If you want to solo travel to Copenhagen, this travel guide to Copenhagen is the perfect resource for you. Through my Solo Girl’s Guides series, I’ve brought together some of my favorite female travel bloggers to discuss their top destinations for solo female travelers.
In this week’s solo travel Copenhagen guide, guest writer Kitiara Pascoe shares recommendations on what to do in Copenhagen and what to know about safety in Copenhagen as a woman traveling alone. If you’re curious about how many days to spend in Copenhagen, this Copenhagen travel guide will answer all your questions!
Did You Get Travel Insurance Yet?
The Insurance companies I recommend are Hey Mondo and Safety Wing
Hey Mondo is great if you are looking for a great value flexible policy. They offer single-trip cover, annual multi-trip cover, and long-term travel cover. Safety Wing is great value, with monthly coverage starting at $45.08. It’s super easy to use, and it just renews each month. I currently use them as they offer me free cover for my son as part of my policy.
Read my full travel insurance post here, where I go into detail about all companies.
Copenhagen Travel Guide: Solo Travel Copenhagen
Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen, was voted the Top City to Visit in 2019 by Lonely Planet, and I can see why. I first tried Copenhagen solo travel in September 2018 for several reasons. Firstly, I was turning 30 and wanted to do something new—secondly, Copenhagen seemed convenient to travel to.
Just a 2-hour flight from the UK, Copenhagen sits on the outermost brink of Denmark. Blissfully flat and perfect for walking, Copenhagen seamlessly blends historic architecture with modern innovation. Copenhagen is unlike any European capital I’ve traveled to in the best way possible!
Is Copenhagen Worth Visiting?
Solo travel to Copenhagen is straightforward, considering Danish people are known for being friendly and relaxed. Copenhagen is the perfect size to explore on foot and beautiful enough to get lost and feel safe, even at night. To summarize, Copenhagen is incredibly welcoming toward international tourists.
Copenhagen also has fantastic food, ranging from street vendors to world-class restaurants—the city also serves excellent coffee. Keep reading this Copenhagen travel guide for top recommendations on things to do in Copenhagen Denmark!
Quick Tip: Book accommodation, tours, and transport ahead of time online to save money and stress.
Best Copenhagen Tours: Click here to check out the top Copenhagen tours
Best Copenhagen Accommodation: Click here to check out the best accommodation in Copenhagen
Best Copenhagen Transport: Click here to book a bus, ferry, or train in Copenhagen
Travel Guide to Copenhagen: What to Do in Copenhagen
Wander the Streets
Copenhagen‘s charming city center is the perfect place to wander and get lost. The city is small enough that you’ll never get too lost, and you can discover hidden gems and local spots you might not otherwise. From the Scandinavian architecture to the quaint shops and mouthwatering restaurants, there’s something new and beautiful to discover around every corner in Copenhagen.
Take Lots of Photos
One of Copenhagen’s most photographed spots is Nyhavn, an old fishing port located on the edge of the city center, close to the Kongens Nytorv metro station. Nyhavn is picture-perfect, and both sides of the port are lined with colorful terraced buildings and wooden boats.
Go On a Boat Tour
From Nyhavn, you can take a boat tour of Copenhagen’s extensive canal system, as well as cross the footbridge for Paper Island and the community of Freetown Christiana.
Tour Freetown Christiana
Copenhagen’s hippy community of Freetown Christiana sometimes feels at odds with the rest of the city’s sleek, modern feel, but it’s a fantastic example of Denmark’s laidback and eclectic culture.
Once known as a free-for-all cannabis haven, Freetown Christiana feels a world away from the rest of Copenhagen. It’s a safe, friendly, and artistic area of Copenhagen to discover.
Visit the Rundetaarn
In the heart of Copenhagen is Rundetaarn, an excellent destination to visit during your Copenhagen solo travel experience, thanks to its intriguing beauty and sense of peace. Rundetaarn is essentially a tower with a rounded walkway that steadily leads to the top. Painted crisp white on the inside, this 17th-century landmark offers a remarkable viewing platform with 360-degree views of the city. You can read more about exploring the Rundetaarn Tower in my post.
Explore the Botanical Gardens
Near the edge of Copenhagen‘s downtown area, you’ll find the city’s botanical gardens—they’re free to visit, aside from the tropical and sub-tropical greenhouses that require a small entry fee. The greenhouses are home to vibrant butterflies and cacti and are worth the cost, in my opinion.
Things to Do in Copenhagen Denmark at Night
Nighttime Markets
Tivoli Gardens Food Market
The Tivoli Gardens come alive at night, making it one of the best times of day to visit. Since the gardens don’t close until midnight and offer a food market, they’re the perfect solo evening activity. The Tivoli Gardens Food Market is an excellent option if you want to enjoy a meal out but don’t want to sit in a restaurant alone.
Torvehallerne Market
Torvehallerne is a local favorite for grabbing food and drinks after dark. The marketplace sells locally-grown produce, traditional Danish baked goods, and gourmet specialties. Whatever you have a craving for, you’ll find it at Torvehallerne Market.
Bars and Clubs
Here are some other fun ideas of what to do in Copenhagen after dark.
- Bars and Pubs: Copenhagen has many bars and pubs where you can enjoy craft beers and cocktails. Some popular areas for bar-hopping include the Meatpacking District (Kødbyen), Vesterbro, and the city center.
- Nightclubs: The city has various nightclubs catering to different musical tastes. Culture Box is well-known for electronic music, while Rust is a more alternative option that’s popular for live music.
- Live Music: Copenhagen has a vibrant live music scene, with venues like Vega and Pumpehuset hosting concerts by local and international artists.
Quick Tip: View my full Europe packing guide here including a downloadable checklist. And check out my Europe Essentials shopping list here.
How to Get From Copenhagen Airport to Downtown
Copenhagen has one of the most accessible airport-to-city transfers I’ve ever done. The metro to the city center takes just 15 minutes—get off at either Kongens Nytorv or Nørreport station.
The metro leaves from the end of the Arrivals Hall near the ticket machines, or you can use the DOT phone app for public transport tickets. Everything in the metro stations is signposted in English and Danish.
Since the metro is so fast and straightforward, it’s the best way to get into the city from Copenhagen Airport. You can also take a taxi, but this method is more expensive.
Getting Around Copenhagen
Public Transportation
Touring Copenhagen is easy, thanks to the metro, S-train, and bus systems. Traffic is light in Copenhagen compared to other capital cities, and drivers are cautious of cyclists and pedestrians. You can walk virtually anywhere in Copenhagen.
Another popular option for getting around Copenhagen is hiring a bike. Bike hire is available at most hostels and hotels, and many bicycle shops are throughout the city. The Cycling paths in Copenhagen are excellent but often busy, so keep an eye out for other cyclists and always signal before turning or stopping.
Train
While you can buy individual train tickets, CityPass is a fantastic option since it can be used on all public transportation, and you can customize the time it’s valid for.
Taxis
Taxis are available in Copenhagen, but the city’s public transport is so easily accessible that taxis are less common than in other major cities. City taxi rides are expensive, but card payments are usually accepted—you can also book taxis directly through the companies’ apps.
Where to Stay in Copenhagen
I stayed in the Generator Hostel, just a five-minute walk from the Nyhavn and Kongens Nytorv metro stations. Affordable and central, Generator is a trendy and friendly hostel, especially for meeting others.
Copenhagen has plenty of hostels with dorms and private rooms, as well as standard hotels and Airbnbs, so you have plenty of choices.
Accommodations are typically cheaper outside peak tourist seasons, including summer and Christmas.
Luxury Hotel
Radisson Collection Royal Hotel
Mid Hotel
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel
Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers
Budget Hotel
Safety in Copenhagen: Tips and Tricks
Copenhagen feels very safe for solo female travelers, and I didn’t experience any instances of catcalling or feeling endangered. Even after dark, there are many people walking around the city alone.
Copenhagen Solo Travel FAQs
Is Copenhagen Worth Visiting?
Copenhagen is a fantastic travel destination for excellent food, art, culture, and history. Denmark is generally safe for solo female travelers, making it popular among women traveling alone.
How Many Days Do You Need in Copenhagen?
When it comes to how many days to spend in Copenhagen, the answer depends on your travel preferences. For a relaxed, slower-paced vacation, I recommend four to five days. If you enjoy having a lot of activities planned, you can see many of Copenhagen’s top sights in two to three days.
What to Do in Copenhagen as a Solo Female Traveler?
Popular Copenhagen solo travel activities include bicycling, shopping at local markets, and visiting clubs at night.
Copenhagen Travel Guide Planning
🚗 Where can I book bus or private transportation ?
I recommend Bookaway. They have a lot of transport options in all over Europe.
🎫 Where can I buy tickets for museums, attractions, and tours?
I recommend either Viator or GetYour Guide. They have a lot of options!
👩⚕️ What is the best insurance to have while traveling?
I recommend using Heymondo for a great value policy. The app also offers you 24/7 Dr Chat. For Digital Nomads check out SafetyWing digital nomad insurance.
I have also written a blog post covering all my recommended travel insurance here
✈️ Any flight recommendations?
WayAWay offers you cheap flights with cashback. You can use this code CLAIRE22 to get 10% off. Otherwise Skyscanner or Expedia are my go-to flight searching platforms.
📱What do you use for internet connection while traveling?
I’m a big fan of personal WiFi devices and they have saved my ass so many times when traveling. I wrote a full review of the top travel WiFi devices you can read here. I personally use GlocalMe as I can either pop in a physical sim card or use their local carrier.
With regards to my phone connection, I use e-sims while traveling, so rather than having to swap out my regular sim card I can download the app and buy a virtual sim card. I recommend using eitherAirhub or Alosim. Both have great coverage of multiple countries and are very easy to use.
🛏️ What is the best platform to use for booking accommodation?
The 3 best platforms that I normally use are Booking.com, Hotels.com, and Expedia They offer great deals and multiple options. I always check all three to be sure of the best deals.
🛅 Do you have any luggage recommendations for traveling?
I do have a complete list of the best packing and luggage products that I recommend, you can check the list here. I’m currently traveling with this suitcase and this backpack.
Solo Travel to Copenhagen Final Thoughts
Deciding to solo travel Copenhagen was one of the best choices I’ve ever made! Many Danish people are fluent in English, and everyone I met during my travels was helpful and friendly. The city is easy to navigate and has many beautiful places and parks to stroll through and get lost.
While I was nervous about finding places to eat and relax alone, Copenhagen has countless fantastic coffee shops and bustling food markets, so I never felt self-conscious.
Many people say Copenhagen is expensive, and while it’s not cheap, you don’t need to spend much to have a great time. Eating at Copenhagen food markets keeps costs down, and there are plenty of free and cheap things to do in Copenhagen Denmark.
Love,
Kitiara x
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About Kitiara
I’m a travel writer, ghostwriter, and author, blogging at KitiaraPascoe.com. I specialize in adventure, sports, and travel, and I like to write about how it feels to get out into the wild. I do have a soft spot for European cities, though!
Laura Tyler
Wednesday 28th of November 2018
Copenhagen is such a wonderful destination! I've been there with friends and I will definitely be back as a solo traveler - excellent choice for anyone really.
Grimsa
Thursday 22nd of November 2018
Thanks for the guide...Being a solo traveler it's really helpful for me..I appreciate it !!