Denmark · 5 days · 5 days · 18 stops
5 days in Copenhagen with Roskilde and Malmö
Five days let you explore Copenhagen one area at a time: first the gardens and museums around Rosenborg, then the palace island of Slotsholmen, then Vesterbro and Frederiksberg. Two train trips round out the city: to Roskilde for the cathedral and the Viking ships, and over the Øresund Bridge to Malmö in Sweden.
In short
- Length
- 5 days, 18 stops
- Highlights
- Rosenborg Castle, National Museum of Denmark, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Roskilde Cathedral, Malmö Castle (Malmöhus)
- Day trips
- Day trip to Roskilde; Day trip to Malmö
- Where to stay
- Indre By, Vesterbro
- Getting around
- The centre is easy on foot.
- Best time to go
- May to September: long light evenings, Tivoli is open and you can sit outside by the water.
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Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. YesTrip editorial team · Updated: .
Day 1
Rosenborg, gardens and art
Rosenborg Castle
Christian IV's pleasure palace with its Knights' Hall and treasury. The small rooms are quietest in the morning.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Rosenborg Castleabout 10 min on foot
Torvehallerne
Lunch in the market halls at Nørreport – fish, smørrebrød or a coffee from one of the small roasters.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Torvehallerneabout 5 min on foot
Botanical Garden
The garden is right across the road. The historic palm house of glass and cast iron stays warm even in winter.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Botanical Gardenabout 5 min on foot
SMK – National Gallery of Denmark
Danish Golden Age painting and Matisse. The bright extension facing the park is worth seeing in itself.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): SMK – National Gallery of Denmark
Day 2
Slotsholmen and Christianshavn
National Museum of Denmark
From the Vikings to the present day. For a first visit, prehistory with the Sun Chariot is plenty.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): National Museum of Denmarkabout 5 min on foot
Christiansborg Palace
Beneath the palace lie the ruins of the medieval castle. Then climb the tower, which is free (closed Mondays).
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Christiansborg Palaceabout 5 min on foot
The Black Diamond
The Royal Library's black granite extension on the harbour. The foyer with its water views is free to enter.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): The Black Diamondabout 10 min on foot
Christianshavn
Cross the Knippelsbro into Christianshavn for dinner at one of the canal-side places.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Christianshavn
Day 3
Glyptotek, Frederiksberg and Tivoli
Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek
Ancient sculpture and French painting. Palms grow in the winter garden under the glass dome.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Ny Carlsberg GlyptotekMetro M3 from København H to Frederiksberg Allé, about 5 min.
Værnedamsvej
A short street of delis, cafés and small bistros where people from Vesterbro and Frederiksberg eat.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Værnedamsvejabout 25 min on foot
Frederiksberg Gardens
A landscape park with canals, a Chinese pavilion and a palace on the hill. From the fence you can see into the zoo's elephant house.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Frederiksberg GardensAbout 10 min on foot to Frederiksberg station, then Metro M3 to København H, about 5 min – Tivoli is opposite the station.
Tivoli Gardens
Evening among gardens, lights and vintage rides. Only open during its seasons – check the dates first.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Tivoli Gardens
Day 4
Day trip to Roskilde
Train from København H to Roskilde, about 25 min. Check opening hours for the cathedral and the museum first.
Roskilde Cathedral
Nearly all of Denmark's kings and queens are buried in this brick church, a few minutes from the station.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Roskilde Cathedralabout 15 min on foot
Viking Ship Museum
Five real Viking ships raised from the fjord, plus a boatyard building replicas. Have lunch in the museum café.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Viking Ship MuseumAbout 20 min uphill on foot to Roskilde station, then the train to København H, about 25 min.
Kødbyen
Back in town: dinner in the old meatpacking district behind the central station, among white-tiled halls.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Kødbyen
Day 5
Day trip to Malmö
Øresund train from København H to Malmö C, about 40 min, and back the same way. Bring your passport or ID – Sweden may check arrivals from Denmark.
Malmö Castle (Malmöhus)
A 16th-century fortress in the castle park, now home to museums on the city, nature and art.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Malmö Castle (Malmöhus)about 10 min on foot
Lilla Torg
A small square of half-timbered houses and cobbles, ringed by cafés and restaurants for lunch.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Lilla TorgBus towards Västra Hamnen, about 10 min, or about 30 min on foot along the water.
Turning Torso
The twisting residential tower in the new Västra Hamnen district. From the promenade you can see the Øresund Bridge.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Turning Torso
Good to know
Train tickets
Tickets for Roskilde and Malmö are sold at machines or in the Danish rail app. Malmö needs a separate ticket across the Øresund.
ID for Malmö
Sweden regularly checks people arriving from Denmark, so keep your passport or ID card with you.
Avoid Mondays
Many museums in Copenhagen and Roskilde close on Mondays. Put museum days between Tuesday and Sunday. Check opening hours before you go.
For the best time to go, public transport and where to stay, see the 3-day plan for Copenhagen.
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5 days in Copenhagen: frequently asked questions
Are 5 days in Copenhagen too many?
No, not with two day trips. The city fills three relaxed days, and Roskilde and Malmö add Vikings and a hop over to Sweden.
Which day trips suit 5 days in Copenhagen?
Roskilde, with its cathedral and Viking ships, and Malmö are each under an hour by train. Louisiana and Kronborg Castle on the coast north of the city are worth it too.
More plans for Copenhagen
- One dayOne day in Copenhagen – a walking routeFrom the old harbour past palaces and food halls to the lights of Tivoli – one day, all on foot.
- WeekendA weekend in Copenhagen: Friday to SundayThe harbour on Friday, a castle, a museum and Tivoli on Saturday, a fortress, the guard and Danish design on Sunday.
- 3 days3 days in Copenhagen – a ready-made itineraryHarbour and royal palace, towers and Christiania, plus Louisiana and Kronborg on the coast.
- With kidsCopenhagen with kids: 2 days, zoo and TivoliA tower with a ramp, a boat trip and Tivoli on day one, the zoo, a park and sharks on day two.
- On a budgetCopenhagen on a budget: 2 days, mostly freeHarbour, fortress, the royal guard and a tower with a view – much of it with no entry fee.
Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. Coordinates checked with Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap (Photon). Photo: European Commission, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. More in Sources & licences. YesTrip is a trip planner, not a travel agency – nothing is booked.
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