You hear people talk about hygge all the time – a word that first appeared in Danish writing back in the 18th century. Since then, it’s rooted itself deeply in Danish culture and identity. If you’ve never been to the Scandinavian country, let this be your reason to make Copenhagen your first stop to experience all that hygge represents: cosiness, relaxation, indulgence, and gratitude.
Forget Tivoli Gardens, Nyhavn, and Hans Christian Andersen; here are 10 things to do in Copenhagen that you won’t find in your usual travel guides to this capital city that’s, by the way, just across the bridge from Malmö in southern Sweden.
The current exchange rate is 100kr = ~S$20.16 as of 24th November 2025.
Table of Contents
Don’t be surprised to see hordes of Copenhageners shedding their clothes and stepping into the frigid harbour waters even in the depths of winter, because winter bathing is no biggie in these parts. It goes against everything our Asian mothers have warned us about: no washing your hair at night, no cold showers, and all that. On the contrary, many Danes believe that cold water swimming is a mood booster that “shocks” you into happiness and is, in fact, good for your health.
Image credit: Sabine Höller via Facebook
After an invigorating dip, warm up in one of Copenhagen’s floating saunas or hot tubs, available as private rentals or shared spaces. Winter Island, for instance, is a floating platform with panoramic views, and even a cafe.
P.S. If it’s your first time winter bathing, let your body acclimatise by entering the water gradually. Stay in for no more than 30 seconds, and dry off and change as soon as you get out. As tempting as it may seem, jumping straight into a hot shower can actually make your extremities feel even colder as blood rushes back to your core.
Check out the Visit Copenhagen website for a list of spots where you can do as the locals do.
Image credit: @denmarkdotdk via Instagram
This next spot on the list is one for fans of the Bard, for the fortress of Elsinore in his iconic play Hamlet was inspired by this very castle – Kronborg Castle, said to be one of the most important Renaissance castles in northern Europe. For the ones checking off bucket lists, it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Image credit: @its.me.kasper via Instagram
The history of Kronborg dates back to the 1500s, when it was built as a coastal stronghold guarding the entrance to the Baltic Sea. It’s been through iterations as a Renaissance castle, prison, and army barracks, and you can see glimpses of its storied past on a visit to the restored site.
Image credit: Thomas Rafn-Larsen
Come in summer to catch open-air stagings of Hamlet; or admire the statue of the sleeping Holger Danske – a Danish hero who, according to Arthurian legend, was taken to Avalon by Morgan le Fay before returning to save France. He is said to lie in stasis within Kronborg, waiting to rise again should his homeland ever be in danger.
Children visit Kronborg Castle for free, while adult tickets are priced at 145kr (~S$29.29).
Address: Kronborg 2C, 3000 Helsingør
Opening hours: Tue–Sun 10am–4pm (Closed Mon except holidays)
Contact: +45 49 21 30 78 | Kronborg Castle website
Image credit: @goboatcph via Instagram
Row, row, row your boat takes on new meaning in Copenhagen, the city of canals and waterways that are a testament to its maritime history. Going on a boat tour of the city is a great way to see it through the lens of those long-time-ago folk, but an even better way is to hire your own boat to get yourself around town – no licence required.
Here’s where you’ll want the GoBoat Classic option, which takes up to 8 people and is available in blocks of 1-5 hours. For instance, a 2.5h hire costs from 999kr (~S$201.76) and is inclusive of a 15-minute, all-you-need-to-know course on how to sail the craft, which is built with recycled plastic in the name of sustainability.
Image credit: Abdellah Ihadian
That’s not all – all of the GoBoat boats run on wind- and solar-powered energy, with silent electric motors so you won’t be bothered by diesel fumes and loud chugging as you sail past Christianshavn and the Opera House. Arm yourself with the GoBoats map too, for the best routes around Copenhagen Harbour.
Do note that the operating hours might vary through the seasons, so it’s best to check and book ahead of time.
Address: Islands Brygge 10, 2300 Copenhagen S
Opening hours: 9.30am–sunset, Daily
Contact: +45 92 90 20 00 | GoBoat Copenhagen website
Little Tilde.
Image credit: Thomas Dambo
We’re going on a bear hunt, we’re going to catch a big one, goes the nursery rhyme, but here in Copenhagen, it’s not bears you’re after in the woods, but massive wooden trolls – the works of Danish artist Thomas Dambo. Collectively known as “Forgotten Giants”, there are 6 of these massive sculptures scattered through the forests and parks surrounding Copenhagen, made entirely of recycled wood with the help of local volunteers.
Hilltop Trine.
Image credit: Thomas Dambo
Find a map online, or look for clues to seek out Oscar Under the Bridge, Teddy Friendly, Thomas on the Mountain, and their friends on an adventure that’ll take you out of the city and into the ‘burbs.
Bjarke Cirkelsten.
Image credit: Daniel Rasmussen
Unlike the malevolent beings of Danish and Scandinavian folklore that turn to stone in the sun, these friendly looking “Forgotten Giants” were actually intended to bring art out of museums and into the often-overlooked beauty of nature. Plus, there are no entrance fees required.
Find out more about The Forgotten Giants.
Image credit: Bakken
Bakken may only be open in summer, but you must put it on your Copenhagen list so you can visit it when the season rolls around. It holds the honour of being the oldest amusement park in the world, and is found smack dab in the middle of one of Denmark’s most beautiful woods – Dyrehaven, or Deer Park, another UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Fallow deer at Dyrehaven.
Image credit: lilz via Pinterest
The fairground, which dates back to the 17th century, even predates King Frederik III’s declaration that the area be made a royal hunting ground – one that would soon teem with free-roaming deer whose descendants still wander the forest today.
Pjerrot performer at Bakken.
Image credit: Bakken
Did we also mention – entry to Bakken is completely free, but you’ll have to buy an all-day wristband (from 279kr, ~S$56.35) to take the 33 rides in the park, including the Rutschebanen, a wooden roller coaster that was built in 1932. Don’t miss the daily Pjerrot performances, starring the famous white-faced clown who’s kept Bakken guests entertained for more than 200 years.
Address: Dyrehavevej 62, 2930 Klampenborg
Contact: +45 39 63 35 44 | Bakken website
Image credit: @anastasia_osss via Instagram
From one free attraction to another, the next takes you into the hallowed halls of Grundtvig’s Church, AKA Grundtvigs Kirke, named after the Danish philosopher N.F.S. Grundtvig. It’s not as old as many of Europe’s other famed cathedrals, with construction taking place between 1921-1940, but it stands out for a myriad of reasons, not least its striking minimalist aesthetic – no stained glass and gilded finishes here.
Image credit: @rilappanda via Instagram
A marriage of modern Brick Expressionism and classic Gothic architecture, the building’s exterior resembles a church organ, with a bell tower that rises 49m into the heavens, while the nave features the stepped gables typical of Danish village churches.
Image adapted from: @anastasia_osss via Instagram
Perhaps most striking of all is its sandy yellow hue – the church was built entirely with 6 million bricks crafted from Danish clay. Visit by day to see it softly illuminated by sunlight, the warm yellows lending the space a sense of serenity. You’d be amazed how awe-inspiring it is in its simplicity.
Take note of service timings and holy days – sightseeing is not allowed during these times. You can also book a tour that gives you access to the crypt, ceiling, and tower, though it’s conducted in Danish. This tour is priced at 50kr (~S$10.10) for adults and 20kr (~S$4.04) for children under 12.
Address: På Bjerget 14B, 2400 Copenhagen
Opening hours: 10am–4pm, Tue–Sat (Closed Mon)
Contact: +45 35 81 54 42 | Grundtvigs Kirche website
Psychosphere, 2025.
Image credit: @cisternene, @jakob_kidsk_steensen, @david_stjernholm via Instagram
The Cisterns, or Cisternerne – today about a 4,400sqm art exhibition space – was once an underground reservoir holding 16 million litres of clean drinking water for Copenhageners in the 1850s, following a severe cholera outbreak.
Psychosphere, 2025.
Image credit: Maria Kathrine Preisler
This year’s exhibit, Psychosphere, which runs until 30th November, is an immersive installation by Danish visual artist Jakob Kudsk Steensen, whose works explore the relationship between natural phenomena, humans, and technology. He spent 5 years diving to document deep-sea volcanic landscapes before reinterpreting them for the Cisternerne in a multi-dimensional experience you’ll want to catch while you can.
After Psychosphere, the Cisternerne will close till 13th March 2026.
Image credit: @cisternene via Instagram
Every year, the Frederiksbergmuseerne, which manages the Cisternerne, invites a renowned artist or architect to create an exhibition tailored to the unique climate and character of Denmark’s only true dripstone cave, where humidity stays close to 100% and the temperature rarely exceeds 16°C.
Adult tickets are priced at 120kr (~S$24.24), while anyone between 18-27 years old pays 90kr (~S$18.18) for entry.
Alternatively, a Frederiksberg Museum Pass costs 180kr (~S$36.35) and offers 1 year’s access to the Cisternerne, as well as Bakkehuset, STORM, and Møstings Hus, plus a 10% discount at museum shops on your visit days.
Fun fact: Frederiksberg Hill, under which the Cisternerne sits, rises 30m above sea level, which is the highest point in Frederiksberg, and one of the highest natural points in the otherwise flat city of Copenhagen.
Address: Frederiksberg Runddel, 2000 Frederiksberg
Opening hours: Tue–Sun 11am–6pm (Closed Mon)
Contact: +45 28 51 54 06 | Cisternerne website
Image credit: @copenhagen_beerweek via Instagram
Copenhagen has been named the happiest city in the world, and some say it might be because of just how much beer is brewed and enjoyed there. FYI, the beverage has a history stretching back 5,000 years, and the Vikings themselves were known to live on beer, as it was safer to drink than water.
In fact, the first brewers’ guild was founded in 1525, and the signature greens of Carlsberg – which, as they famously say, is “Probably the best beer in the world” – were established way back in 1847. There’s little doubt that beer brewing is as much a part of Danish life as breathing.
Image credit: Chad T. Charlton
Carlsberg aside, if you find yourself in what’s widely believed to be one of the craft beer capitals of the world, sign up for a BeerWalks tour. This guided city walk – craft beer edition – will take you through top breweries as you learn more about the neighbourhood, with tastings from the likes of Mikkeller and Amager Bryghus.
Check out the BeerWalks website for dates, timings, prices, and locations of upcoming tours.
Image credit: Maria Kathrine Preisler
Take walking in the footsteps of famous figures to the next level when you picnic among their final resting places at Assistens Churchyard, where legendary Danes such as Hans Christian Andersen and Søren Kierkegaard lie buried.
Assistens Churchyard.
Image credit: One Year in Copenhagen
Far from being taboo or sombre, spreading out a picnic mat or even holding a small birthday gathering among these 200-year-old tombstones is a socially accepted recreational activity here.
For a walk on the more tranquil side, check out Bispebjerg Cemetery instead for some of Copenhagen’s most stunning tree-lined avenues. The best time to visit is in Spring, when the cherry blossoms bloom; otherwise it also makes for a quieter picnic locale. Be mindful that this cemetery, unlike Assistens, is still an active burial ground, so visitors should keep voices low and respect any ongoing services.
Image credit: copenhagenbycosedis via Facebook
Another historic spot worth a visit is Vestre Cemetery, the largest in Denmark and a testament to how these spaces serve dual purposes for the Danes – as places of remembrance and quiet reflection. Here, you’ll find a statue commemorating Danish soldiers lost during the Nazi Occupation, more than 9,000 German WW2 graves, and the tombs of notable Danes, including former prime ministers and polar explorer Knud Rasmussen.
Assistens Cemetery
Address: Assistens Kirkegård, Kapelvej 2, 2200 Copenhagen
Opening hours: 7am-7pm, Daily (Oct-Mar) | 7am-10pm, Daily (Apr-Sep)
Contact: +45 33 66 91 00 | Assistens Cemetery website
Bispebjerg Cemetery
Address: Frederiksborgvej 125, 2400 Copenhagen
Opening hours: 7am-7pm, Daily (Oct-Mar) | 7am-10pm, Daily (Apr-Sep)
Contact: +45 82 33 46 00.| Bisperbjerg Cemetery website
Vestre Cemetery
Address: Vestre Kirkegårds Allé 15, 2450Copenhagen
Opening hours: 7am-7pm, Daily (Oct-Mar) | 7am-10pm, Daily (Apr-Sep)
Contact: +45 33 66 91 00.| Vestre Cemetery website
Image credit: @feedmilton via Instagram
Rounding out this list, but by no means the end of all there is to do in Copenhagen, is Bjørnekælderen, or the “Bear Cellar”, a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant that’s been serving smørrebrød, AKA open-faced sandwiches, for more than 100 years.
Why “Bear Cellar”? Legend has it that once upon a time, a bear tamer who walked his pet bears in Fredriksberg Garden lived in this very basement. And smørrebrød, for the uninitiated, is as traditionally Scandinavian as it gets. It typically starts with a slice of rugbrød, a dark, heavy rye sourdough, or franksbrød, a lighter, crustier bread. Then you lay on the toppings, which classically come in the form of pickled herring, cheese, tomatoes and cucumber, boiled eggs, and more.
Image credit: @feedmilton via Instagram
At Bjørnekælderen, these classics take on a modern, slightly fusion twist, with renditions including a Fish Fillet (175kr, ~S$35.34) with yuzu, coriander, and horseradish, and Smoked Eel (245kr, ~S$49.48) with scrambled eggs, truffle, and cabbage. Do note that these sandwiches are served only at lunch.
Address: Frederiksberg Allé 55, 1820 Frederiksberg
Opening hours: Wed–Sat 11.30am-2.30pm, 5.30pm-9.30pm (Closed Sun-Tue)
Contact: +45 47 47 77 47 | Bjørnekælderen website
For anyone who’s ever thought Copenhagen was no more than a picture-perfect harbour, this non-exhaustive list proves just the opposite. And with Singapore Airlines’ daily non-stop flights, priced from $1,088, to the Danish capital, there’s no need to deal with layovers and repeated plane changes at all.
With unlimited complimentary in-flight Wi-Fi for KrisFlyer members, tasty in-flight meal selections, and close to 2,000 entertainment options on KrisWorld, there’s plenty to keep you occupied on the 14h flight before you experience hygge for yourself.
This post was brought to you by Visit Copenhagen & Singapore Airlines.
Cover image adapted from: @denmarkdotdk, @cisternerne, @visitcopenhagen via Instagram, Bakken
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