48 hours or less in Copenhagen | Your guide to a great cruise pre- and post-stay

Maria Sattrup

EXPERIENCE COPENHAGEN FROM THE WATER
Start the day with a guided boat tour through the city's unique canals led by a local guide. The guide will tell you all about the spectacular historic buildings, and all the main sights you pass by.

DIVE INTO DANISH ROYAL HISTORY
Spend the rest of the morning exploring Copenhagen's famous palaces and castles, and become an expert in Danish royal history. The Danish monarchy is a popular institution in Denmark and is one of the oldest in the world.

Amalienborg Palace is a must for anyone with a taste for royal history and the life of Denmark's royal family, who still resides inside the palace. Watch the members of the Royal Guard from the beautiful palace square and step inside the Amalienborg museum and experience royal life past and present.

Christiansborg Palace contains the Danish Parliament, the Supreme Court, and the Ministry of State. If you are into history and politics, we highly recommend visiting Christiansborg, where you among other things can explore The Royal Reception Rooms, The Royal Stables, and The Royal Kitchen.

Rosenborg Castle, a royal hermitage set in the beautiful King's Garden, features 400 years of splendor, royal art treasures, and the Crown Jewels and Royal Regalia. If you go there, take a walk around to admire the beautiful rose garden surrounding the castle.

Martin Heiberg

TYPICAL DANISH LUNCH: SMØRREBRØD
A truly Danish food experience that you can get at lunchtime in Copenhagen is the renowned smørrebrød (open-faced sandwich). Invariably based on rye bread, smørrebrød can have an almost limitless number of different toppings, from herring to raw beef, seafood, and egg. Click here to see the places we recommend you to go for smørrebrød.

CULTURAL AFTERNOON AND DANISH DESIGN
Museums are perfect escapes in terms of bad weather conditions. But they are much more than that. We suggest the following museums, depending on what you are in the mood for.

Designmuseum Danmark offers displays of decorative art, crafts, and industrial designs from the Western world and Asia from the late Middle Ages and up to the present.

The National Museum of Denmark has exhibitions from the Stone Age, the Viking Age, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and Modern Danish History.

The Open Air Museum, Frilandsmuseet, is located only 30 minutes from central Copenhagen, where you can enter a different world: the countryside of old Denmark.

Tivoli

SPEND AN EVENING WITH DINNER IN ICONIC TIVOLI GARDENS
Tivoli Gardens is one of the oldest amusement parks in the world, founded in 1843. It has become a national treasure and an international attraction, which is a must for all visitors to the city, young and old. At night, thousands of colored lights create a fairy tale atmosphere that is completely unique. And with plenty of dining options, this is the perfect place to spend an evening in Copenhagen.

DO LIKE THE LOCALS: HEAD TO THE COAST OR COUNTRY
The laid-back Copenhagen lifestyle stretches far beyond the city limits. We recommend heading for the coast or country, where plenty of memorable moments await you. Here are three different suggestions for day trips. Now it is all up to you to choose where you would like to go.

Royal history in North Zealand and the cultural city of Elsinore

The idyllic fishing village of Dragør

West Zealand with Vikings and winemakers

END YOUR TIME IN COPENHAGEN WITH A NEW NORDIC DINNER
The best way to experience modern, Scandinavian cuisine is through the New Nordic kitchen. New Nordic is characterized by its uniquely Nordic identity among the world’s most excellent cuisines and by its commitment to organic, sustainable, and local produce. See our recommendations to restaurants in Copenhagen here.

More for your planning

Recommended hotels

Choosing a hotel in Copenhagen can be a difficult task, as there are so many options. See which hotels we recommend for a pre and post-cruise stay.

Shopping guide

If you are in the mood for some shopping while in Copenhagen, you have come to the right place. Find our guide to shopping in Copenhagen here.

How to get around

Copenhagen's public transportation is very reliable. Find our guide with information about how to get around in Copenhagen here.

Denmark in facts

Find practical information and answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about traveling to Denmark.

See more, pay less with a Copenhagen Card

Save the hassle while saving money. With free admission to more than 80 attractions and free public transport, the Copenhagen Card is ideal when exploring the city. Click on the image below and learn more about the benefits you gain when purchasing a Copenhagen Card.

48 hours in Copenhagen

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