If you're looking for unique things to do in Copenhagen that go beyond the usual tourist checklist, you've come to the right place.
Our list covers local favourites, alternative hot spots, fun experiences off the beaten path, and touristy things that are worth the hype. We spent a week in the city and these experiences stood out from the rest.
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Unique Things to Do in Copenhagen
1. Hang out in a former shipyard turned food market
Reffen Street Food Market
For a unique experience that is off-the-beaten-path, head to Reffen Street Food Market.
This open-air market, set in the industrial Refshaleøen neighbourhood, is an eclectic spot that feels like something you would find in Berlin. It's set in a former shipyard, with repurposed shipping containers adding to the creative atmosphere.
Rent a bike and make the scenic ride to Reffen - it's the best way to get there. When you arrive, you’ll be greeted by a colourful, lively space, complete with sandy areas dotted with beach chairs.
There are over 50 food stalls serving cuisine from around the globe, so you can taste flavours from every corner of the world in one place. Ari loved his carne asada sandwich and I enjoyed my dish of bubbly raclette cheese served over potatoes.
What makes Reffen even more exciting is the lineup of events and concerts. We had just missed a free show by Brazilian legend, Marcos Valle. Check out the events here.
2. See experiential and immersive art at Copenhagen Contemporary
If you visit Reffen Food Market, don't miss checking out Copenhagen Contemporary next door. Located in a former industrial warehouse, the cutting-edge gallery showcases installations from world renowned artists and emerging talent. It's one of the best alternative things to do in Copenhagen.
It's worth a visit just to see the immersive James Turrell exhibition. We don't want to give it away, but it's a sensory experience like no other.
✔️ Top Tip: We recommend visiting Copenhagen Contemporary when it first opens and then eating lunch at the Reffen Market after.
3. Walk through Copenhagen's independent hippie enclave
Freetown Christiania started in 1971 when squatters took over abandoned military buildings, creating a "hippie enclave" focused on alternative lifestyles and creative freedom.
However, as the independent community grew, criminal groups exploited the area's free-spirited culture and the illegal drug trade flourished on Pusher Street. In 2024, the Danish government shut down the market to rid the area of criminal gangs and locals of the village literally ripped up the cobblestone street as a symbolic act.
Despite the market's closure, Freetown Christiania’s unique spirit remains, with residents still living according to its alternative values.
It's fascinating to walk through Freetown Christiania, where you'll find colourful street art and an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in Copenhagen. It may feel like an unusual thing to do in the city, but it's a unique part of its history.
If you're interested in learning more, watch the documentary: Christiania: 40 Years of Occupation
🥗 Top Tip: Eat lunch at Morgenstedet, a delicious vegetarian restaurant in a tranquil setting. It's affordable for Copenhagen standards.
4. Listen to live jazz at Christiania Jazz Club.
Copenhagen has quite the jazz scene, with a summer jazz festival in July and a winter jazz festival in February. Even if you're not there during its festivals, it's easy to find live jazz shows throughout the year.
We recommend seeing a show at the quirky Christiania Jazz Club. Located in Freetown Christiana, it has been open since 1999 and is run by volunteers. The prices were very fair for cover and drinks when we went.
Jazz shows are on Wednesdays and Fridays. Check out their events.
🎷 Top Tip: Bring cash! They are a cash only venue. We recommend arriving at least 15 minutes before the show starts to get a decent seat.
5. Have a drink on the canal in Christianshavn
Copenhagen’s 17th-century canals lined with walking paths and houseboats offer a charming setting for an afternoon drink.
Our favourite spot for enjoying wine by the canal was Christianshavn. This neighbourhood felt the most scenic and peaceful and was mostly frequented by locals. It was the perfect place to people-watch and see the boats glide by.
For an idyllic cafe experience right on the water, we recommend Christianshavn Boat Rental & Cafe - time your visit for when the sun hits the cafe.
💲 Budget Tip: Pop into the 7-Eleven and pick up a beer or demi bottle of wine (it comes with a plastic cup), and find a scenic spot on a bench overlooking the canal. Drinking on the street is legal in Copenhagen.
6. Sip expert cocktails at Copenhagen's award-winning bars
Duck & Cover | Ruby
Copenhagen has a burgeoning cocktail scene with bars that are full of personality. Each one of these three cocktail bars has been recognized by the World's Best Bars team and offers well-crafted drinks.
Best for the decor: Duck & Cover
Located in the city's hip Vesterbro neighbourhood, Duck & Cover feels like a cool hangout den with its dim lighting and vintage Scandinavian furniture. It's our favourite bar of the three listed here. The stylish setting and "lived-in" atmosphere made it feel like a cozy get-together with friends. We had a fun journey trying different types of akvavit with the friendly bartender.
Best for the music: bird.
bird. is the only cocktail bar in Copenhagen currently ranked on the World’s 50 Best Bars list, coming in at #77. Located in the laidback Frederiksberg neighbourhood, the bar feels like a lively version of a Tokyo listening room with its custom sound system.
The vinyl music and soft textures and colours make you feel like you're at a local's private party. We enjoyed their clarified, pre-batched cocktails and were excited when a Soichi Terada album came on.
Best for the character: Ruby
Ruby is housed in an 18th-century townhouse in one of Copenhagen’s oldest neighbourhoods. The upstairs lounge is full of character, with a funky decor and plush seating, making it a great spot for both intimate dates or larger groups thanks to the big tables. A fun touch was the stand-up comedy playing in the bathrooms.
See more fun things to do in Copenhagen at night.
7. Have a blast at the second oldest amusement park in the world
Playing old-school carnival games at Tivoli Gardens and wearing the bucket hat I won!
As the world's second-oldest amusement park, dating back to 1843, Tivoli Gardens is packed with vintage charm. Walking through the gates feels like stepping back into childhood, with classic rides, old-school carnival games and a sense of nostalgia that’s rare to find.
It's a unique thing to do in Copenhagen for couples, friends, families, or even solo travellers. There are more than 30 rides, from family friendly ones to attractions for thrill seekers. We rode the vintage ferris wheel.
The analog/mechanical games, like balloon darts, whack-a-mole, can toss, basketball, and roll-a-ball horse race, brought back so many memories. If you win, you get tokens and can save them up for a prize. We felt like kids again, grinning non-stop!
Tivoli Gardens is also a pretty place to wander, with manicured gardens, colourful flower beds, fountains and outdoor art installations
🎡 Top Tip: a local gave us the recommendation to visit just before sunset to experience the park in daylight and then see it transform as thousands of lights illuminate the park at night. It was magical! Don't go too late though because there is so much to do.
🎠 Buy your Tivoli entrance ticket, or, if you love rides, buy a pass with unlimited rides.8. Eat a juicy burger in a converted gas station
Gasoline Grill may be a burger chain that started in a converted gas station, but it's no gas station quality burger. These juicy sandwiches are made fresh, never frozen, with organic Danish beef that is ground daily in house. Even their fries are made from organic Danish potatoes. It's a must-eat!
⛽ Top Tip: We recommend visiting its original location in a converted gas station at Landgreven 10. If you're short on time, you can also try these tasty burgers at Tivoli Gardens.
9. See an art exhibition in an underground water reservoir
Located underground in the middle of Sondermarken Park, Cisterns Gallery is a hidden gem in Copenhagen. The former water reservoir has transformed into one of the coolest art galleries we've ever seen. With no natural daylight inside, it's alluring and a bit eerie.
We saw the exhibition called "Start Again the Lament" by Taryn Simon, where powerful, traditional songs expressing grief echoed throughout the chamber. A lit pathway guided us through the darkness, and we were told if we stepped outside of it, we would end up with a wet shoe!
Check out our selection of the 10 coolest places in Copenhagen.
10. Unwind at a temple-inspired spa in the former Carlsberg Brewery
Former Carlsberg Factory that has been transformed into one of the city's coolest hubs
If you're a spa person, you cannot miss Aire, a luxurious bathhouse located in the beautifully restored Carlsberg Brewery. The spa in the 19th-century building feels like an ancient temple, with its dim lighting and candles lit everywhere.
Middle Eastern music played softly as we relaxed in different thermal baths: a hot pool, a saltwater pool, two body-temperature pools, and a couple cold plunges. The no-noise policy kept everything blissfully calm.
We booked the Escape Together 60’ package, which included a one-hour massage, 75 minutes in the thermal baths and a glass of bubbly or juice. They provided towels, robes, and water shoes, so all we needed to bring was a bathing suit.
Book your spa experience online.
11. Eat standout plant-based cuisine at Noma-recommended restaurants
Beyla | Baka d'Busk
Copenhagen was the first city where we unintentionally had entire vegetarian days. The city's plant-based cuisine stands out from anywhere we’ve travelled.
We were lucky enough to dine at Noma, arguably the world’s most famous restaurant. It had been at the top of my bucket list, especially knowing it’s set to close its doors in 2025. If you’ve never heard of Noma, it pioneered New Nordic cuisine and revolutionized fine dining with its focus on foraging and using hyper-local ingredients. It’s also one of the restaurants that inspired the movie The Menu.
When we dined there, we were fortunate to get insider recommendations from the Noma team on where else to eat in Copenhagen. Thanks to their tips, we discovered some incredible restaurants that left us wowed:
Baka d’Busk: Tucked away in the trendy Nørrebro district, this funky spot offers impressive vegetarian dishes without taking itself too seriously. The atmosphere is lively, with fun servers and fun music. Our meal began unexpectedly with a complimentary shot to kick off the experience, followed by an elegant, yet playful tasting menu.
Beyla: Located in Carlsberg Byen, Beyla serves Asian-inspired vegan dishes. It's located within walking distance from Aire Spa, so it's a nice place to grab lunch after. The must-try dish? The Korean fried blue oyster mushrooms with gochujang chili.
Durum Symfoni: A casual and delicious shawarma spot offering great value. For a vegetarian dish, try the falafel durum with their vegan sauce.
12. Party in the Meatpacking District
Kødbyens Fiskebar | Copenhagen Jazz Festival afterparty at H15 scene
For a night out, the Meat Packing district is where you'll find buzzy and trendy restaurants, bars and nightclubs open late.
Start your evening at Kødbyens Fiskebar, a lively seafood restaurant in a former butcher shop. Sit outside if their terrace is open and pair their fresh fish dishes with cold white wine. With groovy tunes like Vincent Montana playing in the background, it’s a fun place to kick off the night.
We noticed plenty of bars and clubs around Kødbyens Fiskebar and down Slagtehusgade Street, like Jolene Bar and ABEN Brewery.
We ended up at a Jazz Festival afterparty at H15 Scene that we found through Resident Advisor. It's a great resource for nightlife events in the city. Or, just stroll down the strip, listen to the music/vibe, and choose spontaneously.
13. Swim in the canal at the effortlessly chic La Banchina
One thing that sets Copenhagen's canals apart is that they are clean enough to swim in, which you don’t find in many cities. There are plenty of nice spots along the canals to take a dip, but La Banchina is definitely the coolest.
We've never seen so many attractive people in one place in our lives - everyone was so effortlessly stylish and the atmosphere felt magnetic. Spending a sunny day here is a must-do in Copenhagen.
Grab a refreshing juice, a glass of natural wine, or a plant-based dish at the beach shack-inspired cafe and choose a spot on the dock to soak up the sun. Located in the offbeat Refshaleøen neighbourhood, it feels like a hidden gem.
Don't forget to bring a towel!
🧖♀️ Top Tip: travelling to Copenhagen during its colder months? Book their private sauna!
14. Taste Noma's flavours at their neighbourhood burger joint
You don’t have to splurge at Noma to taste its creations. In 2020, Noma opened POPL Burger at the Broens Gadekøkken food market, offering a more casual way to enjoy their delicious dishes.
While we tried dining inside once, we found it more affordable and worth it to order a burger from their takeout counter to enjoy by the scenic Kroyer Plads waterfront.
🧪 Top Tip: At POPL Burger you can pick up Noma's signature food products from their test kitchen and fermentation lab here. Ari can't live without their mushroom garum cooking sauce.
15. Go vintage shopping
Clockwise from top left: Jerome Vintage, Verhanen, VON Eco Store
The vintage scene in Copenhagen is one of the best we've seen in the world. Copenhageners have a chic and understated style that doesn't go unnoticed. With such fashionable locals and renowned Danish designer brands, it's no surprise vintage stores are packed with gems.
These were our favourite vintage stores in Copenhagen:
- Rosy Vintage/Jerome Vintage - where you'll find high-end designer vintage
- VON Eco Store - for well-curated vintage and second hand clothing
- Veirhanen - for vintage Danish glassware
16. Stay in the picturesque Christianshavn neighbourhood
Our apartment was stylishly decorated with vintage Danish furniture and quirky artwork, and the full kitchen was handy for making breakfast. As a welcome treat, we were given a gourmet chocolate chip cookie that was so delicious we went straight to the reception to buy three more!
🛋️ Browse more stays in Copenhagen17. Shop for chic treasures at the Sunday Flea Market
Gentofte Loppemarked Sunday Flea Market
For affordable second-hand clothing, check out the Gentofte Loppemarked Sunday Flea Market, one of the largest in Copenhagen. It's located in an affluent area that may seem far north, but it's easy to reach by train.
Once there, you'll be greeted by endless racks of clothes sold by stylish locals in the park. It can be a bit overwhelming with so many options, but it’s a treasure trove for unique finds. The market had mostly women's clothes, but you'll also find a few housewares and some men's clothing.
I picked up a retro Givenchy sweater, a striped Isabel Marant button-up, vegan leather Proenza Schouler pants and a Calvin Klein Jeans cardigan, all at great prices.
It's open every Sunday from mid-April to early October.
18. Hang out at quirky cafes with fashionable locals
Beau Marche Cafe a Vins | Det Vid Hus
Copenhagen has no shortage of quirky cafes where fashionable locals like to hang out. Spending time at these local favourites, sipping coffee and people-watching is one of the best non-touristy things to do in the city.
These were our favourite cafes with a creative and local atmosphere:
Sonny - felt like a relaxed "it spot" for brunch with locals around their 30s. We enjoyed the Sonny cold pressed juice and homemade open-faced sandwich with avocado, poached egg, and herbs on rye toast.
Det Vid Hus - the food at this art-filled cafe was excellent. We ordered their avocado toast with a fried cheese layer, za'atar fried egg and their juice of the day. Don't miss the cute section upstairs with cozy seating and a window that looks out onto the park.
Beau Marche Cafe a Vins - this cafe was on the most charming street of the three and felt more upscale. Its line of outdoor tables was perfect for people-watching. Don't miss the boutique shop inside with a unique curation of vintage and new housewares.
19. Spend a rainy day at Designmuseum Denmark
I often get bored at museums, but at Designmuseum Denmark, I felt like I didn’t have enough time to see everything.
The museum offers an eclectic curation of exhibits, including a wall of furniture from iconic 20th-century Danish designers, alongside rotating installations on topics like design, fashion, sustainability and contemporary art. It's a great activity to do on a rainy day.
Top Tip: If you plan to visit multiple museums and attractions like Designmuseum Denmark, Tivoli Gardens and the Cisterns Gallery, you may benefit from getting a Copenhagen Card Discover. It includes access to 80+ attractions plus access to all transport (bus, metro, trains and harbour bus).20. Walk the colourful 17th-Century Nyhavn canal
You’ll definitely find this in every Copenhagen travel guide, but you can’t miss walking along the 17th-century Nyhavn canal lined with colourful townhouses. These historic buildings, once used for trade, have now been converted into restaurants, cafes, bars and homes.
Because it's such a popular tourist spot, finding a good outdoor table can be tricky. We recommend grabbing a coffee to go and sitting along the boardwalk to observe the lively atmosphere around you.
Top Tip: see a new perspective of the city by booking a guided boat tour that takes you along the canal.21. Eat irresistible baked goods from a former Noma baker
For the best baked goodies in Copenhagen, don't miss Hart Bakery. Founded by a former Noma baker, it’s known for its sourdough and irresistible pastries.
There are 10 locations around the city - our favourite we visited was the Holmen location. We loved the quiet surroundings and the outdoor seating in the back by the canal. We stopped by on our way to La Banchina for a swim.
We hope you enjoyed these unique things to do in Copenhagen!
Plan your trip with our Copenhagen 4 day itinerary.
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Don't forget about travel insurance
👩⚕️ For affordable travel insurance: go with SafetyWing - it's budget-friendly and you can even buy it while abroad, but note the max medical coverage is $250,000 USD. 🏥 For comprehensive travel insurance: go with World Nomads - it's more expensive, but the max emergency medical coverage is $5-10 million, depending on the plan.Save and pin these unique things to do in Copenhagen for later:
