The kayaker’s oar cut through the water, sending gentle ripples across the harbour. Sunlight reflected off the window of the buildings on the opposite shore, which – just a minute ago – had been perfectly reflected in the harbour. A cyclist meandered past, their face hidden behind dark sunglasses and a mop of blonde hair.
It was 7am in Copenhagen, and we had just 2 hours to explore the city centre before catching a train to Stockholm. We were staying a stone’s throw from the central station. Bleary-eyed, we had arrived just after midnight on a late flight from Manchester.
Lucy had stayed in Copenhagen a few years ago. However, it was my first time, and I wanted to make the most of our brief stint in the city. So, we set an early alarm and readied ourselves for an early morning wander.
From the iconic Nyhavn to the Christianborg Palace, here is how we spent 2 hours exploring central Copenhagen.
Our 2-hour walking route through Copenhagen
Our 2 hours in Copenhagen began at the city’s Central Station. We decided to catch the metro towards Nyhavn and walk back from there, stopping along the way to admire the sights.
Eventually, we would arrive back at the station in time to catch our train to Stockholm. Below is a rough outline of our route. If you only have a few hours in Copenhagen, this should give you a flavour of what you can see in a short space of time.
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8 brilliant things to see on our 2-hour walking route through Copenhagen
1) Kongens Nytorv / The King’s New Square
This gargantuan public square was our first stop. Just a few minutes walk from the Kongens Nytorv metro station, Kongens Nytrov takes its name from King Christian V of Denmark. Christian V ruled Denmark and Norway between 1670 and 1699, and his statue now stands in the centre of the square.
A handful of people milled around – mostly early-morning joggers and cyclists. A couple of distant figures clutched cameras and guidebooks, but the square was otherwise deserted.
Surrounding the central plaza, some of Copenhagen’s finest buildings stand tall, including the opulent Royal Danish Theatre and the luxurious Hotel d’Angleterre. Cafes and restaurants do a roaring trade here, although, on this particular morning, we had arrived too early to sample the goods.
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2) Nyhavn
A stone’s throw from Kongens Nytorv is Nyhavn, Copenhagen’s iconic harbour. Lined with waterfront bars and restaurants, the area is famous for its multicoloured townhouses, most dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries.
We stopped at the top of the harbour to admire the view. Next to us, at the head of the canal, stood the Mindeankeret, a large memorial anchor that commemorates the sailors who lost their lives during World War II.
We walked along the northern shore, where most of the bars, cafes and restaurants stand. These, too, were closed, and we enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere as a gentle breeze blew along the cobbled street. On the southern shore, the morning sun lit up the townhouses, which were perfectly reflected in Nyhavn’s still waters.
At the end of the canal, the view opened up. Across the harbour, Copenhagen’s glistening Opera House stood bathed in sunlight.
Cyclists rode across the Inderhavnsbroen bridge, which opened in 2016 and connects Nyhavn with the Christiana region. Rising high above the rooftops, the impressive tower of the 17th-century Church of Our Savior appeared in the distance.
3) Havnegade Harbour Promenade
We crossed a bridge, taking one last look at Nyhavn. The route took us along the Havnegade promenade, where a handful of joggers and cyclists sped past.
With art installations and carefully-landscaped trees, this was an idyllic spot for an early morning stroll. Out on the water, two kayakers glided along, their voices catching on the wind.
4) Børsen and its iconic spire
As we rounded the corner, bidding farewell to Copenhagen’s harbourfront, we spotted the striking 17th-century Børsen building – one of the oldest structures in the city.
This historic stock exchange is not normally open to the public, but that matters little – the architecture is impressive enough to admire from the outside. The star of the show is Børsen’s remarkable spire, which boasts intricate carvings of dragons wrapping their long tails around the tower and sinking their claws into the roof.
5) Christiansborg Palace
On a typical afternoon, the grounds and corridors of Christianborg Palace will be alive with a blend of curious tourists and busy civil servants. On this particular morning, however, we were the only people wandering around.
The jewel in the crown of the tiny Slotsholmen island, the sprawling palace is the home of the Danish Parliament and Prime Minister’s Office, among others. The opulent interior reflects the palace’s former status as a royal residence, with some areas open to the public.
If, like us, you are tight for time, then simply wander under the impressive archway and into the interior courtyard. Proceed past the equestrian statue of Christian IX and out towards the parade grounds. Eventually, you will bid farewell to the palace as you pass between a pair of opulent gateposts, crossing the Frederiksholms Kanal via the Marmorbroen bridge.
How to visit Christianborgs Palace
- The palace is open daily from April to September, and Tuesday to Sunday from October to March.
- Opening times vary, but the palace typically opens at 10:00 and closes at 17:00 or 18:00.
- Adult combi tickets cost 175 DKK (£20).
- You can buy tickets on the official Nationalmuseet website.
6) National Museum of Denmark
After leaving Christianborg Palace, we wandered straight down Ny Vestergade Street. On our right, the National Museum of Denmark stood proudly above the pavement.
This 18th-century building lacks the external opulence of the nearby palaces. However, if you have more than a couple of hours, the museum brilliantly showcases the rich history of Denmark – from the infamous story of the Vikings to the Danish royal family.
How to visit the National Museum of Denmark
- The National Museum is open daily from June to September, opening at 10:00 and closing at 18:00.
- The National Museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from October to May, opening at 10:00 and closing at 17:00.
- Adult tickets cost 120 DKK (£13.80)
- You can buy tickets on the official Nationalmuseet website.
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7) Tivoli Gardens
As we reached the final leg of our walking tour through Copenhagen, we rounded the corner and saw a jumble of roller coasters stretching towards the cloudless sky.
This was Tivoli Gardens, one of Copenhagen’s most popular attractions. The charming amusement park dates back to 1843 and boasts a myriad of gardens, lakes and classic fairground rides.
Truth be told, our timing wasn’t the best. When we walked past, it was still early in the morning, and Tivoli was shut. The park is at its best at night, illuminated by twinkling fairy lights and packed with visitors.
How to visit Tivoli Gardens
- Tivoli Gardens is usually open from the end of March to the end of September, with additional openings for Halloween and Christmas.
- The gardens normally open at 11:00, and can close as late as midnight on Fridays and Saturdays during the summer season. For the latest opening hours for Tivoli Gardens, click here.
- Adult tickets cost 155 DKK (£17.85).
- You can buy tickets on the official Tivoli Gardens website.
8) Rådhuspladsen / City Hall Square
The final stop of our short walking route through central Copenhagen was Rådhuspladsen, home to the impressive City Hall building. As we entered the square, we passed a whimsical statue of Hans Christian Andersen, whose figure stares across towards the Tivoli Gardens.
Other attractions near City Hall Square include the Dragon Fountain and the Wallmans Circus Building. If you can spare the time, it is worth a short detour to admire this diminutive domed venue, which is one of Copenhagen’s most iconic entertainment venues.
2 hours in Copenhagen: how we did it
We arrived back at Copenhagen Central Station with plenty of time to grab some breakfast before our train to Stockholm. Despite the tight timescales, it was certainly worth setting an early alarm and exploring central Copenhagen on our two-hour walk. Here’s how we did it:
- Scandinavian Airlines fly from Manchester to Copenhagen. We flew on their Friday evening service, which departed Manchester at 20:30 and arrived in Copenhagen at 23:20.
- We stayed at Annex Copenhagen, which offers simple, no-frills accommodation less than five minutes from Copenhagen’s Central Station. For us, it was an ideal location for accessing the train and metro network. Doubles from £57 (we paid £91 for a Friday night in July).
- We caught the train from Copenhagen Airport to Copenhagen Central Station. You can check timetables and buy tickets through the easy-to-use DSB App. Our single tickets from the airport cost DKK 30 each (£3.50).
- We used the metro line to travel from the Central Station to Kongens Nytorv metro station. Again, we used the DSB App, and our tickets cost DKK 24 each (£3).
- We continued our journey to Stockholm by train, as part of a 3-day journey through Denmark and Sweden.