Best Free Things to Do in Copenhagen On a Budget

Copenhagen (and, well, the rest of Scandinavia) has a reputation of being an expensive travel destination. Eating out, activities, and shopping can rack up a hefty price tag, and it’s easy to blow through your budget if you’re not paying attention. If you’re wondering if Copenhagen is doable on a budget—it is! There are dozens of free activities to do that also vary in interest and give a great, well-rounded look into Copenhagen. Pick and choose what interests you and you’ll have an itinerary fit for the budget traveler. Here are some of my favorite free things to do in Copenhagen!

How to Get to Copenhagen for Cheap

My greatest hack to flying to Copenhagen from the West Coast (or, to be honest, anywhere) is using the youth fare that SAS offers. If you’re under 25, SAS considers you as youth and you get a youth fare on select flights. You can get $100-200 off of a regular fare and it also comes with checked baggage (sometimes). It’s been my holy grail when flying to Europe and I save money and get great value. For example, here are some of the flights I’ve taken with SAS youth fares:

• SFO to CDG (Paris): $550 round trip with 2 checked bags
• SFO to CPH (Copenhagen): $511 round trip
• CPH to ARN (Stockholm) $73 roundtrip

I’m surprised it’s not more well known (but I want to keep it a secret so bad, hahaha). SAS is also a member of Star Alliance so you can earn points through them for Star Alliance as well.

Getting Around Copenhagen on a Budget

Before we dive into what to do in Copenhagen on a budget, here is how you can get around Copenhagen on a budget. Every visitor should learn how to take and pay for Copenhagen public transportation, which includes the metro, bus, train, and ferry. It’s really easy to navigate and a cheaper way to get around the city.

I recommend getting a transit pass or a Rejsekort Anonymous card, which is Copenhagen’s top-uppable public transport card. You can get it at any convenience store. Read this blog for more information on all you need to know about Copenhagen public transport.

However, the best (and most fun) way to get around Copenhagen is definitely by bike. After all, Copenhagen is the most bike-friendly place in the world! It’s the default mode of transport for Danish people. You’ll see people of all ages riding bikes at all hours of the day, and it’s an important part of Danish culture.

There are many ways you can rent a bike, but using the DonkeyRepublic app is the best and most convenient way. Read my blog here to learn how to use and rent a bike in Copenhagen using DonkeyRepublic. After you learn that, read this blog to learn how to ride a bike in Copenhagen (hint: there are rules you need to follow).

Now that you know how to best get around, here are some free and cheap things to do in Copenhagen on a budget!

Go on a Walking Tour

First, the best thing to do once you get to Copenhagen is go on a walking tour, especially if its your first time in the city. It’s a great way to get to know the area and situate yourself.

You can find plenty of free walking tours with a quick Google search, but my picks are Copenhagen Free Walking Tours, Danish Architecture City Walks (includes entrance to their exhibition, too), and Street Voices. These walking tours usually last around an hour or a little more and take you around the city center. You can also find tours on specific interests as well, like beer, architecture, design , and more.

The guides are a great resource to ask for any tips or underrated things to do in Copenhagen. Additionally, it’s nice to feel like you have a friend in the city, especially if you’re alone. It’s also a great way to meet new people. Most people leave tips for the guides after the tour is over, but it’s not mandatory.

Walk Along the Harbor

In a similar vein to a walking tour, take a stroll along the Harbor Circle, which is (in my opinion), the heart of Copenhagen. Copenhagen is a canal city and thrives on water industries and transportation. Bridges connect the city center to all directions and, as a result, there are pretty good views on either side of the harbor.

The best area to walk is on the opposite side of the Opera House all the way down to the Black Diamond Library. You’ll pass by Nyhavn (the iconic port strip) and other landmarks that dot Copenhagen’s skyline. It’s perfect for walking, jogging, and riding a bike.

Walk Around One of the Gardens

Even though Copenhagen is quite small, there are endless green spaces and parks to enjoy. There are parks in almost every neighborhood and worth checking out. Especially on a nice, warm day, people flock to the parks and public spaces to enjoy the sunshine. They are all well curated and taken care of, and best of all, they’re free!

The most popular park is the King’s Garden, which is home to the Rosenborg Slot. It’s also in the city center and most accessible to visitors staying nearby. You’ll probably pass by it commuting to your destination!

Another fantastic park is the Frederiksberg Gardens which is home to the Frederiksberg Palace. It’s a bit further and away from the city center, but man, oh man, is this park gorgeous. There are tons of trees, plants, and walking paths that make you feel like you’re wandering around beautiful castle grounds.

It’s also where the Copenhagen Zoo is and there’s even a free viewing area of elephants near one of the garden entrances! This is my favorite park in all of Copenhagen, and it’s great for having picnics, friendly catch-ups, and leisurely strolls.

Here are some other note-worthy green space you should check out if you have some extra time:

• Superkilen Park
• Assistens Cemetery (Where Hans Christian Andersen is Buried)
• Kastellet (See The Little Mermaid Statue)
• Østre Anlæg Park (in Parkmuseerne)
• The Opera Park (Indoor Botanical Garden)

Visit Free Museums

Copenhagen is full of amazing museums that are beautiful on the outside and rich with information on the inside. You’ll find museums covering history, culture, art, design, and more! While most of the museums are not free, there are a couple that offer free days every week or month.

These are the best days to check out museums that otherwise can cost up to 20 USD per adult. The free days tend to be more crowded, but it’s worth the price tag of free.99. These are the best museums to visit with no admissions fee and also when they are free:

• National Gallery of Denmark (Statens Museum for Kunst – SMK):
  • Danish national art gallery with Danish and international art from the 14th century
  • Free for everyone on Fridays from 5 pm to 9 pm.
• Glyptotek:
  • Art and archaeological museum
  • Free on the last Wednesday of each month.
• Kunsthal Charlottenborg:
  • Art gallery and art cinema
  • Free admission after 5 PM on Wednesdays
• Nikolaj Art Gallery:
  • Contemporary art gallery in a church
  • Free admission every Wednesday

For free exhibits, the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts hosts free exhibits on a monthly basis. The exhibits focus on arts and design, and often showcase current students’ work and/or portfolios. It’s a great way to see what young minds are conjuring up in the world and peek into university life.

Also, the Design Museum Danmark, while not free, offers free admission to their shop, café, library, and museum garden. You can roam around and use their facilities, but not buy a ticket to their exhibitions. It’s a great place to do work, read, relax, or peruse their offerings!

Savor in Cheap Eats

Not all food is expensive in Copenhagen, and the cheap eats are must-tries. While it’s not a city known for street food, it has its specialties. You have to try a Copenhagen or Scandinavian hot dog. Danish people adore hotdogs and are a popular treat with all ages! The hotdog first came to Denmark from Germany during World War I and established itself as a cheap, fast snack.

But it’s quite different to the American hotdog, which dresses in ketchup and mustard. Danish hot dogs come with a myriad of toppings, from onions, relish, curry powder, pickles, and more.

The hotdog vendors sell them from carts, which you can see all throughout the city center. The more classic carts usually only take cash, while the more uppity carts take card and cash. The DØP is a great place to try Danish hot dogs. It’s a classic you have to try when in Copenhagen!

You can also grab cheap bites from the grocery store! Here’s a tip: most grocery stores in Copenhagen (i.e. Netto, Meny) discount packaged foods a day or two before its expiration date. Meaning, you can find quality meals for a fraction of the price! As long as you are okay with food that’s not as fresh, it’s a great way to have a meal on a budget.

Explore Through the Neighborhoods

There’s no better way to experience a city than by walking. You get to take it at your pace, see different types of people and lifestyles, and imagine what life as a local is like! Copenhagen has a handful of lively neighborhoods, each with their own character and vibe. Even neighborhoods that are side by side have different vibes even though they’re close to each other. Best of all, it’s free. Here’s a quick rundown of each neighborhood and what their quirks are:

• Nørrebro: Trendy, multicultural area with a tranquil vibe popular with those who like to relax with a drink and a pastry. Also famous for their vintage stores!
• Østerbro: Cozy, laidback place with great bakeries and trendy shops.
• Indre By: Copenhagen city center with everything—museums, restaurants, parks, landmarks, shops, etc.
• Fredericksberg: Historic and residential part of town with shops, restaurants, and has a chic vibe.
• Amagerbro: Most nature-y neighborhood with wide, green space to run, walk, or bike.
• Vesterbro: Edgy, hip, and trendy place known for its dive bars, food scene, and funky shops.

Visit the Churches

Even if you’re not religious, the churches in Copenhagen are beautiful and enjoyable to visit. They often have great architecture, including high ceilings, intricate sculptures, stained glass windows, and lots of history. It’s great that such historical and cultural buildings are also free to the public.

If you get tired from walking around, it’s also a nice free area to sit and rest for a little bit. Some of the Copenhagen churches aren’t just regular churches, though. Just like other popular churches, they each have a special something that makes them popular destinations. Here are four that are popular among locals and tourists alike:

• Frederik’s Church: 18th century church with the largest dome in Scandinavia.
• Church of Our Savior: 17th century Baroque church with a famous spiraling tower you can walk to the top of for amazing views.
• Grundtvig’s Church: Brick expressionist church away from the city center with a gorgeous interior and exterior.
• Church of Our Lady: Neoclassical cathedral dedicated to the apostles known for their numerous marble statues.

Walk Through Shopping Streets

Window-shopping, that is. In every city there are always designated shopping streets filled with all kinds of shops. In Copenhagen, there are a couple streets that are great for window shopping or perusing around.

This Scandinavian fashion capital has all sorts of fashion and accessory boutiques, ranging from high end to budget. Depending on your style and shopping preference, different streets cater to your desires. So, here are some shopping streets you have to check out:

• Strøget: The most famous shopping area in Copenhagen where you’ll find retail brands and hidden boutiques and cafes.
• Vestergade: Just next to Stroget with more secondhand, vintage clothing stores.
• Tivoli Gardens/Central Station: The theater district with lots of bars, retail stores, and entertainment.
• Vesterbrogade: Boutique-y area with lots of smaller clothing retailers and cafes and bars.
• Istedgade: Near the meatpacking district with loads of food options.
• Gl. Kongevej: Long shopping promenade in Fredericksburg with higher end boutiques and independent stores.
• Osterbrogade: Also a boutique heavy street but more affordable than Gl. Kongevej.
• Norrebrogade: Secondhand and vintage clothing central and trendy shops galore.

Visit Free and Cheap Viewing Points

Not every magnificent viewpoint costs money (and some of the free ones are even better)! While I love Rundetaarn (Round Tower) for a great view of Copenhagen, you can also get just as good views from other parts of the city without paying anything. There are multiple places for views across the city, meaning you’ll get different perspectives depending on where you go. Here are the best viewpoints of Copenhagen for cheap:

• Panum Mærsk Tower: This tower is a part of the University of Copenhagen’s medical school and is open to the public. On the 15th floor is a viewing platform with sky high views of the entire city! It’s the highest view of Copenhagen by far—everyone looks like ants!
• The Christiansborg’s Tower: The royal palace’s tower that is right smack dab in the middle of city center. You take an elevator to the tower and walk up a few flight of stairs to make it to the tower viewing platform. On a clear day, you can even see Sweden on the horizon!
• Frederiksberg Palace Gardens: Frederiksberg Palace sits on a hill in the Frederiksberg Gardens. Walk to the top of it (at the base of the palace) and around to see hillside views of the city.
• Reffen: One of the best places to watch sunset on a warm, clear day. Go for the street food, then grab a beer from Mikkeller and sit by the water and watch the sun set across the harbor.
• Harbor Circle: Just on the West side of the harbor near Amalienborg Palace, you get amazing views of the Opera House, Circle Bridge, and cool architecture. It’s perfect for a morning or afternoon walk.

Visit Free Beautiful Architecture

Last, but not least, is visiting beautiful architecture. This is my absolute favorite activity to do in Copenhagen as a fan of design and architecture. So much so that I made my own guide on the best modern architecture to see in Copenhagen.

Copenhagen (and Denmark in general) is globally famous for design. Danish design makes everything beautiful yet functional, including fashion, architecture, lifestyle goods, and more. While you can buy Danish goods globally, Copenhagen and other Danish cities are perfect for seeing so much Danish architecture at once.

I have so many architecture spots I love in Copenhagen, but here are just a select few that I think are a must-see:

• Black Diamond Library: The most beautiful, modern library. The library design mimics a ship, and faces the harbor. The interior is light and airy, with huge floor to ceiling windows from the ground floor all the way to almost 5-story ceiling. Definitely a must see. Take the escalator and elevator to the top floor and look across!
• Kaktus Towers: These residential buildings are so pointy and cool! They’re just Southwest of the city center and worth a trip out to see up close. The buildings have pointy layers that spiral upwards and make them look like cactuses. I recommend walking up the stairs or taking the elevator to the platform near the base for cool views of Central Station and the bicycle bridge.
• Nyhavn: The most famous street in Copenhagen. With colorful Scandinavian houses, triangle roofs, and busy bars along the street, this is an iconic part of the city. It’s right next to the harbor and a famous photo spot.
• Opera House: The opera house is massive, sleek, and modern. You can see it anywhere on the harbor and it’s a Copenhagen landmark. If you have time, catch a show inside to get a true Opera experience!
• Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners: This cylindrical building is so cool! It is located in Nordhavnen, a new harborfront community that is perfect for cycling and sightseeing. The building is made of angled trapezoid windows that covers the entire surface. It’s a sight to see and worth going out of your way for.
• Planetarium: Near the city center you’ll find the planetarium at the end of the Sankt Jørgens Sø park. Inside are exhibits and an IMAX movie theater, all relating to space and astronomy. While tickets are not free, the building is free for admiring! It looks like a huge lipstick bullet!
• UN City: Not only is this building beautiful, but the UN also provides a free tour every Friday for the public. You have to sign up in advance but it’s the only way to see the building besides being a UN worker.

Enjoy Copenhagen on a Budget

There’s so much to do in Copenhagen without breaking the bank! Even on a budget, you can experience different sides of Copenhagen and have a great time. You can have a picnic at the park, window shop, stroll through different neighborhoods, or admire world-class architecture. And of course, treat yourself here and there for things you really, really want. Copenhagen is a beautiful Scandinavian city, and you can see a lot of it without spending a lot. Enjoy one of my favorite cities! Happy travels!