Denmark

Europe
Written By Alex Hall

Denmark is small, flat and exceptionally livable, with a reputation for design, pastry and happiness. Copenhagen sits on the water with colorful townhouses, canals and cyclists everywhere, and it has become one of the great food cities in the world.

Why it is on my list

Copenhagen, the food and the bikes. A city where bikes outnumber cars and a hot dog stand and a three star restaurant share the same respect is my kind of place.

Best time to go

  • Summer (June to August): long light, harbor swimming, outdoor concerts and festivals.

  • Late spring and early autumn: milder, cheaper and less crowded, good for cycling.

  • December: Christmas markets and the Tivoli Gardens winter season, plus a lot of hygge.

  • Winter: gray, damp and dark, but cozy with candlelit cafes.

  • Rain: possible any time, so pack a light jacket.

Where to stay

  • Indre By (city center): walkable to Nyhavn, Tivoli and the main sights.

  • Vesterbro: former meatpacking district with restaurants and bars.

  • Norrebro: multicultural, creative and full of cafes.

  • Christianshavn: canals, a village feel and Christiania nearby.

  • Known name: Hotel d'Angleterre on Kongens Nytorv is the city's historic grand hotel.

Getting there and around

  • Airport: Copenhagen (CPH) has nonstop flights from several US cities. The metro reaches the center in about 15 minutes.

  • Cycling: rent a bike or use city bikes. Bike lanes are everywhere and the city is flat.

  • Public transport: metro, S train and buses on one ticket system.

  • Trains: DSB connects Aarhus, Odense and the Oresund bridge to Sweden.

  • Harbor buses: yellow boats that double as sightseeing.

What to eat

  • Smorrebrod: open faced rye sandwiches with herring, roast beef or egg and shrimp.

  • Danish pastries: flaky and buttery, best fresh from a bakery.

  • Pølser: hot dogs from street stands, with crispy onions and remoulade.

  • Street food: Reffen and Torvehallerne food halls.

  • New Nordic dining: Copenhagen's fine dining scene is world famous, so book months ahead.

  • Frikadeller and stegt flaesk: traditional meatballs and crispy pork with parsley sauce.

What to drink

  • Craft beer: Mikkeller and many other microbreweries started here.

  • Carlsberg and Tuborg: the classic Danish lagers.

  • Aquavit: caraway spirit, great with smorrebrod.

  • Coffee: specialty roasters on nearly every block.

  • Natural wine: the city has a big natural wine bar scene.

Don't miss

  • Nyhavn: the colorful canal and the classic postcard view.

  • Tivoli Gardens: a 19th century amusement park in the middle of the city.

  • Rosenborg Castle: a Renaissance castle with the crown jewels.

  • Christiania: a self governed alternative neighborhood. Respect the no photography areas.

  • Harbor swimming: public harbor baths in Islands Brygge in summer.

  • Design Museum Denmark and the Round Tower: design and city views.

  • Torvehallerne market: glass market halls for lunch.

  • Cycle the city: a loop over the Bryggebroen bridge and through Norrebro.

Day trips and side trips

  • Kronborg Castle in Helsingor: the Hamlet castle, an hour by train.

  • Louisiana Museum of Modern Art: a coastal art museum north of the city.

  • Roskilde: Viking ships and a UNESCO cathedral.

  • Aarhus: Denmark's second city, with ARoS museum and the Old Town.

  • Malmo, Sweden: across the bridge in 35 minutes.

Festivals and events

  • Roskilde Festival: one of Europe's biggest music festivals, usually in late June and early July.

  • Copenhagen Jazz Festival: usually in early July.

  • Copenhagen Pride: usually in August.

  • Distortion: street and club festival, usually in early June.

  • Copenhagen Cooking: food festival, usually in late August.

Music and dance

  • Jazz: a long tradition, with Jazzhus Montmartre a classic venue.

  • Electronic and indie: a strong club and live scene in Vesterbro and Norrebro.

  • Folk dance and Tivoli concerts: summer Friday rock nights at Tivoli.

Nightlife

Copenhagen nights are social, relaxed and long. Cozy bars, craft beer halls and clubs stay open late, and many people cycle between them.

  • When people go out: Thursday to Saturday, with clubs filling after midnight.

  • Where the action is: Kodbyen (Meatpacking District), Norrebro and Nyhavn.

  • Good to know: the legal drinking age is 18 and bars are lively without being rowdy.

Photography spots

  • Nyhavn at sunrise: empty and golden.

  • Church of Our Saviour: a spiral tower with a skyline view.

  • Superkilen park: a bold, colorful urban park in Norrebro.

  • Amalienborg and Marble Church: classic royal architecture.

  • Drones: registration is required, and the city center is a no fly zone. Check Danish Transport Authority rules.

Cost of living

  • Overall: $$$$, about the same as New York.

  • Coffee: about $5.

  • Local lunch: about $15 to $22.

  • Dinner for two: about $100 to $160 with drinks.

  • Beer: about $8 to $10.

  • Mid-range hotel: about $170 to $280 per night.

  • Daily budget: about $180 to $300 per person.

Food markets and bakeries keep costs reasonable. Prices are approximate in US dollars as of 2026.

Working remotely

  • Wi-Fi: fast and reliable throughout the country.

  • Coworking: many options in Copenhagen, and laptop friendly cafes.

  • Time zone: 6 hours ahead of US Eastern.

  • Visa: Schengen rules apply. Longer stays need a permit. Check current rules.

  • Nomad rating: 4/5. Great infrastructure, excellent English, high cost.

Good to know

  • Language: Danish. English is spoken almost universally.

  • Currency: Danish krone (DKK). Cards are accepted nearly everywhere.

  • Plugs: Type C and K, 230V.

  • Entry for US citizens: visa free in Schengen for up to 90 days. Check current rules.

  • Getting around apps: Rejseplanen, DOT Billetter, Donkey Republic bikes and Uber.

  • Tipping: service is included. Rounding up is optional.

  • Water: tap water is safe and good.

  • SIM/eSIM: eSIMs are simple and coverage is reliable.

Useful phrases

  • Tak: thank you.

  • Hej: hello.

  • Skal: cheers.

  • Undskyld: excuse me.

  • Farvel: goodbye.

Meeting people

  • Social scene: friendly but private. Cafes, bike clubs and harbor swims are good starting points.

  • Apps: Meetup, Internations and Facebook groups in Copenhagen.

  • Etiquette: follow bike lane rules and signal your turns. Be on time.

  • Stay smart: lock your bike, and keep valuables close in crowded tourist areas.

Staying safe

  • Denmark is very safe, with petty theft the main risk in busy areas.

  • Watch for cyclists before stepping into a bike lane.

  • Be careful around Vesterbro late at night near the station.

  • Emergency number is 112.

Alex Hall
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