It is fun to spend time exploring new places, but if you are traveling abroad, it can be sometimes quite expensive. Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark is one of the most populated and one of the more expensive places to visit. But don’t let that stop you! We’ve put together a guide for seeing this lovely city no matter your budget.

Best known for its rather colorful and vibrant waterfront houses, canals that run throughout, and the Little Mermaid statue, Copenhagen is a laid-back city filled with interesting architecture, parks, amazing restaurants, and lots of tourists.

While any Scandinavian city is pricey, Copenhagen has many fun and interesting things to do that will not be costly. Check out some of these attractions, but first, find a Copenhagen luggage storage service to drop off your things so you are free to explore without bags slowing you down!

Take a Walking Tour

Many cities, including Copenhagen, have tour companies that offer free walking tours where you can see much more of the city with an experienced guide than if you tried to see the city on your own.

New Copenhagen Tours offers several interesting ways to see the sights including a two and a half hour walking tour that starts at the historic City Hall Square. They also offer a three hour Grand Tour that begins at the steps of City Hall.

If you are looking for a shorter walkabout, New Copenhagen Tours also offers two tours that last 90 minutes each. The first is the Christianshavn Tour and the second is the Classical Copenhagen Tour, both begin at Bishop Absalon’s Statue.

If you are looking for a themed excursion or a more specialized tour, other companies offer unique walking events, but those can be expensive. If you sign up for a free walking tour, remember to tip your guide at the conclusion of the outing.

Head to the Harbour Baths

Public harbour baths have become all the rage in Copenhagen since the water is so clean and clear. But remember, there are only a few areas that allow swimming in the harbour. There are two baths in Copenhagen that are very budget-friendly:

Islands Brygge Harbour Bath
This is one of the most visited baths and is located just across from the city center. Relax at Islands Brygge and breathe in the fresh air of the harbour while taking a dip in the crystal-clear water.

Local officials check the water quality daily to ensure that it is safe for swimmers. You can rest assured that you are swimming in clean water and not dirty, polluted water.

Five pools make up the Islands Brygge, including two shallow pools for children to frolic in. Diving towers are available by the deeper pools and lifeguards are on duty when the pools are open.
Sluseholmen Harbour Bath
Sluseholmen is a small swimming area that has been wonderfully designed and landscaped. It is located on the southern edge of Copenhagen Harbour and admission is free.

Sluseholmen is a protected lagoon that is designated for swimmers; remember swimming in the harbour is only allowed in specific areas and established harbour baths.

With four different pools, there is plenty of room for families to spread out and enjoy time in the water and along the shores. Bring a picnic and spend the afternoon. Lifeguards are on duty when the harbour bath is open.

Amager Strandpark

Head to the island of Amager and spend time at the seaside public park, Amager Strandpark. Amager is a man-made island and has breathtaking beaches where you can stretch out and sunbathe, enjoy a picnic, swim, or just watch the people stroll by.

With just under three miles of beaches, you can sit and watch the Middelgrunden wind farm off in the distance. It is free to visit Amager Strandpark, so pack a cooler and plan an afternoon in the sun on Amager Island.

Frederiksberg Gardens

Visit one of the biggest gardens or greenspaces inside the city of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg Gardens. It is adjacent to Sondermarken, another fantastic greenspace and both parks make up a total of 158 acres of landscaped parklands inside the city.

Frederiksberg Gardens is free to visit and is landscaped as a traditional English garden. Hop aboard one of Svendsen’s Boat Service’s boats and enjoy a tour of the canals that run throughout the park.

While on the boat tour, you will see the Chinese Pavilion, built in 1799 and once used as the royal teahouse, and Frederiksberg Palace, perched on a hilltop overlooking the manicured gardens.

King’s Gardens at the Rosenborg Castle

King Christian IV had a beautiful garden planted and landscaped just outside Rosenborg Castle creating the King’s Gardens. The garden was not just beautiful but also functional as a kitchen garden.

Fruit trees and almond trees were planted as well as a plot set aside for herbs, another for vegetables, and a larger plot for various fruits. The herbs in the garden were not just used as seasoning, but also for medicinal purposes for the royal family.

Stroll along the paths that King Christian IV personally laid out and follow in his footsteps as you meander your way through the gardens. While it is free to visit the King’s Gardens there is a fee to go inside Rosenborg Castle.

Little Mermaid Statue

The most famous landmark in Copenhagen is the Little Mermaid Statue which was created to honor the fairy tale written by Hans Christian Andersen, a Danish author. The Little Mermaid can be seen everywhere in Copenhagen.

While the actual statue is small and you can easily miss it if you are not looking for it, this bronze figure is still an interesting landmark to see. Created by Edvard Eriksen, the statue sits on a rock at the Langelinie promenade.

Changing of the Guard

Head over to Amalienborg Palace at 11:30 a.m. so you can get a great view of the Changing of the Guard ceremony that starts are precisely 12:00 p.m. If the Queen happens to be in residence, the Royal Marching Band will also play.

It is free to watch the Changing of the Guard in front of Amalienborg Palace but if you want to tour the palace, it will cost you an admission fee. If the royal family is in residence, tours of the castle are not available.

When you are visiting Copenhagen, you can expect to spend a good amount of money. However, there are plenty of things to see and do that will not break the bank. Explore more of Copenhagen on a budget by checking out several free attractions in the city.

Resources:

http://www.copenhagenfreewalkingtours.dk/

https://www.visitcopenhagen.com/copenhagen/planning/islands-brygge-harbour-bath-gdk482346

https://www.visitcopenhagen.com/copenhagen/planning/sluseholmen-harbour-bath-gdk713181

https://svoemkbh.kk.dk/en/node/21

https://www.visitcopenhagen.com/copenhagen/planning/frederiksberg-gardens-gdk412226

https://www.kongeligeslotte.dk/da/slotte-og-haver/rosenborg-slot-og-kongens-have.html

https://www.visitcopenhagen.com/copenhagen/planning/little-mermaid-gdk586951

https://changing-guard.com/changing-guard-worldwide/copenhagen-denmark.html

https://www.visitcopenhagen.com/copenhagen/activities/stroget-main-shopping-street