How to Make the Most of the Copenhagen Card, Denmark

Copenhagen, Denmark’s captivating capital, isn’t a cheap place to visit. That’s to be expected from a major Scandinavian city. But it’s also somewhere that you don’t want to skimp on, because otherwise you’re really going to miss out. Which is why you need to look into the Copenhagen card before your visit. Based on my experience with it during my trip to Copenhagen, I genuinely think it’s worth considering.

City cards and passes are quite common through Europe’s bigger cities. But that doesn’t mean they’re all worth getting. You really need to do the math on every city pass or travel card, because too often they don’t actually include the right attractions or save you money. That’s not a worry with the Copenhagen city card. I personally saved over 100€ with it while in Denmark, which should answer the question “Is the Copenhagen card worth it?”.

The Copenhagen Card

With this Copenhagen card review, my aim is to show you what you can get out of it and how easy it is to use. That means describing what is included in the Copenhagen card price and the various options you’ll have. Much of this article will focus on the Copenhagen card list of attractions because it is so extensive. It’s really impressive how many of Copenhagen’s highlights you get free entry to, as well as the Copenhagen card discount you get on tours and restaurants.

But the other major perk of this package is that it includes public transport as well. While valid, you have free and unlimited access to the Copenhagen public transportation network, including to the airport. Even better, you can travel for free on trains throughout the Capital Region of Denmark and nearby areas like Roskilde. All the details on which areas are included can be found on this map.

Using the card couldn’t be easier either. Unlike some destinations, the card is widely recognised by attractions and public transport, so they’re familiar with the process for accepting it. The hard part is really deciding what you’re going to see.

Choosing Your Card

When ordering your card there’s one choice you’ll need to make. One is the duration of your card, with cards that range from one to five days. I opted for the 3 day Copenhagen Card, since it was the best fit for my trip. Naturally, you’ll need to work out which card provides the best value for you.

That’s where this program really excels. Their website has a calculator that lets you tick off all the attractions you want to see and shows you how much they would cost individually against the Copenhagen card cost. It even factors in public transport access for those days so you get the full picture on how much you could save.

In the past, you also had the choice of a physical card or a digital card on your smartphone. I don’t believe the Copenhagen Card digital card was around when I visited, but now a digital card is your only way to get it. This makes the card even easier to use, since usually the only hassle with these programs is collecting the card, but having it on your phone already fixes that.

Palaces and Castles

Now, it’s time to get into all the Copenhagen attractions you can freely visit, starting with the city’s palaces and castles. You’re actually spoilt for choice in Copenhagen on this front as there are multiple residences tied to the Danish Royal Family.

The most significant though is clearly Christiansborg Palace, a vast palace complex on the islet of Slotsholmen in the city centre. You can easily devote half a day to this palace, thanks to the Royal Reception Rooms, Royal Stables, Royal Kitchen and Underground Ruins. Card holders have access to all of this, but if you’re short on time, prioritise the Royal Reception Rooms. That tour boasts some stunning halls and rooms, not to mention the Royal Throne Room.

Also within Copenhagen you’ll find the Amalienborg Palace and Rosenborg Castle. Amalienborg Palace is the Royal Family’s winter residence and has a museum dedicated to the lives of recent monarchs. Then there’s Rosenborg Castle, a pretty Renaissance castle that’s now a museum and home to the Crown Jewels and Royal Treasury.

Art Museums

Like fellow Scandinavian capitals Oslo and Stockholm, Copenhagen is blessed with some world-class art collections. The city’s two best can be found at the SMK – National Gallery of Denmark and the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek. Both are included in the city pass and can easily take up several hours each. One clever way to fit them in is to save them for the late afternoon. The art museums tend to be open a little later than other attractions, making it a smart use of your time. Plus, they’re bound to be quieter later in the day.

It’s hard not to be impressed by the National Gallery of Denmark, also known as the SMK. Denmark’s largest art museum, it possesses vast collections of Danish and European art. You may not be familiar with the Danish artists but their section is well worth the time. As for its international names, you’ll see works by Rubens and Munch there, as well as an excellent collection of works by Matisse. 

As for the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, it isn’t too shabby either. Set inside an imposing building with a lush winter garden inside, it was an easy highlight of my time in Copenhagen. One look at its immense collection of ancient sculptures is sure to impress, as will its display of Rodin statues. It also features a superb selection of French Impressionist paintings, with a long list of well-known names like Monet, Manet, Cézanne and Degas.

City Museums

While you may be tiring of spending your visit indoors, Copenhagen has other museums that deserve a look. I didn’t have too much time for many more museums, so I focused on the National Museum. No regrets with that decision.

The National Museum is great if you want to learn more about Denmark’s history, with its exhibits diving deep into various aspects of its past. On display you’ll see countless artefacts like weapons, human remains, jewellery, battle horns, drinking horns, rune stones etc. You get the idea. But the most memorable exhibit that I’ve never seen before was the incredible recreations of Viking faces they had. Seeing a lifelike face of a Viking warrior with hair and tattoos was really something cool and unique.

Other big museums include the Amber Museum, the Natural History Museum of Denmark and the Museum of Copenhagen. Just with the art museums, how many you see should be based on your own interests and attention span.

Copenhagen Attractions

Of course, not all of the attractions included in the Copenhagen Card are museums and palaces. Which is probably a good thing for variety’s sake. Other things to do in Copenhagen that are covered focus on landmarks, entertainment and boat tours.

In terms of city landmarks, you have places like City Hall and the Round Tower. With both, you’re given access to their tower views so you can admire Copenhagen’s busy skyline. Same story for the tower of the Church of Our Saviour. On the entertainment front, you have free entrance to the iconic Tivoli Gardens Amusement Park, although rides are separate. Then there are places like Copenhagen Zoo, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! and Casino Copenhagen, each with their own appeal.

Then there are all the boat tours included as part of this Copenhagen pass. The city is known for its super pretty canals and waterways, making a boat trip a great way to see the best of Copenhagen. Included in the card are the boats with Canal Tours Copenhagen, the Netto Boats tour and other boat tours throughout the region.

Day Trips from Copenhagen

What’s really great is that the Copenhagen Card isn’t limited to just inside the city itself. You have the previously mentioned train travel around the region, which makes it even easier to do day trips. But there are also loads of free attractions included from this wider region. All of this means you can actually do day trips from Copenhagen that are essentially free with the card.

While there are some isolated attractions included like the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art and ARKEN Museum of Modern Art, attractions can often be combined into a focused day trip. Some day trips to consider include:

• Roskilde, a city on the limits of the transport zone with the famous Viking Ship Museum and the royal tombs of  Roskilde Cathedral.
• Helsingor, a pleasant seaside city home to Kronborg Castle of Hamlet and the impressive M/S Maritime Museum of Denmark.
• Frederiksborg Castle, a stunning Renaissance castle surrounded by lakes and gardens in the town of Hillerod.

Travel Tips for Visiting Copenhagen

Since we’re talking about Copenhagen, I may as well share tips for visiting. If you’re a budget traveller, then I think Wakeup Copenhagen – Carsten Niebuhrs Gade is pretty good value. It’s a ten minute walk to the main station and one of the cheaper options in this expensive city.

That being said, there’s loads of accommodation in Copenhagen if you don’t mind spending more. As for food recommendations, I relied on supermarkets a lot to help save money. I did enjoy the sandwiches at Vandkunsten Sandwich Rådhusstræde mind you.

What experience do you have with city cards or passes and do you think they’re good value? Do you think you’ll get the Copenhagen Card when you visit? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

This article is now available as a mobile app. Go to GPSmyCity to download the app for GPS-assisted travel directions to the attractions featured in this article.