Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark, and like other capitals of the Nordic countries, it is a fascinating city that will make you fall in love with Danish culture and the culture of Northern Europe thanks to its numerous attractions. Its strategic location on the seashore and the border with Sweden make it an ideal base for exploring the surrounding area. Here are some tips on the best day trips around Copenhagen.
Hamlet’s Castle in Helsinger (Kronborg)
This city in northern Denmark is located just under 50 kilometers from Copenhagen, about 45 minutes away by car. The city is also easily accessible by train, which departs from the capital every 20 minutes and takes about an hour to reach its destination.
In Helsinger is Kronborg, also known as Hamlet’s Castle, because it was in this castle that Shakespeare staged the famous tragedy of Hamlet. Built in 1420, it suffered several times in the following centuries and was destroyed and rebuilt, always occupying its strategic position on the Oresund Strait. Since 2000, it has become part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition, the castle hosts a Shakespeare Festival, during which Shakespeare plays are staged by Danish or foreign theater companies. Distance: 50 km
How to get there:
Direct train 029 to Copenhagen Kbenhavns Hovedbanegrd station and exit at Helsingor Station, a 1-hour drive; the castle is a 10-minute walk from the station.
Schedules: January, February, March, November, and December from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 16:00, closed on Monday; April, May, and October daily from 11:00 to 16:00; from June to September daily from 10:00 to 17:30.
Ticket price: the cost varies depending on the months of the visit; from January to May and from September to December it costs about 12.70 euros, from June to August about 19.50 euros.
Frederiksborg Castle in Hillered
Frederiksborg Castle is located in Hillered, a city in northern Denmark, 40 kilometers from Copenhagen, about half an hour away by car. It is easily accessible by train.
Frederiksborg Castle is located on Lake Slotse in Hillerede. In the style of the Dutch Renaissance, it was built in the 17th century by the order of Christian IV, King of Denmark, and Norway. Since 1878, it has become the residence of the National Historical Museum.
One of its strengths is undoubtedly the beautiful gardens surrounding the castle, one in the Baroque style and the other in the romantic style.
If you visit Frederiksborg on weekends and holidays from Easter to October, you will be greeted by people who wear traditional costumes that reflect those depicted in the paintings displayed in the rooms.
Distance: 40 km
How to get there:
Train at Copenhagen Kbenhavns Hovedbanegrd station and get off at Lyngby station, from where the A train departs to Hilliard Station, the total travel time is one hour; the castle is an 18-minute walk from the station (2 km).
Schedules: from April 1 to October 31, daily from 10:00 to 17:00; from November 1 to March 31, daily from 11:00 to 15:00.
Ticket price: about 10 euros; from 6 to 15 years – about 2.70 euros; discount for students over 65 years – about 8.00 euros.
Roskilde and the Viking Ship Museum
Roskilde is located west of Copenhagen, which is only 31 kilometers away, about half an hour by car. The city is also easily accessible by train, with a direct connection from the capital, which will take you to your destination in less than 25 minutes.
Roskilde is a medieval city that was the capital of Denmark until the 15th century. In addition to its beautiful old town and cathedral, which have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995, don’t miss another attraction. The city is known for its Vikingeskibsmuseet, a museum of Viking ships, where you can admire the remains of ships found in neighboring areas and the fjord.
In addition, you will be able to immerse yourself in the role of a Viking, trying on traditional clothes and boarding with exact replicas of ships. And in summer, real boat trips are organized. This museum is ideal for children.
Distance: 31.2 km
How to get there:
Take the direct RE train to Nestved at Copenhagen Kbenhavns Hovedbanegrd station and get off at Roskilde station, travel time is 23 minutes (2 km).
Schedules: from May 1 to October 13 and holidays daily from 10:00 to 17:00; from October 14 to April 30 daily from 10:00 to 16:00.
Ticket price: from January 1 to February 8, from February 25 to April 12, from April 23 to April 30, and from October 21 to December 30, approximately 14.70 euros; from February 9 to 24, from April 13 to 22 and from May 1 to October 20, about 20 euros; up to 17 years free.
Bakken
This city is located just 14 km north of Copenhagen, about 20 minutes away by car. It is very easy to get by train, you will arrive at your destination in 25 minutes. Bakken, whose full name is Dayrehavsbakken, is the world’s oldest amusement park that is still operating. In addition, with an area of 75,000 square meters and an average attendance of about 2.5 million people per year, it is considered one of the most important attractions in all of Denmark.
In the park, built-in 1583, you will find one of the oldest wooden roller coasters in the world, built-in 1931 by the Irish engineer Quinlan, many different attractions, arcades, numerous dance, cabaret, and circus shows, as well as many bars and restaurants. Admission is free, you can pay for individual trips or buy a day pass.
Distance: 14.1 km
How to get there:
Direct train 029, A or C to Copenhagen Kbenhavns Hovedbanegrd station and get off at Klampenborg station, travel time 26 minutes. Bakken is located 750 meters from the station, less than a 10-minute walk away.
Schedules: working days change every year: usually from 10:00 to 24:00 from the second Friday of April to the second Sunday of September, the second and third week of October, and weekends during Christmas. However, different times may be observed at some attractions and restaurants, so we advise you to consult the official website before visiting. Closed in winter.
Ticket price: Access to various attractions is paid and varies from carousel to carousel.
Odense and the Andersen House
The city is located in the heart of Denmark, on the island of Funen, 159 km west of Copenhagen, almost two hours away by car. But the best way to get to it is definitely by train, as several direct trains depart from the capital every day, which will take you to your destination in about an hour and a half. Choose a window seat to admire the beauty of this country.
Odense, which originated before the appearance of Viking settlements, is mainly known as the birthplace of the writer Hans Christian Andersen, author of the fairy tale “The Little Mermaid”. It is also the official city of bicycles, its name comes from Odin, the Norwegian god of war. The house of the Danish writer now houses a museum dedicated to him, founded in 1908, which traces his life and the works he wrote over the years.
Then immerse yourself in the beautiful streets of the historic center of Odense, full of typical cafes and street food markets.
Distance: 159 km
How to get there:
Direct by IC or ICL train to Copenhagen Kbenhavns Hovedbanegrd station and exit at Odense Banegrd Centre station, travel time 1 hour 34 minutes. Andersen’s house is located at Munkemllestrde 3 in Odense.
Schedules: open every day from 10:00 to 17:00.
The ticket price: was about 18 euros.
Men Island
The island of Men is located in the south of Denmark, 128 km from Copenhagen, about an hour and a half by car. It is best to get to it by car, since the road will take at least 4 hours by public transport, and you will have to make several transfers. In addition, by renting a car, you will get complete freedom and autonomy to move around the island.
Men Island is one of the main natural attractions of Denmark. One of the most beautiful landscapes that you can see here is the beautiful cliffs, which reach a height of about 130 meters and stretch for 12 kilometers.
To get to the beach, you will need to climb a wooden staircase consisting of more than 500 steps, which starts from the top and passes through the forest. The height difference is the same as the height of the rocks, about 130 meters, so pay attention to the climb, which for the less prepared can be a little tedious.
Distance: 128 km
How to get there:
128 km from Copenhagen, approximately 1 hour 31 minutes by car.
Schedules: always available.
Ticket price: free of charge.
Lolland and Falster Islands
The islands of Lolland and Falster are one of the southernmost points of Denmark. Given their proximity, it is recommended to visit both on the same day and rent a car. Falster, the closest to Copenhagen, is 118 km from the latter, an hour and a half by car. Lolland, on the other hand, is 154 km from Copenhagen, about an hour and 40 minutes away by car.
Falster Island is a famous tourist resort, much loved by Danes for its white sandy beaches and unspoiled nature, an ideal place to spend a few days in complete relaxation and tranquility. After the beaches, the main attraction of the island is Middelaldercentret, a theme park in which a medieval Danish village of the 15th century was rebuilt. Here you can try your archery, attend jousting tournaments and walk around the market. A real step back in time.
To get to Lolland Island, just continue along the main road connecting the two islands. Here we recommend visiting the Mariboserne Nature Park, which opened in 1994 and extends over 50 square kilometers. It is one of the most important natural territories of the country.
Distance: 118 km
How to get to Falster:
It is located 118 km from Copenhagen, about an hour and 15 minutes by car.
How to get to Lolland: It is located 182 kilometers from Copenhagen, about an hour and 40 minutes by car.
Schedules: Islands are always available. Middelaldercentret is open from May to October from 10:00 to 16:00, closed on Mondays in May and September. Naturpark Mariboserne is always available.
Ticket price: entrance to Middelaldercentret costs approximately 18.70 euros. Admission to Naturpark Mariboserne is free.
Bornholm and Kristianse Island
Bornholm Island is an island in Denmark off the coast of Sweden. To reach it, you will need to cross the Ehresund Bridge to the Swedish city of Ystad, about 92 kilometers from the Danish capital, and from there take fast ferries.
Bornholm Island is ideal for lovers of wildlife and active sports: it is an ideal place for cycling and trekking excursions, thanks to the numerous trails. In addition, the landscapes that you will see are very different from each other, but they are all very promising: in the north of the island there are beautiful Sanctuary rocks consisting of granite and rising 22 meters above sea level, and in the south, there are beaches with fine sand.
The archipelago of Ertholmen, Christians, and Frederikso is located 20 km northeast of Bornholm Island, about an hour away by boat, connected by a pedestrian bridge. Here you will see unusual landscapes, some of the most beautiful in all of Denmark.
Distance: 92 km
How to get there:
Get to Ystad 92 kilometers from Copenhagen, about an hour and 12 minutes by car, here take one of the many fast ferries that depart every day to get to Bornholm Island, the total journey time is 3 hours.
Schedules: always available.
Ticket price: One-way ferry ticket from about 13.30 euros, including a car and a maximum of 5 people.
Malmo and Lund
Copenhagen is located on the border with Sweden, which is connected by the Ehresund Bridge leading to the city of Malmö. To change the status and dedicate a day to the discovery of this Swedish city, you will have to travel only 44 kilometers, both by car and by train, the journey time is about 40 minutes.
As soon as you arrive in Malmo, you will immediately notice that you are in a different atmosphere, starting with the architecture of the houses and the historical center, which is mainly built up around two squares, Stora Torget and Lilla Torget, where some of the most important sights and views of the city are located.
We advise you to take a walk on the streets of Gamla Staden, the heart of Malmo, full of colorful medieval-style houses, to visit Malmo Castle, the oldest Renaissance fortress in Sweden, admire the modern and futuristic Turning Torso tower, and take a break for lunch with a tasting of Swedish cuisine, for example, tubular, a meatball dish served with mashed potatoes and a sauce made of jam, a fruit similar to blueberries.
Lund is just 18 km from Malmo and can be reached in 10 minutes by train. It is a small medieval village with cobbled streets and traditional half-timbered houses. You will feel that you are taking a real step back in time. Despite its ancient side, Lund is a very young city with great nightlife because it is a university city.
Distance: 44.4 km
How to get:
Take the direct train at Copenhagen Kbenhavns Hovedbanegrd station and get off at Malmo Central Station, travel time 40 minutes.
Schedules: always available.
Ticket price: The cost varies depending on the attractions you want to visit.
Kristianstad
Kristianstad is a Swedish town near Malmö and Lund. It is located 153 kilometers from Copenhagen, so you can reach it in just an hour and 45 minutes by car. But the best way to get to your destination is undoubtedly a direct train that departs from Copenhagen and arrives at Kristianstad C station in an hour and 45 minutes.
Kristianstad is a charming town located on the banks of the Helge River. An ideal place for lovers of museums and nature: on the opposite shore you will find the Naturum Vattenriket ecomuseum, immersed in a beautiful, vibrant landscape, ideal for those who are passionate about bird watching; and in the center, you will find the beautiful gardens of Hlsotrdgrden open 24 hours a day and distinguished by its unique beauty.
Distance: 153 km
How to get there:
The train departs every hour in the direction of Kristianstad C from Copenhagen Kbenhavns Hovedbanegrd station, travel time 1 hour 45 minutes, 19.00 euros.
Schedules: the city is always available; Naturum Vattenriket is open from June to August every day from 10:00 to 17:00, in September from Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 17:00, from October to March from Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 16:00, from April to May from Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 17:00; Hlsotrdgrden is always available.
Ticket price: Free of charge.
