Copenhagen does cosy without even trying. Cafes light candles by mid-afternoon, there are blankets on the outdoor chairs, and every few streets you hit water and somewhere to sit and watch the boats go by. It’s the easiest city I know to slow down in.
This walk links the big sights in one flat line of about 7km: City Hall Square, Strøget, two towers with great views, Rosenborg’s crown jewels, Kastellet and the Little Mermaid, Amalienborg, Nyhavn, then over the harbour to Christianshavn and Christiania. Give it a full day (you’ll stop for coffee more than you think).
Book Rosenborg before you go, as its timed slots sell out in summer. I’d sort Copenhagen attraction tickets and a harbour cruise on GetYourGuide in advance, or try guided Copenhagen walking tours on Viator if you want the history filled in. Flying in? An airport transfer into central Copenhagen saves you wrestling with ticket machines. There’s more background in my Denmark travel guide, and more routes in my collection of self-guided walking tours.
This article may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the site and keeps our guides free. See our full affiliate disclosure for details.
Copenhagen Walking Tour: Quick Facts at a Glance
- Start point: Rådhuspladsen (City Hall Square), about five minutes on foot from Copenhagen Central Station
- End point: Freetown Christiania, around ten minutes from Christianshavn Metro
- Distance: About 7km (4.3 miles), a bit more once you start wandering off down side streets
- Walking time: Under two hours of actual walking. Six to eight hours with stops, which is the honest answer
- Best for: First-timers, design and history fans, and anyone who likes a pastry stop every hour
- Best time to go: May to September for long light evenings. December for Christmas markets and peak hygge
- Difficulty: Easy. It's flat the whole way, and the only climbing is up towers you can skip
- Main sights: City Hall, Strøget, Christiansborg, the Round Tower, Rosenborg, Kastellet, the Little Mermaid, Amalienborg, Nyhavn, the Church of Our Saviour, Christiania
- Food and drink stops: Torvehallerne food market near Rosenborg, the Nyhavn quayside, and the canal cafes of Christianshavn
- Getting back: Christianshavn Metro takes you back across to the city centre in a couple of stops
- Map: Free Google Map, pinned further down this article
Copenhagen Walking Tour
It’s pretty much one line with hardly any doubling back. East through the old town, a loop north to the fortress and the Mermaid, back down the waterfront to Nyhavn, then over the harbour to finish. Want the Changing of the Guard? It happens at Amalienborg at noon, but I wouldn’t twist the whole day round it (you’d need a very early start to get there in time).
Stop 1: Rådhuspladsen (City Hall Square)
Distance from last stop: None, this is where you start. It’s about a five-minute walk from Copenhagen Central Station. Time to spend: 20 to 30 minutes.
City Hall Square is big, a bit windy and not especially pretty, but it’s the obvious place to begin because everything fans out from here. The red-brick City Hall itself is worth a minute, and if it’s open you can usually pop inside to see Jens Olsen’s World Clock, a ridiculously complicated astronomical clock that tracks far more than the time. Just around the corner on H.C. Andersens Boulevard sits a bronze Hans Christian Andersen, gazing towards Tivoli, with one knee rubbed shiny by visitors. Tivoli’s gates are right across the road. Save that for an evening (more on that further down) and grab a coffee and something sweet before you set off.
Things to do:
- Say hello to the seated Hans Christian Andersen statue and give the knee a rub like everyone else
- Pop into City Hall to see Jens Olsen’s World Clock if the doors are open
- Peer through the Tivoli gates and make a mental note to come back after dark
- Fuel up at a bakery before heading onto Strøget, it’s a long street
Where to Stay in Copenhagen
Stop 2: Strøget & Amagertorv
Distance from last stop: About 800m, roughly a 10-minute walk east along Strøget. Time to spend: 30 to 45 minutes, longer if you’re shopping.
Strøget is a chain of pedestrian streets running from City Hall towards Kongens Nytorv, and it’s one of the longest car-free shopping streets in Europe. The western end is all chain stores and souvenir shops, so don’t judge it too early. It gets nicer as you go, with little squares opening up along the way. Stop at Amagertorv, the prettiest of them, where the Stork Fountain sits in front of old gabled buildings. The Royal Copenhagen flagship and Illums Bolighus are both here, and even if you’re not buying, they’re a crash course in why everyone bangs on about Danish design.
Things to do:
- Walk Strøget from end to end, with a stop at each square
- Have a look around Illums Bolighus for Danish design (and some eye-watering price tags)
- Duck into the Royal Copenhagen shop on Amagertorv for the blue fluted porcelain
- Find Gråbrødretorv just off the main drag, a lovely square for a coffee outside
Stop 3: Christiansborg Palace
Distance from last stop: About 350m, roughly a 5-minute walk from Amagertorv over Højbro bridge. Time to spend: 45 minutes for the tower, up to 2 hours if you add the palace rooms.
Christiansborg sits on its own little island, Slotsholmen, and it’s where Denmark actually gets run. The parliament, the Prime Minister’s office and the Supreme Court all work out of this one building, which is why Danes just call it Borgen (yes, like the TV series). The big draw for a walking day is the tower. At 106 metres it’s the tallest in the city, it has a lift, and it’s free, which in Copenhagen feels like finding money in an old coat. If you’ve got time, the Royal Reception Rooms and the ruins under the palace are ticketed and properly impressive.
Things to do:
- Ride the lift up the tower for the free view over the old town rooftops
- Visit the Royal Reception Rooms and the tapestries in the Great Hall (ticketed)
- Head underground to see the ruins of the earlier castles on this site
- Walk round the outside of Thorvaldsens Museum next door and its painted frieze
Stop 4: The Round Tower (Rundetårn)
Distance from last stop: About 850m, roughly an 11-minute walk back over Højbro and up Købmagergade. Time to spend: 30 to 45 minutes.
King Christian IV built the Round Tower as an observatory, and it was finished in 1642. The clever bit is inside. There are no stairs, just a cobbled spiral ramp that winds seven and a half times round a hollow core, wide enough to wheel heavy instruments up to the top. It’s an oddly satisfying climb, and halfway up there’s a library hall that hosts exhibitions. The view at the top is lower than Christiansborg’s, but you’re right above the medieval streets, which I actually prefer.
Things to do:
- Walk the spiral ramp all the way up, there are only a handful of steps at the very end
- Stop at the Library Hall halfway up for whatever exhibition is on
- Stand on the glass floor over the tower’s hollow core if your nerves allow
- Check the official site before you go, the observatory at the top has been undergoing restoration work
Stop 5: Rosenborg Castle & the King's Garden
Distance from last stop: About 500m, roughly a 7-minute walk into Kongens Have. Time to spend: 1 to 1.5 hours for the castle and the garden.
Rosenborg looks like a castle drawn by someone who’d just read a fairy tale, with the turrets, the moat and the red brick all present and correct. Christian IV built it in the early 1600s as his summer house, and these days it’s a museum of royal life with the main event downstairs. The basement treasury holds the Danish crown jewels, and the Knights’ Hall upstairs has the coronation thrones guarded by three life-size silver lions. Around it all sits Kongens Have, the King’s Garden, which on a sunny day is half of Copenhagen eating lunch on the grass. The Royal Life Guards are based right next door, and they set off from here at 11:30 each morning for the noon Changing of the Guard at Amalienborg.
Things to do:
- See the crown jewels in the basement treasury
- Find the three silver lions guarding the thrones in the Knights’ Hall
- Picnic in Kongens Have, or just grab a bench by the rose beds
- Catch the Royal Life Guards marching out at 11:30 if your timing works
- Detour five minutes to Torvehallerne for lunch (more in the Pit Stops section)
Stop 6: Nyboder, Kastellet & the Little Mermaid
Distance from last stop: About 1.5km, roughly a 20-minute walk east past Nyboder and through the fortress to the waterfront. Time to spend: 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Head east from Rosenborg and you’ll pass Nyboder, rows of mustard-yellow terraced houses that Christian IV built for naval families, still lived in today. A few minutes on, Kastellet is one of the best preserved star fortresses in Northern Europe, built in the 1660s and still an active military site. Entry is free, and the grassy ramparts are made for a slow lap, with an old windmill on top and views out over the harbour. Exit through the north gate and you’re on Langelinie, where the Little Mermaid sits on her rock. She was unveiled in 1913, modelled partly on the sculptor’s wife, and paid for by Carl Jacobsen of the Carlsberg family after he fell for a ballet of Andersen’s story.
Things to do:
- Walk down a Nyboder street for the yellow houses (it’s a residential area, so keep it quiet)
- Do a lap of Kastellet’s ramparts and find the windmill
- Say hello to the Little Mermaid from the promenade
- Look out for the guards on duty at the fortress gates
Stop 7: Gefion Fountain, the Marble Church & Amalienborg
Distance from last stop: About 1.2km, roughly a 15-minute walk south past the Gefion Fountain and down Bredgade. Time to spend: 45 minutes to 1 hour, longer if you visit the Amalienborg Museum.
On the way south you’ll pass the Gefion Fountain, a big dramatic sculpture of a goddess driving four oxen. The legend says she ploughed Zealand out of Sweden, and the oxen were her sons. Further down Bredgade, the Marble Church’s green copper dome takes over the skyline, and it’s one of the largest church domes in Scandinavia. Go inside and look up. Then walk straight through to Amalienborg, four identical palaces set around an octagonal square with a statue of Frederik V on horseback in the middle. This is where the royal family actually live, and it lines up perfectly with the Marble Church behind you and the Opera House across the water.
Things to do:
- Stop at the Gefion Fountain and pick out the four oxen
- Step inside the Marble Church and look up into the dome
- Stand in Amalienborg’s square and line up the church, the statue and the Opera House
- Visit the Amalienborg Museum for a look at the royal apartments (ticketed)
- Walk through Amaliehaven, the waterside garden, on your way to Nyhavn
Stop 8: Nyhavn
Distance from last stop: About 600m, roughly an 8-minute walk along the waterfront. Time to spend: 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, including a canal cruise.
This is the one from the postcards, with painted townhouses and old wooden ships along the canal, and bar tables spilling onto the cobbles on the sunny north side. King Christian V had it dug in the 1670s to bring trade ships right into the city, and for a long time it was a rough sailors’ quarter. Hans Christian Andersen lived at three different addresses here (numbers 20, 67 and 18) and wrote his first fairy tales at No. 20. Is it touristy? Yes, very. But come in the early evening when the low sun hits the houses and you won’t care. Most canal boats leave from right here too, so it’s the obvious spot to book a canal cruise round Copenhagen harbour.
Things to do:
- Find Hans Christian Andersen’s houses at numbers 20, 67 and 18
- Take a canal cruise from the Nyhavn quay for a water-level look at the city
- Walk the full length of both sides, the quieter south side has the better photos
- Look at the old wooden ships moored along the inner canal
Stop 9: Christianshavn & the Church of Our Saviour
Distance from last stop: About 1km, roughly a 13-minute walk over Inderhavnsbroen and down through Christianshavn. Time to spend: 1 hour, including the spire climb.
Cross the harbour on Inderhavnsbroen, the walking and cycling bridge at the end of Nyhavn, and you land in Christianshavn. Christian IV laid this district out in the early 1600s, Dutch style, and with its canals, houseboats and cafes by the water it’s my favourite bit of the city. Follow the canal down to the Church of Our Saviour and its black and gold corkscrew spire, finished in 1752. There are 400 steps to the top, and the last 150 wind round the outside of the spire, getting narrower as you go. For me it’s the best view in Copenhagen, and I’m not budging on that.
Things to do:
- Cross Inderhavnsbroen and stop halfway for a look back at Nyhavn
- Wander along the Christianshavn canal and nose at the houseboats
- Climb the spire if you’ve got the legs and the stomach for it
- Go inside the church and hunt for the elephants hidden in the decoration
- Grab a coffee on the canal before the last stretch
Stop 10: Freetown Christiania (Finish)
Distance from last stop: About 350m, roughly a 5-minute walk to the main entrance on Prinsessegade. Time to spend: 45 minutes to 1.5 hours.
Christiania started in 1971, when squatters moved into an empty military barracks and declared their own little free town. It’s still car-free, and still full of self-built houses, murals and workshops (the famous Christiania cargo bikes started life here). Walk past the main entrance and the area quickly turns green and quiet, with paths along the lake and the old ramparts that most visitors never find. For years the main drag, Pusher Street, was known for its cannabis trade, but residents and the city have moved to shut that down, and the vibe keeps changing. As you leave, look back at the sign over the gate. It tells you you’re now entering the EU.
Things to do:
- Wander the lakeside paths behind the main area, it’s the quietest bit
- Look at the self-built houses and the street art
- Have a drink or a bite at one of the cafes inside
- Read the sign on the way out, then walk ten minutes to Christianshavn Metro
Not sure where to go next?
Take our 60-second quiz — 7 questions, 21 destinations, one perfect match.
Recommended Tours and Tickets From Get Your Guide
Grab the Map
Grab the map and follow along
Every stop from this guide, pinned in Google Maps. No sign-up, no email, totally free. We don't gatekeep here.
- Every stop pinned
- Works on your phone
- No account needed
Lost it later? In the Google Maps app, tap You, then Maps, and it'll be waiting for you.
– Add the map to your Google Maps app.
After opening Google maps, click YOU and then scroll down to MAPS. It should be located there. Any issues, just get it touch, it’s no problem!
Where To Stay For This Copenhagen Walking Tour
Copenhagen is small and flat, so almost anywhere central works for this walk, and the metro fills any gaps. Where you stay changes the feel of the trip more than the logistics. Here’s how the main areas shake out.
Indre By (the old town): Best for a short first visit, since you’ll walk out of the door and straight onto half this route. It’s the priciest area. Wakeup Copenhagen Borgergade is a good-value, no-frills pick between Kongens Nytorv and Rosenborg.
Frederiksstaden and the harbourfront: Grand, quiet and right by Amalienborg and Nyhavn. The Admiral Hotel sits in an old warehouse on the water and is a proper treat if you fancy waking up to boats.
Christianshavn: My pick if you’re staying a few nights. Canals, houseboats and good cafes, and it’s the end of this route, so dinner is a short stroll from bed. It’s also one metro stop from the centre.
Vesterbro: Handy for Central Station and the start of the walk, with the best spread of budget options. The old Meatpacking District (Kødbyen) is great for food and bars. The station end of Istedgade can feel a bit grubby late at night, so pick a street further west if that bothers you.
Nørrebro: Cheaper, younger and a bit more local, with indie shops on Jægersborggade. It’s a 15 to 20-minute walk to Rosenborg, or a quick metro ride.
Pit Stops & Side Detours
The route covers the big hitters, but Copenhagen is full of small detours that are worth 20 minutes of your day. Bolt these on near the stop they sit closest to rather than turning them into separate trips.
- Tivoli Gardens (next to Stop 1): The old amusement park opposite City Hall is best after dark, when the lights come on. It only opens for set seasons (summer, Halloween and Christmas), so check the dates before you plan around it.
- Torvehallerne (near Stops 4 and 5): Two glass market halls by Nørreport stuffed with smoked fish, cheese, coffee and smørrebrød. A five-minute detour from the Round Tower and the best lunch stop on the route.
- Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek (near Stop 1): An art museum with a glass-roofed winter garden full of palms, and a cafe in the middle. Perfect on a grey day.
- Designmuseum Danmark (between Stops 6 and 7): Right on Bredgade, so you walk past it anyway. Chairs, lamps and the whole story of Danish design.
- The harbour bus: The harbour buses are part of the normal public transport network, so they make a cheap DIY harbour tour. Hop on near Nyhavn and ride a few stops.
- Reffen (a short ride from Stop 10): A big seasonal street food market on Refshaleøen, with dozens of stalls and deckchairs by the water. Check it’s open before you go.
- Skip: Trying to cram Tivoli into the same day as this whole route. Your legs won’t thank you. Give it its own evening.
Gear we actually travel with
Passport holders, packing cubes, travel wallets. Stuff that earns its place in the bag.
Browse the shopLocal Eats Worth Chasing
Danish food is simpler and cosier than the fancy restaurant hype suggests, and the everyday stuff is where it shines. Copenhagen isn’t cheap, so mix sit-down meals with bakery grabs and market stalls.
- Smørrebrød: Open sandwiches on dense rye, piled with herring, egg and shrimp, roast beef or potato. It’s the classic Danish lunch, and Torvehallerne is an easy place to try a few.
- A pølse from a hot dog stand: The street sausage, with remoulade, mustard, ketchup, crispy onions and pickles. You’ll find stands near City Hall Square. Cheap, filling and very Danish.
- Kanelsnegl and wienerbrød: The cinnamon swirl and the Danish pastry (which Danes call Vienna bread, confusingly). One in the morning and one in the afternoon is perfectly reasonable (I won’t tell).
- Cardamom buns: Slightly less famous than the cinnamon version and, in my opinion, better. Most good bakeries have them.
- Flæskesteg sandwich: Roast pork with crackling, red cabbage and pickles in a bun. Proper cold weather food.
- Gløgg and æbleskiver: Hot spiced wine and little round pancake balls dusted with sugar. A December thing, and the best reason to visit in winter.
- Danish craft beer: Mikkeller started in Copenhagen, and the city’s beer scene goes way beyond Carlsberg. Vesterbro is the place to explore it.
Walking Tour Essentials
The walking itself is easy, but Copenhagen weather and Copenhagen prices both like to keep you on your toes. A bit of prep makes the day a lot smoother.
- Comfy shoes: It’s flat, but you’ll cover 7km plus towers, mostly on cobbles and paving stones. Wear shoes you’ve already broken in.
- Layers and a waterproof: The wind off the harbour can turn a sunny day cold quickly, and showers blow through fast. A packable jacket saves the day more often than you’d think.
- A card, not cash: Denmark is about as cashless as it gets. Contactless works almost everywhere, and some places don’t take cash at all.
- The Copenhagen Card: It covers free entry to a long list of attractions plus public transport across the capital region. If you’re doing Rosenborg, Christiansborg’s palace rooms, the spire and a canal tour, it’s worth running the numbers.
- Data on your phone: You’ll want maps and your booking confirmations. An Airalo eSIM for Denmark sorts it in a couple of minutes, and my guide to the best travel eSIMs compares the options.
- Travel insurance: Copenhagen is very safe, but medical costs abroad and lost phones don’t care. I’d sort travel insurance with VisitorsCoverage before you fly.
- Flights: If you’re flying with SAS, check my guide to the SAS baggage allowance first. And if your flight’s delayed or cancelled, you may be owed money, so it’s worth trying to claim flight compensation with CompensAIR.
- Watch your bag: Pickpockets work the crowds on Strøget, at Nyhavn and around Central Station. My guide to travel theft and scams covers the common tricks.
Travel Hubs
Recommended Websites and Resources:
- Flights: Find the best deals on Trip.com
- Hotels: Best rates on Booking.com · Best hostels on HostelWorld · Ratings and bargains on TripAdvisor
- Apartments: Affordable rentals on VRBO
- Car hire: Best prices on RentalCars.com
- Travel insurance: VistorsCoverage for worldwide cover · AirHelp for flight delay compensation
- Activities: Tours and skip-the-line tickets on GetYourGuide · Instant mobile tickets on Tiqets
- Trains: Most affordable trains on Trainline · Rail passes on Rail Europe
- Travel eSIMs: Use your mobile phone anywhere worldwide with Airalo
- Need more help planning your trip? Visit our Resources Page to see all the companies we trust and use for our travels
