landmark
Tivoli Gardens
One of the world's oldest amusement parks, opened in 1843, blending fairy-tale gardens, rides, and performances in the heart of Copenhagen.
0 km · about 5 min drive
EuropeDenmarkCapital Region
Copenhagen
Capital Region, Denmark · Europe
About Copenhagen
Copenhagen works well as a base: 10 minutes from Vanløse, 1km from Christiansborg Palace.
Copenhagen is in Capital Region, Denmark, with about 1.2 million people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Vanløse, about 5 km away.
Copenhagen (Danish: København [kʰøpm̩ˈhɑwˀn] ) is the capital and most populous city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1.4 million. The city is situated mainly on the island of Zealand (Sjælland), with a smaller part on the island of Amager. Copenhagen is separated from Malmö, Sweden, by the Øresund strait. TheRead more
Øresund Bridge connects the two cities by rail and road.
Settled as a Viking fishing village in the 10th century in the vicinity of what is now Gammel Strand, Copenhagen became the capital of Denmark in the early 15th century. During the 16th century, the city served as the de facto capital of the Kalmar Union and the seat of the Union's monarchy, which governed most of the modern-day Nordic region as part of a Danish confederation with Sweden and Norway. The city flourished as the cultural and economic centre of Scandinavia during the Renaissance. By the 17th century, it had become a regional centre of power, serving as the heart of the Danish government and military. During the 18th century, Copenhagen suffered a devastating plague outbreak and urban conflagrations. Major redevelopment included the construction of the prestigious district of Frederiksstaden and the establishment of cultural institutions such as the Royal Theatre and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. The city became the centre of the Danish slave trade during this period. In 1807, the city was bombarded by a British fleet during the Napoleonic Wars, before the Danish Golden Age brought a Neoclassical look to Copenhagen's architecture. After World War II, the Finger Plan fostered the development of housing and businesses along the five urban railway routes emanating from the city centre.
Since the turn of the 21st century, Copenhagen has seen strong urban and cultural development, facilitated by investment in its institutions and infrastructure. The city is the cultural, economic, and governmental centre of Denmark; it is one of the major financial centres of Northern Europe with the Copenhagen Stock Exchange. Copenhagen's economy has developed rapidly in the service sector, especially through initiatives in information technology, pharmaceuticals, and clean technology. Since the completion of the Øresund Bridge, Copenhagen has increasingly integrated with the Swedish province of Scania and its largest city, Malmö, forming the Øresund Region. With several bridges connecting the various districts, the cityscape is characterised by parks, promenades, and waterfronts. Copenhagen's landmarks, such as Tivoli Gardens, The Little Mermaid statue, the Amalienborg and Christiansborg palaces, Rosenborg Castle, Frederik's Church, Børsen, and many museums, restaurants, and nightclubs are significant tourist attractions.
Copenhagen is home to the University of Copenhagen, the Technical University of Denmark, Copenhagen Business School, and the IT University of Copenhagen. The University of Copenhagen, founded in 1479, is the oldest university in Denmark. Copenhagen is home to the football clubs F.C. Copenhagen and Brøndby IF. The annual Copenhagen Marathon was established in 1980. Copenhagen is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world. Movia is a public mass transit company serving all of eastern Denmark except Bornholm. The Copenhagen Metro, launched in 2002, serves central Copenhagen. Additionally, the Copenhagen S-train, the Lokaltog (private railway), and the Coast Line network serve and connect central Copenhagen to outlying boroughs. Serving roughly 2.7 million passengers a month, Copenhagen Airport, Kastrup, is the busiest airport in the Nordic countries.
Where to Stay in Copenhagen
Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.
Filter presets
Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.
Compare before you book!
Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Copenhagen.
Explore the Area
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Copenhagen.
Loading map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Copenhagen?
Within an hour or so of Copenhagen: Tivoli Gardens (0 km), Christiansborg Palace (1 km), Conditori La Glace (1 km), Amalienborg Palace (2 km).
Are there any good drives near Copenhagen?
The nearest famous roads are Strandvejen: Danish Riviera Coastal Drive.
How long does it take to drive to Copenhagen?
Copenhagen to Stockholm is about 7 hr 37 min (654 km). Hamburg to Copenhagen is about 5 hr 4 min (469 km).
Where is Copenhagen?
Copenhagen is in Capital Region, Denmark, about 5 km from Vanløse.
Road trip
Drive to Copenhagen
Add it as a stop and the planner works out the driving, the nights and what's worth seeing on the way.
Start planningWhat's nearby?
Swipe through places to go
Places within a drive of Copenhagen. Keep the ones you like and add them to your trip.
Explore now
Quick Information
- Population
- 1,153,615
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Denmark
- Region
- Capital Region
- Timezone
- Europe/Copenhagen
- Coordinates
- 55.6759, 12.5655
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Denmark
Dipped headlights required at all times.
Full driving guide for DenmarkTags
Worth the detour from Copenhagen
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
castle
Christiansborg Palace
The seat of the Danish Parliament, Supreme Court, and Prime Minister's Office on the islet of Slotsholmen: a power centre for over 800 years.
1 km · about 5 min drive
cafe
Conditori La Glace
Denmark's oldest confectionery, serving layer cakes and hot chocolate in the same Copenhagen rooms since 1870. The 'sportskage', whipped cream, nougat and choux: has been on the counter since 1891.
1 km · about 5 min drive
castle
Amalienborg Palace
The home of the Danish royal family, four identical Rococo palaces around an octagonal courtyard with the daily changing of the guard.
2 km · about 5 min drive
landmark
The Little Mermaid
Bronze statue on the Copenhagen waterfront depicting Hans Christian Andersen's famous fairy-tale character.
3 km · about 5 min drive
landmark
Copenhagen Zoo
One of Europe's oldest zoos dating to 1859, known for its Norman Foster-designed elephant house.
3 km · about 5 min drive
coastal drive
Strandvejen: Danish Riviera Coastal Drive
The classic coast road north from Copenhagen to Elsinore along the Oresund shore, passing Bellevue Beach, whitewashed villas, fishing harbours and the Louisiana museum. Denmark's most stylish Sunday drive.
11 km · about 20 min drive
photogenic
Dragør
Old skipper town on Amager 12 km from central Copenhagen: 350 protected mustard-yellow, thatched houses along cobbled lanes by a working harbour. Locals' favourite evening stroll that most visitors to the capital never find.
11 km · about 20 min drive
Driving roads near Copenhagen
- Right hereStrandvejen: Danish Riviera Coastal DriveThe classic coast road north from Copenhagen to Elsinore along the Oresund shore, passing Bellevue Beach, whitewashed villas, fishing harbours and the Louisiana museum. Denmark's most stylish Sunday drive.
- 21 kmØresund BridgeDrive the 8 km cable-stayed bridge and tunnel linking Copenhagen and Malmö across the Øresund strait: famed from the Nordic-noir series 'The Bridge'; tolled crossing.
- 70 kmKullaberg Nature ReserveA craggy peninsula of cliffs, caves and a clifftop lighthouse where porpoises ride the waves below.
When to drive here
May to September
Far northern latitude: short daylight hours outside summer make long drives harder.
Nearby Destinations
Other places to explore near Copenhagen.
Plan a trip around Copenhagen
Your trip starts here
Plan a road trip from Copenhagen.
Pick the days, drop in the stops, and share it with whoever's coming.