Two days in Copenhagen is all it took to become one of my favorite European cities. From the colorful Nyhavn canal to the enchanting Tivoli theme park, Copenhagen has enough character and fun activities to make it worth a trip to Denmark. Here’s a list of my top ten things to do:

1. The Obvious Must Do- Nyhavn Canal. The most photogenic spot in Copenhagen is just as pretty in person as it looks in photos. Expect huge crowds unless you go early in the morning. The canal is lined with outdoor patio restaurants to grab a bite to eat or you can continue down to the end and find plenty of chairs, picnic tables or the water’s edge to have a drink and watch all the boats come and go.
2. The Absolute Must Do- Rent a boat and explore the canals. Small boats for 6-8 people are available through goboat or friendships. Book in advance as these sell out fast. They go for about $60USD/hour. I recommend Friendships- they are slightly cheaper and have cushioned seats as pictured below to provide more comfort. Grab picnic supplies and drinks and enjoy a laid back cruise. The boats go suuuper slow, but it’s not about the speed on this leisure adventure through the peaceful canals of Copenhagen.
3. Rent kayaks or book a boat with a captain. This serves as an alternative to renting your own boat. Copenhagen canal tours does private small group tours or motor yourself via kayaks. Larger group ferry type tours are also available from Nyhavn, but I prefer to avoid the super touristy options.
4. Walking tour through the quaint streets and quiet canals. Starting at Tivoli make your way to Magstræde street then head towards the spire tower. You will pass all the photos below along the way.
5. Explore the back side of Nyhavn. Follow the canal to the point and keep walking to find a market on Saturdays with a live band, street food, and pop up shops. If you’ve brought your bathing suit the steps area is a popular spot to layout / cool off in the canal.
6. Let out your inner child at Tivoli Amusement Park. This place not only has enough rides to give you thrills, but it’s also busting with cute restaurants, the most random parade through the center of it, flowers and lights galore. It’s one of the worlds very first theme parks so you basically must go. Pay the entrance fee and then you can buy one or two rides and wander the park. Unless you plan to spend all day there is no need to buy the unlimited rides pass.
7. Carlsberg Brewery Tour. The most popular beer in Denmark offers tours of its brewery which includes checking out the world’s largest beer bottle collection. After the tour enjoy beer tasting in the courtyard. You can also checkout the famous old gates of Carlsberg. The elephants bare the nazi symbol, but they had it long before Nazi’s tarnished the swastika symbol. It was once a symbol of prosperity and good fortune when these statues were erected.
8. Go up the spire tower. For the best views of the city from above walk up the spiral staircase of Church of Our Savior. There is a small admission fee and I recommend getting there right when it opens to miss the lines. It is tight quarters up and down so you’ll have to wait for people to pass as you make your way to the top.
9. Bar Crawl down Gothersgade Street. Just down the main street from Nyhavn becomes a club scene at night with various specials. We started at Stereo Bar which had $1.57USD jaeger bombs all night.
10. Royal Palace and Little Mermaid. The famous little mermaid is simply a small statue on the waterfront. It is a bit underwhelming, but keep wandering towards Nyhavn and you’ll find a beautiful old church with fountains, and then the Royal Palace. You can pay to go in the palace museum which has recreated the royal bedrooms for you to view exactly as they are. If the flag is up the Royals are home.

I hope you find Copenhagen just as amazing as I did. Happy Travels!