Copenhagen, the country's capital and a constant in the QS Best Student Cities list, offers a wide variety of activities for students. Copenhagen is a very popular city with students for a reason—it offers activities for every season, from summer swimming in the harbor to Christmas carnival fun.
Discover our list of the top 9 things to do in Copenhagen while you are a student below.
Studying in Copenhagen offers a unique opportunity to explore the city's vibrant culture, history, and lifestyle. Here are twelve things you can do to make the most of your time while studying in Copenhagen:
A popular spot for locals to have a refreshing drink on a hot day is Copenhagen’s colorful, mesmerizing Nyhavn, one of the city’s most famous landmarks.
The area’s history is just as vibrant as Nyhavn’s architectural diversity. Originally, it served as a commercial port for arriving ships from all across the globe. Sailors frequented the area’s bars and alehouses.
Presently, eateries rule the old port and exquisite ancient residences have been refurbished. You’ll experience Jazz music, pavement cafes, and people taking pleasure in the laid-back ambiance and delicious food as you stroll beside the canal. Boats line the canal and you can take canal cruises to travel around the beautiful waterways of the city.
For those who enjoy history, a day excursion to Kronborg Slot (Crown Castle) near Zealand's northernmost tip is worthwhile. Here, you can see royal tapestries from Denmark, prison cells, a ballroom adorned with paintings, and a wonderful perspective of Sweden on the other side of the river. The castle is well located, and seeing it gives visitors plenty of time to explore the neighborhood. The Danish shoreline may be followed as it ascends into Sweden and the ancient town of Helsingr, which is home to the spectacular 15th-century Kronborg Castle, about 40 minutes to the north of Copenhagen's city center.
The second-oldest consistently operational amusement park in the world is located at Tivoli Gardens, one of Denmark's most well-known tourist destinations. Choose your visit wisely because it is only open throughout the summer, during Christmas, and on Halloween. A unique way to spend a summer evening is to attend one of their Friday night performances. Or, if you're feeling very daring, hop on the 1914-built wooden rollercoaster Rutschebanen.
When relocating to Copenhagen, consider getting a bike high priority. There are bike stores all throughout the city, and you can readily discover used bikes on Facebook and in student groups. With 49 percent of Copenhageners using bicycles to get to work or school, cycling is a popular form of transportation for students and a fantastic way to explore this bike-friendly city.
In an old military barracks in Copenhagen, there is a free-standing community called Christiana. It is a jumble of art galleries, music venues, workshops, pubs, cafés, and restaurants. It is perhaps arguably most known for the many vendors there that sell cannabis, which is prohibited otherwise in Denmark. To get the most out of your trip, consider taking a complimentary tour of Christiana for approximately €20 to learn about the town's past and future.
What can be found on Strget, one of the longest pedestrian streets in Europe? Budget chains, designer names, and a variety of other stores may be found along the 1.1-kilometer length that extends from City Hall Square to Kongens Nytorv. The term Strget, which dates back to the 1800s, refers to a number of streets, including Frederiksberggade, Nygade, Vimmelskaftet, and stergade, as well as Nytorv Square, Gammeltorv Square, and Amagertorv Square.
Strget offers more than just shopping, though! While out shopping, keep an eye out for some of Copenhagen's beautiful landmarks, such as Helligndskirken, the Church of Our Lady, which is located behind Gammeltorv Square and served as the wedding venue for Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary, the courthouse at Nytorv Square, and the Stork Fountain at Amagertorv Square.
The Copenhagen Dox Film Festival, one of the biggest worldwide for documentaries, will help you expand your horizons. The festival offers workshops, seminars, and art displays in addition to some of the most innovative new films. At the end of the series, some of the movies will be available to watch for free online if your student budget can't support a ticket.
The Little Mermaid, a little monument made of bronze and granite perched atop a rock near the Langelinie promenade, is one of the most well-known tourist attractions in Copenhagen. Carl Jacobson commissioned the statue, which Danish artist Edvard Eriksen unveiled in August 1913. The monument represents the mermaid's transformation into a human while she waits for her prince in the Hans Christian Andersen fable, "The Little Mermaid," as it is shown in the statue.
Superkilen is a multifaceted public park that was built in the Nrrebro neighborhood in 2008 with the intention of bringing residents and migrants together. The park’s exhibits and facilities, including an outdoor Thai boxing ring, Morocco’s water fountain, and Baghdad’s swing benches aim to foster tolerance by representing more than 60 different countries. The park is separated into three main areas: Green Park, where people can sunbathe and have picnics; Black Market, where people can play games like chess and backgammon; and Red Square, where people may participate in sports and cultural events.
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