I just returned from my latest trip to Europe, and my first stop there was Denmark. Denmark became #21 on the list of countries I’ve visited, and I spent my 48 hours in the country in the city of Copenhagen.

I love a travel-challenge – especially if that challenge is to see the best of a city in limited time.

I quickly learned that if you only have one day in Copenhagen, you can still see a some excellent highlights of the city. I’ve developed an itinerary that mixes trying Danish food, seeing the city from the harbor and its colorful streets, shopping, discovering local design, and visiting one of Copenhagen’s most magical attractions – Tivoli Gardens.

If you find yourself with limited time in Copenhagen, here’s exactly how to spend your day (with timestamps!).

8:30 AM: Start With a Danish Breakfast

Start your morning with a traditional Copenhagen breakfast plate that can be found all throughout the city.

Imagine this: an aesthetic plate of cheese, butter, soft boiled eggs, yogurt, and fresh bread.

Some cafe suggestions:

• Café Segalls
• Lille Fugl
• Andersen & Maillard

10:00 AM: Take a Canal Cruise

Head toward the canals and hop on a Copenhagen canal cruise to learn a little bit about the layout and history of the city.

This is one of the easiest ways to see a lot of Copenhagen without walking everywhere. You’ll cruise past historic waterfronts, Christianshavn, and some of the city’s most famous landmarks, like the Little Mermaid statue.

I love canal cruises, especially with a real guide or audioguide, because it makes my experience in that city so much more complete by providing a good foundation of knowledge. Why do the buildings look the way they do? What’s the history behind the government, the people? What led the city to be the way it is today?

Check out this canal cruise I booked on Viator.

11:15 AM: Explore Nyhavn

Once you’re back on land, spend the rest of your morning exploring on foot, and Nyhavn is a great place to start. There are shops, cafés, and colorful streets that make up this historic (and picturesque!) city center.

Take photos by the canal, get a postcard, and explore what it feels like to have a Copenhagen morning. 

12:30 PM: Grab a Danish Hot Dog for Lunch

For lunch, keep it quick and very Copenhagen: a hot dog from a traditional pølsevogn. These stands are all over the city.

Order a classic Danish hot dog with all the toppings and eat it while you’re exploring.

It’s cheap, quick, and gives you the chance to maximize time wandering around. 

1:00 PM: Coffee + Pastry Stop

Now it’s time for a proper Copenhagen café stop for a sweet treat and caffeine.

Grab a coffee, sit for a little while, and of course…you need to try a Danish pastry.

A cinnamon bun, cardamom bun, or whatever looks best in the bakery case. It’s Copenhagen…you really can’t go wrong.

Check out my article: “The Ultimate Copenhagen Pastry Crawl” for some excellent options.

2:00 PM: Shopping Around the City

Spend the afternoon shopping and collecting some Copenhagen treasures.

Head toward the central shopping streets and independent boutiques, looking for Scandinavian clothing, home décor, souvenirs, and Danish design.

Two stops I definitely wouldn’t skip:

Studio Arhoj: Colorful ceramics, blown glass, and unique Danish design. These are definitely souvenirs with meaning and a connection back to Denmark.

Notre Dame: A fun little shop filled with Scandinavian home décor, kitchen pieces, candles, ceramics, and other things you’ll probably want to bring home. I got some colorful utensils and a mug with painted strawberries here, and I should have gotten so much more.

Both are great places to find something that feels much more special than a typical souvenir.

3:15 PM: Walk Toward the Castle

If you have the time and energy, walk toward Rosenborg Castle and through the surrounding King’s Garden.

Even just seeing it from the outside and walking through the gardens is a beautiful way to experience another side of Copenhagen. Enjoying the green spaces of the garden is also a great way to see a different side of the city.

4:30 PM: Head to Tivoli Gardens

Now it’s time to travel back in time to Tivoli Gardens, the third-oldest amusement park in the world. Yeah, the world.

Give yourself a few hours here. Walk through the gardens, check out the rides, play a few games, and take your time exploring.

My favorite parts?

Tivoli is beautiful during the day, but once all of the lights come on, it becomes a completely different experience. That’s why you won’t leave the park until later, and you’ll stay for dinner.

6:30 PM: Dinner at Tivoli

There are plenty of restaurants and food stands throughout the park, so grab something to eat and then continue exploring.

This is also the perfect time to slow down a little after a very busy day.

8:00 PM: Stay for Tivoli After Dark

Once the sun goes down, walk around Tivoli again and see the park all lit up.

Take your time here. Grab another snack, take photos, and enjoy the atmosphere.

10:00 PM: End the Night at Nyhavn

If you still have some energy left, finish your Copenhagen day with a nighttime walk through Nyhavn.

Seeing the colorful buildings and canal illuminated at night is the perfect final stop before calling it a day.

Your Copenhagen Day at a Glance

Traditional Danish breakfast
Canal cruise
Explore the city + Nyhavn
Danish hot dog
Coffee + pastry
Shopping
Studio Arhoj & Notre Dame
Rosenborg Castle
Tivoli Gardens
Dinner at Tivoli
Tivoli after dark
Nyhavn at night

So, in case you were wondering, Copenhagen is do-able in a day. Let me know your favorite Copenhagen recs!