10 Day Trips You Can Take From Copenhagen

I’ve always thought of Copenhagen as the epicenter of Scandinavia. Take it from me: I’ve spent the past five summers here, and Copenhagen always pops into conversation. It’s a vibrant city where each neighborhood offers its own unique blend of social and cultural treasures.

I spent a week in the city center and wasn’t bored for even one minute. There was always a brygge (dock) to swim at, a restaurant to eat at, a festival to attend, or a shop to mosey around.

But as exciting as the city might be, I don’t blame you if you get itchy feet and feel the need to explore outside the city boundaries. After all, there is a LOT to see in the area, and Copehnagen is perfectly positioned for various cultural, historical, and naturally impressive day trips. You don’t need to Travel too far to experience stunning landscapes, castles, and theme parks close to the city.

I’ve compiled my favorite ways to spend a day outside of Copenhagen without needing to travel more than a couple of hours:

Helsingør and Hamlet’s Castle

Less than an hour’s train ride from Copenhagen Central Station, Helsingor is a small Danish town at the narrowest point of the Oresund Strait across from Sweden’s Helsingborg. This city’s main attraction is the Kronberg Castle, or as most tourists call it, Hamlet’s Castle. Set at the edge of the coastline with grand spires and dramatic walls, this castle is a Shakespearean fan’s heaven.

While Shakespeare made it famous in the 1600s, the castle actually dates back to 1420. If you’re interested in learning more about it, you can join a guided tour in English at 13:45 and 14:45 for around $20 per person.

Odense – The Birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen

One of the first things I learned when I visited Copenhagen was that it was the main inspiration for iconic children’s book author Hans Christian Andersen. If you’re already lost, he wrote Thumbelina, The Princess and the Pea, The Little Mermaid, and The Ugly Duckling – ring any bells?

If you grew up reading these stories like me, you might be interested in taking a trip to the town he was born in. It’s just an hour and twenty minutes from Copenhagen by train and costs between $22 and $35 in each direction, depending on the train you catch.

When you are there, you can explore his childhood home, stroll the cobblestone streets that inspired his stories, and visit the H.C. Andersen Museum to get better acquainted with his stories and works.

Pro Tip: Make sure to visit the Funen Village Gardens, which is an open-air museum of houses and farms that showcase what rural life was like in Denmark over the ages.

Malmö – Sweden

How many cities are there where you can take a day trip from one country to another? Just across the Oresund Bridge from Copenhagen lies a Swedish port city called Malmö. The city has a history as old as time, with a cozy Old Town center, cobblestone streets, and a unique blend of colorful historic Swedish buildings and modern architecture.

When I took this day trip, I didn’t plan any tours or activities and simply walked around the town. I loved how two cities so close to one another could have such distinct vibes from one another.

The train ride is quick and painless. It costs around $8 in each direction and takes just forty minutes.

Pro Tip: If there is one place I recommend visiting in Malmo, it’s Malmo Saluhall. The city’s equivalent to Time Out Markets across the globe, it is filled with local vendors and restaurants serving a delicious selection of authentic Swedish snacks and meals.

Freetown Christiana

Now, Christiana might technically be within the boundaries of Copenhagen, but this section of the city is so unique that I thought it deserved a day trip (or at least a half-day trip). The neighborhood is a self-proclaimed autonomous community just southeast of the city, but it truly feels a world away.

Think of it as a hippie enclave, where colorful murals cover the walls, quirky houses line the streets, and free-spirited locals spend their days relaxing along the canals. Residents of this community call themselves Christianit, or Christianshavner, have their own flag, and follow unique laws. No private cars are allowed, and you aren’t allowed to take photos in the town (although I managed to snap this one picture of lilies in front of the Christiana Gallery).

Pro Tip: When you visit this unusual place, make sure to eat at the organic vegetarian restaurant called Morgenstedet. I also recommend striking up conversations with some locals to get to know their rules and culture better.

The Furesø Lake District

An hour by train or thirty minutes by car, the Fureso Lake District is one of my favorite places to escape the hustle of the city. This spot offers a serene nature escape, where local families visit for picnics, to kayak on the calm waters, or just to relax and swim in the lake.

The lake is the closest of three lakes north of Copenhagen. It’s also a hotspot for running (or, if you’re like me, walking) and mountain biking, with a trail that loops the lake. A few companies offer boat tours, which you can join for under $20 per person.

The Beach Town of Hornbæk

HorNBAek is a small traditional Danish fishing and beach town an hour and a half north of Copenhagen. It’s one of the most famous beach towns on the Danish Riviera, with a long stretch of sandy beaches in North Zealand. If you’re a beach lover or interested in seeing what Scandinavia’s beach scene is like, this is a great place to start.

Bring along your sunscreen, sun hats, and beach towels, and enjoy a summer day on the wispy sandy beaches.

Pro Tip: You could either bring a picnic to enjoy on the beach or eat at one of the town’s seafood restaurants. Like many fishing towns, the fish served here is freshly caught.

The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art

Art fans, this one’s for you. The Louisiana Museum of Art is a modern art museum that has been showcasing some of the world’s best pieces since it opened in 1958. Aside from the building itself’s incredible modern architecture, it houses permanent and rotating exhibitions including gigantic paintings, sculptures, and other contemporary pieces from the likes of Giacometti and Willian Kentridge.

Pro Tip: Instead of wandering aimlessly, join a guided free tour on Tuesdays and Fridays through July and August. Oh, and the museum also has an on-site restaurant serving lunch, coffee, and dinner with a view of the Oresund Sound.

South Zealand and The White Cliffs of Mon

You’ve heard of the White Cliffs of Dover, but have you heard of the White Cliffs of Mon? About a two-hour drive south of Copenhagen in South Zealand, Mons Klint are a unique natural phenomenon where white chalk cliffs rise dramatically from the sea.

The area is famous for its hiking trails and exquisite sea views and is a great place for Travelers with an interest in geology. You can visit the Mons Klint Geocenter to better understand the area’s unique geology and History. Admire and appreciate the 70 million-year-old rocks as you follow the Gråryg Fald and the Jydelejet stairs that lead to the beach.

Pro Tip: Bring your camera; you’re going to want to document these stunning cliffs! Unfortunately, the closest you can get via train is to Stege, from where you will need to join a tour or rent a car to get to the cliffs.

The Fishing Village of Dragør

Dragor is one of the closer day-trip destinations to Copenhagen, just a thirty-minute drive from the city. The picturesque fishing village with charming cobblestone streets and 18th-century buildings has a totally different ambiance compared with Copenhagen. To me, it felt like stepping back in time to the years when Vikings roamed the Scandinavian seas.

You can visit the local museum, walk through the small harbor, and enjoy a fresh seafood lunch in the old town.

Bakken – The World’s Oldest Amusement Park

While Copenhagen is home to one of the world’s most famous and historic amusement park called Tivoli Gardens, there is another park close by that holds the title of the oldest amusement park in the world. It was founded in 1583 and has ever since been a favorite destination for local Danes and foreigners. Bakken is a twenty-minute train ride from Copenhagen, nestled at the border of the lush Dyrehaven forest.

The park has a selection of classic rides and more modern attractions, perfect for families or, really, anyone after that feeling of childhood nostalgia. Bakken is open from 11 am until 11 pm daily, with different live shows and dance performances scattered throughout the day.

Pro Tip: For full access to the park shows and rides, a ticket costs $48 per person. But if you purchase your tickets online, they cost only $40. Christmas is an especially special time to visit this park, when it gets decked out with festive decorations and joy.