Denmark: Best Things to Do in Copenhagen, 2025

Copenhagen, Denmark | A Review

When I first pictured Copenhagen, I imagined muted canals, pastel streets, and bicycle-covered pavements. And to be honest, I was pretty accurate. But what did surprise me was just how vibrant the city felt, even in the crisp chill of early spring. Over the course of four days, my friend Sophie and I explored, wandered, and ate our way through the Danish capital, falling completely in love with the city. You know it's a good holiday when you don't want to leave.

First Impressions & A Travel Mishap

As soon as I step off the plane in a new city, I’m already thinking about where I’ll go next, how I’ll top this trip. But with Copenhagen, it was different - I was already planning what I’d do if I ever got to return. Plus, the short flight time (just 1 hour and 35 minutes) made it feel all the more easy.

That said, our first day wasn’t entirely seamless. We arrived at our hotel, only to find it in the middle of a major renovation. Instead, we were relocated to the sister hotel, which was an unexpected change but not a terrible one! We ended up at Phoenix Copenhagen, a grand hotel with a stunning entrance and incredibly kind staff. The rooms were on the smaller side, but the location was only a few minutes walk from Nyhavn, the city’s most famous harbour and tourist spot, and within easy reach of all the major sights.

Getting Around

We opted to explore entirely on foot, which turned out to be the best decision for us. Everything felt close enough that is was within walking distance, from castles to cafés, and we racked up thousands of steps without even realising it. That being said, Copenhagen isn’t called bike city for nothing, if we’d been less keen on walking (or if Soph had been a fan of cycling), renting bikes would have been the next obvious choice.

Where We Visited in Copenhagen

— Rosenborg Castle

Our first stop was Rosenborg Castle. With it only being a 15-minute walk from our hotel, this 17th-century Renaissance palace was one of the highlights of our trip. I'm a big city break lover, and exploring a city's history is one of the most interesting things to me. It looked like something straight out of a fairytale, with its towering spires and red-brick exterior. Inside, the grandeur continued with gilded ceilings, painting , and the King’s private chambers, which felt almost illegal to look at (but we did).

— National Museum of Copenhagen

Sometimes, museums can feel like information overload, but this one was so interactive we didn't really notice.

— Lego, Build Your Own

So, (disclaimer), unless you get here before 10am, you're most likely not going to get to create your own lego mini-figure. It books up incredibly fast. We went in the afternoon, and all the slots were gone for the day, so Soph opted for a pre-designed mini-figure instead.

— Manon Les Suites

Okay, let’s talk about Manon Les Suites, which is the most unexpected slice of Bali tucked away in the middle of Copenhagen. The second you walk in, you’re hit with that lush, tropical oasis vibe with dangling greenery, moody lanterns, and an indoor pool that looks like it belongs on a luxury travel Instagram feed. If you ever need a break from the cool, minimalist Scandi aesthetic (or just want to feel like you’ve teleported to a jungle resort for the evening), this is the place to be!

— Round Tower

This astronomical observatory is all soft spiralling ramps (no stairs, and your legs will thank you) leading up to one of the best panoramic views in the city. The walk up is surprisingly fun, as every turn gives you a new little glimpse of arched windows, old wooden beams, and even a glass-floored lookout where you can see straight down into the hollow core of the tower. Once you reach the top, it’s definitely worth it. Copenhagen stretches out beneath in a sea of rooftops and spires.

Where We Ate in Copenhagen

— Buka

Buka was one of the first bakeries we visited, and I got a chocolate-filled croissant, which was absolutely delicious. Danish pastries live up to the hype. The latest trend is the pistachio filled croissant, which isn't to my taste, but I've heard others love it.

— Delphine

Stepping into Delphine feels like teleporting to a sun drenched terrace, and it even has the cutest little photo booth once you've finished your meal. I went with the prawns and ribeye steak (medium rare), which were to die for. It was an evening of Greek vibes and delicious scents. If you want a little escape from the Nordic coolness, this is ideal.

— Cantina

Italian food? In Copenhagen? Yep! Cantina did it with no issues, and my Mozzarella pizza was the right choice. Fresh cheese, dough and tomato puree means was a creamy, tomatoey masterpiece.

— MASH

If you’re craving steak, MASH is where you need to be. It’s a steakhouse, but make it Danish—cool, sleek, and ridiculously good. I went in expecting a solid meal, and I left genuinely impressed. The cuts were top-tier and cooked to perfection. It seems I was feeling the steak vibes this city break. It’s on the pricier side, but if you want one really good dinner while you’re in the city, this is a strong contender.

— Taffelbay

Taffelbay is the definition of a slice of 'hygge'. I got a traditional Danish pastry from here, and demolished it almost immediately. Sat in the square where the birds were less threatening than North Wales was almost rather peaceful. Definitely ideal for a quick stop and a bite to eat.

— Great Coffee

This one was a case of stumbling into the first beverage establishment we could find, and were we surprised! I'm not a coffee drinker, so I had the most citrusy smoothie ever, and I even had to go back there for another the next day. Their food is also super tasty, as I trialled out the turkey and mozzarella sandwich. Whether you need a quick caffeine fix or an excuse to sit and people-watch for an hour, this place delivers.

Of course, we visited plenty of other places, but it was all such a blur that the winding churches sort of melted into one.

Copenhagen completely stole my heart. It’s one of those cities that feels both exciting and effortless, where every street corner has something charming to offer. I loved how walkable it was, the atmosphere, and the mix of old-world elegance and modernity. Every meal was amazing, every museum was fascinating, and every moment felt like a little discovery. There’s still so much left to see (and eat). Until next time, Copenhagen! 🇩🇰