36 hours in Copenhagen: A local take on the city
Instead of shuffling between the city’s most photographed landmarks, this itinerary focuses on places that offer a closer look at everyday life in Copenhagen, from cultural venues and neighbourhood streets to bakeries, markets, and public spaces.
Last updated: September 2026
Thirty-six hours will not show you everything Copenhagen has to offer, but it is enough to experience the city at different times of day and get a broader impression of how culture, food and everyday city life come together. Follow the complete route or adapt it to your arrival and departure times.
Why this route?
Selected by the VisitCopenhagen editorial team, this itinerary combines everyday life with selected cultural and culinary experiences across Copenhagen.
It offers an alternative to the classic highlights itinerary while keeping the route realistic for a short overnight stay.
What to experience | |
Day 1: Afternoon | Lille Petra Café and Danish design at Designmuseum Danmark |
Day 1: Late afternoon | Amalienborg, the Marble Church, Ofelia Plads and waterfront architecture |
Day 1: Evening | Dinner and a cultural performance at one of the Royal Danish Theatre’s venues |
Day 2: Morning | Breakfast from a Copenhagen bakery and a walk around the Lakes |
Day 2: Late morning | Torvehallerne and the smaller streets and squares of central Copenhagen |
Day 2: Afternoon | The Library Garden, Christianshavn’s canals and an optional visit to Christiania |
Copenhagen Card for 36 hours
If you plan to visit several paid museums and cultural attractions during your stay, a Copenhagen Card DISCOVER may be worth considering. The card includes admission to more than 80 attractions and public transport throughout the Capital Region, including travel to and from Copenhagen Airport.
Use the Copenhagen Card calculator to add your chosen attractions and compare the total with the current card price.
Day 1: Design, architecture and culture
Afternoon: Lille Petra and Designmuseum Danmark
Begin your stay with coffee or a light meal at Lille Petra Café, located in a courtyard connected to the &Tradition design showroom. The café’s furniture and setting make it a fitting introduction to an afternoon focused on Danish design.
From here, continue to Designmuseum Danmark. Its exhibitions explore Danish and international design across furniture, fashion, crafts and graphic design, bringing established names such as Arne Jacobsen and Finn Juhl together with contemporary designers and new perspectives. Check the museum’s opening hours in advance, particularly if you arrive later in the afternoon.
Late afternoon: Architecture and the waterfront
Continue towards Amalienborg and walk across the palace square, where the four surrounding palaces form one of Copenhagen’s most distinctive architectural spaces. Several of Copenhagen’s most distinctive buildings and harbour views are located within a relatively short walk of each other, making this a natural route towards the waterfront.
From here, you can also see the dome of the Marble Church rising above the nearby streets.
Continue towards the harbour and Ofelia Plads beside the Royal Danish Playhouse. Walk along the wooden promenade surrounding the theatre for a closer look at its modern waterfront architecture and views across the water towards Copenhagen Opera House.
Evening: Dinner and a cultural night out
Make the most of your stay by planning a cultural evening with a performance at one of the Royal Danish Theatre’s three main venues. You have already seen the Playhouse and Opera House from the harbour, while the historic Old Stage is located nearby at Kongens Nytorv. Depending on the current programme, you can choose between drama, opera, ballet, concerts and other performances.
If nothing matches your dates or interests, check VisitCopenhagen’s event calendar for other concerts, theatre performances and cultural events during your stay.
Highlights from day 1
Add a CopenPay activity to your stay
CopenPay rewards visitors for positive actions such as cycling, using public transport or taking part in activities that contribute to the city. Available activities and rewards change, so check the current options and choose one that fits naturally into your route and available time.
Day 2: The Lakes, markets and Christianshavn
Begin your second day with breakfast and coffee from one of Copenhagen’s many bakeries. A coffee and cardamom bun from Hart Bakery is one option, and with several branches across the city, you can choose the one that best fits your accommodation and the rest of the route.
Combine breakfast with a walk around part of the Copenhagen Lakes. Copenhageners use the paths along the water for morning runs, everyday journeys and quiet walks throughout the day. Find a bench by the water or continue towards Nørreport and Torvehallerne for the next part of the itinerary.
Late morning: Torvehallerne and the streets of central Copenhagen
Continue towards Nørreport and Torvehallerne, where the two market halls bring together fresh produce, speciality shops, bakeries, coffee bars and small food stalls. Browse the halls, pick up something for later or stop for an early lunch before continuing towards the city centre.
Follow a flexible route through the smaller streets and squares nearby. You could pass through Kultorvet and continue to Larsbjørnstræde, known for its cafés, vintage shops, and independent businesses, before heading towards Højbro Plads. The places serve as useful points along the route but leave time to explore the side streets that catch your attention.
Afternoon: The Library Garden and Christianshavn
Continue towards the Garden of the Royal Library, a public garden situated between Christiansborg Palace and the Royal Library. The garden was created above Copenhagen’s former naval harbour, and the pond at its centre reflects the area’s maritime history. Take a short break beneath the trees before continuing towards the waterfront.
Cross the harbour to Christianshavn and explore the streets around Christianshavns Kanal, where historic houses and houseboats line the water. The Church of Our Saviour is a useful landmark as you move through the neighbourhood, while nearby Christiania offers the option to explore a distinctive part of Copenhagen with its own history, architecture, and cultural life.
Stop for lunch around the canals before ending your trip. If you’re travelling onwards by plane, the M2 metro runs directly from Christianshavn Station to Copenhagen Airport. If you need to leave earlier, the Library Garden or Højbro Plads can instead serve as the final stop of your 36 hours in Copenhagen.
Highlights from day 2
Still deciding how long to stay in Copenhagen?
You can also see our guide to how many days you need in Copenhagen and compare different options. If you have less time, follow our 24-hour Copenhagen guide. With two full days available, our 2-day Copenhagen itinerary offers a broader introduction to the city.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is 36 hours enough in Copenhagen?
Thirty-six hours can give you time for an afternoon and evening in the city, followed by a full morning and part of the next afternoon. You will not see everything, but you can combine design, culture, food and several different parts for a short introduction to Copenhagen.
How should I plan 36 hours in Copenhagen?
For a more local, everyday perspective on the city, spend the first afternoon exploring Danish design and waterfront architecture, then head out for dinner and a cultural night out. Start the next morning around the Lakes, then continue through central Copenhagen towards Christianshavn.
Is the Copenhagen Card worth it for 36 hours?
It may be worth considering if you plan to visit several museums and attractions and use public transport regularly. Use the Copenhagen Card calculator to compare your planned visits with the current card price.
Can I follow this 36-hour itinerary in winter?
Yes. Museums, cultural venues, Torvehallerne, bakeries, and restaurants operate year-round. Adapt the walks around the Lakes, the harbour and Christianshavn to the weather, and check current opening hours and cultural programmes before visiting.