17 free things in Copenhagen for every budget traveler

Copenhagen is beautiful, full of things to discover and see and let’s put our flippers to the heart; it is also expensive. However, worry not. There is a lot of stuff that is free to explore and see. Below you can find the things to put on your list if you are traveling on a budget. 

Copenhagen, Denmark

Frederiksberg Palace at Frederiksberg Gardens

Frederiksberg Gardens

The Frederiksberg Gardens are very popular not only with tourists but also among the locals. They are free to enter, and you can waddle around as much as you want. The park is beautiful and has a rich history to it. 

The Frederiksberg Palace can only be entered when booking a tour as it is used. 

Waddling around the garden, you can see the Chinese bridge, water canals, the pacifier tree, and more.

See how our waddle was here – link.

Entrance to Christiania

Freetown Christiania

On the island of Christiania lies a self-proclaimed autonomous neighborhood. It was established by hippies in 1971. It began as a social experiment and is known for a relatively liberal attitude towards drugs.

The main attraction was Pusher Street, where till 2004, weed and hash were openly tolerated. Now it’s technically illegal, but the business still thrives.

It’s a fun area to explore. Many artworks are displayed on the buildings making it quite a colorful area. Note photography is not permitted, and there are even bodyguards who ensure no one takes pics or videos.

Agpalilik

Agpalilik Meteor

Located in front of the Natural History Museum is the Agpalilik – one of the largest iron meteorites in the world. I mean, look at this giant. 

It fell in Northwestern Greenland around 12 000 years ago. It was discovered in 1963 and was taken to Denmark. It took several years to get the 20 tonnes giant here. It’s still sitting on the same steel sleight that was used to pull it free from the rocks. Now it weighs only 16 tonnes as the scientists cut a piece to study it. 

Check out the free museum

There are three major museums in Copenhagen that are free and worth your time.

The National Museum, National Gallery, and Danish Resistance Museum.

Read also: Things to know about Denmark before you visit

Botanical Gardens

Botanical Gardens

The Botanical Gardens is a part of the Natural History Museum at the University of Copenhagen and is free to access and waddle around. 

It covers an area of 10 hectares.

They offer thousands of species of various kinds of plants and flowers. 

You can waddle around the garden and even relax in selected areas. 

We also visited the gardens and entered the Palm and Butterfly House, but those are paid attractions. 

Check out more here  – link. 

Statue of Hans Christian Andersen

Statue of Hans Christian Andersen

Located next to the City Hall is the statue of the most famous Dane – Hans Christian Andersen. 

If you are a fan or grew up on his stories (which almost everyone has), it’s really lovely to see it. It’s pretty big as well.

You can see some tourists here as well, but it’s not as crowded as you expect it to be.

You can also check out the beautiful City Hall building from the outside and enjoy the huge square in front of it.

 

The Citadel

Kastellet or old military base

Kastellet, which translated into The Citadel, is a citadel located in Copenhagen. It is one of the best-preserved fortresses in Northern Europe.

From above, you can see it’s star-shaped, and you can waddle around the whole shape. 

The citadel is also beautiful with old red houses; it’s pleasant to waddle it.

Statue of the Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid Statue

The Statue of the Little Mermaid is one of the classics to see when in Copenhagen. Many are disappointed when coming here, but that depends on your expectations. It’s a statue; what is there to expect. 

We liked the statue and combined it with the visit to Kastellet as it is close by. 

Be prepared for people in a queue waiting to take a picture. 

The Christiansborg Palace Tower

Christiansborg Palace Tower

The Christiansborg Palace tower is the highest point in Copenhagen. 

Its 106 meters (347 ft.) offer a magnificent view of the city’s rooftops. It is 40 centimeters higher than the city hall tower.

The Tower was constructed as part of the third and present-day Christiansborg Palace. It was designed by architect Thorvald Jørgensen.

The entrance to the tower is at the King’s Gate, a large gate in the center of the palace, immediately beneath the tower. 

To reach the top, you take the lift as the stairs cannot be used. At the top, you can also enjoy great food at the restaurant. 

See how the palace looks from the inside here – link.

Nyhavn

Nyhavn

Nyhavn is a 17th-century waterfront, canal, and entertainment district.

It is a gateway from the sea to the old inner city at Kongens Nytorv (King’s Square), where ships handled cargo and fishermen’s catch. It was notorious for beer, sailors, and prostitution. Even the author Hans Christian Andersen lived at Nyhavn for some 18 years.

 

Submarine Sælen

Historic Warships

An amazing Cold War museum, also known as Historic War Ships, is located in Copenhagen. 

You can see various historical warships here and waddle around. To enter any of the ships, you have to pay an entrance fee, but you can see them from outside for free. 

We visited the inside of the submarine, and it was tight, let me tell you. See more here – link. 

 

Read also: Is the Copenhagen Card worth it?

Superkilen park

Waddle around Norrebro Area

Norrebro is Copenhagen’s up-and-coming area with a young, laid-back vibe and chill atmosphere. 

Superkilen park is especially a favorite place to check out. It’s a very interesting and pleasant area to waddle around. 

Guard outside Amalienborg Palace

Guards outside Amalienborg Palace

Amalienborg is famous for its royal guard, known as The Royal Life Guard.

Daily you can watch the changing of the guards as they march from their barracks by Rosenborg Castle through the streets of Copenhagen to Amalienborg, often accompanied by music. The changing of the guard takes place at noon.

Amalienborg is made up of four identical buildings. 

Although we missed the guards changing, it was nice to waddle around the huge square, and we also saw the guards waddling around a little. 

Copenhagen Library

Copenhagen’s Royal Library

This is for the bookworms. The building as such is impressive from the outside, and it is also beautiful from the inside.

You can enter and waddle around and enjoy the nice atmosphere surrounded by a thousand stories. 

GreenKayak

GreenKayak

GreenKayak is an environmental NGO that engages volunteers in the fight against environmental pollution while kayaking.

You can book a free kayak on their website and enjoy the canals of Copenhagen while also collecting any trash you come around. 

Check their website for more information and booking – link. 

Amager Strandpark

Amager Strandpark

Amager Strandpark (Amager Beach Park) is a seaside public park in Copenhagen.

It is Copenhagen’s largest beach and is within biking distance from the city center and easily reached with the metro.

The park was founded in 1934, and in 2005, a two kilometers long (1.2 mi) artificial island was added.

Visit and find one of the penguin stones scattered around the world. 

The Islands Brygge Harbour Bath

The harbor in Copenhagen is so clean you can swim in it and many visitors but also locals do so. Imagine swimming in the center of Copenhagen.

Note there are reserved areas for swimming. The water quality is checked daily and has to be approved by the authorities before swimmers are let in. 


This concludes our list of free stuff we did when in Copenhagen. Hope you found something interesting and enjoy the city as much as we did.

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