old plaster casts and interim models.
The entrance to the tower is free, and you can see the city from above at Christiansborg Slotsplads.
If you happen to be in Copenhagen on the last Wednesday of any given month, you can explore these museums free of charge!
We recommend you check out their website for opening hours and changes before you go.
Photo taken at Thorvaldsen's Museum
Join Stromma’s Hop On-Hop Off buses to travel between these attractions while taking a break to rest your legs. Plug in the headphones and learn more about Copenhagen’s rich history via the audio-guide (available in 12 different languages). Choose between a 24, 48, and 72-hour tickets and explore the city at your own pace.
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