Copenhagen solo travel is not as intimidating as it may sound.
If you’re a numbers person, then you’ll be pleased to know that statistics show Denmark’s capital is safe, its residents are happy, and the overall vibe is chill.
Even if you’re a female solo traveling Copenhagen, you’ll likely be surprised at just how at ease you feel wandering around a new city at all hours of the day and night. With dozens of free things to do, hundreds of great restaurants with a table for one, and accommodations for all budgets that cater to solo guests, Copenhagen solo travel is a win for any intrepid individual.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Alexander Spatari. Image Location: Nyhavn, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Solo travel in Copenhagen
Is Copenhagen good for solo travelers?
Yes, Copenhagen is a great city for solo travelers to explore. It’s compact enough to wander on foot yet large enough that it warrants a well-connected metro system that is affordable for nearly every budget. Passersby are polite and most speak English. Plus, there are loads of activities a solo traveler can enjoy alone or with new friends.
Is Copenhagen safe for female travelers?
Yes, Copenhagen is safe for female travelers. Though we never recommend any solo traveler completely let their guard down, a low city-crime rate makes Copenhagen a safer place than other European capitals — even when walking around at night.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Westend61. Image Location: Copenhagen, Denmark.
How many days in Copenhagen is enough for solo travelers?
You can tackle Copenhagen solo in three days, though you should spend a week or longer if you have the availability. Copenhagen’s an easy city to get comfortable in and an enjoyable place to relax, work remotely, or spend running between museums and restaurants.
Where should I stay when visiting Copenhagen alone?
When it comes to traveling alone, always prioritize your safety and comfort level over budget. With that being said, Copenhagen does have a number of hostels and hotels for all solo travelers’ budgets.
The retro-themed Copenhagen Downtown Hostel is near the train station, has solo traveler events each Wednesday night, and secure keycard rooms. Hotel Kong Arthur has pricier suites that are more modern in style, bike rentals, is close to the metro, and offers a nightly “cozy hour” with free beverages. Go all out with the 5-star D’Angleterre, a lavish abode one-minute from Nyhavn with an indoor marble swimming pool, a one-star Michelin restaurant called Marchal, and they can arrange anything from architecture tours to seaplane flights to Aarhus.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Alexander Spatari. Image Location: Amagertorv Town Square, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Copenhagen travel tips
A few travel tips to consider when visiting Copenhagen alone:
- The Copenhagen Card is great for multi-day stays as it offers unlimited free rides on public transport, as well as free admission to select attractions.
- Copenhagen is a multi-lingual city and English is common. Still, it’s polite to try and work a little Danish into the conversation, such as god morgen (good morning), tak (thanks), Vær venlig (please), undskyld mig (excuse me), and jubel (cheers).
- If visiting Freetown Christiania to partake in its infamous recreational activities, be aware that the Danish government is still the law of the land and police conduct raids, including random pocket searches, multiple times a day.
- Copenhagen is very walkable and ideal for cycling, but the metro is affordable, extensive, and lets you maximize your time while saving your energy.
- There are 24 Michelin-starred restaurants in Copenhagen, and they’re worth hunting down, but there are plenty of cheap Danish eats that are just as mouthwatering.
Free things to do in Copenhagen
Copenhagen puts the “free” in freedom when it comes to solo traveling. Most of the state-sponsored museums are free to visit, while others have weekly free admission days (typically Wednesday). You can borrow a kayak for free from GreenKayak, trade Tivoli Gardens for the free Bakken amusement park, or wander into Amalienborg Palace without a ticket. Other free things to do include:
- Sandkaj bathing zone
- Svanemølle Beach
- Absalon community house
- The Botanical Garden
- Designmuseum of Denmark
- The Danish Museum of Hunting and Forestry
Solo dining in Copenhagen
Eating is one of the best things to do in Copenhagen alone. Be one of the last diners to experience Noma or treat yourself to another Michelin restaurant like the creative Koan, the seafaring Jordnær, or a quick trip across The Øresund Bridge to Malmø, Sweden, for the dog-friendly Vollmers.
Swap the stars for food halls and make a triangular route around Copenhagen’s city center by visiting Tivoli Food Hall, Broens Gadekøkken, and TorvehallerneKBH. Listen to your stomach rumble or let your other senses appease your appetite: the Vesterbro neighborhood is home to the latest culinary trends, Frederiksberg is more for the discerning diner, and the Meatpacking District is, well, self-explanatory.
Check Denmark off of your to-do list. Download the Trainline app and grab tickets to Copenhagen from Germany, the Netherlands, or France today.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Alexander Spatari. Image Location: Copenhagen, Denmark.