On the Move in Copenhagen: A City Best Explored by Bike, Boat and Bus

During our stay in Copenhagen, we discovered three of the best ways to experience the city’s vibrant offerings. These preferred modes of transportation are bicycle, bus and boat.

“Watch out!” my husband calls, just as I’m about to step off the curb into a blur of motion. “You always have to look both ways, shoulder check, and yield.”

Had we been anywhere in North America, you might think he was warning me about motorists. But here in Copenhagen, it’s all about the cyclists. They’re everywhere, and they rule the roads.

The morning commute is more like a fashion shoot on wheels; women in flowing skirts, men in suits, kids tucked into attached carts, briefcases strapped to racks and blonde ponytails fluttering in the breeze. Somehow, while rushing to work or school, they all exude that effortless, Scandi-cool style.

Hop On, Hop Off By Bus and Boat

Although we opt out of joining the two-wheeled masses, the city’s Hop On Hop Off bus and boat tours provide the perfect way to take in the highlights from both land and water.

“You can get off at any marked stop on the map,” explains the kiosk attendant as we purchase our tickets. “Then catch a later ride when you’re ready to move on.”

You can also book the Copenhagen Hop-On Hop-Off Bus and Boat combo ahead of time before you arrive. It covers both the double-decker bus routes and the open-air boat, and tickets are valid for 48 hours.

So, with a map in hand and earbuds plugged in, we climb to the open-air top deck of the double-decker bus and set off on the Mermaid Tour, one of three routes circling the capital.

We breeze past Tivoli Gardens, the second-oldest operating amusement park in the world, which has been thrilling visitors since 1843. The cheerful carousel music drifts through the air as rollercoasters twist in the background.

Next up is the National Museum, whose exhibits trace Danish life from the Stone Age through the Viking era to modern times.

No Copenhagen tour would be complete without stopping at The Little Mermaid. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale, this bronze beauty has sat on her seaside rock since 1913, gazing longingly toward shore.

She’s smaller than most tourists expect, but the crowd around her is large with selfie sticks raised in salute to Denmark’s most famous maiden.

Palaces and Perfect Cafés

We hop off at Christiansborg Palace, where Denmark’s Parliament and the Prime Minister’s office are located. The massive structure stands proudly on Slotsholmen Island, a symbol of Danish democracy.

“That’s quite the workspace,” my husband, Brent, says, snapping a photo. “And quite the living quarters for our daughter-in-law.”

His joke wasn’t far off. For our family, this trip was about more than palaces.

We’re in Denmark for a family celebration, our son’s Lovefest, a belated wedding celebration joining his North American family (us) with his Danish in-laws.

Two years earlier, the couple had tied the knot in Los Angeles, and now they’re uniting both clans on her home turf. Her father once served as Ambassador to the Queen of Denmark, and during that time, the family lived in one of the palace wings. Talk about royal digs.

From Christiansborg, we stroll along the canal, soaking up the city’s historic charm before stopping for lunch at Katz Café. The cheerful spot serves burgers that barely fit on the plate and crisp, colorful salads. Like every meal we’ve had here, it was a winner.

Over the past two decades, Copenhagen has become a culinary powerhouse, a magnet for serious foodies, and home to some of the world’s most innovative chefs.

To walk off lunch, we meander through Copenhagen’s charming pedestrian zones.

Strøget, one of Europe’s longest car-free shopping streets, offers everything from budget boutiques to designer brands. Side streets lead us into quiet courtyards, each decorated with statues, fountains and street performers.

We pass Studiestræde, once the city’s Latin Quarter, now buzzing with coffee houses and thrift shops, and wander along Strædet, lined with cozy cafés and quirky Danish design stores.

I can’t pronounce a single street name correctly, but every block is picture-perfect, façades painted in lemon yellow, coral pink and sky blue.

Then we reach Nyhavn, the city’s most iconic canal. Once a gritty port for sailors and merchants, it’s now a postcard paradise. Crayon-colored townhouses hug the waterfront, cafés spill onto cobblestones and the reflections of old wooden boats shimmer in the canal.

It’s busy but beautiful, and we understand instantly why this is one of the most photographed places in Denmark.

Cruising Copenhagen by Canal

Two days later, we return to Nyhavn, this time with our extended family in tow, to see the city from the water.

“Climb aboard!” our son and daughter-in-law call, greeting everyone dockside with hugs and smiles.

Some guests settle under the canopy; others, like us, claim open-air seats at the back of the longboat, cameras ready. As we glide away from the quay, the guide’s voice crackles through the speaker.

“On your right is Amalienborg Palace, winter home of the Danish royal family,” she says. “You might see a prince or princess driving through those gates.”

We lean forward, peering toward the elegant courtyard. No royal sightings today. But the grandeur of the palace, framed by fountains and statues, makes us feel regal enough.

Our cruise glides past historic buildings and spires, many of which were commissioned by King Christian IV in the early 1600s.

We drift into Christianshavn, a neighborhood of narrow canals and colorful houseboats, home to the city’s most unconventional enclave, Freetown Christiania. Founded by squatters in the 1970s, this self-proclaimed “free town” is a mix of artists, anarchists, and dreamers.

Across the canal, in striking contrast, stands Copenhagen’s ultra-modern Opera House, its sleek lines gleaming in the sun, a perfect symbol of how this city balances tradition and innovation.

“Skål!” our son calls, raising his glass of champagne. “It’s the Danish way of saying cheers!”

Glasses clink all around. The champagne sparkles in the sun, and laughter ripples over the water. We’ll hear that word many times during the coming days of their Lovefest celebration. But for now, it feels like the perfect toast, not just to the happy couple, but to this remarkable city that has welcomed us with such style and warmth.

“Skål!” we echo, smiling at the view of Copenhagen unfolding behind us, a city of bikes, boats, buses, and boundless charm.

If You Go

Getting There:

Copenhagen is served by Copenhagen Airport (CPH), about 20 minutes by train or metro from the city center.

Getting Around:

Rent a bike (Denmark is famously flat) or use the Hop On Hop Off bus and boat network for easy sightseeing. Public transport is efficient and includes buses, trains, and harbor ferries.

Don’t Miss:

• Tivoli Gardens: The 1843 amusement park that inspired Walt Disney.
• Nyhavn Canal: Lined with colorful buildings and cafés — a must for photos.
• Christiansborg & Amalienborg Palaces: Rich with royal and political history.
• Freetown Christiania: Copenhagen’s bohemian heart.
• The Little Mermaid: Small in size, but big on symbolism.

Best Time to Visit:

May through September offers long days, outdoor dining, and canal cruising weather.

Need a hand planning your trip? Here are the sites and services we rely on most, from booking tools to travel products we love.

Inspire your next adventure with our articles below:

• Top 10 Things to do in Copenhagen: The Vibrant Capital of Denmark
• The Ultimate European Bucket List: 23 Life-Changing Experiences

Author Bio: Since 1996, while freelancing, Jane Cassie has had thousands of articles published.  Her stories have appeared CNN Magazine, Northwest Travel, New York Daily News, Chicken Soup For The Soul, Dreamscapes, Air Canada In-flight, Cottage Life, Epicure and Travel, just to name a few. She has been a regular contributor to Spa Life, INNspire, North American Inns Magazine, Cottage, and Inspire Magazines.

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