Denmark · On a budget · 2 days · 12 stops
Copenhagen on a budget: 2 days, mostly free
Copenhagen has a reputation for being pricey, yet many of its best places cost nothing. Day one follows the water from Nyhavn to the Kastellet fortress, watches the Changing of the Guard and ends in a museum with free entry. On day two you climb the Christiansborg tower, then take the Metro to Nørrebro, where a cemetery, a park and the streets themselves are the programme.
In short
- Length
- 2 days, 12 stops
- Highlights
- Nyhavn, The Black Diamond, Kastellet, Amalienborg Palace, Frederik's Church
- 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
Harbour, fortress and King's Garden
Nyhavn
Strolling along the canal is free. For coffee and food, though, the places here are the priciest in town.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Nyhavnabout 20 min on foot
Kastellet
The fortress ramparts are open to all. On the north side a path leads down to the Little Mermaid.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Kastelletabout 10 min on foot
Amalienborg Palace
At noon the Royal Life Guard takes over – watching costs nothing. Be there a few minutes early.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Amalienborg Palaceabout 5 min on foot
Frederik's Church
Opposite the palace square. You can see the round interior under the great dome without paying – on Sundays only in the afternoon.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Frederik's Churchabout 20 min on foot
Torvehallerne
A smørrebrød to go or something from the bakery stall is enough – eat outside on the benches.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Torvehallerneabout 15 min on foot
The David Collection
Islamic art, European furniture and silver in a town mansion. Entry is permanently free.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): The David Collectionabout 5 min on foot
King's Garden (Kongens Have)
Right across the road. In the city's oldest royal garden you can sit on the lawn looking at Rosenborg.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): King's Garden (Kongens Have)
Day 2
Christiansborg and Nørrebro
The Black Diamond
The harbourside library is free to enter. From the foyer you look out over the water through the glass front.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): The Black Diamondabout 5 min on foot
Christiansborg Palace Tower
The tallest tower in the city, and it's free to go up. A lift takes you to the top; closed on Mondays.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Christiansborg Palace TowerMetro M3 from Gammel Strand to Nørrebros Runddel, about 15 min.
Jægersborggade
A short street with a bakery, coffee roasters and small takeaways. Bread and pastries here won't cost much.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Jægersborggadeabout 5 min on foot
Assistens Cemetery
Part cemetery, part park, with the graves of Hans Christian Andersen and Søren Kierkegaard.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Assistens Cemeteryabout 15 min on foot
Superkilen
An urban park with benches, signs and play equipment from all over the world on red and black ground.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Superkilen
Good to know
Day ticket or bike
Day tickets for the Metro, buses and S-trains are sold at machines and in the app. Cheaper still: walk everywhere or rent a bike.
What's free
The Christiansborg tower, Frederik's Church, the David Collection, the library, Kastellet, all the parks and the Changing of the Guard.
Worth paying for
If you pay for one thing, make it Tivoli in the evening or a canal tour – neither has an equal elsewhere.
Tap water
Copenhagen's tap water is excellent. A refillable bottle saves money, and there are public drinking fountains around town.
For the best time to go, public transport and where to stay, see the 3-day plan for Copenhagen.
Your plan
Start with this plan.
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Copenhagen on a budget: frequently asked questions
What can you do for free in Copenhagen?
Nyhavn, Kastellet, the Changing of the Guard at Amalienborg, the Christiansborg tower, Frederik's Church, the David Collection and parks like the King's Garden.
How can I save on food in Copenhagen?
Lunch is cheaper than dinner. Bakeries, hot dog stands and smørrebrød to go are the budget alternatives to restaurants.
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.
- 5 days5 days in Copenhagen with Roskilde and MalmöThree days of Copenhagen by neighbourhood, plus Viking ships in Roskilde and a day across the Øresund in Malmö.
- 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.
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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