The Best Copenhagen Day Trips
There’s so much to see and do in Copenhagen but, if you’re like me and you’re in the city for an extended period of time, you’ll want to see what else is out there. This list of ten Copenhagen day trips includes my favorite city escapes. Most are within an easy one hour travel time and show another side of Denmark (and Sweden!) that you can’t get in Copenhagen.
Gilleleje
Perhaps the most well-known jewel of the Danish Riviera, this coastal town boasts some beautiful beaches and quintessential seaside Danish food. When the weather is good, I like to start with a morning at one of the town beaches, with time running around on the beach, soaking up that glorious Nordic sunlight and a brief dip in the Baltic.
After that, we head to Gilleleje Havn/Harbor for beer and fried fish. Adamsens Deli is our favorite and we always try to stop there when we’re in Gilleleje.
You can reach Gilleleje in under an hour by car from Copenhagen city center or, if you’re car-less, take public transport. You’ll have to take the S-tog A line and then switch to a local train in Hillerød, but it’s not too complicated. Also, it’s helpful to have a bike to get around once you’re there so you can quickly get from place to place. Be sure to consult GoogleMaps or another navigation system for train schedules and quickest routes.
Helsingør
Easy to access by train (take the regional train from Copenhagen Central Station, Nørreport or Hellerup), Helsingør is the home of Kronborg Castle. Famous for inspiring Shakespeare’s Hamlet, this town is so picturesque that it’s easy to spend a whole day here. Visit the castle, explore the coastline, check out the Maritime Museum, the small and cozy Øresunds Akvariat/Aquarium or wander the alleyways of the town.
If you want to tack on an extra adventure, make your way to Danmarks Tekniske Museum. Home to airplanes, cars, other vehicles and other technology-related exhibits, it’s a bit out of the way, but a fun way to spend a few hours. My kids love all of the interactive options they have.
CC Favorite: Check out KageFryd in Helsingør town center for delicious coffee, cake or other treats.
Møn
Denmark is a country made up of hundreds of islands and Møn might be one of my favorites. Head here to take in the beautiful cliffs that line the southern shores. On a sunny day, the water is an incredible teal color, contrasting against the chalky white cliffs. There’s a fun, short-yet-stair-filled hike to reach the coastline.
GeoCenter Møns Klint offers different exhibitions related to the geological history of Denmark. We have yet to catch the center when it’s open (check the hours before you go), but we always have a lot of fun just exploring the coastline of Møn.
Roskilde
There are so many things to do in Roskilde to easily fill a day (or two). Within the city center you can visit the Roskilde Domkirke/Cathedral, burial place of Denmark’s kings and queens. The Viking Ship Museum offers visitors the chance to see viking long ships under construction.
Outside of the city, you can meander through Skjoldungernesland National Park, kayak the fjord, or visit my favorite Thomas Dambo troll at the Lynghøj Lakes.
CC Favorite: In the Roskilde city center, stop for a quick lunch at Lene’s Street Food, a classic Danish pølsevogn (sausage stand). Order a flæskesteg or frikadeller sandwich or a Danish-style hot dog.
Råjeleje
Another beach town north of Copenhagen, this is my favorite place to head out of the city in warm weather. The town of Rågeleje itself is adorable, with colorful beach huts and the perfect western facing coastline for incredible sunsets. I think the beach at Heatherhill nature reserve is the best on the entire island of Zealand.
Odense
Danmarks Jernbanemuseum/The Danish Railway Museum is a fun stop for anyone interested in train travel, with multiple interesting exhibits. Wander the streets of the inner city for fun restaurants and a cozy ambience. Take note that this is also the home of Hans Christian Andersen. You can visit the H.C. Andersen House to learn more about the famous author.
CC Favorite: Café Sølle is a great stop for breakfast, lunch or coffee and treats.
Furesø
This lake is one of the largest you’ll see in Denmark, so head here for an extended bike ride or walk, or find a fire pit and grill up an outside lunch. In the summer, stop by the bathing beach (Furesøbad) for a swim and ice cream. The water is frigid, so it’s really great on an actually hot day. If you’re into kayaking or rowing, there are great options for taking to the water.
Aarhus
The longest of my suggested day trips, Aarhus is a solid 3 hour drive. Some of that driving time includes a ferry with coffee and food for sale, so it’s not as bad as it sounds. You can also reach Aarhus by train in a little under 3 hours. You may have to make an early start, but Aarhus is home to some super cool museums and bakeries. It’s Denmark’s second city and worth a visit.
Den Gamle By is my favorite “old world” open air museum in all of Denmark. These are popular here, but this one does it best, with lots of buildings open for exploration and designed from multiple time periods.
ARoS is a modern art museum that has so much interactive material for children – there’s an entire room where kids can paint on the walls and furniture, as well as staff presenting different types of art forms children can try out. Also, the rainbow bridge atop the building is a really great experience.
DavidBreadHead and La Cabra are incredible bakeries worth checking out. Visit Aarhus Street Food to find something for everyone, as well as sample some great beer.
Visit Dokk1 for a lovely library surrounded by incredible playgrounds looking out at the water. We always end up returning here multiple times if we’re in Aarhus for more than a few hours.
Kullaberg, Sweden
If you have access to a car, this is a must do. Take the ferry from Helsingør to Helsingborg, Sweden. From there, drive the scenic coastline for about 45 minutes up to Kullaberg, a natural area that sits on a peninsula. There are incredible views and even better exploring fun on the coastline. My kids love this place, especially if they spot a seal in the water.
If you’re in the area and up for something a little more bizarre, stop by Nimis, an enormous piece of art on the other side of Kullaberg. A local artist has built a giant structure from driftwood in his self-proclaimed autonomous country of Ladonia.
You can precariously climb through it and skip down the coastline to the Ladonia castle. It will completely ignite your imagination!
Skodsborg
An easy 30 minute train ride from Copenhagen Central Station, this is the day trip for you if you’re looking for ease, fresh air, and forest and ocean views. If you choose to drive, parking is plentiful.
Whether you’re starting from the parking lot or the train station, a super fun playground as well as an exercise circuit are within a five minute walk. My kids love to run the cross-fit like exercise loop (they climb walls and clear obstacles) these days, but the playground was a huge hit for them in younger years. Due to its proximity to the king’s former hunting grounds, climbing structures are themed as the king with his hunting dogs chasing a large buck. It’s a classic example of a creative and engaging Danish playground.
At the park you’ll find communal fire places prepared for grilling. Bring along the quintessential Danish forest lunch (sausages) and make a whole morning of just this part of the trip. Afterwards, be sure to head out on a forest walk to Bøllemosen, a small lake featuring boardwalk trails.
If you have more time, it’s an easy 10 minute walk through town to the beach. You can stop for ice cream at the Skodsborg train station if you need a refresher.
I hope these favorite Copenhagen day trips inspire you to get out of the city and explore what’s all around it. Do you have a favorite way to spend a day away from CPH?
For more Copenhagen travel inspiration, check out these posts.
