Copenhagen’s Best: The Ultimate Self-Guided Walking Tour of the City

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Copenhagen is the vibrant capital city of the Scandinavian country Denmark. It is a city filled with so much energy, making you want to stay forever. The delightful fusion of history and innovation can be seen everywhere in Copenhagen. It is also very compact, with everything so close to each other that you will have so much to explore without having to travel from end to end.

This charming city is filled with picturesque canals, a combination of brightly colored row houses, stylish urban buildings, peppy street art, and of course, cobblestoned streets. One of the best ways to immerse yourself in this enchanting city is to wander around on foot. We enjoyed walking around Copenhagen and wanted to take you all along on our journey with this self-guided walking tour with all the hidden gems we found on our visit.

Oh yeah! We have included a nice map marking all the places for you to start using it right away, hassle-free. For convenience, we have made the entire route in a loop so you can start with any location closer to your stay. You need not travel far to just begin your walking tour.

Be prepared to walk a lot, but feel free to use the city’s extensive public transport when the distance between two places is a bit long. I have also suggested where and how you can alternatively choose to use public transport instead of walking. But the entire tour is completely doable only by foot, and don’t forget to take multiple coffee and snack breaks to cozy up in the Hyggelig cafes of Copenhagen.

Why Take a Self-Guided Walking Tour of Copenhagen?

There are many guided walking tours that you could take in Copenhagen, but this self-guided walking tour is entirely flexible. Also, some of those guided walking tours could be a bit expensive. But I will also link some guided tours you could take during your visit.

Self-guided walking tours are not just budget-friendly but also a way to experience the city in a short time. Pre-booking tours can be a hassle sometimes. I always procrastinate making the bookings till the last moment until I forget or there are no more slots in the time I want. If you are like me, then this is perfect for you.

Good to know!

• Copenhagen is a bike-friendly city, but it is not recommendable to do this as a bike tour on your own as it could be dangerous if you don’t have the experience. You could always go on a guided bike or a segway tour, where you need not worry about the route and where to stop and park.
• Danish people are very friendly and nice, but they don’t like it when you walk on their bike lanes. To avoid pissing someone off, always stick to the well-laid pedestrian paths.
• While crossing a road, look out for speeding cyclists on both sides. Sometimes they just appear out of nowhere, and you will find yourself on the ground.
• Have fun exploring, and don’t be afraid to stray away from the route. Every place is well connected, and you might just find some new interesting places. (If you find something, do let me know. I will be thrilled to hear all about it).

Tip! Feel free to start the tour from any of the stops, as the entire route is a loop. Starting at Kongens Nytorv means your first stop is the Instagram-famous Nyhavn (the picture of the colorful houses by the canal is probably the first thing you will see when you search Copenhagen).

The Walking Route

If you are planning to do the walking tour early in the morning, start with Nyhavn to escape the crowd, enjoy the views, and capture some great pictures. (Who doesn’t like a good picture?)

Let’s get started!

1. Kongens Nytorv

Kongens Nytorv, which literally means New King’s Square, is a “square” in central Copenhagen. It was built by King Christian V in the 17th century when the city walls were expanded. He had some strategic plans about making this the royal square, and the design was inspired by French architecture.

The lands around the square were later given to wealthy citizens of that time interested in constructing some notable buildings with specific conditions on their facades.

No wonder you could spot so many important buildings around the square with stunning architectural styles.

To the southern end, you could spot the Danish Royal Theater. Charlottenborg palace is located to the east and a luxurious 5-star hotel Hotel D’Angleterre on the west.

Kongens Nytorv is a noteworthy place to begin our tour (not just because of its proximity to Nyhavn). It could be a convenient location with easy accessibility to its metro station, which runs on all 4 lines.

Psst! If you are wondering what that little quaint-looking kiosk located north of the square was, you are looking at Copenhagen’s former first telephone booth. It was constructed in a new-baroque style with handmade decorations. Now it is a coffee house. But doesn’t it look cute? The copper roofing gives the classic teal tint adding more charm to it.

Route Guide

Walk towards the eastern side of the square and take the exit towards the colorful houses, and you will reach your next stop at around 250m.

2. Charlottenborg Palace

Before being carried away by Nyhavn’s charm, check out the Charlottenborg Palace at the entrance of the colorful street of Nyhavn. Look around in the opposite direction of the row houses from where the canal starts. You will be looking at the Charlottenborg Palace, which once was the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and currently houses the art gallery museum as Kunsthal Charlottenborg. 

Route Guide

Walk alongside the canal, which starts near the Charlottenborg Palace.

3. Nyhavn

Nyhavn is indeed colorful and has quite a captivating charm. The 17th and 18th-century row houses painted in bright colors are located along the canal side, filled with bars, cafes, and restaurants. This is not just a tourist delight; the locals also enjoy sipping a cold beer on a hot day, which makes it quite expensive.

This canal, docked with wooden ships, was once a bustling commercial port where ships worldwide would dock. The harbor was once packed with sailors who frequented the pubs and prostitution houses. Now all the old houses in the area are mostly renovated into restaurants, bars, and cafes. Nyhavn is also one of the main stops of the canal tours.

Tip! Instead of visiting these cafes and bars priced for tourists, grab a hot dog or beer from the local shops, sit by the canal, and enjoy the views.

Psst! If you want to capture some postcard pictures in Nyhavn, arriving early is the key. The place gets packed with people even on a cold winter morning once the canal tours open. Plan your visit at least an hour before the first canal tour of the day.

Also, watch your feet while you pose for pictures along the canal side. Falling into the waters, especially during winter, is not a pleasant experience at all. (We actually saw someone fall!)

Route Guide

Walk along the canal through Nyhavn on the side of the colorful houses till the end of the street, take a right along 71 Nyhavn Hotel, and walk further until you reach the Danish Playhouse. The walk from Nyhavn 17 to the theatre is about 450m.

4. Ofelia Plads and the Danish Playhouse

The Danish Royal Playhouse is an example of the modern architecture of Copenhagen. Do not hesitate to go take a peek at the beautiful cafe. Walk a little further from the Playhouse, and you will reach Ofelia Plads, which is just another square but on the waterfront. You can see great views of the Opera house across the canal to your right.

Route Guide

Walk towards the street along the canal on the left side of Ofelia Plads. Keeping walking for another 500m until you reach Amalienborg, the queen’s residence.

5. Amalienborg Palace

Visit the seat of one of the world’s oldest monarchies at Amalienborg Palace. However, only parts of the palace are open to the public. The rest remains the private residence of the Danish Royal family.

Amalienborg Palace has been the royal residence since the major fire which burned down their former residence of Christiansborg Palace.

Try to time your visit to watch the changing of guards ceremony, which happens here every day at 12:00 noon. You could also see the marching of the guards, which starts at 11:30 am from the Rosenborg Castle through the streets of the city ending up at the Amalienborg Palace at 12:00 pm. The length of the ceremony depends on the member of the Royal Palace who is at the palace on the given day. It is quite the site to watch, no matter if any of the royal family members are present or not during your visit.

Route Guide

You could see a building with a big teal-colored dome from the Amalienborg Palace. Walk towards the building for around 250m.

6. Frederik’s Church

You can spot the dome of Frederik’s church from many places as it marks an important landmark of Copenhagen’s skyline. This 18th-century church, also known as the marble church (Marmorkirken), has the largest dome in Scandinavia. It was primarily built in limestone due to budget constraints. But the original plan was to use marble throughout to reflect its name.

The church has the words “HERRENS ORD BLIVER EVINDELIG” inscribed in big golden letterings on the front portico, which means “The word of the Lord endureth forever.”

It looks pretty stunning with its Rococo interiors. The church is free for the public to enter, so try to get a sneak peek if it isn’t too crowded.

On selected days, it is also possible to climb the dome to get aerial views of the city.

Psst! I recommend going up the Church of Our Saviour or the Round Tower (which you will see later in the walking tour) as the aerial views of Frederik’s Church dome adorn Copenhagen’s skyline so beautifully.

Photo tip! If you want to capture a picture of the church without too many people walking on the busy road, walk around the church to the backside, which almost resembles the front. You might have a better chance of getting a nice picture from there.

Route Guide

Walk around 800m to the next stop, St Alban’s Church. Along the way, you can see Denmark’s Design museum, an 18th-century Rococo-style building.

7. St. Alban’s Church

St. Alban’s church is an English-style church built in a Gothic Revival Style. The church was built during the 19th century to serve the growing English population in the city. It remains one of the very few churches in Copenhagen to conduct services in English. The church is free for the public but only open from April to September.

Walk around the church to see the Gefion Fountain, a large fountain near the waterfront. This was constructed as a symbol of a mythical story of the creation of the Zealand island on which Copenhagen is located.

Route Guide

Just next to the fountain, you will find the bridge Gefionbroen. Stroll across the bridge and go straight for about 450m along the waterfront to reach the iconic Little Mermaid.

8. Little Mermaid

Visiting Copenhagen and not seeing its famous Little Mermaid would be incomplete. Although it is a very miniature statue, it holds a special place in the heart of the city’s people and tourists. The Little Mermaid statue was inspired by Hans Christians Andersan’s fairytale of a mermaid who waits by the sea daily, longing to see her beloved prince. I am sure everyone would have heard a similar version of the fairytale in their own language.

However, this sculpture was commissioned after Carl Jacobsen fell in love with the ballet performance of this fairytale and had this iconic statue created. The Little Mermaid has gone through a lot since she was sculpted. Despite being vandalized many times, the Danish still restored and maintained her for the visitors to enjoy.

Depending on the time of the day, I am sure you will meet many people gathered around the little statue, so try to take a peek before continuing your walking tour.

Route Guide

Continue to walk in the same direction in Langelinie for about 300m until you find a staircase to your left going down to the citadel’s entrance. Climb down the stairs to reach Kastellet.

9. Kastellet

You will now be looking at the Norway Gate on the North side of the Kastellet. It is one of the most well-preserved fortresses in Northern Europe. The fortress is built in the shape of a pentagon, and the aerial view looks beautifully like a star-shaped flower surrounded by a ditch in the same shape. Explore the red-colored brick buildings and wander in the surrounding park to find the Kastelsmøllen. It is a Dutch-style windmill that replaced the original post mill in the 18th century after a storm destroyed it.

This windmill with popping red looks insanely picturesque, surrounded by a blanket of green grass. (Did someone say photo spot?)

Once you have reached the windmill, continue to walk further in the same direction to exit the Kastellet from the King’s gate on the southern side. You will know you have reached closer to the King’s Gate once you see St. Alban’s church at a distance.

Route Guide

Once you exit the King’s Gate, walk around 800m to reach Nyboder. Do not hesitate to take a coffee break at Original Coffee or any other Cafe on your way. I found almost every cafe really good, and I didn’t have any preference.

10. Nyboder

Nyboder is a charming row house district that formerly served as an accommodation for Danish Naval personnel and their family. The original construction started in the 17th century and was painted red and white. The current hue of yellow (it looks orange to me, though!) is almost referred to as the Nyboder yellow by the Danish.

It has become quite the Instagram spot, and you can easily understand why. I mean, the yellow or orange really does wonders in the background of your pictures. But they are actual residences of people, so please consider their privacy while snapping pictures.

Route Guide

Walk around 500m to reach the King’s garden.

11. Kongens Have

Kongens Have, which means the King’s garden is the garden right outside Rosenborg Castle, which gives it the name Rosenborg Castle Garden. This is one of the Copenhagen’s oldest gardens and was established as a pleasure garden for Christian IV in the 17th century. It was redesigned multiple times until the late 18th century when it was given the French Garden style. It is filled with various small statues all across the park.

This would be a nice place to have a picnic and capture the Rosenborg Castle’s facade.

Route Guide

Walk towards the Rosenborg Castle (of course, that’s the next stop).

12. Rosenborg Castle

Although you cannot visit the castle without an entry ticket or Copenhagen City Card, enjoying the beautiful facade of the 17th-century Dutch Renaissance-style castle is still worth it. It was built as a summer castle for Christian IV, along with the garden (Kongens Have).

Rosenborg Castle also holds the crown jewels, Venetian glass collection, and many portraits, which are now part of the castle museum.

Tip! If you have the time, right behind Rosenborg Castle, across the motorway, is the Botanisk Have which also has a beautiful tropical garden inside a dome-like structure called the Palm House. The park is free to enter, but entry to Palm House needs a ticket (free with the city card).

Route Guide

Walk around 650m to reach the next stop.

13. Torvehallerne

This is a one-stop for fresh produce, local delicacies, and much more. You will find a lot of shops, fish markets, and Danish pastries, making it a nice spot to eat your heart out before heading on to the remaining part of the walking tour. This is also a place loved by the locals, and during the good weather days, all the outdoor tables get filled up in a jiffy.

The market is quite unique with its glass enclosure which gives a unique vibe. Also, coffee lovers head straight to Coffee Collective, which boasts about their ethically sourced beans roasted in-house to make a perfect blend.

Route Guide

I have to be honest here. The next one will be a little further, and many more places are coming right after. It is just 1 km and still doable. But, if you are running short on time or would like to take a break from all the walking, you could ride the subway (Togbus as the Danish call it) from Nørreport to Vesterport, which is just the next stop, and probably will take you a minute or two.

14. Palads Teatret (Nordisk Film Biografer Palads)

The Palads is the big pink-hued building you see when you come out of the subway in Vesterport. It is not very easy to miss because of the pink. It is a cinema with 17 auditoriums which is quite big. The building was Copenhagen’s former central railway station until early 1911. After a massive reconstruction, the former railway station took its new avatar as an entertainment center, the largest in Scandinavia at that time.

Over time it had multiple renovations to what is there at present. Now it is a functioning cinema, and it also hosts ballet and other cultural performances.

Photo tip! The colors of the building are pretty interesting and make for a perfect photo spot.

Psst! Do tag me in your pictures on Instagram. I will be thrilled to see them!

Route Guide

Walk around 400m to the city hall square. On your way, check out the circular Wallmans Circus Building. It has quite a beautiful facade. Also, right opposite the circus, you can see the Axel Towers, an example of Danish urban architecture.

For the Walking Enthusiasts

If you are up for more walking, you could visit GammelTorv and Nytorv, two other smaller squares. GammelTorv is the oldest square in Copenhagen, and it has a beautiful fountain called Caritas fountain. Both the GammelTorv and Nytorv are interconnected. You could also see the Copenhagen Court House in Nytorv. The city hall square is around 400m from Nytorv.

15. Rådhuspladsen (The City Hall Square)

I guess, by now, you know what to expect here. Yes, the city hall of Copenhagen was built by Martin Nyrop, who designed the city hall taking inspiration from the Palazzo Pubblico in Siena, Italy. You could take a guided tour of the city hall and climb the tower to see the views.

Another interesting building around the City Hall Square is the Palace Hotel.

Route Guide

From the City Hall Square, walk around 700m to reach the BLOX. On the way, try to walk past the entrance to Tivoli Gardens. Unfortunately, access to the gardens is not free. Still, they usually have seasonal decorations around the entrance, which can be seen on your way.

16. BLOX

BLOX is one of the newest additions to Copenhagen. It is also built in a modern urban style, making it a home to the Danish Architecture Center. It comprises cafes, public spaces, exhibition halls, and many more. The recent construction has transformed a rather boring open area into a waterfront meeting point. This, along with the new bike bridge, is an example of modern architecture aiming at creating a sustainable urban environment.

Psst! In 2023, Copenhagen has become the world capital of architecture, and many activities will be happening around this area this year. Keep an eye out for the announcements! You might be there to witness some lovely events.

Route Guide

Walk across the Bryghusbroen bridge and continue for about 350m to reach the Black Diamond.

17. Det Kgl. Bibliotek

The National Library of Denmark, also called the Royal Library, is one of the largest libraries in the world. It is also the largest in the Nordic region. The main building, completed in 1999, is called the Black Diamond and is a stunning example of modern Danish architecture. The waterfront facade of the building shines like a diamond reflecting the waters. On a nice clear sunny day, you could see the shimmers coming out so strong that you could hardly look at the building.

I was lucky enough to see it on a clear sunny day (rare in winter), and it was spectacular.

Route Guide

Walk around 600m and go past what used to be the stock exchange building of Copenhagen (Børsen).

Børsen was destroyed in a fire in April 2024, unfortunately. It had its own section in this guide, but now it’s no longer possible to view this architectural beauty. So here is a photo that we took and some information about it.

Børsen was an architectural marvel ordered to be constructed by King Christian IV in the 1620s. It was one of the oldest stock exchange buildings in the world. It also beautifully adorned the skyline of Copenhagen with its remarkable spiral tower, which almost looked like a unicorn horn to me. The tower is called Dragespiret, which means the Dragon’s Tower.

Next, walk for around 300m to reach the Christiansborg Palace. I am still in awe, wondering how surprisingly close everything is to each other. I have only experienced this in smaller towns where you can explore almost everything on foot.

18. Christiansborg Palace

Christiansborg Palace is Denmark’s center of power with a rich 800-year history. It houses the seat of the Danish parliament, the Supreme court, and the Prime Minister’s office. Many parts of the palace are used by the Danish Monarch, like the Royal Reception Rooms, Palace Chapel, and the Royal Stable, which can also be visited by the public.

You must purchase a ticket to enter the palace (free with a Copenhagen City Card). However, it is also worth looking at it from the outside. Multiple parts of the palace were reconstructed quite a number of times, as some parts were destroyed during two severe fires that happened in the past. The architectural style has changed over time, and you can now see a variety of styles over the ages of the Danish era.

Route Guide

We have almost come down to the last few places. So don’t give up yet! I know it is a really long walk. Go on for 300m to reach the Nikolaj church.

19. Kunsthallen Nikolaj

The church, constructed in the 13th century, was one of the oldest churches in Copenhagen. It has a magnificent tower that can be easily spotted from the skyline of Copenhagen. The fire of 1795 gruesomely destroyed most parts of the church. Later, after it was restored, it was officially discontinued as a church. The original building was completely destroyed, including its tower. Still, the new version retained most of the original tower’s designs and was also used as a naval museum. Currently, it is being used as a Contemporary Art Centre with various exhibits.

Route Guide

In around 270m, you will reach Copenhagen’s main shopping area.

20. Strøget

Be prepared to be amazed by a sea of shops in one of the longest pedestrian shopping streets in Europe (some claim it to be the longest and some not, but surely it is one of the longest). It is very common in Europe to have car-free shopping streets, and Strøget is around 1.1 km long, and you can find a store for almost every brand, many souvenir shops, and food stalls. Being in Denmark, you should, of course, go visit the Lego store, which also has a Lego display of Nyhavn, which is quite realistic.

If you visit in summer, you could find yourself hoarded by people as it gets very crowded on a good weather day, but it is worth taking a stroll around this area.

Route Guide

And you have almost made it. The next is the last stop of the walking tour. Walk for about 450m to reach the Round Tower.

21. Round Tower

Round Tower, from 1642, is one of the iconic buildings in Copenhagen. It has an observation deck at the top and, surprisingly, no stairs (Ok, Wait! There are a few at the top, but it is not much). The tower has a wide spiral path where you can reach the top by walking conveniently without losing your breath.

If you are into star gazing, you could also visit the tower on specific days when they offer star gazing nights during winter. Being the last stop and also one of the lovely places to get aerial views of Copenhagen, you could pay a visit to the observation deck for a price of 40 DKK, less than €10. It is also free if you have a Copenhagen City Card.

Psst! Try to visit during the golden hour and enjoy the sunset above in the observation deck.

Route Guide

Oh yeah! This is the last stop, but if you did not start at Kongens Nytorv, you could walk for about 800m to reach Kongens Nytorv. Also, walk past the street of Landemærket, which has several colorful houses (Photo spot may be).

Kongens Nytorv Metro is also convenient for taking public transport to anywhere in Copenhagen.

Guided Tours in Copenhagen

If you prefer to go with a group on a guided tour to have a more authentic experience, check out the old-town walking tour of the city, which takes a little more than 3 hours and includes a cafe break to taste some Danish delights.

There are also a lot of free walking tours organized in the city, such as The Wonders of Copenhagen.

Did We Cover Everything in Copenhagen?

Oh no, absolutely not! Copenhagen is a huge city with many places to see and experiences to enjoy. However, we have covered most of the important locations and experiences in Copenhagen to take you around the best places that can be explored on foot.

Yay! if you had followed our itinerary, you would have walked at least 11 km until the last stop Round Tower. That’s awesome! You have crushed it. Let me know your favorite stop in the comments, or tag us on Instagram.

Now, that was a fantastic day. While in Copenhagen, why don’t you plan to ascend the Stairway to Heaven? Or, If you are on a budget, you could explore the best free things to do in Copenhagen.

If you have one more day left during your Copenhagen trip, consider visiting Malmö on a day trip. I have even compiled all the best photo spots in Malmö for you.