Curator’s statement
I'm part Danish, so Copenhagen has been on my travel bucket list, and every friend kept telling me it was one of their favorite cities. Most of them also said two days was plenty, but I disagree. I would suggest staying at least four to five days in the city itself, especially when traveling with kids. Copenhagen is clean, colorful, and friendly, especially to kids. You'll see parents leave their babies napping in strollers outside cafés while they eat, completely unbothered. That's how safe and welcoming it is!
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Where to stay in Copenhagen
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Things to do in Copenhagen
Louisiana Museum
Go shopping
My favorite shops were Pico, Ganni, and Naked Copenhagen. Pico is one of the most photographed shops in Copenhagen, known for their hair clips and jewelry. On my trip, I picked up a cute necklace with a red heart charm that I love to wear to remind me of my trip!
Trampolines
Havnegade Promenade has outdoor trampolines that were so much fun with my 2-year-old. She loved jumping up and down, and it's right next to the water, so you can watch the boats go by while you bounce.
A free walking tour of Copenhagen
I learned so much about Danish family life, social culture, and politics. We even got to see the changing of the guard at the palace, which was really exciting for my daughter. Most of the streets are cobblestone, but the pace is slow and easy enough that my husband and I had no trouble pushing two strollers.
A canal tour with Hey Captain
There are tons of boat companies running canal tours, but Hey Captain is known for its social atmosphere and is less about historical facts and more about getting to know the people riding with you. The point is to meet other guests on board, while also learning a few things about Denmark. When we went, however, it was just our family, so we ended up getting to know our captain really well instead, which was a fun surprise!
Louisiana Museum
Worth the roughly 45-minute drive from the city. The sculpture gardens alone justify the trip, but the Children's Wing is what actually makes it a full family day. My daughter got to spend an afternoon doing her own Basquiat-style drawings, which then went up on the wall alongside the exhibit.
Tivoli Gardens
Located just five minutes from our hotel, Tivoli was a great way to close out our time in the city. There are rides and arcade games for every age. My daughter's favorites were driving her own car and the Ferris wheel. You don't need more than an afternoon there, but it's worth going to since it is one of the original amusement parks and the inspiration behind Disneyland!
Dragsholm Slot
If you have an extra day or two, head out to the countryside and relax at this castle. It's a great place to let kids run around while you enjoy the fresh air with a glass of wine.
Places to eat & drink in Copenhagen
Smorrebrod at Torvehallerne
Andersen & Maillard
Copenhagen is known for its cafés, and you really can't go wrong with any of them, but this one was our favorite. When you go, make sure you get the croissant cube with Nutella filling, or the cardamom buns, which Copenhagen is famous for.
Cofoco
Copenhagen restaurants aren't cheap, but the food is delicious, and Cofoco was a great choice for dinner. It's on the fancier side with a tasting menu, but they were still very accommodating for our two young kids. Reservations recommended.
Madklubben Vesterbro
Another nice option for dinner with kids. This one was more casual with a larger interior, so it's good for groups, plus it had great cocktails!
Torvehallerne Market
Come hungry and curious. This is a great place to get proper smorrebrod (open-faced sandwiches) and the traditional way to eat it is to pair it with schnapps!
Rug
This was the restaurant inside our hotel, Villa Copenhagen, and was easy and delicious for a night we were too tired to find another place to eat. Even though you don't think of pizza when you think of Denmark, the ingredients were so fresh, it was one of the best pizzas I've had!
Fiskebarren
This is a really popular fish restaurant. We couldn't get a reservation because it's in such high demand, but I've heard plenty of people rave about it, so I'd still recommend trying it.
Need to know
Best time to visit
Shoulder season hits a sweet spot because there are fewer crowds, the weather is mild, and the city still feels lively. We went in late April, and it was ideal timing for a family trip.
Getting around
Copenhagen is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world, and everyone (bikers and pedestrians) follows the rules, so you always feel safe walking around, even with little kids and strollers.
With kids
This is a genuinely great family city. It's friendly, walkable, and full of small, unexpected moments, like finding trampolines in the middle of the sidewalk and being able to see boats on the water everywhere you go.
Hotel logistics
If you're staying centrally (like at Villa Copenhagen), plan your arrival around public transit or a drop-off rather than self-parking. Since there is nowhere to load and unload luggage, you might get a ticket leaving your car unattended.
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