If you are wondering where to stay in Copenhagen, this article is packed with accommodation recommendations to suit all budgets and travel styles. It also contains key information on some of the different areas of Copenhagen to stay in including transport links and things to see and do.
Copenhagen is a small but charming capital city. It offers historical sites, attractive architecture and has a youthful, laid back cafe culture. There are family fun activities as well as cultural and sporting experiences to enjoy. It has excellent shopping opportunities, a buzzing nightlife and a vibrant food scene.
The city also has an excellent public transport network so getting around Copenhagen is easy, particularly on a hired bike. It is also a green city with lots of parks, canals and a pretty waterfront.
Copenhagen is known as one of the friendliest and safest cities in Europe and is a memorable place to visit at any time of year.
Where to stay in Copenhagen
Quick picks for your stay in Copenhagen
| Hotel | Location | Rating | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25Hours Hotel Indre By | Indre | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Book here |
| Generator Hostel | Indre | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Book here |
| Scandic Palace Hotel | Indre | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Book here |
| NH Collection Copenhagen | Christianshavn | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Book here |
| Cosy Apartment in Christianshavn | Christianshavn | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Book here |
| Kanalhuset | Christianshavn | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Book here |
| Adina Apartment Hotel | Østerbro | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Book here |
| STAY Nordhavn | Østerbro | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Book here |
| Apartment in Copenhagen | Østerbro | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Book here |
FAQ’s
When is the best time to visit Copenhagen?
For long, sunny and warm sightseeing days, the best time to visit Copenhagen is in the summer. July and August are the warmest months but they will also be the busiest months as Danish and European schools are on their summer break.
Any trip between May and September will have warm, bright days and Spring is a good time to see the city’s numerous parks in bloom.
If you visit in winter, be prepared to wrap up warm. You will have short, cold (very cold!) days but you can also experience outdoor ice skating, Xmas markets and the world-famous Danish hygge.
How many days should I spend in Copenhagen?
A Copenhagen city break is justifiably popular so many people visit the city for 2 – 3 days. However, spending 5 days in Copenhagen will allow you to immerse yourself in Danish culture and comprehensively cover all that the city has to offer.
But even if you only have 24 hours in Copenhagen it is still worth visiting!
Is Copenhagen expensive?
It is an avoidable fact that Copenhagen prices are high.
However, you can save money by staying in cheaper areas such as Nørrebro, by self-catering and by choosing free or low cost activities.
Best area to stay in Copenhagen
Like any city, Copenhagen has distinct areas, many of which offer good quality hotels and self catering accommodation.
Indre By is Copenhagen’s inner city area where you will find some of its most famous attractions. It is a great location for first time visitors as it is close to the city’s train station.
Opposite the inner city across the waterfront is Christianshavn. It is one of the city’s trendiest locations and is easily reached by car or metro.
Østerbro is northeast of the city centre and is a leafy green area packed with parks. It is close to the city’s cruise terminal and is best known as the home of the iconic Little Mermaid statue.
If nightlife is important to you, choose to stay in lively Vesterbro whereas neighbouring Nørrebro offers some of the cheapest accommodation in Copenhagen.
Where to stay in Copenhagen
Indre By
If you like to have everything on your doorstep, Indre By is the location for you. You will be near Copenhagen’s best shopping, several attractions, the central rail station and the world famous colourful port, Nyhavn.
It is an ideal location if you are visiting Copenhagen for a short time and want to get a flavour of the city quickly and easily.
Things to do in Indre By
- Go shopping on Copenhagens’s best shopping street, Strøget, which is home to high end designer stores as well as familiar high street names.
- Grab a coffee or lunch on Nyhavn and watch the world go by
- See where the Danish royal family live at Amalienborg Palace
- Pick up a Danish dinner at Copenhagen’s food market
- Learn about Danish history at the National Museum of Denmark
- Go for a stroll in Rosenberg Castle’s pretty gardens
- Enjoy the fun fair in Tivoli Gardens
Where to stay in Indre By
This elegant 4 star hotel is a 20 minute walk from Central Station. It is 100 metres from the Round Tower Copenhagen (the 17th century Rundetaarn observation tower).
The hotel has a restaurant, a bar, gym and a sauna and its communal areas are luxurious and stylish. Bike hire is available on site.
Colourful single and double rooms have quirky and unusual features and furnishings. Floor to ceiling glass windows fill the rooms with light. Each ensuite air conditioned room has a large double bed, a desk, safe and minibar.
The 3 star Generator Hostel Copenhagen is five minutes from the nearest metro station, a 10 minute walk from Strøget shopping street and a 25 minute walk from the central rail station.
The hostel has a 24 hour reception, a communal lounge, a well equipped kitchen, a bar and a laundry service. It is one of the best hostels Copenhagen has to offer.
Private ensuite rooms feature double and bunk beds, a flat screen tv and a safe. Larger dorms can also be booked for private use so The Generator is a good option if you are visiting Copenhagen with a family.
There are several Scandic Hotel Copenhagen locations. The Scandic Palace is one of the most central, adjacent to City Hall. It is a few minutes on foot to Tivoli and Strøget and a 10 minute walk from central station.
The hotel has a 24 hour front desk, a restaurant, bar, a gym and unusually for Copenhagen, breakfast is included in the room rate.
Its two tone single and double rooms feature a flat screen tv, a desk and a soft chair. Some rooms have a balcony with city views.
Christianshavn
This artificial island was built in the 17th century and is directly opposite Indre By.
Christanshavn is a delightful and picturesque bohemian area known for its waterways and canals. It is connected to the city by walkable bridges and by the metro system.
It is a popular location to visit for both international and domestic tourists (hence its accommodation prices) but if you like fairytale buildings and a fantastic food scene, this area is a good option.
Things to do in Christianshavn
- Hire a bike and explore the islands’ quiet car free lanes and waterways
- If you have a head for heights, climb the winding exterior staircase around the spire of Church of Our Saviour for incredible city views
- Enjoy a boat ride on the canals
- Eat al fresco at one of the islands’ two bustling street food markets
Where to stay on Christianshavn
This outstanding contemporary hotel is one of the best 5 star hotels in Copenhagen. It is 500 metres from the Church of Our Saviour and 300 metres to the nearest metro station.
The hotel has a restaurant, bar, a gym and a 24 hour front desk.
Double and twin rooms have a flat screen tv, a soft chair, tea and coffee making facilities and city views. The spacious ensuite bathroom features a rainfall shower. Premium rooms have an additional sofa bed whereas suites have a separate living and dining area.
Cosy Apartment in Christianshavn
This stylish top floor attic apartment is 350 metres from the Church of Our Saviour.
It is ideal for self catering couples or small groups as it has one bedroom, one bathroom and a separate living room with a sofa bed and tv. There is free WiFi and a well equipped kitchen with a fridge, dishwasher and oven.
This comfortable hotel is situated in a historic waterfront building, 400 metres from the nearest metro station. The Church of our Saviour is 300 metres on foot.
The hotel offers a restaurant, a bar and free WiFi. Its tiled floor rooms vary in size and feature a large double bed, a seating area and an ensuite bathroom.
For something special, book one of Kanalhuset’s stunning apartments. The elegantly designed and furnished apartments sleep up to four, have a separate living room and bathroom plus a kitchen equipped with an oven, fridge, microwave, washing machine and dishwasher.
Østerbro
Østerbro is one of the most affluent neighbourhoods in Copenhagen. It is northwest of Indre By and is a quiet, family friendly area with several green parks and lakes. It is also home to the infamous Little Mermaid.
Østerbro is a good option if you are looking for Copenhagen hotels near the cruise port.
Things to do in Østerbro
- Join the jogging and biking locals and go for a walk around Søerne or ‘The Lakes’
- Visit the Centre of Contemporary Art (which offers free entry to accompanied children).
- Explore Fælledparken which is the largest park in Copenhagen. It has playgrounds, a skateboard park and cycling trails
- Stroll along the promenade to see the four foot high Little Mermaid statue
Where to stay in Østerbro
This luxury aparthotel is a 25 minute walk from Copenhagen city centre. It is 10 minutes on foot to the Little Mermaid and Østerbro train station is 750 metres away.
The hotel features an indoor swimming pool, a gym, restaurant and a 24 hour front desk.
Each apartment boasts an open plan living / kitchen equipped with a stove, oven, fridge, washing machine, dryer and dishwasher. There is also a sofa and a tv. The separate bedrooms feature double or single beds and the largest apartment sleeps up to five people. There are also cosy studios for two people with small kitchenettes.
This luxurious 4 star property is close to the cruise terminal and is 300 metres from the nearest metro station.
STAY Nordhavn has a bar, free WiFi and a communal garden.
Its spacious modern apartments have a kitchen and dining area featuring an oven, fridge, washing machine and dishwasher plus a dining table. There is a living area with a sofa and tv, a bathroom with a rainfall shower.
The bedrooms have a double bed and some units offer a private patio or balcony with stunning city views.
The largest apartments sleep up to four people so this value for money hotel is a good option for families and groups.
This colourful apartment is 450 metres from Nordhavn metro station.
It has two bedrooms (each with a double bed) and an open plan living and dining area with a table and chairs, sofa and tv. The spacious separate kitchen has a stove, oven, fridge, washing machine and dryer.
If you like to stay in a home away from home, this comfortable, self catering apartment is a great option.
Plan your visit to Copenhagen
Copenhagen is an attractive and pleasant city to visit. Due to its size, pedestrian and bike friendly layout and good transport links it is also an easy city to visit. You will discover that you can pack a lot of attractions and sights into a relatively short visit.
As well as sightseeing, it is worth spending some time living like a local when visiting Copenhagen. Hire a bike, enjoy a picnic in one of the city’s green parks or take a sunset stroll along the waterfront before sampling the city’s vibrant restaurants and nightlife. By doing this, you will discover why Copenhagen consistently ranks in the top European cities in which to live.
I hope this guide to where to stay in Copenhagen has helped you find the perfect accommodation for your trip to the lovely capital of Denmark.
Read more about visiting Denmark