You want to visit Copenhagen and spend as little as possible?

Then follow this Top 12 free tours, museums and activities to do in Copenhagen that we have created for you to enjoy without breaking the bank.

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Bakken

Coming to Copenhagen in spring or summer? Don’t forget to visit the Bakken, an amusement park located in Klampenborg.

Dyrehavsbakke (its official full name) is open to everyone for free. Of course, if you want to ride one of the rides you will have to pay, but you can enjoy the atmosphere of the park without breaking your budget.

If you plan to go there, we recommend you to go on a Wednesday and pay in cash, you will save 50% on the tickets of the attractions.

Don’t forget to bring your camera, as you can take a lot of good photos and videos in this unique park!

Once you’ve made it around the park, you can arrive at Jægersborg Dyrehave in no time.

Jægersborg Dyrehave

Right next to Bakken, you’ll find one of the latest sites added to the UNESCO World Heritage List (in July 2015): Jægersborg Dyrehave (French for “deer park”).

This wooded park of about 11 km² is known for its many deer that roam freely (and when we say many it really is many: about 2100 animals).

You will also find many trees that grow naturally instead of being planted. Trees are only cut down when they are dangerous for the public.

So the park is almost natural and offers sumptuous landscapes! It is really a site not to be missed when you stay for several days in the Danish capital. It is the perfect place to relax and escape the city!

Christiania

Christiania is a neighborhood where you will find some of the most creative and free spirits in Copenhagen.

In 1971, some hippies decided to create their own society with its own laws, different from the Danish government. They invented their own philosophy and still live by their rules.

But don’t get me wrong: As a tourist, there are some rules here that you have to keep in mind. Cameras (including smartphone cameras) are not particularly appreciated (because of the drug trade).

When you enter Christiania, keep in mind that there is a list of things you should not do.

Despite this, the area is definitely worth a visit, especially because of the contrast with the clean and modern Copenhagen you will see when you arrive in the city. This trip suddenly becomes very interesting, doesn’t it?

Nyhavn

Another area you have to visit is Nyhavn. If you are looking for a place to enjoy the atmosphere of the city, this is where you should go.

You will find many terraces, music (especially jazz), colorful houses and an absolutely charming little harbor.

It is simply the most lively area of the city. Hans Christian Andersen even lived here.

If you want to walk through the streets and admire the beautiful houses in the area, be sure to pass by numbers 18, 20 and 67!

Visit different museums

One of the good things about Copenhagen is that you will find several free museums. If you are a fan, you can spend your day visiting them.

The Statens Museum for Kunst and the Museum of Danish Resistance are always free, but most other museums are only free one day a week.

Wednesdays are usually the day that museums open to the public, so consider this when booking your Copenhagen getaway.

The Little Mermaid

Is the statue huge, impressive, breathtaking? No, not at all, and if you’re short on time, we even advise you not to make a detour if you’re not passing by.

But otherwise, it’s obviously a must-see in the city; it’s often described as the most disappointing attraction in the world, and for that reason alone, coming to see it is worth it.

The Little Mermaid (Den lille Havfrue) is supposed to represent the main character of the fairy tale written by, you guessed it, HC Andersen.

If you want to take some nice pictures, we recommend you to visit the charming creature at sunset.

Tårnet

Christiansborg Palace Tower should be on your list of must-see sights.

You can climb to the top of this tower for free (or at least take the elevator to it, as you are not allowed to climb the stairs) and you will enjoy a breathtaking view of Copenhagen.

It’s also the highest point in the city at 106 meters, ideal for taking some quality shots of the capital and its surroundings. Don’t forget that the tower is closed every Monday!

Visit Copenhagen on foot for free

Just like in most big cities, you can access free guided tours in Copenhagen.

This is one of the most fun ways to learn more about the history of this city and all without paying a euro of course. You can choose to take the one and a half hour tour or the three hour tour.

If you have some money left over, you can even continue the tour in one of the city’s pubs.

You will discover several of Copenhagen’s clubs, and you will even get a discount on the drinks, if you are lucky, you will even get a free drink.

Papirøen (Paper Island)

They say that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. I think that’s the case for everyone.

Unfortunately, food is not free in Copenhagen (oh if only…), but visiting Papirøen is definitely a must for all foodies and gourmets.

You will find all kinds of stands with food from all over the world (or almost).

Don’t hesitate to go around to find the perfect snack, place your order and then take your dish to the waterfront to enjoy it quietly after your walk through the streets of Copenhagen.

Free activities to do in Copenhagen, whatever the weather

Even though Copenhagen has a reputation for being an expensive city, the most astute visitors can take advantage of the many free attractions in the city as we have just seen.

Now, I’m going to suggest some free activities that you can do during your stay in Copenhagen without spending a cent and in any weather.

If it’s raining, you can spend the day in the museums and art galleries, while if it’s sunny you can enjoy the parks and gardens, and the one-off or daily free events.

With world-class museums such as the Statens Museum for Kunst and the National Museum (Nationalmuseet) opening their doors to visitors free of charge, you’ll have no excuse not to learn about Danish history and art.

Both museums offer excellent facilities for children and adults alike, and are not nearly as crowded as identical institutions in other major European cities.

The national museum also has an out-of-town annex, Frilandsmuseet, which offers family days from spring through October.

In good weather, you can take a walk to Copenhagen’s landmark, the Little Mermaid, as well as see the changing of the royal guard at Amalienborg Palace or take a trip north to Klampenborg and Dyrehavsbakken.

You can even enjoy free guided tours, including Sandemans New Copenhagen tours, which start outside City Hall on Rådhuspladsen seven days a week.

Copenhagen has excellent parks and gardens; one of the largest being the majestic Frederiksberg Have with its navigable lake and views of the adjacent zoo.

The Botanical Garden is an often overlooked tourist paradise not far from Nørreport Station where you can also take refuge in the many greenhouses if the weather turns stormy.

The Botanisk Have (Copenhagen Botanical Garden)

Part of the University of Copenhagen’s Natural History Museum, the Botanisk Have is a place of scientific research and conservation for academics studying at the university, but for visitors, it’s a green oasis in the heart of downtown Copenhagen.

With trees, flowerbeds, a lake and a café, walkers are invited to relax in a very natural atmosphere without paying a euro.

However, as a research facility, the garden is subject to strict rules and tourists are asked to respect them: Running, biking, climbing trees or picking flowers are not allowed. These rules also guarantee that you can enjoy the peace of these gardens.

If it’s cold or rainy, go to the old 19th century palm grove – a wonderfully romantic retreat where you can enjoy a tropical climate even in the middle of winter.

The changing of the guards

Amalienborg Palace, the residence of the Danish royal family, is guarded by elite soldiers in blue pants, with large black fur hats, who watch over the hexagonal-shaped royal square.

The changing of the guard takes place every day at noon at Amalienborg Palace, regardless of the weather.

After 24 hours of service, the guards are relieved by other soldiers who arrive from Rosenborg Palace to Kongens Have in an official parade.

Depending on the circumstances, the parade may or may not be accompanied by music: When the Queen, Dronning Margrethe, is in residence in the palace, the guards are accompanied by a brass band.

When a prince regent is present (Prince Henrik or Prince Joachim or Frederik) the arrival of the relief is done to the sound of flutes and drums.

The Frederiksberg Have

Certainly one of the most beautiful parks in Copenhagen but also one of the largest. Frederiksberg’s romantic landscape gardens date back to the late 18th century and were built in the English style that was popular at the time.

The huge lawns and tree-lined paths lead to Frederiksborg Royal Castle (now an academy for Danish officers and not open to the public), and are very popular in the summer for picnics and ball games.

In the summer, you can rent pedal boats to enjoy the coolness of the park’s lake, and there is a large children’s playground on one side of the park (where you will also find public toilets).

Among other attractions, don’t miss the Chinese pagoda and the Greek-style temple dating from 1802. Søndermarken, the wildest part of the park, lies south of Frederiksberg Have, and is also home to the local zoo.