Copenhagen Cruise Port: Tivoli Gardens, Castles & Palaces

Copenhagen Cruise Port is a great port for DIY cruisers! From the iconic Little Mermaid to the colour houses of Nyhavn and the buzz of its world-class food markets, the Danish capital certainly offers loads of experiences to enjoy.

In my Copenhagen Cruise Port Guide, I’ll cover transport from the different cruise terminals to Copenhagen City Centre. Keep reading for my Top 10 must-see sights, including a free hidden gem not to be missed. Let’s make your port day in Copenhagen memorable!

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Copenhagen Cruise Port: Is a DIY Shore Excursion Easy? 😎😎😎😎 Straightforward

Doing a DIY shore excursion from Copenhagen Cruise Port is 😎😎😎😎 Straightforward and here’s why:

• Easy Public Transport Connection to Copenhagen City Centre: Multiple options can get you into Copenhagen City Centre in under 30 minutes. I’ll cover multiple options below regardless of which cruise terminal your ship docks at.
• Walkable City Centre: Copenhagen is incredibly walkable! Attractions are relatively close together and if you prefer not to walk, then the metro will zip you to different corners of Copenhagen in no time!
• Dedicated Bike Lanes: If you bike, then Copenhagen’s cycling infrastructure is fantastic, with hundreds of miles of dedicated bike lanes – read more on my “Biking in Copenhagen” section below.

Copenhagen Cruise Port Essentials: All You Need to Know

1. Copenhagen Cruise Port: The 3 Cruise Terminals

There are 3 different cruise terminals that your ship will dock in, with the biggest and most likely cruise terminal being the Ocean Quay (Oceankaj) terminals – see all marked on my Copenhagen Cruise Port map below. I’ll cover how to get from each cruise terminal to Copenhagen City Centre separately below.

Find Out Where Your Ship Will Dock At: look up where your ship will be docked at here.

(a) Ocean Quay (Oceankaj)

Ocean Quay is the largest cruise terminal and can accommodate multiple ships at port at the same time. There’s actually 3 separate cruise terminals, all with separate security queues. Ocean Quay is about 5 miles (~8 km) from the city centre.

If you’re traveling on a large(r) ship, she will be docked here. For examples, Cunard, MSC Cruises, HAL, NCL, Princess and Celebrity Cruises will all dock here.

(b) Langelinie Pier

The Langelinie Pier is about 2 miles (~3.5 km) from Copenhagen’s city centre and located near the famous Little Mermaid statue. Smaller ships like Viking Ocean Cruises and Silversea will dock here.

(c) Nordre Toldbod

If you’re on a small ship, occasionally, it will be docked at Nordre Toldbod (North Customs House). It’s about a 15-20 minute walk to Nyhavn.

2. Copenhagen Cruise Port: Useful Tidbits

• Currency: Danish Kroner (DKK)
  • June 2025: 💵 US$1 = ~6.6 DKK, 💷 GBP£1 = ~8.8 DKK, 💶 Euro €1 = ~7.5 DKK, CAD$1 = ~4.8 DKK
  • Cash or Card? I did not use cash at all in Copenhagen. I managed this by buying my bus ticket from a ticket machine with card, buying tickets online before hand and paying for everything else with a card. Denmark is mostly cashless, so I wouldn’t worry about having to get cash from an ATM.
• Language: Danish but English is very widely spoken
• Official Copenhagen Tourism Website: Visit Copenhagen
• Local Transport: Publictransport.dk but Google Maps and Citymapper also works well for metro / bus routes and walking directions. I
• eSIM for Denmark: For a great data connection without the huge roaming fees, use an eSim data pack from Airalo. I always recommend having a smartphone with a valid plan when you’re at port touring. Get US$3 off your first eSIM data pack from Airalo when you use ROXANN1666 when you sign up or apply it at checkout

Copenhagen Cruise Port Map

• On Desktop | Laptop? Use buttons on bottom left to zoom in/out. Click on the upper right hand corner to see a bigger version.
• On Tablet | Mobile? Pinch your screen to zoom in/out and use two fingers to move map around. If you have Google Maps installed on your tablet/mobile, my map will open in your Google Maps app if you click on the upper right hand corner.
• If map is not loading correctly, click here to see it directly on Google Maps

Copenhagen Cruise Port to City Centre: Your Transport Options

Find Out Where Your Ship Will Dock At: To help you decide the best way to get from Copenhagen Cruise Port to Copenhagen City Centre, look up where your ship will be docked at here first.

Once on the Copenhagen Port Authority’s website, you can either search via date or your ship’s name. Alternatively, you can browse by clicking on “Copenhagen” or download all the info to browse.

1. Oceankaj Cruise Terminals to Copenhagen City Centre

(a) Bus Route #25 to Orientkaj + Metro to City Centre

Bus Route #25 runs from outside each of the three cruise terminals at Oceankaj to Orientakj metro station. From Orientakj metro station, you can catch the M4 metro line directly to Kongens Nytorv metro station for Nyhavn (4 stops) – the starting point of my “Top Things to Do in Copenhagen” list below. Here’s the details:

• Finding the Bus Stop: See the closest #25 stop to each cruise terminal on my Copenhagen Cruise Port map
• Frequency: Bus #25 is timetabled to run every 10 minutes when ships are docked at Oceakkaj, on the hour and 10/20/30/40/50 past, starting from Oceankaj Terminal 3 – the furthest stop on the route – see the bus route here.
• Tickets:
  • Single / One-way ticket: You’ll need a 2-zone ticket for DKK 24 for the bus + metro ride to Copenhagen city centre.
  • Day Ticket: The “City Pass Small” is DKK 100 for 24 hours and covers Zones 1-4 – more than enough for a DIY excursion in Copenhagen. If you’re thinking of hopping on and off the metro in Copenhagen, it’s more convenient to just buy the day ticket.
  • Note: Kids under 12 can travel for free if accompanied by a paid adult. Kids aged 12-15 can buy a discounted ticket but kids aged 16 or above will need to pay the adult fare.
• Where to Buy Tickets:
  • Purchase Ticket on App: The easiest way is to buy it on the DOT Tickets App. You can buy single tickets, as well as a day-ticket.
  • Purchase Ticket at Machines: I don’t know whether there are ticket machines at every single cruise terminal but I know that there IS one, somewhat hidden, at the corner of Oceankaj / Oceanvej roads – see this marked on my Copenhagen Cruise Port Map. I purchased my ticket from the machine on my last trip and cards were accepted. Once in the city centre, you’ll also find ticket machines at metro stations.
  • Pay Cash on Bus: Note that you can pay cash on the bus but it’s not guaranteed that the driver can provide change. (Denmark is mostly cashless now). No card payments are accepted onboard buses.
• Connection to Metro: Once you get off at the last stop (Orientkaj), follow signs to the Orientkaj metro station. The walk should take less than a minute.
• Journey Time: Expect end-to-end journey time to be under 30 minutes. The bus ride to Orientakj is about 5 mins. Add a few minutes to transfer to metro and the metro ride is about 10 minutes to Kongens Nytorv.
• Return Trip: For your return trip back to Oceankaj, it’s the same trip but in reverse!
• My Experience: It was a smooth and easy journey. I was one of the first cruisers to disembark and the bus was empty! Connection to metro was easy and I was in Copenhagen city centre in under 30 minutes.

Note that to purchase tickets on the app, you’ll need an active data connection! (Unless you purchase a day ticket while on the ship’s WiFi and then screen-shot the ticket.) Single tickets purchased on the app are “for usage now”; you can’t purchase multiple tickets for use later. Don’t want to clock up roaming charges? Then use my code to buy an eSIM for your Copenhagen port day for net US$1.50.

(b) Bus Route #164 to Orientkaj + Metro to City Centre

The alternative #164 route to Copenhagen City Centre is similar to above but it drops you off at Orientkaj metro station at a different bus stop.

• Finding the Bus Stop: Bus route #164 stops at the Terminal 1 stop only. The walk from Terminal 2 is a few minutes but the walk from Terminal 3 can be up to 10 minutes depending on how fast you walk! I’ve done the walk and it’s entirely on flat ground
• Bus route: See the bus route here
• Where to Get Off: Get off the bus at Orientkaj St. (Sundkrogsgade) stop – marked on my Copenhagen Cruise Port map. It’s less than a minute’s walk to Orientkaj metro station. Then connect to metro as above.

(c) Taxis

Taxis are readily available outside each cruise terminal. Expect the journey to take around 20-30 minutes depending on traffic and where you’re heading to.

One-way fares are about DKK 200-300+ depending on traffic, approx. €27-40 / US$30-45. Taxis in Copenhagen accept cards but do check with the driver first. Note that Uber does not operate in Copenhagen.

2. Langelinie Cruise Terminal to Copenhagen City Centre

Cruise lines will often run a shuttle from Langelinie Cruise Terminal. If not, then you can either walk or catch a bus to the nearest metro station – Østerport metro station

(a) Walk to Copenhagen City Centre

The walk (along the harbour front) from Langelinie Cruise Terminal to Nyhavn is about 30 minutes on flat ground or 20 minutes to Østerport metro station, where you can hop onto the metro to various parts of Copenhagen.

(b) Bus to Østerport, Metro to City Centre

Bus route #27 runs to Østerport metro station, where you can easily connect to multiple lines to get to Copenhagen City Centre.

• Finding the Bus Stop: After disembarkation, keep walking straight, with the harbour front on your left until you see a big roundabout. Turn right and you’ll see a bus shelter. It’s marked on my Copenhagen Cruise Port Map and the stop is called “Indiakaj”.
• Frequency: Usually every 20 minutes or so
• Journey Time: About 5 minutes bus ride to Østerport, where you connect to the Metro for about 10 minutes to Kongens Nytorv metro station for Nyhavn.
• Tickets: See more details above – you also need a 2-zone ticket. Unfortunately, there’s no ticket machine at the stop, so you’ll need to purchase a ticket with cash from the driver or download the app – details above.

(c) Taxis

Taxis should be available but it’s a much smaller cruise terminal than Ocean Quay, so I would suggest that you think of taxis as a back-up option from Langelinie Cruise Terminal. Expect the journey to take around 10 minutes depending on traffic and where you’re heading to.

One-way fares are about DKK 100-120 depending on traffic. Taxis in Copenhagen accept cards but do check with the driver first. Note that Uber does not operate in Copenhagen.

Getting Around Copenhagen by Bike

Copenhagen is world renowned for being incredibly bike-friendly! For most locals, the bike is their primary form of transport. Copenhagen is also quite flat, so you won’t encounter many hills on your ride around Copenhagen city centre.

1. How to Rent a Bike

Donkey Republic is the most widespread app (and probably most convenient option) to rent a bike in Copenhagen. Look for their distinctive orange bikes parked at numerous virtual hubs across the city.

You’ll need to download the app to find bikes and unlock it. You pay per duration and a 24-hour rental is around DKK 129. Pedal bikes and e-bikes are available but the e-bikes are more expensive.

2. Join a Bike Tour

If you’re keen to bike in Copenhagen but a little apprehensive, then join a short 90-minute bike tour with a guide to orient yourself and you can then spend the rest of the day on a bike yourself. Tours start a few minutes walk from Nyhavn.

Alternatively, do a longer 3-hour tour to see major sites around Copenhagen. For low effort sightseeing, consider during a guided Segway tour.

3. Bike Lanes & Cycling Infrastructure

Bike lanes in Copenhagen are wide and typically, physically separated from both car traffic and the pedestrian sidewalk. Also expect to see dedicated traffic lights for cyclists at major intersections and even designated “Cycle Superhighways”. Download a copy of the bike lanes map here (PDF).

4. Key Rules for Cycling in Copenhagen

Here’s a few key rules to remember when cycling in Copenhagen:

• Stay Right: Always ride on the right-hand side of the bike lane.
• Overtake Left: Pass slower cyclists on their left.
• Use Hand Signals: Signal clearly before turning or stopping.
• Lights After Dark: It’s legally required to have a working white front light and red rear light turned on from sunset to sunrise and in poor visibility. Rental bikes should be equipped with these.

And of course, no phones while cycling!

Copenhagen Cruise Port: Top Things to Do

Here’s my Top 10 Things to See & Do in Copenhagen City Centre below. I start my list with a stroll down the iconic Nyhavn, because it’s close to Kongens Nytorv Metro station, the metro stop that’s easiest to orient yourself if you’ve just come from one of the cruise terminals.

From Nyhavn, it’s then easy to walk around to see the others on my list. Alternatively, you can ride the metro easily to attractions such as the Tivoli Gardens.

1. Stroll Along Iconic Nyhavn

Nyhavn literally means “New Harbour” in Danish. Constructed between 1670-1675 by King Christian IV (using Swedish POWs!), it connects the sea to the inner city’s main square, Kongens Nytorv.

For centuries, it was a bustling, working harbour filled with ships, cargo and fishermen. It was also notoriously rough-and-tumble, known for its sailors, alehouses (pubs) and prostitution! As ships grew larger, Nyhavn’s commercial importance faded and it became pedestrianised in the 1980s.

Nyhavn is incredibly photogenic! You’ll see a stunning row of brightly coloured 17th and early 18th century townhouses lining the north (sunny) side of the canal. The oldest house, No. 9, dates back to 1681. There’s also a collection of beautifully restored historic ships moored in the inner part of the harbour towards Kongens Nytorv.

Hans Christian Andersen, the famous fairytale author, called Nyhavn home for many years. Hans lived in No. 20 (1834-1838) when he wrote his first published fairytales, “The Tinderbox,” “Little Claus and Big Claus” and “The Princess and the Pea” and you’ll find a memorial plaque there. Hans also lived in No. 67 (1848-1865) and No. 18 (1871-1875) where it’s now an Andersen-themed souvenir shop.

• How to Get Here: From the cruise terminals, follow directions above to get to Kongens Nytorv Metro station. On exiting the metro station, you’ll immediately see Kongens Nytorv – the large open-air square. Walk towards it and you’ll see Nyhavn.
• Top Tip: Nyhavn is packed with restaurants, cafes and bars with outdoor seating. It’s definitely the more expensive (and touristy) part of Copenhagen. So walk across the Inner Harbour Bridge (Inderhavnsbroen) for good views and the street food market, Broens Gadekøkken, for drinks and snacks. See both marked on my Copenhagen Cruise Port map

2. Wander Down Strøget

Strøget (pronounced roughly “Stroy-et”) is Copenhagen’s famous pedestrian thoroughfare. From Kongens Nytorv (King’s New Square) to Rådhuspladsen (City Hall Square), it’s approximately 1.1km (~0.7 miles) and is one of Europe’s longest pedestrian shopping streets.

Even if you’re not looking to shop, Strøget serves as a good landmark, as you can use the pedestrianised street to navigate to other attractions. But if you’re looking to do a bit of shopping (or window shopping), here’s where to find where:

• Østergade end, near Kongens Nytorv: Closest to Nyhavn is home to high-end brands like Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Gucci, and Prada plus the department store, Magasin du Nord
• Amagertorv near Stork Fountain: Further down towards the City Hall Square, near the Stork Fountain (Storkespringvandet) are the Danish design icons, such as Royal Copenhagen (exquisite porcelain), Georg Jensen (sleek silverware and jewellery), and Illums Bolighus (homeware)
• Gammeltorv & Nytorv: Continue walking down Strøget and you’ll be at the section between Copenhagen’s oldest market square (Gammeltorv) and the slightly newer Nytorv, home to the city’s Neoclassical courthouse. Look for the Renaissance-era Caritas Well (Caritasbrønden) on Gammeltorv. The high street names are all here – H&M, Zara and Flying Tiger Copenhagen. The flagship Lego store is not to be missed by any Lego fans!

How to Get to Strøget: From Nyhavn, walk back towards Kongens Nytorv and Strøget is the main cross street.

3. Take a Canal Tour

While you’re at Nyhavn, you can easily hop onto a canal tour to see Copenhagen’s major waterfront landmarks in about an hour, including Copenhagen Opera House, the Little Mermaid statue, Amalienborg Palace (home of the Royal Family), Christiansborg Palace (Parliament building), the historic Old Stock Exchange (Børsen), the modern Black Diamond (Royal Library) and the charming canals and houseboats of Christianshavn.

• Where Canal Tours Start: Multiple companies run canal tours but they all start at Ved Stranden, a minute’s walk from Gammel Strand metro station. Walking from Nyhavn or Kongens Nytorv? Then just take a left at the Stork Fountain, unless you see water and you’ll be there.
• Large or Small Canal Boat?
  • Large / Long canal boats are like those in Amsterdam and Paris and easily fit over 100 people, either an open-top (or glass roof). These tend to be cheaper and run every 30 minutes during summer months. Tickets start from DKK 169 for a 60-minute tour – tour finishes at the same spot.
  • Small canal boats are usually electric (very quiet!) and will fit usually ~10 people and will have a more intimate feel. The guide is also the captain who gives live commentary in English. Tickets start from DKK 269 for a 60-minute tour and will also drop you off at Ved Stranden at the end.

4. Visit Amalienborg Palace (Changing of the Guard)

Amalienborg Palace is a complex of four identical palaces surrounding a large octagonal courtyard (Amalienborg Slotsplads) and is a great example of Danish Rococo architecture. In the centre of the cobbled square stands an impressive equestrian statue of King Frederik V, the founder of Amalienborg and Frederiksstaden.

King Frederik X and Queen Mary reside in Frederik VIII’s Palace, while Queen Margrethe II (the former Queen, who abdicated in January 2024) resides in Christian IX’s Palace. The other two palaces (Christian VII’s and Christian VIII’s) are used for official receptions, guest accommodation, and housing the Amalienborg Museum.

• How to Get There: Amalienborg Palace is just north of Nyhavn. Walk there from Nyhavn in under 10 minutes.
• What to See: The Fabergé Chamber houses a stunning collection made by Fabergé, the renowned jeweller to the Russian Tsars (but there’s no Fabergé Imperial Eggs here). You’ll also see the private studies and salons of former Danish Kings and Queens.
• Opening Hours: Closed Mondays. Open 10am to 4pm.
• Tickets: DKK 125 adults, DKK 80 students, free for kids under 18. Skip the queue by purchasing your ticket online but note that tickets are timed. If you intend to visit Rosenborg Palace as well, you can buy a joint ticket for DKK 215 adults, DKK 150 students but these are only sold in person at the ticket office.

How to Watch the Changing of the Guard Ceremony

The daily Changing of the Guard ceremony is a fantastic display of Danish military tradition! It takes place every day at 12 noon in the Amalienborg Palace Square. You don’t need to pay to watch the Changing of the Guard. Just stand along the route or at the Amalienborg Palace courtyard.

In fact, you can see the Royal Life Guards (Den Kongelige Livgarde) start their march from their barracks at Rosenborg Castle around 11:30am. They march through the streets of Copenhagen and finally get to Amalienborg Palace Square just before 12 noon.

Where to Watch Changing of the Guard: If you just want to watch the soldiers march by, they will exit Rosenborg Castle and march along Gothersgade, the street on the northern end of Kongens Nytorv. Then they turn into Bredgade at Kongens Nytorv (one of the cross streets heading north), make a right at Sankt Annæ Plads and then north at Amaliegade to reach Amalienborg Palace Square. If you want to watch the entire ceremony, just stand at the Amalienborg Palace courtyard.

The most elaborate ceremony, complete with the Royal Life Guards Music Band, happens when HM the King is residing at Amalienborg. If you see the Royal Standard on the flagpole on Frederik VIII’s Palace, the King is in residence. If it’s a Danish flag flying over the palaces, then the guards still change but they march through the city without musical accompaniment.

5. Climb the Round Tower (Rundetårn)

The Round Tower (Rundetårn) in Copenhagen was completed in 1642 as an astronomical observatory. It’s still Europe’s oldest functioning astronomical observatory! The most distinctive feature is a wide, brick-paved spiral ramp that winds 7.5 times around the tower’s hollow core to the top.

The ramp was designed to allow a horse and carriage to ascend, transporting heavy astronomical instruments to the top. The ramp is 209m (~690 feet) long and is on a steady, gentle incline. But to reach the very top viewing platform, there are a few steps before you emerge onto the outdoor deck.

From the outdoor platform, you’ll get a stunning 360-degree panorama over the history heart of Copenhagen. You can see Rosenborg Castle and its gardens, the Marble Church‘s impressive dome and the spires of Nikolaj Kunsthal and Christiansborg Palace.

About halfway up, the ramp opens into a large, beautiful hall, which was originally the University Library. Today, it’s a small exhibition space, with a shop and cafe.

• How to Get There: Walk down Strøget from Nyhavn and take a right at Stork Fountain. It’s about a 5-minute walk from the Stork Fountain junction.
• Opening Hours: Daily from 10am to 6pm. Open late on Tuesdays and Wednesdays till 9pm for public viewings through the large telescope.
• Tickets: DKK 60 adults, DKK 30 students, free for kids under 15.

6. Explore Rosenborg Castle & King’s Garden

Built between 1606 and 1634 by the legendary King Christian IV (yes, the same king who built the Round Tower and founded Kristiansand in Norway in 1641!), Rosenborg Castle was originally intended as his pleasure summerhouse. King Christian IV was quite a builder! He also ordered medieval Oslo to be rebuilt after a devastating fire destroyed it in 1624 – the area he rebuilt (around Kvadraturen in Oslo) still bears the stamp of his Renaissance planning.

Designed in the elegant Dutch Renaissance style, it served as a royal residence for about 100 years before the royal family moved to Amalienborg in the early 18th century. Since then, Rosenborg Castle has functioned as a royal treasury and museum.

What to See at Rosenborg Castle

The star attraction at Rosenborg Castle are the Danish Crown Jewels and Royal Regalia, housed in the Treasury, located in the castle’s basement vaults. There’s the Crown of Christian IV, the Sceptre, Orb, Sword of State and ampulla as well as exquisite sets of jewellers belong to the Queens over the centuries.

Inside the castle on the top floor is the Long Hall (Knights’ Hall), a magnificent baroque hall used for royal banquets and balls. The coronation thrones used from 17th – 19th centuries are there, famously guarded by three life-size silver lions!

• How to Get There:
  • Coming directly from cruise terminals? Hop off the metro at Nørreport Station instead. Rosenborg Castle is then just a few minutes’ walk away
  • Metro from Kongens Nytorv: If you’ve been sightseeing at Nyhavn, then walk back to Kongens Nytorv metro station and take M1/M2 line to Nørreport station (one stop).
  • Walk from Nyhavn: If you’re a keen walker, you can walk from Nyhavn to Rosenborg Castle in about 20 minutes.
• Opening Hours: Daily 10am to 5pm.
• Tickets: DKK 140 adults, DKK 90 students, free for kids under 18. Because Rosenborg Castle is relatively small, all tickets are timed and will often sell out. Buy an online ticket in advance if you’d like to visit. If you intend to visit Amalienborg Palace as well, you can buy a joint ticket for DKK 215 adults, DKK 150 students but these are only sold in person at the ticket office.

What to See at the King’s Gardens

The King’s Gardens (Kongens Have) is Copenhagen’s oldest royal garden. Established by Christian IV in the early 17th century at the same time as Rosenborg Castle, it still retains the formal Renaissance features of long, straight avenues shared by lime trees today.

It’s free to enter, making this a wonderful spot to take a break. You can wander through the formal avenues, see the rose garden near Rosenberg castle and see the monument to Hans Christian Andersen. The gardens also offer good views of Rosenborg castle.

• How to Get There: see directions above to Rosenborg Castle. The King’s Gardens is adjacent to Rosenborg Castle.
• Opening Hours: From early morning till sunset.

7. Experience Tivoli Gardens

Tivoli Gardens is the world’s third oldest operating amusement park (after Dyrehavsbakken, also near Copenhagen, and Wurstelprater in Vienna), having been open since August 1843.

But it’s famous for having inspired Walt Disney to built the Disney theme parks, which Disney visited in 1951. Tivoli was designed not just around rides but around atmosphere, gardens, architecture, music pavilions, flower displays, illuminations and fireworks – concepts that Disney embraced in its theme parks till today.

And that’s what you’ll find in Tivoli Gardens today. You can still ride the Rutschebanen, a wooden roller coaster dating back to 1914. Note that unlike Disney theme parks, there’s a two-part pricing structure:

• Entrance Fee: The entrance fee to enter Tivoli Gardens gives you access to the gardens, watch the parades and the free shows at the Pantomime Theatre but does not include any rides
• Individual Ride Tickets: You can buy tickets for single rides. This works out cost effective if you only want to do a handful of specific rides.
• Unlimited Ride Pass: For a Disney theme park style experience, you’ll need to buy the unlimited ride pass for all the rides.

• How to Get to Tivoli Gardens: Tivoli Gardens is right next to Copenhagen station – the train and the metro station. Catch the metro to “København” (all metro lines stop there) and follow signs on exit.
• Opening Hours: Open daily during summer months, usually from 11am to 10pm or till midnight on Friday and Saturday evenings
• Tickets:
  • Entrance Ticket: DKK 150 adults and kids aged 8+, DKK 75 for kids aged 3-7 on weekdays, DKK 170 adults and DKK 85 for kids on weekends – Skip the queue by buying tickets online here
  • Entrance + Unlimited Ride Pass: DKK 449 adults and kids aged 8+, DKK 224 for kids aged 3-7 on weekdays, DKK 469 adults and DKK 234 kids on weekends – online tickets here

8. Discover Christiansborg Palace

Christiansborg Palace is located on a small island called Slotsholmen in the centre of Copenhagen. All three branches of Denmark’s Government is here – the Parliament (Folketinget), the Prime Minister’s Office, and the Supreme Court – plus it contains stunning Royal Reception Rooms still used by the King today.

How to Visit the Tower at Christiansborg Palace

It also hosts what I think is the best free attraction in Copenhagen! The Tower at Christiansborg Palace (Tårnet), is the city’s highest tower and you can ride an elevator (lift) to the top for free.

You don’t need a ticket, just enter via the Royal Gate entrance (signposted – it’s the large gate facing the Grand Square) and queue up. You’ll be rewarded with 360-degree views over Copenhagen’s rooftops, canals and landmarks. Expect to go through airport-style security procedures as it’s part of the Government complex.

Opening Hours for Tower: Closed Mondays. 11am to 8pm Tuesday to Saturday. 11am to 5:30pm Sundays. Free to enter.

What to see at Christianborg Palace

There’s four separate areas that you can visit in Christianborg Palace – you can buy a combined ticket to see them all or purchase individual tickets, if you’re only interested to see one portion:

• Royal Reception Rooms: Don’t miss the Great Hall, home to Queen Margrethe II’s incredible modern tapestries depicting 1000 years of Danish history, which she commissioned for her 50th birthday in 1990. You can also see the Throne Room and the Queen’s Library
• Ruins under Christiansborg: Beneath the current palace lie the excavated foundations and ruins of its predecessors, including Bishop Absalon’s Castle, remnants of the original fortress built around 1167.
• Royal Kitchen: Recreated as if the Royal Kitchen was preparing for a grand gala dinner in 1937!
• Royal Stables: Meet the beautiful white Kladruber horses used for pulling royal carriages on special occasions. Admire the historic coaches, including the ornate Gold State Coach, and see exhibits of uniforms in the Harness Room.

• How to Get There: You can walk from Nyhavn to Christianborg Palace in 15 minutes. Alternatively, if you’re planning to do a canal tour, then the starting / finishing port of your canal tour at Ved Stranden is 2 minutes away.
• Tickets:
  • Combined Ticket including all four parts: DKK 215 adults, DKK 140 students, free for under 18. Save queuing time and buy online here
  • Royal Reception Rooms: DKK 140 adults, DKK 90 students, free <18
  • Royal Stables | Royal Kitchen | Ruins Under Christianborg: DKK 80 adults, DKK 55 students for each of these attractions, free <18

9. Taste Denmark at Torvehallerne Food Market

TorvehallerneKBH (often just called Torvehallerne) is a covered food market – two sleek, modern glass halls packed side-by-side with over 60 food stalls, plus outdoor stands selling fresh produce and flowers.

Torvehallerne is right next to Nørreport Station and ideal as lunch or just as a resting spot, if you’re Rosenborg Castle and the King’s Gardens, as its nearby. Here’s the Danish specialties to sample:

• Smørrebrød: You have to try Denmark’s famous open-faced sandwiches! Look for stalls like Hallernes Smørrebrød. They offer beautifully crafted sandwiches on dense rye bread with toppings ranging from pickled herring and smoked salmon to roast beef or egg & truffle. Local Tip: Danes traditionally eat smørrebrød with a knife and fork!
• Fiskefrikadeller: These are traditional Danish fish cakes. Stalls like Boutique Fisk often sell these, perfect for a quick taste of local comfort food, often served simply with remoulade (a tangy Danish sauce).
• Pastries & Coffee: Indulge your sweet tooth with exquisite Danish pastries (wienerbrød), cakes, or chocolates (like those from Summerbird). Pair it with exceptional coffee from renowned local roasters like Coffee Collective.
• GRØD: Experience Copenhagen’s love for porridge! This stall serves gourmet versions of porridge (both sweet and savoury, like risotto) that are incredibly popular.

It does get busy during lunch time, as locals come here for lunch, too. Open from 10am to 7pm but opening hours of individual stalls may vary. No need for cash; you can pay for everything with card, even if you’re just buying a coffee or a pastry.

10. Say Hello to The Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid (Den Lille Havfrue) is perhaps Copenhagen’s most famous resident! Unveiled in 1913, the statue depicts the title character from Hans Christian Andersen’s poignant fairytale.

The statue was commissioned by Carl Jacobsen, son of the founder of Carlsberg Breweries. He was deeply moved after watching a ballet performance based on the fairytale at Copenhagen’s Royal Theatre and wanted to gift the statue to the city. It was sculpted by Edvard Eriksen.

Sitting gracefully on a granite rock right by the water’s edge at the Langelinie promenade, the statue captures the mermaid in her moment of transformation, looking longingly towards the shore. The Little Mermaid is famously petite! She’s only 1.25m (~4 feet) tall.

• How to Get There:
  • Canal Tour: See it on a canal tour! Your canal boat will definitely stop here!
  • Walk from Nyhavn: It’s about a 20-25 minute walk from Nyhavn; head north past Amalienborg Palace, along the harbour front.
  • Walk from Langelinie Pier: If your ship happens to dock at Langelinie Pier, you’re in luck! You can walk from your ship to Little Mermaid in less than 10 minutes.

Copenhagen Cruise Port: What Else is There?

It’s impossible for me to squeeze everything to see and do in Copenhagen in a single blog post! So I’m not going to pretend that this post is by any means comprehensive. I haven’t covered loads of museums for example.

But there’s probably two attractions which may attract certain interests that I’ll mention here.

1. Freetown Christiania

Christiania’s story is unique. It began in 1971 when a group of squatters and idealists took over abandoned military barracks (Bådsmandsstræde Kaserne) in the Christianshavn area. Facing a housing shortage and seeking an alternative lifestyle, they declared it a “Freetown,” independent of the Danish government. This sparked decades of social experimentation, conflict, and negotiation with authorities.

Christiania developed its own rules, focusing on communal living, environmentalism, creativity, and tolerance (though notably having a ban on hard drugs, violence, and cars). The open cannabis trade on the central “Pusher Street” (or Green Light District) has always been a major point of contention and police action. After years of legal battles, a foundation linked to Christiania formally bought control of the land from the state in 2012, leading to a more normalised (though still unique) status.

Visiting Christiania feels like stepping into a different world within Copenhagen. It’s a car-free, green area filled with unique, self-built houses, colourful murals and street art, workshops, art galleries, organic eateries, music venues (like Loppen), and a generally bohemian, laid-back atmosphere. However, visitors should be aware of the specific rules, the most prominent being NO photography allowed on and around Pusher Street.

I’ve visited and walked around, just out of sheer curiosity. It’s safe to walk around but be mindful and respectful of residents’ privacy and DO respect the no photography rule.

• How to Get There: Take metro to Christianshavn stop and then walk for a few minutes.

2. Home of Carlsberg

The Home of Carlsberg is located at the historic site of the original Carlsberg Brewery 🍻 on Valby Hill. The visitor experience incorporates the history of Carlsberg, the science of brewing and the brand’s global story.

You can see the historic buildings, seeing the stables with the magnificent Jutland brewery horses, a sculpture garden, interactive displays, bars and restaurants.

• How to Get There: Take a S-train from Copenhagen station to Carlsberg station (Lines B/C/H – 1 stop) and it’s a few minutes walk from the station
• Opening Hours: 10am to 6pm Sunday to Thursday, 10am to 8pm Friday to Saturday
• Tickets: DKK 215 adults, DKK 145 kids aged 6-17, free for kids under 5. Ticket includes a Carlsberg beer – soda or water for kids! (Additional beer tastings are extra). Book online here.

Featured Image by Duc Tinh Ngo from Pixabay

If you’re heading to Copenhagen this summer, I hope that this guide has given you some ideas on how to spend your day ashore in Copenhagen!

If this guide has been useful to you, I would really appreciate you sharing this with your fellow cruisers in your roll call groups. All the best for a wonderful cruise!

Anchors aweigh! Search for your next port of call here👇

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