Last Updated on August 8, 2026
Copenhagen is one of the flattest capitals in Europe but that shouldn’t be surprising. Even Møllehøj, the highest natural point in Denmark, reaches only 171 metres. Does that mean there are no good viewpoints? Fortunately, it doesn’t. Copenhagen compensates for the lack of hills with an impressive collection of towers, rooftops and one very unusual artificial ski slope. In this article, I will give you a review of all major viewpoints in the city and I will also give you tips for the best walks. That’s the way how I like discovering cities. If you also like walks, viewpoints, hidden gems, good local food and local culture, this is an article for you. Welcome to Copenhagen!
Is Copenhagen worth visiting?
This wasn’t my first time in Copenhagen. I have passed through the city multiple times because it is one of the most important transport hubs in Scandinavia. I flew from here to the Faroe Islands, travelled through Copenhagen on my way to hike and climb European Peaks and always enjoyed a pleasant stop in the city.
However, these short visits were never enough to explore Copenhagen properly. This time, I returned with my wife and our six-month-old daughter and stayed for a whole week. I finally had enough time to explore the city our way. We climbed its towers, made multiple walks, followed the canals and I could finally create this complete Copenhagen guide for you.
We stayed in Christianshavn through Kindred, an interesting accommodation-sharing concept, and it turned out to be a perfect base. Christianshavn is beautiful, full of canals and still within walking distance of the main sights, but it doesn’t feel as crazy touristy as the historical centre.
Copenhagen was generally less crowded than I expected. It reminded me of Stockholm in this regard. You are visiting a European capital, but you don’t have to fight through crowds like in Paris, Rome or Prague. The canals sometimes reminded me of Amsterdam, just with fewer tourists. We enjoyed every day of our stay. During our week, I climbed many of the city’s towers, found wonderful rooftop cafés, skied on the roof of a power plant and completed four long walks. In this guide, I will show you my favourite Copenhagen viewpoints, the most important sights and several quieter waterfront areas which many visitors completely miss.
Which hotel offers the best view of Copenhagen?
My hotel recommendation is NH Collection Copenhagen, located directly on the waterfront in Christianshavn. I want to be completely honest here. I didn’t sleep at the hotel because we were staying through Kindred on the other side of the street. However, I visited its ROOF Bar & Lounge several times and enjoyed both the amazing view and the great drinks. Therefore, I can personally recommend the location and rooftop, but I can’t pretend that I tested the beds or breakfast.
The hotel stands in my favourite area of Copenhagen. Christianshavn is quieter than the historical centre, but Nyhavn, the Opera House, Christiania and several waterfront walks are close by. Many hotel rooms face either the city or harbour, while rooms on the seventh floor have large panoramic windows.
The hotel’s ROOF Bar & Lounge is also one of my eight favourite Copenhagen viewpoints, so I describe the view in detail in my ranking below.
My honest recommendation? Stay in Christianshavn even if you choose different accommodation. You’ll be close to everything but can escape the busiest tourist streets in the evening.
My ranking of the best viewpoints in Copenhagen
I visited all these Copenhagen viewpoints personally. Two received 10 out of 10 because they offer completely different experiences.
| Rank | Copenhagen viewpoint | My rating | Best reason to visit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Copenhagen City Hall Tower | 10/10 | Best panorama over the historical centre |
| 2 | CopenHill | 10/10 | Most unusual view and widest city panorama |
| 3 | Church of Our Saviour | 9/10 | Most exciting and dramatic tower climb |
| 4 | Round Tower | 8/10 | Most unique interior and best tower with a stroller |
| 5 | Christiansborg Palace Tower | 8/10 | Excellent free view from Copenhagen’s highest tower |
| 6 | NH Collection Copenhagen ROOF | 8/10 | Best rooftop drinks and sunset view |
| 7 | Danish Architecture Center rooftop café | 8/10 | Great view along the canal towards the city centre |
| 8 | Royal Danish Library | 7/10 | Cool indoor view inside a spectacular modern building |
1. Copenhagen City Hall Tower: the best view over the old city
My favourite Copenhagen viewpoint is the tower of Copenhagen City Hall. It provides a perfect view over the historical centre, Tivoli Gardens and the many towers and rooftops that define the city. The tour itself was also entertaining. Our guide was funny and made many jokes, including several about how much Danes apparently like alcohol. Based on my week in Copenhagen, he might have had a point.
You can only visit the tower as part of a scheduled tour, and capacity is limited. I had to reserve my place long in advance, so don’t leave this until the morning of your visit. Current tower tours generally take place at 11:00 and 14:00 from Monday to Friday and at 12:00 on Saturday. However, the schedule can change because the City Hall is a working building. Always check the official City Hall tour information and reserve your ticket before planning the rest of your day.
2. CopenHill: Copenhagen’s craziest viewpoint
CopenHill is much more than a viewpoint. It is a ski slope, hiking path, climbing wall and rooftop bar built on top of a waste-to-energy plant. This sounds like something invented after too many Danish beers, but it works so well.
Access to the rooftop, hiking trail and elevator is normally free during opening hours. From the top, you can see practically the whole city, the harbour, wind turbines, the flat Danish landscape beyond Copenhagen, the Öresund bridge to Sweden and even Sweden itself on a clear day.
I went one step further and tried skiing there. It was a very cool experience, but I have an important warning. I worked as a ski instructor for a long time, and I still found the artificial surface challenging. It feels much closer to skiing on ice than on snow. The upper section is steep, and mistakes are less forgiving than on a normal piste.
If you want to try the summer skiing at CopenHill, please start on the lower slope first even if you already know how to ski. Test how the skis react before moving higher. This isn’t the place to discover that your confidence is larger than your abilities. Falling down on this surface hurts a lot.
After skiing, I had a beer at the rooftop bar. Skiing above Copenhagen followed by après-ski on a power plant might be one of the strangest city experiences I have ever had. But I definitely recommend it.
As I mentioned, walking and using the elevator are free, but skiing requires a ticket. Opening hours can change because of events or plant maintenance, so check CopenHill’s current schedule and current pricing.
3. Church of Our Saviour: the most exciting tower
The Church of Our Saviour has Copenhagen’s most dramatic viewpoint. The climb consists of 400 steps, with the final 150 winding around the outside of the golden spire. The higher you go, the narrower the staircase becomes. You can see Copenhagen in every direction, but you also become increasingly aware that there isn’t much space between you and the edge.
I recommend visiting early in the morning. The narrow passages become more uncomfortable as the tower gets busier, and visitor numbers are limited. Booking a time in advance is strongly recommended.
The tower can temporarily close during rain, snow or strong wind. I experienced mostly beautiful summer weather in Copenhagen, with temperatures between 18 and 25°C, but we happened to choose a time when showers were approaching. It didn’t feel comfortable and we decided to leave earlier than we wanted. Check the forecast before reserving your climb.
4. Round Tower: Copenhagen’s most unusual and stroller-friendly tower
The Round Tower doesn’t offer the highest view in Copenhagen, but the journey to the top is cool and very unique. Instead of a traditional staircase, most of the ascent follows a wide spiral ramp which circles the tower’s centre seven and a half times. This turned out to be perfect for our stroller. Our six-month-old daughter could comfortably complete her first tower from inside it. What an introduction to viewpoint hunting!
The final part becomes narrower and the very last part includes stairs, so we didn’t make it with our daughter to the very top but carrying her in our arms in the final section solved the problem. Keep in mind that the tower’s official information warns that the listed building is not fully suited to pushchairs or wheelchairs. Nevertheless, the broad spiral ramp worked wonderfully with our stroller and made this by far the easiest tower experience for our family.
I rated the viewpoint 8 out of 10. The view is excellent, but the City Hall Tower and Church of Our Saviour provide more dramatic panoramas. However, the unusual interior and stroller-friendly main ascent make the Round Tower absolutely worth visiting.
Tickets normally cannot be reserved in advance. During busy periods, the tower may temporarily pause ticket sales to manage capacity. The tower also has a traffic light regulating the traffic on the last part. Check the latest Round Tower prices and opening hours.
5. Christiansborg Palace Tower: the best free tower in Copenhagen
Christiansborg Palace Tower also receives 8 out of 10 from me. At 106 metres, it is Copenhagen’s highest tower, and access to its viewing platform is completely free. You must pass through a security check because Christiansborg houses the Danish Parliament, but the extra procedure is worth it. The viewing platform provides excellent views over the historical centre, canals and many of Copenhagen’s other towers.
Why isn’t it ranked higher? The City Hall Tower offered my favourite perspective over the old city, while the Church of Our Saviour provided more a memorable climb. Nevertheless, Christiansborg is an excellent viewpoint, especially considering that it costs nothing. Check current access information before visiting because parliamentary and state events can affect opening hours.
6. NH Collection Copenhagen ROOF: drinks with an amazing view
ROOF Bar & Lounge is located on the eighth floor of NH Collection Copenhagen and receives 8 out of 10 from me. I visited the rooftop several times because it was close to our accommodation in Christianshavn. The combination of water and Copenhagen’s historical towers creates a beautiful city panorama.
It is particularly good around sunset, when the light falls across the harbour and old city. Unlike the traditional tower viewpoints, you don’t have to admire the view for five minutes and leave. You can order a drink, sit down and enjoy it properly. The drinks were great too. They weren’t cheap, but this is Copenhagen. By that point, my wallet had stopped being surprised.
You don’t have to stay at the hotel to visit ROOF, but reserving a table is recommended. The rooftop is seasonal. In 2026, it is open from 10 April to 17 October. Check current opening hours and reservations before visiting.
7. Danish Architecture Center rooftop café: architecture with a view
The rooftop café at the Danish Architecture Center also receives 8 out of 10. The view is completely different from the towers. From its café and rooftop terraces, you can look along the canal leading towards the historical city centre. Modern waterfront architecture stands in the foreground, while Copenhagen’s older roofs and towers rise farther away.
This combination perfectly matches the museum below. You first learn about Danish architecture and urban planning, and then you step onto the rooftop and see many of those ideas around you. I found the exhibitions interesting, but the café view was one of the biggest bonuses. Don’t finish your visit without going to the top floor. Access to the café requires a valid DAC ticket or membership. Check the latest DAC Café information.
8. Royal Danish Library: Copenhagen’s coolest indoor viewpoint
The Royal Danish Library, better known as the Black Diamond, receives 7 out of 10. This isn’t a traditional open-air viewpoint. Here, you admire Copenhagen from inside the building, and the architecture itself is arguably more impressive than the exterior panorama.
Go as high as the publicly accessible floors allow and look back through the enormous glass façade. From the upper part of the building, you can see the canal, bridges and waterfront while also appreciating the huge modern interior below you.
The reflections, glass, escalators and open atrium make this one of Copenhagen’s best architectural photography locations. It feels more like discovering a secret view inside a modern monument than climbing a normal observation tower.
Entry to the public library areas is free. Check the Black Diamond’s current opening hours before visiting.
The best walks in Copenhagen
I didn’t only explore the best viewpoints of the city for you, I also discovered beautiful walks. The advantage of having a baby is that you have to walk a lot to make it sleep. My wife, my daughter and I walked nearly 100km in Copenhagen during our one week stay and below you can find our favourite walks. The first one will take you to the most important sights of Copenhagen. The second one is a full day walk called Havneringen which will take you along the most important canal of the city Inderhavnen. The third one will take you to the famous Christiania and the final one to CopenHill and the best food area in the city. Enjoy!
Which Copenhagen walk should you choose?
- Choose Walk 1 for the essential sights and historical towers.
- Choose Walk 2 for canals, swimming areas and modern architecture.
- Choose Walk 3 for a shorter half-day around Christianshavn and Christiania.
- Choose Walk 4 for CopenHill, unusual architecture and the best street food.
Walk 1: The most important sights and towers in Copenhagen
This is the best walk for your first day in Copenhagen. It connects royal palaces, famous parks, shopping streets, the historical centre and several of the city’s best viewpoints.
Quick facts of the walk
- Distance: 10.4 km
- Pure walking time: approximately 2 hours 45 minutes
- Realistic time: a full day if you climb the towers
- Starting point: Amalienborg
- Finishing point: Nyhavn
Map of the walk with essential sights of Copenhagen
1. Start at Amalienborg Palace
Begin at Amalienborg, the official residence of the Danish royal family. The palace consists of four buildings arranged around a large square, with the Marble Church visible nearby. We saw the palace from outside before continuing towards the waterfront. If you time the visit well, you can also watch the changing of the Royal Guard.
2. Walk to the Little Mermaid
Continue along the waterfront towards Copenhagen’s most famous resident: the Little Mermaid. Is she worth seeing? Honestly, not really. The statue is small, the immediate surroundings are usually crowded and everybody tries to take the same picture. I expected it to be overrated and my visit confirmed it.
However, the waterfront walk is pleasant and the Little Mermaid fits naturally into this route. Visit her because you are already passing, take your picture and continue. I wouldn’t travel across Copenhagen only to see the statue.
3. Walk on the walls of Kastellet
Your next stop is Kastellet, one of Europe’s best-preserved star-shaped fortresses. Don’t stay only between the historical military buildings. Climb onto the defensive walls and follow the path around the top. We walked along the ramparts and enjoyed cool views over the fortress, its windmill, the harbour and the surrounding parts of Copenhagen.
It isn’t a high viewpoint like the towers later on this route, but the slightly raised walls provide a completely different perspective. Despite being close to the Little Mermaid, Kastellet also feels much calmer.
4. Continue through Rosenhaven to Rosenborg Castle
Walk through Rosenhaven and continue to Rosenborg Castle. The castle looks like it belongs in a fairy tale, particularly when viewed across the gardens. We admired it from outside, but you can visit the interior and see the Danish crown jewels if you have more time. Be aware that this will add at least another hour to an already busy day.
5. Visit the Botanical Garden
The University of Copenhagen Botanical Garden is another peaceful stop. Entry to the outdoor gardens is free, while some indoor areas may require tickets. This section of the route is a nice break between the historical sights and busy central streets.
6. Buy a seafood picnic at Torvehallerne
By now, you will probably be hungry. Luckily, Torvehallerne is one of Copenhagen’s best food markets.
Our choice was HAV at Torvehallerne, where we bought an amazing seafood picnic. We had salmon, shrimps, local bread and Skagen-style seafood salad. It was simple, fresh and possibly the best food we ate during our entire week in Copenhagen.
Instead of losing time in a formal restaurant, buy your favourite ingredients and create your own picnic. You can enjoy it in one of the nearby parks before continuing towards Copenhagen City Hall and the remaining towers.
Torvehallerne also has bakeries, coffee, fresh produce and many international options, so everybody can choose something different.
7. Walk through Ørstedsparken
Continue through Ørstedsparken, a green park built on Copenhagen’s former fortifications. The lake and mature trees make it another pleasant escape from the surrounding shopping streets.
8. Climb Copenhagen City Hall Tower
Now you reach my number-one viewpoint.
Plan the entire walk around your reserved tower-tour time. You can’t simply arrive whenever you like and expect to go up. I recommend booking the tour first and arranging the other stops around it.
I described the complete viewpoint experience in my ranking above. The important thing for this walk is timing. Miss your reserved tour and you probably won’t get another chance that day.
9. Walk and shop along Strøget
Continue towards Strøget, one of Europe’s longest pedestrian shopping areas. The main shopping route connects City Hall Square with Kongens Nytorv and passes a combination of international brands, Danish shops, department stores, cafés and smaller side streets.
If you enjoy shopping, allow additional time here. If shopping isn’t your priority, use Strøget as a lively connection between the major sights and explore some of the narrower streets around.
Strøget can become busy, but it is still an important part of central Copenhagen’s atmosphere.
10. Climb the Round Tower
Leave the main shopping route and continue to the Round Tower.
I described the view and our stroller experience earlier, so I won’t repeat the full review here. For the route, it is enough to know that tickets are normally sold at the entrance and the spiral ramp makes it one of Copenhagen’s easiest towers to include with a small child.
11. Climb the free Christiansborg Palace Tower
Continue to Christiansborg Palace for another excellent view over Copenhagen. Admission to the tower is free, but you must pass through a security check. Allow extra time and check current opening hours because parliamentary or state events can affect access.
If you have already climbed several towers and feel tired, this is the easiest one to skip. However, it would be a shame. Free viewpoints this good aren’t common.
12. Finish with an affordable beer and the best Nyhavn view
Nyhavn is beautiful, but its waterfront restaurants are busy and expensive. Instead of paying a premium for a crowded table, I bought a local Mikkeller beer at Den Gamle Købmand, a small family-run shop with an impressive selection of Danish and international beers. Then I found a place on the opposite side of the canal and it was a great decision!
The best Nyhavn views aren’t necessarily from the restaurant terraces. From the other side of the water, you can see the colourful historical houses, boats and complete canal panorama. My inexpensive shop-bought beer came with a better view than many of the expensive restaurant tables.
Drinking alcohol in public is generally legal in Denmark (though local restrictions and signs can apply), and sitting beside the Nyhavn canal with a beer is common. Of course, respect local signs, don’t disturb anybody and take your rubbish with you. Enjoy the view, not an international drinking competition.
Walk 2: Havneringen, Copenhagen’s ultimate waterfront walk
If you like water views, modern architecture and discovering how locals use their city, this is my favourite Copenhagen walk. Havneringen, also called the Harbour Circle, is a route around Copenhagen’s main canal. I completed the whole loop and enjoyed views almost continuously.
The big advantage is flexibility. You don’t have to complete the entire route. Several bridges let you create shorter loops, while Copenhagen’s yellow harbour buses stop at multiple points along the waterfront. Don’t get confused by the name, a harbour bus isn’t a road bus. It is a yellow electric passenger boat which zigzags between stops on both sides of Copenhagen Harbour.
The boats operate as part of the ordinary public-transport network. You use the same type of ticket as on a normal city bus, which makes the harbour bus one of Copenhagen’s cheapest sightseeing cruises. Routes 991 and 992 connect places including Refshaleøen, the Royal Library, Islands Brygge and the southern harbour.
Quick facts of the Havneringen walk
- Distance: 13.8 km
- Pure walking time: approximately 3 hours 30 minutes
- Realistic time: 5 to 7 hours with swimming, food and drink stops
- Starting point: Nyhavnsbroen
- Finishing point: Inderhavnsbroen
Map
Start beside Nyhavn and Broens Street Food
Cross the Inner Harbour Bridge from Nyhavn towards Christianshavn. There you’ll see many food stands, shared tables and views across the harbour at Broens Street Food. We tried several tasty dishes here, and it is a much more relaxed food stop than the restaurants directly in Nyhavn. If you start early, it might still be closed but you will end your walk nearby too so you can also reward yourself here after completing the walk.
Experience local life at Islands Brygge
The route continues along the waterfront towards Islands Brygge, one of Copenhagen’s most popular relaxing areas. In summer, locals swim, sunbathe, exercise and meet friends beside the harbour.
The marked sports area and harbour baths show a side of Copenhagen which you won’t experience from a sightseeing bus. Bring swimwear if the weather is warm and the official swimming areas are open.
Have coffee beside the artificial beach at Café Nöa’h
Continue south to Havnevigen, where you will find a small artificial beach surrounded by modern waterfront buildings.
We stopped at Café Nöa’h for a good drink and a relaxing break beside the water. Its location directly beside the artificial beach makes it a much more interesting stop than an ordinary city café. This is another place where Copenhagen reminded me of Amsterdam, but in a cleaner, calmer and much more modern form.
Discover the peaceful side of Copenhagen at Havneslusen Nord
One of the biggest surprises on the Harbour Circle was Havneslusen Nord in Naturpark Amager. The path follows a wonderfully peaceful green area beside the canal. It feels far away from the centre, yet you are still surprisingly close to central Copenhagen.
This contrast is exactly why the Harbour Circle is so good. One moment you are surrounded by modern apartments, and shortly afterwards you are walking beside water and trees.
Havneslusen Nord includes an observation platform, outdoor seating and views over the harbour entrance and Naturpark Amager.
Take a proper break at Café Slusen
Café Slusen is perfectly placed around the halfway point. It is a small, relaxed café beside the harbour lock with outdoor seating close to the water. After walking for several hours, this is exactly the kind of stop you need. There is no pressure to turn it into a sophisticated dining experience. Sit down, get a drink and rest your legs.
It might look like a great spot for swimming but it is actually forbidden beside the lock because of strong currents, so use an official bathing area elsewhere along the route. It’s likely you will see there many fishermen. The currents bring a lot of fish here.
Admire the modern architecture on the west side of Inderhavnen
On the other side of the bridge, it will be a completely different walk. Nature gives way here to modern residential buildings which stand directly beside canals, marinas and houseboats around Teglholmen and Sluseholmen. It feels like a contemporary version of Amsterdam, with modern apartments. This was one of the sections that showed me how diverse the Copenhagen waterfront really is.
Find food around Fisketorvet
The map marks the next stop as Vue, referring to the cinema at Fisketorvet. The useful destination is the wider Fisketorvet and Havneholmen waterfront area. There are many restaurants and cafés here, making it another convenient place to shorten the route or stop for food. It is also well connected to public transport.
Have a drink at Green Island CPH
After the food at Fisketorvet, it wasn’t far to complete the circle but we suddenly got very tired half way. We were very happy to discover Green Island CPH. It is a floating summer bar and relaxing spot where we took a refreshing drink and recharged for the final section.
Relax or swim at Kalvebod Wave
Kalvebod Wave is a long wooden pier created for walking, sitting, exercising and accessing the water. It is a cool place to relax or swim in summer. Even if you don’t enter the water, the platforms provide unusual perspectives over Copenhagen Harbour.
Visit the Danish Architecture Center
After visiting many food, drink and relaxing spots, it’s time to discover some interesting architecture buildings and viewpoints. Your first stop is at the Danish Architecture Center inside the distinctive BLOX building. Its exhibitions about Danish architecture, design and urban life fit this walk perfectly because you have just passed some of Copenhagen’s most interesting modern neighbourhoods.
Finish your museum visit at the rooftop café. I reviewed its 8 out of 10 canal view in the viewpoint ranking, so here I will only add one practical warning: access to the café requires a valid DAC ticket or membership.
Enter the Royal Danish Library
Continue to the Royal Danish Library, also known as the Black Diamond. Its dark glass façade reflects the harbour and contrasts dramatically with Copenhagen’s older architecture. Entry to the public library areas is free. Go inside, explore the huge atrium and climb to the highest publicly accessible floor. I described the indoor viewpoint earlier. Even if you aren’t interested in libraries, the modern architecture alone makes this stop worthwhile.
Finish with the panorama from Inderhavnsbroen
The Harbour Circle ends at Inderhavnsbroen (in English the Inner Harbour Bridge). Don’t simply cross it and finish the walk. Stop on the bridge and look around properly. From here, you get a fantastic final panorama over Copenhagen Harbour, Nyhavn, Christianshavn and the boats moving through the water.
After spending the whole day following the harbour, this viewpoint brings the route together. You can see the historical city, modern waterfront and busy waterway in one wide scene.
I took one of my favourite Copenhagen panorama pictures from here (see below). It was the perfect final viewpoint of the day and a fitting reward after completing the entire 13.8 km route.
Don’t forget that if you want to finish the walk with proper food and drink, the bridge is just next to Broens Street Food which I introduced at the beginning of this walk.
Walk 3: Church of Our Saviour and Christiania
After two full-day walks, it’s time to recommend a shorter alternative. This is the shortest of my four Copenhagen walks, but it combines one of the city’s best viewpoints with its most unusual neighbourhood.
Quick facts of the walk to Church of Our Saviour and Christiania
- Distance: 3.3 km
- Pure walking time: approximately 52 minutes
- Realistic time: Half a day
- Starting point: Church of Our Saviour
- Finishing point: Christianshavn Metro
Map of the Christiania walk
Start with breakfast at Lagkagehuset
Before climbing 400 steps, you need energy and I have a good recommendation for you. Lagkagehuset near our accommodation became the start of almost every morning during our week in Copenhagen. It is a Danish bakery chain, but don’t let the word “chain” discourage you. The bread and pastries were consistently excellent.
Stop for coffee, fresh bread or a Danish pastry before beginning Walk 3. After breakfast, continue to the Church of Our Saviour and climb the tower before the biggest crowds arrive.
Climb the Church of Our Saviour first
Start the main sightseeing part of the walk at the Church of Our Saviour as early as possible. This is important because the tower becomes increasingly crowded during the day. The final outdoor staircase is narrow, and meeting people travelling in the opposite direction becomes less comfortable when visitor numbers increase. Reserve your ticket in advance and check the weather forecast.
I described the complete tower experience in my ranking. For this walk, the most important advice is simple: visit the tower first and Christiania afterwards, not the other way around.
Continue into Christiania
After the tower, walk towards Freetown Christiania. Christiania used to have a rough reputation, mainly because of the open cannabis market on Pusher Street. That market was closed in April 2024 when residents and authorities began transforming the street.
My personal experience was completely different from the frightening descriptions found in some older guidebooks. Christiania felt like a creative hippie neighbourhood rather than a dangerous drug market. I visited it with my wife and our six-month-old daughter and felt safe.
Nevertheless, Christiania is somebody’s home, not an amusement park. Always ask before photographing people, houses or private spaces. I asked and was allowed to take pictures. Respect works better than pretending you didn’t see the signs.
Stop at Christiania Bryghus
Christiania Bryghus was excellent and became my favourite stop on this walk. Try a local beer and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere before continuing deeper into the neighbourhood.
Walk across Dyssebroen to Christianshavns Vold
Don’t leave Christiania immediately after seeing its busy central streets. Continue across Dyssebroen and enjoy walking in Christianshavns Vold. It’s a former rampart and now a nice green park for relaxing.
This quieter section has water views, unusual houses, greenery and paths along the old fortifications. It shows that Christiania is much larger and more interesting than Pusher Street.
Finish the loop back at Christianshavn Metro station or if you are hungry, I recommend local pizzeria Hos Nicola. It’s a small place suitable mostly for takeaway so don’t expect a fancy dinner there but the pizza was excellent. I recommend bringing it to one of Christianshavn’s canals and enjoy it with a view.
Walk 4: Copenhagen Opera, CopenHill and Reffen Street Food
My final route combines canal views, modern architecture, some of the best casual food we tried in Copenhagen and skiing. I am not joking. You can really ski in Copenhagen and even during summer. Do you wonder where? Follow my next paragraphs.
Quick facts of the walk to Copenhill and Reffen Street Food
- Distance: 6.2 km
- Pure walking time: approximately 1 hour 40 minutes
- Realistic time: at least half a day
- Starting point: Nyhavnsbroen
- Finishing point: Refshaleøen
Map
Cross the bridges towards the Opera House
I know I repeat the start at Nyhavn but it’s a great starting point for almost every trip in Copenhagen and I want to make sure you won’t miss the view. The Nyhavnsbroen is the best photo spot if you look for a place to photograph the most beautiful canal in Copenhagen.
Then, it’s time to cross multiple bridges with views – the Inner Harbour Bridge and a unique Trangravsbroen, a three-way bridge connecting Christianshavn, Holmen and the area around the Opera House. This is one of the most enjoyable canal sections in Copenhagen.
Take a break in Operaparken
Before visiting the Opera House, stop at Café Væksthuset in Operaparken. The park provides a green contrast to the enormous modern Opera House beside it. Walk around the Opera House and enjoy the direct view across the water towards Amalienborg and the Marble Church.
Walk to CopenHill
From the Opera House, continue through the former industrial area towards CopenHill. The surroundings become less polished, but that makes the sudden appearance of a green ski slope on top of a power plant even more fascinating.
If you only want the view, walk up the hiking path or take the free elevator. If you want to ski, reserve enough time and start on the lower section. I booked a ski lift and ski rental equipment for one hour and it was enough to have fun and muscle ache.
I repeat my warning: the artificial Neveplast surface is difficult. The slope reaches gradients of up to 30 percent, and the upper piste is not a beginner area. I managed because of my long experience as a ski instructor, but it still felt much more like skiing on ice than snow.
Afterwards, reward yourself with a beer at the rooftop bar. You earned it.
Finish at Reffen Street Food
Continue from CopenHill to Reffen, Copenhagen’s large street-food market in the former industrial area of Refshaleøen. This was one of our best casual food experiences in Copenhagen. We tried Danish fish and chips from a local stand and butter chicken from an Indian stand. Both were excellent. We also added a beer from a local brewery, which might have been even better.
Reffen’s atmosphere is just as important as the food. Old industrial buildings, shipping containers, picnic tables and harbour views create a completely different Copenhagen experience from Nyhavn.
Take the boat or bus back to central Copenhagen
We originally wanted to take the harbour bus back. Remember that the harbour bus is actually a yellow electric passenger boat, not a road bus. It uses an ordinary Copenhagen public-transport ticket and provides a wonderfully scenic journey through the harbour.
Unfortunately, our daughter was tired and the next boat required a 30-minute wait. We chose the regular road bus instead, which was smooth and much quicker.
That is my practical recommendation: take the yellow harbour bus boat if you have time and want more beautiful views on the way. Take the regular road bus if you are tired, travelling with children or simply want to return quickly.
My final Copenhagen tips
- If you look for accommodation, stay in Christianshavn for canals, atmosphere and easy access to the centre.
- Reserve Copenhagen City Hall Tower well in advance.
- Visit the Church of Our Saviour early before it becomes crowded.
- Check the weather because exposed towers may close during storms.
- Use the Round Tower if you want a stroller-friendly tower experience, but expect stairs at the end.
- Don’t underestimate CopenHill’s artificial ski surface.
- Walk the full Harbour Circle if you have time, but use bridges or harbour bus boats to shorten it when necessary.
- Finish the Harbour Circle with the panorama from Inderhavnsbroen.
- Always ask before photographing people or private spaces in Christiania.
- Try the seafood at HAV in Torvehallerne. Our picnic was possibly the best meal of the trip.
- If you look for a great local breakfast, visit one of many Lagkagehuset bakeries.
- Don’t miss the upper public floors inside the Black Diamond.
- Visit NH Collection Copenhagen’s ROOF around sunset and reserve a table in advance.
- Watch the bicycle lanes. Copenhagen cyclists move quickly and don’t expect sightseeing tourists to stand in their path.
- Buy a beer from a shop and enjoy Nyhavn from the opposite side of the canal.
- Visit the Little Mermaid because she is already on Walk 1, not because she is the highlight of Copenhagen.
- Prepare your wallet. Copenhagen surprised me by being even more expensive than Stockholm.
Frequently asked questions about Copenhagen walks and viewpoints
If you have only one day, complete Walk 1. It includes the most important sights and several excellent towers.
With two days, add Walk 3 in the morning and Walk 4 in the afternoon. This gives you the Church of Our Saviour, Christiania, CopenHill and Reffen.
With three days, dedicate the final day to the entire Harbour Circle. Don’t rush it. The swimming areas, cafés, architecture and waterfront bars are part of the experience.
If you have a full week like we did, spread the routes out and leave time for bakeries, canals and unexpected stops. Copenhagen rewards slow exploration.
We visited in summer and experienced mostly pleasant temperatures between 18 and 25°C. This was perfect for long walks, outdoor cafés, rooftop bars and the harbour areas.
However, Copenhagen’s weather can change quickly. We experienced several showers and one storm during the week.
Rain doesn’t ruin the city, but it can affect the exposed viewpoints. The Church of Our Saviour may temporarily close during rain or strong wind, while CopenHill’s opening hours can change because of weather, events or maintenance.
Summer is also the best time for places such as Green Island CPH, Reffen, Café Slusen and the ROOF Bar at NH Collection Copenhagen. Some of these waterfront venues are seasonal.
Copenhagen’s flat streets, good public transport and wide waterfront paths make it relatively easy to explore with a stroller.
The Round Tower was our biggest positive surprise. Its broad spiral ramp worked perfectly for our stroller, allowing our daughter to complete her first tower comfortably.
The other towers are more challenging but a baby carrier solved the problem. The Church of Our Saviour has 400 steps and narrow passages. The City Hall Tower access involves a scheduled guided visit, while Christiansborg requires a security check.
The yellow harbour bus boats can also carry strollers, although space is limited. They are a useful and scenic alternative when everybody has walked enough.
Plan the tower visits carefully and check the official accessibility information beforehand.
For the best view of the historical centre, choose Copenhagen City Hall Tower.
For the widest and most unusual panorama, visit CopenHill. Both received 10 out of 10 from me, but for completely different reasons.
The Church of Our Saviour offers the most exciting climb, while NH Collection Copenhagen has the best combination of drinks, sunset and a relaxed rooftop atmosphere.
Walking, using the elevator and visiting the rooftop at CopenHill are normally free during opening hours.
The viewing platform at Christiansborg Palace Tower is also free, although you must pass through security.
You can also enjoy a free elevated indoor harbour view from the public areas of the Black Diamond at the Royal Danish Library.
Kastellet’s walls and Inderhavnsbroen provide excellent lower viewpoints without tickets too.
Yes. Despite its name, the harbour bus is a yellow electric passenger boat.
It forms part of Copenhagen’s ordinary public-transport network and uses regular public-transport tickets. Routes 991 and 992 travel in opposite directions through the harbour.
It is both useful transport and one of the cheapest ways to see Copenhagen from the water.
I felt safe when visiting Christiania with my wife and our six-month-old daughter.
The former open cannabis market on Pusher Street was closed in 2024, and the area felt more like a creative hippie neighbourhood than the dangerous place described by some older guides.
Use normal city awareness, don’t search for illegal drugs and always ask before photographing people or private property.
Only if she fits naturally into your route.
The statue is small and surrounded by tourists. I found it as overrated as expected. However, the waterfront walk from Amalienborg through the Little Mermaid area and Kastellet is beautiful, so there is no reason to skip her when completing Walk 1.
Definitely. Copenhagen is flat, but that actually makes its towers more impressive. Even a relatively modest tower rises clearly above the surrounding rooftops.
The combination of historical towers, modern architecture, canals, rooftop cafés and CopenHill makes Copenhagen one of Europe’s most interesting cities to explore from above.
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