48 hours in Copenhagen

One of the many things that makes Copenhagen the ideal destination for a quick getaway, is its close proximity to the airport. With the metro ride from Copenhagen Airport to the centre of the city lasting only 13 minutes, you won’t have to waste precious time transporting yourself.

Public transportation in Copenhagen gets you around the city quickly and is easy to figure, but once you're in the city, the most effective way to get from A to B is by renting a bike and start pedalling. Lucky for you, Copenhagen is the most bicycle-friendly city in the world, so this won't be a problem. Figure out where to rent your bicycle right here.

Explore the city's neighbourhoods

If you’re in Copenhagen for a weekend you’ll have enough time to explore two to three different neighbourhoods. This will give you a solid glimpse into just how diverse a city it really is. A combination of three neighbourhoods could be the classic, cobblestoned city centre, where the top attractions are located, the happening and authentic Vesterbro and the sophisticated and green Frederiksberg. If you want to explore other boroughs, check out the complete guide to Copenhagen's neighbourhoods.

Enjoy the fresh harbour breeze

Copenhagen is an old seaport, which today means that many of the city's neighbourhoods have a harbour front. Actually it's possible to walk no less than 13 kilometres along the Harbour Circle while passing by historical attractions, unspoilt green areas, architectural gems, swim zones, houseboats and much more. Getting out there on the water is a favourite activity for many locals, and there's a good reason why. It’s beautiful, refreshing and it gives you a different angle on the city. Not to mention it's a whole lot of fun. Here are 9 different ways you can conquer Copenhagen’s waters.

Dive into Copenhagen's restaurant scene

One of the most important parts of any trip is, of course, the food. Once again, Copenhagen has got you covered with nothing less than a superb selection of gastronomic havens. In case you’ve chosen to go for the three neighbourhoods of the city centre, Vesterbro and Frederiksberg, here are some specific restaurant suggestions.

City centre
Breakfast: Sonny will serve you top-notch coffee and a delicious breakfast to kickstart your day.
Lunch: as a part of Kuntshal Charlottenborg, Apollo Bar is simple, yet delicious, ingredients served with a touch of contemporary art.
Dinner: with its tasty family-style dishes, Pluto is well worth its hype. 

Vesterbro
Breakfast: keep it simple and stop by the world-class bakery Brød for a sourdough bun with butter and cheese.
Lunch: stop by local favourite Café Dyrehaven and eat some classic Danish smørrebrød.
Dinner: mingle with the locals Absalon's daily communal dinner.

Frederiksberg
Breakfast: located on Værnedamsvej, one of Copenhagens most interesting streets, you'll find the local favourite Granola. 
Lunch: visit the Frederiksberg classic Sans Souci. Great taste, local produce and a cosy atmosphere.  
Dinner: Anarki will serve you brilliantly simple but tasty food at their down-to-earth Bib Gourmand restaurant. 

If you’re hungry for more suggestions, you should check out this extensive guide to eating and drinking in Copenhagen. 

Don't forget the top attractions

Is it your first time in Copenhagen? Well, in that case, there are quite a few classic attractions that you shouldn’t miss out on. The drop-dead gorgeous amusement park Tivoli, conveniently located right in the heart of the city, shouldn’t be missed. Stopping by the Queen's palace to get a glimpse of that royal life and saying hello to her and her guards is also a must. The list of top attractions is really quite long, so check it out right here and decide for yourself.