While the city of Copenhagen has many tours of its own and enough entertainment, restaurants, and bars to keep you busy day and night for weeks, there are also a number of great destinations nearby that are perfect for day trips. Explore the interesting history of Copenhagen (and Denmark) with visits to castles and museums, relax in the sun away from the big city at an island or beach destination, or tour the sights in some neighboring cities. No matter what you choose to do, you are sure to find an adventure nearby.
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North Zealand: Frederiksborg Castle
Take a royal-themed day trip to North Zealand, including a tour of Frederiksborg Castle, which is also home to the National History Museum of Denmark. You can learn about the flamboyant King Christian IV who once lived here, walk through rooms like the Coronation Chapel, and then stroll through the castle’s French Baroque gardens with a guide. Be sure to stop and snap some photos of Fredensborg Castle, the annual summer residence of the Danish royal family. If you want to learn more about what you are seeing, the museum offers guided tours for visitors.
How to get there: You can reach the castle by car (40 minutes by car) by taking Highway 16 towards Hillerød. Or by public transport, take the S train line E to Hillerød and walk 15-20 minutes from the station to the castle, either through the city or by the lake.
Travel Tip: If you want to take a guided day trip to see all of this, you can book a reservation online. It departs from City Hall Square in Copenhagen at 10:30 am from May to September and lasts approximately 6.5 hours. The tour is informative and interesting.
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The city of Aarhus: experience the history and culture
One of Copenhagen’s most beloved day trips goes to the city of Aarhus, a historic city on the east coast of Jutland (western peninsula of Denmark). It offers a great selection of nightly entertainment and also annual events, like the Viking Festival in July, where people come together to recreate the city’s early days with markets, sword fighting, and more. The city is also home to the contemporary art museum, the ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum, the botanical gardens and a palace.
How to get there: The fastest option is to fly to Aarhus from Copenhagen, which takes about 45 minutes. Or if you prefer to take a train, the trip takes about three hours and trains leave the city every 30 to 45 minutes. Driving takes about three hours. Take E20 west to E45 and head north on E45 to Aarhus.
Travel Tip: If you are not in town during the festival, you should visit the Viking Museum to get a glimpse of this significant aspect of the city’s past.
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The Isle of Fyn: a romantic getaway
Also known as Denmark’s Garden Island, the wildly romantic island of Fyn (Funen) is home to many fairy tales, and is also the birthplace of writer Hans Christian Andersen. Fyn is also home to a number of beautiful castles (known as Slots in Danish), like Nyborg Slot, Egeskov Slot, Gods Broholm, Holckenhavn Slot, and Harridslevgaard Slot.
You can spend the whole day wandering the rolling hills visiting acres of orchards and a variety of old farms or heading to the Den Fynske Landsby (Fyn Village) open-air museum and Odense Zoo.
How to get there: accessing the island is relatively easy. If you drive, it is about an hour and a half, and there is a toll bridge. There is also a direct train between Copenhagen and Funen which is usually a bit faster than driving.
Travel Tip: The island of Fyn has a strong culinary scene – it hosts several foodie events and festivals, and is home to several excellent restaurants. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy yourself while you are here!
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The islands of Lolland and Falster: a train museum and safari park
One of the best day trips from Copenhagen has to be a visit to the islands of Lolland and Falster. These islands offer things to do no matter what city you visit, but Maribo has several attractions to see.
If you are in Maribo, consider visiting the Museumsbanen (Museum Train), Nakskov’s Green World Zoo and the U-359 submarine, but you can also visit a 12th-century royal residence, Ålholm Castle, in the town of Nysted, and Don’t forget Knuthenborg Manor with its Safari Park (open from April to October).
How to get there: Lolland is connected to the Zealand of Denmark by a bridge. A day trip from Copenhagen to Lolland is an 80-mile drive along the E47 road to the south.
Travel Tip: This destination is home to beautiful nature and many adventure activities. While you’re here, try a few, like biking, kayaking, fishing, golf, and more.
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Hven Island: beaches and excellent local cuisine
Local whiskey, pristine beaches, and the remains of Tycho Brahe’s 16th-century observatory are the island’s top attractions, but the island’s 360 inhabitants also offer a variety of local cuisines, crafts, and shops to explore.
If you are looking to escape from all the noise of the cities to a quiet and secluded place, this little island is like a little piece of heaven on earth.
How to get there: Located between Denmark and Sweden, the ferry from Copenhagen takes about 90 minutes to reach Hven Island. If you prefer to drive, the E20 takes about two hours.
Travel Tip: If you’re a whiskey drinker, head to the Spirit of Hven Distillery for a tasting.
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Bornholm: relaxing on the beach
If you fancy sandy beaches and a day of relaxation, plan your day trip from Copenhagen to the sunny island of Bornholm. This is the place to lay back, stroll on the sand, or rent a bike for the afternoon.
A popular summer travel destination, Bornholm’s nickname is the Pearl of the Baltic.
How to get there: The largest city on the island is Rønne, which is also the arrival point for travelers to Bornholm, and there are direct 35-minute flights from Copenhagen that fly to Rønne-Bornholm Airport. That is by far the fastest and easiest way to get there. If you are going by car, bus or train, the journey can take up to three to four hours, as you will have to go to Sweden to take a bridge.
Travel Tip: Check out Baltic Sea Glass, a glass studio and shop on the island that has beautiful and unique glass art.
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Dragør: a historical town
For an even more intimate day trip, perhaps for a honeymoon or romantic weekend getaway, the small town of Dragør offers a bit of Danish history with all the comforts of modern days.
Located just southeast of Copenhagen, this preserved town was founded in the 12th century as a fishing port for Denmark. For a closer look at early life on Dragør, spend the day at the Amager Museum, an outdoor recreation of life in the old days, or the Dragør Museum on the harbor.
How to get there: Dragør is about a 15-20 minute drive southeast of Copenhagen. You can also take a train or bus, both of which take about 30 minutes.
Travel Tip: The Amager Museum is closed on Mondays, so plan accordingly.
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Møn: beautiful cliffs
Located near the town of Borre on the island of Møn, the Møns Klint is a three-mile stretch of chalk cliffs that is considered one of Denmark’s natural wonders.
You can spend the night in a campground just above the cliffs or on the beach, or if you are interested in geology and science, visit the GeoCenter Møns Klint, the most modern science center in northern Europe.
How to get there: The island of Møn is an hour’s drive south on the E20 to the E47. That is usually the fastest and cheapest way, but there is also a direct train between the two places that takes 1.5 to two hours.
Travel Tip: Besides enjoying the beauty of the cliffs, there are also some hiking trails around you that you can take. And it is also possible to find fossils in the area, so stay tuned!
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Humlebæk: a Danish art museum
Not far from Helsingør in Humlebæk, the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art houses one of the largest collections of Danish art in the region. When it opened in 1952, the museum was originally intended for exclusively Danish pieces of art, but was expanded shortly thereafter to include famous works from around the world.
This museum played an important role in the development of Danish cultural history and is credited with teaching Danish citizens to look at and appreciate art.
Getting there: Driving or taking the direct train are your best bets, as Humlebæk is only a 30-minute ride with either option.
Travel Tip: The town of Humlebæk is also a great destination for some traditional Danish restaurants, but you will have to travel to Helsingør if you want to spend the night nearby.
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Kastrup: the largest aquarium in Northeast Europe
Located just southeast of Copenhagen in Kastrup, Denmark, near the Danish end of the Øresund Bridge and Københavns Lufthavn Airport, Den Blå Planet is easily accessible by train from the city.
Den Blå Planet is the largest aquarium in Northeast Europe, allowing guests to get up close and personal with sharks, sea otters and all kinds of marine life.
How to get there: Kastrup is just a 20-minute drive south of Copenhagen, and there is also a direct train that takes only about 15 minutes, so choose the option that best suits your travel plans.
Travel Tip: While you’re there, you can also take a behind-the-scenes tour of the aquarium or even get a chance to snorkel with sharks!
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The capital region: a tour of the most remarkable sites
One of the most popular ways to really experience the history, culture and architecture of Denmark’s capital region is to take the Grand Day Trip, a small group guided tour of three main castles, including the heritage Kronberg Castle. of UNESCO.
On the tour, you will visit Roskilde Cathedral, the burial place of more kings and queens than anywhere else on earth, before heading to Frederiksborg Castle, the largest castle from the Scandinavian Renaissance era still in existence. foot.
How to get there: the tour departs from the area in front of the Copenhagen City Hall.
Travel tip: Bring your camera to photograph the beautiful nature of the Danish Riviera.
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Helsingør: Denmark’s maritime museum
You could spend a whole day at the Maritime Museum of Denmark, which tells the story of Danish maritime history through permanent and rotating exhibits such as “In the Shadow of War” and “Ships of All Time.”
Almost invisible from the street, this underground museum is worth the trip to see the architecture alone, but you can also learn more about how Denmark became known as one of the world’s leading maritime nations.
How to get there: You can get to Helsingør in 30-40 minutes, or you can also take a train from Copenhagen Central Station that takes about an hour.
Travel Tip: When you’ve finished exploring the museum, head to Kronborg, a 16th-century castle that was also the setting for Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.”
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Kalundborg: a historic church
A little off the beaten path but worth the trip if you are a fan of elegant architecture and Denmark’s rich cultural heritage. The city of Kalunborg is home to the Church of Our Lady, a five-tower church built in the late 1100s.
This historic church has undergone many renovations, updates, and additions over the centuries, but spending the day in Kalundborg’s medieval old town combined with a tour of this impressive chapel makes for a great day of time travel.
Getting There: The cheapest and quickest way to get there is to drive, which will take you about an hour and a half along routes 21 or 23. The train ride there is about two hours and includes some transfers.
Travel Tip: If you’re in the area during summer, you can also see the gorgeous gardens at Birkegårdens Haver from May to mid-September.
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Sweden: Helsingborg, Lund, and Malmö
If you’d rather take a break from Copenhagen entirely or just have a few extra days to add to your itinerary, you should consider taking a day trip to Sweden.
Visiting the Swedish cities of Helsingborg, Lund, and Malmö is a great way to catch a glimpse of the nearby but entirely different Swedish culture.
How to get there: You have several options for getting to these destinations depending on what you plan to do and how flexible you want to be. All options will take you over the Oresund Bridge, and it takes 40 minutes to an hour to get from Copenhagen to Malmö.
Travel Tip: There are several guided tours you can take from Copenhagen to one of these cities in just one day, so you don’t have to worry about transportation. Look here to see the tour options.
