Free things to do in Copenhagen

Around the world in Superkilen

Ready for a show of cultural diversity and urban architecture? Superkilen is a park in the Nørrebro district between Nørrebrogade and Tagennsvej conceived by the likes of starchitects Bjarke Ingels Group. Nørrebro is home to many different nationalities, something clearly seen in the park with benches from Portugal jostling with British trash cans, swings from Iraq, manhole covers from Zanzibar, and a fountain from Marrakesh. It also hosts everything from martial arts to puppetry.

Free museum visits

Since 1 July 2016, many museums in Copenhagen charge an entrance fee, which used to be free. However, most museums here are continuing to offer free entrance one day a week, so if you play your cards right, you can gain free entry to Glyptoteket (Tuesdays), Den Hirschsprungske Samling (Wednesdays), Thorvaldsens museum (Wednesdays) and many other places.

Botanical Gardens

The Botanical Gardens are a delightful city oasis, which like all the parks and gardens in Copenhagen, is free to enter. Check out Palmehuset, a spectacular 16-meter high cast iron, timber and glass greenhouse from 1874, which is full of exotic plants and the permanent scent of summer.

Botanical Gardens

Christiansborg Palace and Tower

Until just a few years ago, the upper floors of Christianborg were a real mix of rooms but the 106-meter tower is now open to the public and offers stunning views across the rooftops and spires of Copenhagen - almost free. If you want to explore Denmark’s corridors of powers, there are four tours a day on Mondays to Fridays during school holidays. You must book however.

Christiansborg Palace and Tower

Living history

Warriors and kings, power struggles and intrigues – every day at 11am Copenhagen Free Walking Tours offers a free slice of history outside the Town Hall on Rådhusplads. Maybe you will see Strøget in a new light.

Rådhusplads

The changing of the guard

London doesn’t have a monopoly on bearskin hats or pomp and ceremony. Every day at noon you can watch the Royal Guard change watch outside Amalienborg, the royal family’s winter residence.

Amalienborg

Park Run at Amager Fælled

Every Saturday morning at 9am, you can take part in a free 5-kilometer run with timekeeping in Amager Fælled nature reserve. You can run entirely at your own pace and afterwards enjoy a coffee with the other runners at nearby Tobi’s Café. To take part, simply register no later than the day before you do your first run.

Park Run at Amager Fælled

Read daily newspapers and the latest magazines.

If you need to dodge a shower and wait for the sun to come out again, you can spend time in the Central Library (Hovedbiblioteket) on Krystalgade. There you can read newspapers, magazines and all sorts of periodicals free.

Hovedbiblioteket