Is Copenhagen Worth Visiting?
In my opinion, yes Copenhagen is definitely worth visiting. It’s a cool city with lots that interests me. Objectively speaking, however, there are a few factors that will determine whether Copenhagen will be ‘worth it’ for you. These include your budget, the time of year you visit, and your interests. Below, I have gone into more detail to help you understand whether Copenhagen will be worth visiting for your personally.
Pros: Why It’s Worth Visiting Copenhagen
If you’re asking yourself, ‘is it worth visiting Copenhagen?’, here are some of the main reasons why I think this destination makes a great city break
Most People Speak English
Although the primary language of Denmark is, of course, Danish, the vast majority of people can speak English. This makes communication when visiting Copenhagen very easy.
You will be able to visit restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops, and get by very easily without knowing any of the native language.
Low Crime Rates
One thing that completely shocked me when visiting Copenhagen was all of the babies left outside shops and cafes in their prams. While their parents shopped, the baby would wait in the pram.
This is something I can’t imagine happening in the UK!
However, Copenhagen is an extremely safe city with a very low crime rate. As a result, locals feel very comfortable leaving their babies unattended. Although it might seem strange to us, it does indicate that you’ll probably feel quite safe when travelling around Copenhagen – it’s unlikely that you’ll cross paths with crime while you’re there!
Easy to Get Around
Copenhagen is a relatively small city and it’s very easy to get around. Their Metro system is very easy to navigate and runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you are visiting Copenhagen, I’d recommend purchasing a Copenhagen Card in advance. This will give you unlimited access to public transport
I have a whole blog post about the best ways to get around Copenhagen, including how to get from the airport to the city centre.
Great for Solo Travel
Thanks to the fantastic transport system and low crime rates, Copenhagen is a great option for solo travellers. If you want to visit somewhere were you’ll feel safe, this could be the city for you.
I would highly recommend this destination as a female solo traveller.
Delicious Food
In Copenhagen, you’ll be able to try some amazing traditional Danish food. Whilst the infamous Michelin star Noma has closed this year, the city still has a plethora of fantastic restaurants on offer.
And if you’re a returning visitor to the blog, you’ll know just how much I loved bakeries. In fact, I’ve written a number of blog posts about them, including my favourite bakeries in Edinburgh and Manchester.
Danish bakeries are on another level. For me, the bakeries are enough reason alone to visit Copenhagen.
My top recommendations include:
- tebirkes (tea and poppy seed buns)
- kanelsnegl (cinnamon bun)
- direktørsnegl (chocolate roll)
- spandauer (traditional Danish pastry)
Beautiful Danish Design
Last but not least on this list of pros is Danish design. If you appreciate beautiful things, you’ll probably like Denmark.
The signature Scandi design is everywhere you look, from airbnbs to cafes to restaurants. There’s something really exciting about visiting a country that is so designed focused and cares so much about the look of things as well as the functionality.
If you really want to delve into Danish Design, you can visiting the Design Museum in Copenhagen, which features work by famous Danish designers, such as Arne Jacobsen, Jacob Jensen, and Kaare Klint.
There’s Lots to Do
There’s plenty of things to do in Copenhagen, so you’ll definitely be able to keep yourself busy. I’ve created a whole section later in this blog post with my top recommendations if you’re visiting the city.
Cons of Visiting Copenhagen
Copenhagen is Expensive
Is Copenhagen worth it? Well, that depends on exactly how much you have to spend.
It’s no secret that Copenhagen is an expensive city. You probably will have heard that taxes here are astronomically high and the price of a pint is eye-watering. That’s not far from the truth!
Whilst I love Copenhagen and would highly recommend it, if you’re strapped for cash it might not be the best choice for you right now. There are quite a few other European cities where you could have just as good of a time for less money.
For example, Lisbon makes a fantastic city break and will probably be significantly cheaper.
The Weather
Copenhagen certainly isn’t known for its sunshine. If you’re looking for a warm mini-break, this probably isn’t the destination for you.
While the summers are mild, although cloudy, the winters are cold, windy, and long. This doesn’t always make for perfect exploring conditions, as you’ll probably want to be wrapped up warm indoors.
Not That ‘Exciting’
Compared to some other capital cities, Copenhagen may not be considered as ‘exciting’.
It lacks the bright lights, big city feel of New York City or London, and it doesn’t have the same levels of adventure as Cape Town or Queenstown.
If you’re looking for a more low-key city break (with still plenty to do), then Copenhagen will probably be right up your street. But if you want some hustle, bustle, and adventure, then Copenhagen may not be worth it to you.
Best Things to Do in Copenhagen
There are loads of really interesting things to do in Copenhagen but these are some of my very favourites. Tickets for all of these attractions can booked online in advance.
However, I’d recommend purchasing a Copenhagen Card instead, as this will get you free admission into all of these attractions, as well as unlimited travel on public transport in Copenhagen.
1) Rosenborg Castle – Rosenborg castle was built as a summer house for Christian IV. Visitors can now visit and admire the Dutch Renaissance style palace. Here you can see the crown jewels, as well as the thrones of the King and Queen of Denmark.
2) Tivoli Gardens – Tivoli Gardens is one of the oldest operating theme parks in the world and one of the main attractions in Copenhagen. There’s plenty of fun here to keep adults and kids happy alike. You can purchase an unlimited rides pass in advance here.
3) Christiansborg Castle – Formerly a royal palace that housed Kings and Queens, this castle is now home to the Danish Parliament, Supreme Court, and the Ministry of State. It’s a very impressive building and well worth a visit.
4) Copenhagen Zoo – Copenhagen Zoo is one of the top attractions in the city with over 4,000 animals from all over the world. You can book tickets online in advance here.
5) The Little Mermaid Statue – this statue is one of the most iconic monuments in Denmark. It was a gift from Danish brewer Carl Jacobsen to the city of Copenhagen and was inspired by the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale.
The Copenhagen Card
If you want to make the most of your time in Copenhagen (at the best price!), I would highly recommend purchasing a Copenhagen Card.
This gives you unlimited use of the public transport system.
It also grants you free access to some of the most popular sites in the city, including:
- Tivoli Gardens
- Canal Tours
- Rosenborg Castle
- Amalienborg Castle
- The Viking Ship Museum
- The National Museum
- Christiansbord – The Royal Reception Rooms
- Copenhagen Zoo
- And more!
As I’ve already mentioned, Copenhagen is a very expensive city, so purchasing a Copenhagen Card in advance can save you a lot of money on attractions. You can get one here and start using it as soon as you arrive in the country.
How Long to Stay in Copenhagen
One thing that will definitely affect whether you enjoy your time in Copenhagen is how long you choose to stay.
It’s much smaller than other capital cities, such as London or New York, so spending too much time here might leave you a little bored.
I think a long weekend is the perfect amount of time to see the best sites in Copenhagen and experience some of the fantastic food and welcoming culture.
When is the Best Time to Visit Copenhagen?
The best time to visit Copenhagen is from May to August, when the weather is the best. The warmer weather will allow you to enjoy exploring the city more, despite more crowds.
Christmas is also a magical time to visit Copenhagen, as you can enjoy the Christmas markets and Tivoli Gardens. Just make sure to bring plenty of layers and wrap up warm!
Conclusion: Is it worth visiting Copenhagen?
Yes, it is definitely worth visiting Copenhagen. The design, food, and frankly incredible pastries make this destination a must-visit.
However, whether it’s personally worth it for you will depend on your budget, what time of year you choose to visit, and the style of trip you prefer. Hopefully, this blog post has helped you to determine whether a trip to Copenhagen is a good idea for you personally.
