Planning a winter trip to Copenhagen? This guide will help you make the most of the season with cozy, festive, and unforgettable experiences across the city. Discover Danish hygge, Christmas markets, winter events, and plenty of indoor and outdoor activities. You’ll also find a map at the end to help you plan your perfect winter itinerary.
Winter in Copenhagen is a season of contrasts. Crisp air, twinkling lights, and a slower rhythm set the tone for cozy days and long evenings filled with hygge. Temperatures usually range between –1 °C (30 °F) and 4 °C (39 °F), so pack warm layers, gloves, and a hat. The days might be short, but the city’s lights and decorations create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Despite the chill, Copenhagen stays lively with Christmas markets, winter events, and plenty of inviting cafés where you can warm up between adventures.
From November 14, 2025 through January 4, 2026, Tivoli Gardens once again transforms into a beautiful Christmas wonderland. Multicolored twinkle lights, dazzling decorations, Christmas trees, ornaments, and the unmistakable scent of pine, spices, mulled wine, roasted almonds, and freshly baked æbleskiver will catapult you into the Christmas spirit.
Even though Tivoli is located in the heart of Copenhagen, it offers a wide selection of thrilling rides for all ages. There’s also a large playground in one corner if your kids aren’t fond of rides.
Address: Vesterbrogade
Top tip: Buy your entry tickets with Stromma to skip the entrance line. Please note that they are closed on December 24.
Photo by Tivoli Gardens
Whether your ice-skating skills match a professional hockey player’s or Bambi’s, you should still visit one of the cozy ice-skating rinks that pop up across the city in November and December. You can rent skates, and in most places, they also have skating buddies if you need a little help keeping your balance.
At Broens Ice-Skating Rink, close to Nyhavn, you can enjoy delicious street food before or after your ice time. At Frederiksberg Runddel, you can buy a hot chocolate and either take a walk in the tranquil Frederiksberg Gardens or pop by Copenhagen Zoo, located only a few minutes’ walk away.
See all the ice rinks on the map below
Photo by Mark Tanggaard
Don’t miss the Copenhagen Light Festival, which illuminates the city from January 30 through February 22, 2026. Across Copenhagen, you can admire extraordinary light installations, each telling its own story.
Experience the festival on your own or take a guided tour on foot or by boat.
Join Stromma’s special canal tour for a great view of the artworks placed along the canals and harbor. The tour is live guided with a focus on each installation and the artists’ thoughts and inspiration.
Photo by Christoffer Askman
A canal tour is an absolute must when visiting Copenhagen, no matter the time of year. In winter, taking a boat tour in the late afternoon offers a completely different experience as darkness falls and the city takes on a whole new atmosphere.
Grab a hot beverage and hop on Stromma’s cozy one-hour Classic Canal Tour, where you can enjoy Copenhagen after dark from the comfort of a covered and heated boat.
Address: Nyhavn 3 and Ved Stranden 26
See Copenhagen from above at one of the city’s many viewpoints and capture the perfect photo of the Danish capital.
Take the outdoor stairs winding around the tower of Our Saviour’s Church, walk up the iconic Rundetaarn (the Round Tower), or climb the tower at Christiansborg Palace for a panoramic view of rooftops, canals, and church spires. On clear winter days, you can even see the Øresund Bridge stretching toward Sweden.
If you prefer to stay indoors, head to the rooftop terrace at Illum or Tivoli’s food hall for beautiful city views paired with something warm to drink.
Step back in time at Rosenborg Castle, one of Copenhagen’s most beautiful royal landmarks. Built in the early 1600s by King Christian IV, the castle was originally the king’s summer residence and later became home to Denmark’s crown jewels and royal regalia. Inside, you can explore richly decorated rooms filled with art, tapestries, and royal treasures that tell stories from centuries of Danish history.
Outside, take a stroll through the King’s Garden, which surrounds the castle and is just as charming in winter when dusted with frost.
Address: Øster Voldgade 4A
Take a well-deserved break from the cold and explore the museum’s impressive collection of ancient artefacts, beautiful artwork, and striking sculptures.
The Glyptotek was founded by brewer Carl Jacobsen, the man behind Carlsberg, and offers everything from Egyptian mummies and Roman marble statues to French masterpieces by Degas and Monet. Between the galleries you will find the museum’s Winter Garden, a bright indoor oasis that feels extra welcoming on a chilly day.
After your visit, stop by the café overlooking the garden for a coffee or lunch before heading back out to explore the city.
Address: Dantes Plads 7
Getting there: Hop off at stop 12 on Stromma’s Hop On-Hop Off buses
Photo by Glyptoteket
Warm up the Scandinavian way with a visit to CopenHot – Little Siberia, where you can enjoy outdoor saunas and wood-fired hot tubs right by the harbor. Relax in the steaming water while taking in the views of Copenhagen’s waterfront and skyline. The contrast between the crisp winter air and the warm water makes it a truly unique experience.
If you are feeling brave, you can even take a refreshing dip in the harbor before getting back into the hot tub!
Address: Refshalevej 195
Top tip: You need to prebook your timeslot
Photo by Mellanie Gandø
Visit The Blue Planet and explore life below the surface at Northern Europe’s largest aquarium. Walk through impressive tunnels surrounded by fish, rays, and sharks, and see how the ocean changes from cold Nordic waters to colourful coral reefs. Kids will love spotting clownfish that look just like Nemo or watching the piranhas being fed.
The building itself is shaped like a whirlpool and makes the visit just as exciting for adults as for kids. It is the perfect indoor activity on a cold winter day.
Address: Jacob Fortlingsvej 1
Getting there: Take the metro line M2 towards Copenhagen Airport and get off at Kastrup St. and walk for approximately 5 minutes
Photo by Magnus Møller
Visit Home of Carlsberg and explore the story behind Denmark’s most famous beer brand. Walk through the historic brewery buildings, see the world’s largest collection of unopened beer bottles, and learn about the passion for science, craftsmanship, and quality that shaped Carlsberg’s legacy. Discover how the brewery grew from a small local venture into one of the world’s leading beer brands.
You can also meet the friendly brewery horses in the stable courtyard and taste a freshly brewed Carlsberg in the bar before continuing your day in Copenhagen.
Address: Gamle Carlsberg Vej 11
Hop off at stop 24 on Stromma’s Hop On-Hop Off buses
Top tip: You can buy your entry ticket directly on our website
Plan your winter days around the limited daylight and save indoor attractions for the afternoon. Dress in layers you can adjust when moving between the cold outside and heated indoor spaces. Check ahead to see if the activity you’re interested in requires prebooking, especially during weekends or holidays. And remember, Danes never let the weather stop them, they simply dress for it.
Blend in with the locals with a few Danish words, which is always a good ice breaker.
Hi: Hej
Bye: Farvel or Hej Hej
Yes: Ja
No: Nej
Maybe: Måske
Thank you: Tak
Sorry/Excuse me: Undskyld
Cheers: Skål
Danes loves to make non-Danish people say: Rød grød med fløde, so start practicing right away!
Below, you’ll find a map of our recommended winter activities in Copenhagen, making it easy to plan your perfect itinerary.
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