When we visited Copenhagen, the city felt both historic and playful — easy to get around, kid-friendly, and welcoming to English speakers. It truly felt like one of those rare capitals that managed to combine history, whimsy, and modern convenience in ways that make it ideal for families.
We started our day with a canal boat tour (the girls promptly fell asleep, giving us a rare quiet moment to soak in the sights), grabbed lunch on a boat along the colorful waterfront of Nyhavn, and spent the afternoon at Tivoli Gardens, the amusement park that inspired Walt Disney. From cozy blankets at our lunch spot to the girls’ laughter (and a little terror!) on the rides at Tivoli, Copenhagen gave us memories we’ll be talking about for years.
Like my Oslo, Norway post, I’m going to break down what we did first, then give more options in case your family wants to explore differently than we did.
Getting off the cruise ship:
The Copenhagen cruise terminal was still under construction during our visit, so walking into the city wasn’t really an option yet. Luckily, there’s a free shuttle bus that runs straight to the Metro station — just follow the big “City Bus” signs as you exit the terminal. We disembarked around 10:00 AM, hopped on the first bus, and were at Ved Stranden, a scenic riverfront area, by 11:00 AM.
Canal Boat Tour
From there, we walked a block to the Stromma River Cruises booth and grabbed tickets for a one-hour canal tour. Copenhagen is a true canal city, and seeing it from the water was such a cool perspective. Our guide mixed history with fun modern facts — and gave fair warning about the very low bridges (“if the guide ducks, you should too!”).
About ten minutes in, both girls decided it was the perfect time for a nap — and honestly, I was impressed. They’ve learned our golden rule (for travel and theater): if you’re bored, sleep! They don’t nap at home anymore, but on trips, they know rest means more fun later. So while they snoozed, Jared and I enjoyed a peaceful, scenic cruise — and the girls woke up refreshed for the rest of our day.
Real Talk, Parents – there is a 7-11 across the street from the Stromma booth. Head in there and grab some snacks before you get on the boat. Denmark had these kids smoothie pouches (with black currants, cloudberries, and more – I’ve never seen anything like them in the US) and they were fantastic! Definitely give them a try!
Nyhavn
After our boat tour, we strolled about 15 minutes through the city to Nyhavn—a colorful canal lined with waterfront restaurants and houseboats. We grabbed lunch aboard Kutteren Havnegade, a cozy boat-turned-restaurant. Dining out in Denmark (and Norway) can be pricey thanks to high taxes on food and drinks, so it was interesting to see locals enjoying grocery-store lunches and single beers along the water instead.
Our meal was excellent—the fish was fresh, the Carlsberg beers ice-cold, and the girls loved being offered blankets to stay warm (though they weren’t really needed by midday!). Afterward, we wandered through the area, admired the home where Hans Christian Andersen once lived, and finished with ice cream before heading to our final stop of the day.
Real talk, parents – Nyhavn is a tourist capital. Everyone goes there. Which means there are crowds. It’s well worth it to visit the area, but be prepared for more people than you’ll see anywhere else on your adventures.
Tivoli Gardens
After Nyhavn, we hopped on the Metro and headed to Tivoli Gardens — the world’s oldest amusement park and one of Walt Disney’s biggest inspirations for Disneyland. Tivoli was absolutely magical. Every corner was bursting with color, intricate details, and gorgeous flowers. It’s easy to see why many people visit just to stroll the grounds — you can buy entry tickets without rides, and honestly, I could’ve spent all day just wandering around!
The girls rode nearly every attraction they were tall enough for, and we hardly waited in any lines. It was honestly one of the best (if not, the best) theme park we’ve ever been to. My favorite moment came on a seemingly harmless pirate ship ride — little two-seater boats that circled on a track. Jared and I figured it was just a gentle spin. Nope! The second it started, we were whipping around faster than expected, rocking like we were in a sea storm, complete with cannon blasts. I turned around and saw Remi’s face — pure, hilarious terror. Then she yelled, “GUYS! THIS IS NOT WHAT I EXPECTED! Get me off this thing!” Jared and I were in tears laughing. She did admit afterward that she had fun… but she wasn’t quite ready for round two!
Gemma’s favorite was the rocket-ship version of Dumbo — it flew higher and faster than she expected — while Remi conquered her first roller coaster, a small camel-themed ride that gave me major Aladdin vibes. She’s a bit more cautious than her sister, but she was so proud of herself!
We spent about four hours exploring Tivoli before catching the Metro and local bus back to the ship — tired, happy, and already talking about which rides we’d try next time.
Exploring More with Kids
Our one full day in Copenhagen was packed — from cruising the canals to lunching in Nyhavn to spending the afternoon at Tivoli Gardens — and honestly, it was such a fun introduction to the city. We squeezed in a lot, but it still felt relaxed and easy, which isn’t always the case when traveling with kids!
If we’d had another day or two, there are several other family-friendly spots I would’ve loved to check out. Copenhagen is such an easy city to navigate by Metro, bus, and simple walking, and there’s no shortage of activities that keep both kids and adults happy. Here are a few that caught my eye while planning our trip:
🦒 Copenhagen Zoo
One of the oldest zoos in Europe, and such a fun day out with kids. It’s home to pandas, lions, polar bears, and a huge petting area — plus, the elephant house was actually designed by the same architect as the Sydney Opera House! It’s easy to get to by bus or bike, and you could easily spend half a day there.
🧱 LEGO Store on Strøget
Since LEGO was born in Denmark, this is a must-see for families! The flagship store has massive LEGO sculptures, build stations, and exclusive sets you won’t find anywhere else. Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s a fun (and free!) indoor stop while exploring the pedestrian shopping street.
⚓️ National Museum of Denmark
If your crew enjoys hands-on learning, the National Museum has an amazing Children’s Museum inside where kids can dress up like Vikings, explore old ships, and play with historical toys. It’s very interactive and a great way to sneak in a bit of history without it feeling like “school.”
🌳 Rosenborg Castle & The King’s Garden
This area feels straight out of a fairy tale! Parents can tour the royal castle and see the Danish crown jewels while the kids run around the surrounding park and playground. On nice days, it’s full of locals picnicking and playing — a great spot to slow down and enjoy the city.
🧪 Experimentarium
A quick Metro ride away, this science and technology center is packed with interactive exhibits for all ages — from giant bubbles and motion experiments to a special “Miniverse” just for little ones. It’s an awesome option for a rainy or chilly day and will easily fill a few hours.
Between the colorful canals, cozy cafes, and the mix of old-world charm and modern design, it’s such an easy place to explore with kids. We packed a lot into one day — from canal rides to Nyhavn to Tivoli Gardens — and still felt like we’d only scratched the surface.
What stood out most to me was how family-friendly everything felt. The city is clean, walkable, and full of little details that make traveling with kids easier — things like free blankets at restaurants, spotless public transportation, and friendly locals who never seemed fazed by families in tow.
Real talk, parents – a lot of the streets were cobblestones, and there was a distinct lack of accessibility in a lot of areas, so I would recommend baby wearing instead of a stroller, if you can. Also, areas like Nyhavn were crowded. It’s tight walking quarters in parts, so if you head there, be prepared for more people than you’re expecting!
If you have more time than we did, there are so many other great spots to add to your list — the Copenhagen Zoo, LEGO Store, National Museum, and more — but even just a day here gives you a taste of what makes Denmark so special. It’s a place that invites you to slow down, explore, and make memories together — and we can’t wait to go back someday and see even more.
Think Copenhagen could be a great place for your family to visit? I’d love to help you plan! Fill out my Europe trip inquiry form and let’s get started!
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