Take a trip to Copenhagen in winter. Discover things to do in Copenhagen in winter. Explore Copenhagen, Denmark in November and January
Discover the magic of Copenhagen in winter! From historic streets to cozy cafes and incredible day trips, find out how to make the most of a winter trip to Denmark's capital.
I've had the pleasure of visiting Copenhagen in winter on two separate occasions – once in late November and more recently in January.
While my initial trip was primarily driven by the opportunity to visit the much-hyped Copenhagen Christmas markets, Denmark's capital proved it has so much more to offer the easily amused city breaker, no matter when you visit in the colder months.
As you might expect, Copenhagen in winter can be quite cold, with temperatures often at or below freezing. During my late November trip, the weather was mostly dismal.
In January, it was very cold but I brought my warmest down coat, hat, and gloves and didn't let the weather stop me from exploring. In fact, I made sure to get up early every morning on my January business tripto take a walk and see the city before the workday started.
So, bundle up, grab a warm drink, and join me as we explore cool things to do in Copenhagen in winter.
Where to Stay in Copenhagen
Finding the right base is key. On my first trip in late November, we stayed at the The Copenhagen Star Hotel. It was super-convenient, just about a 5-minute walk from the central train station.
The neighborhood felt a bit seedy, but we never felt unsafe. The hotel itself had charm, though it was a bit threadbare, with a well-worn banister and stairway. Art deco accents in the hall were a nice touch. For about 130 EUR per night, it served as a good home base.
More recently, on my January 2024 trip, I stayed at the WIDE Hotel. The rooms were clean, comfortable and cost less than 100 EUR per night during this time of year. The lobby featured vaulted stucco archways which lent a great atmosphere.
The only real downside was that the sinks were incredibly small, making washing my face tricky; I ended up using the shower instead, which worked out fine.
Exploring Copenhagen's Streets and Architecture
One of the things I truly delighted in on my January visit was Copenhagen's architecture. The sturdy brick buildings were impressive, especially in the area around Rundetaarn.
Walking the streets, I loved the colorful facades sagging with age and spotted some spectacular and historic doors. As my regular readers know, I am a huge fan of door photography. This was a wonderful way to experience the city, even in the cold.
Of course, a visit to Copenhagen isn't complete without strolling down Strøget, the city’s pedestrianized shopping artery, which originates near City Hall.
We wandered along Strøget when it was festively decorated for the holidays, ducking into small alleys and side streets on a whim. Keep an eye out for interesting buildings and even busts of famous academics like Niels Bohr.
Even the grittier neighborhood of Vesterbro near the Copenhagen Star Hotel had its charm, giving way from porn shops and liquor stores to lovely historic facades, a park with colorful rides, and abundant street art.
Iconic Sights and Hidden Gems
You've got to see the famous sights in Copenhagen, of course! Taking a walk around City Hall and Tivoli Gardens is a must. Be sure to look for the strange gargoyles and ghoulish accents on the City Hall building. You'll also find the statue of Hans Christian Andersen, forever memorialized with Tivoli in his sights.
We also made our way to Kastellet, a fantastic star-shaped fortress surrounded by a moat. Partially converted into a park, it's home to serene tufted ducks in the winter. We walked the path along the top of the mounds and rounded a corner to bring St. Alban's church into view, signaling we were near the harbor.
Speaking of the harbor, the iconic Little Mermaid statue is a requisite stop, even if you have to jostle with other tourists for a photo. At least there are fewer tourists to contend with in Copenhagen in the winter.
Beyond the Little Mermaid, the harbor path offers more to see, including a giant zinc 'thinker' and a bronze version of Michelangelo's David.
Near the end of our harbor walk, we reached Amalienborg Palace. We wandered through the free and well-coiffed gardens before emerging into a courtyard guarded by soldiers.
If you time it right, you can see the ceremonial changing of the guard. The museum on site, featuring reconstructed rooms, was a worthwhile 30-minute diversion made even better by using our Copenhagen Card.
On my January trip, I also explored some other interesting spots. Sankt Petri Kirke is one of the oldest buildings in inner Copenhagen dating back to 1200.. Its grounds are lovely, and it has a fascinating history, serving a German parish since 1586 with services still held in German today.
Another great spot to explore, even bundled up, is Ørstedsparken. This city park was built on part of the 17th-century fortification ring. It's a romantic promenade park known for winding paths, exotic trees, and bronze sculptures. When I visited in January, the large lake was covered with bits of ice, adding to the wintery atmosphere.
For getting around and seeing the main attractions and museums, the Copenhagen Card was definitely the best value purchase I made in Denmark. It offered unlimited transportation and museum visits for a fixed price.
We used it for everything from getting to Kastellet via the metro to visiting the National Museum, where we explored exhibits on Danish history from pre-historic times to the present.
We also explored the stunning Christiansborg Palace complex, which sits on an island carved out by canals. Admire the striking Old Stock Exchange nearby with its spiral tower.
Winter Warm-Ups and Delicious Bites
Winter calls for cozy moments and delicious food! On my January photo walks, a takeaway cappuccino from Original Coffee was a perfect way to stay warm. I also tried the hipster Coffee Collective inside Torvehaller Markethall. I drank my coffee in a Pippy Longstocking mug.
Ah, Torvehaller Markethall! This spot lit up the Norrebro quarter and was a fantastic place to explore. We found all sorts of Danish treats, including strange boules for artisanal oils and vinegars, huge displays of pine cones (foodies buy them for pine nuts!), and lights and lanterns which added to the atmosphere.
We took a break for homemade pastries and enjoyed people watching – the pastries were delicious, and I was so tempted by the fresh-looking apple crumble. If you are more partial to something less sweet, Torvehaller Markethall is also home to savory Smørrebrød and fresh fish.
When it comes to affordable food in Copenhagen, polser (hot dogs) seemed to really be the local go-to option. For a cheap dinner that packed a punch, Strøg Shawarma was a definite win.
We had a sizable pita pocket filled with shaved meats, and the best part was the huge bowls of spicy sauce on each table. My ears were smoking, and my nose was running, but it was so good! The upstairs seating with stained glass chandeliers added a surprisingly nice ambiance to this fast-food joint.
While we didn't have a great experience with the Christmas markets themselves, trying gløgg, the Danish version of mulled wine, is a must, if you visit Copenhagen in December. It's typically souped up with a shot of spirits like vodka or brandy.
We tried it at Hyttefadets Pub in Nyhavn and the best part was definitely the raisins and almond slivers soaked in liquor. It certainly warmed us to the core, and while about $10 USD a glass felt steep initially, it felt like a bargain compared to the markets charging $12-$15!
Nyhavn after dark, especially if you pop into a packed pub like Hyttefadets, offers a wonderfully cozy and festive atmosphere. We appreciated getting inside from the cold and rain, hanging out with locals and listening to groups break into Christmas carols.
Counterculture Adventures
We made our way across the harbour to Christianshavn and the surprising outpost of hippie commune living in the heart of the city - Christiania.
Christianshavn itself is lined with canals. A strange, seemingly bisected spiraling church tower commands the skyline in the neighborhood. Just up the road from the church spire is the counter-culture commune of Christiania.
Created by squatters in 1971 in a former military barracks, the commune features colorful and copious street art. A famous scene shows how Christiania doesn't tolerate hard drugs while offering up plenty of marijuana for sale.
Many of the areas of Christiania are off-limits to photography for this reason. Residents make a living by selling all sorts of wares. We enjoyed some cinnamon roasted nuts.
After our brief tour, we emerged from Christiania via a rustic looking totem pole and signpost. If you didn't know, you'd never guess that a counter-culture community was hiding just behind these walls in the heart of Copenhagen.
Winter Day Trip from Copenhagen
Using our hotel's convenient location near the train station, we took advantage of the efficient Danish train system for two memorable day trips!
First up was a trip to Frederiksborg Castle in Hillerød. Just under an hour by local train, Hillerød is a charming town. Our chance discovery of Chokolade Mageriet there introduced us to the most amazing Danish treat – the Flødebolle.
These sweet creations with thick dark chocolate, rich marshmallow centers, and marzipan bases were an absolute highlight of our trip! We savored our first one by the placid lake with the castle reflecting perfectly in the still water.
The castle itself is impressive, with breathtaking courtyards, a grand fountain lined with evergreen branches for Christmas, and fascinating interiors showcasing crests (including Nelson Mandela's!), opulent furnishings, and even panels highlighting the lives of everyday workers. Even in the cold winter rain, the perfectly trimmed gardens were stunning.
Our second day trip took us to Roskilde, also less than an hour by train. Roskilde is another charming small town, easily explored on foot. The impressive Roskilde Cathedral, a UNESCO site, is a must-see. The side chapels, reflecting the styles of different monarchs through the centuries, were particularly impressive.
From the cathedral, it's a short walk down to the fjord's edge where the Viking Ship Museum stands. Inside, you can learn all sorts of fascinating trivia, see fragments of real 1000-year-old ships, and even try on Viking clothing!
After exploring, we found a satisfyingly tasty and generously portioned lunch at Cafe Vivaldi in town, warming up before heading back to Copenhagen.
Final Thoughts
While the weather in Copenhagen in winter can be challenging at times, catching a sunny day, especially in a colorful place like Nyhavn, is a true delight that lifts the spirits.
Copenhagen in winter offers a wonderful blend of iconic sights, hidden local spots, fascinating history, delicious treats, and fewer tourists. It's definitely a cool destination for a winter city break.
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