Copenhagen Weekend: Castles, Design and Canal Walks

Begin Saturday with the royal rooms, throne chairs and Crown Jewels. Book a morning castle ticket, then walk through the surrounding gardens before lunch. This keeps the first half of the day around Nørreport.

The garden around Rosenborg gives you a free outdoor break after the castle. Follow the paths past the lawns and flower beds, then head west towards the food market at Torvehallerne.

Have lunch in the two market halls beside Nørreport. Look for smørrebrød, Danish open sandwiches, or pick up bread and pastries from the stalls. Seating is informal, so this works well as a flexible lunch between visits.

Walk south to the Round Tower and climb its broad spiral ramp to the viewing platform. The last part uses stairs. From here, continue through the centre towards Kongens Nytorv and Nyhavn.

Finish Saturday by the old harbour, where the painted houses line the canal. Walk along the quay and towards the waterfront for a longer stroll. Canal boat tours leave here if you want to see the harbour from the water.

Start Sunday on Bredgade with Danish furniture, craft and design. The museum opens at 10am on Sundays; spend around ninety minutes with the displays, then walk towards the Marble Church and Amalienborg.

Pause at the Marble Church on the short walk from the design museum to Amalienborg. Its dome frames the view along Frederiksgade. This is a brief architectural stop between the museum and palace square.

Walk through the palace square and out towards the harbour. The guard change is normally at noon, so the Sunday museum-first route can bring you here for it. Have lunch nearby before crossing to Christianshavn.

Cross the harbour via Inderhavnsbroen and walk the canals to Our Saviour’s Church. Its spiral tower has 400 steps, with the final section outdoors; reserve a tower ticket if you want the climb. Finish Sunday along the Christianshavn quays.